Valentine's Giveaway: Win a Romance themed bundle

I'm not one that normally celebrates Valentine's Day, or Galentine's Day as I've seen featured in recent years, but this year I decided to do a small giveaway as we all deserve the chance to win a treat or two. 

Regular followers of the blog or who follow me on Twitter or Instagram will know that I'm always on the lookout for bookish items for potential presents or giveaway so I already had a couple of these items but then bought the rest to make up the bundle below. 

Books Read: Somewhere Beyond the Sea by Miranda Dickinson

Can you fall in love with someone before you’ve even met?

Seren MacArthur is living a life she never intended. Trying to save the Cornish seaside business her late father built – while grieving for his loss – she has put her own dreams on hold and is struggling. Until she discovers a half-finished seaglass star on her favourite beach during an early morning walk. When she completes the star, she sets into motion a chain of events that will steal her heart and challenge everything she believes.

Jack Dixon is trying to secure a better life for daughter Nessie and himself. Left a widower and homeless when his wife died, he’s just about keeping their heads above water. Finding seaglass stars completed on Gwithian beach is a bright spark that slowly rekindles his hope.

Seren and Jack are searching for their missing pieces. But when they meet in real life, it’s on the opposing sides of a battle. Jack is managing the redevelopment of a local landmark, and Seren is leading the community campaign to save it.

Both have reason to fight – Seren for the cause her father believed in, Jack for his livelihood. But only one can win. With so much at stake, will they ever find what they are really looking for?

Amazon Affiliate Links: Kindle or Paperback

Books Read: Miranda Dickinson - A Parcel for Anna Browne

Anna Browne is an ordinary woman living an ordinary life. Her day job as a receptionist in bustling London isn't exactly her dream, yet she has everything she wants. But someone thinks Anna Browne deserves more . . .

When a parcel addressed to Anna Browne arrives, she has no idea who has sent it. Inside she finds a beautiful gift - one that is designed to be seen. And so begins a series of incredible deliveries, each one bringing Anna further out of the shadows and encouraging her to become the woman she was destined to be. As Anna grows in confidence, others begin to notice her - and her life starts to change.

But who is sending the mysterious gifts, and why?

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback

Miranda Mondays: Interview with Bea from I'll Take New York

I was privileged to have been asked to be part of #TeamBea to help promote Miranda Dickinson's new book I'll Take New York which is being published on 4th December and be part of the Miranda Mondays features.

Have you ever given up on love?

When her boyfriend lets her down for the last time, Brooklyn bookshop owner Bea James makes a decision – no more. No more men, no more heartbreak, and no more pain.

Psychiatrist Jake Steinmann is making a new start too, leaving his broken marriage behind in San Francisco. From now on there'll just be one love in his life: New York.

At a party where they seem to be the only two singletons, Bea and Jake meet, and decide there’s just one thing for it. They will make a pact: no more relationships.

But the city has other plans...

Today it's my turn with an interview with central character Bea...

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself Bea? 
I live and work in Brooklyn, although I'm originally from Northbridge in Shropshire, England. I own a bookstore with my best friend Russ - it's been a dream of ours since we met at Columbia University and we've been trading now for three years. I have red hair and green eyes and Russ tells me I a great friend (although that might have more to do with the fact that I'm paying for Chinese food next time we have a Friday night takeaway!) Oh, and I'm done with relationships. Nobody believes me (my friend Imelda and brother Stewart insist it's a phase). But I mean it this time. I'm going to concentrate on the things that matter - being happy, enjoying my life and loving my city - and save myself the heartache and stress...

Author Interview: Miranda Dickinson

Last week whilst she was patiently awaiting the arrival of her baby* Miranda tweeted asking if anyone had any questions for her.

So I immediately took her up on the offer and asked her a few questions about her next book, I'll Take New York, which is due out as an eBook in October and paperback on 4th December... just in time for Christmas ;)

* Florence Wren White was born yesterday morning, congratulations Miranda and Bob xxx

Can you tell us a little bit about your new book, I’ll Take New York, which is due to be published later this year?

I’ll Take New York is the story of Brooklyn bookstore owner Bea James and psychotherapist Jake Steinmann. Both of them have been hurt by love and have decided to give up on relationships. They meet by chance at an engagement party for Jake’s brother Ed (who you’ll know from Fairytale of New York!) and end up making a drunken pact to swear off relationships for good. They strike up a friendship, bound by The Pact and their shared love of New York, taking weekend trips into the city to share their favourite places with each other. But then life intervenes and their Pact is tested in ways neither of them expected…

Books Read: Miranda Dickinson - Take a Look at Me Now

What a difference a day makes… 

Nell Sullivan has always been known as ‘Miss Five-Year Plan’. But when she finds herself jobless and newly single on the same day, Nell decides it is time to stop planning and start taking chances. 

Nell blows her redundancy cheque on a trip of lifetime to a place where anything is possible – San Francisco. There she meets a host of colourful characters, including the intriguing and gorgeous Max. Very soon the city begins to feel like Nell’s second home. 

But when it’s time to return to London, will she leave the ‘new Nell’ behind? And can the magic of San Francisco continue to sparkle thousands of miles away?

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback

Sneak Peeks: The Perfect Murder & The Perfect Escape, free short story collections

Avon Books are really spoiling their readers next month with not one but two fantastic FREE short story collections.  The Perfect Murder will be published on June 10th and The Perfect Escape on 27th June.

