Friday, January 31, 2025

BLOG TOUR - The Little Island Flower Stall


DESCRIPTION:

Escape to a colourful little flower stall on the island of Jersey with its sweeping golden beaches. A place where, this summer, Bella will discover a heartbreaking family secret… that could help her find a new beginning.

When Bella’s heart is broken by her cheating husband, she packs a bag and escapes to the little island of Jersey, to help her beloved great-aunt Celestine run her seaside flower stall.

With the sun on her cheeks, watching white-haired Celestine in her elegant patterned trouser suit beam at customers and arrange flowers in vases, Bella realises that life is too short to feel sad. And when handsome, brooding Rory arrives at the rose-covered flower stall, and their eyes meet, she feels a sudden spark…

Inspired by Celestine’s lust for life, Bella agrees to get to know Rory better. As the two of them walk together under vast blue skies, Rory tells her of the family secret that has brought him to the island.

Bella wonders if Celestine might be able to help Rory with his quest, but Celestine warns her to be careful. Bella knows she should listen to her wise aunt, but she can’t fight her feelings. Yet when she tries to track Rory down days later, she is shocked to discover the secrets he has been keeping.

Is her hope of an island romance with a mysterious, handsome man simply too good to be true? Or can this beautiful place still bring her the bright new beginning that she so desperately needs?

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Title:  The Little Island Flower Stall
Author:  Tilly Tennant
Publisher:  Bookouture 
Genre:   Women’s Fiction; Romance 
Format:  Kindle ARC 
No. of Pages:  374
Date of Publication: January 29, 2025
My Rating:   5 Stars 

MY THOUGHTS:

“Life’s too short to hold grudges.”

Bella, having left her cheating husband, returns to her parents’ home seeking comfort during this devastating time. However, her plans are quickly upended when her father informs her that her great-aunt Celestine has fallen. Taking advantage of the situation, Bella volunteers to take over running the flower stall while her aunt recovers. This unexpected opportunity provides Bella with the time she needs to regain her footing.

Beyond her personal struggles, Bella’s visit to her great-aunt Celestine presents a chance for reconnection. At 94 years old, Celestine has been a distant figure in Bella’s adult life, and this visit offers a rare opportunity to strengthen their bond.

While busy at the flower stand, Bella’s gaze is captured by a customer named Rory. This unexpected encounter sets the stage for a slow-burning love story. Bella is intrigued by Rory, but she struggles to comprehend her feelings. Meanwhile, she discovers that Rory is in town searching for information about a past event that occurred during a war in Jersey, the place where he and Bella are currently visiting. 

This delightfully cozy story ticks all the right boxes. It features a gentle romance blossoming, a captivating mystery to unravel, and, of course, a second chance at life. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From a young age, Tilly Tennant was convinced that she was destined for the stage.  Once she realised she wasn’t actually very good at anything that would put her on the stage, she started to write stories instead. There were lots of terrible ones, like The Pet Rescue Gang (aged eight), which definitely should not see the light of day ever again. Thankfully, her debut novel, Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn was not one of those, and since it hit the Amazon best seller lists she hasn’t looked back. Born in Dorset, she currently lives in Staffordshire with her husband, two daughters, three guitars, four ukuleles, two violins and a kazoo.

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Thursday, January 30, 2025

Review -The Soulmate

Title:   The Soulmate
Author:  Rona Halsall 
Publisher:  Boldwood Books 
Genre:   Psychological Thriller 
Format:  Kindle ARC 
No. of Pages:   323
Date of Publication:   January 30, 2025
My Rating:   3 Stars 

DESCRIPTION:

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Holly
does, in spite of everything that’s happened in her life. Sometimes the thought that her soulmate is out there is the only thing that keeps her going.

Then she hears her favourite song being played. She’s drawn to where the sound is coming from, as if by a magnetic force. There is a handsome young man sitting at a public piano, who smiles at her, and she feels that spark she’s always dreamt of. She asks if she can join him, and sings along, seeing his face light up.

He’s called Mark, she later discovers. And he feels the same. They both feel like they’ve been hit with a thunderbolt. But even though it seems like they’ve known each other for lifetime, the truth is that they’re strangers.

Because Holly has secrets. And so does Mark.

