Sunlight over Crystal Sands - Holly Martin

 

Love is in the air on the sun kissed sands of the Cornish coast, where the sea sparkles and romance sizzles on golden beaches. This stunning new novel by Holly Martin, bestselling author of Ice Creams at Emerald Cove, is guaranteed to steal your heart this summer.

Lyra Thomas has dreamed of living on Jewel Island ever since she first visited its breath-taking shores. And now her dream has come true – she has her own little cottage and a brand new job. But when Lyra sets out for a bike ride to explore her new home, a mishap has her crash-landing at the feet of the very handsome Nix Sanchez.

A true gentleman, Nix comes to Lyra’s rescue. His face is so familiar and yet they are strangers. But the more they talk, Lyra feels as though she has known Nix forever. What follows is the most magical night of Lyra’s life… until the spell is broken when the next morning she finds Nix has gone.

Feeling foolish Lyra vows to be more careful with her heart from now on. She’ll pretend Nix never existed. But destiny has other ideas and in a perfect twist of fate Lyra will discover that Nix Sanchez is impossible to forget…

Escape to sun drenched Jewel Island this summer where love, laughter and the thrill of adventure await. This gorgeous, romantic, feel-good read is perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Jill Mansell and Sue Moorcroft.

My Review:

I adore this series and the fourth visit to Jewel Island is fantastic. Holly Martin has given us yet another heartwarming, entertaining read. My only wish? That I could spend my holidays on Jewel Island and meet all these wonderful sounding characters!

Lyra has dreamed of living and working on Jewel Island since being a small girl. Now she has her chance, moving into a cottage on the island and starting work at the hotel – she is eager to get started but has a little time to explore the island and reminisce.

During this little adventure, she falls for the divine Nix, quite literally and ends up having quite the unexpected evening. A connection is evident for both and the chemistry is undeniable but, after an interesting night Lyra discovers Nix is no where to be seen.

There’s a whole lot more in store for Lyra, and as is Jewel Island style, things aren’t always as straight forward as they could be.

There are ups and downs, laughs and shenanigans but there are more heart wrenching, emotional moments that see island residents facing their past before they can move on. Lyra has to learn to let go, follow the adventure and seek her treasure, whatever that may be, because she does deserve it and is more than entitled to seek her own happiness.

Holly Martin never fails to deliver a story that has me engrossed from start to finish, with each visit we get to see how the lives of our previous reads are progressing. You could read this as a standalone though, but I highly recommend the rest of the series too.

I’m already excited about our next book. 

Available to order - HERE

Blue Hawaiian - Carla Luna

 

The first rule of serving as the maid of honor at your perfect sister’s destination wedding?

No mistakes. The second rule? No drama.

For Jess Chavez, a week in Maui is hardly a dream vacation—not when her sister expects her to be the perfect maid of honor. Not only does Jess have to fake perfection, but she can’t let anyone know she’s unemployed and barely scraping by. Above all, she needs to steer clear of Connor Blackwood, the sexy groomsman who broke her heart five years ago.

A family wedding offers Connor the ideal opportunity to convince everyone he’s no longer an irresponsible playboy. If they see he’s changed, they might support his decision to leave the family winery and strike out on his own. With so much at stake, the last thing he needs is an alluring distraction like Jess.

When Jess and Connor end up together, exploring the island’s lush, tropical beauty, the sparks between them become impossible to ignore. Throwing caution to the wind, they decide to make their own rules.

Five days of passion. No strings. No tears. No promises.

What could possibly go wrong?

 

My Review:

A wonderful, tropical delight of a summer read. Fantastic setting, glorious characters and hot, sizzling romance that kept me hooked, reading it in pretty quick time. If you do get a break, this will be a perfect read.

This is a great rom com, with plenty of laughs and plenty of heart-stopping romance; my first read by this author, it looks set to be the start of a series and one to watch out for.

