Category: Giveaways

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Book Review, UK Giveaway: The Secrets of Hawthorn Place by Jenni Keer @JenniKeer  @rararesources 

The Secrets of Hawthorn Place
by Jenni Keer

Amazon  / B&N  / GP / BB

Love will always find a way… Discover the intriguing secrets of Hawthorn Place in this heartfelt dual-time novel, filled with warmth and charm, perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley and Cecelia Ahern.

Two houses, hundreds of miles apart…yet connected always.

When life throws Molly Butterfield a curveball, she decides to spend some time with her recently widowed granddad, Wally, at Hawthorn Place, his quirky Victorian house on the Dorset coast.

But cosseted Molly struggles to look after herself, never mind her grieving granddad, until the accidental discovery of an identical Art and Crafts house on the Norfolk coast offers her an unexpected purpose, as well as revealing a bewildering mystery.

Discovering that both Hawthorn Place and Acacia House were designed by architect Percy Gladwell, Molly uncovers the secret of a love that linked them, so powerful it defied reason.

What follows is a summer that will change Molly forever…

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I’d been warned that she was a religious woman who did not approve of anything approaching fun. No wonder her daughter looked so miserable.

 

I smiled, but the glare I received in return would dampen even Satan’s furnaces.

 

He was as bonkers as a box of frogs on speed, but it was certainly never dull with him.

 

I went and cocked it up so badly that even a powerful fairy godmother with the biggest magic wand on the planet couldn’t sort this mess.

  

My Review:

 

I was quite taken with the clever craft of this book, it was a bewitchingly addictive tale that kept me intrigued and smirking in equal measure due to this wily author’s amusing wit and perceptively descriptive observations.   Told across two timelines with a dual POV, I enjoyed the canny layering and shrewd pacing of the separate tales as they wove a heart-squeezing, and compelling tale from the past alongside a more vibrant and somewhat vexing tale in the present day and expertly and slyly stitched the pieces together with an unpredictable leap forward. I was enmeshed, enchanted, and totally delighted.   Jenni Keer has mad skills and is a gifted and evocative storyteller.

 

About the Author
Jenni Keer is a history graduate who embarked on a career in contract flooring before settling in the middle of the Suffolk countryside with her antique furniture restorer husband. She has valiantly attempted to master the ancient art of housework but with four teenage boys in the house, it remains a mystery. Instead, she spends her time at the keyboard writing commercial women’s fiction to combat the testosterone-fuelled atmosphere, with her number one fan #Blindcat by her side. Much younger in her head than she is on paper, she adores any excuse for fancy dress and is part of a disco formation dance team.

Jenni is also the author of The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker and The Unexpected Life of Maisie Meadows.

Social Media Links –

FB Jenni Keer Writer

Twitter @JenniKeer

Instagram jennikeer

 

Giveaway to Win a Signed Copy of the Secrets of Hawthorn Place, plus chocolate and a sparkly pen.

(UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK 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 be passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for the fulfillment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for the dispatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494446/?

 

 

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Book Review, Giveaway: Uncork My Love by Rich Amooi @RichAmooi @rararesources  

 

 

Uncork My Love
by Rich Amooi

Amazon  / B&N

A sweet romantic comedy set in beautiful Napa Valley!


Ivy needs a miracle and a drink—not necessarily in that order. With a struggling winery, the only hope of keeping her dream alive is snagging a gold medal at the annual wine competition. She’s determined to win, but she can do it without the help of Ted Jacobs, aka Mr. Know-it-All.

Ted wants to catch lightning in a bottle and create the world’s greatest wine, but he’s smart enough to know he can’t do it alone. When he heads to Napa to keep his grandma from ending up in jail (don’t ask), he meets Ivy. She’s as complex and intoxicating as his award-winning cabernet, but as stubborn as the mule next door when she stomps on his offer to collaborate.

Ted knows it’s risky to mix business with pleasure, but if Ivy would only listen, they might just be the toast of the town.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

“I wouldn’t work with you if you were the last man on earth.” I took a step closer. “If I were the last man on earth, I wouldn’t have time to work with you because I would be too busy procreating, trying to save the human race.” I glanced at the pregnant woman. “Thanks so much for doing your part.”

