Hello again!
Lovely to have you back again for another wonderful blog tour. Today we are celebrating All Shook Up by Chelsey Krause! We have an exciting extract and a GIVEAWAY!!! Without further ado, let's get stuck in and enjoy this glorious excerpt! Don't forget to enter the competition below too to be in with a chance of winning!
Lovely to have you back again for another wonderful blog tour. Today we are celebrating All Shook Up by Chelsey Krause! We have an exciting extract and a GIVEAWAY!!! Without further ado, let's get stuck in and enjoy this glorious excerpt! Don't forget to enter the competition below too to be in with a chance of winning!
Title:
All Shook Up
Author:
Chelsey Krause
Publisher:
Tryst Books
Release
Date: August 17, 2016
Genre:
Contemporary Romance
ISBN:
9781988387048
Natalie’s
world is shaken to its core when she discovers an old photo of a
woman who looks like her. Could this woman be related to her birth
mother, who put Natalie up for adoption as a baby? When she tracks
down the person who dumped the photo album at her thrift shop, she’s
shaken again. Especially when the gorgeous fire-fighting guitarist
offers to help her find the owner. They quickly become friends –
which is all they’ll be, as far as Natalie’s concerned. Her
rebellious youth turned her off cheating men, and the new Natalie is
looking for true love and a family of her own – something Casey
isn’t willing to provide. But how long can Natalie ignore her
undeniable attraction to the man with the Irish accent and the
broken-down ’57 Chevy?
In
Chelsey Krause’s second novel, friends become lovers over a
whirlwind summer of rockabilly rhythms, twirling skirts, and a
mystery that takes them hilariously far out of their element.
Add
to your TBR list: Goodreads
Pre-Order
Links: Amazon
| Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iTunes
| Google
Play
Excerpt:
I
stare up at the house for a moment, my hands shaking on the steering
wheel, wondering what I’ve got myself into. I do some breathing
exercises to calm down, pick up the box, and get out of the car. I
can barely stand, my legs are so wobbly.
Maybe
I’m working myself up over nothing. So what if the woman in the
picture looks like me? It could be a coincidence.
Or
maybe, just maybe…
I
walk slowly up the driveway and knock on the door, my heart racing.
After a couple of minutes, I knock again. Maybe they aren’t home?
Maybe they didn’t hear me? I try the doorbell.
After
a minute, I hear heavy, muffled footsteps.
Oh
god. I should have worn a better outfit. I quickly smooth my hair
with my free hand and stand a bit taller. Am I going to meet my birth
mother? Or, at the very least, an aunt or something? Or my
grandmother? Although, if someone cared enough to take these pictures
and put them in an album, why would they throw them away? Is that the
sort of person I want to meet?
The
door swings open. The person standing in front of me is most
definitely not a granny.
“Can
I help you?” he asks as he rubs his eyes.
“Oh,
I, umm…”
My
brain has stalled.
He
shouldn’t be the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. But for some
reason, he is. He looks like he’s in his late twenties, maybe early
thirties. He isn’t wearing anything that spectacular, just a plain
T-shirt and fleece pants. And his dark eyebrows are a bit thick for
my liking.
But
those lips…thin on top, full on the bottom, framed by a cleft chin
and dark stubble. And those brown eyes fringed with black lashes…
He
blinks. “Okay, then. Well, if that’s all…” He starts to close
the door.
“Does
this belong to you?” I yelp. I shove the box into his chest. He
takes a half step back and sneezes as the dust flies up around him.
He
frowns. “Is this the crap I took to the thrift store?” With a
confused look on his face, he hands the box back to me and crosses
his arms. He leans on the door frame, making his biceps strain
against his T-shirt. His entire left arm is covered in swirling blue
and green tattoos. “How did you find where I live?” he asks
cautiously. He has a hint of an accent. Scottish, maybe?
I
roll my eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself, I’m not stalking you.”
He
smirks. “Good. I’ve already got too many stalkers.”
About
Chelsey Krause:
Chelsey
Krause has a thing for thrift stores and used bookshops. A nurse,
wife, Starbucks addict, and mom to two children, she can often be
found repurposing other people’s junk or considering whether the
library would let her move in. The rest of the time, she’s
reviewing for Chicklit Club or writing. All
Shook Up
is her second novel.
