Tag Archives: romance

Morton S Gray joins my Christmas Countdown!

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Next up on my Christmas countdown is Choc Lit author, Morton S Gray, with her festive read, Christmas at Borteen Bay…

Welcome to my blog Morton, I’ve read your wonderful Christmas book but for those who haven’t how will your characters be celebrating Christmas?

Set in my fictional seaside town of Borteen, Christmas at Borteen Bay, 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. The story starts at the beginning of December and finishes on Christmas Day, so I think it would give too much away by telling you how they celebrate Christmas! Please read the book to find out.

Morton you are being a tease! To discover a little more, here’s the blurb 🙂 

Christmas has a way of bringing family secrets to the surface …

Christmas is a bittersweet time for Pippa Freeman. There are good memories, of course – but some painful ones too.

Then her mother is implicated in a mysterious occurrence in their home town of Borteen, and Pippa wonders if she’ll ever experience a happy Christmas again – especially when a family secret is revealed.

But when police officer and old school friend Ethan Gibson offers his support, Pippa begins to realise that even though her life has been turned upside down, a happy and hopeful Christmas isn’t impossible …

And, to add to that, here’s my review:

The story is told from the point of view of the main characters, Ethan and Pippa, who are both still touched by occurrences from their past, that have divided them. So when Pippa has to turn to Ethan for help, it is more than a body on the beach that is brought to the surface. As the two are thrown together it becomes apparent that Ethan is a different type of romantic hero; he is more measured in his responses and passions, he is flawed and yet thoroughly likeable.

As a novella, it is great to escape into for a few hours over the busy Christmas period. I enjoy Morton’s writing style and the world she has created in her Borteen Bay series. I look forward to visiting again in the future.

Click to buy the book: Ebook | Audio | Other Retailers

With plenty of drama unfolding for your characters, I am intrigued to know how you will be celebrating the festive season…

We always have a traditional family Christmas.

Early on Christmas morning I enjoy exchanging presents with my husband and youngest son. My eldest son and his girlfriend collect my mother on the way to our house for lunch and more presents.

Thankfully, my husband loves cooking and I am eternally grateful for this. We will have a roast dinner, usually beef and honey-glazed ham with loads of vegetables including sprouts, roast potatoes and parsnips plus Yorkshire puddings. After a suitable gap for digestion, we then have Christmas pudding with brandy butter and cream.

Often my sister, her partner and her children join us later in the afternoon to see mom and exchange yet more presents.

At some point we walk the dog and then settle down for a film in the evening when everyone has gone home. The day usually feels as if it has passed by very quickly.

Your Christmas sounds very similar to my own, busy but full of family and festive fun. My hubby cooks too 😉

Before you go, I’d love you to answer five quick questions from my festive selection:

Who did you play in the school nativity? I was an angel in the infant school nativity. Unfortunately, I was ill and didn’t make it to school on the day. Mum always says that the teacher cried, ‘Not my Angel Gabriel!’ Oh no, poor you and poor teacher.

Real or artificial Christmas tree? I’ve always loved real Christmas trees, but since living in this particular house and owning a dog, we go for artificial trees, one in the lounge, one in the dining room and one outside of the front door.

Multi-coloured decs or co-ordinated Christmas tree? I love making and collecting Christmas decorations and prefer the multi-coloured, unthemed look. I add to my collection every year and enjoy discovering the older ones when I open the boxes. My favourites have to be the glass icicles that my grandad apparently brought home from somewhere during the second world war.

Here are some of Morton’s gorgeous Christmas decorations!

Best Christmas gift? A perfume atomizer my husband bought for me alongside my favourite Dior perfume. The atomizer has been everywhere with me since that Christmas and it’s so easy to fill by a pressurized system from the mother bottle.

Favourite Christmas film? Without doubt my favourite Christmas film is The Holiday. Jude Law is adorable in the film. I won’t tell you just how many times I have watched this film. Closely followed by Love Actually, which I’ve also watched numerous times.

