blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: Love & Other Human Errors – Bethany Clift

A book synopsis is fundamentally ridiculous. How can I possibly convey, in only 100 words, the events of the past year and their impact on my perfectly ordered existence?

It is insufficient space to accurately detail how I was blackmailed into demonstrating my flawless algorithm to find a soulmate, despite having no desire for one.

In my former life I avoided trivial human connections. I was alone, accomplished and brilliant.

Unfortunately, that solitary and driven woman no longer exists.

My name is Indiana Dylan and this is the extraordinary account of how I fell in love.

There: 100 words exactly.

My thoughts: I loved this funny, sweet book, I loved Indi and Jack and Lina and Connie and Bruce and Frank and Lina’s family and Peggy and Spider and of course Alan. I did not love Emily. She was a bitch.

Indiana is basically a genius, she’s designed an algorithm that can find anyone’s soulmate. And now she wants to sell it to JaneDoe, a tech company, so she can move on to her next project. Only people don’t do what you want. Cameron, the mean owner and CEO of JaneDoe forces Indi to be a human guinea pig and find her soulmate.

Her new friends Lina and Jack want to help her, Peggy, her brilliant assistant, wants to look after her, Frank and Alan who are basically her neighbours want to help her and look after her. She wants to be left alone.

I loved Indi’s determination, her resilience and her sadness, her life hasn’t been easy and she’s tried to bury it under her tech genius. But she’s lonely. And people need people. Once she starts to let people in, she changes and realises she doesn’t have to be alone anymore.

This was a lovely book, even the sad bits.

Also I’d like Mr & Mrs B to come and cook my Christmas Dinner this year please.

*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: One Last Day of Summer – Shari Low

As a flight to St Lucia leaves the runway, four passengers meet for the first time.
After escaping her controlling husband, Bernadette Manson is taking the first extravagant holiday of her new life. But when her best friend cancels, will she be strong enough to fly solo?
Tadgh Donovan is about to jet off to his destination wedding when he sees a shocking text. Has his bride-to-be written her wedding vows… or already broken them?
Hayley Ford is the wife of a top fertility specialist yet her battle to get pregnant has almost broken her marriage. Can a trip to the sun heal their relationship or should she brace for a crash landing?
Dev Robbins is crossing oceans to track down the woman he fell in love with at first sight. Will it be a one way trip to happy ever after or a return journey to singledom?
Purchase


Shari Low is the #1 bestselling author of over 30 novels, including My One Month Marriage and One Summer Sunrise and a collection of parenthood memories called Because Mummy Said So. She lives near Glasgow.

Facebook Twitter Instagram Newsletter
Bookbub

My thoughts: this was lots of fun, set mostly on a plane between Gatwick and Saint Lucia, four strangers are thrown together and during the flight share their secrets and worries, forming a bond like no other.

From Bernadette, determined to enjoy the rest of her life, to Dev who thinks he’s found The One on a one night stand, all 4 need some love and some advice from their new pals.

Funny, entertaining and charming, this is classic Shari Low and perfect for reading while lazing by the pool or on the sofa.

*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 Blast: Anything Could Happen – Lucy Diamond

A chance encounter in New York City. 

A great love story on the cusp of beginning. And then he was gone.

For Lara and her daughter Eliza, it has always been just the two of them. But when Eliza turns eighteen and wants to connect with her father, Lara is forced to admit a secret that she has been keeping from her daughter her whole life. Eliza needs answers – and so does Lara. Their journey to the truth will take them on a road trip across England and eventually to New York, where it all began. Dreams might have been broken and opportunities missed, but there are still surprises in store… 

Anything Could Happen is a warm, wise, funny and uplifting novel about love, second chances and the unexpected and extraordinary paths life can take us down.

My thoughts: this is a rather lovely story. All about second chances, family and finding where you’re meant to be.

After a brief romance in New York, Lara and Ben are separated by an unfortunate turn of events. 18 years later they are reunited. Is that spark still there?

I loved Lara and her kind but firm driving instructor ways, the way she worried about her clients, and her daughter. She had such a good heart. Ben was also rather sweet, with his map shop and a million (ok, three) sisters.

But Eliza was my favourite character – I wasn’t a particularly happy 18 year old but if I could do it again, I’d want to be as hopeful and sunny as Eliza was. Her one magical night in New York was funny and uplifting.

