Author: ramblingmads

I am a thirtysomething from London, with a cat, a husband, bookshelves which keep threatening to crush me under their load and chronic health conditions. Basically your average over stressed millennial. Welcome.
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Blog Tour: A Duke of One’s Own – Emma Orchard

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Summer, 1816.

A notorious rebel is about to meet her match…

Lady Georgiana Pendlebury is no stranger to breaking the rules of polite society. But when a so-called ‘friend’ invites her to a clandestine party, Georgiana is shocked to discover the event is more scandalous than even she could have imagined. So when a mysterious stranger offers help, she accepts, not realising their encounter will turn her life upside down.

Later that summer, Georgiana is invited to attend a house party at an infamous castle in Yorkshire.

The gathering is a loosely veiled effort to arrange a marriage for the Duke of Northriding, who desperately needs an heir. Duke Gabriel Mauleverer has a terrible reputation as a rake, and Georgiana is happy to be a guest purely for the entertainment, but upon arrival, she is shocked to discover that the Duke is none other than the stranger who rescued her weeks earlier.

As the other ladies vie for the Duke’s attention, Georgiana is desperate to avoid their shocking secret getting out. But she finds herself caught, unable to avoid Gabriel’s gaze. Are they a threat to each
other? Or could they be the answer to each other’s greatest desires?

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Emma Orchard is the author of several well-reviewed regency romance novels published by Allison & Busby. In her other life she is a literary agent. Her first book with Boldwood is a raunchy romp set in
Regency London.

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My thoughts: Georgiana and Gabriel are very well suited to each other, despite her determination not to fall for him. But after getting caught in a compromising clinch at the Duke’s ball, they have no choice but to announce their engagement.

But despite feeling like they’ve been forced  into it, they can’t deny their feelings and even when threatened at literal gunpoint, they stick together, proving a strong united front that will stand them in good stead as the Duke and Duchess of Northriding. 

A fun, frothy, spicy Regency romance with two strong willed protagonists destined to be together.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: A Bond of Fate – Stephanie Duley

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Welcome to the tour for A Bond of Fate by Stephanie Duley! Read on for more details!

A Bond of Fate

Publication Date: March 23, 2024

Genre: YA Fantasy

🗣️Witty Banter
💕Fated Mates
🥨Plot Twists
🐺Fey, Werewolves, & Vampires
🥰Love Triangle

“A Bond of Fate” presents a captivating narrative about two destined young mates in a world where supernatural beings coexist with humans. The tale follows the incredible journey of Evelyn Latham, a strong and self-reliant young woman, and Liam O’Leary, a compelling and resilient young man.

One fateful night, Evie and Liam’s paths cross, revealing an ancient prophecy that designates them as the world’s saviors. Unaware of a looming malevolent threat rising from Hell, endangering both humans and supernatural beings, they embark on a dangerous quest guided by destiny. Together, they seek to unravel their origins, unlock their latent powers, and confront the encroaching darkness.

As their bond strengthens, Evie and Liam navigate through the challenging landscapes of the Fey lands, facing formidable foes and battling their inner demons. To restore balance to the realms, they must embrace their true selves, wield their unique abilities, and confront the impending darkness.

This enchanting story blends romance, fantasy, and adventure, delving into themes of love, sacrifice, and the timeless clash between good and evil. Will Evie and Liam fulfill their destined roles, triumph over evil, and bring light to the world, or will darkness prevail, casting the realm into eternal gloom?

GET IT ON AMAZON

My thoughts: Evie is at her best friend’s wedding when she hits a strange massive dog or wolf and then a strange man shoots her in the head…or does he?

When she wakes up, things are very different, she’s discovering that she’s not quite human after all and is part of an ancient prophecy involving the fae and werewolves and vampires – oh, they’re all real. 

As Evie learns about the strange new powers she has and explores the bond between her and Liam –  all part of the prophecy, war is imminent and they’re running out of time.

Evie takes all the new information in her stride, even the stuff that seems completely impossible, mastering her new powers, adapting to everything thrown at her. Liam, despite having lived his whole life in this world, seems to be struggling more.