Spine-chilling short stories for long summer nights…

Featuring short stories from e-book bestsellers Paul Finch, Jacqui Rose and Mark Sennen and highly anticipated stories from Luca Veste and Michael Russell, this FREE short story collection will have you up all night.

Each short story is followed up by exclusive extracts of each of the authors’ upcoming titles.

Before Noon by Jacqui Rose: A nail-biting story that focuses on the events prior to a safe deposit robbery.

Time’s Up by Luca Veste: Set in Liverpool a grisly tale of being lost and seeking redemption.

Him! by Paul Finch: The darkest things happen at night… A thriller sure to keep you on the edge of your seat from the #1 bestseller Paul Finch.

Wunderland by Mark Sennen: A chilling story based at a writer’s retreat in the middle of nowhere.

The Puzzle Behind The Istanbul Puzzle by Laurence O’Bryan: A feature that looks at Laurence’s fascination with conspiracy theories.

Valentine Feature Week Interview: Miranda Dickinson

Miranda Dickinson is one of my favourite authors so when I tweeted asking for contributions for my upcoming Valentine Feature Week on the blog, I was delighted that she responded agreeing to do a Valentine's related interview.  

What has been your most memorable Valentine’s experience, either good or bad?
My worst Valentine’s experience was when I sent a really good male friend of mine a Valentine’s card. I’d liked him for ages but as soon as I sent it I knew I’d made the biggest mistake of my life. He was living with my band-mates and they all guessed it was from me. So mortifying! Thankfully, he was lovely about it and is still a fab friend today. The experience is what inspired the opening scene of It Started With a Kiss when Romily tells Charlie she loves him. I sent the card from one of those online card websites and now every time their advert comes on TV I have to switch it off – eight years after the event!

Have you ever had a disastrous date on Valentine’s night?
No, thankfully, although I’ve had my fair share of disastrous dates at other times of the year…

When I Fall In Love giveaway - winner announced

The deadline has just passed for this latest giveaway to win a signed copy of When I Fall In Love by Miranda Dickinson and what a popular giveaway it was with many of you entering multiple times!  After the removal of duplicate entries there were 98 numbers entered into random.org to choose the winning number.

Number 29, Elaine C.  I've just sent you an email, please can you let me know your postal address so that I can pass this onto Miranda to send you a copy of the book.

Thanks to everyone who entered.  Keep an eye out for more giveaways shortly as I already have several lined up for Christmas and am in the process of organising another couple.

Books Read: Miranda Dickinson - When I Fall In Love

What happens when your happy ever after is suddenly and painfully taken away from you?

Elsie Maynard has a whole new life she never expected to have.

From inadvertently founding a choir like no other with former 80s rock star Woody Jensen, to daring to date again, Elsie steps out into an unknown future – a future that could include gorgeous designer Olly Hogarth, a man who seems intent on winning her heart. Overcoming problems, challenges and the occasional frustration – namely overconfident Torin Stewart who seems to be everywhere – Elsie believes she is making the most of her life.

But then a heartfelt request brings her to Paris – and the last item on a very important List.

Can Elsie take the final step and lay her past to rest? Join Elsie as she battles to start again, with the help of a disastrous, newly-formed singing group and her father and sister armed with dating hopefuls.

Giveaway: Win a signed copy of When I Fall In Love by Miranda Dickinson

Thanks to the lovely Miranda Dickinson I am able to offer you the chance to win a signed copy of her new book, When I Fall In Love, which is due out this Thursday.    

What happens when your happy ever after is suddenly and painfully taken away from you?

Elsie Maynard has a whole new life she never expected to have.

From inadvertently founding a choir like no other with former 80s rock star Woody Jensen, to daring to date again, Elsie steps out into an unknown future – a future that could include gorgeous designer Olly Hogarth, a man who seems intent on winning her heart. Overcoming problems, challenges and the occasional frustration – namely overconfident Torin Stewart who seems to be everywhere – Elsie believes she is making the most of her life.

But then a heartfelt request brings her to Paris – and the last item on a very important List.

Can Elsie take the final step and lay her past to rest? Join Elsie as she battles to start again, with the help of a disastrous, newly-formed singing group and her father and sister armed with dating hopefuls.

Books Read: The Perfect Treat - collection of short stories

Heart-warming short stories for cold winter nights…

Love, Loss and Coffee Cake: Miranda Dickinson

It’s A Wonderful Life: Claudia Carroll

Driving Home For Christmas:Julia Williams

Breaking The Spell: Liz Trenow

The Twelve Lies of Christmas: Mhairi McFarlane

Books Read: Miranda Dickinson - It Started with a Kiss

Source - Bought (Tesco)

Sometimes love happens when you least expect it ...

As the singer in a wedding band, Romily Parker has seen her fair share of happy endings, even though her own love life isn't quite as simple.

On the last Saturday before Christmas, shortly after disastrously declaring her love for best friend Charlie, Romily has a brief encounter with a handsome stranger whose heart-stopping kiss changes everything.

Determined to find him again, Romily embarks on a year-long quest, helped (and sometimes hindered) by enthusiastic Uncle Dudley, cake-making Auntie Mags and flamboyant Wren.  Will she find the man of her dreams?  Or could true love be closer than she thinks?