 

“And secondly, it is impossible for me or anyone driving up Silverado Trail to see your sign if they’re coming from the south since it’s blocked by the world’s largest bush… If you want more people to enjoy what you have to offer, I suggest trimming your bush!” I winced. “Okay, that didn’t come out right.” It was one thing to see Ivy’s shocked, startled face, but the woman across from us gasped, grabbed her wine, and then took a giant chug.

 

… the last time I had been tested for patience the results came back negative.

 

“They remind me of Ken and Barbie, except Ted and Ivy are anatomically correct, of course. Well, maybe I shouldn’t speak for your family, but Ivy has got all the vital parts in tip-top shape and raring to go.”

 

“You don’t have to worry about Teddy when it comes to being anatomically correct,” Loretta said. “I used to bathe him when he was a little boy, so I have proof. By the way, his shoe size is thirteen now, in case you’re wondering.”

 

You are wrong like a crooked thong.

 

My Review:

 

I grinned, smirked, and chortled while reading this fun, sweet, and amusing tale, which shrewdly featured one of my favorite things on this earth – wine! Meddlesome matchmaking grannies, chili pepper-eating dares, snappy banter, witty quips, humorous verbal sparring, and a blossoming romance were also to be found in abundant supply. I enjoyed this couple as much as I did their entertaining and engaging tale.   Rich Amooi is a sure thing when I need something pleasantly appealing to flush out residual tension or de-stress.   He has never failed to delight and works better than Xanax, and with no prescription needed.

About the Author

Rich Amooi is a Taleflick Discovery Winner, Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Recipient, Holt Medallion Finalist, and the Amazon Bestselling author of 16 romantic comedies, including It’s Not PMS, It’s You, Dying to Meet You, There’s Something About a Cowboy, and Madam Love, Actually.

A former radio personality and wedding DJ, Rich now writes romantic comedies full-time in San Diego, California, and is happily married to a kiss monster imported from Spain. Rich believes in public displays of affection, silliness, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after.

Social Media Links –

Author website: www.richamooi.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.richamooi 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richamooi.author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RichAmooi

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/richamooi

Giveaway

Giveaway to Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card (Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –  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 I reserve 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 be passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for the fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for the dispatch or delivery of the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Book Review, Giveaway: Opposites Attract (First Comes Love #1) by Camilla Isley @camillaisley @rararesources  @BoldwoodBooks

Opposites Attract
(First Comes Love #1)
  by Camilla Isley

Opposites Attract is available for Free!

Amazon  / B&N / Apple / GP

First law of magnetism: opposite poles attract.

Single mom Vivian has been burned by love once before, and her job as a divorce lawyer has presented enough evidence to convince her there are no good men left in New York City.

The worst offender is her new neighbor: Dr. Lucas Keller, a couple’s therapist whose piercing blue eyes and flawless dark hair are just as annoying as his bad temper.

But when Luke starts poaching Vivian’s clients by saving their marriages, she makes it her mission to force him out of the building to save her practice. But it’s Luke who gives her the perfect opportunity when he proposes an unexpected bet.

With their offices at stake, Vivian and Luke play the field of love in a fierce battle of wits that quickly turns hot and personal, especially when Vivian’s daughter gets involved. Now, taking down Luke has become more than business for Vivian. It’s become a pleasure—and soon, Vivian and Luke will realize how pointless it is to fight the laws of attraction.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

Her eyes blaze with suppressed anger, and in my head her haywire locks of hair have turned to actual snakes hissing at me for how enraged she looks.

 

“I create literary art. That requires time.” “Oh, okay, what do you write about?” “It’s not so much what as it is how. The craftsmanship that goes behind sedulously assembling words to produce a harmonious symphony of text.”

