Tag: books

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: The Intra-Earth Chronicles Book One: The Two Sisters – Kara Jacobson

ramblingmads

In the year 2444, two noble sisters, Sasha (15) and Adrianne (11), have survived a nuclear fallout, only to be torn apart.

The ground splits open and Adrianne is thrown from her horse, plummeting into the ravine. Spurned on by the hope that Adrianne lives, Sasha embarks on a journey through the desert to face the ravine that claimed her only sister. Meanwhile, deep within the earth, Adrianne is running for her life. She took something that did not belong to her.

In The Intra-Earth Chronicles; Book I: The Two Sisters by Kara Jacobson we experience a fast-paced fantasy adventure woven within the earth, and the unshakeable bond between two sisters.

Publisher: Atmosphere Press Available on Amazon

Kara Jacobson resides in the beautiful, rolling hills of Red Wing, MN with her husband and young son, Logan. She and her husband both work at the local hospital, where they first met. Born with an insatiable appetite for science fiction, Kara has always been intrigued with the notion of entire civilizations existing within the earth. She was a New Media Film Festival (2021) nominee for The Intra-Earth Chronicles, Book I: The Two Sisters.

Kara Jacobson

Giveaway: 5 signed copies of The Intra-Earth Chronicles; Book I: The Two Sisters to give away, and two $25 Visa Gift Cards!

My thoughts: this is a fun adventure for 8-12 year old readers, featuring two sisters fighting against the odds to find one another in a post-apocalyptic future.

Adrienne has fallen into a world beneath the Earth’s crust and is held prisoner, things are very different where she’s ended up and she struggles to escape their hold.

Her sister Sasha is racing towards her, confronted with dangers at every turn but determined to save the only person she has left. Sparky and brave, these sisters share a strong bond. Both will learn a lot about themselves in their adventures.

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

books

Cover Reveal: My Paris Romance – Olivia Spring

ramblingmads

Falling in love with a billionaire…

Cassie swore she’d never fall for another rich guy. Her heart has other ideas.

After a whirlwind holiday romance with hot billionaire Frenchman Nico, personal assistant Cassie receives an invitation to visit him in Paris.

Although she’d love a fairy-tale reunion, Cassie cannot fall for Nico. They live in different countries, come from different worlds, plus he’s more loaded than a bank vault. And after her rich ex and his snooty family left her feeling heartbroken and worthless, Cassie swore off dating wealthy guys. If she’d known Nico was France’s most eligible bachelor when they met, she’d never have got involved.

But their connection is undeniable and she’d be crazy not to see him again. If Cassie suppresses her feelings and just goes for the experience, she can avoid getting hurt, right?

Except when Nico sweeps her off her feet with a string of sexy, romantic dates around Paris, her plan not to fall in love unravels. She hopes he feels the same, but then a shocking revelation turns her world upside down…

Can they overcome their obstacles? And will Cassie get the happily-ever-after she’s been dreaming of?

Order this fun, steamy, fish-out-of-water, billionaire romantic comedy now and join Cassie in Paris to find out!

Read as a standalone novel or as book three in the My Ten-Year Crush series.

Amazon UK Amazon US Publication Date: 30th August 2022

Olivia Spring is a British, London-based writer of contemporary women’s fiction, sexy chick lit and romantic comedy. Her uplifting debut novel The Middle-Aged Virgin, which was released in 2018, deals with being newly single in your thirties and beyond, dating, relationships, love, sex and living life to the full.

In addition to The Middle-Aged Virgin, Olivia has published The Middle-Aged Virgin in Italy, Love Offline, Losing My Inhibitions, Only When It’s Love and the sequel When’s The Wedding? 

Olivia’s seventh novel, My Ten-Year Crush, was published in September 2021. Book two in the series, My Lucky Night followed in November 2021 and book three, My Paris Romance will be published in summer 2022.

When she’s not writing, Olivia can be found enjoying cupcakes and cocktails and of course, seeking inspiration for her next book!

Facebook Instagram Website Bookbub

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: Quicksand of Memory – Michael J Malone

ramblingmads

Jenna is trying to rebuild her life after a series of disastrous relationships. Luke is struggling to provide a safe, loving home for his deceased partner’s young son, following a devastating tragedy. When Jenna and Luke meet and fall in love, they are certain they can achieve the stability and happiness they both desperately need. And yet, someone is watching. Someone who has been scarred by past events. Someone who will stop at nothing to get revenge… Dark, unsettling and immensely moving, Quicksand of Memory is a chilling reminder that we are not only punished for our sins, but by them, and that memories left to blacken and sharpen over time are the perfect breeding ground for obsession, and murder…

Michael Malone is a prize-winning poet and author who was born and brought up in the heart of Burns’ country. He has published over 200 poems in literary magazines throughout the UK, including New Writing Scotland, Poetry Scotland and Markings. Blood Tears, his bestselling debut novel won the Pitlochry Prize from the Scottish Association of Writers. His psychological thriller, A Suitable Lie, was a number-one bestseller, and the critically acclaimed House of Spines, After He Died, In the Absence of Miracles and A Song of Isolation soon followed suit. A former Regional Sales Manager (Faber & Faber) he has also worked as an IFA and a bookseller. Michael lives in Ayr.

