Category Archives: Book Review

Review of Julie Houston’s A Village Affair

Book Review, , , , , , , , ,

The blurb:

Cassie Beresford has recently landed her dream job as deputy head at her local, idyllic village primary school, Little Acorns. So, the last thing she needs is her husband of twenty years being ‘outed’ at a village charity auction – he has been having an affair with one of her closest friends.

As if that weren’t enough to cope with, Cassie suddenly finds herself catapulted into the head teacher position, and at the forefront of a fight to ward off developers determined to concrete over the beautiful landscape.

But through it all, the irresistible joy of her pupils, the reality of keeping her teenage children on the straight and narrow, her irrepressible family and friends, and the possibility of new love, mean what could have been the worst year ever, actually might be the best yet…

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Published by: Aria

My review:

A Village Affair has plenty of drama and humour which keeps you turning the pages. It is a story about finding your inner strength and marching onwards, no matter what circumstances are thrown your way. I enjoyed the interaction between Cassie and her family, and how her children blossomed as the book progressed. This was my first Julie Houston read, but it won’t be my last. I am looking forward to reading others and discovering more about the characters mentioned in this book.

Buy the book here.

About the Author:

Julie lives in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire where her novels are set, and her only claims to fame are that she teaches part-time at ‘Bridget Jones’ author Helen Fielding’s old junior school and her neighbour is ‘Chocolat’ author, Joanne Harris.

After University, where she studied Education and English Literature, she taught for many years as a junior school teacher. As a newly qualified teacher, broke and paying off her first mortgage, she would spend every long summer holiday working on different Kibbutzim in Israel.

After teaching for a few years she decided to go to New Zealand to work and taught in Auckland for a year before coming back to this country. She now teaches just two days a week, and still loves the buzz of teaching junior-aged children.

She has been a magistrate for the past nineteen years, and, when not distracted by Ebay, Twitter and Ancestry, spends much of her time writing.

Julie is married, has a twenty-four-year-old son and twenty-one-year-old daughter and a ridiculous Cockerpoo called Lincoln. She runs and swims because she’s been told it’s good for her, but would really prefer a glass of wine, a sun lounger and a jolly good book – preferably with Matthew Mcconaughay in attendance. She hates skiing, gets sick on boats and wouldn’t go pot-holing or paddy diving if her life depended on it.

She is published by HeadOfZeus/Aria and represented by Anne Williams at KHLA Literary agency. Julie is also a member of Apricot Plots.

Discover more about Julie Houston: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Apricot Plots | Amazon UK

Thank you for the fab read, Julie. My reviews are added to Amazon UK and Goodreads. xx

 

Author Kathryn Freeman is #SharingTheLove

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As February is the month of love, I have a host of wonderful romance authors stopping by my blog to share flirty extracts from their novels! Well you know, any excuse 😉 

Today, I am delighted to welcome Kathryn Freeman who is #SharingTheLove with an extract from her novel, Oh Crumbs … over to you Kathryn!

Oh Crumbs

“As silence descended, Abby stared at the flourishing tulips in her beloved pots, for once at a loss how to put into words the emotion churning inside her.

‘You were incredible,’ she told Doug finally. ‘Thank you.’

He shrugged and she thought he was going to say nothing, but then he gave her a small, slightly bemused smile. ‘First time I’ve been called incredible.’

A hot blush stung her cheeks, the heat spreading rapidly through her body as his eyes flickered down to her lips before coming back up to hold hers. He’s going to kiss me. Her heart hammered wildly and she prayed she wouldn’t say anything stupid to muck up this moment. ‘I’m glad I was the first to tell you. Are you some sort of ninja?’

He let out a soft laugh. ‘I’m a brown belt in BJJ. Brazilian jiu-jitsu,’ he added at her puzzled look.

‘I’ve heard of a Brazilian, but I’m pretty sure the one I’m thinking of wouldn’t take out two men.’ Bugger, bugger, talk about a mood crusher … then again, maybe she was okay because a full-blown smile slid across his face, bathing her in its warmth.

‘You’d be surprised how easily us men can be floored.’ All the smoothness had vanished from his voice; it sounded hoarser, deeper.

Her heart accelerated into overdrive, thumping so hard she felt her chest vibrate. Was he talking generally, or was this about him? Being floored by her?

He took the one step he needed to be right beside her and suddenly she could no longer think. As his head dipped the air left her lungs and when she inhaled again there was only him. Filling her senses, making her body tingle, drugging her mind with his strong, quiet presence.