My Review:

This was a fun and amusing read full of levity and humorous and unfortunate dating situations. I enjoyed the comedy although I had trouble warming up to the character of Vivian as she was a typical lawyer – rude, obnoxious, and arrogant on top of being petty and childish, hmm, in all honesty, I never actually warmed up to the Vile Vivian. I adored Luscious Lucas as he was a sweet pussycat and I pitied him being the continual recipient of Vivian’s wrath and short temper. Vivian was adept at pushing all his buttons, but I think with her easily annoyed and antagonistic personality, she would most likely try the patience of the great Mahatma Gandhi. They started off on the wrong foot and their chance interactions were consistently and regrettably unlucky, although amusing to behold.   Their explosive chemistry led to sparks with a different type of heat by the story’s end with lots of matchmaker dating mishaps, family drama, and misfires in between.

About the Author

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 traveler, 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.\

Giveaway

Win 3 x e-copies of the Beach Reads box set

(Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –  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 I reserve 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 be passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for the fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for the dispatch or delivery of the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Book Review, Giveaway: Just a Girl (Just a Series) by Becky Monson @bmonsonauthor @rararesources  

Just a Girl
(Just a Series)
by Becky Monson

Amazon  / B&N / GP

What happens when the right girl and the right guy meet at the wrong time?

One thing that can be said about Quinn Pearson is that she has a knack for doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. Like, the worst time ever. Take her job for instance. One little slip of the tongue using the mother of all swear words while reporting the news, and suddenly she finds herself with over 18 million views on YouTube and her employment in jeopardy. If that wasn’t bad enough, when she meets the man of her dreams, she nearly chokes to death on a powdered sugar donut.

Thankfully for Quinn, the dashing Brit, Henry, finds her near death experience quite charming. But just when Quinn thinks her luck is going to change, she finds out her timing is all wrong again. Henry is off limits. Or is he? Maybe it’s time for Quinn to quit settling for what life hands her. Perhaps it’s time for her to become more than just a girl.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Oh, dear heaven above. Handsome Man has an accent. A very British one, in fact… Be still, my beating ovaries. I’ve always been a sucker for a British accent. But of course, I’m standing in front of him, hair askew, my face a nice shade of red, if the burning feeling I’m currently experiencing is any indication. Oh, and powdered sugar down the front of me. I’m also still holding on to the donut. I’m a work of art. A Picasso.

 

I chose kale. I’m not even sure how that’s a food. It tastes like disappointment.

 

Romantic interludes in my life so far have just been more of a mutual “You’ll do” type of scenario.

 

Red is perfect for her—it matches her evil insides… I briefly wonder what kind of machine she uses to file down her horns.

 

Is she for real? She’s like a villain out of a bad campy movie. “Well, I don’t know about that,” I say. “I mean, someday, when your skin becomes Botox resistant, they’ll need to replace you.” I give her my best smirk. Like an automatic reflex, she reaches up and touches her forehead, which hasn’t been able to move since I’ve known her. It’s just frozen in place.

My Review:

 

Oh – happy – day! I have a new favorite author and her name is Becky Monson – and she is brilliant and made me giggle-snort more than once during perusal. I adored every word of this cleverly written missive. In addition to Ms. Monson’s sparkling wit and keenly honed levity; her well-crafted storylines hit all the feels with a bevy of relevant topics and family issues.   Anyone who has ever had the misfortunate experiences of landing their dream job within a toxic work environment, suffered dastardly co-workers, grappled with their weight, dated a lovely man with issues, and/or struggled with a critical and unappeasable parent will find themselves within the pages.

The main character of Quinn resonated deeply with me. Her inner musings were smirk-worthy and highly entertaining. I was quickly implanted within Quinn’s head and under her skin, living her feels, and fully engaged and immersed in her tale.   I am also in total agreement with her stance on kale; it is ghastly!

About the Author

 

Amazon
Goodreads
Website
Facebook
Twitter

By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. An award-winning author, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last… but it probably won’t.