Hi Gorgeous Reader!
Today it is my stop on the Blog Tour for One Last Summer at Hideaway Bay by Zoe Cook. I have an amazing Q&A with Zoe for you to read, but first let me share with you how gorgeous the cover is and what the book is about.
Lucy, hi. It’s Tom.
All I really want is
for readers to enjoy the story. If they happen to want to book a
holiday to Cornwall at the end of the book then I’ll consider that
a job well done. I grew up in Cornwall and it’s one of my favourite
places in the world. I wanted to set a book there partly so I could
imagine myself there for hours at a time while writing, so I really
hope I’ve captured even just a little of it’s very special beauty
in the book. I also hope that readers get a little swept away in the
romance of the book, it’s the kind of love story I grew up wishing
would happen to me!
Today it is my stop on the Blog Tour for One Last Summer at Hideaway Bay by Zoe Cook. I have an amazing Q&A with Zoe for you to read, but first let me share with you how gorgeous the cover is and what the book is about.
Lucy, hi. It’s Tom.
How are you? It’s been a while. I’ve been meaning to get in touch but it’s hard to know how to after so much time. I hear you’re doing really well up there. I knew you would be.
You should come here, you know, back to Hideaway bay. Come and see everyone, see how little it’s all changed. Feel the sand between your toes, the Cornish sea breeze on your face. When the sun hits the surf in that way it does, it’s as magical as ever.
That’s why I’m writing to you, actually. I want to get the gang back together again, one last time before…well…just one last time. You should come too. The four of us, a summer on the beach, like old times. We all want you here for it. I want you here for it. It’s been so long since I saw you.
I still think about you.
Tom
Awwww, doesn't that sound really beautiful? And intriguing! Sounds like it could have the potential to be a bit of a weepy, so i'm going to make sure I have the tissues to hand - just in case.
Right, well, I can't contain my excitement any longer, so let's go and meet up with Zoe and have a chat!
What inspired you
to write this book?
Work as a TV producer on Richard & Judy’s Book Club on Channel
4 involved selecting the books for their lists, and each year we had
to choose eight summer reads. These were the books that we thought
people should take away on holiday, or could at least read on the
tube and imagine they were away on holiday – and I fell in love
with these sunny, fun, fast-paced stories. I had an idea for a love
story set in Cornwall for a long time before I managed to actually
start writing anything, and the final push for me to get typing was
actually meeting the legendary and much missed Jackie Collins for an
interview for The TV Book Club in Beverly Hills. Her enthusiasm,
passion for writing, her inimitable writing style, and her absolutely
fabulous presence when we met really inspired me to finally start
writing my own book.
Who did you write
One Last Summer at Hideaway Bay for?
I think I wrote this
book for a younger me. I grew up on a (probably rather unhealthy)
diet of Dawson’s Creek, The OC and Disney films – it’s really
no wonder my ideas about romance were so out of kilter with reality.
I’ve always loved escapist, aspirational stories. I love delving
into new places with characters you grow to love. Most of all, I’m
really interested in those formative years in your twenties when
you’re chucked out into the world after education and finally have
to figure out who you want to be, and how to do it. I wanted to write
a book that brought together an amazing location, Cornwall, with a
coming of age drama, all set across one, unforgettable, summer.
What do you hope
readers will take from One Last Summer at Hideaway Bay?
All I really want is
for readers to enjoy the story. If they happen to want to book a
holiday to Cornwall at the end of the book then I’ll consider that
a job well done. I grew up in Cornwall and it’s one of my favourite
places in the world. I wanted to set a book there partly so I could
imagine myself there for hours at a time while writing, so I really
hope I’ve captured even just a little of it’s very special beauty
in the book. I also hope that readers get a little swept away in the
romance of the book, it’s the kind of love story I grew up wishing
would happen to me!
Do you almost
view Cornwall as a character in the book?
As well as being a
beautiful place, for me Cornwall in the book represents the ‘home’
we all have to leave behind – whether physically or metaphorically,
at some point in life when we are forced to grow up. For Lucy at the
start of the book, home has become somewhere to forget, and to move
on from. But as the story progresses and she’s drawn back there she
realises that you can’t ever really escape who you truly are, and
part of that is built on where you come from. In that sense, I hope
Cornwall adds a bit more than just sand and waves to the book, for me
it is definitely a defining part of the story.