A fun, will they, won’t they, rom com with lots of heart.

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

books

Cover Reveal: The Cottage in the Highlands – Julie Shackman

When Leonie Baxter finds herself out of a job and out of a relationship, she’s at her wits end. Her life has just been turned upside down and she needs a plan, fast.

By chance, on a walk with her rescue puppy, Leonie stumbles across a striking house in the woods; fully furnished but unoccupied. As a journalist, she is determined to find out more, after all, reporting is in her nature.

But her attempts are thwarted by Lily Cruickshank who lives in the cottage next door. Why won’t Lily help Leonie? And who is the mysterious Flynn Talbot, whose letter Leonie finds inside the house?

And in uncovering the secrets of the abandoned house, will Leonie open her own heart and let love back into her life?

The brand new escapist story from the bestselling author of A Secret Scottish Escape and A Scottish Highland Surprise, for fans of Jo Thomas, Trisha Ashley and Cathy Bramley.

Pre-order Links: Amazon UK Amazon US Publication Date: 1st December

Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags. She is married, has two sons and has a Romanian rescue puppy, Cooper. The Cottage in the Highlands is Julie’s seventh novel.

Twitter Facebook Instagram

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: The Beekeeper at Elderflower Grove – Jaimie Admans

A new start is about to bee-gin!
Having moved into her mum’s spare room after a disastrous break-up, Kayleigh Harwood is desperate for a fresh start. When she sees an opening for a new beekeeper at the old manor house
at Elderflower Grove she jumps at the chance – despite not knowing a thing about bees…
The abandoned house holds a mystery of its own – the previous owner vanished years ago – and locals have been inventing stories about the manor ever since. Unable to resist the urge to look around, Kayleigh is shocked to find drop-dead-gorgeous gardener Carey living inside!
Carey explains that the house and surrounding land is at risk of being demolished, endangering the bees, and he has been staying there to protect it.
Convinced the secret of the house holds the key to saving Elderflower Grove’s bees, Kayleigh is prepared to do everything she can to help. But is she ready to find her own happy-ever-after too…?

Amazon UK Amazon US


Jaimie is a 36-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, watching horror movies, and drinking tea, although she’s
seriously considering marrying her coffee machine. She loves autumn and winter, and singing songs from musicals despite the fact she’s got the voice of a dying hyena. She hates spiders, hot weather,
and cheese & onion crisps. She spends far too much time on Twitter and owns too many pairs of boots. She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.
She is the author of several romantic comedies for HarperCollins – The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters, The Little Wedding Island, It’s a Wonderful Night, The Little Vintage Carousel by the Sea, Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm, The Little Bookshop of Love Stories, The Wishing Tree Beside the Shore, The Little Christmas Shop on Nutcracker Lane, The Post Box at the North Pole, and The Beekeeper at Elderflower Grove.

Twitter Facebook

My thoughts: I like bees, but I don’t think I could be a beekeeper like Kayleigh, they’re fine at a distance. But this was a lovely story about bees yes, but also about love, the past, and saving the natural world for the next generation, and the bees.

Kayleigh and Carey investigate the mystery of Elderflower Grove’s last resident, and the love letters they found in a secret room behind a bookcase. It was very much the sort of adventure I’d love to have. There’s a moment that brought back the trauma of My Girl, so be prepared.

There’s also lots of bee puns, a furious old lady who dresses as a bee, Kayleigh’s mum’s boyfriends, a friendly fox and the grounds are basically The Secret Garden all over again. Lovely.

*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 Way Back to You – James Bailey

When Simon reconnects with his first love Sylvie – the French pen pal he never met – he is determined to not let her go again.

Life may not be as straight-forward at sixty as it was at sixteen, but that won’t stop him.

Together with old school friend Ian, he sets off on the same bike ride – from Bristol to Bordeaux – that they attempted all those years ago.

But while they now have better bikes, more acceptable haircuts, and Google Maps, some things never change.

And it soon becomes clear that this trip will have even more bumps in the road than the first . . .

My thoughts: this was really fun, a clever road trip rom com, told from the male perspective and written by a man too. Which I really liked. Simon is 60, single after the death of his wife ten years before, running a very stressful B&B and in need of a change.

