BLOGTOUR: The Postcard - Zoe Folbigg

Pre-order Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XDiYhJ

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2Cg55hG

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2LMMxLs

About the Book

'Heart-warming, wonderful escapism and brimming with charm. I marvelled!' Christie Barlow

'I absolutely LOVED this! The Note was fabulous and this follow-up was a real treat!' Mandy Baggot

The sequel to the bestselling phenomenon The Note – based on the true story of one girl and her 'Train Man'…

A year after the kiss that brought them together in a snowy train-station doorway, Maya and James are embarking on another journey - this time around the world. The trip starts promisingly, with an opulent and romantic Indian wedding. But as their travels continue, Maya fears that ‘love at first sight’ might not survive trains, planes and tuk tuks, especially when she realises that what she really wants is a baby, and James doesn’t feel the same.  Can Maya and James navigate their different hopes and dreams to stay together? Or is love at first sight just a myth after all… Perfect for fans of One Day in December, Our Stop and Marian Keyes. The Postcard continues the once-in-a-lifetime love story that readers so took to their hearts.

My Review:

This is the sequel to Zoe Folbiggs ‘The Note’. We pick up the story as Maya and James plan on taking a year long trip travelling around the world. We are caught up with events from the year between the end of the first book and the start of this – I think you could read this happily as a standalone, but I always recommend reading a series in order (personal preference though).

Overall, I think The Postcard is charming, funny with elements of mystery, intrigue and even danger. I love when a book takes us on travels around the globe and was excited to hear about each destination. I mean, I love India and adore reading books that are set there or characters that travel through the country because I enjoy getting a picture in my mind of the place. I think we had some great glimpses of each place Maya and James enjoyed, but for me, I was left wanting more.

I quite enjoyed that we had the secondary storyline of Nena’s struggles with motherhood as well as the disappearance of backpacker Manon Junot in Thailand threading throughout. I understood the inclusion of Nena’s struggles – it contrasted to where Maya and James were in their relationship, but I admit I didn’t see why the Manon Junot storyline kept popping up at first.

I enjoyed how this books shows how we all put expectations on ourselves, we all compare ourselves to others even when their situations are completely different. It highlights how you should look at what you want from life and go for it, even if you didn’t initially set out with that goal in mind. Life is unexpected and not to be taken for granted.

I enjoyed the positive that exudes from the book, the writing is brilliant and we are given such a fantastic array of characters. Some quirky and funny, some annoying and you’ll want to punch them in their smarmy faces.

A highly enjoyable read for all. Thank you to Aria Fiction for the copy to review in exchange for an honest review. 

About the Author 

Zoë Folbigg is a magazine journalist and digital editor, starting at Cosmopolitan in 2001 and since freelancing for titles including Glamour, Fabulous, Daily Mail, Healthy, LOOK, Top Santé, Mother & Baby, ELLE, Sunday Times Style and Style.com. In 2008 she had a weekly column in Fabulous magazine documenting her year-long round-the-world trip with ‘Train Man’ – a man she had met on her daily commute. She since married Train Man and lives in Hertfordshire with him and their two young sons.

Follow Zoë:

Facebook: @zoefolbiggauthor

Twitter: @zolington

Website: www.zoefolbigg.com

My Blog's 1st anniversary!

It’s a year ago today that I set up this blog and posted my first review. I didn’t know what I was doing at all (some may argue that I still don’t) and I certainly had no expectations of what would happen.

So, what has happened? Crikey… well, things beyond what I envisaged. I have found a community of incredible, like-minded people who share, encourage and support one another. Authors, other bloggers, readers all coming together to celebrate books and wonderful stories. If only I knew that having this blog would open a whole new world. I’ve got to know so many new and lovely people that it feels like I’m part of something – that doesn’t always happen to me.

I never expected to be able to read ARCs, I didn’t imagine I’d meet authors I admired, I wouldn’t dream that I could be asked to read and review books from my favourite authors before publication days.  But these things have happened, continue to happen and I am so so sooooo grateful.