The book begins
in London, in a very different world to Cornwall, did you enjoy being
able to write about a city too?
I’ve lived and
worked in London since leaving university and I love it. I also think
the contrast between Lucy’s two worlds in the book help us to see
how torn and tormented she is. A bit like Lucy, I think while
there’ll always be a part of my heart that belongs to Cornwall,
London has claimed its own piece now too, so it was great to be able
to write a bit of London into the story at the beginning.
Do you see more
stories set in Hideaway bay?
I’d definitely
like to return to Hideaway Bay, and there’s plenty more drama
waiting there I think!
Thank you so much Zoe for stopping by and having a chat with us all here at A Page of Fictional Love, I am so thrilled to have hosted for you. I wish you all the success with your book, and I can't wait to see what dramas unfold in the future! xxx
Ok, so, i'll let you catch your breath there whilst I share with you the rest of the stops on the tour, take some time and head over to the blogs and see what's lined up there. And be sure to come back soon, for more reviews and exclusives!
Hello Gorgeous!
Today is a day I've been looking forward to ever since I knew that Sarah Morgan was finally releasing the follow up book to Sleepless in Manhattan in the "From Manhattan with Love" series. It's my absolute pleasure to be hosting the book tour today on my blog, and I just can't wait for you to get your hands on this book!
Author | Sarah Morgan
Publisher | Harlequin UK (MIRA)
Purchase | Amazon
Publication Date | 14th July 2016
Source | Review Copy
Rating | 5/5
There is so much love in my heart for this book right now it's hard to know where to begin. Sarah Morgan NEVER fails to bring the most wonderfully storyline to life in the pages of her books (and I've been reading her work since I first read a Mills and Boon swoon-worthy romance by her years ago!). Sunset in Central Park will always hold a special place in my heart for many reasons, least of all the memories it evokes for me and my own romantic life.
The cover is just simply gorgeous, and the second I saw it I just had one of those happy moments when a treasured memory visits you. I marked the occasion by messaging a special someone saying "Guess what the cover reminds me of?" - granted it took us revisiting the place for it to all fall into place, but that's part of the magic really.
So in this book we meet up with Frankie, Eva and Paige again, although the focus is more on Frankie and Paige's brother Matt this time around. We still get our tastes teased with Paige and Eva's life, sadly Eva's grandmother passes away leaving Eva heartbroken and grief stricken, something I think a lot of us can empathise with. Paige is still getting her early nights with Jake ;-) and Eva is there to make us laugh as she talks about her non existent sex life - proven by the expired condom in her purse! There's always plenty of fun to be had with these three Urban Genie ladies!
Frankie hates romance and love and weddings and intimacy and sex - or so she thinks. Having been faced with bad experiences in the past and a mother who left scars on her that even a pair of glasses won't hide, she has to come to terms with her past so she can fully move into the future she deserves.
Matt thinks Frankie is gorgeous without her glasses as well as with them, he sees the real Frankie and he adores what he sees. He finally convinces her to go on a non-date. Their first non-date is in Central Park where they walk, talk and fight the chemistry. I absolutely ADORED this scene as for my first date I went to a park in our local area and my handsome guy actually said on our first date that walking there with me reminded him a little of Central Park (awwhhh!) :-) Frankie and Matt relax into each others company, even if at first she was nervous and said she might spill her coffee if she had one because she was shaking with nerves (Heads up Frankie, You did great girl, whereas I actually did spill my coffee through nerves on our first date!) and Frankie realised she loved spending time with Matt, and had the perfect date as the sun set in Central Park. But was it enough to heal the pain from her past???
Like all relationships, it's a case of trial and error, acceptance and compromise, and Matt is determined to never hurt Frankie. Frankie has to work through a lot of issues, and face challenges with Matt wanting to be there by her side to help support her, will she let him? Or will she let herself believe everything Mr D Minus told her years ago?
I urge you to grab yourself a copy now by pre-ordering it for 14th July, and discover how it all ends for Frankie and Matt. Sunset in Central Park will leave you breathless with a smile plastered on your face that will have everyone guessing.