After an old school friend dies (I promise this book isn’t sad, there’s several laugh out loud moments) he and old pal Ian, decide to recreate a madcap adventure they had as boys and cycle to Bordeaux. Becoming MAMILs in the process (Middle Aged Men in Lycra – fetching, not!). They almost die a few times, and honestly it’s hilarious – there’s a bit where they camp out in a church and accidentally flash a congregation of French villagers and the priest.

I think the romance of letters, then emails, between Simon and Sylvie is very sweet but the real relationship here is the rekindled friendship between Simon and Ian – a bromance if you will. As they remember their teenage years, apologise for some terrible behaviour and bond in their adventures. There’s something very precious about friendships that last a lifetime, even when you don’t see each other for forty odd years in the middle.

*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: Note to Self – Anna Bell

It’s never too late to follow your heart.

One summer’s day seventeen years ago Edie and Joel meet.
Their connection is instant and a friendship is born, although Edie can’t help but wish for more. But just as she builds up the courage to lay her heart on the line, one night changes everything…

Edie’s moved on from the heartbreak of years ago. So the last thing she expects to receive on her thirty-fifth birthday is an email… from her eighteen-year-old self. As more emails arrive, she starts to remember what – or rather who – she left behind.

Following her own advice, Edie heads back to the place where it all began, and finds her path unexpectedly crossing with Joel’s once more. Could this finally be their chance at love? Or are some things better left in the past?

My thoughts: this was a fun concept for a rom com – emails set to be sent from your own past self, which inspire Edie to look up an old friend and take a few chances in life, and love.

As she starts to reconnect with the teenager she was before her mum’s sudden death, she starts to realise things need to change – from her job to her relationship. Reuniting with old friends and the man she once thought might be something special cause Edie a lot of confusion and then clarity. Fun and entertaining.

*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: Scotsman in the Stacks – Alana Oxford

Paige wants two things: to land a full time librarian job and find the man of her dreams. On the cusp of thirty, she finds herself suddenly single and working part-time in a Michigan library. A handsome patron with a delicious accent appears at the reference desk, inadvertently sparking an idea that
might help her land the promotion she so desperately needs. But that’s not the only thing he sparks.
James is in town from Glasgow, Scotland, on a summer artist residency. Luckily, the trip got him away from the pressure he feels to take over his uncle’s river tour business. He only wanted to clear his head and make his art in peace, but he wasn’t counting on finding an attractive librarian to fill his days.
With only eight weeks before James goes home to Scotland, Paige knows she should protect her heart. After all, she already wasted years with her commitmentphobe ex. But the more she gets to know James, the less she can stick to her plan to just be friends. Is she just wasting her time again, or can they bridge the ocean between them to find a happily ever after of their own?

Amazon UK Amazon US

Alana Oxford is a Michigan author of romcoms, sweet romance, and humorous
women’s fiction. She wants her stories to bring sunshine and smiles to her readers. She enjoys improv comedy, moody music, everything book related, and has an ongoing love affair with the United Kingdom.

Twitter Instagram Facebook TikTok

My thoughts: this was adorable and I love Paige, I might be a bit biased as a former librarian, because librarians are cool. But Paige also seems like a fun, clever person who loves good food (there’s a lot of food in this book) and knows how to have a good time. She’s also a great friend, there when her bestie Kayla really needs her.

Meeting a hunky Scottish artist at work is probably a fantasy for many, but for Paige it happens – James is in town on an art residency, he carves sculptures from wood and is one of several artists preparing for a show.

They start off as friends, Paige worried that a short term thing isn’t what she needs, love blooms between them and everything seems set for a happily ever after. But James receives a call that sends him home to Glasgow – will they find a way to be together?

I really enjoyed this quirky and entertaining book, I quite fancy the idea of visiting Michigan now too!

*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: Daisy’s French Farmhouse – Lorraine Wilson

Fly to France for the perfect summer getaway –without leaving your house!

This heartwarming, feel good read is perfect for fans of Lucy Coleman and Jo Thomas.
Escape to heaven…
Daisy has never been lucky in love, and when her love life implodes—again—she flees to France. A summer in the sun helping out at her friend Poppy’s guesthouse is the perfect way to put unsuitable men behind her!
When Daisy finds herself dog sitting for two loveable rescues they quickly wind their way into Daisy’s heart. The trouble is so does their owner – enigmatic widower and bookseller Anton! But she didn’t come to France fall for another unattainable man…
Can they honour the past and take a chance on the future?

