The Saturday Morning Park Run - Jules Wake

This is the story of two women.

One old, one young.

One looking for new adventures. One looking for a purpose.

Both needing a friend.

And this is how, along with two little girls in need of a family, a gorgeous stranger, and a scruffy dog, they bring the whole community together every Saturday morning for love, laughter and a little bit of running…(well, power walking).

Some people come into your life when you need them the most.

                                      

My Review:

No matter under which guise she is writing as, Jules (or Julie) is one of my absolute top ‘read-their-book-above-all-others-ASAP’ authors. I will happily toss all other books aside to read the latest one from her.  Favouritism? You bet but when the books make you as happy and a million miles away from real life problems as these do me then you’d be the same.

Following Jules on social media I know how she has been involved in park runs, all credit to anyone who does them because I couldn’t but I love the idea of them and the whole social/spirit of them. Jules’ love of park run shines through this whole book. The positive light shed upon the finer details, the inner workings of getting these events put together really does wonders and almost made me want to head out in trainers… It is a wonderful side to this special story that really is about making people appreciate their lives, skills, and opportunities in a different way.

With some wonderful characters that will cement a place firmly in your hearts, The Saturday Morning Park Run would not be the same without the treasure that is Hilda. Everyone will rave about her but its deserved, she is a powerhouse and the one that ties everything so nicely together. I wish I had a Hilda in my life... maybe I should hang around a park bench a little more often!

I love Claire and Ash. Our lead characters: we meet them at a place in their lives where both seem on top. They are both killing it career wise, they have the flirty, hot chemistry and both know what they want from life. Typically, everything changes, both end up in unexpected positions and through some helpful Hilda intervention they start to realise their previous lifestyle may not be all their hearts desired.

Claire gets to look after her nieces Poppy and Ava, whilst providing some fun moments, their relationship develops and becomes so special that, in parts, it almost had me in tears.

With overriding ideas that family can be made up from those you chose to have in your life; this heart-warming read will leave you feeling happy, emotional, and potentially ready for a run.

I always champion Jules’ books, they are brilliant and I recommend them as I genuinely love each one. I wouldn’t pick a favourite but this is up there.

A gorgeous, engaging, charm of a read.

Pre-order Links:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peony-Place-Jules-Wake-ebook/dp/B07K2MGMN9/

https://www.amazon.com/Peony-Place-Jules-Wake-ebook/dp/B07K2MGMN9/

Author Bio

Jules Wake announced at the age of ten that she planned to be a writer. Along the way she was diverted by the glamorous world of PR and worked on many luxury brands and not so luxury brands. This proved fabulous training for writing novels as it provided her with the opportunity to hone her writing and creative skills penning copy on a vast range of subjects from pig farming and watches, sunglasses and skincare through to beer and stationery. 

She writes best-selling warm-hearted contemporary fiction for One More Chapter as Jules Wake and under her pen name Julie Caplin, she writes the Romantic Escapes series. 

Between them, the two Js have written fourteen novels, The Saturday Morning Park Run being the latest. 

Social Media Links 

Twitter @Juleswake

https://www.facebook.com/juleswakewrites/

Instagram: juleswakeauthor

Just like the other girls - Claire Douglas

A story of how jealousy, lies and betrayal can build a family before destroying it from Sunday Times Bestseller.

CARER/COMPANION WANTED FOR ELDERLY LADY

* YOUNG FEMALE PREFERRED * COMPETITIVE SALARY *
*ROOM AND BOARD INCLUDED * 

Una Richardson's heart is broken after the death of her mother. Seeking a place to heal, she responds to an advertisement and steps into the rich, comforting world of Elspeth McKenzie.
But Elspeth's home is not as it safe as it seems.
Kathryn, her cold and bitter daughter, resents Una's presence. But more disturbing is the evidence suggesting two girls lived here before. Two girls who ended up dead.
And now she sleeps in the same bed as they did.
Why will the McKenzies not talk about them?
What other secrets are locked inside this house? Can these girls lead Una to the truth?

And as the walls close in around her Una fears she will end up just like the other girls . . . 

My Review:

My first read from this author but definitely not my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end.

This is one exciting, twisted thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. When I thought I knew what was happening and had it all sussed, I was wrong. You are brought into this story slowly, gently and carefully- with misdirection and red herrings littered throughout.