So Sarah has done it again, writing yet another bestseller and already I'm hungry for Miracle on 5th Avenue where we get to peek closer into Eva's wardrobe... I mean life!
Thank you Sarah, for writing a book that will forever be in my heart as it captured the memories of my very own first date in our own personal version Central Park, that has a bridge almost identical to the one on the cover. You have become a part of our life that I will forever hold dear. Mwah!
Today is a day I've been looking forward to ever since I knew that Sarah Morgan was finally releasing the follow up book to Sleepless in Manhattan in the "From Manhattan with Love" series. It's my absolute pleasure to be hosting the book tour today on my blog, and I just can't wait for you to get your hands on this book!
Title | Sunset in Central Park
Author | Sarah Morgan
Publisher | Harlequin UK (MIRA)
Purchase | Amazon
Publication Date | 14th July 2016
Source | Review Copy
Rating | 5/5
True love can be hard to find. Even when it’s been right under your nose all along…
After witnessing the fallout of her parent’s divorce, love has never been a priority for garden designer Frankie Cole. The only man in her life is her friend Matt–but that’s strictly platonic. If only she found it easier to ignore the way he makes her heart race…
Matt Walker has loved Frankie for years but, has always played it cool. Until he uncovers new depths to the girl he’s known forever, and doesn’t want to wait a moment longer.
Matt knows Frankie has secrets and has buried them deep, but can he persuade her to kiss him under the Manhattan sunset?
There is so much love in my heart for this book right now it's hard to know where to begin. Sarah Morgan NEVER fails to bring the most wonderfully storyline to life in the pages of her books (and I've been reading her work since I first read a Mills and Boon swoon-worthy romance by her years ago!). Sunset in Central Park will always hold a special place in my heart for many reasons, least of all the memories it evokes for me and my own romantic life.
The cover is just simply gorgeous, and the second I saw it I just had one of those happy moments when a treasured memory visits you. I marked the occasion by messaging a special someone saying "Guess what the cover reminds me of?" - granted it took us revisiting the place for it to all fall into place, but that's part of the magic really.
So in this book we meet up with Frankie, Eva and Paige again, although the focus is more on Frankie and Paige's brother Matt this time around. We still get our tastes teased with Paige and Eva's life, sadly Eva's grandmother passes away leaving Eva heartbroken and grief stricken, something I think a lot of us can empathise with. Paige is still getting her early nights with Jake ;-) and Eva is there to make us laugh as she talks about her non existent sex life - proven by the expired condom in her purse! There's always plenty of fun to be had with these three Urban Genie ladies!
Frankie hates romance and love and weddings and intimacy and sex - or so she thinks. Having been faced with bad experiences in the past and a mother who left scars on her that even a pair of glasses won't hide, she has to come to terms with her past so she can fully move into the future she deserves.
Matt thinks Frankie is gorgeous without her glasses as well as with them, he sees the real Frankie and he adores what he sees. He finally convinces her to go on a non-date. Their first non-date is in Central Park where they walk, talk and fight the chemistry. I absolutely ADORED this scene as for my first date I went to a park in our local area and my handsome guy actually said on our first date that walking there with me reminded him a little of Central Park (awwhhh!) :-) Frankie and Matt relax into each others company, even if at first she was nervous and said she might spill her coffee if she had one because she was shaking with nerves (Heads up Frankie, You did great girl, whereas I actually did spill my coffee through nerves on our first date!) and Frankie realised she loved spending time with Matt, and had the perfect date as the sun set in Central Park. But was it enough to heal the pain from her past???
Like all relationships, it's a case of trial and error, acceptance and compromise, and Matt is determined to never hurt Frankie. Frankie has to work through a lot of issues, and face challenges with Matt wanting to be there by her side to help support her, will she let him? Or will she let herself believe everything Mr D Minus told her years ago?
I urge you to grab yourself a copy now by pre-ordering it for 14th July, and discover how it all ends for Frankie and Matt. Sunset in Central Park will leave you breathless with a smile plastered on your face that will have everyone guessing.
So Sarah has done it again, writing yet another bestseller and already I'm hungry for Miracle on 5th Avenue where we get to peek closer into Eva's wardrobe... I mean life!
