Books Read: Anna-Lou Weatherley - Chelsea Wives

Source - Received from publisher to review

It bags, botox and platinum cards - welcome to the glamorous lives of the Chelsea Wives.

They are the ultimate ladies who lunch: Imogen, the beautiful ex-model, Calgary, the glamorous, former fashion editor, and Yasmin, the feisty ex-party girl.

But life isn’t all champagne and canapés. Plagued by personal tragedy and united by failing marriages, they mastermind a shocking plan to turn the tables on their husbands.  The Chelsea wives are about to get their own back. 

Sneak Peeks & Giveaway - Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

I received a copy of Shadow of Night, the second book in the All Souls trilogy, by Deborah Harkness out of the blue but as I've currently got a backlog of books to review and it's not a genre I typically would read, the lovely people at Headline have kindly agreed that I can offer it to you as a giveaway prize instead.  

It began with A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES.

Historian Diana Bishop, descended from a line of powerful witches, and long-lived vampire Matthew Clairmont have broken the laws dividing creatures. When Diana discovered a significant alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, she sparked a struggle in which she became bound to Matthew. Now the fragile coexistence of witches, daemons, vampires and humans is dangerously threatened.

Books Read: Alex Marwood - The Wicked Girls

Source - Received from publisher to review

The noise was overwhelming, the feral, chanting voices of strangers wanting Justice. 

One summer morning, three little girls meet for the first time. By the end of the day, two will be charged with murder.

Twenty-five years later, journalist Kirsty Lindsay is reporting on a series of sickening attacks on young female tourists in a seaside town when her investigation leads her to interview funfair cleaner Amber Gordon. 

For Kirsty and Amber, it's the first time they've seen each other since that dark day when they were just children. But with new lives - and families - to protect, will they really be able to keep their wicked secret hidden?

Burning Embers giveaway - winner announced

Thank you to everyone who entered into my latest giveaway for the chance to  win a copy of  Burning Embers by Hannah Fielding proved to be another popular one.  The deadline closed tonight and I've just selected a winner using Random.org.

Mary T, congratulations I have just sent you a email for your postal details to enable me to post this book to you.

Commiserations to everyone else who entered this giveaway but were not successful this time.  Fortunately I now have another giveaway for the chance to win a copy of Cox by Kate Lace here.

Giveaway: Win a copy of Cox by Kate Lace

Just as one giveaway finishes I'm able to bring you another one, the chance to win a copy of Cox by Kate Lace.

There is nothing as fun as messing about with men in boats...
 

As Amy discovers when she's cornered at Henley Regatta by Rollo, a blond Adonis in lycra, who asks her to give him a massage on the boathouse floor. 

Men like Rollo are the reason Amy wanted to become a sports physiotherapist in the first place, so working for the Oxford boat team is a dream come true. And while the team readies itself for the Boat Race and the rowers dream of being selected for the Olympics, Amy works hard to relieve their stress. In particular Rollo, whose muscles need constant attention; Dan, who looks even better in lycra than his team mate, but requires gentle handling; and Chuck, the coach, who makes up for any deficiencies in the oar department with his wealth of experience. 

Author Interview: Hannah Fielding

Today's guest author is Hannah Fielding whose debut novel, Burning Embers, is due to be published here in the UK next week.

Can you tell us a little bit about Burning Embers?

Lovely Coral Sinclair, a young and fiery English photographer, is on her way to Kenya, the land of her birth, to take ownership of Mpingo plantation, a legacy from her recently deceased father.

Handsome and charismatic Rafe de Monfort, a mature French widower and owner of a nightclub and of the Whispering Palms plantation, holds a dark secret deep in his heart.

The two meet on board the ship that is taking them both to Kenya, and Coral feels an immediate attraction towards this stranger.

Once in Kenya, Coral discovers that Rafe is her closest neighbour, but she is warned off him by her old nanny. Gossip has it that Rafe is a notorious womaniser who counts among his mistresses Morgana, the dusky night club dancer, and Cybil, Coral’s stepmother with whom it is believed he was having an affair – an affair which might have contributed to her father’s death. 

Yet despite herself, Coral finds herself falling in love with this man who shows her only kindness.