Giveaway
Win 2 x $25 Amazon Gift Cards
(Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –  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 I reserve 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 be passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for the fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for dispatch or delivery of the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Book Review, Giveaway: Take A Number by Amy Daws

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When Norah needs a date for her parent’s anniversary party and Dean needs a date for his best friend’s wedding, the two agree to something that can help them both out of a bind: Fake Dating.
The only problem? Highly flammable chemistry.
Download Now
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Title: TAKE A NUMBER
Author: Amy Daws
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: October 15, 2020
Cover Designer: Amy Daws
Cover Photographer: Wander Aguiar
Cover Model: Philippe Belanger

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Take A Number-front-no apple

Fake dating the cute owner of a bakery Dean is an investor in sounds kind of messy…but messy can be fun.

Norah Donahue wants bakeries not babies, but her matchmaking mother won’t stop trying to play Cupid.

Dean Moser is a cocky stock market savant whose friends are all settling down, leaving Boulder’s infamous ladies’ man all alone.

When Norah needs a fake date for her parents’ anniversary party, her new silent investor is the perfect guy for the job. It seems like a foolproof plan…

That is until Norah decides to break her biggest rule and lock lips with Dean in the middle of the party to spite her meddling mother.

Turns out that Dean and Norah’s chemistry is sizzling hot, and mixing business with pleasure could turn out to be a recipe for disaster.

Or maybe they can have their cake and eat it too

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Download Now

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My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Books are my life. Of course I want the book nerd to end up with another book nerd. That is basically porn in my world.

 

But that girl had nothing going on upstairs. She thought Ebola was a country.

 

You look so put together and professional, and then you open your mouth and ruin everything.

 

He’s made my mother stop speaking to me for five blissful days, so he deserves free croinuts for life.

 

Trust me, I write erotica for a living… I’m basically a doctor of boning.

 

I’ve heard good things about Kegels. I, on the other hand, am really hoping for a C-section situation for our future children so I can keep it all high and tight down yonder. I’m not a fan of cardio, and Kegels seem dangerously close to cardio.

  

My Review:

 

I giggled-snorted and smirked my way through this crisply written wit-fest, it was stuffed with many of my favorite things like quirky characters, clever storylines, delectably volcanic chemistry, snarky banter, and delightfully irreverent humor.   Shortly after starting my perusal, the room fell away and I was sucked right into Ms. Daws’s cleverly contrived vortex of sugar, flour, and copious servings of delicious spice. I was reluctant to return to my banal life, which is sadly devoid of the main character’s ingenious baked signature creation of scrumptious croinuts. I have enjoyed imbibing in every installment of this lively series and while each could be read as a standalone, you’d be crazy to miss out on a single word this vivacious scribe has scribbled.

 

 

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paperback giveaway-genericCheck out Amy’s Facebook page for an awesome giveaway!

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Amy Daws is an Amazon Top 13 bestselling author of sexy, contemporary romance novels. She enjoys writing love stories that take place in America, as well as across the pond in England. When Amy is not writing in a tire shop waiting room, she’s watching Gilmore Girls, or singing karaoke in the living room with her daughter while Daddy smiles awkwardly from a distance. For more of Amy’s work, visit: http://www.amydawsauthor.com

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Book Review, Giveaway: Hiding Cracked Glass (Perceptions of Glass #2) by James J. Cudney @jamescudney4 @Shalini_G26

Hiding Cracked Glass
(Perceptions of Glass #2)
by James J. Cudney 

 

Amazon  / B&N 

 

An ominous blackmail letter appears at an inopportune moment. The recipient’s name is accidentally blurred out upon arrival. Which member of the Glass family is the ruthless missive meant for?

In the powerful sequel to Watching Glass Shatter, Olivia is the first to read the nasty threat and assumes it’s meant for her. When the mysterious letter falls into the wrong hands and is read aloud, it throws the entire Glass family into an inescapable trajectory of self-question. Across the span of eight hours, Olivia and her sons contemplate whether to confess their hidden secrets or find a way to bury them forever. Some failed to learn an important lesson last time. Will they determine how to save themselves before it’s too late?

Each chapter’s focus alternates between the various family members and introduces several new and familiar faces with a vested interest in the outcome. As each hour ticks by, the remaining siblings and their mother gradually reveal what’s happened to them in the preceding months, and when the blackmailer makes an appearance at Olivia’s birthday party, the truth brilliantly comes to light.