Thank you Sarah, for writing a book that will forever be in my heart as it captured the memories of my very own first date in our own personal version Central Park, that has a bridge almost identical to the one on the cover. You have become a part of our life that I will forever hold dear. Mwah!
Hello Lovely!
How are you today? It's my 'day off' today so I'm sat in the garden writing this post for you. I have an epic book to bring to you today, and I wanted to slip it in under the "Wellness" category as well as "books" because I think it's so much more than a book.
I remember seeing a picture of this book when Ruth (publicist) shared it on Instagram and I was doing the whole "OMG I *have* to have this!" so when it arrived I was so eager to get stuck in because this is a topic that is SO close to my heart. Yet it was only once I began reading it that I realised just how dear to my heart it actually was. Just for the record, Mel, I cried tears of understanding, of sisterhood, of recognising myself in your words, and I swear you wrote this book for me.
The book is in bitesize eatable readable chunks that are so delicious you will swear that you're eating water melon as you go - I love it when a book on such a serious topic is light hearted and bitesize in it's chapters.
Mel begins by explaining how she got to the point of writing a book on wellness (aka - eating healthily for YOU) and living healthy. Of course if you are of my generation (I'm 27!) then you may remember Mel from Hollyoaks when her character was involved with Jake... remember him... the guy that Nancy was involved with after her sister Becca was.... yeah.. no??? Google and you'll see. Anyway, that's not important. Well it is. But it's 'not'.
So, Mel had me in my first lot of tears when she shared why she became so interested in health, when her father was diagnosed with Cancer and passed away, and she read upon the most intensive study into health conducted in China and found out so much. So she began implementing it into her own life to reduce her own risk of cancer and wanted to share this with others. hence her journey to studying and qualifying as a health coach.
If you have been a reader of my blog for a while now you will know that last year I lost my Auntie to cancer and to say that it took the wind out of my sails is an utter understatement. I think like anyone affected by this awful illness we tend to become almost obsessive in making sure we are as far away from cancer as we can be, avoidance or researching, anxiety for our own health (like me), or so focused on being healthy and living life. Without going much further into a personal and painful part of my life, the words Mel wrote helped me tremendously. It felt like someone finally understood it all from MY perspective. I know my friends and family around me "got" it, but Mel had the same fears as I did, only we both went about them in different ways.... until now - I'm coming full circle and meeting Mel on her pathway.
The book was a hit for me instantly from just this insight from Mel, but when she delved deeper into eating habits, it was like alarm bells going off for me. I didn't realise I went through a period of binge eating... I thought I was just over indulging a little... and I had no idea just how much of an emotional eater I can be.
I love that Mel is promoting what I term on my blog and coaching as "wellness NOT weight loss" because diets don't work.. in the long term, diets are the money making scheme of all time, diets are hellish, and they are not sustainable. They are guilt inducers, and food deprivers that do NOT have your overall health in their best interests.
Oh I could go on about how wonderful this book is and how it WILL change your perspective and help you focus on your wellness, but you seriously will only believe me when you've got yourself a copy and read it. I would NOT ever hesitate in re-reading and recommending this book to every woman I know.It's a permission slip - to be the woman and person you already are. It's allowing you to eat what feels good for you personally. So therefore it's so much more than just a book.
How are you today? It's my 'day off' today so I'm sat in the garden writing this post for you. I have an epic book to bring to you today, and I wanted to slip it in under the "Wellness" category as well as "books" because I think it's so much more than a book.
Title | The Goddess Revolution
Author | Mel Wells
Publisher | Hay House UK
Source | Review Copy
Purchase | Amazon UK
Rating | 5/5
If you've ever struggled with diets, food, body image or your weight, then The Goddess Revolution is your new handbook for life. Imagine how much you would fall in love with your life again if you weren't so consumed by negative thoughts about food, your weight and your body. Imagine if you could effortlessly find yourself at your perfect weight, in your perfect body and feel happier and freer around food than ever before.Former actress and model Mel Wells struggled with her body image and had an unhealthy relationship with food for many years. Realizing what a negative impact this was having on her health, her relationships, her work and pretty much all aspects of her life, Mel knew she had to heal. She devised a unique method to transform her relationship with food and shares the techniques she's learned in this book.Written with honesty and passion, The Goddess Revolution shows how it is possible to have a healthy, satisfying and guilt-free relationship with our bodies without any dieting or strict regimes. Tackling modern issues - including 'fitspiration' and the unrealistic strive for perfection caused by celebrity culture and magazine airbrushing - Mel shows us how we can truly start to show our body the love it deserves, take back our power around food and, in return, feel better than ever.