My thoughts: this was a brilliantly clever tale of the past, how we interpret our memories, those we choose to preserve, and redemption. Both Luke and Jenna are trying to build new lives, falling in love could be part of it, but there share a connection in the past and someone is determined to drag it all into the light and seek revenge.

It’s so subtly done – you feel sorry for the characters but then a new piece of information might change that, even Jamie, who isn’t a good person in this book, my opinion of him changed a few times, although not his sister, pulling his strings, she was a bit less multi-faceted. She refused to face up to reality, cherry picking her memories and believing everyone else to be lying. Her idol couldn’t slip from his pedestal, her warped view of the past caused a lot of harm.

Luke and Jenna were complicated people, Luke in particular had a pretty dark past and some things he wasn’t proud of, but in training as a therapist and in raising Nathan, he was trying to be a better man – to be someone his son could be proud of. Being dragged back into the messy history of his life before could destroy that. When he and Jenna realise what’s going on, they don’t seek to take revenge and cause more harm, because some things need to stay safely in the past.

Really interesting and compelling, I was rooting for them and for Nathan to have a happier time of it, losing his mum so young must have been awful. Thankfully it ends on a positive swing for him, and some of the other characters. After the repercussions of past events, you need the knowledge that things can change.

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

books

Cover Reveal: Just One Day Spring – Susan Buchanan

ramblingmads

Mum-of-three Louisa thought she only had her never-ending to-do list to worry about, but the arrival of a ghost from the recent past puts her in an untenable position. Can she navigate the difficult situation she’s in without their friendship becoming common knowledge or will it cause long-term damage to her marriage?

When a family member begins to suspect there’s more to her relationship with the new sous-chef than meets the eye, Louisa needs to think on her feet or she’ll dig herself into a deeper hole. But the cost of keeping her secret, not only from her husband, comes at a high price, one which tugs at her conscience.

With everyday niggles already causing a further rift between Louisa and husband Ronnie, will she manage to keep her family on track whilst her life spirals out of control? And when tragedy strikes, will Ronnie step up when she needs him most?

For fans of Fiona Gibson, Holly Martin and Jill Mansell.

Pre-order Publication Date: 17th May 2022

Susan Buchanan lives in Scotland with her husband, their two young children and a crazy Labrador called Benji. She has been reading since the age of four and had to get an adult library pass early as she had read the entire children’s section by the age of ten. 

Susan writes contemporary fiction, often set in Scotland, usually featuring travel, food or Christmas. When not working, writing, or caring for her two delightful cherubs, Susan loves reading (obviously), the theatre, quiz shows and eating out – not necessarily in that order!

Website Twitter Facebook Instagram

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: A Village Secret – Julie Houston

ramblingmads

When Jennifer goes up to Cambridge University with her head full of the Romantic Poets, she never dreams that she will find her very own Byron. But then she meets gorgeous actor Laurie Lewis, and finds herself living a real-life love poem.

Fifteen years and two children later, Jennifer and Laurie’s relationship is starting to feel more like an epic tragedy. After a series of revelations turn her world upside down, Jennifer will do anything to keep her family together – even if it means moving hundreds of miles away to Laurie’s childhood home in Westenbury, Yorkshire.

As she reluctantly enters into village life – complete with interfering in-laws, new friends and a surprise delivery of alpacas – Jennifer is amazed to find herself feeling happy for the first time in years. But the village holds one last, devastating secret.

KoBo Amazon

Julie Houston lives in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire where her novels are set, and her only claims to fame are that she teaches part-time at ‘Bridget Jones’ author Helen Fielding’s old junior school and her neighbour is ‘Chocolat’ author, Joanne Harris. Julie is married, with two adult children and a ridiculous Cockerpoo called Lincoln. She runs and swims because she’s been told it’s good for her, but would really prefer a glass of wine, a sun lounger and a jolly good book – preferably with Dev Patel in attendance.

Facebook Twitter Instagram

My thoughts: I love this series, it’s a lot of fun and although the characters from the other books are only briefly in this one, it’s still really enjoyable. Westenbury gets new residents and one old one – in the form of not particularly successful actor and total cad Laurie Lewis and his family, after he spends all of their money and loses a court case.