The touch of his lips against hers was tentative, as if asking a question, seeking permission. She answered fully, parting her mouth and leaning in so it wasn’t just their lips touching but their bodies, too. Instantly his hands flew to cradle her face and the kiss grew hungrier. He nibbled at her lips, driving her crazy before sweeping his tongue into her mouth. She was lost.”

Thank you for sharing your wonderful extract Kathryn, I’ve had the pleasure of reading Oh Crumbs and I am happy to share my review:

This was the second book by Kathryn Freeman I have read, and it didn’t disappoint. The characters were likeable, and I enjoyed the warmth and chaos of the Spencer household. I liked the development of the relationship between the two lead characters particularly as they faced the issues brought about by being together. Oh Crumbs was an enjoyable read, and with a title like that, what better excuse to snuggle up for a few hours reading with a hot drink and a biscuit or six!

Discover more about Oh Crumbs:

Sometimes life just takes the biscuit …
Abby Spencer knows she can come across as an airhead – she talks too much and is a bit of a klutz – but there’s more to her than that. Though she sacrificed her career to help raise her sisters, a job interview at biscuit company Crumbs could finally be her chance to shine. That’s until she hurries in late wearing a shirt covered in rusk crumbs, courtesy of her baby nephew, and trips over her handbag.

Managing director Douglas Faulkner isn’t sure what to make of Abby Spencer with her Bambi eyes, tousled hair and ability to say more in the half-hour interview than he manages in a day. All he knows is she’s a breath of fresh air and could bring a new lease of life to the stale corporate world of Crumbs. To his life too, if he’d let her.

But Doug’s harbouring a secret. He’s not the man she thinks he is.

Published by: Choc Lit
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Buy the book Amazon UK | Amazon.com

About the author:

Kathryn started her working life as a retail pharmacist but soon realised trying to decipher doctors’ handwriting wasn’t for her. Next she joined the pharmaceutical industry where she spent twenty happy years working in medical communications, doing a lot of writing – about medicines. What she really wanted to write about though, was romance.

In 2011, backed by her family, she left the world of pharmaceutical science to begin life as a self employed writer, juggling the two disciplines of medical writing and romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero…

She lives with two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to bother buying a card again this year (yes, he does) so the romance in her life is all in her head. Then again, her husband’s unstinting support of her career change goes to prove that love isn’t always about hearts and flowers – and heroes can come in many disguises.

You can follow Kathryn, and find out more about her work here: Facebook | Twitter | website |

Don’t miss author Angela Petch #SharingTheLove between good friends Mavis and Dot, on my blog tomorrow. xx


Carol Thomas writes contemporary romance novels, with relatable heroines whose stories are layered with emotion, sprinkled with laughter and topped with irresistible male leads. Discover more here.

Author Angela Barton is #SharingTheLove

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As February is the month of love, I have a host of wonderful romance authors stopping by my blog to share flirty extracts from their novels! Well you know, any excuse 😉 

Today, I am excited to welcome fellow Apricot Plots author Angela Barton back to my blog #SharingTheLove with an extract from her new novel, Magnolia House … over to you Angela!

Magnolia House

“Before she had chance to start working, Rowan heard someone knocking on her apartment door. Ace would be at work at this time so she wondered if Nora needed something. Jet barked and scampered from the bottom of her bed and out of the bedroom. Subconsciously smoothing her hair with her hands, she pushed the chair away from the workbench with the back of her knees and went to answer the door.

She felt the heat rise on her cheeks when she pulled the front door open and saw James standing there. He wore loose jeans, an oatmeal T-shirt and a sheepish smile. He pushed his hair out of his eyes.

‘Morning,’ he said, bending to stroke Jet.

‘Is everything okay?’

‘Fine, thanks. I’m just after the newspaper that Ace left outside your door this morning. It had a jobs page in it and I’ve been threatened with eviction if I don’t find work.’

‘Come in and I’ll see what I’ve done with it.’

James stepped inside the lounge. ‘How’s your new workbench?’

Rowan smiled. ‘The bench is wonderful but it doesn’t help if the creativity isn’t kicking in.’ She crouched to look on the shelf under the coffee table. ‘Here it is.’ She pulled out the newspaper, dropping it before handing it to James. Why was she so flustered?

‘I know the feeling. Just because I have a circular saw at my disposal, doesn’t mean a table will make itself.’