Throughout the year I have connected with a lot of wonderful new (to me) author. I’ve instantly become a fan of so many and of course I have had to ensure I read every single book they had ever written in the shortest possible time…  people talk about binge watching a TV series, well I binge read authors that I discover/love.  The world being as it is now, and with book Twitter being totally amazing, the ability to connect with these same authors is incredible and better than I imagined – I love that we, as fans, can get to know authors, help support them in any way possible, whether that’s a book review, tweet, or even something simple like a RT.

“Book Twitter” has led to some wonderful….. friendships. I’ll call them that because although I haven’t had the chance to meet any of the lovelies yet, the people I communicate with regularly are like friends. We share stories, pieces of information about our lives and we support each other like friends do. It’s been the most fun year… I know without a shadow of a doubt these guys will have a book recommendation at hand in an instant and they all share the opinion that there is no such thing as having too many books.

As I head into my second year I’ve been thinking, ‘do I have any goals? Any expectations of what I would like to have happened by this time next year?’ Quite honestly, no. I may not have the level of following as some blogs that are around, I may not have the interaction as others do -but you know what? That’s OK.

Something I would like to do is take the chances to meet others; go to more author events, see other bloggers etc - that is what I will work on over this next year.  

My little blog and I are happily moving along. I’m reading the books I want to read; I’m enjoying what I do and how I do it. I am happy with the community I have become part of and I don’t think I’d change that at all.

Happy Anniversary to me. If you’ve been here since the beginning – thanks, if you have only just found me, then hello.

Here’s to another year in my Comfy Chair.

BLOGTOUR: Last Orders at the Star and Sixpence - Holly Hepburn

About the book:
Nestled in the quiet countryside sits the cosy village of Little Monkham, home of The Star and Sixpence, a renovated pub owned by sisters Sam and Nessie. As the locals welcome the new season, it appears that change is afoot in their tiny community, and not all of it for the better... Nessie is moving in with her boyfriend, leaving Sam alone in the pub. But with the arrival of new chef Gabriel causing a flutter among the women of the village, it seems that Sam might not be so lonely after all. Having just recently come out of a relationship, Sam’s attraction to Gabe is inconvenient, but that’s the least of her worries when an unexpected visitor arrives at the pub, determined to stir up trouble. As Gabe and Sam grow closer, Little Monkham’s latest arrival threatens to reveal a secret that will turn more than one world upside down.

Can Sam and Nessie work through the fall out, or is it really last orders at The Star and Sixpence? 

*** Last Orders at the Star and Sixpence is the bind-up of the new Star and Sixpence e-novellas. If you have already enjoyed the novellas, then you have already enjoyed Last Orders at the Star and Sixpence***

My Review:

Now, I do enjoy a good novella but oh the joys of when those novellas are popped together in one book, which is the case here.

I’m so glad I got to read all this deliciousness in one fell swoop, I don’t know if I could’ve hung on between novellas.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about this wonderful village, such a fantastic sense of community and of friendship – I would love to live in Little Monkham.  The descriptions are so well written, everything sounds wonderful as Holly as brought this place to life.

What a cast of characters too – fun, quirky, individuals who together make such a lovely bunch of people. Nessie and Sam are so well loved by every customer, friend and villager. It’s nice to see how they all rally round each other in times of need as well as in celebration. Discovering a new brother, the sisters are very quick to welcome him into the pub - a little bit too quick if you ask me; I immediately had him pegged as a bad sort!

Both Nessie and Sam find challenges throughout the storyline, each feeling they couldn’t turn to the other; I was gutted for them as I understand how strong a sisterly bond truly is. They have a rollercoaster of a journey together but also individually. With fun, emotional highs you also get the gut wrenching and heart-breaking lows. I was kept intrigued and wondered what they would do to improve their situations (I don’t want to give too much away if I’m honest!) but with matters of the heart, family troubles, loss and deceit all playing their part – you just know it’s not all plain sailing.

Holly Hepburn has given us such a lovely, romantic yet humorous story with character you will adore and want to know more about. I would love to see what happens next with many of them. I was totally immersed in the book and finished within a couple of sittings… I didn’t really want it to end.

I would recommend if you are looking for an enjoyable, easy read that will take you away and leave you feeling all warm, cosy and full of friendship.

Thank you to Holly Hepburn and Simon and Schuester UK. 