His wife Jenny is amazing but I don’t know why she puts up with his crap -she thinks she’s doing it for her kids but even they would rather have a happy divorced mother and not be trapped between two unhappy parents. Their daughter doesn’t even want to live with them.

Luckily Westenbury works its magic and Jenny starts to believe in herself a bit more, she starts to write a Regency romance, her son blossoms at the brilliant village school and even Laurie’s terrible secrets don’t do as much harm as they could. Although I still wanted to boot him into a cowpat repeatedly!

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

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: Last Seen Alive – Jane Bettany

ramblingmads

When Anna Matheson fails to collect her son from the babysitter after a works party, the police are swiftly called. Anna is a stickler for time and a good mother – she would never abandon her baby. Her disappearance is totally out of character and DI Isabel Blood and her team soon suspect foul play.

CCTV footage shows Anna was last seen at precisely 11.11pm, as she collected her coat to leave the party. But the cameras outside the venue have failed to pick up her exit from the car park – how could she have vanished in plain sight?

Rumour has it that Anna was set to make big changes in the workplace, and Isabel can’t help but think someone wanted her out of the way.

Everyone at the party is a suspect, and all the clues point to murder…

My thoughts: I like this series, I like Isabel and her team, especially Zoe, who came to the fore in this book, working as the FLO (Family Liaison Officer) and getting crucial information from the victim’s mother that helps steer the investigation in the right direction – towards a killer.

As the police gather information, and interview suspects, you’d think the killer would show themselves, give themselves away, but this one is stone cold.

There are some distractions for Isabel too – her son still hasn’t found a job or an idea of what to do, the family’s beloved dog disappears and her boss is breathing down her neck – wanting her in the office and not out investigating crimes.

The revelations keep coming about the victim – her baby’s father, her own father, she’s been well trained in keeping secrets by her mother, who has a fair few herself. But it’s time for them all to come out and allow the team to get some justice.

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

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: Broken – Anna Legat

ramblingmads

What if you lost the memory of who you are?
What if you had to pick up the loose ends of life that wasn’t yours?
What if you had to fight somebody else’s battles?
What would YOU do ?

Camilla’s life will never be the same after her beloved son Christopher is sent to prison .

Father Joseph’s faith is sorely tested when a deranged psychopath uses the sanctity of the confessional to gloat about his most heinous crimes.

Both Camilla and Joseph are paralysed by doubt and inaction.

But then their lives collide…

BROKEN explores where it takes a stranger to break through one’s bindings and inhibitions in order to do the right thing.
It is a story of a mother’s love for her son and a priest’s blind adherence to the seal of confession.
It is a story about Fate’s intervention.

Amazon UK Amazon US

Anna Legat is a Wiltshire-based author, best known for her DI Gillian Marsh murder mystery series. Murder isn’t the only thing on her mind. She dabbles in a wide variety of genres, ranging from dark humorous comedy, through magic realism to dystopian. A globe-trotter and Jack-of-all-trades, Anna has been an attorney, legal adviser, a silver-service waitress, a school teacher and a librarian. She has lived in far-flung places all over the world where she delighted in people-watching and collecting precious life experiences for her stories. Anna writes, reads, lives and breathes books and can no longer tell the difference between fact and fiction.

Facebook Instagram Twitter Website

My thoughts: this was very clever and went in a direction I couldn’t have guessed at. Camilla is a woman at war with herself, her son has committed a terrible crime and been imprisoned and she’s picking up the pieces by taking care of her grandson.

Meanwhile, Joseph, a Catholic priest, is making decisions about his future. He’s frightened of one of his parishioners, who uses the confessional to tell Joe all about the murders he’s committed. He seems to think he and the priest are one and the same.

After a shocking accident, things change for both Camilla and Joseph. But they don’t realise at first just how much. Both are seeking redemption.

This was a really clever premise and once it got going absolutely gripping, I wanted to see what they would do, how they would fix things, what new lives they might lead.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: What Next? – Shari Low

ramblingmads

Two weeks, four friends and one big bucket list of secrets to unravel…
Val Murray and her best friend, Josie had been planning a ‘Thelma and Louise’ bucket list style holiday.
Now Josie is gone, and Val needs to make the trip before it’s too late.
But Val doesn’t want to do it alone, so she enlists the help of her nieces, Carly and Carole, and their best pal, Jess, who jump at the chance to join Val on a trip of a lifetime.
What Val doesn’t realise is that Carly, Carole and Jess are all at turning points in their own lives, nursing crushing secrets, lies and betrayals.
Somewhere between Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York they all hit a crossroads and have to decide if they want to return to the lives they left behind or let Josie’s last wishes take them on a brand new adventure.
Purchase


Shari Low is the #1 bestselling author of over 25 novels, including One Day In Summer and My One Month Marriage and a collection of parenthood memories called Because Mummy Said So. She lives
near Glasgow.