It’s the start of an action packed series, with missing parents, terrible creatures summoned to hunt the heroes down, love, jealousy and complicated relationships.

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*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Book Blitz: Death Gasp – Carter Pugh

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DeathGasp copy

If you enjoyed Death Rattle by Carter Pugh, you’re going to want to check out the newly released prequel, Death Gasp!

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Death Gasp (A Death Book Series Prequel Novella)

Publication Date: April 10, 2024

Genre: Horror/ Drama/ Suspense

TROPES:

🫀Dual POV
🫀Hidden Identity
🫀Prequel
🫀Romance
🫀Paranormal
🫀Twist Ending
🫀Spicy

TRIGGERS:

Abusive Relationship
Alcohol Abuse
Vehicular Manslaughter
Cheating
Explicit Sexual Scenes

“I felt like I wanted to run away, flee the feeling and situation. I wanted to run and hide somewhere safe until the storm was over, but I couldn’t because I was in the storm, and the storm was my life.”

You might think you know how her story ends, but looks can be deceiving. Plunge into the prequel to Death Rattle and learn more about Heather Dunn, the girl who died too soon.

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Blog Tour: Umbra – Amber Toro

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Umbra copy

We are celebrating the release of Amber Toro’s space opera UMBRA: Sentient Stars this week! Read on for more details!

1 COVER ONLY LARGE IMAGE

Umbra: Sentient Stars

Publication Date: April 24, 2024

Genre: Sci-Fi Fantasy/ Space Opera

✨Enemies-to-Lovers
✨Found Family
✨Multiple POVs
✨Intergalactic Adventure
✨Slow Burn
✨Militaristic Society
✨Fully Sentient Starships

Earth That Was has faded into myth. After millenia spent wandering, humans are no longer nomads. Twelve tribes stand allied under the United Tribal Axis; but there is a signal in the darkness that threatens to destroy everything.

All Skyla wanted after leaving the Navy was to be left alone. Just her ship, the stars, and a new adventure. But when a strange virus disables her ship, she is thrown into the middle of a conflict she doesn’t understand, forcing her to take on responsibilities she swore she never would again.

Hinata always followed the rules, honor above all else. He always won, until he didn’t. Sentenced to exile for his failures, he is determined to prove himself, until a mysterious woman arrives on his station and chaos threatens to break already fragile alliances.

Freyja was always angry, an outcast, playing the part of admiral and black ops operative. But she is tired of being a pawn in the Empress’ games and when she’s stranded on the wrong side of enemy lines after a vengeful battle, she’s forced to ally with her adversaries to clear her name.

A Rogue.
A Commander.
And an Admiral.
Brought together by circumstance, held together by duty.
Can they find a way to work together to save humanity?

GET IT ON AMAZON

About the Author

Amber Toro is the director of data science at a machine learning startup working to make the world a better place with AI. She is a big believer in using tech for good.

Always dreaming Amber writes epic sci-fi and fantasy.

Amber grew up in Seattle with a great love of the outdoors. She now calls Utah her home and when she is not writing or coding you can find her biking, hiking, and camping in the mountains with her amazing partner and two tiny humans, or curled up with a good sci-fi/fantasy book.

AMBER TORO

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Book Blitz: Scars of his Wrath – Zoey Ellis

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Scars of His Wrath copy

Happy release day and congratulations to author Zoey Ellis! Make sure you grab a copy of Scars of His Wrath today!

Scars of His Wrath full wrap

Scars of His Wrath

Publication Date: April 23, 2024

Genre Dark Romance/ Dark Fantasy

Bound by fate to the man she’s sworn to defy.

Revered for her magical ability, Naya is the most treasured omega in her parents’ empire. Her birth marked the arrival of peace in the land, and her people eagerly await her reign.

But Naya is haunted by a tragedy.

Finding her mate is the key to banishing the shadows plaguing her. Yet no matter how hard she searches, Naya can’t find the one who ignites the profound attraction her mate is destined to arouse.

Then one night, she is stolen.

Akoro, an alpha dominated by vengeance and violence, takes her to a distant land where her powers are useless. A cold-hearted king, he demands she help him conquer her empire.

