Showing posts with label sunshine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sunshine. Show all posts

Monday, 2 May 2022

A Taste of Greek Summer - Mandy Baggot

 


Next summer, on the Greek island of Corfu, sparks will fly as dreams come true...

Lydia Broom is living her second-best life. With her dreams of being a chef left in the dust she instead finds solace writing about the dishes she wished she created. When Lydia's sent to Corfu on an assignment, she's excited to see what culinary delights the island has to offer, but nothing seems to tickle her fancy - until she tastes the creations of local cook, Thanos Nicolaidis.

After one sizzling afternoon in the kitchen together, Lydia and Thanos both allow themselves to dream of the futures they desperately want. And as they grow closer, sharing secret ingredients and family recipes, Thanos begins to realise he has to show Lydia the parts of him he's done so well to hide..



My Review:

Just when I needed a sunshine filled escape along comes Mandy to whisk me away to sunny skies at Corfu. Perfect reading by the pool, or for those just wishing they could be. Any book by this author is guaranteed to take you to sun drenched villas, with mouth watering and local food descriptions, atmospheric and exotic – an armchair holiday for all.

Enchanting and a foodies delight, A Taste of Greek Summer was full of comedy, adventure and of course romance.

This book includes an interesting mix of characters, some wonderful and some very frustrating; Lydia is a little bit lost, after losing her mentor and realising she had a relationship built of lies; she has become disillusioned with her passion. Thanos is skilled and could go far as a chef but has certain responsibilities he will not relinquish. He doesn’t know what to do or believe he is able to achieve his dreams. A meeting of minds in many ways their chemistry is instant and leaps from the page.

Follow the rocky ups and downs that come their way. A gorgeous summer read that will entertain and bring the sunshine into grey miserable skies!




Thursday, 24 March 2022

An Escape to Remember - T.A. Williams

 

She needed a getaway. What she found was a home.

When Louise surprises her boyfriend by returning early from a work trip, safe to say she wasn’t expecting to see him in flagrante delicto with another woman. Heart-torn and vowing to stay away from men, when Louise’s next project involves restoring an ageing hotel in Italy, she leaps at the chance to get away.

Managed by a crew of sextagenarians, the Grand Hotel del Monferrato needs all the love and care Louise can give it. But it’s hard to stay focused on the job when her thoughts keep straying to Vito, the reclusive and mysterious neighbour.

With his tragic past and her no-romance policy, Louise knows they can’t have a future. Yet something keeps pulling the two together…

A beautiful romance set in the hills of Turin.

My Review:

Oh to be under warm Italian skies right now..

T.A. Williams is a master at whisking readers away to glorious locations; I long to jump on a plane every time I get chance to read of his books. Set just outside Turin, this rural, descriptive setting is a wonderful backdrop for this heartwarming romance.

Our main character, Louise heads to a run down, old hotel with the mission to revive and turn it around. She heads there nursing a broken heart and is looking to find her rightful place in life. She isn’t looking for romance at all but when she is knocked off her feet, quite literally, her heart is soon taken. Leo may just be the key to her rediscovering herself.

Local Vito is living a secluded life, he is content at already finding his true love and he needs nothing or nobody else. Highly sought after in his field, an opportunity arises that he cannot turn down but there is one thing holding him back. Can he find a solution?

Oh I was engrossed from the start, it has all the elements to make a gorgeous, head well and truly stuck in, read. Romance, scenery, mouth-watering food descriptions, characters with heart that are very likeable and a brilliant storyline that will keep you cheering on your favourites and hoping it all turns out for the best.

Perfect for the armchair traveller or those who are looking for a great beach read!

Purchase Link - mybook.to/AnEscape

Author Bio:

I’m a man. And a pretty old man as well. I did languages at university a long time ago and then lived and worked in France and Switzerland before going to Italy for seven years as a teacher of English. My Italian wife and I then came back to the UK with our little daughter (now long-since grown up) where I ran a big English language school for many years. We now live in a sleepy little village in Devonshire. I’ve been writing almost all my life but it was only seven years ago that I finally managed to find a publisher who liked my work enough to offer me my first contract.

The fact that I am now writing escapist romance is something I still find hard to explain. My early books were thrillers and historical novels. Maybe it’s because there are so many horrible things happening in the world today that I feel I need to do my best to provide something to cheer my readers up. My books provide escapism to some gorgeous locations, even if travel to them is currently difficult.

Social Media Links:

Website: www.tawilliamsbooks.com

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tawilliamsbooks

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



Thursday, 8 July 2021

Secrets on the Italian Island - T.A Williams

 


Her work has got in the way of relationships before – but never like this

Anna’s job as a geologist takes her all over the world, including to the beautiful island of Elba, where she’s sent to look for precious metals. And the island isn’t the only thing that’s gorgeous – she can’t believe her luck when she meets windsurfer Marco and sparks fly.

But Anna must keep her role on Elba a secret to avoid upsetting the locals, which means lying to Marco even as they grow closer. When her old friend Toby visits, Anna suddenly finds herself torn between the attentions of the two men. However, Anna’s not the only one keeping secrets.