Three Christmas trees, I have trouble keeping my dog from eating the decorations on one, hehe! Interestingly, The Holiday is proving a very popular choice amongst us romance writers!

Thank you so much for joining my Christmas countdown. I wish you, your lovely family and of course dog, a very happy Christmas. xx

About Morton S Gray:

Morton S Gray 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 the Choc Lit Publishing Search for a Starcompetition. This story follows a woman with a troubled past as she tries to unravel the mystery surrounding her son’s new headteacher, Harry Dixon. The 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, paperback and audiobook.

Christmas at Borteen Bay 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 via: website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram.

Morton is also a member of Apricot Plots.

Don’t miss me, on my blog on Monday 18th November, sharing a Christmas teaser from The Purrfect Pet Sitter, and how I will be celebrating Christmas. xx

 

Publication day celebrations with Marie Laval!

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Today, I am excited to welcome Marie Laval on to my blog, as she celebrates the release of A Paris Fairy Tale.

Thank you so much, Carol, for welcoming me on your blog on the day my latest contemporary romance, A PARIS FAIRY TALE, is published by Choc Lit.

Here’s the blurb:

Is Paris the city of happily ever afters?
Workaholic art historian Aurora Black doesn’t have time for fairy tales or Prince Charmings, even in the most romantic city in the world. She has recently been hired by a Parisian auction house for a job that could make or break her career. Unfortunately, daredevil journalist Cédric Castel seems intent on disrupting Aurora’s routine.

As Aurora and Cédric embark on a journey across France, they get more than they bargained for as they find themselves battling rogue antiques dealers and personal demons, not to mention a growing attraction to each other.

But with the help of a fairy godmother or two, could they both find their happily ever afters?

And I am delighted to share an extract from the novel:

Aurora glanced up, and met the amber gaze of a tall, dark-haired man who stood in front of her, blocking her view of the rest of the room.

He had high, sharp cheekbones, his mouth was set in a cynical smile, but it was his eyes that held her attention. They were the most fascinating colour, warm brandy with flecks of green. Immediately, the names of pigments she would need to paint them flashed into her mind – Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber and Verona Gold Ochre, with a touch of Cobalt Green or Malachite.

‘Castel,’ Nenachko snarled.

The newcomer ignored him and looked at Aurora, holding her captive in his intense, mesmerising scrutiny. ‘I see Nenachko lost no time in securing your services, Mademoiselle Black. I guess he needs people like you to help him plunder the museums and art galleries of Europe.’

Aurora drew in a shocked breath and snapped out of her trance. Straightening her back to make her five foot two appear taller, she pushed her glasses up and gave him the frosty look that caused her colleagues to call her ‘Black Ice’ – those who liked her, that is.

‘It’s Doctor Black, actually,’ she corrected, ‘and I do not help anyone plunder museums, nor do I condone those who do it.’ Never mind the colour of his eyes. Who was this man and how did he dare question her integrity?

He arched his dark eyebrows as if he didn’t believe her and turned to Nenachko again. ‘I hope you’re enjoying the party. There must be plenty of rich people you can swindle here tonight.’

Nenachko’s face flushed harder. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘Letting you know that I was back from my trip in the Mediterranean.’

The Russian’s blue eyes narrowed to slits. ‘Ah yes. I heard you were still on a crusade to rescue refugees. What a shame you didn’t drown… By the way, I didn’t see your name on the guest list.’

Castel shrugged. ‘That’s because it’s not.’

‘Then how did you get past security?’

‘I have my ways.’

It was like watching a verbal tennis match, Aurora thought as she glanced from one to the other. The Russian looked like a man it was dangerous to cross, but Castel, whoever he was, didn’t seem to care. Worse, he seemed to enjoy goading him into a dark rage.

A PARIS FAIRY TALE is released TODAY (July 23rd) and is available as an ebook and audiobook on Amazon and various other platforms.

