A Hex for Danger by Esme Addison

Aleksandra Daniels is slowly settling into the family business and learning to wield her hidden magic. Her happy life is threatened when a travelling artist is murdered and one of her small circle of friends is the prime suspect. While Alex's investigation is hampered by her boyfriend being the lead detective, it is further complicated by industrial espionage and magical interference. Has Alex cast her last spell?

I found this mystery well put together, with enough clues that it fitted together and enough red herrings to keep me guessing. The solution was clever and well written! Unfortunately, the ongoing story arc totally spoiled the first book (victim, murderer, motive), so heads up for that, this series should not be read out of order. The paranormal added an interesting twist but some of it felt a little confused; it’s definitely building up an ongoing story arc. 

The lead character really frustrated me - mostly on how her detective boyfriend sets down clear and sensible boundaries (both for her safety and his job) and she steps all over them, along with violating her family’s ethics, and doesn’t face any consequences in this book. It also annoyed me that everyone assumed Celeste's guilt over what seemed like very circumstantial evidence - which is fine for the town gossips, but I'd expect the police to look for actual evidence, especially with an incorrect arrest in recent memory.

Overall this was a good read and a well written mystery but there were a few things that bothered me and I'd suggest starting at the first book.

A Hex for Danger is available now in ebook or hard copy.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own

Blog Tour: The Ghost of Glendale by Natalie Kleinman

Can Phoebe and Duncan bring peace to a tortured soul…?

Having never been in love, twenty-four-year-old Phoebe Marcham has no interest in marriage. Fiercely independent, she spends her days helping to manage Glendale, her ancestral home — a centuries-old estate full of long-buried secrets.

While out riding, Phoebe crosses paths with Duncan Armstrong, a charming wanderer who has just returned from the Continent. Finding that they share a penchant for mystery, Phoebe shares the biggest enigma that haunts Glendale: the tortured ghost of her ancestor, Simon Marcham, who took a secret sadness to his grave.

Convinced that Simon’s soul will never be at rest until they uncover his secret, Phoebe and Duncan set about unravelling the riddles that he left behind. As they delve deeper, a story of heartbreak and intrigue soon starts to emerge.

Faced with the darkness of the past, Phoebe is determined to make the most of the future. And as she and Duncan grow closer, she soon begins to wonder whether she has at last met her fate…

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/3LyaR0

Review

What a delightful read! I've read a couple of books by this author and am always entertained by her stories and characters. I especially enjoyed the cast of this book - with a particular affection for Phoebe's aunt Sophia, whose thawing provides a most satisfying backdrop to the love stories in the foreground. It's the little details that land best, like Sophia's relationship with Phoebe's housekeeper Wiggins, who was Sophia's nursemaid back in the day. I also enjoyed the theme of reconciliation, though I will add no details to avoid spoilers.

Of course, I cannot neglect Phoebe and Duncan, who are well-matched and yet kept apart by their uncertainty of the other's feelings in a mismatch of misplaced courtesy. It was good to watch them grow closer though I am surprised their many friends and family did not lock them in a closet.

The titular ghost of Glendale Hall, Simon Marcham, is less of feature than you would think but no less a character because of that. He was woven into the story in an interestingly understated way and yet is pivotal to so many moments and relationships. I do feel the climax of his own story was a little bit drawn out over several revelations.

With my apologies to the northern hemisphere, this is the perfect book to read during the long hot days of summer (or those long cold nights of winter, while dreaming of summer). It's a sweet Regency romance with just a gentle touch of the paranormal and a hint of intrigue.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author; all opinions are my own

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Natalie’s passion for reading became a compulsion to write when she attended a ten-week course in creative writing some sixteen or so years ago. She takes delight in creating short stories of which more than forty have been published, but it was her lifelong love of Regency romance that led her to turn from contemporary romantic fiction to try her hand at her favourite genre. Raised on a diet of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, she is never happier than when immersed in an age of etiquette and manners, fashion and intrigue, all combined into a romping good tale. She lives on the London/Kent border, close to the capital’s plethora of museums and galleries which she uses for research as well as pleasure. A perfect day though is when she heads out of town to enjoy lunch by a pub on the river, any river, in company with her husband and friends.