There was a massive shock mid-way through that really did surprise me, very clever by the author to keep us readers on our toes like that. I don’t want to say much as I think it is better to discover naturally.

With characters you will love to hate, this is a book I will highly recommend time and time again. A true page turner, you will not want to put this book down until the very end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Claire Douglas has worked as a journalist for fifteen years writing features for women's magazines and national newspapers. Her first novel, The Sisters, was followed by Local Girl Missing, Last Seen Alive and Do Not Disturb, all Sunday Times bestsellers. She lives in Bath with her husband and two children and is available for interview and features.

Lucy's Great Escape - Rosie Green

Lucy’s Great Escape, Little Duck Pond Café

Lucy never wanted to abandon her friends and family, and travel to the other side of the country to start a new life. And all without telling anyone where she was going. But these are desperate times. And finding herself with a nightmare of a dilemma, fleeing her home town seems like the only way she can protect herself and those she loves.

The Cornish town of Pengully Sands holds happy childhood memories for Lucy and seems the perfect place to escape to, although having little money and no friends, life at first seems grim.

But a chance meeting with Madison and the rest of the Little Duck Pond Café girls, plus a decidedly attractive local guy who won’t take no for an answer, gives Lucy a glimmer of hope for the future. Could she really settle in Pengully Sands and make a living by selling her watercolours?

But just as life is starting to look a little rosier, it becomes clear that someone back home – the last person she ever wanted to see – has tracked her down…

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/2xGW5mJ

My Review:

Rosie Green is 100% one of my ‘go to’ authors. I always love her work, she has cultivated a wonderful community full of characters I just adore and now, that community includes Pengully Sands with wonderful new characters to learn all about. With all of Rosie’s books, it can be ready as a standalone, but I do highly recommend reading the others as they are all so good.

Lucy’s Great Escape is a fantastic read and I really couldn’t put it down. We met Lucy (very briefly) in the last book by Rosie, so it is nice to have this book based on her story.

We discover more to her backstory, and what a sad, emotional life she has led, Lucy has struggled with many difficulties and Pengully Sands is something of a refuge for her. I took Lucy to my heart straightaway and was hoping everything could work out for her. She did let others take advantage of her so to see her blossom and become her own true self is brilliant.

The themes of this book were difficult, upsetting and a more serious tone but tackled and written in a fantastic way; highlighting realistic issues and. I liked the change; it had a darker edge to it but still retained the feel of being part of this series of books.

I adore this series, and always look forward to the next book. I hope it continues for as long as possible, I am way too attached to the people and places!

I highly recommend Lucy’s Great Escape!

Author Bio:

Rosie 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 Little Duck Pond Cafe series of novellas is centred around life in a village cafe. Each book can be read as a stand-alone story. The latest, ‘Lucy’s Great Escape’, is out now. Watch out for further tales of the Little Duck Pond Cafe, including the delicious ‘Log Fires & Toffee Apple Cake’, which will be published in autumn 2020.
Follow Rosie on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green1988

You May Kiss The Bridesmaid - Camilla Isley

You May Kiss the Bridesmaid

Archibald Hill is handsome, single, and he’s going to his best friend’s wedding ready to make a conquest or two. After all, everyone knows weddings are the perfect setting to get lucky.

Summer Knowles used to have a life—friends, family, a sister who’d do anything for her—until she blew it all away with a terrible mistake. Now, attending her twin’s wedding as the party’s undesirable number one seems like more than she can handle. So, when a tall stranger with smoldering ice-blue eyes offers her a therapy of seven nights of no-strings-attached fun, she might even ignore that he has a beard and accept.

Problem is, Summer has never been good at keeping sex and feelings separated…

My Review:

Having been a fan of this series and knowing of both Summer and Archie, I was so excited to finally read their story.

Although I mention ‘series’ these books are written so they can be read as standalones, it definitely includes enough backstory to be informative to new readers whilst not overdoing it for those of us that have read them.

Both characters seem to have met their match this time around, and the connection and chemistry between two is instant and to everyone else is TOTALLY not a good idea. Summer is not in the right place for a relationship and Archie is a serial womaniser, love them and leave them kind of guy. Their life plans are the opposite of one another’s.

 Summer is not the most popular member of the wedding party at her sisters week long destination wedding; past mistakes are haunting her big style and she seeks comfort and refuge in a distraction called Archie. Wynter (her twin) knows he is not what she needs and is intent on them NOT becoming entangled in any way.