I remember seeing a picture of this book when Ruth (publicist) shared it on Instagram and I was doing the whole "OMG I *have* to have this!" so when it arrived I was so eager to get stuck in because this is a topic that is SO close to my heart. Yet it was only once I began reading it that I realised just how dear to my heart it actually was. Just for the record, Mel, I cried tears of understanding, of sisterhood, of recognising myself in your words, and I swear you wrote this book for me.
The book is in bitesize eatable readable chunks that are so delicious you will swear that you're eating water melon as you go - I love it when a book on such a serious topic is light hearted and bitesize in it's chapters.
Mel begins by explaining how she got to the point of writing a book on wellness (aka - eating healthily for YOU) and living healthy. Of course if you are of my generation (I'm 27!) then you may remember Mel from Hollyoaks when her character was involved with Jake... remember him... the guy that Nancy was involved with after her sister Becca was.... yeah.. no??? Google and you'll see. Anyway, that's not important. Well it is. But it's 'not'.
So, Mel had me in my first lot of tears when she shared why she became so interested in health, when her father was diagnosed with Cancer and passed away, and she read upon the most intensive study into health conducted in China and found out so much. So she began implementing it into her own life to reduce her own risk of cancer and wanted to share this with others. hence her journey to studying and qualifying as a health coach.
If you have been a reader of my blog for a while now you will know that last year I lost my Auntie to cancer and to say that it took the wind out of my sails is an utter understatement. I think like anyone affected by this awful illness we tend to become almost obsessive in making sure we are as far away from cancer as we can be, avoidance or researching, anxiety for our own health (like me), or so focused on being healthy and living life. Without going much further into a personal and painful part of my life, the words Mel wrote helped me tremendously. It felt like someone finally understood it all from MY perspective. I know my friends and family around me "got" it, but Mel had the same fears as I did, only we both went about them in different ways.... until now - I'm coming full circle and meeting Mel on her pathway.
The book was a hit for me instantly from just this insight from Mel, but when she delved deeper into eating habits, it was like alarm bells going off for me. I didn't realise I went through a period of binge eating... I thought I was just over indulging a little... and I had no idea just how much of an emotional eater I can be.
I love that Mel is promoting what I term on my blog and coaching as "wellness NOT weight loss" because diets don't work.. in the long term, diets are the money making scheme of all time, diets are hellish, and they are not sustainable. They are guilt inducers, and food deprivers that do NOT have your overall health in their best interests.
Oh I could go on about how wonderful this book is and how it WILL change your perspective and help you focus on your wellness, but you seriously will only believe me when you've got yourself a copy and read it. I would NOT ever hesitate in re-reading and recommending this book to every woman I know.It's a permission slip - to be the woman and person you already are. It's allowing you to eat what feels good for you personally. So therefore it's so much more than just a book.
Hello Lovely!
How are you today?
Today I've had a bit of a busy day. First I had work and then I came home, gave the house a tidy and hoover and finally got on with devouring the book I am reviewing for you today. It's part 1 of a series by Bella Osbourne who brought us It Started with Sunset Cottage last year, and I can tell you now, it is truly beautiful!
Author | Bella Osbourne
Publisher | HarperCollins UK, Avon
Source | Review Copy & Purchased
Purchase | Amazon UK
Rating | 5/5
Beth is running away. With her young son Leo to protect, Willow Cottage is the lifeline she so desperately needs. Overlooking the village green in a beautiful Cotswolds idyll, Beth sees a safe place for little Leo.When she finally uncovers the cottage from underneath the boughs of a weeping willow tree, Beth realises this is far more of a project than she bargained for and the locals are more than a little eccentric! A chance encounter with gruff Jack, who appears to be the only male in the village under thirty, leaves the two of them at odds but it’s not long before Beth realises that Jack has hidden talents that could help her repair more than just Willow Cottage.Over the course of four seasons, Beth realises that broken hearts can be mended, and sometimes love can be right under your nose…
Firstly, just how gorgeous is the cover?? I mean really, it couldn't get any more beautiful and inviting could it? The cover, for me, as I've mentioned many times before is what initially draws me to a book, and this one caught my eye instantly. Then I noted the author; Bella Osbourne and I just KNEW it was a "must read".