Natalie is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association, the Society of Authors and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists.

You can find out more about Natalie on Twitter @NatKleinman, Facebook /NatalieKleinmanAuthor or on her Website nataliekleinman.com

Blog Tour: The Good Man by A S Kelly

Once upon a time, there was a solitary, grumpy man who would spend his days watching the world around him without ever attracting any attention to himself.

Once upon a time, there was a man who stood aside, imagining he could live someone else’s life and dreaming of something which would never be his; yet he wasn’t ready to give it up.

Once upon a time, there was a man who loved a woman. His only wish was to watch her achieve her dreams – without knowing that the only dream she ever wanted to achieve was him.

Once upon a time, there was a woman afraid that no one would ever be able to love her – without knowing that there was a man who had loved nothing but her for his entire life.

That man is me: Reid Johnson. And that woman is her: my deepest secret. Fine, so I have a few secrets – but it would be best not to reveal them, as they could take everything I have away from me. And without those secrets, I’d have nothing to dream of.

There are two things you should know about me before deciding whether or not to read this story:
I’ve never been the person everyone thinks I am.

I’ve never been the man she believes me to be.

Purchase Links
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zK7fRu
Apple: https://apple.co/3m4oZCd
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3oh1jxb
Nook: https://bit.ly/3CPvrE4

Review

Reid has loved Sloan for years. Mostly from afar, and sometimes up close. He's seen her marry another man, watched her raise her daughter, and never missed a delivery of his family's whiskey to her family's hotel. Sloan has loved him back for almost as long, but Reid has spent a long time pushing people away - even the woman his loves more than anything else. There's a lifetime of secrets and mistakes between them and a happy ending but Reid is having a hard time pretending he doesn't care.

When you start this book, you're going to think the title is a lie. Reid comes off as heartless and a bit mean - way too good for Sloan, a single mother just trying to raise her beloved daughter. Only as the book goes on do you realise that Reid has a giant heart that he hides behind impenetrable walls and he's hidden it so well, he's convinced himself. I found myself liking Reid more and more and he comes across as being on the autistic spectrum, which contrasts nicely with Sloan's physical disability. I might've wanted to shake them (seven years of politely dancing around each other!?) but I believed in their happy ending.

As the third in the series, there are a lot of characters to keep straight, but once you understand that Alex is sometimes called by his last name of Brennan, and the various sibling and romantic relationships, it's easy to get swept away in the comforting mess of family. Sloan's daughter Sam is the real MVP - wiser than the adults give her credit for and a real sweetheart, she always knows what to say.

I know a double POV told in first-person present tense may not be for everyone, but I found it an immersive experience, even with flashbacks.

Best enjoyed with a glass of whiskey or maybe a hot chocolate by the fire; come read about mutual pining growing into love and family.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own.

Author Bio
A. S. Kelly was born in Italy but lives in Ireland with her husband, two children and a cat named Oscar. She’s passionate about English literature, she’s a music lover and addicted to coffee. She spends her days in a small village North of Dublin, looking for inspiration for her next stories. Rainy Days is her debut novel.

Social Media Links 
Facebook: http://bit.ly/3jaBiLH
Twitter: https://twitter.com/askelly_writes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askelly_writes/
Newsletter: https://www.authoraskelly.com
Amazon page UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/A-S-Kelly/e/B06WVKZ3NX

Blog Tour: Cinderella and the Scarred Viscount by Sarah Mallory

An imperfect proposal… 

But a perfect match?