Jessica Chavez is determined to be the perfect maid of honor for her sister but flight delays mean she’s already not had a great start. Bumping into Connor Blackwood at Maui airport is a disaster she was hoping to avoid. Not wanting to confront what happened years ago, Jessica resolves to have nothing to do with him, but how easy is that going to be in this tropical paradise.

An enjoyable, quick read where you jump straight into the story and then the action never stops. I quite like Jessica and felt annoyed that she got herself into situation she didn’t need to be in. Connor sounds dreamy and a great guy, we all know nobody is perfect though but I think they make a cute couple really – shame nobody else seemed too.

Will the wedding of the year run smoothly? That’s to be seen but there are mishaps, fall outs and drama along the way.

A hot hot hot read, in more ways than one!

Purchase Links

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Hawaiian-Blackwood-Cellars-Book-ebook/dp/B092KH7LB2/

US - https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Hawaiian-Blackwood-Cellars-Book-ebook/dp/B092KH7LB2/

Author Bio:

Carla Luna writes contemporary romance with a dollop of humor and a pinch of spice. A former archaeologist, she still dreams of traveling to far-off places and channels that wanderlust into the settings of her stories. When she’s not writing, she works in a spice emporium where she gets paid to discuss food and share her favorite recipes. Her passions include Broadway musicals, baking, whimsical office supplies, and pop culture podcasts. Though she has roots in Los Angeles and Victoria, B.C., she currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her spoiled Siberian cat.

Social Media Links –

Website: www.carlalunabooks.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/casacullen

FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/CarlaLunaAuthor

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

Always And Forever At Glendale Hall - Victoria Walters

 

What if we’re all just searching for something?

Anna Stewart is lost. After barely surviving a car accident as a teenager, Anna is scared of settling. Flitting between jobs, boyfriends and homes whenever she gets bored, she has no idea what the future holds. Then her brother Brodie, minister of Glendale, suggests she moves to the beautiful Scottish village, lining up a housekeeper job for her at Glendale Hall.

Out of options, Anna agrees to the move, knowing that she can always run away again. Once at the hall, her culinary skills impress everyone, and she agrees to give Hilltop Farm’s new manager, Cameron, cooking lessons. Sparks fly between Anna and the handsome Scot, but Cameron is looking for love - something that Anna definitely isn’t.

But it's wedding season at Glendale Hall, and Anna is about to discover that her new home has a way of working its magic on even the coldest of hearts. Will she really be able to just walk away, or could Anna have finally found a place to belong?

It’s summertime in the beautiful Highlands village of Glendale – pack your bags and come on holiday with this gorgeously uplifting, romantic read. Fans of Milly Johnson, Heidi Swain and Holly Martin will love this charming romcom.

Purchase Links:

AMZ: https://amzn.to/31xhdY0

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3sCeDf8

Apple: https://apple.co/2PJNQi9

My Review:

This is one of my favourite series, and a definite go -to author for me. This is the fourth instalment in the Glendale Hall series and wow, what a smasher! The whole series of books are warm and cosy, returning feels like going back to old friends and being welcomed back in a big comfortable embrace. The books have a strong sense of community, friendship and looking out for those who need extra help or support. You can read this book as a standalone but I highly recommend you do catch up with the others too.

Each book focuses on a different ‘main’ character and this time we meet Anna. A traumatic event in her younger years has scarred her for life, mentally and she doesn’t feel worthy of anything good or that she can deserve a normal life. She is afraid to get close to people, pushing them away and keeping herself at a distance. When things go wrong, she is out of options so contacts her brother – a familiar face for those who have read the previous books – and soon finds herself heading to Glendale Hall to be the housekeeper. Although Anna is adamant this is only temporary, will being around family, a loving community and the connection with the quiet, equally distant Cameron change her perspective and her future plans?

A story about self discovery, self worth and allowing yourself to let go of the past. I adored this book, as I knew I would. Anna is an interesting character who did frustrate me as I could see the good in her, I understood why she felt that way but just wished she could see the potential. I was relieved when she started opening up and talking about things, it seemed that a weight had been lifted from her.