Is Marco being entirely honest with her? And why did Toby really come to visit?

A fun and escapist romance, perfect for fans of Lucy Coleman and Alex Brown.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/SecretsIsland


My Review:

Let T.A Williams whisk you away this summer with the brilliant escapist read. The third book in the Escape to Tuscany series; each a standalone but a wonderful selection of reads – I highly recommend! Fantastic descriptions of scenery and surroundings; I could picture myself there among the action – I wish! 

Anna is a hardworking geologist, with no work life balance. She is at a point in life where she thinks a change may be needed, no matter how much she loves what she does. Her work takes her to the stunning island of Elba; an Italian dream destination, in search of precious metals. 

She soon makes friends in the local community and struggles to keep the reason for being there a secret. Elba residents are protective over it’s natural and undisturbed habitat and Anna realises just how difficult a position she is in. Anna tries to come to some conclusions about her life – in terms of relationships and who is right for her as well as what she wants from her career.

I liked Anna, she seemed kind, caring and passionate about what she does as well as those she cares about. I was worried she would be easily led by those that couldn’t be trusted. 

Great writing, wonderful location and interesting characters make this one book you need to pick up! A great summer read, romance and adventure galore - I highly recommend. 

Author Bio:
I’m a man. And a pretty old man as well. I did languages at university a long time ago and then lived and worked in France and Switzerland before going to Italy for seven years as a teacher of English. My Italian wife and I then came back to the UK with our little daughter (now long-since grown up) where I ran a big English language school for many years. We now live in a sleepy little village in Devonshire. I’ve been writing almost all my life but it was only seven years ago that I finally managed to find a publisher who liked my work enough to offer me my first contract.

The fact that I am now writing romantic comedy is something I still find hard to explain. My early books were thrillers and historical novels. Maybe it’s because there are so many horrible things happening in the world today that I feel I need to do my best to provide something to cheer my readers up. My books provide escapism to some gorgeous locations, even if travel to them is currently difficult.

Social Media Links –:

Website:
www.tawilliamsbooks.com

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tawilliamsbooks

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


Saturday, 10 April 2021

Staying Out For Summer - Mandy Baggot

 


After a summer of staying in, it’s time to let your hair down and escape to Greece!

For Lucie Burrows, it's time to embrace Greek life and put the past behind her! Having spent the summer of 2020 battling a global health crisis, Lucie Burrows is looking forward to a summer out of lockdown.

When best friend, Gavin, finds them the perfect Greek escape Lucie finally starts to think this summer might just go without a hitch. But after a landslide puts the village into a local lockdown, Lucie is thrown together with Michalis Andino, the super sexy village doctor. It's not quite the holiday she had planned, but things could certainly be worse.

As Lucie relaxes into the Greek way of life, she begins to wonder whether this lockdown might just end in a new life, a new love...


My Review:

Without fail, Mandy Baggot manages to whisk you away from reality to a sun filled, gorgeous sounding, Greek getaway. I love knowing I can pick up her books and find myself in a beautifully scenic location, with characters to adore, food descriptions that will make my mouth water and romance that sizzles off the chart.
Staying out for the Summer takes us to beautiful Corfu for a story full of sun, sea and sheer escapism. After a difficult year for all of us, this book is the perfect tonic whilst it also acknowledges the events of the pandemic.
Our characters, Lucie and Gavin are the best of friends who have fought on the frontline throughout the pandemic as NHS nurses. They have had the worst year and Gavin manages to convince Lucie they need, and quite rightly deserve, a few weeks of relaxation.
Cue an interesting trip to Corfu, where they are greeted with an *interesting* welcome drink, a community that has a great older population, a community of interesting characters who all help make this a trip Lucie will never forget!
When an earth tremor causes a landslide, cutting off the village, the pair find themselves in a lockdown of a different kind.
Michalis is back in the village after fighting the same battle as a Doctor on the mainland. Reconnecting with his sister and father, he meets Lucie and the attraction is instant for them both. They keep getting thrown together but are very conscious of their limited time. Will Lucie open up? What is Michalis hiding about what happened in his past?
What a fantastic array of characters – quirky, funny and interesting. Bad-ass butcher Nyx, flamboyant Gavin and safe Meg. I’ve only been to Corfu via Mandy’s books but I am absolutely desperate to go, it always sounds so wonderful. I can always picture the scenery and the local cuisines, I am desperate to try, and if there is any Greek men like the ones Mandy Baggot creates then that wouldn’t be the worst thing!
I wasn’t sure if reading a book with references to COVID-19 would be pleasurable or just an awful reminder, but I think Mandy has balanced the serious with lighter fun scenes, and I feel that it is a worthy nod to those members of staff who, like these characters, have had a hell of a year and will continue to live with the traumas they have witnessed.

I am always a fan of Mandy Baggot books, this is brilliant and will take readers to sunnier times – even if we can’t jet away ourselves just yet!