I love when stories alternate between the viewpoints of main characters, I think as a reader get a well rounded picture of what is happening. I love the characters in this book (series) and Archie does sound so sexy it would be hard for any woman not to succumb to his charms, no wonder Summer cannot stop herself falling for him.

As the story progresses, could it be that both have found what they really needed all along? It felt a I little bit rushed, that this intense relationship happened in an instant but I guess these things could happen?

A fun, light hearted romance with some extra hot stuff thrown in! There is some drama along the way but it is so entertaining I read it in no time at all. Hats off to Camilla Isley for another fan read!

Purchase Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084BW3P7V

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/you-may-kiss-the-bridesmaid/id1497542581

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/you-may-kiss-the-bridesmaid-camilla-isley/1136377204?ean=2940163462445

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=9788887269413

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Camilla_Isley_You_May_Kiss_the_Bridesmaid?id=C6LNDwAAQBAJ

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 traveller, 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: 

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

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

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

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

Twitter https://twitter.com/camillaisley

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

 

Giveaway to Win 3 x ecopies of the boxset of the first three books in the series – First Comes Love (Open INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide 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.

Hush Little Baby - Jane Issac

About the book

Someone stole a baby...

One sunny day in July, someone took three-month-old Alicia Owen from her pram outside a supermarket. Her mother, Marie, was inside. No one saw who took Alicia. And no one could find her.

They silenced her cry...

Fifteen years later, a teenager on a construction site sees a tiny hand in the ground. When the police investigate, they find a baby buried and preserved in concrete. Could it be Alicia?

But the truth will always out.

When Alicia disappeared, the papers accused Marie of detachment and neglect. The Owens never got over the grief of their child's disappearance and divorced not long after. By reopening the case, DC Beth Chamberlain must reopen old wounds. But the killer may be closer than anyone ever suspected...

The latest crime thriller featuring Family Liaison Officer DC Beth Chamberlain, Hush Little Baby is tightly plotted, fraught with tension and impossible to put down. Perfect for fans of Cara Hunter and K.L. Slater.

 My Review:

This is the third book in the DC Beth Chamberlain series, although I have read  the second (and really enjoyed it) I would definitely say it isn’t necessary to have read the other two novels, it’s works perfectly as a standalone,

I found this one really tackled a difficult, emotive topic and the content may be a bit much for some; child abduction is a hard enough read but the discovery of a potentially murdered baby encased in cement is tough to tackle. Jane Isaacs does it well and the whole story is dealt with sensitively whilst being dramatic, emotional, heart-breaking and keeping readers hooked.

As I was reading, I found myself getting drawn into the story very quickly. It is full of dramatic twists and turns, a lot of surprises and revelations. I enjoyed how although DC Chamberlain is working to support the victims families she herself is involved in a family trauma that costs her dearly.

A book full of secrets, lies and deceptions, you will be guessing all the way through.

Highly recommended for fans of fast paced, thrilling crime dramas.

About the author
Jane Isaac is married to a serving detective and they live in rural Northamptonshire, UK with

their daughter, and dog, Bollo. Jane loves to hear from readers and writers. You can reach her via her website at www.janeisaac.co.uk Sign up to her book club at http://eepurl.com/1a2uT for book recommendations and details of new releases, events and giveaways.

Follow Jane:

Facebook: @JaneIsaacAuthor

Twitter: @JaneIsaacAuthor

Website: www.janeisaac.co.uk

Pre-order links:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2AM9evY

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2TiC7Gv

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2Tp2tXf

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

 
Follow Aria
Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

GUEST POST: ‘Behind the Scenes of Being an Author’ with Caroline Roberts – A Writer’s Life

‘Behind the Scenes of Being an Author’ with Caroline Roberts – A Writer’s Life

Hi Jenn, thanks for having me here at The Comfy Chair and for coming up with this great idea for a blog post.

So, today is publication day for my new book ‘Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry’ (yippee!) and I’m delighted to be welcoming you all back to Primrose Farm.  


Behind the scenes - inspirations

The Pudding Pantry books are set near to my home in the glorious Northumberland countryside.