Cameron is a great character and so well suited to her, they both are injured souls but both can help the other.

Victoria writes so well, the story unfolds at a nice pace, and I enjoy that we get to catch up with the character we know and love. A cosy, heart warming read, great to spend a few hours in the sunshine and dreaming of being in Scotland.

I hope there is another visit, I can’t wait to see what more is in store!

Author Bio:

Victoria Walters writes up-lifting and inspiring stories. She's the author of three novels, THE SECOND LOVE OF MY LIFE, SUMMER AT THE KINDNESS CAFÉ, and COMING HOME TO GLENDALE HALL. She has been chosen for WHSmith Fresh Talent and shortlisted for an RNA award. Victoria was also picked as an Amazon Rising Star, and her books have won wide reader acclaim.

Victoria is a full-time author. She lives in Surrey with her cat Harry, and loves books, clothes, music, going out for tea and cake, and posting photos on Instagram.

Find out more about Victoria by following on Instagram at @vickyjwalters, on Twitter at @Vicky_Walters or by visiting her blog at:https://victoria-writes.com/.

Things are looking up - Maxine Morrey

 

What if what you really need is right there in front of you, if you just take a moment to look up?

Milly has been waiting for this moment forever and finally it’s just an hour away – an interview with Vogue magazine and the opportunity to get her Louboutin-clad foot in the door.  There’s just one problem – totally engrossed in her mobile phone, Milly doesn’t see the bus that is fast approaching – until it’s too late…

When Milly next opens her eyes, the consequences of her accident become clear. Everything she has worked for and dreamed of suddenly feels out of reach. But there is one bright spot on her horizon – the reappearance of her ex Jed, in all of his six-foot-four, broad-shouldered glory, with the most piercing ice blue eyes Milly ever saw.

Once used to working in a whirlwind, Milly now has the chance to reconsider how to live. Will she rush back to the treadmill, get her head down and back to business, or is there a whole other life waiting for her, if she’ll just look up to see it? 

‘Read yourself happy’ with Maxine Morrey’s latest uplifting, page-turning, heart-warming romance, guaranteed to brighten up your day.

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

My Review:

Ever felt like you’ve been hit by a bus? In this fun, life-affirming read by Maxine Morrey we meet Milly who does get hit by a London bus and lives to tell the tale. This story is how she takes stock of her priorities, realises what she has been missing and learns to see the beauty around her instead of striving for some out of reach, and quite frankly superficial, position.

Milly, a workaholic, has spent years with her head in her phone, scrolling through the latest fashion and society news. In a rush and not focusing on the goings on around here, her life changes in the blink of an eye.

Coming round in hospital, she is greeted by loved ones, her brother, and his family. Devastated she has caused so much pain, she vows to make changes.  She is beside herself when she spots a familiar face by her side, and not one she welcomes – her ex, Jed. Hot, rich and wanting to help, Milly needs to get over herself and let him be a shoulder for her to lean on during her recovery.

Things are looking up gives a gorgeous tale of second chances. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. It is full of interesting little moments that will take you by surprise, and the addition of Hector is a massive turning point.

Gently paced, I don’t feel anything is rushed nor strung out too long. I liked all of the characters (bar the one’s we are meant to dislike of course!) and Jed, well, he sounds far too good to be true but we can all dream can’t we!

I would love to see a return to Milly and Jed’s story, I feel like there could be more to explore. A highly enjoyable, fun read that’s perfect for summer.

Author Bio:

Maxine Morrey is a bestselling romantic comedy author with ten books to her name including Winter’s Fairytale and the top ten hit The Christmas Project. Her eleventh book is being released by Boldwood in 2021. She lives in West Sussex. Her first novel for Boldwood, #No Filter, was published in November 2019.

Social Media Links

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Scribbler_Maxi

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

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

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maxine-morrey

Both of You - Adele Parks

 

Leigh Fletcher: happily married stepmum to two gorgeous boys goes missing on Monday. Her husband Mark says he knows nothing of her whereabouts. She simply went to work and just never came home. Their family is shattered.