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 is a member of the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.

Buy links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IlGbDt

Kobo: https://bit.ly/36R5TJy

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3gxtjXP

bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/36SETt8

Follow Aria 

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction



Thursday, 2 April 2020

My Greek Island Summer - Mandy Baggot

Two weeks. One unforgettable trip to Corfu. A chance to change her life.


Becky Rose has just landed her dream job house-sitting at a top-end villa on the island of Corfu. What could be better than two weeks laying by an infinity pool overlooking the gorgeous Ionian waters while mending her broken heart.

Elias Mardas is travelling back to Corfu on business whilst dealing with his own personal demons. Late arriving in Athens, Becky and Elias have to spend a night in the Greek capital. When they have to emergency land in Kefalonia, Becky's got to decide whether to suck up the adventure and this gorgeous companion she seems to have been thrown together with or panic about when she's going to arrive at Corfu...

Finally reaching the beautiful island, Becky is happy to put Elias behind her and get on with her adventure. Until he turns up at the villa...

My Review:


I am honoured to be kicking off the blog tour for this book, especially on publication day! I am a massive fan of Mandy’s work, a Corfu wannabe (I will get there one day!!) and an absolute lover of the wonderful scenes and characters created.


So, My Greek Island Summer - what a gorgeous book. Mandy never fails to deliver especially where Corfu is concerned. With its gorgeous locations described in dreamy detail, I felt like I was right there with Elias, Becky and Petra. What an absolute adventure they had before they even reached their destination. I wanted to pack my case and head off and see these places myself. With current circumstances it is the perfect way to escape, a read that can transport you away from all the anxieties and worries we find ourselves living through.


A classic Mandy Baggot book with much talk of wonderful sounding foods, so well described my mouth was watering! Whether it was Becky thinking about sandwiches or Eleni preparing food, I was hungry throughout.


Becky lands a great job house sitting in Corfu. She wants to relax, enjoy some luxury, swim and hit the beach for two weeks. She meets Elias and neither are quite as honest as they should be; if only they had the opportunity to get to know each other some more.


I love the characters, a variety of people who are funny or stubborn, selfish or immature, carefree and stressed. All looking at making more of themselves, being happy or needing to see ways to change. So much can happen when people learn to accept the past and look forwards.


A read that transports you to another place, with people you’d love as friends. I couldn’t put this one down! You can feel the sun on your skin, hear the noise of island life; Mandy’s love for this special place shines through and just makes this an absolute smash.

I cannot recommend highly enough – enjoy! 


ORDER HERE:


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 is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.

Follow Mandy:   
Facebook: @mandybaggotauthor
Twitter: @mandybaggot




Thursday, 4 July 2019

BLOGTOUR - One Last Greek Summer - Mandy Baggot


About the book

Beth Martin is 31, newly divorced and wondering just what life holds for her…

Best-friend, Heidi, is adamant that all the answers lie in Corfu – the island where the girls’ partied away their youth.

So cue a trip to a sun-drenched Greek island, ouzo cocktails, a trip down memory lane…and Alex Hallas, the man Beth has never quite forgotten.

As they dance under the stars, the sand beneath their toes, old feelings begin to resurface and Beth might just have a chance to take back her life. If they can learn to love the people they’ve become…

My Review:

As a fully-fledged Mandy Baggot fan, I was so excited to read this latest sun filled book. What a scorcher it is! Mandy always makes me want to book a holiday immediately and One Last Greek Summer has me longing for the sunny Corfu.  

You know what you are going to get with Mandy – wonderful locations that make you feel like you are right there; amazing foods that practically have you drooling and characters that keep you entertained.

Beth is very easy to like; she has been a bit ‘stuck’ but I enjoyed seeing how she evolved throughout the book and how she was resolute in sticking to her guns and doing the best thing for her. I think many people have wished they could do go back and have another go with a former flame so imagine rediscovering that lost love a decade later, and realising the feelings you had never went away, how romantic!

Heidi is a wonderful best friend, funny, caring and in need of a great love story too. She’s the type of girl you want by your side, helping you, supporting you and encouraging you every step of the way. She’s the one who organises this trip for Beth.

Leading me on very nicely to the handsome Alex, who sounds gorgeous, well... what more do we expect from a Mandy Baggott leading man! The more I read the more I realised why Beth would have held on to her feelings towards him for so long. The difficult relationship with his Mum only emphasised how wonderfully kind and loyal he is.

I adored every sun-soaked moment. The idea of second chances and on how we can rewrite parts of history; the notion that we should follow our heart and take that chance.
I cannot recommend it enough. I enjoyed it in one sitting, where, for a good couple of hours, I was whisked away to Corfu. Mandy Baggot always gives us a perfect summer scorcher! 

Thank you to Netgalley and Aria for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

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 is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.

Follow Mandy:   
Twitter: @mandybaggot

Pre-order links:

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2GRfq6O


Follow Aria

Facebook: @ariafiction
Instagram: @ariafiction