BLOGTOUR: The Little Village of Happiness - Holly Martin

AVAILABLE HERE 

About:

Willow McKay needs a fresh start. Her recent break-up may not have left her heartbroken but it’s certainly wounded her pride. Desperate to escape the whispers and stares of her town’s gossips, an advert offering homes in a picturesque village in the grounds of a majestic castle on the Cornish coast sounds like just what she needs. Without thinking twice Willow applies for a cottage and packs up her life for the village of Happiness.

But when Willow arrives she finds a crumbling ruin and ramshackle cottages, nothing like the pretty picture the advert had boasted. It seems Happiness was too good to be true. That is until she meets the incredibly handsome estate manager Andrew Harrington…

His passion for restoring the village to its former glory is contagious and soon they are working together to bring happiness back to Happiness. And as sparks fly between them Willow can feel herself falling. But Andrew is holding something back.

Can Willow risk her heart again? And will they succeed in transforming the old village to its original beauty before it’s too late?

My Review:

Holly Martin has given us such a wonderful treat with this book – a lovely, summer read that will leave you wanting more. I smiled all the way through, it is SUCH  an aptly name book. Isn’t Happiness the most perfect village name – all you can imagine is everyone being lovely, kind and full of smiles.

I love the characters that Holly writes. Willow is my kind of girl, following her instincts and relocating on a whim. She finds that all may not be as it seems in the village she’d seen advertised. She soon settles in and makes her mark on the community – it more ways than one. She’s confident, lively and not afraid to get stuck in, I really like that.

When she meets hottest village handyman, you’ll come across then you just now it won’t be long until she lets love into her heart – their chemistry is instant, and they make a great pair.
There is so much more to Andrew than you first realise, and I think Holly has written about this fantastically. It added that little bit more to an already great story.

I enjoyed how they worked to get the village ready for the open day, the way the community joined together to make it as great as it sounds on paper. I LOVED the Secret Gifting Society as it was such fun to see who would get what gift next.

This book has an overriding feeling of wonderful community spirit, welcoming new additions and making them feel like they belong. It’s more than just your typical summer rom com read. Full of humour, romance and characters you will be keen to learn more about too. I was hooked from the moment I started and just couldn’t put it down.

This book will leave you wanting more – the village is an untapped source of many, many stories. I am so excited that there will be another, ‘The Gift of Happiness’ later in the year.

I highly recommend this book; it will leave you smiling for sure.

BLOGTOUR: Forget My Name - J.S. Monroe

About the book

You are outside your front door. There are strangers in your house. Then you realise... You can't remember your name.

She arrived at the train station after a difficult week at work. Her bag had been stolen, and with it, her identity. Her whole life was in there – passport, wallet, house key. When she tried to report the theft, she couldn't remember her own name. All she knew was her own address.

Now she's outside Tony and Laura's front door. She says she lives in their home. They say they have never met her before.

One of them is lying.

My Review:

‘Forget my Name’ is a fantastic, very well written, thriller that will keep you invested and on the edge of your seat. The books grabbed my attention from the very first chapter and didn’t let up at all.

The story line is very well thought out, and even though so much happens early on I didn’t think it felt rushed at all. The amnesia trope is always interesting, and I feel that in comparison to others I have read, Forget My Name is done in a fresh and gripping way.

The characters are all very interesting, I liked getting to know them – even when I was suspicious of them! It’s written from several points of view and I think this worked well. With other books I have felt confused by this (if not clearly indicated) but I didn’t get that here. If anything, it added to the tension and general confusion over what was going on.

I usually pride myself on being able to figure things out and I must admit I thought I had this all sussed out too, but I was kept on my toes with some good twists and turns. It had me doubting what I thought I knew, not trusting the people I originally had and this for me, makes a superb thriller.

I enjoyed this on a lazy Sunday afternoon, once I’d picked it up I didn’t put it down again until I’d finished!A first book from this author for me but I will look out for more in future.

Thank you to @HeadofZeus for the advanced copy of this book. 

                                          Buy links:

 

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

iBooks: https://apple.co/2Fu8Wdb

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2OeS78y

GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2FiksHd

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

Follow Head of Zeus:

Twitter: @HoZ_Books

Facebook: @headofzeus

BLOG TOUR: The Road to Cromer - Martin Gore

About the book:

Janet’s first love arrives out of the blue after forty years. Those were simpler times for them both. Sunny childhood beach holidays, fish and chips and big copper pennies clunking into one armed bandits.