Rowan stood in front of him, arms folded through shyness. It unnerved her to have such an sexily dishevelled man who she didn’t know very well, standing so close.

‘I was wondering if having the workbench in front of the window was such a good idea,’ she said, making small talk to break the silence. ‘I seem to be doing more daydreaming and curtain twitching than anything else at the bench.’

‘Well, the time to worry will be when you start facial twitching,’ he said, tapping the folded newspaper against his cheek. ‘Can I give you a hand moving it somewhere else?’

‘Oh no, thank you. You’ve already been such a great help getting it upstairs. I think it’s me that’s the problem. I can’t seem to get motivated despite feeling lucky to have found someone who wants to buy my jewellery. It doesn’t help that the weather can’t make its mind up what it’s doing.’

Rowan cringed inwardly. Was she really standing here discussing the weather and her lack of motivation? She’d have him backing out of the doorway in desperation to escape from her and her maudlin conversation. ‘I’m sure I’ll feel a lot better when I’ve had some fresh air. I was just about to take Jet for a walk.’

‘Want some company?’

Rowan was taken aback. She’d been expecting him to use the dog walk as an excuse to leave. How could she say no without appearing rude and ungrateful?

‘Are you sure?’

‘Of course. Hasn’t Ace told you that I’m a gerbil whisperer? Dogs aren’t so different: four legs, whiskers and a cold nose. Besides, it’s called delaying tactics.’ He grinned, holding up the newspaper and shaking it. ‘Putting off the inevitable. I’ll just drop the paper downstairs and meet you at the front door.’

With that, he ran downstairs leaving Rowan to put Jet’s harness on. How had that happened?”

Thank you for sharing your wonderful extract Angela, I’ve had the pleasure of reading Magnolia House and fell in love with the warm characters and wonderfully detailed settings.

Find my review and a recent interview with Angela here.

Discover more about Magnolia House:

When you open up your home and your heart …

Rowan Forrester has it all – the happy marriage, the adorable dog, the good friends, the promising business and even the dream home after she and her husband Tom win a stunning but slightly dilapidated Georgian townhouse in London at auction.

But in the blink of an eye, Rowan’s picture-perfect life comes crashing down around her and she is faced with the prospect of having to start again.

To make ends meet she begins a search for housemates, and in doing so opens the door to new friends and new beginnings. But could she be opening the door to new heartbreak too?

Publisher: Choc Lit
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Links to buy the book Amazon UK | Amazon.Com | Kobo |

About the author:

Angela Barton was born in London and grew up in Nottingham. She is married with three grown up children. Passionate about writing both contemporary and historical fiction, Angela loves researching for her books and is an avid reader. Having signed publishing contracts for three of her completed novels with Ruby Fiction, Angela is excited to be working alongside such a friendly and supportive publishing team. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and Nottingham Writers’ Studio.

Having recently moved to France, Angela (alongside her husband, Paul) is now a lavender farmer, creating products from the oil that’s distilled. Angela says she’s looking forward to spending more time writing in the company of her two spaniels while sitting on her veranda overlooking the breath-taking countryside of Charente.

 

Discover more about Angela Barton here: Twitter | Facebook | Blog | Ruby Fiction | Angela is also a member of Apricot Plots.

Don’t miss author Kathryn Freeman #SharingTheLove with an extract from her romantic comedy novel, Oh Crumbs, on my blog tomorrow. xx


Carol Thomas writes contemporary romance novels, with relatable heroines whose stories are layered with emotion, sprinkled with laughter and topped with irresistible male leads. Discover more here.

Author Morton S Gray is #SharingTheLove

Book Review, Guest Post, , , , , , , , ,
As February is the month of love, I have a host of wonderful romance authors stopping by my blog to share flirty extracts from their novels! Well you know, any excuse 😉 

Today, I am delighted to welcome fellow Apricot Plots author Morton S Gray, who is #SharingTheLove with an extract from her novel, The Girl on the Beach … over to you Morton!

The Girl on the Beach

“How did a situation between two people change so quickly? One minute she was standing next to Harry feeling rather disappointed that he preferred male company to female, the next they were slow dancing on the sand and her senses were on fire.

A glance at Tom confirmed he was far too busy talking to Louise to notice what his mother was doing. Mandy, however, was another matter. She’d seen what was going on and, after standing staring at the couple for a moment, she flounced off in the direction of the bar.

