BLOGTOUR: To the Stars and Back - Camilla Isley

To the Stars and Back

When Hollywood’s sexiest bachelor meets the girl next door their relationship doesn’t follow the script…

On-screen, Christian Slade is America’s favorite heartthrob. Off-screen, letting romance into his life isn’t as easy. The women he dates all seem to want a piece of his glamorous life rather than his heart, and trust doesn’t come easy for him.

Then along comes Lana. A beautiful rocket scientist who’s also sweet, smart, sexy, and has absolutely no idea who he is. But what will happen when she finds out?

Will their worlds prove too far apart or could love really be like in the movies?

My Review:

I’ve been living in a cave maybe, but this is this book is a first from Camilla Isley for me... so, although it is part of a ‘series’ it read really well as a standalone. If anything, it has definitely made me want to catch up with what I have missed!

I adored the absolute contrast between our main characters – a superstar, Hollywood actor and a super smart rocket scientist who has absolutely no idea of who she happens to meet in a cupboard and who she has that instant connection with.

This romantic tale is full on rollercoaster of ups and downs, but it has some sweet romance running throughout. Who wouldn’t like the romantic gestures a Hollywood heartthrob could throw your way?!  I enjoyed how the book was written, it was easy to read and flowed nicely. I read it in one sitting because I was really involved.

Lana was a lovely character, sweet and yet so strong minded. Willing to put up with the intense paparazzi interest etc but come on, how lucky was she to end up being in the closet a Hollywood superstar chooses to seek security from. I think her complete innocence as to who he was kept her endearing. Christian is a stud.. but he is so sweet and kind, the way he is with Lana and how much he cares is very clear to see. Not necessarily what you’d imagine his character to be like.

This book is fun, cute and I really enjoyed it. It’s an easy read, light and a really sweet tale. In keeping with a rom-com film. I will look forward to reading more.

Treat yourself to this lovely summer read! Purchase Link - http://smarturl.it/clw67x

Author Bio:

Camilla is an engineer turned writer after she quit her job to follow her husband on an adventure abroad.

She’s a cat lover, coffee addict, and shoe hoarder. Besides writing, she loves reading—duh!—cooking, watching bad TV, and going to the movies—popcorn, please. She’s a bit of a foodie, nothing too serious. A keen traveler, Camilla knows mosquitoes play a role in the ecosystem, and she doesn’t want to starve all those frog princes out there, but she could really live without them.

Social Media Links –

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

Twitter https://twitter.com/camillaisley

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14135080.Camilla_Isley

Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/camilla-isley

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Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/camillaisley/

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Somewhere Beyond The Sea - Miranda Dickinson

Available here on Amazon 

Miranda Dickinson's Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a romantic tale full of love, stars, living your own life and accepting the magic that can be found all around.

Seren MacArthur is living a life she never intended. Desperately trying to save the Cornish seaside business her late father built – while grieving for his loss. Seren has pushed her own dreams to one side and the pressures soon take a toll. One morning she discovers a half-finished sea glass star on her favourite beach, and cannot resist completing it.  One simple action starts a whole chain of events that will change everything.

Jack Dixon is desperate – wanting work to ensure he can give his young daughter Nessie the life she deserves. Recently widowed and made homeless, Jack has managed to somehow kept their heads above water. Creating seaglass stars with Nessie soon becomes something truly special for them both and the duo discover the magic they need to see a positive future.

Seren and Jack are both searching for something that is missing in their lives, but when they meet in real life, it’s on the opposing sides of a battle. Both have a definite reason to fight –but only one can win. With so much at stake, will they ever find what they are really looking for?
Miranda Dickinson (@wurdsmyth) has given us an incredibly heart-warming tale that transports you to the idyllic, St Ives. A location that adds some extra magic to this wonderful book, written with such description you feel like you are right there (and you definitively wish you were!) We are introduced to the hardworking and creative Seren, a young woman passionately, yet quietly, grieving the loss of her father; and Jack - a single father focused on giving his energetic daughter and with doing whatever it takes to provide her with all the love, attention, and security she needs. 
The characters and their stories of loss broke my heart in such a real way. I identify with both characters - the grief of losing a father and the heartbreak of being left a young widow (although my reality is we had no children and we were very much in love - so not quite the same as Jack). Without my Dad, I feel like a small girl wandering alone without the security and protection I always felt from him and this made everything Seren felt and did more important, I felt like I was with her in every heartbeat, every thought.

Nessie is fantastic; her character providing fun, comedic moments as well as melting your heart with her honest, innocent views on life. The relationship she has with her father is simply gorgeous, the love they have for each other is almost tangible and reflects what I imagine the relationship between Seren and her Dad was like when she was that age. Also, a very real reminder of the love I lost and deeply miss – as I am sure many other readers will feel too. 
I loved how the story was told through the dual narrative, having it unfold equally from both perspectives and understanding the motives behind each character’s actions.  I find the alternating chapters a treat, quite short and fast paced, it makes it difficult to put down as you desperately want to know each character next move. (It’s difficult enough as it’s such a beautiful book anyway). 

Although this is a love story, a real head over heels tale of falling for someone when it’s least expected, it isn’t all the story is. It is a beautiful reminder of how delicate and fragile we are (like the sea-glass), how deeply we can feel and how although we may be broken, we can still sparkle and shine – especially when you find something, or someone, to feel passionate about. It’s also about how we must, at times, look beyond what we need for ourselves and think about what those around us need more.

Somewhere Beyond The Sea is beautifully written, with characters you love and themes that you will easily identify with. It’s something special and you will not want to put it down. It’s not often something resonates SO deeply and personally. It’s a must read, you’ll be enchanted. 

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