What is she to think when a witch doctor tells her that Rafe killed his heiress first wife and that he is now pretending to care for her simply to get his hands on after Mpingo?  When beautiful Cybil says that Rafe has been her lover for over ten years and Morgana assures her that Rafe will never be hers? What is the secret in Rafe’s past that colours his every move and makes him more vulnerable than Coral could ever imagine?

In this evocative and passionate story set in 1970 against the vivid and colourful backdrop of rural Africa and its culture, the seemingly doomed lovers are sent down a destructive path wrought with betrayal, passion and greed. Will love overcome all obstacles and prevail at the end?

Books Read: Chrissie Manby - What I Did On My Holidays

Source - Received from publisher to review
 

When Callum dumps Sophie the night before they were meant to go to Majorca together, she has a choice.  Completely forget about the holiday, or go without him?

In a show of bravery and independence, Sophie says she'll go to Majorca alone.  But actually she hides in her London flat.  And when her friends and family (not to mention Callum) seem impressed by her single girl courage, Sophie decides to go all out and create the 'fake break' ... with hilarious results.

Books Read: Allie Spencer - Summer Nights

Source - Received from publisher to review  

There's nothing quite like a holiday with your boyfriend...

Flora Fielding can't wait for Barney to join her in San Francisco so they can begin their dream holiday.  Until Barney dumps her, leaving her stranded.  Luckily, Flora's cousin Bella lives in San Francisco and, with nowhere else to go, Flora pitches up at her door.

As a singer in an Abba tribute band, Bella's life is a whirlwind of gigs, sparkly jumpsuits and nights on the town.  And as Flora gets caught up in the excitement, she doesn't have time to worry about her broken heart.

In fact, she's so distracted that before she knows it she's running along a moonlit beach with a very handsome stranger...

Congratulations....winner announced in Summer Nights giveaway

Thank you to everyone who entered into this giveaway to win a signed copy of Summer Nights by Allie Spencer.  It was interesting to see entrants from a wide range of countries, 18 to be exact, I'm pleased to see that my blog is viewed worldwide ;0)

In total there were 249 entrants but 231 remaining after the removal of duplicate entries.  Each entry was allocated a number and then Random.org was used to select a winner.  The winning entrant was number 54, Lucinda F.  Congratulations, I have emailed you for your postal address and will aim to post the book to you by the end of the week.

If you were unlucky this time, there's still time to enter the Burning Embers giveaway which ends this weekend and I'm hoping to run some more giveaways in the future.

Books Read: Cathy Woodman - The Village Vet

Source - Received from publisher to review

In Talyton St George, vet nurse Tessa Wilde is on the way to her wedding...

It should be the happiest day of her life. But then her car hits a dog, and though the dog is saved thanks to the Otter House vets, her wedding is not.

Animal welfare officer and part time fire-fighter Jack Miller spends his life saving animals and people. As one of Tessa's oldest friends, he feels he has the right to interrupt her wedding and rescue her from a marriage that can only end in tears.

But does he? Tessa is sure she doesn't need rescuing, least of all by Jack. 

When they begin to work together at the Animal Rescue centre, however, Tessa begins to wonder whether being rescued by Jack might not be such a bad thing after all.

Sneak Peeks: Ellen Sussman - French Lessons

It's just over 2 weeks now to the paperback release of French Lessons by Ellen Sussman and I have to say I much prefer the paperback cover to the trade cover. 

This book first appealed to me when it was released in trade paperback last year but I've had to wait for what seems like forever for the paperback version.

Three French tutors meet at a small café that spills out onto the sunny Parisian backstreet of Rue du Paradis. Nico, Philippe and Chantal meet here every Wednesday morning, before leading their students across the grand boulevards, winding alleyways and sweetly perfumed jardins of the city of lights.

But today’s lesson will be very different – and none of them are remotely prepared.

Books Read: Julia Quinn - A Night Like This

Source - Received from publisher to review

Anne Wynter's job as governess to three highborn young ladies can be a challenge - in a single week she finds herself hiding in a closet full of tubas, playing an evil queen in a play and tending to the wounds of the oh-so-dashing Earl of Winstead. After years of dodging unwanted advances, he's the first man who has truly tempted her, and it's getting harder and harder to remind herself that a governess has no business flirting with a nobleman.