Thank you so much for joining me on your special day, Marie, and for sharing this great extract!

About the author:

Originally from Lyon in France, Marie Laval now lives in Lancashire with her family. She works full-time as a modern languages teacher and in her spare time she loves writing romance and dreaming about romantic heroes.

She writes both historical and contemporary romance. Her historical romance The Lion’s Embrace won the Gold Medal at the Global Ebook Awards 2015 (category Historical Romance), and best-selling Little Pink Taxi was her debut romantic comedy novel with Choc Lit.

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors. Her native France, as well as her passion for history and research, very much influences her writing, and all her novels have what she likes to call ‘a French twist’!

You can find out more about Marie here:  Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest  – where you’ll discover the many beautiful photos of Paris and illuminated manuscripts which inspired the writing of A Paris Fairy Tale.

Here’s wishing Marie every success with A Paris Fairy Tale! I am looking forward to reading it soon. xx

 

 

Review of Tracy Bloom’s No-One Ever Has Sex at a Wedding

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The blurb:

In Katy’s opinion, weddings should follow some basic rules:

1) No-one should ever have sex. Of course. The married couple has the rest of their lives for that, and the guests should be too busy partying.

2) If you are heavily pregnant (as Katy is) you should obviously not be invited to three weddings in the space of one summer. Your husband’s accident-prone best friend, your attention-seeking colleague, your 73-year-old mother’s marriage to her Spanish toy boy – all without even an alcoholic drink to make them bearable.

3) During the speeches, it should not be revealed that you had a secret one-night-stand with one of the other guests.

4) Instead of laying bets on the length of the best man’s speech, guests should not be laying bets on whether a marriage will be in ruins before the end of the meal…

But this summer, Katy is lucky enough to be the special guest at the weddings that break ALL of the rules. What could possibly go wrong? 

This is a standalone novel that also features re-appearing characters from some of Tracy Bloom’s other books.

Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Literary Humour

My review:

I do love Tracy Bloom’s books. When I pick one up I know I am guaranteed an entertaining read that will make me smile. I have read all in this series (randomly except the first one – not sure how I missed that) and loved them. Revisiting the characters feels like catching up with old friends. The story progresses at a good pace, towards a fabulously over the top, but perfectly apt, ending. I smiled as I read, and laughed at the antics – a great summer read. I look forward to the next.

Click here to buy the book:

About the author:

Tracy Bloom started writing when her cruel, heartless husband ripped her away from her dream job shopping for rollercoasters for the UK’s leading theme parks, to live in America with a brand new baby and no mates. In a cunning plan to avoid domestic duties and people who didn’t understand her Derbyshire accent, she wrote her romantic comedy, No-One Ever Has Sex on a Tuesday. This debut novel went on to be successfully published internationally and became a #1 Best Seller.

You can find Tracy via her website | Facebook | Twitter

Thank you for the great read Tracy, my reviews are added to Amazon Uk and Goodreads. xx

*ONE WEEK TO GO* Maybe Baby, coming soon!

Writing & Reading, , , , , , , , , , ,

I am super excited to say there is just one week to go until the release of my latest romantic comedy novel, Maybe Baby, in audio and as an ebook!

For delivery on April 2nd preorder your copy here.

In case you’ve missed me shouting about it, here’s the blurb:

Just when you thought you had it all worked out …

Lisa Blake is back with her first love, she’s reunited with her best friend Felicity, and even her pet sitting skills are improving – everybody knows you can’t believe all you read in the local Gazette, don’t they?

Felicity is on the cusp of achieving her perfect wife-mum-life balance; Her husband, Pete, is being wonderfully attentive, and her four children are getting older and wiser (sometimes too much wiser) by the day.

But when Lisa walks in on a half-naked woman in her boyfriend’s flat and Felicity is left reeling from a shocking discovery, it seems life is nothing but full of surprises. Can love, laughter, and learning to compromise, help them achieve their dreams?