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours which lately is a huge achievement for me, and that for me testifies just how compelling the story line is.
Beth 'accidently' bids on the cottage at the auction house and quickly stands by her decision and is soon looking forward to moving in. But like all stories of true love, it never does run smoothly. Firstly, she and her son Leo can't find the cottage, then she meets a 'crazy old lady' Shirley, who I have to say made me giggle so much I nearly lost the contents of my cup of tea at one point! Beth soon meets Jack who I also found quite endearing - I do hope something sparkles there - I'm a hopeless romantic.
My laugh out loud moment came when Jack helped Beth discover if the cottage was 'watertight' - I shall leave you to enjoy that moment yourself.
Oh the entire book was just utterly scrumptious, and on World Chocolate Day, it was exactly what I needed! I must warn you though, make sure you have snacks handy because my mouth drooled at the mere mention of scones, bacon butties, and jacket potatoes! (perhaps I'm eating far too much salad like Beth!). I can barely wait for the second installment in October ( Willow Cottage 2 - Christmas Cheer) when we hit Christmas season, as I just know that at Willow Cottage, something beautiful, heart warming and deliciously romantically fun is bound to happen.
Well done Bella on writing another truly beautiful story, you've made my day, and this HAS to be one of my Top Reads for 2016 (and I've not read the following installments yet!) Willow Cottage has made me want to buy my very own cottage, renovate, embrace village life and have a bright pink front door! Although, I would need to find a symmetrical cottage (needle + haystack anyone??), and it would need to be bright, airy,..... wait... you're not interested in MY estate agent needs... quick go... shoo... buy this book today, and catch the Willow Cottage love-bug!
Easily awarding Willow Cottage (1) Sunshine & Secrets 5 out of 5 stars!
Hello Lovely!
How are you doing? I know it's been a long time since I last stopped by with some book talk but today, I'm really hoping that once you read my latest review you'll forgive me.
I've just finished reading a book by Katy Colins that was AHHHMAZING!!! It really was! So much so that even though I have book 2 on my kindle ready and waiting, I just HAD to HAVE a paperback copy. So that's what I did. I went out and bought the follow up book! It's rare that I do that, but this is one of those rare gems of a novel that I really loved and it really spoke to my tastes in fiction. So let's tell you all about it!
Publisher | Carina UK
Source | Review Copy
Purchase | Amazon
Rating | 5/5
This year it is time to find the place where you truly belong…
I hardly know where to start with this one because it was outstandingly brilliant from cover to cover. I love a storyline where the key character goes on a journey of discovery, either in travel terms, or within themselves, and this book I got both. I think a book becomes a part of you when you can relate and empathise with the characters. You can imagine the anguish they face, the pain they feel, the desire for change so passionately it almost consumes them, and you can definitely enjoy the journey with them - especially when it involves travelling to locations such as Thailand. I admit that before reading this book, I wasn't that fussed about whether or not I ever see Thailand with my own eyes, but now, I'm certainly open to the experience at some point in the future. For me, travelling is less about finding myself but more about sharing the journey and experience with people I love and care about. So we will see.
Now, let me give you a little insight into exactly what Destination Thailand is all about. Georgia is a lovely character, one that I could easily be friends with, and one that I could empathise with. Her entire world gets turned upside down when the man she thought she was going to spend the rest of her life with announces he's actually been seeing another woman and what do you know... she's pregnant. So heartbroken Georgia is lost, hurt, upset, angry and feeling all kinds of pain. THAT I can understand. Every woman has been hurt by the one (or sometimes more than one) man who actually didn't deserve her anyway, and whilst we know that in time we DO accept that and praise that because now we have the most amazing man in our lives and couldn't imagine life without them - Georgia has to find that out for herself. In Thailand.