Major James Rossington, Viscount Austerfield, survived Waterloo, but can he survive the Season as London’s most eligible bachelor? Convinced his battle scars make him unlovable, and to escape Society’s matchmakers, Ross proposes a wedding in name only to shy, sensible Carenza Bettridge. Liberated from her cruel stepmother and bullying half-sisters, she blossoms into a confident, altogether desirable woman. He promised Carenza a convenient marriage, but inconveniently finds himself wanting more…

Purchase Links
Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cinderella-Scarred-Viscount-Mills-Historical-ebook/dp/B096T9Q35K
Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/Cinderella-Scarred-Viscount-Mills-Historical-ebook/dp/B096T9Q35K

Review

This was a delightful book with two leads I liked and could cheer for. Carenza is kind, efficient, and thinks nothing of sacrificing her future to look after her father. James is scarred in body and mind so thinks himself doomed to be alone, but sees a way he can help Carenza while keeping the matchmakers off his back. Of course they’re going to fall in love once they get over the mutual pining!

While definitely a Cinderella story, there were obviously Beauty and the Beast vibes, in part influenced by how Carenza‘s father is still alive - and uncomfortably aware of how he has failed his eldest daughter, which adds an interesting dimension to their courtship.

It’s an easy to read and wonderfully paced Regency rendition of Cinderella, best enjoyed with a glass of whatever you want because your life is yours to live!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel’s Random Resources; all opinions are my own  

Author Bio

Sarah Mallory is an award-winning author who has published more than 30 historical romances with Harlequin Mills & Boon. She loves history, especially the Georgian and Regency. She won the prestigious RoNA Rose Award from the Romantic Novelists Association in 2012 and 2013. Sarah also writes romantic historical adventures as Melinda Hammond. Sarah lived for many years on the Yorkshire Pennines, taking inspiration from the wild and rugged moors. Then in 2018 she fell in love with Scotland and ran away to live on the rugged North West Coast, which is proving even more inspiring.

Social Media Links
www.sarahmallory.com
Twistter -  @SarahMRomance

Publication Day: Beauty And The Reclusive Millionaire by Rachael Stewart (with giveaway!)

An unforgettable Greek escape…with the man she never forgot! 

A-list actress Catherine Wilde has it all, but behind closed doors she is fighting personal battles. So the chance to escape to the private Greek island of her best friend’s brother, Alaric, offers the tranquility she craves. Except seeing Alaric again sets her heart rate soaring. Life might have changed him, but he can still make her feel alive—and when the torch she once held for him reignites, it’s impossible to ignore!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/BeautyAndRecluse

Review

Fleeing from the spotlight, Catherine Wilde opts to spend a month on the private Greek island owned by her best friend's brother. Alaric retreated from the world three years ago after a tragic accident, but Catherine's visit might be the push he needs to live life again - with Catherine at his side.

Quick warning here for a recent miscarriage and exploration with some of the aftermath, along with some disordered eating that is explicitly addressed.

I enjoyed this book! It's a snippet of sun-soaked paradise as two hurting people find the strength to move on. Catherine's neglectful childhood did not set her up to handle success in a healthy manner and Alaric is dealing with a hefty dose of survivor's guilt that has him pushing everyone away. He's a bit of a jerk at first, but it's pretty understandable given the circumstances.

Alaric's staff, especially Dorothea the cook, are hilarious - sometimes a literal Greek chorus doing their very best to fan the romantic sparks into flames from the sidelines! They help relieve some of the sizzling tension between Catherine and Alaric, injecting some common sense into the scenario.

I would've loved to see a bit more resolution around some of the issues they were dealing with in the first place, but the focus is rightly on the romance. If you can't make it to an idyllic Greek island, enjoy this one with a nice glass of red wine.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Reviews; all opinions are my own

Author Bio

Rachael Stewart adores conjuring up stories, from heartwarmingly romantic to wildly erotic. She's been writing since she could put pen to paper as the stacks of scrawled-on pages in her loft will attest to. A Welsh lass at heart, she now lives in Yorkshire with her very own hero and three awesome kids, and if she's not tapping out a story, she's wrapped up in them or enjoying the great outdoors.