Harry’s breath was warm on her neck, his hands held her waist gently but firmly. It felt normal, natural and so lovely that her bare toes curled in bliss. She tightened her arms around his neck and he inched closer. Her legs brushed up against the warmth of his and now their bodies were resting against each other. They seemed to fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw. His hand moved to cup the back of her head, drawing her closer. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been handled so tenderly, had been so close to a man with her animal instincts kicking in.

Would he kiss her? Her lips burned in anticipation and her heart skipped a beat. How had this happened? There had been no words, simply a mutual closing of the gap between them and a united humming of a well-known song. Right now, she wanted the track to go on forever.

She fervently hoped Harry hadn’t danced with her just to quell Mandy’s inevitable rumour-mongering, but surely, the dance only replaced one rumour with another. She nuzzled her chin a little closer into the warmth of his shoulder. Did she imagine his sigh? The heat from his body was chasing away the slight chill that had enveloped her since the sun had gone down.

The only lights were from the disco equipment and the street lamps above the sea wall. The tide was edging in slowly. It would eventually bring a natural end to the party and right now that thought sparked panic as she didn’t want Harry to let go of her. She could hear the swish of the waves on the sand. This clinch had to stop sooner or later, but then what?

Stop it, Ellie. Enjoy the moment.”

Thank you for sharing your wonderful extract Morton, I’ve had the pleasure of reading The Girl on the Beach and fell a little in love with Harry Dixon myself. You can find my review here.

More about The Girl on the Beach:

Who is Harry Dixon?

When Ellie Golden meets Harry Dixon, she can’t help but feel she recognises him from somewhere. But when she finally realises who he is, she can’t believe it – because the man she met on the beach all those years before wasn’t called Harry Dixon. And, what’s more, that man is dead.

For a woman trying to outrun her troubled past and protect her son, Harry’s presence is deeply unsettling – and even more disconcerting than coming face to face with a dead man, is the fact that Harry seems to have no recollection of ever having met Ellie before. At least that’s what he says …

But perhaps Harry isn’t the person Ellie should be worried about. Because there’s a far more dangerous figure from the past lurking just outside of the new life she has built for herself, biding his time, just waiting to strike.

Published by: Choc Lit
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Buy the book Amazon UK | Amazon.com

About the author:

Morton lives with her husband, two sons and Lily, the tiny white dog, in Worcestershire, U.K. She has been reading and writing fiction for as long as she can remember, penning her first attempt at a novel aged fourteen. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and The Society of Authors.

Her debut novel The Girl on the Beach was published after she won Choc Lit Publishing Search for a Starcompetition. The story follows a woman with a troubled past as she tries to unravel the mystery surrounding her son’s headteacher, Harry Dixon. This book is available as a paperback and e-book.

Morton’s second book for Choc Lit The Truth Lies Buried is another romantic suspense novel, the book tells the story of Jenny Simpson and Carver Rodgers as they uncover secrets from their past. This book is available as an e-book and will be issued as a paperback in 2019.

Christmas at Borteen Bay is published on 13 November 2018 and is Morton’s first Christmas novella. It is set in her fictional seaside town of Borteen and follows the story of Pippa Freeman who runs the Rose Court Guesthouse with her mother and local policeman Ethan Gibson as they unravel a family secret as Christmas approaches.

Morton previously worked in the electricity industry in committee services, staff development and training. She has a Business Studies degree and is a fully qualified clinical hypnotherapist and Reiki Master. She also has diplomas in Tuina acupressure massage and energy field therapy. She enjoys crafts, history and loves tracing family trees. Having a hunger for learning new things is a bonus for the research behind her books.

You can catch up with Morton on her website, on Twitter, Facebook and on Instagram. Morton is also a member of Apricot Plots.

Don’t miss author Angela Barton #SharingTheLove with an extract from her new novel, Magnolia House, on my blog tomorrow. xx


Carol Thomas writes contemporary romance novels, with relatable heroines whose stories are layered with emotion, sprinkled with laughter and topped with irresistible male leads. Discover more here.

Author Berni Stevens is #SharingTheLove

Book Review, Guest Post, , , , , , , , ,
As February is the month of love, I have a host of wonderful romance authors stopping by my blog to share flirty extracts from their novels! Well you know, any excuse 😉 

Today, I am pleased to welcome Berni Stevens, with an extract from her novel,  Revenge is Sweet. Berni kindly sent over two extracts for this post, allowing my YA daughter, who is a HUGE fan, to choose which was posted. Amelia delighted in selecting this one, saying, “I love this bit!” And I can see why …

Revenge is Sweet

“Will

Elinor came towards me like an exquisite dream. Tonight she is absolutely breath-taking, not that vampires have breath to take, although the sentiment remains the same.

