The One - Claire Frost

 

THREE PERFECT MONTHS

TWO IMPERFECT PEOPLE

ONE BIG LOVE STORY

What happens when you lose the love of your life just three months after you meet him?

Lottie Brown has finally found The One. Leo is everything she’s ever wanted – he’s handsome, kind, funny and totally gets her. Three months into their relationship, Lottie is in love and happier than ever before.

But then Leo tragically dies, and Lottie is left floundering.

As she struggles to stop her life falling apart, Lottie learns more about the man she thought she knew, and starts to question whether Leo really was as perfect as he seemed…

The brand-new heart-breaking novel of love, loss and learning to live again, from the acclaimed author of MARRIED AT FIRST SWIPE. Perfect for fans of Paige Toon, Holly Miller and Rosie Walsh.

‘A tender tearjerker’ HEAT – THE EMOTIONAL ONE

‘This moreish book will break your heart then fill it with love and hope’ FABULOUS

My Review:

A heart-breaking tale of loss, grief and putting the pieces of a life not quite lived together again. 

This book bits hard in your emotions, you can feel the raw pain felt by Lottie and how she gets lost in the loss of Leo but the ultimate loss of what could have been. 

She finally finds the man of her dreams, after years of seeing her sisters lives come together and already being let down by a man she loved, but that happiness is short lived. 

I won't say more about the plot but this is a story of rediscovering life, living it for you and not others. You see how to appreciate what you have and not to compare yourself to others. 

I liked Lottie, I empathised with her. I know loss and grief, I've experienced losing the one you love. My heart broke for her as I understood. I empathised but I was equally willing her to move forward, see what she did have and what she was capable of. She makes mistakes and sometimes her attitude stinks. I loved the bond between her and her sisters, a really lovely touch. Closer than friends and that means being able to be absolutely honest and know, deep down, they will always be there. 

I read through this is no time; I didn't anticipate massive twists and turns, but I got a powerful and emotive story full of heart and soul. 

Thank you Team BATC and Claire Frost for the opportunity to read and take part on the blog tour. 

Available to buy -  HERE

 

Christmas by the Coast - Mandy Baggot

 

A Christmas romance set in the Hamptons. Can love letters from the past pave the way to a brand-new future between Harriet and ex-soldier Mack? 

As snowflakes fall, romance blossoms across open fires, ice skating rinks, and a tiki bar. Harriet Cookson knows exactly what she wants from life. She has a plan, she has ambition and she knows she has to keep busy. But when her beloved Nana Lorna passes away, Harriet has to put everything on hold as she flies out to the Hamptons to say goodbye and be with her Grandfather. Whilst across the Atlantic, over a plate of canapes, Harriet’s eyes connect with ex-soldier Mack's – the one that got away, the person she least expected to see – and everything begins to change. Mack is determined to win back Harriet’s heart, and prove to her that Christmas, and a future, in the Hamptons could be just what she’s looking for. He'll show her that the plan she’s so carefully cultivated might not be what she wants. This Christmas, find out if love letters from the past can pave the way to a brand-new future…

My review:

Fancy a festive trip to the Hamptons? Let Mandy Baggot take you there with ‘Christmas by the Coast.’

Harriet hasn’t been to visit her grandparents for a while when a tragic event means she must take the journey back to their Tiki Bar in Montauk. Whilst her reason for having to travel is sad, it was a real treat to hear about traditions for the festive season. It sounds so much fun, I’d love to experience them.

Whilst she is visiting and supporting her Grandfather again, fate plays it’s hand and when a blast from the past throws her life into turmoil, Harriet must take a look at what is most important to her and her dreams. Is Harriet ready to make big life changes?

Harriet’s boyfriend, Iain, isn’t the most endearing character you could meet, and in my opinion she could do so much better.

There are moments of sadness, grief, loss and despair but also moments of absolute joy, humour and happiness. It’s festive, romance and a story of self discovery all rolled into one. You will have all the warm and fuzzies with this read. Mandy Baggot never fails to whisk you away or give you a story full of heart and charm. With a cast of interesting and highly amusing characters, you will be laughing one minute, and feeling nostalgic for your own festive traditions the next.

An absolute treat and highly recommended. 