Kai Janssen: married to wealthy Dutch businessman, Daan, vanishes the same week. Kai left their luxurious penthouse and glamourous world without a backward glance. She seemingly evaporated into thin air. Daan is distraught.

DC Clements knows that people disappear all the time – far too frequently. Most run away from things, some run towards, others are taken but find their way back. A sad few never return. These two women are from very different worlds, their disappearances are unlikely to be connected. And yet, at a gut level, the DC believes they are.

How could these women walk away from their families, husbands and homes willingly? Clements is determined to unearth the truth, no matter how shocking and devastating it may be.

My Review:

I want to rave all about this incredible book, to do so I have to be very careful about how much I say. I do not want to give away any vital clues or spoilers because the intrigue adds to the anticipation and thrilling climax.

Adele Parks is one of my ‘go to’ authors. Never failing to have me on the edge of my seat and fully immersed in the world she creates. I think this is possibly my favourite of hers (hard to choose when they are all so good though isn’t it!)

There are subtle references to the start of the pandemic (the story is set at that time) but they are delicately and cleverly interweaved although have no bearing on the story itself. I didn’t mind it one bit, in fact I was quite impressed and thought it added some interesting context to how the characters were acting/having to behave etc.

I was quite surprised by the plot twists in Both of You, happily so although I had vague ideas about what was happening and who was involved, the clues are there. Red herrings along the way may provide some interesting misdirection though, and credible culprits.

I couldn’t put this down; I was hooked after the first few chapters. Seeing events unfold from different viewpoints created an interest in all characters, and a growing dislike for surprising people.

Early surprises and clever twists will leave you excited and invested; you’ll need to give yourself plenty of time to devour this thrilling read. Another smasher from Adele Parks. 

Available to order HERE

The Summer Seekers - Sarah Morgan

Get swept into a summer of sunshine, soul-searching, and shameless matchmaking with this delightfully big-hearted road-trip adventure!

Kathleen is eighty years old. After she has a run-in with an intruder, her daughter wants her to move in to a residential home. But she’s not having any of it. What she craves—what she needs—is adventure.

Liza is drowning under the daily stress of family life. The last thing she needs is her mother jetting off on a wild holiday, making Liza long for a solo summer of her own.

Martha is having a quarter-life crisis. Unemployed, unloved and uninspired, she just can’t get her life together. But she knows something has to change.

When Martha sees Kathleen’s advertisement for a driver and companion to share an epic road trip across America with, she decides this job might be the answer to her prayers. She’s not the world’s best driver, but anything has to be better than living with her parents. And traveling with a stranger? No problem. Anyway, how much trouble can one eighty-year-old woman be?

As these women embark on the journey of a lifetime, they all discover it’s never too late to start over.

As these women embark on the journey of a lifetime, they all discover it's never too late to start over...

My Review

An action-packed adventure - perfect for those still wanting to stay close to home. I love when a book can transport you thousands of miles and this latest release from Sarah Morgan does just that.

Kathleen is pretty cool; a kick ass 80 year old who feels no fear in bashing an intruder across the head. Determined to prove there is still adventures to be had, despite her daughters reluctance, she sets off on the trip of a lifetime. There may be an ulterior motive for this particular journey but she discovers more about herself and her relationship with her daughter along the way.

Liza is concerned about her Mum, she’s worried her marriage isn’t what it should be and she is constantly put upon by everyone around her. She’s lost sight of herself somewhere and as her Mum goes off to live out her dreams it makes Liza realise there may just be more to life, the question is what changes does she need to make?

Martha needs a direction in life. She’s not had the best of times and she doesn’t get any support from her family. Tasking a chance on an opportunity gives her a whole new lease of life, plus a little bit of romance! After a few weeks with Kathleen, Martha becomes more confident, carefree and able to see she isn’t the failure others lead her to believe.

All the components of a fun filled, adventure with laughs, love and drama along the way. I love all the characters in the book, Kathleen is awesome for her age and spirit, I felt sorry for Liza and really hoped she would loosen up a little and speak up and Martha; I really hoped she’d see the qualities in herself that were apparent to everyone who met her.