And one of them might just kill to keep them…

MY THOUGHTS:

Holly finds herself in an impossible situation. She is a victim of domestic abuse. Her abusive partner traps her, and her freedom continues to dwindle. One night, she stumbles upon someone playing a piano and it is her favorite song. She joins the pianist while he is singing, and they instantly connect. But what about her home life? And what secrets does she harbor that could jeopardize everything?

The man playing the beautiful song is Mark. Could Mark be her soulmate? Meanwhile, Mark has his own agenda. Will they build a life together or face a premature end?

This intriguing story delves into obsession, and with some shocking twists, the story was interesting. However, something about it threw me off. At one point, a couple knocks on Mark’s door. In his mind, he thinks, “Oh, Jehovah’s Witnesses.” From then on, the couple are referred to as Jehovah’s Witnesses. However, as a Jehovah’s Witness of five decades, I can confidently say that the couple’s actions and behavior at Mark’s home were entirely inaccurate. This inconsistency pulled me out of the story, so I must give it a lower rating.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rona is the #1 Best Selling author of psychological thrillers published by Bookouture. She loves to turn domestic storylines on their head to keep her readers guessing what the heck is going on.

Her 2023 release, THE BIGAMIST, has been short-listed for the International Writers Awards 2024, for Best Original E-Book, which is probably the peak of her writing career to date!

She has been a bit of a nomad during her adult life, moving around the north of England, before settling in Snowdonia, North Wales where she brought up her family while working as a business mentor. She lived on the Isle of Man with her husband and mad little Border Collie, Maid, for several years before returning to Wales. Recently, she has recruited a new member to the writing team - a Romanian rescue dog called Evie.

She is an outdoorsy person, who loves nothing better than stomping up a mountain, walking coastal paths and beaches and wandering round forests and woodlands while she's plotting her next book. She has three children and two step-children who are all grown up and leading varied and interesting lives, which provides plenty of material for new stories.

If you follow her Author page on Amazon, you'll get notifications whenever there's a new book on the way, or when promotions are running on her backlist titles. Go on... hit that Follow button!

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Wednesday, January 29, 2025

BLOG TOUR - Wedding Dashers

Title:   Wedding Dashers
Author Heather McBreen
Publisher:  Berkley
Genre:   Romance
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   400
Date of Publication:   January 28, 2025
My Rating:   4 Stars
DESCRIPTION:

After a case of mistaken identity and an almost one-night stand, two stranded wedding guests have to find their way to their final destination together, in this riotously fun debut romance.

Ada’s little sister is getting married. Which should be a happy thought, right? But the once close sisters have been in a year long fight, the wedding is all the way in Ireland, and Ada is so broke that she just barely managed to get a ticket on a budget airline. And as if things couldn’t get worse, said airline just cancelled her connection. Which means Ada is stuck in London with no way to make it to the wedding.

Surely she’s hit rock bottom?

So, there’s no reason for her not to spill her heart out about the over-the-top wedding, her sister’s worryingly quick engagement, and the womanizing best man she’s dreading meeting to a handsome also-stranded stranger at the bar. Until she realizes the stranger is headed to the same wedding. Oh, and he’s the infamous best man.

Now, Jack and Ada must put their simmering attraction behind them to make it to Belfast before they miss the nuptials. But between flat tires, missed trains, and suspect hostels, Jack and Ada start to question whether their feelings are worth going the distance, or just a distracting detour along the way.


MY THOUGHTS:

Ada is unemployed and broke. She has her reasons, but the last thing she wants to is to attend her sister Allison’s wedding. Why Allison decided to marry in London escapes Ada, but she is on her way there. Maybe once she makes it to Ireland, she can talk Allison out of getting married. 

What Ada is about to experience is a long series of unfortunate events, and that begins with her being bumped off her flight, and then picking up the wrong suitcase. That suitcase belonged to a complete stranger named Jack, who also got bumped from his flight. Oh, the fact that Ada is broke? She has no idea how she’s going to find a place for the night considering she is literally counting pennies. Despite their dire circumstances, they strike up a conversation and discover shared experiences of hardship. Jack offers to let Ada stay at his hotel until they can catch the next flight.

She just wants a hot shower and a comfortable bed. He expects more. Even so, Ada never feels unsafe around Jack. There is an attraction that is instantaneous between the both of them, but Ada is on a break from her long-term boyfriend, the last thing that she wants is to hook up with anyone. It may only be a matter of days to the wedding, which, by the way as it turns out, Jack is on his way as well! Yes, her sister is marrying his best friend, so it only makes sense that they travel together.