Purchase links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EcHITE

Waterstones: https://bit.ly/3pBJ6LF

About the Author:

Mandy Baggot is an international bestselling and award-winning romance writer.

The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK’s Festival of Romance, her romantic comedy novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016. Mandy’s books have so far been translated into German, Italian, Czech and Hungarian.

Mandy loves the Greek island of Corfu, white wine, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor. Mandy lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.

Follow Mandy:

Twitter: @mandybaggot

Facebook: @mandybaggotauthor  

Instagram: mandybaggot

#ChristmasByTheCoast

Follow Head of Zeus:

Twitter: @HoZ_Books

Instagram: @headofzeus

Facebook: @headofzeus

Website: http://www.headofzeus.com

BLOGTOUR: A Reason to Grieve - Mick Williams

Tom and Emma drift through life, both burdened with a heavy sense of grief. Both have suffered devastating loss and have closed themselves off to the possibility of happiness. Then, at a funeral, their eyes meet and they feel something neither expected.

Supported by their quirky friends and a ‘right to the point’ pensioner, will they overcome their fears and find the solution to the pain within each other, or will they give up and go their separate ways?

In turns funny and sad, A Reason to Grieve is a romantic tale about two people fighting their feelings, about love and loss. And about funerals. 

Purchase Links

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reason-Grieve-Mick-Williams/dp/1536957216/

US - https://www.amazon.com/Reason-Grieve-Mick-Williams/dp/1536957216/

My Review

A lovely read by Mick Williams that is full of funny and touching moments. A sweet romantic comedy, it’s not overly soppy or gushing but is really sentimental in some parts.

Emma and Tom are our main characters who meet each other in quite the unique situation. With an instant connection it’s nice to see their relationship develop but also the relationships they have with their friends. Cue a lot of banter, jokes and moments of unfiltered truth.

My favourite character is Doris. Like a Mum to the salon girls, what she imparts through hilarious stories is priceless. I wish I could pull off blue hair like her!

Emma and Tom’s relationship doesn’t always run smoothly – they have to work through their own insecurities, the ghosts from their past that they’ve held onto for too long. It did make for some fairly emotional moments and I’m sure most readers will connect to them in some way.

Very well written and nicely paced I think this is a funny read that will entertain.

About the author:

Mick Williams moved from Stoke-On-Trent, England to Kentucky, USA. Then, after almost a decade, he moved back.

In between reading, writing and listening to good music he still watches proper football and, for his sins, follows his local team Port Vale. He does also still cheer for the Indianapolis Colts.

He was adopted by two cats, Crash and Thud, and resides with his patient wife in Staffordshire.

Social Media Links – www.mickwilliamsauthor.co​m and mickwilliamsauthor on Facebook​               

Beautiful, Complicated Family Volumes 1 & 2 - Rosey Lee

Beautiful, Complicated Family: Volume 1 is a collection of five flash fiction stories exploring the connections that can hold people together or tear them apart. Like most families, the relationships in this uplifting collection consist of intricate elements. Sometimes things get messy, but it’s always beautiful. Each story is 1000 words or less each.

Read each story in about 5 minutes and get Volume 2 of the collection for free using a link within Volume 1. The stories are perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary fiction novels as well as those who only have time for a quick read. This collection is filled with relatable characters and endings that pull at your heartstrings, so don’t be surprised if you laugh or cry along the way. The stories in this book include “The Reverse Escape”, “Gran’s Return”, “Wind Chill” (2019 Best of the Net anthology nominee), “To Establish Care”, and “Vocal Rest”.

Beautiful, Complicated Family: Volume 2 

This is the second book in the Beautiful, Complicated Family series. This collection contains five additional flash fiction stories exploring the connections that can hold people together or tear them apart. Like most families, the relationships in this uplifting collection consist of intricate elements. Sometimes things get messy, but it’s always beautiful. Each story is 1000 words or less each.
Read each story in about 5 minutes. The stories are perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary fiction novels as well as those who only have time for a quick read. This collection is filled with relatable characters and endings that pull at your heartstrings, so don’t be surprised if you laugh or cry along the way. The stories in this book include “Hiding Spots”, “Blossom in the Snow”, “The Friendship PIP”, “Christmas Eve Dinner”, and “A Dress Rehearsal”.