I think many people dream of doing the Route 66 adventure so was lovely to take this trip if only in book form.

Brilliant writing, which I have come to expect from this author and a story that moved along at a great pace. A brilliant summer read, I highly recommend. 

Order your copy HERE 

About the Author: 

USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes romance and contemporary women's fiction and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives near London, England, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors.

Join Sarah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahM...
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Website: www.sarahmorgan.com

Under the Italian Sun - Sue Moorcroft

 

The #1 bestseller is back with an uplifting, escapist read that will brighten the gloomiest day!

A warm, sun-baked terrace.

The rustle of verdant green vines.

The sun slowly dipping behind the Umbrian mountains.

And the chink of wine glasses as the first cork of the evening is popped…

Welcome to Italy. A place that holds the answer to Zia-Lucia Costa Chalmers’ many questions. Not least, how she ended up with such a mouthful of a name.

When Zia discovers that her mother wasn’t who she thought she was, she realises the time has come to search out the Italian family she’s never known.

However, as she delves into the secrets of her past, she doesn’t bargain on having to think about her future too. But with local vineyard owner, Piero, living next door, Zia knows she has a serious distraction who may prove difficult to ignore…

This summer, join Zia as she sets out to uncover her past. But can she find the future she’s always dreamed of along the way?

My Review:

Longing for a glorious, sun filled, action packed holiday? Annoyed you can’t jet off *easily* at the moment? Well.. let this brilliant book from Sue Moorcroft beat the holiday blues.

I was hooked from the start and devoured each chapter quickly. Heavily involved in Zia’s quest to find some answers meant I flew through this one and loved every moment.

Zia has uncovered family secrets and made discoveries that would shake anyone to their very core. She is desperate to find the truth and also figure out if her desire to move to Italy could actually become a reality. When a bit of digging uncovers links to the town of Montelibertà, Zia and best friend Ursula take the trip of a lifetime for an extended stay in the hope of getting answers.

Very soon into her trip Zia uncovers complicated family secrets, forms wonderful relationships and finds herself attracted to gorgeous Italian next door, vineyard owner Piero.

Piero and his family are trying to find the best way forward for their family business so that all are happy and get what they want. Will Zia’s advice be a help or a hinderance?

Zia and Piero are both headstrong and have been hurt in the past. There is a great chemistry between the two but it isn’t smooth sailing for this pair.

With fantastic descriptions, the setting, the food, I felt right there with Lucia, Zia etc. I’ve never been to Italy but this makes me long to visit one day. I have such images in my mind thanks to Sue’s writing. Although at heart this is a gorgeous romance filled story, it touches on some very serious issues surrounding mental health, manipulation and of loss. The story explores the depths and importance of friendships, delicate and complicated families and following your heart, both in romance and in dreams.

A wonderful array of characters (I love Lucia!!), I highly recommend this book for a slice of escapism. 

Purchase Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Under-Italian-Sun-Sue-Moorcroft-ebook/dp/B08L5RPD2W

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/under-the-italian-sun

Apple: https://books.apple.com/gb/book/under-the-italian-sun/id1545319265

W H Smith: https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/under-the-italian-sun/sue-moorcroft/paperback/9780008393021.html

Bookshop.org: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/under-the-italian-sun/9780008393021

Author Bio:

Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author and has reached the #1 spot on Kindle UK. She’s won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award, Readers’ Best Romantic Novel award and the Katie Fforde Bursary. Published by HarperCollins in the UK, US and Canada and by other publishers around the world.

Social Media Links:

Website [www.suemoorcroft.com]

Blog [http://suemoorcroft.wordpress.com]

Facebook profile [Sue.Moorcroft.3]

Facebook author page [https://www.facebook.com/SueMoorcroftAuthor

Twitter  [@suemoorcroft]

Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/suemoorcroftauthor/] @SueMoorcroftAuthor

LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/suemoorcroft]