Facebook Twitter Instagram
Newsletter Sign Up

My thoughts: this series is reliably funny and full of heart, and this might be my favourite yet! I certainly laughed out loud and trying to explain Auntie Val to my husband was not easy, he just looked confused. With Carly and the gang in tow, Auntie Val has rocked up from Glasgow for the trip of a lifetime, in honour of her best pal Josie.

There are movie themed crazy moments, a pair of granny pants on display, almost getting arrested in New York, actually getting arrested in LA, rescuing a woman in Sarah’s name in Las Vegas, and all manner of craziness.

The gang have grown up and their lives are changing as their kids fly the nest (straight to Carly’s house in some cases) and they’re adjusting to getting older. But the bond between them is strong, there’s adventures to be had and love to be cherished. A really fun, lovely read perfect to enjoy while eating all that Easter chocolate!

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

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: The Girls – Bella Osborne

ramblingmads

Four old friends. Thrown back together after forty years apart. What could possibly go wrong?
In the 1970s, The Girls were best friends sharing a house and good times: Zara the famous diva actor, Val the uptight solicitor, Jackie the wild child and Pauline the quirky introvert. Now they’re in their twilight years, and Zara suggests that they live with her to support each other through old age.
Initially, being housemates again is just as much fun as in their heyday. But then Zara reveals the real reason she asked them to move in with her, and suddenly things take a sinister turn.
As the women confront their demons they come under the spotlight of the press, the police and an angry parrot. With their lives spiralling out of control can they save their friendships and each other?

Kobo Amazon

Bella Osborne has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full length novel. In 2016, her debut novel, It Started At Sunset
Cottage, was shortlisted for the Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year and RNA Joan Hessayon New Writers Award. Bella’s stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at
you. She likes to find the humour in the darker moments of life and weaves these into her stories.
Bella believes that writing your own story really is the best fun ever, closely followed by talking, eating chocolate, drinking fizz and planning holidays. She lives in the Midlands, UK with her lovely husband and wonderful daughter, who thankfully, both accept her as she is (with mad morning hair and a penchant for skipping).
Follow Bella:
Twitter: @osborne_bella
Facebook: @BellaOsborneAuthor
Instagram: @bellaosborneauthor

My thoughts: this was interesting, I don’t think I’d want to be thrown together with people I hadn’t seen or spoken to in years like this. All the old scars and disagreements, the personality clashes are still there, but all of the characters are also pretty set in their ways and some find it harder than others to get along.

Zara is very manipulative, these are her oldest friends, the ones she claims she wants to spend however much time she has left with, but she’s playing a long game and has been for some time. She’s not really kind and has secrets of her own. Who makes their friends their staff.

Val doesn’t really want to be there, she went along with it for Pauline, who she can see has some pain and needs a supportive pal, rather than freewheeling Jackie who’s a little oblivious but not malicious.

There’s lots of secrets and years of their lives missing that they need to catch up on, but as the pals spend time in the French sunshine, they get distracted by other things, like Brian the cat, the obnoxious parrot, the overly chummy gardener and trying to riddle out Vera. It’s a fun book but lifelong friendships take a fair amount of work. Luckily this book is a nice gentle read and I really came to like Val and Pauline, even Jackie.

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

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: With This Kiss – Carrie Hope Fletcher

ramblingmads

If you knew how your love story ends, would you dare to begin?

From the outside, Lorelai is an ordinary young woman with a normal life. She loves reading, she works at the local cinema and she adores living with her best friend. But she carries a painful burden, something she’s kept hidden for years; whenever she kisses someone on the lips, she sees how they are going to die.

Lorelai has never known if she’s seeing what was always meant to be, or if her kiss is the thing that decides their destiny. And so, she hasn’t kissed anyone since she was eighteen.

Then she meets Grayson. Sweet, clever, funny Grayson. And for the first time in years she yearns for a man’s kiss. But she can’t…or can she? And if she does, should she try to intervene and change what she sees?

Spellbinding, magical and utterly original, With This Kiss is one love story you will never forget.

My thoughts: Lorelai avoids falling in love – when she kisses someone she can see how they’ll die, which is a pretty traumatic super power quite frankly and I don’t blame her for being wary. But then of course she meets the one person who could be the love of her life and runs away from him. Literally. Bits of this book are really funny, as is her hilarious best friend.

It’s also a sweet love story about finding the person you love and deciding to be with them regardless of any hardships that might come your way – which is what we all do really. It’s why the traditional marriage vows include “for better, for worse”, love is a decision. A risk, and one Lorelai realises she can take even if she knows how it ends.

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