Although everyone seemed to embrace the healing process at the end of Watching Glass Shatter, there were hidden cracks in the Glass family that couldn’t be mended. Their lives are about to shatter into pieces once again, but this time, the stakes are even higher. Someone wants to teach them a permanent lesson and refuses to stop until success is achieved.  

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Pilar wasn’t fond of the woman, especially after Olivia scanned her from head to toe in petulant judgment the previous day. When Olivia traced a finger along the fireplace mantle and blew dust into the air, Pilar realized things would change drastically in the Glass home. She’d heard various stories while Olivia was away and researched the family many times before accepting the job. Experiencing Olivia Glass differed from hearing about Olivia Glass…

 

Caleb always hated having unreliable gaydar, as in Halley’s-Comet-once-every-seventy-five-years gaydar. It’d been a curse since he was a teenager and stuck in the closet with six different kinds of professional-grade locks. Mostly, he had wannabe gaydar, the kind where he wished every hot guy he saw was interested in jumping his bones. It rarely worked out. What happened in the movies and on television never occurred in reality. Well, almost never.

 

Hurry up, it’s as frigid outside as Leona Helmsley before she got herself incarcerated and consented to turn slightly nicer than a pit of vipers.

 

If you ever ask me that again, papi, the only handy you’ll get again is a vengeful nurse swabbing the cauterized wound where your manhood used to be.

 

Children aren’t an opportunity to fix your past. They’re a chance to improve the world’s future.

 

Emma had once suggested to Teddy that people were like clocks. They came in all different shapes and sizes. Some were wound up; others needed a source of powerful energy to keep them running. In the end, they all functioned for the same reason—a slow and careful passage of time…

My Review:

 

I am delighted to report that I continue to be impressed by this wily wordsmith, his latest tale involved several intriguing and well-paced storylines while also richly textured with compelling and prickly character development. His Glass family serves as a cautionary tale and puts a new spin on the definition of dysfunctional. After three years and with a staggering seven other novels in between, Mr. Cudney has produced a wry and clever sequel to his striking debut novel of Watching Glass Shatter. And as extraordinary and remarkable as his debut was, this follow-up was even better.

Giveaway:

Hiding Cracked Glass eBook (2 winners)

About the Author

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James is my given name, but most folks call me Jay. I live in New York City, grew up on Long Island, and graduated from Moravian College, a historic but small liberal arts school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a degree in English literature and minors in Education, Business, and Spanish. After college, I accepted a technical writing position for a telecommunications company during Y2K and spent the last ~20 years building a career in technology & business operations in the retail, sports, media, and entertainment industries. Throughout those years, I wrote some short stories, poems, and various beginnings to the “Great American Novel,” but I was so focused on my career in technology and business that writing became a hobby. In 2016, I refocused some of my energies toward reinvigorating a second career in reading, writing, and publishing.

 

Author

Writing has been a part of my life as much as my heart, my mind, and my body. At some points, it was just a few poems or short stories; at others, it was full-length novels and stories. My current focus is on family drama fiction, cozy mystery novels, and suspense thrillers. I think of characters and plots that I feel must be unwound. I think of situations people find themselves in and feel compelled to tell the story. It’s usually a convoluted plot with many surprise twists and turns. I feel it necessary to take that ride all over the course. My character is easily pictured in my head. I know what he is going to encounter or what she will feel. But I need to use the right words to make it clear.

 

Reader & Reviewer

Reading has also never left my side. Whether it was children’s books, young adult novels, college textbooks, biographies, or my ultimate love, fiction, it’s ever-present in my day. I read 2 books per week and I’m on a quest to update every book I’ve ever read on Goodreads, write up a review and post it on all my sites and platforms. 

 

Blogger & Thinker

I have combined my passions into a single platform where I share reviews, write a blog, and publish tons of content: TRUTH. I started my 365 Daily Challenge, where I post about a word that has some meaning to me and converse with everyone about life. There is humor, tears, love, friendship, advice, and bloopers. Lots of bloopers where I poke fun at myself all the time. Even my dogs have had weekly segments called “Ryder’s Rants” or “Baxter’s Barks” where they complain about me. All these things make up who I am; none of them are very fancy or magnanimous, but they are real. And that’s why they are me.