Social Media Links
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rachaelstewartauthor/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/rach_b52
Website - https://rachaelstewartauthor.com/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rachaelstewart3/

Giveaway to Win a prize including 3 Rachael Stewart Paperbacks, Heart Post Its and more (Open INT)
Prize Contains:
3 x paperbacks:
•    Tempted by the Tycoon’s Proposal
•    Surprise Reunion with His Cinderella
•    Beauty And The Reclusive Millionaire
And:
•    Cute Sloth Coffee Cup Place Mat
•    Novelty Pen
•    Heart Post-Its

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide 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 I reserve 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 I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
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Blog Tour: The Viking's Stolen Princess by Sarah Rodi

A kidnapped royal…

 Could be the Viking's undoing!

After Brand Ivarsson of Kald abducts Anne of Termarth on the eve of her wedding, the Viking’s consumed with only one thing: revenge against her loathsome betrothed. But confronted with the stunning princess, so foreign to his world, Brand’s captivated not only by her beauty, but by her spirit and her kindness. Is Anne his prisoner…or is she the one who’s captured his scarred heart?

Purchase Links
Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B096TBKQ7D
Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B096TBKQ7D

Review

A good romance helps both leads become better people and that's exactly what happens here. Princess Anne of Termarth has led an incredibly sheltered life until Brand Ivarsson sneaks into her father's castle and kidnaps her in a plot against her betrothed. Brand is obsessed with vengeance but Anne helps him see there is more to life and in return he opens her eyes to the world outside.

Despite her neglected childhood, Anne is unwaveringly kind to the people around her - even when it threatens to get her in trouble, and it comes back to her time and time again proving that goodness really is a superpower. Brand is laser focussed on his revenge and caring for his people to the point of being a bit of a jerk to Anne at first, but it's a delight to see them open up to each other. 

There's a lot of obstacles - he was a Dane, she was a Saxon, can I make it any more obvious? But this is an enjoyable story about two very different people connecting across cultural barriers when each need it most. The resolution does feel a little bit too easy given the setting, but it does tie everything up neatly. I hope Svea also gets a happy ending soon!

Best enjoyed with a stein of beer or out on a windswept cliff for the full effect.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

Follow Sarah Rodi on Twitter - https://twitter.com/sarahrodiedits

Blog Tour: The Knight's Convenient Alliance by Melissa Olivier (with giveaway!)

The only man who’s tempted her…Now poses as her husband! 

When an injured knight arrives on Brida O’Conaill’s doorstep, the village assumes he’s her long-lost husband. But her only previous connection to Sir Thomas Lovent was an intense shared moment at a tournament years ago. Brida maintains the pretence while she nurses him, yet once he’s back to full, virile health, she cannot reveal Thomas is not her husband—or that she’s unmarried!—when everyone is expecting them to act like husband and wife…

Purchase Links
@MillsandBoon - https://bit.ly/3txlhol
@HarlequinBooks - https://bit.ly/3jNRAvO
Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/3haohBT
Amazon US- https://amzn.to/3kWAMlL

Review

For the last three years, Brida O'Connaill has been pretending to be married. When Sir Thomas Lovent arrives on her doorstep, injured and delirious, her neighbours naturally assume he's her husband, finally home. Unfortunately, Tom's attackers are on his tail and it's up to him and Brida to race to Wales to foil a plot against their king.

Brida and Tom's witty banter sparkles as it flies off the page, striking sparks between them, and their attraction is undeniable. It's no surprise that people believe Brida's ruse and helped me believe in their relationship going from irritating acquaintances to friends to lovers. They both carry heavy pasts, though I didn't really get what was up with Brida and the prophecy. Tom is a little easier to understand, even if he did get rather overprotective at times. It was nice to see them bond over shared aspects of their pain, though I feel some of this could've been explored more

The book is stuffed with plot in order to get Tom to Brida and to get them moving and then together. There's also a number of supporting characters from previous books and admit a degree of ignorance about this period of British history so I don't know which, if any, are historical figures. In any case, it's easy to sit back and let the action carry you along, as well as enjoy cameos from previous leads.