Will their attraction simmer throughout the time it takes them to get to Ireland or will it completely fizzle out? While their traveling faces more than one issue, Ada can’t help but to ruminate of her stagnated relationship even though she empty and unfulfilled. Whether Ada and Jack end up going the distance with their attraction is just one question they experience as the hours wind down as the wedding gets closer and closer. This wonderful debut story is rich with emotion and delivers a wonderful conclusion.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

BLOG TOUR - The Sister-In-Law


DESCRIPTION:

Would you invite a stranger in?

When Megan loses her beloved husband, Rick, in a tragic car accident, she feels like it’s her own life that has ended. She feels too young to be a widow. Walking around the house that had been their home – so quiet without him – nothing feels the same.

But at his funeral, she sees a face she doesn’t recognise. A heavily-pregnant young woman, with a sweet heart-shaped face that is somehow a little familiar. This stranger introduces herself as Emily, Rick’s estranged sister. She explains how she’s been searching for her brother for years, but – as she bursts into noisy sobs – she knows she’s too late now.

Megan finds herself taking pity on the sister-in-law she’d never met. And quickly Emily becomes more and more a part of her life, even moving into the spare room of her house.

It feels less empty than before. And at first it’s comforting to Megan. But – even when it’s a relative of the man you loved more than anyone – can you trust a stranger?

A totally unputdownable psychological crime thriller, guaranteed to have readers up all night turning the pages! Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst and Lisa Jewell.



Title:   The Sister-In-Law
Author Joanne Ryan
Publisher:  Boldwood Books
Genre:   Psychological Thriller 
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  216
Date of Publication:   January 27, 2025
My Rating:   4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:
Megan awakens in a hospital bed, only to discover that her husband has tragically passed away in the accident she miraculously survived. Despite the immense pain and grief she feels, she recognizes the urgent need to move forward with her life. 

When a stranger approaches her, Megan is shocked to learn that the woman is Rick’s sister. Emily introduces herself and reveals that despite their years-long estrangement, she’s always wanted to reconnect with her brother. Now that it’s too late, she’s eager to get to know Emily. As Megan starts to get to know her, she begins to notice some concerning behaviors in Emily. However, she might be even more shocked when she discovers the true extent of Emily’s issues.

Knowing that this was a psychological thriller didn’t prepare me for the unexpected twists that unfolded as I read this captivating novel. It’s one of those books that you simply can’t put down.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Joanne Ryan is the author of several well-reviewed psychological thrillers. Previously published by Tamarilla Press, she lives in Wiltshire. Her first thriller for Boldwood is Keep Your Friends Close.

Facebook: @JoanneRyanAuthor
Instagram: @authorjoanneryan
Newsletter sign-up: http://bit.ly/JoanneRyanNews
BookBub profile: @joanneryan2021

Review - The Family Inside

Title:  The Family 
Inside
Author Katie Garner
Publisher:  MIRA
Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers
Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:   384
Date of Publication:   January 28, 2025
My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

It takes a special family to turn a home into a nightmare. 

Since her husband’s unsolved murder three years ago, Iris Blodgett’s life has unraveled. Awash in grief and buried in debt, she can’t pay her mortgage—and now that she’s lost her job, she has no idea how she’ll provide for her unruly teenage daughter, Ellory.

Facing eviction, Iris turns to her new beau, prominent architect Hugh Smoll, for a shoulder to cry on. But the seemingly perfect Hugh offers her something more in an invitation to move into his mother’s centuries-old mansion while he renovates the property.

It seems like the perfect solution, but when Iris and Ellory arrive at Ravencliff, the family inside isn’t quite what they expected. Iris didn’t even know Hugh had siblings, much less that they’d all be living together.

With repairs underway, the house gives up its dark secrets one by one. Before long, Iris unearths a chilling family history—and the terrifying reason she and Ellory were invited in the first place…


MY THOUGHTS:
Iris Blodgett, having only dated Hugh Smoll for a couple of months, accepts his offer to move into his mother’s old mansion when she loses her job and home. Hugh, an architect, is renovating the mansion and currently resides there. Despite knowing it will upset her 18-year-old daughter Ellory, Iris accepts.

Iris knew they’d need to meet Hugh’s mother, but they weren’t prepared when she discovers his siblings also live there. Iris begins to feel out of place almost immediately. This is where the twists in this captivating story begin.