Naya vows to safeguard her people, but she is horrified when Akoro awakens the primal craving that confirms he is her true mate.

Devastated, she endures his cruelty and growing obsession with her, certain they could never be together.

But Akoro has scars of his own.

His secrets might help her oppose him, but as she digs deeper, the desire between them erupts into an irresistible, heated torment.

Scars of His Wrath is book 1 in a steamy dark romance series set in a dark fantasy world. This book ends in a cliffhanger and contains dark romance situations. Please see author’s note for warnings. For fans of faithful alpha anti-heroes, omegaverse, and captive romances.

Purchase: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYCW5XB7

About the Author

Zoey Ellis is a Dark Romance author who unites Epic Fantasy and Omegaverse into intensely primal romances. With her signature blend of high steam, dark angst, and magical worlds, her work satisfies a thriving international community of bold-hearted, antihero lovers.
She lives in London, England, and spends most of her free time with family, collecting pretty fountain pen inks, and wrangling her TBR pile.

Zoey Ellis

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Book Blitz: Forever Reign – V.B. Lacy

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ForeverReign copy

Happy release day and congratulations to author V.B. Lacey! The final book in the Elementals of Iona duology is here!

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Forever Reign: An Elemental Magic Fantasy Romance (The Elementals of Iona Book 2)

Publication Date: April 23, 2024

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

✨Elemental Magic
✨Ballroom Scene
✨Touch HIM and 💀
✨He Falls First
✨No Spice Romance

Nothing could have prepared Sebastian and the elementals for what occurred on the beaches of Iona three months ago. In the aftermath of loss and betrayal, they’re left to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives, recovering in their separate corners of the world. That is, until the long-lost kingdom invites them back to their shores for a festival of peace.

Isolated to the spirit plane, Isla Vasileia has received a quest from the ancient gods.

Ever since Isla took the magic from the elementals, the balance of nature has been greatly altered. Violent disasters have wreaked havoc across the kingdoms, decimating villages and tearing families apart. To bring the world back into balance, what was taken must somehow be restored.

When Isla finds herself back on the beaches of Iona, she reunites with Bri, Sebastian, and the former elementals, and they are thrust into a world of secrecy, fear, and lies. Danger lurks around every corner, but so does new love and a chance for a happy ending. Isla is once again caught in a game amongst gods, racing against fate and time to save the kingdoms from destruction, forced to make a decision that will change her world forever.

One way or another, the end will come for all.

Forever Reign is the second and final book in the Elementals of Iona duology, an epic fantasy romance that follows the journey of a young woman overcoming loss and anxiety and four immortal beings learning how to forgive and love again after their dark past. This enemies-to-lovers series is full of morally grey characters, witty banter, unique elemental magic, romantic tension, and twists you won’t see coming. The Elementals of Iona duology is perfect for lovers of epic quests and character-driven stories, especially fans of Carissa Broadbent, Elise Kova, and Sarah J Maas.

Purchase: https://books2read.com/u/4N71v8

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Blog Tour: Back From the Dead – Heidi Amsinck

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A Missing person … a headless corpse … Jensen is on the case.

June, and as Copenhagen swelters under record temperatures, a headless corpse surfaces in the murky harbour, landing a new case on the desk of DI Henrik Jungersen, just as his holiday is about to start.

Elsewhere in the city, Syrian refugee Aziz Almasi, driver to Esben Nørregaard MP has vanished. Fearing a link to shady contacts from his past, Nørregaard appeals to crime reporter Jensen to investigate.

Could the body in the harbour be Aziz? Jensen turns to former lover Henrik for help. As events spiral dangerously out of control, they are thrown together once more in the pursuit of evil, in a case more twisted and, more dangerous than they could ever have imagined.

Heidi Amsinck won the Danish Criminal Academy’s Debut Award for My Name is Jensen (2021), the first book in a new series featuring Copenhagen reporter sleuth Jensen and her motley crew of helpers. She published her second Jensen novel, The Girl in Photo, in July 2022, with the third due out in February 2024.