The Wells family has run the Cromer Pier Summertime Special Show for generations. But it’s now 2009 and the recession is biting hard. Owner Janet Wells and daughter Karen are facing an uncertain future. The show must go on, and Janet gambles on a fading talent show star. But both the star and the other cast members have their demons. This is a story of love, loyalty and luvvies. The road to Cromer Pier might be the end of their careers, or it might just be a new beginning.

Pre-order Links:

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07R9XP3QM/

US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R9XP3QM/

My Review:

A lovely story of a family run, struggling theatre on the Norfolk coast. The Wells family has owned this place for generations, and we meet Janet who is the current owner.  Every year they put on a variety show called the Cromer Pier Summertime Special, but now they are financially not able to call in the big stars they once could, will they still pull of the same show they used to do? Is it a case of end of the road or just the start of a whole new beginning?

I enjoyed the ‘behind the scenes’ viewpoint of a theatre, especially being a fan of going to see a show. The compromise of taking salary cuts and having new hires is interesting and I was keen to see how it would all pan out. There is a more to the story than “putting on a show” its full of love, lost love, chances and opportunity. Its about family and isn’t just a “fluffy” sweet, little book. It’s full of drama and gives us a solid family saga.

There is an eclectic bunch of characters and quite a lot of them to keep track of, but they work well and are very well written. I enjoyed getting to know and learning more about their lives and it was interesting to see the professional, showbiz personas facing up to real life problems. It took me a while to get going with the book, but I was kept interested and enjoyed it. This is my first experience of Martin Gore’s writing and I enjoyed it. I will read more. 

Author Bio from Martin Gore:

I am a 61 year old Accountant who semi-retired to explore my love of creative writing. In my career I held Board level jobs for over twenty five years, in private, public and third sector organisations. I was born in Coventry, a city then dominated by the car industry and high volume manufacturing. Jaguar, Triumph, Talbot, Rolls Royce, Courtaulds, Massey Ferguson were the major employers, to name but a few.

When I was nine year’s old I told my long suffering mother that as I liked English composition and drama I was going to be a Playwright. She told me that I should work hard at school and get a proper job. She was right of course.

I started as an Office Junior at Jaguar in 1973 at eleven pounds sixty four a week. I thus grew up in the strike torn, class divided seventies. My first career ended in 2015, when I semi retired as Director of Corporate services at Humberside Probation. My second career, as a Non Executive Director, is great as it has allowed me free time to travel and indulge my passion for writing, both in novels and for theatre.

The opportunity to rekindle my interest in writing came in 2009, when I wrote my first pantomime, Cinderella, for my home group, the Walkington Pantomime Players. I have now written eight. I love theatre, particularly musical theatre, and completed the Hull Truck Theatre Playwrite course in 2010. My first play, a comedy called He's Behind You, had its first highly successful showing in January 2016, so I intend to move forward in all three creative areas.

Pen Pals was my first novel, but a second, The Road to Cromer Pier, will be released in the Summer of 2019. 

I’m an old fashioned writer I guess. I want you to laugh and to cry. I want you to believe in my characters, and feel that my stories have a beginning, a middle, and a satisfactory ending.

Social Media Links

Twitter - https://twitter.com/AuthorGore

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Martin-Gore-Author-1237780169706466/

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:   

Facebook: @mandybaggotauthor

Twitter: @mandybaggot

Pre-order links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2TXD0Tg

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2NeeGtH

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

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

Follow Aria

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter:@aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

BLOGTOUR: Confetti at the Little Duck Pond Cafe - Rosie Green

Wedding fever is in the air in the village of Sunnybrook.
With Ellie and Zak's Big Day on the horizon, the sun is shining brightly on the Little Duck Pond Cafe community. But when dark clouds begin to roll in from more than one direction, several close relationships look to be under threat. Will the wedding of the year actually take place at all?

My Review:

I recently came across Rosie Greens work after reading ‘A Bakery at the Little Duck Pond Café’ - see my review:
https://comfychairbooks.blogspot.com/2019/05/blogtour-bakery-at-little-duck-pond.html

I was so excited when I knew I’d been given the chance to read and review Confetti at the Little Duck Pond Café too. Such cute novellas that give a true sense of community via that café and bakery. Although the focus is on Ellie and Zack for this one we still get to know what the other characters have been up to.

Admittedly, I anticipated a light, fluffy, fun filled rom com novella with only a couple of twists to throw us off course but an ultimate love fest by the end. Well, I was surprised with the level of drama in this one, crikey, I was on the edge of my seat at some points. It was all rather quite emotional too; I couldn’t put it down and yet I hardly dared read on in case I saw something I didn’t want to happen.

There IS a lot of wedding-esq fun but so much more including a roaming cow, new villagers, a special day and trips to the coast!

While the ending may not be completely what I expected, I think it was really very very sweet. I may have been late to the Rosie Green party but I am so happy to have stumbled across this series. I will definitely look forward to the next visit.

I would definitely recommend Confetti at the Little Duck Pond Café – but more importantly – I recommend you read the whole series!

To purchase: https://amzn.to/2Iqghul

Author Bio:

Rosie Green has been scribbling stories ever since she was little. Back then they were rip-roaring adventure tales with a young heroine in perilous danger of falling off a cliff or being tied up by ‘the baddies’. Thankfully, Rosie has moved on somewhat, and now much prefers to write romantic comedies that melt your heart and make you smile, with really not much perilous danger involved at all, unless you count the heroine losing her heart in love.

​

​Rosie’s brand new series of novellas is centred on life in a village café. Confetti at the Little Duck Pond Cafe will be the sixth in the series

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green1988 

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

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

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

COMPETITION TIME!
WIN THIS INCREDIBLE TOTE BAG*

ENTER HERE: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494236/

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize

BLOGTOUR: The Perfect Moment - Alix Kelso

Is there ever a perfect moment to begin again in life?

Ever since tragedy threw her life into turmoil, Laura has taken refuge at her waitressing job in Valentino’s restaurant in Glasgow's leafy Fairhill. Serving lattes and lunch specials means she’s too busy to think about all she lost, or the dreams she was forced to abandon. So when her beloved boss announces she’s selling the business, Laura is devastated. Hatching a plan to set her up with the local pub owner, Laura hopes the two of them will make a connection that might just change her mind.

Recovering from betrayal and heartbreak, Bruce is also in hiding from the world, and working in his uncle’s pub while he wonders how to restart his life. When Laura asks for help with her matchmaking scheme, he finds himself unable to refuse. She has a smile he can’t resist, no matter how much he wants to.

 But as their plan is set in motion, the matchmakers begin falling for each other. Yet Laura thinks she’s happy with her dull boyfriend, and Bruce won’t risk another broken heart. As the future of Valentino’s hangs in the balance, can these two lost and lonely people find the perfect moment to start their lives again together?

My Review:

I was so pleased to get the chance to read and review this novel from Alix.  This is the first book in a series of books set in the Fairhill area of Glasgow.  It’s a debut novel and I have to say I’m happily surprised as I think the writing style is on par with many, more experienced, authors. I hope that doesn’t sound rude or insulting to Alix, as it is meant as a compliment.

I’m a fan of many genres but I do have a soft spot for a good romance so I was very intrigued to find out what Alix would give us – I can say I wasn’t disappointed. It’s a beautifully written romance, full of fun and charm that I felt so swept up by the story, I was hooked and couldn’t wait to find out what happened.

I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, especially Laura. Her boss is selling the business and Laura is keen on persuading her not too. Along with Bruce, nephew of the pub landlord opposite, Laura decides her boss just needs a bit of matchmaking and they set her up on a date with Keith.

I enjoyed the relationship between Laura and Bruce, there is a spark between them and while they have this fledgling friendship, I was hoping that it may turn into something more. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and see what happens in future. I cannot wait for the next book in the series, I’m hooked.

A must read for romance, easy read fans and even if you’re not a real romance fan, this is one book you should try.

Thank you Alix for giving me the opportunity to read and review. 

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍
Treat yourself to THE PERFECT MOMENT, a sweet, funny, emotional romance about new beginnings and being brave enough to follow your heart.

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07P87FYHX/

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P87FYHX

About the Author:

Alix Kelso is the author of the Fairhill novel series. She’s happiest with her nose in a book and has been known to lash out dangerously if disturbed while reading. Having previously worked as a shop assistant, waitress, hospital cleaner and dishwasher, she eventually became a university lecturer. Although she loved the academic world of teaching and researching and helping her students, she always enjoyed writing stories in her spare time and finally decided to pursue her dream of publishing a novel and becoming a full time writer.

She lives in her home city of Glasgow with her husband and their rescue lurcher, Maggie. She enjoys pottering in the kitchen, walking in Glasgow’s many lovely parks, and is a firm believer in the therapeutic benefits of a long lunch with a big glass of wine.

Social Media Links

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlixKelsoAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlixKelsoAuthor

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