Daniel Smythe-Smith might be in mortal danger, but that's not going to stop the young earl from falling in love. And when he spies a mysterious woman at his family's annual musicale, he vows to pursue her. But Daniel has an enemy, one who has vowed to see him dead. And when Anne is thrown into peril, he will stop at nothing to ensure their happy ending . . .

Books Read: Louise Millar - The Playdate

Source - Received from publisher to review

Sound designer Callie Roberts is a single mother.  And she's come to rely heavily on her best friend and neighbour, Suzy.  Over the last few lonely years, Suzy has been good to Callie and her rather frail daughter, Rae, and she's welcomed them into her large, apparently happy family.

But Callie knows that Suzy's life is not quite as perfect as it seems.   It's time she pulled away - and she needs to get back to work.  So why does she keep putting off telling Suzy?  And who will care for Rae?  In the anonymous city street, the houses each hide a very different family, each with their own secrets.  Callie's increased sense of alienation leads her to try and befriend a new resident, Debs.  But she's odd - you certainly wouldn't trust her with your child - especially if you knew anything about her past.

Books Read: Victoria Fox - Temptation Island

Source - Received from PR company to review

WELCOME TO PARADISE Only the rich are invited... only the strongest survive.

Fame.  Money.  Success.  Lori wants them, Aurora is being destroyed by them and Stevie's got them at her best friend's expense.  These three women are drawn unwittingly to the shores of Temptation Island, all looking for their own truth.  But they discover a secret so shocking, there's no turning back.  It's wicked, it's sensational.  Are you ready to be told?

But the glittering waters drown dark secrets.  The island promises the one thing money can't buy - and the price is devastating...   

Books Read: Nicci Gerrard - Missing Persons

Source - Received from publisher to review

When Jonny went missing everything changed.

His mother's heart is full of terror and sadness instead of joy.

His father's study overflows with newspaper cuttings and profiles on missing people instead of the academic texts that were there before.

His sister, once carefree, now carries the weight of the world on her shoulders.

His bedroom at home remains untouched and ready for his return.

A place is set for him at the table on Christmas day each year.

His birthday is always celebrated; his unopened gifts gather dust.

The hands on the clock continue to turn and yet Jonny hasn't returned. 

Where is he?

Win a copy of Burning Embers by Hannah Fielding

Burning Embers is a sizzling romance set against the magnificent backdrop of Kenya, taking in plantations, beautiful beaches and hot desert safaris. 

Following her father’s death Coral Sinclair embarks on a long boat journey to Kenya to claim her inheritance, where she has an intense and magnetic run-in with a mysterious stranger. Little does she know that he is a notorious playboy who just so happens to own the plantation next to hers and is determined to take it from her. 

Sparks fly as Coral is unable to resist his fiery charm despite the danger that radiates from his every touch.

Books Read: Lulu Taylor - Outrageous Fortune

Source - Received from publisher to review

Rich Girl

Daisy Dangerfield has been born to a life of pampered luxury. The apple of her father's eye, she is groomed by him to take over the family's property empire while she spends his money and socialises to her heart's content. 

Poor Girl

Chanelle Hughes has never had anything. Dragged up by an alcoholic mother on a run-down council estate, all she's ever wanted was to escape. 

But which is which?

When their lives are turned upside-down, their fortunes, too, change utterly. And while Daisy is devastated by her new circumstances, Chanelle decides she'll do anything to get the security she craves.

Born on the same day, two girls whose lives could not be more different find that they have more in common than they could ever have imagined.

Giveaway: Win a signed copy of Summer Nights by Allie Spencer

One of this summers must-have books for holiday reading must surely be Summer Nights by Allie Spencer.  The cover alone is making me wish I was somewhere warm today... sun please come back!

There's nothing quite like a holiday with  your boyfriend ...

Flora Fielding can't wait for Barney to join her in San Francisco so they can begin their dream holiday.  Until Barney dumps her, leaving her stranded.  Luckily, Flora's cousin Bella lives in San Francisco and, with nowhere else to go, Flora pitches up at her door.

As a singer in an Abba tribute band, Bella's life is a whirlwind of gigs, sparkly jumpsuits and nights on the town.  And as Flora gets caught up in the excitement, she doesn't have time to worry about her broken heart.