A journalist by background, Heidi spent many years covering Britain for the Danish press, including a spell as London Correspondent for the broadsheet daily Jyllands-Posten. She has written numerous short stories for BBC Radio 4, such as the three-story sets Danish Noir, Copenhagen Confidential and Copenhagen Curios, all produced by Sweet Talk and featuring in her collection Last Train to Helsingør (2018).

Heidi’s work has been translated from the original English into Danish, German and Czech.

My thoughts: at first the case of the headless body that washes up in Copenhagen and the missing driver seem to be connected, but when the body isn’t the missing man, they appear to diverge.

But as Henrik and Jensen follow their investigations, strange things seem to connect the two, and then Jensen’s politician friend Esben admits that he’s been receiving death threats, serious ones, and finds footage of Aziz’s abduction on his CCTV system.

As the detectives close in on the killer and Jensen digs into who could be behind the kidnappings, things take a dangerous turn as a notorious figure drops in on Jensen and dangerous events take place.

Gripping, intelligent crime writing, with likeable characters and a clever, twisting plot that kept me hooked.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: The Maiden of Florence – Katherine Mezzacappa

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‘My defloration was talked about in all the courts of Europe. The Prince boasted of his prowess, even as preparations were being made for his wedding, as boldly as if he had ridden across that causeway with bloodstained sheet tied to his lance.’

1584, Italy: Twenty-year-old Giulia expects she will live and die incarcerated as a silk weaver within the walls of her Florentine orphanage, where she has never so much as glimpsed her own face. This all changes with the visit of the Medici family’s most trusted advisor, promising her a generous dowry and a husband if she agrees to a small sacrifice that will bring honour and glory to her native city.

Vincenzo Gonzaga, libertine heir to the dukedom of Mantua, wants to marry the Grand-Duke of Tuscany’s eldest daughter, but the rumours around his unconsummated first marriage must be
silenced first. Eager for a dynastic alliance that will be a bulwark against the threat of Protestant heresy beyond the Alps, the Pope and his cardinals turn a blind eye to a mortal sin.

A powerful #MeToo story of the Renaissance, based on true events.

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Katherine Mezzacappa is an Irish writer of mainly historical fiction, currently living in Italy. She has published several novels under pen names with publishers Bonnier Zaffre and eXtasy. She works as a manuscript assessor for The Literary Consultancy. Katherine reviews for Historical Novel Society’s quarterly journal and is one of the organisers of the Society’s 2022 UK conference.

In her spare time she volunteers with a used book charity of which she is a founder member.

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Giveaway to Win a vintage postcard, early 1900s, of the babies from the façade of the Innocenti orphanage. (Open INT)

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My thoughts: based on real events, this follows Guilia, a young woman raised in a Florentine orphanage and chosen to be the virgin offered up to prove the Prince of Mantua’s virility.

Used and abused by cruel men, Guilia finds happiness with the husband found for her by the politician Vinta, a man who has become obsessed with her and who spies on her family.

Writing her memoirs as a letter to the mother she never knew, Guilia’s story is one of tragedy and joy, moving and charming. She’s a true survivor and with her husband and children lives a good, virtuous life, as women of the Renaissance were expected to. But Vinta casts a long shadow and threatens her son, causing her to seek aid from the Grand Duke of Mantua – formerly the Prince she once thought she loved. Her story goes full circle.

Fascinating and filled with the detail of Italian life in the 16th century, as she was raised to weave, Guilia often comments on fabrics and designs.

The situation she is placed in as a young woman is shocking and not in keeping with the religiosity of the age, but since it’s all supposed to be secret, and bloodlines, heirs and wealth were so central to how the city states ran, it isn’t entirely surprising someone came up with this test.

While the real Guilia disappears from the historical record shortly after this, Katherine Mezzacappa brings her and her world vividly to life in this novel.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.


**Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box. 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 passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.**

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Blog Tour: Adiel and the Führer – Elyse Hoffman

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We’re thrilled to share another of Elyse Hoffman’s genre-blurring and thought-provoking stories. This one is called Adiel and the Führer and it’s now available!

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Adiel and the Führer: A Thought-Provoking Tale of Alternate History

Publication Date: April 20, 2024

Gere: Historical Fantasy

A chance to prevent the rise of Hitler… but at what cost?