Overall, it's an entertaining romance much in the vein of the others in the series. Best enjoyed with a cup of tea where you won't be disturbed.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

Author Bio 

Melissa Oliver is from south-west London where she writes historical romance novels. She lives with her lovely husband and daughters, who share her passion for decrepit, old castles, palaces and all things historical.

Melissa is the WINNER of The Romantic Novelist Association's Joan Hessayon Award for new writers 2020 for her debut, The Rebel Heiress and the Knight.

When she's not writing she loves to travel for inspiration, paint, and visit museums & art galleries.

Social Media Links
Twitter @melissaoauthor
Facebook @melissaoliverauthor
https://www.instagram.com/melissaoliverauthor/?hl=en

Giveaway to Win 3 x PB copies of The Knight's Convenient Alliance  (Open INT)
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide 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.
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Blog Tour: Girl in Trouble and Girl at Christmas by Rhoda Baxter (with giveaway!)

Girl In Trouble

Olivia doesn't believe in happy families. She can't trust men to be reliable, so she’d rather manage without one. As for kids - she's never having those.

Marine biologist Walter is losing his daughter. He longs for a second chance to prove he can be a reliable dad.

When Olivia discovers she's pregnant by her douchebag ex, Walter finally sees a way to be more than just a friend-with-benefits to her.

But how can he persuade the most independent woman he's ever met to accept his help, let alone his heart?

Girl In Trouble is a standalone novel in the award nominated Smart Girls series. If you like warm, witty, women's fiction, you'll love this book. Ideal for fans of Meg Cabot or Jennifer Crusie. 

Purchase Link - https://books2read.com/u/4Doy6r

Review

Third in the Smart Girls series but perfectly standalone, this book once again goes heavier than the previous instalments. Content warnings for discussion of abortion, miscarriage, and pregnancy-related trauma, so if any of those trigger you, this book may not be for you.

Having said that, I quite enjoyed this book despite a difficult storyline and a bit that made me cry. Walter and Olivia each have a ton of baggage that isn't immediately apparent and I like how their relationship forces them to unpack their own biases. Different though they might be, by the end of the book I was convinced that they would be able to make it work.

I also loved that the book didn't demonise Walter's ex. Also, his daughter Emily is adorable. There was a great cast of supporting characters - if only Will got a further comeuppance!

Best enjoyed with a hot drink and possibly a pack of tissues. Slip your feet into some cosy boots and read about other people dealing with their problems as a direct result of falling in love!

Girl at Christmas

Tammy is normally at her happiest at Christmas, but she's been dumped by her long term partner, with no real explanation... and her Christmas looks pretty bleak.

Lawrence has just been told he has an inherited heart condition... and he's not allowed to eat too many mince pies. Not exactly a recipe for a great holiday.

With time running out for Lawrence, will he tell Tammy how he feels before it's too late?
- Plus sized hero
- British Asian heroine
- Romance in a microbiology lab
- All the Christmas feels

Girl At Christmas is a standalone novella in the award nominated Smart Girls series. If you like heartwarming, sweet romance and an unusual chubby hero, it's the perfect book for you. Buy Girl At Christmas and reclaim the holiday spirit today!

Girl At Christmas - FREE when you sign up to Rhoda Baxter’s newsletter!  https://www.subscribepage.com/q3x1y8_copy

Review

Girl at Christmas is the perfect cosy Christmas short story where two work colleagues discover they might be falling in love during what they thought would be their worst Christmas ever - Lawrence has been told to go on a diet and Tammy has just been dumped. It might be short but it is really adorable and packs the right amount of plot and angst (some but not too much) to balance out the festive sweetness. I wasn't thrilled with the medical and internalised fatshaming and use of BMI but everything else was so good. Lawrence is such a gentleman and wonder of wonders, he and Tammy actually talk to each other!

