Scars - Dan Scottow

 

The wounds you can't see take the longest to heal...

In an isolated cottage on the banks of a Scottish loch, a reclusive couple take on a new live-in carer.

As Lucy gets to know her employers, she realises the house and the people in it aren’t what they seem. Is the house haunted or is something far more sinister living within the walls?

As secrets and lies begin to unravel, Lucy starts to question what is real. But one thing seems certain, if scars cannot heal, people will never forgive…

Purchase HERE

My Review:

WOW!

What an incredible, dramatic read; I was hooked from start to finish. From a dramatic and horrific opening, this thriller will have you eager to read every twist and turn. You will not want to put this down!

This is such a clever story, with details scattered throughout; some red herrings that will throw you off. I’m usually good at spotting things and having these books all figured out, but Dan Scottow stumped me until late on and even then, I was surprised.

I liked the characters; although ‘liked’ may be the wrong word. I liked that in terms of characters I didn’t know who to trust, who to believe, who to pity and who would come out on top by the end.

The location and how well its described adds to the tension; the idea of being so remote and away from things gives me the shivers just imagining.

This is Dan’s third book and the second I have read… his writing is fantastically descriptive and detailed; at one point I didn’t know if I dared switch out the light! The book is intense, with twists and turns galore, suspense and a thrilling finale.

If you are a fan of dark, dramatic, thrillers, I cannot recommend this highly enough. 

Follow Dan on Twitter: @DanScottow

Life's A Beach - Portia MacIntosh

 

Sun, sea and inescapable exes...

Peach is excited to hear that her sister, Di, is getting married. Of course, she would have preferred her little sister to be engaged to someone she's known longer than a week - and the fact that his name is Charles doesn't bode well - but who is she to judge?! Afterall, her own love life is non-existent, and who doesn't love a destination wedding...?

Whisked away to the gorgeous Italian coast, Peach assumes her role as chief bridesmaid and, despite her reservations about the groom, she tries to ensure everything goes to plan.

But weddings are never straightforward affairs... throw in some unexpected guests in the form of ex-boyfriends and one night stands, and soon enough there is more drama than a reality tv show.

Can Peach keep the show on the road, or might she end up in a whirlwind romance of her own...?

Escape to the stunning Italian coast with bestseller Portia MacIntosh. Perfect for fans of Sophie Ranald and Mhairi MacFarlane.

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3aRO92I

My Review:

I’m a long-time fan of books by Portia MacIntosh and I always look forward to the next release. I thoroughly enjoy her writing style, there is comedy, emotion, drama, and romance everything unfolds at a good pace. MacIntosh always provides a fun, easy read that will entertain. The characters in Portia’s books are always realistic, loveable characters and this time is no exception. I think Peach is brilliant, and Matt sounds like a dream! They were both strong characters but completely likeable – even when you think Matt is no good. I really liked Van, although I grew quite uncertain of her motives at points. I didn’t think I would grow to like Charles at all, I disliked him but by the end I found myself quite charmed by him. It might be interesting to see how he (and everyone) would react if all the secrets of the past had come to light There was an awful lot crammed into this story, entertaining but at times it was quite full on. A lot of characters in one place with secrets and twists, a couple of things never seemed to be resolved and a couple of characters just seemed to fade away by the end. I would have been interested to see what happened if a couple of other scenarios played out. This book has brilliant characters and fun storylines, it was highly entertaining, and I would recommend for an easy, relaxing read. Thank you to Boldwood Books & NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

Author Bio:

Portia MacIntosh is a bestselling romantic comedy author of 16 novels, including The Plus One Pact and My Great Ex-Scape. Previously a music journalist, Portia writes hilarious stories, drawing on her real-life experiences.

 

Social Media Links

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PortiaMacIntosh

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portiamacintoshauthor/

Newsletter Sign Up Link: http://bit.ly/PortiaMacIntoshNewsletter

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/portia-macintosh

One Family Christmas - Bella Osborne

 

A big family. A whole lot of secrets. A Christmas to remember…

This year, Lottie is hosting one last big family Christmas at the home she grew up in – just like her Nana would have wanted.