 

Genealogist & Researcher

I love history and research, finding myself often reaching back into the past to understand why someone made the choice he or she did and what were the subsequent consequences. I enjoy studying the activities and culture from hundreds of years ago to trace the roots and find the puzzle of my own history. I wish I could watch my ancestors from a secret place to learn how they interacted with others; and maybe I’ll comprehend why I do things the way I do.

 

Genres, Formats & Languages

I write in the family drama and mystery genres. My first two books are Watching Glass Shatter (2017) and Father Figure (2018). Both are contemporary fiction and focus on the dynamics between parents and children and between siblings. I’m currently writing the sequel to Watching Glass Shatter. I also have a light mystery series called the Braxton Campus Mysteries with six books available.

All my books come in multiple formats (Kindle, physical print, large print paperback, and audiobook) and some are also translated into foreign languages such as Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and German. 

Goodreads Book Links

 

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Book Review, Giveaway: You May Kiss the Bridesmaid (First Comes Love #6) by Camilla Isley

You May Kiss the Bridesmaid
(First Comes Love #6) 
by Camilla Isley

Amazon  / Kobo / B&N / Apple / GP/

 

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 Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

The only thing this bunch would be interested in seeing stripping is a mummy. And only so that they could properly analyze it and date the corpse to the right Pharaonic era.

 

Not a fan of raisins, uh? … They’re the worst invention ever made Why would someone in their right mind take nice grapes and turn them into shriveled down dead droppings set free into the world to ruin all the best foods?

 

The moment our eyes lock, time ripples. It stops, while simultaneously moving faster.

 

My Review:

 

As with every single Camilla Isley book I’ve read, this was a fun and entertaining read, I adore her clever wit and wry humor.   Her writing is crisp, engaging, and easy to fall into. I enjoyed the amusing storylines as much as I did the characters; they were a feisty and smart bunch with snappy banter and undeniable chemistry while indulging in a secret and red-hot fling during a destination wedding in wine country.

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About the Author

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 traveler, 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/

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Giveaway

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

*Terms and Conditions –  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 I reserve 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 be passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for the fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for dispatch or delivery of the prize.

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Book Review, Giveaway: The Gift of Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May

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Amazon US / UK / AU / CA 

 

From the author of the #1 BESTSELLING The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay

All of our favorite characters from Cockleberry Bay are back in this final, heart-warming story in the series. Including Hot, Rosa Smith’s adorable dachshund and his new-born puppies.

Now successfully running the Cockleberry Café and wishing to start a family herself, Rosa feels the time is right to let her inherited Corner Shop go. However, her benefactor left one important legal proviso: that the shop cannot be sold, only passed on to somebody who really deserves it.

Rosa is torn. How can she make such a huge decision? And will it be the right one? Once the news gets out and goes public, untrustworthy newcomers appear in the Bay . . . their motives uncertain. With the revelation of more secrets from Rosa’s family heritage, a new journey of unpredictable and life-changing events begins to unfold.

The Gift of Cockleberry Bay concludes this phenomenally successful series in typically brisk and bolshy style and will delight the many thousands of Rosa’s fans

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

‘It always seems to be loving families who lose a parent or a child. I do believe the good die young. ’‘My mum wasn’t that young.’ ‘She wasn’t that good either.’ ‘Oi.’ They both then laughed nervously.

 

‘I’m internet dating, you see, and there are very few handsome men to be found in this area, as you can imagine.’ She picked up a thick church candle from the shelf and held it at the base with both hands. Danny blinked and cleared his throat.

 

‘Show me again.’ Rosa held up the grey and white picture. ‘Aw. That’s our baby, that is.’ Josh was beaming. ‘Look to the right, I’m sure I can see a willy.’ Rosa laughed. ‘I don’t ever want to see one of those again if it makes me feel this sick.’

 

Christmas Eve and the Cockleberry Bay Village Hall had not seen so much activity since the adult version of the nativity play twenty-five years ago, when Joseph had outed his wife for having an affair with the Angel Gabriel; in his hurry to escape the humiliation, the latter got his wings caught in a wise man’s stick and fell off the stage, breaking his ankle.