Best enjoyed with a festive cocktail and your dancing shoes because it's totally the season to be getting merry.

Disclaimer: I received these books from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

Author Bio
Rhoda Baxter writes romantic comedies about people who make her laugh. A microbiologist by training, Rhoda loves all things science geeky. She also loves cake, crochet and playing with Lego. You can find out more about her (and get a free book by signing up to her newsletter) on her website. 

Social Media Links
Websites: www.rhodabaxter.com
Twitter: @rhodabaxter
Facebook page: https://en-gb.facebook.com/RhodaBaxterAuthor/
Bookbub profile link: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rhoda-baxter

 Giveaway to Win e-copies of Girl On The Run, Girl Having A Ball, and Girl in Trouble (Open INT)
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide 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.
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Blog Tour: White Wedding by Carla Luna

Take one lavish holiday wedding. Add one evil ex and his bridezilla. And toss in a smoking-hot chef from the past. It’s a recipe for disaster. 

Victoria Blackwood has spent years trying to redeem herself after falling victim to a blackmail scheme that cost her father thousands. So, when he insists she coordinate a big Christmas wedding at her family’s winery, she can’t say no. Even if the groom is her ex, and the caterer just quit

For Rafael Sanchez, a last-minute call to cater a huge society wedding is a golden opportunity. If he can prove he’s up to the challenge, his brothers might entrust him with more responsibility in the family catering business. But when he meets Victoria, he can’t believe his eyes. Five years ago, they had a passionate fling that rocked his world. Until she left him with only a fake name to remember her by

To pull off the perfect wedding, Victoria and Rafael can’t afford to get caught up in the past. But keeping things professional won’t be easy, not when the attraction between them burns hotter than Christmas in July

Purchase Links
Website: https://www.carlalunabooks.com/white-wedding
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/bwa9W9
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09FKQQ4VN
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09FKQQ4VN

Review

After a hideous mistake left Victoria Blackwood in debt to her father, she's been the perfect daughter, up to and including co-ordinating the wedding of her unfaithful ex to his bridezilla for the wedding date that was going to be hers. The last thing she needs is to find out the caterer is her smoking hot fling from the past, who saw her at her lowest and who she ghosted with a fake name. Rafael Sanchez wants to prove to his older brothers that he can be trusted with a big event, even a last-minute Christmas wedding. Victoria and Rafael both need this wedding to go off without a hitch but their chemistry is as hot as ever and it's proving impossible to resist.

This book is a wild ride. The characters are incredible, either charming and loveable (the Sanchezes) or those you love to hate (Victoria's father, her ex, and the bride). Both Victoria and Rafael are working so hard to leave behind the mistakes of the past, even when the people around them refuse to acknowledge this. And yet, with everything riding on this wedding and the clock ticking down, they decide to risk it all. The tension (and I'm not just talking sexual) ratchets up until it's almost unbearable and all you can do is sit back and enjoy the ride until its satisfying conclusion.

While this is the third in a trilogy with cameos from previous leads, there are no spoilers and you could jump in easily. I just wish there was am epilogue to see how Victoria and Rafael enjoy their forever.

Best enjoyed with a glass of wine because Blackwood Cellars will leave you thirsty!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own.

Author Bio

Carla Luna writes contemporary romance with a dollop of humor and a pinch of spice. A former archaeologist, she still dreams of traveling to far-off places and channels that wanderlust into the settings of her stories. When she’s not writing, she works in a spice emporium where she gets paid to discuss food and share her favorite recipes. Her passions include Broadway musicals, baking, whimsical office supplies, and pop culture podcasts. Though she has roots in Los Angeles and Victoria, B.C., she currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her feisty Siberian cat.