But when her relatives descend on the old manor house, Lottie gets more than she bargained for. Every family has its secrets, but in this family, everybody has one!

So, between cooking a Christmas dinner, keeping tensions at bay and a stray dog out of mischief, she has plenty on her plate and not just misshapen sausage rolls and a frozen turkey. And then her first love shows up – nine years after he walked out of her life.

Can Lottie make their last family Christmas one to remember… for the right reasons?

Purchase Links

Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B085XQXDB9/

Universal Amazon link - http://mybook.to/OneFamilyChristmas

KOBO - https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/one-family-christmas

My Review:

Time to get festive and for Lottie that means upholding long standing traditions, at least this one final time. Determined to uphold her Nana’s customs and Christmas traditions she sets about playing host before a surprise visitor leaves her feeling on edge, a houseful of family drama and a cat and dog that cause drama every way she turns.

What an absolute hoot, I loved this from beginning to end. Littered with sentimentality for years gone by and missed loved ones, it has plenty of laugh out loud moments that highly entertained – usually involved one furry friend at least. I really loved this family and fair play to Lottie – she really works hard to make everyone happy.

Her kitchen disasters are appreciated even if sounding inedible. I loved her relationship with her brother, he is always on her side which is good as at times I felt like she was treated like some servant catering to everyone else’s whims and fancies.

What I really enjoyed about this? Is that I could identify with parts, some of the mishaps and funny moments. I think this is what will appeal to so many readers, we aren’t given the picture-perfect Christmas that although often cute, just isn’t realistic. One Family Christmas is bound to remind most people of their own unique family Christmases.

So many characters can sometimes be confusing, but each had their own unique personality and place in the book it felt like you were right in the middle of this crazy but equally lovely family. I could see this as a fun filled, comedy Christmas film!

Family relationships are tested but this heart warming read will show that through all the ups and downs family can be there for each other. It’s a gorgeous, cosy read that will have you laughing one minute and feeling reminiscent the next. With forgotten love, missed family members and new chances at love being offered, this wonderful read can tick all the boxes.

I highly recommend this fun filled, festive treat! 

Author Bio:

Bella has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full length novel. Since then she’s written six best selling romantic comedies and she’s been shortlisted three times for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

Bella's stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She lives in The Midlands, UK with her husband, daughter and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. When not writing Bella is usually eating custard creams and planning holidays.

For more about Bella, visit her website at www.bellaosborne.com or follow her on social media.

Social Media Links:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/osborne_bella

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

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bellaosborneauthor/

The Winter Garden - Heidi Swain ** GIVEAWAY **

Fancy winning a signed copy of The Winter Garden from Heidi Swain? Read on... 

***The sparkling new Christmas novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author Heidi Swain!***

Freya Fuller is estranged from her parents and has been following her childhood dream of becoming a gardener ever since. When an opportunity to design a winter garden opens up at a Victorian property in Nightingale Square, Freya jumps at the chance to make a fresh start. But while the majority of the residents are welcoming, local artist Finn seems determined to shut her out, and when Freya's family make a surprise appearance, it seems that her new life is about to come crashing down . . .

The Winter Garden  is the perfect read this Christmas, promising snowfall, warm fires and breath-taking seasonal romance. Perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Cathy Bramley and Sarah Morgan.

My Review:

Heidi’s writing is like a comfort blanket and the stories she creates are heart-warming, soul soothing and a perfect tonic to what’s been the most unsettling of times.

Heidi Swain books always shoot straight to the top of my TBR. I will ditch any other just to read them as I know I will adore them from start to finish. I’ve been looking forward to ‘The Winter Garden’ so didn’t hesitate to start and I was hooked from the off.
A return to Nightingale Square – YEY – we are familiar with this setting thanks to Heidi’s previous books, Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square and Poppy’s Recipe for Life but don’t worry The Winter Garden is a standalone, you don’t need to have read the others but for those of us who have we will be greeted with a few familiar faces.
Freya finds herself leaving a place she’s loved and treasured for years after it is inherited by heartless and awful sounding Jackson; she’s heading to Prospect Place and is keen to start work on The Winter Garden. Cue Freya finding herself in Nightingale Square and finally finding her home.
The locals all make Freya feel welcomed and she is soon in the thick of community activities. Freya is a lovely character, hard working, self-assured and confident in many ways. Her first meeting with Norse god like sculptor, Finn, leaves a lot to be desired and its clear that these two characters don’t see eye to eye which could become awkward having to work in such proximity.
The story progresses and we see how settled Freya becomes, how happy she realises she is and how well she fits into this community. I love catching up with the old favourites so I will look forward to a return to the square and a little catch up with her.
Although this book isn’t solely Christmas themed, there is the perfect amount of festive cheer to make you feel all cosy and ready to celebrate the season. A winter delight I’d say, it gives you all the right feels, with gorgeous characters and a heart-warming tale.