The invitation to Iris had an underlying purpose. As Iris and Ellory face what awaits them, the story reveals its intrigue. The way the author turns this into a dual timeline story, all while connecting the past with the present, makes this riveting story impossible to put down.

Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Katie Garner was born in New York and grew up in New Jersey. She has a degree in Art History from Ramapo College and is certified to teach high school Art. She hoards paperbacks, coffee mugs, and dog toys and can be seen holding at least one of those things most of the time.

​Katie lives in a New Jersey river town with her husband, baby boy, and shih-poo where she writes books about women and their dark, secret selves. The Night It Ended is her debut novel.





SERIES REVIEW - Amish Calling #2 and #3



Title:  Matters of the Heart
Author Kelly Irvin
Series:   Amish Calling #2
Publisher:  Zondervan
Genre:   Inspirational Romance
Format:  Audiobook 
Length:  9 hrs 54 mins
Narrator:  Lauren Berst
No. of Pages:   368
Date of Publication:   July 16, 2024
My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

He's the community's jokester auctioneer. She's the serious caregiver for her siblings who also works at the local plant nursery. What future could they have together?

Declan Miller has always had feelings for Bethel King. Back when they were in school, she was the smartest girl in the class and, in his opinion, by far the prettiest. Now the two of them are in their twenties and while the attraction is still there, Declan is as hesitant as ever to let Bethel know how he feels. His corny jokes and wisecracks cover a heart that's afraid of rejection.

Bethel can't deny Declan is nice, funny, hardworking, and pleasing to the eye--a perfect match if you asked any Plain girl in the area. But marrying Bethel would also mean marrying into her family. Two of her younger brothers have a rare form of muscular dystrophy, and her sister Claire is now showing signs of having it as well. Fiercely loyal and nurturing, Bethel has promised herself her siblings will always come first. With a good chance that she carries the gene and could pass it on to her children, Bethel has tried to convince herself marriage and family just aren't in the cards for her.

When a devastating diagnosis of his own turns Declan's world upside down, he looks to Bethel for understanding, compassion, and a realistic outlook. As they share their dreams and fears and grow together in faith, a bond begins to develop between them. Perhaps their combination of optimistic extrovert and thoughtful introvert really isn't such a bad thing--perhaps it's actually a part of God's beautiful design.

MY THOUGHTS:

Before I begin into my review, I must draw attention to the Author’s Note at the beginning of the story. It sparked my curiosity as these books delve into the lives of Amish children born with mental and physical developmental disabilities, as well as some with debilitating diseases. What surprised me was the limited gene pool within the Amish community, which is a concept explored in this book, known as the “founder effect”. These insights are not my own but are highlighted in the Author’s Note. This book is an absolute must-read. 

Declan Miller, an auctioneer from an Amish family, yearned to be the one to call auctions, even though he was already an auctioneer himself. Developing a relationship with a young Amish auctioneer like him would be challenging, especially considering their extended travel for work. However, an old classmate, Bethel King, has always been on his mind.

Bethel noticed Declan’s interest in her but couldn’t imagine him marrying a Plain girl like her. This is partly due to his reputation for constantly joking around. More concerningly, there is the fact that two of her younger brothers have muscular dystrophy and her teenage sister, Claire, is now showing symptoms. She feared that marriage would be impossible because of the genetic risk of passing these conditions on to her own children. As a result, marriage had become a distant dream.

Declan can’t stop thinking about his future, both as an auctioneer and as a husband. However. he receives devastating news about his health, threatening to shatter his future as an auctioneer, husband, and father. He really struggled to not only accept this news, but how to share this tragic news with his family and Bethel.

Kelly Irvin’s beautifully written story takes us on a deeper journey into the lives of these children, making these stories truly unforgettable. It’s not often for me to find a book about the Amish that highlights children with special needs. But one thing is for certain: these stories show us the incredible love, respect, and admiration these children receive from their community.

- - - - -




Title:  With All Her Heart
Author Kelly Irvin
Series:   Amish Calling #3
Publisher:  Zondervan
Genre:   Inspirational Romance 
Format:  Kindle ARC and Audiobook ALC
Length:  10 hrs 5 mins
Narrator:  Lauren Berst
No. of Pages:   384
Date of Publication:   January 28, 2025 
My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Bonnie and Elijah each believe that marriage is not in their futures . . . but they hadn't counted on God's plans being bigger than their own imaginations.