Adiel Goldstein has a good life. Despite the anti-Semitism he faces as a German Jew, he has everything he wants. A dream job as an art professor, good friends, a loving father, and a precious nine-year-old daughter, Kaia. But his life is about to be upended. An old comrade from his time fighting in the Great War is gaining power: a man named Hitler. Adiel’s father insists that they need to leave the country before Hitler becomes the leader of Germany.

Adiel and his family plan to move to America, but before they can even pack their bags, he and Kaia make a shocking discovery. Adiel’s father, Natan Goldstein, is from the future. A Holocaust survivor who lost his family to unspeakable tragedy, Natan was given the chance to go back in time and take the life of Adolf Hitler. But when Natan failed to kill the future Führer, he devoted himself to his new family and awaited the inevitable.

Natan can’t face the Holocaust again, but Adiel’s unique connection to Hitler means he might be able to succeed where his father failed. Adiel now has a choice: escape as planned and let history repeat itself, or sacrifice everything to stop the Holocaust before it can begin.

Award winning author Elyse Hoffman has crafted a thought-provoking and daring work of historical fiction which will tug at your heartstrings.

Available on Amazon

About the Author

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Elyse Hoffman is an award-winning author who strives to tell historical tales with new twists. She loves to meld WWII and Jewish history with fantasy, folklore, and the paranormal. She has written six works of Holocaust historical fiction: The Barracks of the Holocaust five-book series and The Book of Uriel. Elyse’s books are the way to go if you love history and want to read some unique stories.

Elyse Hoffman

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Blog Tour: The Upper Crush – Evie Alexander

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He wasn’t banking on someone else taking the reins…

Lady Estelle Foxbrooke is done cleaning up the mess left by her wild parents. She’s got a plan: take the reins and save the family estate her way. But then she’s saddled with a business partner she’s
hated all her life. He’s her twin brother’s worst enemy and looms in her path like a six-foot-four hurdle.

After a catastrophic business failure, rich and successful James Hunter-Savage has watched his dream life in London crash and burn. Forced to ditch the city for the Somerset countryside, he’s now living with his parents and expected to work with the infuriatingly attractive Estelle. She’s sharper than a whip, pushes all his buttons, and seems determined to break him.

As Estelle and James jockey for position, their explosive personalities combust into passion, sending
Estelle’s plans to the edge of ruin. With James’s flimsy reputation in tatters, and the biggest event on the Foxbrooke calendar on the brink of collapse, will they realise their love is worth fighting for? Or
are their hearts and hard work heading for the ultimate fall?

The Upper Crush is a laugh-out-loud, enemies-to-lovers, steamy, standalone, small town romantic comedy with a fiery country girl giving a cocky city boy a run for his money. No cheating or cliffhanger, but snort-laughs, swoons and a deliciously happy ending guaranteed in this sparkling and sizzling romcom!

Direct from Author Books2Read


Evie Alexander is an award-winning author of sexy romantic comedies with a very British sense of humour.
Imaginative, passionate and frequently called ‘bonkers’ by her friends, Evie’s interests include reading, eating, swearing, saving the world, and dreaming about people who only exist between the pages of her books.
Evie lives in the West country of the UK with her family, where she pens her steamy stories from the Smut Hut.

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My thoughts: this was a fun, entertaining rom com set in Somerset, where Estelle Foxbrooke is trying to organise a music festival on her family’s estate. But the company that’s supposed to be sponsoring it is now under new management and she’s worried it’s going to all fall apart. 

The new CEO is her twin brother’s nemesis from school and in business. How on earth will they work together?

Of course sparks fly, and even her irritating unicorn slippers, horny dogs and Spice Girls cut out don’t seem to be driving James away. What’s a girl to do? Well, apparently fall madly in love with him, fall off her horse and after an almost endless series of misunderstandings and crossed wires, finally admit you were wrong.

It’s a lot of fun getting there, there’s some very steamy sex scenes, both have slightly bonkers parents (I think Estelle’s have the edge) and James really needs to get over himself first, but thankfully he does.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.