About Heidi:

Sunday Times Best-selling author with a passion for vintage, hearth & home.

Creating wonderful communities and characters. Find out more -

Website: https://heidiswain.co.uk/

Check out the blog: http://heidiswain.blogspot.com/

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



WIN A SIGNED COPY:

All you need to do is leave a comment on this blog with your favourite part of Winter.

Closing date is Sunday 11th October at 9pm and I will announce the winner on the blog and on Twitter (please follow me @TheComfyChair2 to see announcement there) on Monday 12th at 9am. 

 

Tell That to My Heart - Eliza J Scott

Tell That To My Heart (Heartshaped Book 1)

Jemima Dewberry wears her heart on her sleeve. Her weakness for bad boys, coupled with her track record for making bad decisions has led to endless heartbreak. The only trouble is, she can’t seem to kick the habit.

On top of that, her “dream” job at Yorkshire Portions magazine hasn’t turned out to be what she’d hoped, and she seems to have developed the knack of annoying her boss without even trying. It doesn’t help that the new girl seems to have taken an instant dislike to her. All that’s keeping her there are her best friends Anna-Lisa and Aidey, who have picked up the pieces of her shattered heart more times than they care to remember.

When Jemima’s latest boyfriend turns out to be no better than the rest, the hurt and humiliation is almost unbearable. She declares she’s finally through with love, and swears off men for life. But when charismatic Caspar De Verre walks into the office with his dangerous good looks and mesmerising smile, she’s utterly captivated, and her promises to Anna-Lisa and Aidey not to let her heart rule her head are soon forgotten.

But is Caspar all he seems? Anna-Lisa and Aidey have their doubts. And Herbert, the happy-go-lucky black Labrador Jemima’s looking after, doesn’t seem to like him either.

As Jemima falls for Caspar’s charms she finds herself being forced to confront the struggle between her head and her heart. But which one will prove the most powerful?

And will Jemima get the happy-ever-after she so desperately craves?

My Review:


As a fan of this authors previous series of books I was very excited to discover the start of this new ‘Heartshaped’ series with ‘Tell That to my Heart.’

Eliza J Scott creates wonderful characters that you take to your heart almost immediately; brilliant community settings that are well described and make you want to take. Her books are always full of heart, love, kindness, and compassion.

I love that Eliza always gives us a key group of strong characters who have brilliantly, supportive friendships. Mim is our main character in this book but she is always fully supported by great friends, Anna Lise, Aidey and Carly. They have such fun when they are all together and it comes across so nicely in Eliza’s writing. Also, I must mention Herbert – he is one to judge people quickly!

Mim is working well at Yorkshire Portions magazine, it is a good job and she gets to spend time with her close friends. This all starts to unravel with the arrival of a couple of new arrivals. One gets Mim’s heart racing and the other gets on her nerves. Quite quickly strange things start happening around the office and it becomes clear that someone has it in for Mim.

With her heart and her job both at risk, can Mim figure out the truth before everything gets out of hand?

This is an absolute corker. I adored every moment of reading this one, I could not put it down. I laughed, I was surprised and shocked, I could have quite happily booed along pantomime style with some parts. It a fantastic read and I cannot wait for the next in the series!


Purchase Links

UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B084VQHQDL 

US:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084VQHQDL

About the Author:

Eliza is proud to be a member of the RNA. She lives in a 17th-century cottage in 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, fighting a losing battle against the weeds.

When she's not reading or gardening, 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.

Her biggest weakness is ginger biscuits dunked in tea.