Social Media Links
Website: https://www.carlalunabooks.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/casacullen
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/CarlaLunaAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlalunacullen/
BookBub Page: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/carla-luna

The Murder Before Christmas by Michele Pariza Wacek

Charlie Kingsley makes tea. She's not a detective and she certainly isn't interested in investigating a murder. However, when her customer Courtney is accused of poisoning her husband, Charlie finds herself roped into proving Courtney's innocence. Of course, with everyone hiding something and the police focussed on Courtney, Charlie will have to have a cuppa with everyone in town to steep out the truth.

This is a festive cosy mystery with a plucky lead and a small cast of characters. It is first in a spin-off series based around Charlie, but worked perfectly well as a standalone.

I loved that Charlie's profession assisted in the investigation without feeling squeezed in or pasted on.The murderer wasn't obvious, especially at the start, but made perfect sense as the secrets came out. It did feel like Charlie driving between a lot of conversations without much tension, but as far as cosy mysteries go, this was an enjoyable and well-written read, and I'd be interested in catching up with these characters again.

Best enjoyed with your own cup of tea!

The Murder Before Christmas is available now

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via The Indie Pen PR; all opinions are my own.

The Rhythm Method by Kylie Scott

Seven years ago, Evelyn Thomas married David Ferris during a drunken night in Vegas. They've had their ups and downs, seen their friends get married and are perfectly happy being the last childfree couple in Stage Dive, when an unexpected pregnancy throws them both for a loop. Can what started in Vegas survive a change this big?

While this novella necessarily contains spoilers for the rest of the Stage Dive series (and I loved seeing how the rest of the band is doing), the only book you need to read first is Lick - where Ev and David first meet, so you know why you're rooting for them. I'll be honest, this book puts them through the wringer! Neither of them are prepared for this baby and I liked how this was handled bluntly and honestly. Parenthood isn't easy and things don't magically get better through the power of wuv. It takes hard work and compromise, and I like how this wasn't glossed over.

This was a great snapshot back into the Stage Dive world, with cameos from all your favourites. If you know the series, you'll love this, and if you don't, read them first then come and enjoy this.

The Rhythm Method is available now in ebook and hard copy.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Social Butterfly PR; all opinions are my own.

Blog Tour: Girl on the Run and Girl having a Ball by Rhoda Baxter (with international giveaway!)

Girl On The Run

 After a humiliating split from her celebrity ex, Jane is hiding from the spotlight. She’s moved city, moved jobs and changed her hair. She wants to disappear and finish her training as a patent attorney.
Marshall has worked hard for years and nomination to the partnership is tantalisingly close. He must avoid scandal at any cost.

When they meet, their attraction is impossible to ignore. Neither wants a fuss, but with the paparazzi following Jane and an office trouble maker determined to sabotage their relationship, they can’t escape unscathed.

Girl on the Run is the first in a series of standalone contemporary romances. Ideal for fans of Mhairi McFarlane or Sue Moorcroft.

Purchase Link - www.books2read.com/u/mlKGaZ 

Only 99p until 20th November

Review

In a refreshing twist on the rockstar romance, the rockstar is the ex and the heroine gets the grovel! This was a light and enjoyable romance about two normal people navigating the trials of everyday life while falling in love at the most inconvenient time. Marshall is a bit of a stickler with his younger sister but he is hard-working and has such a good heart. It's no surprise that the office is in love with him! I really admire Jane's tenacity at starting afresh and her determination, even after having her world upended. I did find her a little naive and overly trusting, you'd think she'd be better at picking out insincerity.

Speaking of insincerity, I found it really interesting how the events at Jane and Marsh's workplace reflect recent events in law firms locally. It made it realistic but not necessarily the most satisfying. I did like the rest of the staff, especially Jim, whose advice to Marsh and communications with his own wife Louise carried much of the humour.

It's worth noting that this is a semi-epistolary novel, with lots of plot-relevant communication occuring via email or text. This is quite a useful way to give readers context while maintaining the POVs, but takes a while to get used to.

Overall, I enjoyed this read and would recommend it to fans of contemporary romance who prefer it more sweet than steamy and more funny than angsty (though it does have it moments of both of the latters!). Best enjoyed on your day off so you can feel smug at all these characters stressing about work.