In fact, she's so distracted that before she knows it she's running along a moonlit beach with a very handsome stranger...

Author Interview: Allie Spencer

Today I'm pleased to be able to welcome local author, Allie Spencer, to my blog for a chat about her books.  

Allie has recently been nominated for the Melissa Nathan award for Comedy Romance for her previous novel, Summer Loving, which is a fantastic accolade and well deserved recognition for her hard work.  Fingers crossed that she wins at the awards ceremony next week.  Her new book, Summer Nights, is due out later this month and I'll be reviewing this shortly. 

How long did it take to get your first book published?

I’ve actually never had my first book published!  The first novel of mine that came out (Tug of Love) was the second book I wrote; the first, a country house farce, is currently in a drawer awaiting further interest.  I began Tug of Love as soon as I’d finished that first one, and it took me nine months to write, a final draft being completed in November 2006.  Tug was accepted for publication by Little Black Dress (Headline) in the summer of 2008 and was published in 2009 so all in all in quite a long old haul with plenty of rejections along the way.

Do you have a set daily writing routine?

I have young children so the only real time I have to write is when they are at school.  When I’m writing a first draft I try to write at least 2000 words per day.  Editing is much slower and I go over/rewrite the book many times before I feel it’s good enough to send off to my editor.  I usually end up working weekends, bank holidays and (sadly) even some family holidays so that my husband can take over the childcare.  It’s a question of squeezing it in wherever possible.

Books Read: Melissa Hill - The Charm Bracelet

Source - Received from publisher to review

Every charm bracelet tells a story and Holly O'Neill knows this better than most.

Many years ago she was sent one mysteriously, just a single charm attached. Some time later another charm appeared, and the same happened until the bracelet was almost full. Each charm proved significant, as if her anonymous benefactor knew she needed a little bit of magic in her life.

So when Holly stumbles across another bracelet - one that somebody else has lost - she recognises a lifetime spelt out through the charms, and knows she must try to reunite it with its owner.

Using each charm to help discover more about the bracelet's owner, Holly gradually begins to piece together details of this other charmed life. And her quest leads her somewhere she never expected...

Books Read: Anita Notaro - A Moment Like This

Source - Received from publisher to review

Be careful what you wish for.

Antonia has always put everyone else before herself. Shy and quiet, her life in a small village in Wicklow has been devoted to her invalid mother and singing in the local church choir. Somehow, it's easier that way. 

But when she is left alone, her friends encourage her to audition for a television talent show. Blessed with a glorious singing voice, she is suddenly thrust into the limelight and enters the world of celebrity and glamour. She's the Girl from Nowhere, but can she cope with this startling new life? Antonia discovers that this business is tougher than she ever thought possible, but also that she's stronger than she thought she was. And she finds that help can come from the most unexpected places.

Books Read: Jenny Lawson - Let's Pretend This Never Happened

Source - Received from publisher to review

Every teenager wants to fit in and be just like everybody else. So imagine how hard that is when your father runs a taxidermy business out of the family home, your mother runs the student cafeteria, and your sister has just been elected high school mascot, which means she walks the halls in a giant bird costume. But as Jenny Lawson grows up, falls in love, gets engaged – in a way that is as disastrous as it is romantic – and starts a family of her own, she learns that life’s most absurd and humiliating moments, the ones we wish we could pretend had never happened, are the very same moments that make us who we are. 

This is an often poignant, sometimes disturbing, but always hilarious book from a writer that dares to say your deepest and strangest thoughts out loud. Like laughter at a funeral, it is both highly irreverent and impossible to stop once you’ve started . . .

Exclusive e-book short stories - are they necessary?

One thing I've noticed this year is that there seems to have been an influx in the release of e-book exclusive short stories ahead of a new book from authors. 

That's not to say that I'm against this as I have purchased most of them but it does seem to disadvantage readers who haven't got an e-reader yet (I would have been included in this category if I hadn't received a Kindle for my 40th birthday). 

Fortunately these e-books either tend to be free or are cheap so it's not going to cost you the earth to buy them.  But is this practice necessary for book promotion or is it simply a means to cash in further?

A selection of these short stories that have been released in the last couple of months or are due out soon are:

I'd be interested to hear from other readers as to whether they buy/read the exclusive e-books before reading the novels?