I’ve always been interested in farming life, and whilst out walking in the valleys and moorland, the characters of Rachel and her wonderful family - the four feisty generations of Swinton women who are striving to take their farm forward after personal tragedy - came to mind. We have several farming friends locally, who welcomed me to their homes with cups of tea and a smile, ready to answer my many questions about the practicalities and the emotions around working a farm in rural Northumberland. I loved touring the farms and meeting the animals.

Susan Green, who has a fabulous pudding company, The Proof of the Pudding, based at her farmhouse near to Alnwick, gave me a tour and great insight into the hard work and ups and downs involved in creating such a business from scratch. A photograph of a beautiful barn conversion in our local lifestyle magazine helped set the seed, too. I love the stone and character of old farm buildings, and could really picture the tea rooms coming to life in the story in the old barn.

Behind the scenes of a series

With regards to the series, there was always going to be Pudding Pantry books one and two, but there was so much more to say when I got to the end of the Christmas book, that it felt like ‘unfinished business’. I knew I needed to stay with these gorgeous characters - who felt very much like friends - a little longer, and so, book three ‘Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry’ was born. I’m so glad I had the chance to see the story play out further. The book was lovely to write and has a joyful feel, and a sense of achievement and of fulfilment both for the characters in the story and for me as the writer.

I hope you enjoy spending time at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry as much as I did. In fact, I wish it was a real place, so I could go there and chat over tea and scrumptious puddings with my friends. We could find ourselves a comfy chair at the Pudding Pantry!

Behind the Scenes - where the writing magic happens.

The first book in the Pudding Pantry series was written in the main in my conservatory, a place where I can look out across my garden and to the fields beyond. That view is inspiring in itself, and at the moment there are lambs and sheep in the field directly behind my house.

The latest book ‘Summer at Rachel’s Pudding Pantry’ was created in my new writing room. I was finding I needed a space of my own to ‘go to work’, and get my head down and concentrate. So, I converted our small bedroom, adding a lovely wooden desk and investing in a good-quality comfy chair! (A necessity for a writer as well as a reader!). I love my Etsy picture: ‘Big stories start with little chapters’ that hangs in front of the desk – a reminder not to feel overwhelmed and to break down the story, working on it one bit at a time. That’s a good tip for any writer; to plan out the plot and then concentrate on the section you are on, so it doesn’t feel too much to work on at once, especially when writing something as long as a novel.

Here’s a video tour of my writing world. Come and join me …

  

 

From Jenn and The Comfy Chair....

Thank you Caroline for trusting me with such a fun, unique guest blog post. I'm thrilled to be able to celebrate your publication day in this way!

My Review:

I’ve been a big fan of this series from the start, its setting, the characters and the storylines the have drawn me and made me believe I am part of the community. Through all the ups and downs, loves and heartbreak, I’m a firm fan. I’m also partial to drooling about the amazing cakes and goodies littered through each book. I don’t need much encouragement to have a little treat whilst I read but this book should come with the caveat you MUST be eating cake whilst reading!

Rachel is getting married, the happiest of happy times and oh.. this book gives you plenty to enjoy. I don’t want to give you spoilers but watch for some surprises in this one. The hen party is full of fun as you would expect and best friend, Eve, is around as ever with her amazing crafty ways. I was worried for her in this one, she wasn’t the Eve we have come to know and love.

I was so happy reading the whole community mucking in to share in the happy event. It captures community life no end and that’s what makes this series very special. Whilst we focus on Rachel, her family and her friends are really important.

Caroline Roberts writes beautifully, bringing these characters alive and bringing us heart-warming stories. (Plus the sweetest cravings ever known!) She isn’t one to shy away from difficult storylines either, and touches on some sensitive subjects. I would love to go back again, see what life holds for Rachel, Eve and co. Plus I’m sure we could discover more yummy cake recipes!

This is without a doubt a five star worthy book, a fantastic read that I wholeheartedly recommend.

How to Disappear by Gillian McAllister

You can run, you can hide, but can you disappear for good?

Lauren's daughter Zara witnessed a terrible crime. But speaking up comes with a price, and when Zara's identity is revealed online, it puts a target on her back.

The only choice is to disappear.

From their family, their friends, even from Lauren's husband.

No goodbyes. Just new names, new home, new lives.

One mistake - a text, an Instagram like - could bring their old lives crashing into the new.

As Lauren will learn, disappearing is easy.

Staying hidden is much harder . . .