Eliza is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming romance stories with relatable female characters. She enjoys exploring the dynamics of female friendship, with a key feature of her books being how women pull together and support one another when things get tough.

Eliza's novels will always have happy endings.
Social Media Links –

Twitter: Eliza J Scott – @ElizaJScott1

Instagram: Eliza J Scott - @elizajscott

Facebook: Eliza J Scott - @elizajscottauthor

Blog: www.elizajscott.com

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

Summer Strawberries at Swallowtail Bay - Katie Ginger

Grab your strawberries and cream and get ready to return to the beautiful Swallowtail Bay!

Summer is in full swing and the locals are getting excited for the launch of the Swallowtail Bay strawberry food festival. But will all run smoothly when festival organiser Hetty’s heart is torn between lord of the manor John Thornhill and successful bakery owner Ben?

Purchase Links

UK Amazon ebook: https://amzn.to/3bGn0yi

US Amazon ebook: https://amzn.to/2KuIdPf

My Review:


This is the second book in a gorgeous new series from Katie Ginger (who I am a big fan of). The first visit to Swallowtail Bay – ‘Spring Tides at Swallowtail Bay’ was a delight so I jumped at the chance of reading this next book, ‘Summer Strawberries at Swallowtail Bay’.

Although it does mention characters, we have grown to love from the first book, this is written so that it can be read as a standalone book.

With this trip to Swallowtail Bay, Hetty wants to reinvigorate the strawberry festival famed but comes up against an extremely reluctant Lord of the Manor. Will she make turn her plans into a success and help the failing Thornhill Manor and will her love for ex-boyfriend Ben be reignited?

This is an adorable love story that will leave you with a smile on your face and characters that have a place in your heart. The characters of Hetty and John are brilliant and the relationship they have is fantastic; she is bright, confident and does not back down easily and he needs that kind of firecracker to break down his defences.

I love books with a strong sense of community and supporting each other and this book has it in droves. The setting is so well written, I can clearly imagine the whole town as well as the Manor and from the beautiful descriptions I wish I could live there! It sounds a gorgeous place to be.

This book is an absolute charm, I laughed along, I smiled and felt every emotion for Hetty, by the end I was so happy for everyone. I read it in no time, I just didn’t want to put it down but then I was gutted to finish it and not be able to go on being part of that community anymore.

I have enjoyed everything Katie Ginger has written but this series is something very special.


About the Author:

KATIE GINGER lives in the South East of England, by the sea, and she really wouldn't want

to be anywhere else. Summer Strawberries at Swallowtail Bay is her fifth novel. The first, Spring Tides at Swallowtail Bay is available now. Her debut novel The Little Theatre on the Seafront was shortlisted for the Katie Fforde Debut Novel of the Year award, and her stand- alone Christmas novel Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage was a US Amazon bestseller.

When she's not writing, Katie spends her time drinking gin, or with her husband, trying to keep alive their two children, Ellie and Sam. And there's also their adorable King Charles Spaniel, Wotsit (yes, he is named after the crisps!).

For more about Katie you can visit her website: www.keginger.com, find her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KatieGAuthor, or follow her on Twitter: @KatieGAuthor

Instagram: @katie_ginger_author

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

It started with a secret - Jill Mansell

The feel-good novel of the year from the Sunday Times bestselling author of MAYBE THIS TIME. Everyone has a secret - and there's no knowing what will happen when those secrets start to come out ...

The trouble with secrets is that you can't guess what the consequences will be . . .

Lainey has just lost everything. Luckily one little fib (OK, quite a big fib) helps nail her dream job. Soon she's living in a stunning house by the sea, fending off obsessed fans for a retired - if far-from-retiring - actor and organising his charming but chaotic family. Yes, everyone thinks she's part of a couple and it's tricky keeping this secret. But at least she's not looking for love: with her disastrous relationship history, men are definitely off the agenda.

Except Seth, the actor's grandson, really is very attractive. There's growing chemistry and a definite connection between them. What would happen if he knew the truth?

But Lainey's not the only one with a secret - it seems everyone has them! And they're all about to start unravelling... 