My Review:

Beautiful, Complicated Family is a splendid collection of flash fiction; five short stories that really pack a lot of punch and will really giver readers cause to think. The stories take you through a range of circumstances and emotions – some will make you laugh, and some will make you well up with tears. Stories covering love, loss and heartbreak; they are all wonderfully written, so good you will wish they were longer reads.

I’m not used to quick, short reads but this was an ideal introduction and will now be something I will seek more of, especially at Rosey’s hand.

Thank you for this opportunity. I recommend both volumes to all.  

Purchase Links:

The books are free on the US sites below. Prices may vary in other countries:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Apple Books

Kobo

Volume 1 contains a link to get Volume 2 free by subscribing to the author’s website. Alternatively, readers can purchase Volume 2 from their preferred ebook vendor.

About the Author: 

Rosey Lee writes uplifting fiction stories about family and friendship. A native of the Westbank of New Orleans, Louisiana, Rosey is a fan of good food and a good time. As a child, she dreamed of a career in writing, fashion design, and acting. She uses the pen name Rosey Lee as she pursues her passion for writing. Her alter ego is a physician who has dedicated her career to individual and community-based approaches to health equity. She enjoys cooking, flower arranging, listening to live music, and occasional bursts of fanatical bargain shopping.

Rosey’s flash fiction has appeared in Necessary Fiction, Bending Genres, Barren Magazine, Turnpike Magazine, The Wellington Street Review, and elsewhere. Her work has also been nominated for the 2019 Best of the Net anthology. Connect with her at roseyleebooks.com and @roseyleebooks on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

BLOGTOUR: The Last Day of Winter - Shari Low

One December wedding. One runaway bride. One winter's day to bring everyone together again.

 

Today is the day Caro and Cammy are due to walk up the aisle. But Caro's too caught up in the trauma of her past to contemplate their happy ever after.

Stacey's decision to return from L.A. is fuelled by one thing – telling Cammy how she feels, before it's too late.

Wedding planner, Josie, needs to sort the whole mess out, but she's just been dealt some devastating news. Can she get through the day without spilling her secret?

On a chilly winter's day, they have twenty-four hours to prove that love can lead the way to a brighter future...

Perfect for fans of Isabelle Broom, Sarah Morgan and Amanda Prowse.

Buy links:

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

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2Zq1KFD

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

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

My Review:

Shari Low gives us an intense yet uplifting, emotional rollercoaster for this final installment in the Winter Day series. If you haven’t come across any of the previous books, don’t worry you will still enjoy the story here – you can read it as a standalone, but you should treat yourself and read the others too.

Shari is a brilliant, emotive writer who beautifully weaves a story that is full of drama, love, friendships and heart; a story of which that will have you fully invested in the characters from the start. You will go through a whole range of emotions and there will be characters that you adore like Caro as well as characters you cannot abide like Stacey who seemed intent on ruining things – and my favourite character, Josie who will take you on such an emotional, heart wrenching journey this time around.

I love how the whole book written in two-hour time frames, a fantastic pace as so much happens throughout the course of the book it’s so easy to be immersed in the action. Such a credit to Shari’s writing style, I couldn’t put it down.

I think this final installment is a great ending, very fitting for the characters and finishes their stories off well. There are no real loose ends or parts I would’ve liked to see done differently, The Last Day of Winter is a fantastic read which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

About the Author: 

Shari Low is the No1 best-selling author of over 20 novels, including With Or Without You, Another Day In Winter, One Day In December, A Life Without You, This Is Me and The Story Of Our Life. And because she likes to over-share toe-curling moments and hapless disasters, she is also the shameless mother behind a collection of parenthood memories called Because Mummy Said So. Once upon a time she met a guy, got engaged after a week, and twenty-something years later she lives near Glasgow with her husband, a labradoodle, and two teenagers who think she's fairly embarrassing except when they need a lift. 

Follow Shari

Website: www.sharilow.com

Twitter: @ShariLow

Facebook: @sharilowbooks

#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!

BLOGTOUR: Snowflakes Over Holly Cove - Lucy Coleman

The perfect Christmas romance for fans of Karen Swan.

 

As the snowflakes start to fall, Holly Cove welcomes a new tenant to the beautiful old cottage on the beach...

For lifestyle magazine journalist Tia Armstrong, relationships, as well as Christmas, have lost all their magic. Yet Tia is up against a Christmas deadline for her latest article 'Love is, actually, all around...'