The ivory dress clung to her tiny frame, only to flare out near her ankles in tiers of flimsy material. Her slim shoulders were bare, and the diamond pendant I had given her for a wedding present sparkled with cold blue fire against her creamy skin.

Someone had curled her glorious waist-length hair, and twined dark red rosebuds amongst the bright copper curls, to match the roses she carried. Tonight she even wore make-up, and her eyes shone like sapphire stars when she looked up at me from beneath darkened eyelashes. Truly, I have never seen her look more beautiful, or more enchanting. She could ask me for anything in the world at this moment and I would do everything in my power to get it.

Luke took Elinor’s left hand from his arm, and placed it in mine. Her hand felt so tiny, so fragile, and it trembled a little. She is so precious to me, I am forever thankful the fates made our paths cross.”

Ellie

Leaning down to whisper in my ear, Will said, ‘I think Vivienne is safe from the refund demand.’

I smiled, and he continued, ‘You look so enchantingly beautiful, I am speechless.

‘Doesn’t sound like it, Mr Spooky,’ I whispered back.

‘Still being cheeky, soon-to-be Mrs Spooky.’

A small laugh burst from me, and the tension immediately left my body. The registrar peered at me over the top of his half-moon glasses with a surprised look.

Anyone who has ever attended a civil ceremony as opposed to a more formal ceremony in church, will know how short the civil one is. One moment you’re single, the next you’re married. It all seemed a bit of a blur actually. I could only think about Will, and how incredibly handsome he looked.

He always looked good enough to eat, no matter what he wore, but tonight he had dressed in a black tux, dazzling white wing-collared shirt, and black silk bow-tie. The only colour about him was the vivid green of his amazing eyes.

When we came to the moment where we had to exchange rings, Stevie handed my ring to Will, who slipped it on my finger, and then raised my hand to his lips.

‘Ti amerò per l’éternità,’ he said softly. ‘I will love you for eternity.’”

Thank you for #SharingTheLove Berni, and for the fact my mum kudos goes up just by knowing you! Amelia’s guest review of Berni’s Immortals of London series can be found here.

Discover more about Revenge is Sweet (Book 2 in the Immortals of London Series): 

Hell hath no fury like a vampire seeking revenge …

Life hasn’t been exactly normal for Ellie since she became a vampire. Although joining the legion of the undead was always going to take some getting used to, even if you are the partner of Will Austen, the Elder of London.

But when Daniel, a fifteen-year-old fledgling vampire, unexpectedly turns up at Ellie’s and Will’s Highgate home, things start getting very strange – and more than a little scary.

Events take a devastating turn as a mystery troublemaker leaves behind a trail of carnage – and it soon becomes clear they will stop at nothing to get the Elder’s attention, even if it involves hurting the person he cherishes the most …

But when it comes to Ellie, Will Austen is the wrong vampire to mess with.

Genre: Fantasy / Vampires
Publisher: Choc Lit
Buy the book Amazon UK | Amazon.com

About the author:

Berni Stevens lives in a 400-year-old cottage with her husband, black cat, four goldfish who think they’re piranha, and occasionally her son when he comes back for some TLC. She trained in graphic design, and has worked as a book cover designer for over twenty years.

Her love of paranormal fiction began at school when she first read Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and she’s been a fan of the fanged ever since. She is on the committee and the book panel of The Dracula Society – a literary society for fans of gothic literature and film.

Dance Until Dawn, a paranormal romance, was Berni’s UK debut with Choc Lit, published 7th April 2014. Revenge is Sweet, the sequel, was published in eBook format on 12th July 2016. Now the third novel in the trilogy is well under way, with a story that centres on a lovelorn werewolf!

Berni has several short stories published in various anthologies; romantic, gothic and sometimes just plain fantasy!

Follow Berni Stevens and discover more about her work here: Twitter | Facebook

Don’t miss author Sue McDonagh #SharingTheLove on my blog tomorrow. xx


Carol Thomas writes contemporary romance novels, with relatable heroines whose stories are layered with emotion, sprinkled with laughter and topped with irresistible male leads. Discover more here.