My Review:

Jill Mansell has been a long-standing favourite of mine. Getting to cosy up with another book is a pleasure, an even bigger pleasure is to be able to be part of the blog tour for her latest release.  There has never been a Jill Mansell book that doesn’t draw me in and keep me hooked from the first word right until ‘The End.’

'It started with a secret' is another example of this. I was hooked as soon as I started reading, not wanting to put it down for a second.

I loved the fabulous array of characters, such a wild and varied bunch that gel together so

well throughout the story. Lainey and her (gay) ‘boyfriend’ arrive in St. Carys to work for a family, comprised of an older famous film star, his daughter in law, adult grandson Seth and several children. Here the adventure really begins and the lovely Lainey, who is managing this household, has her work cut out for her.

With some hilarious moments between Lainey and Richard, I really enjoyed their relationship. Her attempt at improving how well he treats his fans leads to a surprise discovery but a tender, life changing moment. I also found some of Majella’s dating disasters incredibly funny – that poor woman, putting herself out there only to end up opposite some real duds!

Lainey has a very special relationship with each member of the family, knowing each of their secrets and helping them along the way, whilst following her own heart. She’s one special lady. She brought out the best in each character.

I enjoyed how the threads of this book were interwoven into a beautiful tapestry, with so much happening it would be easy to get complicated or confusing, but Mansell executes it with ease.

The only disappointment? That it had to end. 

A wonderful read that I am sure will delight fans of the author and those who have yet to discover the delight of her work.  

About the Author:

Jill Mansell is the author of over twenty Sunday Times bestsellers including The One You

Really Want and Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay.  Take a Chance on Me won the RNA’s Romantic Comedy Prize, and in 2015 the RNA presented Jill with an outstanding achievement award. 

Jill’s personal favourite amongst her novels is Three Amazing Things About You, which is about cystic fibrosis and organ donation; to her great delight, many people have joined the organ donor register as a direct result of reading this novel.

Jill started writing fiction while working in the field of Clinical Neurophysiology in the NHS, but now writes full time. She lives in Bristol with her family.

#BLOGTOUR - The Gift of Happiness by Holly Martin

Available Here

Christmas has arrived in the little village of Happiness, promising snowflakes, hot chocolate and plenty of seasonal romance. So snuggle up and fall in love with the gorgeously cosy new story from the bestselling author of Christmas at Lilac Cottage…

My Review:

One of the things that makes me really happy is snuggling up with a good book by one of my favourite authors. Holly Martin has given us wonderful stories and so many lovable settings and characters that  I was beside myself to be returning to the village of Happiness.

I loved discovering the fantastic community in Holly’s previous book – The Little Village of Happiness – and couldn’t wait to catch up with some of the characters I’d grown to love previously as well as getting the chance to discover more about Ruby.

We had already met Ruby, as she is Willows best friend who came to visit but now, she is opening her own Christmas decoration shop and moving to Happiness herself. I love the sense of community that has been created in Happiness, I just wish I could live there– everyone sounds kind, caring and they always get up to so much fun. I also love the gossip that builds about Ruby and Jacob it isn’t malicious (mostly) but their own way people are just trying to be encouraging and supportive, wanting the best for them both.

Ruby and Jacob has a brief ‘liaison’ in the previous book and its quite easy to see the chemistry and attraction is still there on both sides, but we discover why Ruby doesn’t ever want to commit and it appears pretty unlikely this partnership would ever be anything ‘proper.’. It’s an unexpected and painful experience that leaves Ruby unwilling to be with Jacob and I can fully understand her reluctance to ever bond deeply with Jacob. They do have an incredible spark, which means they develop a good bond, a solid friendship and although both have stronger desires, Jacob realises he must be patient if he ever stands a chance of having anything more.

This is full of festive frolics, but it isn’t your typical feel-good, romantic festive delight; it contains some deep and sensitive topics that I felt were addressed carefully and portrayed very realistically. I resonated with the character of Ruby, she is one I took to my heart immediately and although I adore Willow, Ruby will continue to be very special. I hope we will return to Happiness in the future.
Holly Martin has given us an amazing escape yet again, so enjoy, relax and treat yourself to this wonderful read.

Thank you to the author for a copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Check out the rest of the blog tour!