Her trip isn't exactly smooth seas...I actually wonder just how many adventures/journeys we take actually are smooth sailing? But, every step that Georgia takes is hilarious. I love a good book that makes me smile, giggle and laugh - AND want more. The situations Georgia found herself in were comical, and jaw droppingly funny. For instance from getting a nipple piercing following a rather alcoholic night, to almost drowning because she couldn't use her snorkel properly (probably more terrifying than funny!), and then there was the time that ... No I'm not going to spoil it for you.
Katy Colins has created such a beautiful, inspiring and lovable character in Georgia and I'm tremendously excited that Georgia returns in Destination India, and Destination Chile. I for one can't wait to travel along with Georgia to India and then Chile. I just wish & hope that Georgia might travel a little more ...
How are you doing? I know it's been a long time since I last stopped by with some book talk but today, I'm really hoping that once you read my latest review you'll forgive me.
I've just finished reading a book by Katy Colins that was AHHHMAZING!!! It really was! So much so that even though I have book 2 on my kindle ready and waiting, I just HAD to HAVE a paperback copy. So that's what I did. I went out and bought the follow up book! It's rare that I do that, but this is one of those rare gems of a novel that I really loved and it really spoke to my tastes in fiction. So let's tell you all about it!
Title | Destination ThailandAuthor | Katy Colins
Publisher | Carina UK
Source | Review Copy
Purchase | Amazon
Rating | 5/5
What if you had a second chance… to find yourself?
Instead of slipping on her something borrowed and tripping up the aisle to wedded bliss, Georgia spends her big day crying into a warm Sex-on-the-Beach, wondering where it all went wrong.
Forced to make a bucket list of her new life goals by her best friend Marie, it’s not long before travel-virgin Georgia is packing her bags for a long-haul adventure to Thailand.
Yet, Georgia’s big adventure doesn’t seem to be going to plan. There's strange sights, smells, and eating bugs. Plus she seems to fall for every traveller scam there is. Maybe her family is right and she really is too naive to do this alone.
But the good thing about falling apart is that you can put yourself back together any way you please. And new Georgia might just be someone she can finally be proud of…
The new favourite series for fans of The Curvy Girls Club, the Shopaholic series and Eat, Pray, Love.
I hardly know where to start with this one because it was outstandingly brilliant from cover to cover. I love a storyline where the key character goes on a journey of discovery, either in travel terms, or within themselves, and this book I got both. I think a book becomes a part of you when you can relate and empathise with the characters. You can imagine the anguish they face, the pain they feel, the desire for change so passionately it almost consumes them, and you can definitely enjoy the journey with them - especially when it involves travelling to locations such as Thailand. I admit that before reading this book, I wasn't that fussed about whether or not I ever see Thailand with my own eyes, but now, I'm certainly open to the experience at some point in the future. For me, travelling is less about finding myself but more about sharing the journey and experience with people I love and care about. So we will see.
Now, let me give you a little insight into exactly what Destination Thailand is all about. Georgia is a lovely character, one that I could easily be friends with, and one that I could empathise with. Her entire world gets turned upside down when the man she thought she was going to spend the rest of her life with announces he's actually been seeing another woman and what do you know... she's pregnant. So heartbroken Georgia is lost, hurt, upset, angry and feeling all kinds of pain. THAT I can understand. Every woman has been hurt by the one (or sometimes more than one) man who actually didn't deserve her anyway, and whilst we know that in time we DO accept that and praise that because now we have the most amazing man in our lives and couldn't imagine life without them - Georgia has to find that out for herself. In Thailand.
Her trip isn't exactly smooth seas...I actually wonder just how many adventures/journeys we take actually are smooth sailing? But, every step that Georgia takes is hilarious. I love a good book that makes me smile, giggle and laugh - AND want more. The situations Georgia found herself in were comical, and jaw droppingly funny. For instance from getting a nipple piercing following a rather alcoholic night, to almost drowning because she couldn't use her snorkel properly (probably more terrifying than funny!), and then there was the time that ... No I'm not going to spoil it for you.
Katy Colins has created such a beautiful, inspiring and lovable character in Georgia and I'm tremendously excited that Georgia returns in Destination India, and Destination Chile. I for one can't wait to travel along with Georgia to India and then Chile. I just wish & hope that Georgia might travel a little more ...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
Social Icons