My Review:

 

I enjoy Ms. May’s wry comedic humor and she is a wily one as her amusing levity kept my lips twitching with a ready smirk. She is rather sneaky and slipped in jocularity in the midst of other scenes in unexpected places such as when a character was adding their coins to the café’s communal gratuities jar, which was described as “a ceramic burlesque dancer money box that held a sign saying Nice Tips.”

 

In addition to her clever and playful use of wit, several hefty social and personal issues were tapped and used as a positive platform for dispersal of thoughtful information and awareness, which I always appreciate. Ms. May’s characters tend to be diverse, quirky, deeply flawed, and uniquely intriguing. And despite his stinky breath and proprietary barking, I adore that little Hot Dog, AKA, Mr. Sausage to “where the sky touches the sea.”

About the Author

Nicola May lives in the UK, five miles from the Queen’s castle in Windsor, with her black-and-white rescue cat, Stan. Her hobbies include watching films that involve a lot of swooning, crabbing in South Devon and devouring cream teas.

Her bestselling The Corner Shop in Cockleberry, the 1st book in the Cockleberry Bay series, went to #1 on Amazon and stayed there for an unprecedented 6 weeks.

She classes her novels as ‘chicklit with a kick,’ writing about love, life, and friendships in a real, not fluffy kind of way. She likes burgers, mince pies, clocks, birds, bubble baths and facials – but is not so keen on aubergines.

Follow Nicola May

Website – www.nicolamay.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NicolaMayAuthor

Twitter – https://twitter.com/nicolamay1

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/author_nicola/

Giveaway

 Win a signed copy of The Gift of Cockleberry Bay

(Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –  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 I reserve 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 be passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for the fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for dispatch or delivery of the prize.

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Book Review, Giveaway: From Thailand with Love by Camilla Isley

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From Thailand with Love

by Camilla Isley

 Amazon / B&N / Apple / 

Kobo / Google Play

 

All Logan has to do is to get the gold and get the girl. Easy, right?

Travel photographer Winter Knowles and archeology professor Logan Spencer dislike each other at first sight. Stuck together on a wild island, these two unwilling teammates will bicker and banter their way through a laugh-packed treasure hunt.

After years of searching, a new mapping technology has given Logan a clue to the location of the legendary Lost City of Gold. A discovery that could make his career. So the last thing he needs on this life-changing expedition is for his team to get distracted by a pair of long legs.

When Winter accepted the assignment on a tropical island she didn’t sign up for a brooding team leader who’d clearly prefer to run a boys-only club. Never one to back down from a challenge, Winter is ready to show him she’s no damsel in distress.

But when a treasure like no other is uncovered and ruthless enemies will want to keep it for themselves, it’ll be up to the two of them to save the day. Left alone to fight in the jungle, they will soon discover their lives might not be the only thing at stake—their hearts could be too.

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

A fun read packed with danger, action, romance, and comedy.

From Thailand with Love is part of a series of interconnected romantic comedies but can be read as a standalone novel as all the other books in the First Comes Love series.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I can’t help not liking the man; he honestly gives me the creeps… he’s retained all his military bearing: buzz cut shorter at the sides, lean muscled body, and a hard face marked by a livid white slash. The ominous scar cuts from his left eyebrow to halfway down his cheek. And he probably enjoys frightening children with it in his spare time.

 

I try to resist, but quickly give in. Grabbing the ever-present camera dangling from my neck, I stealthily snap a few shots of my sweaty, muscular colleagues. Then I check the results on the small screen on the back of the device, and chuckle to myself. These pictures would look great on an erotica novel, probably one called something like: “Taken in the Jungle by the Three Archeologists.” 

 

I’m not getting out of this tub for anything in the world. “I’ve ordered dinner,” Logan says. I don’t reply. “Burgers and champagne.” Okay, now he’s got my attention.

 

Did I overshare? Maybe I overshared. But when I’m nervous, I talk. When I’m tired, I talk. When I’m both, I crash into TMI land like a cannonball.