Something Extra Special:

Top Five Things You Didn’t Know About Holly Hepburn

1. She loves cooking and is an especially keen baker – people have been known to call her the queen of meringues!2. One of her first jobs was working in a bar, where she met the boyfriend who would become the inspiration for Joss Felstead and who taught her everything she knows about managing a pub cellar, including how to change a barrel and how to clean the lines.3. Owen Rhys is also based on an ex-boyfriend, although he wasn’t a blacksmith. To learn how to write about Owen’s job, Holly spent a day working in a forge and is very proud to have made a toasting fork all by herself from scratch, which she describes as one of the hardest things she’s ever done.

4. The physical appearance of delectable chef, Gabe Santiago, was inspired by Santiago Cabrera, who played Aramis in the BBC’s TV show The Musketeers. Holly took her research very seriously and watched the show repeatedly to get Gabe’s character just right…5. She makes a mean cocktail – ask her to whip up a Silver Sixpence (the signature Star and Sixpence cocktail from her first novel) and she’ll be happy to oblige. Once again, she selflessly takes the research required for writing about cocktails seriously and is always on the look-out for inspiration.

BLOGTOUR: The Time of our lives - Abby Williams

 

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Sg3z61

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

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2xMa5Il

Ibooks: https://apple.co/2ZhNKxM

About the Book

Two women from two very different generations are brought together through dramatic circumstances and help each other to forge new paths.

Twenty-six-year-old Erin has everything she’s ever wanted – a good job, a gorgeous fiancé and a best friend who’s always there for her. But suddenly her life comes crashing down around her. Unable to return home to her parents, she takes a room in a house nearby and her life starts over in the most unexpected of ways…

Seventy-six-year old Lydia, who, shocked by the sudden death of her husband, is devastated to discover that he has left her in crippling debt. With no choice but to take in a lodger, Erin comes into her life. When they find a letter hidden in the attic old secrets come to light and, with Erin by her side, Lydia finds herself going on a trip of a lifetime.

Perfect for fans of The Flatshare, 59 Memory Lane and If Only I Could Tell You

My Review:

We meet the wonderful Lydia recently after her husband passes away. She realises her beloved husband had been keeping secrets leading her son to convince her that she must take in a lodger to make ends meet. With this in mind she meets with the lovely, yet sad, Erin. We’ve seen that twenty-six-year-old Erin has had a difficult time and needs a new start - her fiancé and best friend betrayed her.

Erin moves in and over the following days and weeks we see how both women bring out the better qualities in each other and provide the support each needs to move forward instead of looking back and dwelling on the past.

Honestly, I adored it from the moment these two women met. I was totally absorbed into their lives. Both characters complimented each other fantastically, although both were quite feisty and opinionated. I think they are both brilliant and loved that the emphasis of the book was their relationship and how they helped each other.

We read how each character dusts themselves off and both move on with their lives – even with an age difference they learn so much from the other. They both go on quite a journey in the short time they know each other, there are great successes, heart-warming moments that had me smiling from ear to ear but also failures and disappointments. Throughout it all they have each other; I found myself smiling, laughing but then feeling very empathetic to their situations.

This book is very nicely written, you get a good sense of the atmosphere – their excitement, disappointments, the sadness and the loves each character lives through. We are introduced to a lovely selection of additional characters, although there will be a couple you will instantly dislike.   The perspective changes between Erin and Lydia but it’s done very well and I really enjoy getting two views of events throughout.

I enjoyed how the book encompassed the realities of life, that everything isn’t always perfect, but you live through the moments, you learn, and you continue the best path for you.

Here’s to friendship and having those who support and love you always.

I would highly recommend this book to all, definitely worth a read. 

About the Author 

Abby Williams is the pseudonym for Fiona Ford, writer of romantic up-lit and historical fiction. Fiona started out as a freelance journalist for titles such as Grazia, Sunday Mirror and Stylist before realising her passion lay in novels. Now she spends her days immersed in made-up worlds and reckons she has the very best job in the world. When she's not writing, Fiona is a gym nut, but only so it means she can eat lots of cake and drink lots of wine - not necessarily in that order. She lives in Berkshire with her husband and two cats who she sometimes thinks she might love just a little bit more than all the humans she knows. The Time of Our Lives is her first romantic novel and she is now busy scribbling away her second. 

Follow Fiona:

Facebook: @Fionafordauthor

Twitter: @Fionajourno

Website: www.fionaford.co.uk

BLOGTOUR - The Ingredients for Happiness - Lucy Knott

AVAILABLE HERE

About:

Three sisters, a stash of family recipes, the chance to make their dreams come true…

Amanda is about to open her very own café. She has the pastry sorted, but hasn’t a clue about the plumbing. With the love of her life by her side, surely nothing else can go wrong?

Sabrina has struck out on her own and is proving to the global music industry she has what it takes. However, balancing the business side of the band with her personal life will end up being more than she bargained for.

Louisa is drawing inspiration from the beautiful Amalfi coast, channelling it into creating gorgeous gowns for modern day Sophia Lorens. But putting herself out there in the fashion industry will present its own challenges, even with the ever-supportive Luca by her side.

With the right mix of perseverance, love and plenty of Italian delicacies, these three sisters are about to discover that when they support each other, the sky really is the limit! 

My review:

This is the first book I’ve read by Lucy – I didn’t read the first in this series (I don’t know how that’s skipped me by though to be honest!) – but it’s a nice, easy read that you can enjoy without getting caught up in complicated plots and overlapping storylines, especially as you are following three sisters as your main characters.

Although I think you may benefit from having read the first as you will be fully invested in each character and understand their positions immediately, I don’t feel I lost anything and would say it’s easy to read as a standalone, you are fully caught up on each sister and what has happened previously.  You meet each sister trying to forge their own path in their relationships and careers.

The Italian style, recipes, lifestyle really comes across throughout the book and what amazing sounding recipes! Honestly you will be drooling all the way through, really adds to the story too. You can imagine yourself alongside the characters.

This is a lovely book that explores hopes and dreams, shows the work you must put it to follow your heart and it demonstrates the importance of family, no matter where if they are near, far or just fondly remembered.  

I did find that everything seemed very good to be true, nothing seemed to “go wrong” and I was always expecting something dramatic to happen, or twist. Maybe that’s just how my mind works. It is a perfect read especially for summer, something you can pick up and read pretty quickly. I think the writing style is lovely and very descriptive too.

I’d definitely recommend. 

About the Author:

Lucy Knott is a former professional wrestler with a passion for storytelling. Now, instead of telling her stories in the ring, she’s putting pen to paper, fulfilling another lifelong dream in becoming an Author.
Inspired by her Italian Grandparents, when she is not writing you will most likely find her cooking, baking and devouring Italian food, in addition to learning Italian and daydreaming of trips to Italy.
Along with her twin sister, Kelly, Lucy runs TheBlossomTwins.com, where she enthusiastically shares her love for books, baking and Italy, with daily posts, reviews and recipes.


You can find Lucy on 
Twitter @TheBlossomTwins or @LucyCKnott
Instagram @LucyCKnott

Website: www.theblossomtwins.com

BLOGTOUR: The Girl I Used to Know - Faith Hogan

About The Book

Amanda King and Tess Cuffe are strangers who share the same Georgian house, but their lives couldn’t be more different. Amanda seems to have it all, absolute perfection.

She projects all the accouterments of a lady who lunches. Sadly, the reality is a soulless home, an unfaithful husband and a very lonely heart.

By comparison, in the basement flat, unwanted tenant Tess has spent a lifetime hiding and shutting her heart to love.

It takes a bossy doctor, a handsome gardener, a pushy teenager and an abandoned cat to show these two women that sometimes letting go is the first step to moving forward and new friendships can come from the most unlikely situations.

My Review:

The Girl I Used to Know is a beautiful, inspiring story of self-discovery, knowing your own worth and having a second go at life.

A story of friendships, this book shows us how people are always worth taking a chance on, looking past the exterior and trying to understand the person someone truly is or wants to be. I love how the emphasis was put on friendships and in supporting others – taking two main characters who were both alone, but in very different ways and making them so powerfully connected.

I enjoyed the plot of the book, the ways their lives are so very different, yet they are so closely entwined. Such meaningful and powerful writing by Faith Hogan, it is a well-paced book with short, fast chapters that will allow you to get fully immersed into the two ladies’ lives. I loved that we had chapters that took us back in time and we get to see what happened in Tess’s early life, I think this adds so much to the story and gave us such compassion for the character.

At the beginning of the book neither of our main characters are that appealing, I doubt many people found them charming or even likable but as I read through their story, I grew to be very fond of them both. This book is a real emotional journey and full of surprises. Both Amanda and Tess have some real low blows within their lives, things that turn everything they think they know on its head, but this is countered by some fantastic highs and moments of pure happiness for both.

It’s a gorgeous book to curl up and enjoy, I cannot recommend it enough as it is very uplifting and motivating. I am very grateful to Aria Fiction and Faith Hogan for the opportunity to read and review - Thank you!

Purchase links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JF2sLJ

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2W78zzb

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Wo4qWD

About the Author:

Faith lives in the west of Ireland with her husband, four children and two very fussy cats. She has an Hons Degree in English Literature and Psychology, has worked as a fashion model and in the intellectual disability and mental health sector.

Twitter: @GerHogan

Follow Aria: 

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

BLOGTOUR - Victory for the East End Angels - Rosie Hendry

Victory for the East End Angels

The war is almost over - and it's up to the East End Angels to keep the home fires burning!

Frankie's fiance, a doctor, is away looking after the troops in Europe - will he return safely home?

Winnie has a happy secret - but can she carry on at Station 75 when she's going to have a baby?

Bella is intrigued by her new friend, a Polish airman.

As the war ends and victory is in sight, what next for the girls of Station 75?

A gorgeously uplifting saga for fans of Ellie Dean and Donna Douglas

My review:

What a charming tale of spirited, strong and determined women doing their best through the trying circumstances of the end of the war.

I read this book having not read any of the previous ones in the series and it does work well as a standalone but I do believe you’d possibly have more of an emotional connection to the characters if you had ‘lived through’ their past. I was truly swept into their world, but I believe if you are a fan of any series you are bound to be closer to the characters.

Bella, Winnie, Rose and Frankie are the East End Angels and they are all part of Station 75, working as ambulance drivers and attendants. They have been through a lot during the war but as the end approaches so do the introduction of the devastating V1 and V2 rockets – causing more destruction and carnage. These are some strong women – testament to what people really did do for the war effort, it really does serve as a reminder to appreciate those that risked everything for us today.

This book gives us highs and lows – love, heartbreak, death, marriage and fresh hope in times of darkness. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions for all involved. We see how, even with the end of the war, lives couldn’t automatically go back to how they were before and for many it was a bittersweet time. I think it was great we saw each of the characters approach the way ending differently; how they had been a solid team, always there for each other and being the ones they relied on and at the end  they all seemed to part (whilst remaining the greatest of friends).

I think the writing is wonderful, very descriptive and emotive – the way the devastation was fully described yet without being too much or not in keeping with the style of the book. The pace was quick, with short chapters and it progressed nicely.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will  be interested in catching up on what I missed from earlier in the series. Thank you to Rosie Hendry and Rachels Randoms Reviews. 

Purchase Links:

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victory-East-Angels-Rosie-Hendry-ebook/dp/B07N6DVRD4

US  - https://www.amazon.com/Victory-East-Angels-Rosie-Hendry-ebook/dp/B07N6DVRD4

About the Author: 

Rosie Hendry lives by the sea in Norfolk with her husband, two children, chickens and a snake. She's worked in a variety of jobs from fruit picking, waitressing, teaching and as a research scientist but has always loving reading and writing. Starting off writing short stories for women's magazines, her stories have gradually become longer as her children have grown bigger.

Listening to her father's tales of life during the Second World War sparked Rosie's interest in this period and she's especially intrigued by how women’s lives changed during the war years. She loves researching further, searching out gems of real-life events which inspire her writing.

When she's not working, Rosie enjoys walking along the beach, reading and is grateful for the fact that her husband is a much better cook than her.

Website: www.rosiehendry.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RosieHendrybooks/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/hendry_rosie