Bonnie Yoder owns and operates a gift shop popular with tourists and local shoppers alike. She's glad she's found a way to be a productive member of her Plain community where all women aspire to marry and have children--something she's sure she'll never do because of her physical disability.

Elijah Miller has been acutely shy his entire life, which makes joining his brothers as auctioneers unthinkable. It also means he's never courted a woman. Instead, he spends every spare moment creating wooden children's toys and child-size furniture in a workshop he built behind his parents' house, all the while dreaming of starting his own business.

It's that dream that prompts Elijah to approach Bonnie about selling his wares in her store. He feels an immediate connection. So does Bonnie, but she's afraid to believe he'll ever see her as more than a shop owner kind enough to sell his toys. Elijah's convinced that someone so sure of herself would never be interested in a man who's too shy to put two sentences together around her.

What they can't see, others can. Matchmaking mothers and caring friends conspire to bring the two together. After spending time with each other, Elijah and Bonnie learn that sometimes the most challenging obstacle is a lack of faith--in themselves and in God. Together, they will traverse a difficult road to find their way to the future they've never allowed themselves to dream of having.

MY THOUGHTS:

Kelly Irvin’s third book in the Amish Calling series is a heartwarming tale of love and acceptance. The series begins with an insightful Author’s Note that delves into the concept of the “founder effect,” a phenomenon experienced by some Plain families due to a limited gene pool. Despite this, these families firmly believe that every child, regardless of disability, is cherished and considered special.

The story follows Bonnie Yoder, a co-owner of a successful gift shop with two other disabled Amish women. While Bonnie has managed her disability well and achieved success in her business, she has never imagined marriage or children in her future.

Elijah Miller, on the other hand, comes from a family of auctioneers but struggles with shyness, making it unlikely that he will follow in his father’s footsteps. Instead, he finds solace and passion in creating wooden toys from carvings. He has been working in a workshop behind his family’s home and dreams of turning his hobby into a business and eventually having his own family.

Elijah and Bonnie strike a deal for him to sell his wooden carvings at her gift shop. As they spend time together, they realize that there’s a deeper connection between them despite the challenges they face. Elijah’s shyness just might hold him back. And Bonnie struggles with the idea of being a good Plain wife and mother due to her disability. In fact, she finds it impossible to imagine. 

While it is clear that there is a strong connection between Elijah and Bonnie, the couple struggle to find a way that will bring them both happiness. This book is a story of love and acceptance that celebrates the happiness of even less-than-perfect protagonists. The author’s sensitivity in portraying these characters’ struggles and their eventual happy endings is truly commendable.

While the main focus of the story is on Elijah and Bonnie’s love story, there’s also a delightful secondary love story that adds to the overall charm of the narrative. Additionally, I must mention the profound love and care shown by the Plain community towards disabled individuals and children in their midst. It’s a testament to the values and beliefs that reinforces their society’s ways.  

Many thanks to Zondervan Fiction and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Best-selling author Kelly Irvin splits her writing time between Amish romances and romantic suspense. Her latest release is Trust Me (2/8/22), a romantic suspense novel set in San Antonio's historic art district. It explores broken trust and whether trust can ever be restored. Publishers Weekly called it a "whirlwind romantic thriller" and "an emotional rollercoaster."

Her latest Amish romance is Love's Dwelling, the first book in the Amish Blessings series, which released in July 2021. The series takes place in Yoder and Haven, Kansas, and looks at adoption among the Amish. The series follows her Amish romance series, Amish of Sky Country includes Mountains of Grace, followed by The Long Bridge Home, and Peace in the Valley. The series explores Amish communities in northwest Montana and how they are impacted by wildfires.

Other romantic suspense novels include Her Every Move, which Publishers Weekly called gripping suspense and said, "loving descriptions of San Antonio’s attractions enhance the well-paced plot."

The publication called Closer Than She Knows a "brisk, smoothly written, thriller."

Kelly's Every Amish Season series includes Upon A Spring Breeze, Beneath the Summer Sun, Through the Autumn Air, and With Winter's First Frost from Zondervan/HarperCollins Christian Publishing. This follows the Amish of Bee County series, The Saddle Maker's Son, released in June 2016. It is an ECPA bestseller. It follows The Bishop's Son, and the critically acclaimed bestseller, The Beekeeper's Son, which earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The reviewer called it "a beautifully woven masterpiece." The Beekeeper's Son was a finalist in the romance category of the 2016 ACFW Carol Awards Contest.