Amazon UK
Amazon US

Lorraine Wilson writes flirty, feel-good fiction for One More Chapter – a division of HarperCollins – and is unashamedly fond of happy endings.
She splits her time between the South of France and is usually either writing or reading while being sat on, walked over or barked at by one of her growing band of rescue dogs.
Amazon Facebook Twitter Website

Giveaway to Win a L’OCCITANE Clary Sage Collection travel set (Open UK)
L’OCCITANE Clary Sage Collection travel set containing:
• 50ml Herbae par L’OCCITANE Clary Sage Shower Gel
• 50ml Herbae par L’OCCITANE Clary Sage Body Milk
• 100g Herbae par L’OCCITANE Clary Sage Scented Soap
• 30ml Herbae par L’OCCITANE Clary Sage Hand Cream
• in a L’OCCITANE cosmetic bag

My thoughts: this was a really enjoyable, summery book about starting over and it has plenty of canine chums in it and if you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know any book with a pet or six in it automatically is even better.

Daisy heads to the sunny South of France after a romantic entanglement goes wrong, to stay with her friend Poppy at the guesthouse she runs. While there she starts a dog walking business and meets romantic academic and widower Anton, and his dogs Pickle and Squeaker. As his dog walker, she’s around his home a lot and slowly they begin to fall in love. It’s a very sweet love story, with some steamy moments too, but the best bit is all the dogs as Poppy has several and her colleague JoJo has one very cheeky pooch as well.

I enjoyed this a lot, perfect sort of book for sunny days dreaming of a holiday.

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

*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 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.

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: A Little Hotel in Cornwall – Laura Briggs

All eight novellas in the UK bestselling series A LITTLE HOTEL IN CORNWALL are now available in one collection!

Follow aspiring young author Maisie Clark as she stumbles into a role as a maid in the
idyllic hotel by the sea, where there’s never a dull moment, from her quest to track down a reclusive English novelist, to her brush with jewel thieves and a whirlwind trip through Paris and London to name a few. All the while, she finds herself falling for the handsome and enigmatic groundskeeper Sidney Daniels. Could the key to unlocking her dreams be right in front of her?
This collection contains A Little Hotel in Cornwall, A Spirited Girl on Cornish Shores, Sea Holly and Mistletoe Kisses, The Cornish Secret of Summer’s Promise, A Train from Penzance to Paris, A Cornish
Daisy’s Kiss, A Stargazy Night Sky, and The Cornish Key to Happiness.
Purchase

Giveaway to Win a PB copy of A Little Hotel in Cornwall: Books 1-8 and a scarf with cover art from the series printed on it (Open to UK and US Only)

Laura Briggs is the author of several feel-good romance reads, including the Top 100 Amazon UK seller ‘A Wedding in Cornwall’. She has a fondness for vintage style dresses (especially ones with polka dots), and reads everything from Jane Austen to modern day mysteries. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, caring for her pets, gardening, and seeing the occasional movie or play.

Facebook Twitter

My thoughts: this is a delightful series of stories about aspiring author Maisie Clark and her adventures, mostly in Cornwall, as she tries to find reclusive author Alistair Davies in order to get him to agree to mentor her after missing out on a place on a prestigious writing course.

Due to a case of mistaken identity she ends up working at a Cornish hotel, where she encounters all sorts of people – roguish porters, charming gardeners, psychics, landed gentry, eccentrics of all types who holiday at Penharrow (the hotel) and indeed the staff too – everyone seems to have a secret or two, plenty of inspiration for a wannabe writer. I also really liked the idea for Maisie’s novel – it’s clever and I wish there was a copy of it!

She’s doing her best not to fall for Sidney Daniels, a kind hearted local resident who rescues stray dogs, helps out at various local events, tends the vicarage garden and has taken up being the painting hand of a paralysed friend. But even he has secrets, and they might make Maisie see him differently.

Funny, charming, sweet and entertaining, this is a lovely set of novellas, and worth getting the whole series for, I certainly found myself finishing one and starting the next very quickly.

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

*Terms and Conditions –UK & US 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 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.
a Rafflecopter giveaway