So, Tia heads to Holly Cove where the restorative sea air and rugged stranger, Nic, slowly but surely start mending her broken heart.

Tia didn't expect a white Christmas, and she certainly never dared dream that all her Christmas wishes might just come true...

Set in Caswell Bay on the stunningly beautiful Gower Coast, the cottage nestles amid the limestone cliffs and the woodlands, where the emotions run as turbulently as the wind-swept sea.

As cosy as a marshmallow-topped mug of cocoa, fall in love with a heart-warming festive story from the bestselling author of The French Adventure.

Buy links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/32UvufI

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2Of3aRg

Google Play: https://bit.ly/34S8pwd

iBooks: https://apple.co/34WZREj

My Review:

A beautiful, warm and cosy read that drew me in immediately. I couldn’t put in down. There is stunning, descriptive settings and wonderful characters who will keep you amused and take you on an emotional journey. Although a festive read it is much more and a book that would be well received at any time of year.

Our main character Tia is one that you see develop throughout, I can empathise with her situation and I liked her attitude and approach to life when settled in Holly Cove. I think she is a character any reader would fully support and want the best for – it’s obvious that she and Nic are destined to help each other through their different, but equally as troublesome personal and emotional issues and I thought it interesting how their relationship developed at a steady pace, with ups and downs and plenty of tension that kept me hooked. I genuinely wasn’t sure if this was a relationship that would ever go the distance.

 I loved the array of other characters, each adding something extra to the book. Some you couldn’t stand and were wary of immediately but then some I adored like Max – I thought he added something special. I really did not figure out some of the revelations towards the end either.

A very addictive book that looks at a whole host of issues; grief, loss, families and relationships and all the varying challenges that someone can have to face. Although it does deal with some serious and emotional things, it is heart-warming and definitely one to cosy up with. 

About the Author 

Lucy lives in the Forest of Dean in the UK with her lovely husband and Bengal cat, Ziggy. Her novels have been short-listed in the UK's Festival of Romance and the eFestival of Words Book Awards. Lucy won the 2013 UK Festival of Romance: Innovation in Romantic Fiction award.

Follow Lucy:  

Twitter: @LucyColemanAuth

Facebook: @LinnBHaltonAuthor

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: Nadine - John Steinberg

Nadine

London 1974 – and Peter Greenberg is riding high. Thanks to his magic touch, every play he puts on in Theatreland is a hit and the money is rolling in. The young man’s empire feels secure – but then everything changes. One evening, he calls in to see a rival’s musical and falls head over heels in love.

The beautiful Paris-born dancer who catches his eye is Nadine – a major star in the making. Like Greenberg, the young dancer too is in love – but with someone else. The eternal triangle is complicated by the birth of a child, and by tragic secrets that go back before World War Two; slowly, those secrets reveal themselves in a drama that out-performs anything on the West End stage or Broadway.

Nadine is a poignant story of unrequited love, a love that will one day be returned – and in a most unexpected way…

Purchase Links:

UK  - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nadine-John-Steinberg/dp/1912014289/

US  - https://www.amazon.com/Nadine-John-Steinberg/dp/1912014289/

 My Review: 

I’m not usually overly emotional as a person, it takes something special to make me cry but this beauty ALMOST got me.

It’s a great storyline, John Steinberg’s tale really draws you in and keeps you invested throughout. A wide range of emotions pour from the page and hit you; such intense love, betrayal. The drama will have you hooked and the characters, well you will love them – realistic, easy to read and without a shadow of a doubt you will identify with them in some way or another.

I believe this book will be so much more than people will presume, I don’t want to say too much as I really want people to read for themselves and enjoy the world John has created but just to say I was surprised.

A well-crafted tale from John Steinberg, a delightful read that I highly recommend to all. I’ve never read anything by the author before but will look forward to rectifying that.

About the Author:  

https://steinbergstories.com

John Steinberg was born in 1952 and spent many years in business before becoming a writer in 2007. Since then, he has co-written and produced comedies for the stage and has created a series of books for children. Nadine is his third novel. He is married with three children and lives in North London.

Social Media Links –

https://www.facebook.com/Steinberg-Stories-1477024492517726/ 

https://twitter.com/@SteinbergStory/