  

My Review:

 

This tale was more action-adventure than I was expecting but thankfully there was also a bevy of amusing accidents and observations as well as a budding romance to put a smirk on my face. I enjoy Ms. Isley’s deft writing style, wry humor, and colorfully written character descriptions. This busy volume to the series features an archeological expedition finding peril in the hot and sticky jungle filled with ravenous insects, and I’m still feeling itchy and dehydrated just from the highly evocative descriptions alone – I’m so suggestible!

About the Author

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 traveler, 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 –

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

https://twitter.com/camillaisley

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

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

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

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

Giveaway

Win a From Thailand With Love Tote Bag

(Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –  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 I reserve 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 be passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for the fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for dispatch or delivery of the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Book Review, Giveaway: A Springtime to Remember by Lucy Coleman

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A Springtime to Remember
by Lucy Coleman

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Apple

 

Let Lucy Coleman transport you to glorious, sun-drenched France, for the perfect feel-good read. Paris and the Palace of Versailles have always meant a lot to TV producer Lexie. Her grandma Viv spent a year there, but her adventures and memories were never discussed, and Lexie has long wondered why they were a family secret.

When work presents the perfect excuse to spend Springtime in Versailles, Lexie delves into Viv’s old diaries and scrapbooks, and with the help of handsome interpreter Ronan, she is soon learning more about the characters that tend to the magnificent gardens, now and in the past.

In amongst the beauty and splendor of the French countryside, a story of lost love, rivalry and tragedy unfold. Can Lexie and Ronan right the wrongs of the past, and will France play its tricks on them both before Lexie has to go home? Will this truly be a Springtime to Remember…?

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I’ve lost my pride a few times over the years and it does shake your confidence, but the lessons I learnt were invaluable. Hardest of all though is when a family member turns on you – it’s a hurt that never goes away.

 

I swear if Jake fell out of a plane he’d land on his feet and walk away without breaking a sweat.

 

‘I knew this house needed something,’ Ronan says, slipping his arm around my waist and squeezing, ‘but I didn’t realise what it needed was YOU.’

 

I’ve been in limbo, I guess… I’ve been living my life one day at a time for so long now that it’s become second nature to me. I stopped noticing what was around me because without her here it feels like a shell.

 

To life, love and laughter. May we all be blessed with all three.

 

My Review:

 

Lucy Coleman’s background in interior design was readily apparent throughout this tale, as her narrative was rich with lush descriptions of every scene. I would imagine when touring and attempting to capture the opulence and extravagance of Versailles, her professional eye for detail could well have put her in danger of a massive cranial explosion as I nearly short-circuited during an all too brief tour many years ago. The storylines were slow to develop, intricately detailed, and rife with family drama, dead ends, and angsty misconceptions while a sweet romance was gradually blossoming and several underlying mysteries kept poking and taunting my curiosity. And what clever twists those threads turned out to be once unraveled. Lucy Coleman has a hidden side of sly and clever trickster lurking behind her sweet smile, which pleases me to no end.   😉

 

About the Author

From interior designer to author, Linn B. Halton – who also writes under the pen name of Lucy Coleman – says ‘it’s been a fantastic journey!’

Linn is the bestselling author of more than a dozen novels – including Summer on the Italian Lakes, Snowflakes over Holly Cove, The French Adventure and A Cottage in the Country. She is represented by Sara Keane of the Keane Kataria Literary Agency.

When she’s not writing or spending time with the family, she’s either upcycling furniture, working in the garden, or practicing Tai Chi.

Living in Coed Duon in the Welsh Valleys with her ‘rock’, Lawrence, and gorgeous Bengal cat Ziggy, she is an eternal romantic.

Linn is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the SoA and writes feel-good, uplifting novels about life, love, and relationships.

Social Media Links –

Website: http://lucycolemanromance.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LucyColemanauth

Giveaway

 Win a signed paperback of ‘A French Adventure’ and a metal leaf bookmark.

(Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –  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 I reserve 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 be passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for the fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for dispatch or delivery of the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway