Tag: romance

blog tour, books, reviews

BBNYA Blog Tour: Clues to You – Claire Huston

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Clues to You was the winner of BBNYA 2024!

About BBNYA

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (16 in 2024) and one overall winner.
If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

One murder mystery weekend. Two rival sleuths.

They’re looking for answers. But will they find love?

Kate Brannon is delighted to be attending her first murder mystery weekend in a movie-worthy Victorian manor house. Still getting over being dumped, cracking the case would be a welcome boost to her flagging confidence. And the prize money wouldn’t hurt either.

But Kate’s dreams of victory become a nightmare with the arrival of Max Ravenscroft. Smart, enigmatic and annoyingly handsome, Max is Kate’s sleuthing nemesis. 

When she and Max are forced to work together, Kate despairs. But, as the investigation brings them closer, she finds being his partner in solving crime isn’t all bad. 

With growing suspicions that the game is rigged against them, can Kate and Max beat the odds to find the killer? And, as their partnership deepens, can they find romance too?

A sweet romantic comedy with a cosy mystery at its heart. Perfect for fans of Kathryn Freeman, Laura Jane Williams and Katie Fforde.

This rivals-to-lovers romance is a standalone romcom and part of the Love in the Comptons collection.

Amazon :  Canada  USA UK

Goodreads   The Story Graph

Claire Huston lives in Warwickshire, UK, with her husband and children. She writes uplifting modern love stories about characters who are meant for each other but need a little help to realise it.

A keen amateur baker, she enjoys making cakes, biscuits and brownies almost as much as eating them. You can find recipes for all the cakes mentioned in Art and Soul, her first novel, at clairehuston.co.uk along with over 150 other recipes. This is also where she talks about and reviews books.
You can also find Claire on various social media platforms. Find your favourite here

My thoughts:

A murder mystery weekend that leads to love! I really enjoyed this book, I loved Kate and her colourful outfits, she’s clever and funny and clearly a good friend putting up with Bella’s many absences from the event and her matchmaking antics.

She and Max have known each other for years but she always thought he didn’t like her, and vice versa. Thrown together for the weekend they discover their mistake and bond over crime novels and interrogating the actors playing the witnesses. Especially when they realise the man running the event is up to no good and out to prevent anyone from winning.

Working together, and even dealing with the appearance of Kate’s odious ex, draws them together and as they put together the clues, they realise they have more in common than just a love of classic crime.

Cute and funny, this is a lovely rom com, replete with moments of minor peril (trapped in a secret room anyone?) and thankfully a murder mystery with no actual murder (I read a lot of crime fiction too).

*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: Swiped – Paula Rogers

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Two rivals. One bet. First to fall in love wins . . .

For Nat Lane love is predictable. Controlled. Scientific. As the founder of a high-profile dating app, she is far more comfortable working on the data behind the dates than finding love herself.
Until her infuriating, but charming, business rival, Rami, publicly challenges her data.

To prove him wrong, Nat makes a bet: she’ll find her perfect match using her own dating app.
Rami must find a date the old-fashioned way.
First to find ‘the one’ wins.

But as the competition heats up, so does their chemistry. Until the lines between rivalry and romance begin to blur.
Nat set out to prove love is a science. But with Rami, it might just be something far more unpredictable . . .

Tropes:
🎉 Rivals-to-lovers
❤️ Slow burn
❤️ Heroine in STEM
❤️ Opposites attract
❤️ Grumpy x Sunshine
❤️ Opposites attract

Goodreads
Purchase

Paula Rogers is a twice BAFTA-nominated writer in video games, journalism, film, and television. Her work in print and radio has been featured by San Francisco’s KQED Public Radio, National Public Radio, the Third Coast International Audio Festival, and Salon. Her writing for screenplays and games has received awards from IndieCade, Austin Film Festival, and the Humanitas Prize. She was Lead Writer and Story Editor of the game Neo Cab, which was named one of the best titles of 2019 by the L.A. Times, The Washington Post, and Paste Magazine. She was a writer and narrative designer with Sweet Baby, Inc., a lead writer on the 2023 Tribeca award-winning game Goodbye Volcano High, and has worked on IP for Marvel, DC, and others. She is also the creator of the anti-dating app, rom-com webcomic, Blind Data, where she chronicles her dating experiences and draws the men as cats.

Instagram Website

My thoughts: This was a fun rom com set in San Francisco where two app developers make a rather public bet to find love – one, Nat, via her dating app, and the other, Rami, the old-fashioned way – in person.

Nat relies on data and analytics to match her with her “ideal” man and Rami has to speak to women in public and hopefully not scare them off. It’s a struggle for both of them, Nat’s been single a long time, and Rami isn’t the most confident man.

But their secret meet-ups to debrief have them discovering that they might have more in common than Nat’s app would believe. And it’s not long before they want to spend time together – not on terrible dates. Oops. 

Fun, funny and with two protagonists who come to realise the person you find utterly infuriating, might just be your person. 

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

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: Must Love Libraries and Libations – Maisy Magill

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We’re touring Must Love Libraries and Libations this week! If you love cozy fantasy, romance, and magic, this one’s for you!

Must Love Libraries and Libations (Moonshine Hollow Book 2)

Release Date: August 26, 2025

Genre: Cozy Fantasy Romance

  • Enemies to Lovers
  • Forced Proximity
  • She Falls First, He Falls Harder
  • Grumpy/Sunshine
  • Magical Library & Cozy Small Town
  • Protective Alpha with Hidden Soft Side
  • Magical Mishaps
  • Tiny Dragons (aka Bookwyrms!)
  • Found Family & Positive Female Friendships
  • HEA Guaranteed
  • She’s planning the party of the year.
  • He’s 1000% done with her sparkly ideas.

One grumpy gargoyle. One sunshine half-elf. And one epic clash that will go down in Moonshine Hollow history.

Half-elf Primrose Windsong is a walking ray of sunshine who’s never met a celebration she couldn’t make sparkle. As Moonshine Hollow’s most beloved party planner, she specializes in turning ordinary events into magical memories. When the village elders hire her to plan the library’s 111th birthday bash, she’s ready to pull out all the stops: enchanted cupcakes, ethereal decorations, and flower-scented fireworks that’ll light up the night.

There’s just one massive problem. The library’s intimidatingly gorgeous—and incredibly grumpy—gargoyle guardian is having none of it.

Erasmus has spent decades protecting the ancient tomes and mischievous bookwyrms of Moonshine Hollow’s magical library. The brooding gargoyle prefers his books properly bound, his silence undisturbed, and his temperamental magical tomes safely contained. Primrose’s glittery plans? Absolutely not happening.

But when every argument between them ends with flushed cheeks and sizzling glances, maybe there’s more to this crackling tension than meets the eye.

Will love bloom among the ancient scrolls, or will the library’s magical hijinks spell chaos for them both?

Must Love Libraries and Libations is book 2 in the enchanting cozy fantasy Moonshine Hollow series, but each novel in the series can be read as a stand-alone.

Perfect for lovers of steamy fantasy rom-com, romantasy, and cozy fantasy romance with a dash of spice! Fans of Heather Fawcett, J Penner, and Tee Harlowe will devour this super cozy but very passionate tale.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON 

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this cute and magical romance in a library and I really want a bookwyrm (like library-dwelling mini dragons) of my own, I’d call them Pratchett, as per the naming convention.

Erasmus is the gargoyle guardian of the library, his job is to contain all the rather wild spells and magic in the books so they don’t get out of hand, he also cares for the bookwyrms, feeding them and trying to keep them out of mischief. He’s grumpy, over five hundred years old and not one for parties.

But the library is 111 years old, which is a very special birthday, and the residents of Moonshine Hollow want to celebrate their beloved community space. So party planner Primrose is hired to get it all under way. If she can win over the Guardian gargoyle. 

Obviously, they bicker their way into being trapped in an enchanted room by a long-dead witch’s spell, they’re only released when they admit there’s more to their relationship than mutual dislike. And there’s lots of food and cute bookwyrms (I mentioned the bookwyrms, right?)

There are a couple of rather adult scenes, so don’t leave your copy where the kids can find it!

If you’re into whimsical romances between mythical creatures, then you’re going to want to read this.

IG: @authormaisymagill @rrbooktours

Tags:

#rrbooktours #rrbtMustLoveLibrariesandLibations​T​our #maisymagill #moonshinehollow #cozyfantasyromancebooks #cozyfantasyromance #cozyfantasyreads #cozyfantasybooks #cozyfantasy #fantasyromance #fantasyromancebooks #​b​ooktours

*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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Cover Reveal: The Pumpkin Patch – Charlie Dean

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Welcome to The Pumpkin Patch at Pickle Grove.

Andi is worried that her relationship with Drew has become dull and boring. They never do anything exciting these days, in or out of the bedroom. So when a swoon-worthy stranger appears she is instantly swept off her feet.

When they unexpectedly meet again, they realise they have more in common than they thought possible so draw up a pact to spice up their lives! The plan they conjure up while working together at The Pumpkin Patch, to make their partners jealous, brings them closer than ever.

Andi plucks up the courage to finish with Drew but there are no signs of Andrew doing the same and she thinks she’s lost him forever.

With meddling exes, misunderstandings and miscommunication getting in the way, can The Pumpkin Pact bring them back together?

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Book Blitz: Devoured – Sephyrra

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We’re celebrating the release of Devoured today, a horrormance by Sephyrra!

This is a dark one besties, so please read the content warnings carefully before diving in.

Devoured (The Primal Sins Collection Book 3)

Release Date: August 28, 2025

Genre: Horror Romance

  • Dark Romance
  • Psychological Horror
  • Monster Obsession
  • Haunted psychiatric hospital
  • Plus-size, over-35 BIPOC heroine (Pakistani-American)
  • Monster x human pairing
  • Silent, masked executioner (inspired by Pyramid Head)
  • Religious horror (sacrifices, rituals, twisted theology)
  • Power imbalance and forced proximity
  • Dubious consent
  • Hurt/comfort in brutal, obsessive ways
  • Monster obsession (he watches, stalks, protects)
  • Distorted memories, unreliable POV
  • Trauma bonding
  • Feminine Rage

There was nothing left for me. Only judgment.

St. Dymphna’s is where they lock up women like me. The ones who killed their husbands. The ones who won’t stop screaming. The ones nobody wants to remember exist.

But this place is wrong. Something lives in these walls—something ancient and hungry.

Then I saw him. Eight feet of scarred muscle behind a metal mask. Red eyes that burn through the dark. A nightmare that shouldn’t exist but does.

I was supposed to be another broken woman for the doctors to play with. Another meal for whatever feeds on guilt and madness here.

I should have been his perfect victim too.

But I didn’t break.

I bit back.

And he saw something in that darkness—something that made him stop. Something that made him watch instead of strike.

Now in this asylum where something ancient demands its sacrifices, where a masked monster decides who lives and who dies—I’m learning that some prey are more dangerous than their predators.

Horror romance with a plus-size heroine, enemies-to-lovers. Asylum horror drowning in gore, feminine rage, and obsession.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

Trigger Warnings:

This book contains intense, graphic content. Reader discretion advised.

  • Psychological and Emotional
  • PTSD, panic attacks, dissociation
  • Suicidal thoughts and self-harm
  • Gaslighting and emotional abuse
  • Unreliable reality / mental breakdown
  • Isolation, captivity, and forced compliance
  • Physical and Sexual Abuse
  • Domestic violence (on-page, prolonged)
  • Graphic physical assault and beatings
  • Non-consensual medical treatment
  • Dubious and coercive sexual situations
  • Power imbalance in erotic scenes
  • Graphic Violence and Gore
  • Knife violence and mutilation
  • Genital dismemberment
  • Detailed murder and body disposal
  • Fire/arson of abuser’s body
  • Bloodplay and ritual cutting
  • Institutional and Medical Horror
  • Psychiatric facility abuse
  • Forced sedation and restraint
  • Unethical therapy and manipulation
  • Staff as predators
  • Invasive, non-consensual procedures
  • Monster and Supernatural Themes
  • Body horror and transformation
  • Monster obsession / predatory behavior
  • Unclear reality vs hallucination
  • Religious horror and sacrificial rituals
  • Symbolic and literal possession
  • Heavy body horror (restraints, mutilation, transformation)
  • Mental illness, trauma, dissociation
  • Revenge murder (very graphic)
  • Stockholm syndrome themes
  • Cleansing through violence
  • Erotic horror and mental breakdowns

BOOK BLITZ ORGANIZED BY:

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Blog Tour: The Moon’s Fury – Leena Kazak

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We’re celebrating the release of The Moon’s Fury by Leena Kazak! Read it now on Kindle Unlimited or get it from your favorite retailer!

The Moon’s Fury (Moon and Sands #2)

Release Date: August 25, 2025

Genre: Romantasy

  • Three love stories
  • Forced proximity
  • Female rage
  • Political intrigue
  • One bed / one horse
  • Look at her and die
  • Mutual pining
  • Trauma rep

She was the moon. He was the night.

Together, they rise. Together, they fall.

In the wake of the eclipse and her father’s death, Layna’s dormant powers awaken with devastating force—wild, unpredictable, and impossible to hide. As she struggles to lead Alzahra as its new queen, whispers swirl about the infamous Moon Queen, threatening to expose a truth that could unravel everything. When vicious rumors ignite across the continent, moonlit fury simmers in her veins, and her control slips further from reach with each passing day.

Zarian has turned his back on the Medjai, determined to carve out a new future at Layna’s side. But the past clings to him like a shadow—and he carries secrets he’s never dared speak aloud. The world around him shifts like desert sands, uncertain and ever-changing, but one thing remains constant: his need to protect Layna, no matter the cost. But when an old friend resurfaces, Zarian is forced to confront a question he thought he’d already answered—can he truly leave the Medjai behind?

When dangerous forces rise against her, Layna is forced to flee Alzahra and hunted across the continent. She must face the rising storm inside her and uncover the truth behind her celestial light—even if it means setting fire to everything she’s fought to protect.

Will Layna harness her light and restore peace to the continent—or will her powers burn too bright to be contained?

The Moon’s Fury is the gripping second installment in the Moon & Sands series—a world-altering, unputdownable epic tale perfect for readers who crave immersive worldbuilding, flawed and complex characters, and jaw-dropping twists. Dive deeper into a realm where loyalty is tested, secrets unravel, and power always comes at a steep price.

GET IT HERE

BOOK TOUR ORGANIZED BY:

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Blog Tour: The Forest Hideaway – Sharon Gosling

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Saskia is building a home for herself out of the ruins of an old castle. Surrounded by forest, hidden away from everyone and everything, the place is special – it’s the only connection she has left to her father and it’s a hard-won chance to escape from her difficult past and create a new future. She’s spent her whole life trying to find a way to make this project work and finding someone to help her realise her dream has been almost impossible.
 
When local builder Owen finally signs up to manage the construction, things get off to a very bad start. But forced to find a way to work together, both realise that first impressions aren’t always the right ones, and when Owen discovers the forest is hiding a secret that could bring work to a halt, he realises he’s much more invested in the project – and Saskia – than he thought . . .

My thoughts: This was a really lovely book, about home and family and what that means to you. Saskia thinks her dad would have wanted her to build a new home inside the ruins of castle at Gair, but comes to realise she’s already home, in her tiny house in the woods. She’s not the only one who finds sanctuary amid the ancient trees and ruins.

Owen is her project manager, unhappy and struggling. His wife wants a divorce, and his priority is his young daughter. He needs steady work and a home, not something Gair offers with all the challenges set against it. He also finds Saskia annoying at first, seeing her as a spoilt rich kid with foolish plans.

As they both try to keep the development on track, against opposition that comes from suspiciously high up as well as local, they get to know each other better and realise they might have rushed to judgement – of each other, and of Gair.

*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: Fires of the Forsaken – Stephanie E. Donohue

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Welcome to the tour for Fires of the Forsaken by Stephanie E. Donohue! It’s an epic grimdark romantasy that’s basically like Game of Thrones meets Deadpool…with some extra swoon and Supernatural-esque lore!

Fires of the Forsaken (Across Time Book 1)

Release Date: May 2023

Genre: Sassy Romantic Fantasy

  • Grumpy x sunshine
  • Hot Viking warrior
  • Reluctant hero
  • Fight training
  • Banter
  • Mature (age 30+) FMC
  • Pop culture Easter eggs
  • Touch him and 💀
  • Found family
  • Action packed
  • Emotion focused spice (book 2)

She just wanted a gosh-darn pizza. The apocalypse had other ideas.

Addie did not have “getting plucked from the 21st century and thrown into the apocalypse” on her “things to do after work” checklist. Yet here she is, trapped in the hellscape known as Sakar–a world torn apart by a Celestial war. Now she’s dodging soulless Wraiths, getting chased by venomous horses, and trying her darndest to avoid a meltdown.

Thankfully, Cheriour, the gruff and grumpy commander of the human army takes her under his wing. He’s blunt, brutal, and socially awkward. Totally not Addie’s type.

So why does she find him so infuriatingly attractive?

As Addie’s connection with Cheriour grows so does the danger. Wraiths threaten to eliminate the last dregs of humanity and secrets about Addie’s past are about to surface that might just make her the key to saving everything… or destroying it.

Gritty, grimdark and laced with biting humor, Fires of the Forsaken is perfect for fans of Game of Thrones, Deadpool and Supernatural.

AVAILABLE HERE

Content warnings: violence/gore, sometimes disturbing imagery, scenes depicting the loss of family members/loved ones, scenes showcasing mental health issues (ie, anxiety, depression, etc.), and a very brief mention of violence toward a minor.

BOOK TOUR ORGANIZED BY:

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Cover Reveal: My Rock Star Neighbour – Kathy Strobos

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My Rock Star Neighbor

When a wary rock star and a cynical reporter fake date to bury a scandalous rumor, will true love be exposed as the real story?

Nick: I do my best songwriting while playing my guitar on the fire escape. Unfortunately, my in-bed-at-ten next-door neighbor, Maddie, is not a fan of my music. She clambers out on the fire escape to yell at me about making “noise.”  In bunny slippers, no less. But then she trips and falls into my arms. 

That photo of Maddie plastered all over me hits the papers, just as my dream recording company wants to sign my band. Which is a problem, because an obsessed fan is claiming that I’m her boyfriend and now the media is blowing up that I’m two-timing them both. Good-bye recording contract, unless….

Maddie: I’m supposed to cover the story. Not be the story! But when Nick begs me to fake date, I can’t resist the chance to be Nick’s girlfriend—even if fake—the opposite of my life as a city desk reporter. But my ex said I’m a terrible kisser, and there’s no way I want Mr. Hot Rock Star saying the same thing. Hence, clause 11 in our contract: There will be absolutely no physical contact.

Nick: When Maddie receives a threatening photo of the two of us with an X over her face, my desire to protect her suddenly feels all too real. It’s either a troll or her undercover investigation has been compromised. With both our careers at stake, is breaking up the only way to keep Maddie safe?

Pre-order now

Apple Books

Publication Date: 10th October 2025

Kathy Strobos is an award-winning author living in New York City with her husband and two children, amid a growing collection of books, toys, and dollhouses. She took a break from working as a lawyer to write romantic comedies full-time and get in shape. She is still working on getting in shape. 

Born and raised in Manhattan, she loves writing about New York City and her smart heroines who live and fall in love there, amidst its vibrant energy and the aroma of homemade chocolate chip cookies. She is the award-winning author of: A Scavenger Hunt for Hearts, Partner Pursuit, Is This for Real?, Caper Crush, My Book Boyfriend, Love Is an Art and My Secret Snowflake.  

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Cover Reveal: Fatebound – Amelia Cole

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We’re proud to present the cover for the final book in Druadan Legacy series by Amelia Cole!

Fatebound (Druadan Legacy Book 4)

Expected Release Date: Spring 2026

Genre: Dystopian/ Why Choose Romance

  • Dystopian
  • Deadly Trials
  • Reverse Harem
  • Epic Battles
  • Fated Mates
  • Final Book

Venovia is gone.

The air’s too toxic to breathe. ITM took everything: our cities, our homes, our future. What’s left of us fled to the sea on ships, waiting for a salvation that won’t come.

I thought it was over. That all I had left was Oriana, my riders, and the weight of everything we failed to save.

Then Marshal told me that my father was alive and might know a way to save us.

He’s on Canna Canna, a remote island no one talks about. Where the air is clean, and tribes of druadan riders have ruled and clashed for centuries. We go, chasing a whisper of hope.

There, I learn a druadan’s bond holds untapped power—power that could tip the odds in our favor. But nothing comes without a cost, and to unlock it, my riders and I must survive a gauntlet of brutal trials. Each one will test our strength, our loyalty, and above all, the love that binds us.

This is our last chance. If we fail, Venovia falls… and the rest of the world won’t be far behind.

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