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Published by: Ruby Fiction

Maybe Baby is available in audio and as a paperback, buying links: Amazon | Kobo | Ruby Fiction 

Maybe Baby is the second book in the Lisa Blake series. While the story follows on from The Purrfect Pet Sitter (Lisa Blake book #1), it can also be read as a standalone novel.

Early reviews for Maybe Baby

As book bloggers begin to return their verdict from advance copies, I am delighted to say I am doing my happy dance. Here are just some of the lovely things that have been said on Goodreads:

“Heartwarming and uplifting … a delightful and fun story anyone can enjoy!”

“The pages just flew by … and I really enjoyed all the characters both human and furry!” 

“Cute story of friendships and new beginnings.”

“The story is zany, with a little screwball comedy, and a quirky cast of characters.”

“An enjoyable, happy-ending story of friendship and love.” 

Thank you to all who have taken the time to leave a review so far. For further reviews, don’t miss my blog tour, via Rachel’s Random Resources, from 3rd to 12th April! I am excited and nervous as it draws near, wish me luck.

Thank you so much to everyone who has preordered Maybe Baby, your support is hugely appreciated and with not long to go, I hope you enjoy it! xx

Author Jackie Ladbury is #SharingTheLove

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 😉 

To kick us off I am delighted to welcome Jackie Ladbury who is #SharingTheLove with an extract from her novel, The Magic Of Stars … over to you Jackie!

The Magic Of Stars

“Their eyes locked as she looked up into his face.

‘Seatbelt?’ he asked, his voice unusually husky.

His fingers tightened their grip on her upper arms and she shivered at his touch. She’d never heard the word seatbelt sound so inviting.

‘Seatbelt,’ she repeated. The single word hitched in her throat as if she had run a marathon. ‘Right,’ she said, staying exactly as she was, pressed into Marco’s warm chest. Her shivering increased, but she didn’t think it was because of the cold. The urge to stay snuggled up to him was overwhelming, his touch sending vibes of tingling awareness radiating through her body.

Damn it, the breathiness was still there. Something shifted between them as she held his gaze. It was no more than a look, but it was enough to set Sapphire’s heart pitter-pattering.

Marco picked at a lock of wet hair that was sticking to her cheek and held it between his fingers for a second before tucking it behind her ear. Realising that he had behaved slightly inappropriately, he pushed himself forward to address the driver. ‘To the Caledonian, please.’”

Thank you for sharing your wonderful extract Jackie, I think my heart is pitter-pattering now too!

Discover more about The Magic of Stars:

Sapphire Montrose always felt like a loser in the struggle of life, but when she becomes the airline manager of a run-down airline she starts to believe she is a winner – until she unwittingly propositions her new boss and all her hard work is undone.

In a moment of recklessness air stewardess, Sapphire Montrose throws caution and her dress to the wind by propositioning a handsome stranger in a hotel in Florence, only to find herself waking up alone and embarrassed in her hotel room.

Unfortunately for Sapphire, it turns out that her new boss, Marco Cavarelli, is the man she failed to seduce and she is now fighting for her job and her self-respect when he tells her there is no place in his revamped airline for an alcoholic woman with lascivious tendencies. To make matters worse she is increasingly attracted to him and he seems to be giving out the same vibes. Or is he simply testing her? One wrong move could be the end of her career. But what if he really is offering love – and is he worth the risk?

Shortlisted in the Harper Collins Flirty Fiction competition!

Genre: Romantic comedy
Buy the book Amazon Uk | Amazon.com |

About the author:

Jackie Ladbury writes heart-warming contemporary and historical women’s fiction that is always guaranteed a happy ever after. From spending many years as an air-stewardess and seeing that it really is love that makes the world go around, she determined to put the same sparkle and emotion into her stories. Her life is no longer as exotic (or chaotic) as it was in those heady days of flying as she now lives a quiet life in Hertfordshire with her family and two cats, spending her days making up stories and finding excuses not to go to the gym.

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

Don’t miss author Angela Britnell #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.