Girl Having A Ball

Twenty two year old Stevie needs to prove to everyone that she’s a grown up. So she throws herself into her dream of becoming an event planner by agreeing to organise a fundraising ball in Oxford. Add a rambling house, a committee that can’t agree and budget that’s far too small, Stevie thinks things can’t get worse. Until her childhood crush, her big brother’s old housemate, turns up.

Tom is working hard to be the success his mother wants him to be. When he realises that the ball his mum and her friends are organising will be run by his friend’s baby sister ‘poor, needy Stevie’, he steps in to avoid disaster. But Stevie is no longer a teenager, she’s a disturbingly attractive young woman … and she’s not about to let anyone get in her way.

Shortlisted for the 2017 Romantic Comedy Award from the Romantic Novelists’ Association, Girl Having a Ball is the second standalone novel in Rhoda Baxter’s Smart Girls series. Ideal for fans of Mhairi McFarlane and Sue Moorcroft.

Purchase Link - https://books2read.com/GHAB

Review 

Less funny but more compelling than the first book in the series, I enjoyed the character arcs both Stevie and Tom experienced - Stevie in standing on her own two feet, and Tom learning that a successful career isn't all it's cracked up to be. I especially liked Stevie having to deal with teenagers and realising how awful she must have been at the same age.

Despite the short time frame, I believed in their relationship due to their history and a lot of quality time during ball preparations. I love that it showed Stevie's creative abilities and everyone working together to get the job done - Tom's niece Alice provides a nice foil to the youth everyone sees in Stevie and she says some truths that the adults are too polite to mention. There's a few plot threads that felt a little glossed over as Stevie and Marsh's sibling relationship took over the B plot, but I liked how the story overall ended up at a satisfying and logical conclusion.

Best enjoyed in your favourite dancing shoes, come and spend some time behind the scenes of the hottest party in Oxford!

Disclaimer: I received these books from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

Author Bio 

Rhoda Baxter writes romantic comedies about people who make her laugh. A microbiologist by training, Rhoda loves all things science geeky. She also loves cake, crochet and playing with Lego. You can find out more about her (and get a free book by signing up to her newsletter) on her website. 

Social Media Links
Websites: www.rhodabaxter.com
Twitter: @rhodabaxter
Facebook page: https://en-gb.facebook.com/RhodaBaxterAuthor/
Bookbub profile link: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rhoda-baxter

Giveaway to Win e-copies of Girl On The Run, Girl Having A Ball, and Girl in Trouble (Open INT)
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide 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.
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A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman

With her family on the edge of bankruptcy, Maddie Montgomery's only chance to escape an arranged marriage lies with the Davies family. The two families have feuded for centuries and if they miss sending a representative to their annual meeting, then by royal decree the Montgomerys can claim the contested land. Annoyingly, Gryff Davies shows up - irritatingly handsome and a thorn in Maddie's side since childhood. When they stumble across a smuggling operation, Maddie realises she has a chance to save her family - and find her own happily ever after.

Told in alternating POV, this is an enjoyable enemies-to-lovers with more than a pinch of danger. I especially enjoyed Maddie's chapters as we get to know her family - her father, lost now that the Davies patriach is no longer around to annoy; her cousin Harriet, also targeted by the Davies boys growing up; and her maiden aunts who absolutely steal every scene they're in and aren't nearly as prudish as Maddie assumes. Maddie herself is an awesome heroine who would rather be on an archaeological dig than dealing with Gryff.

Gryff is a little bit more of a lone wolf with his family out of the picture for most of the book, though we see plenty of his brothers in flashbacks. He's your typical rake, rusticating at home while temporarily banished from London for duelling. What did annoy me was the youthful pranks on Maddie and Harriet were actually cruel and not once does Gryff apologise for them. At one point he gives a half-hearted "I did it because I liked you". For an enemies-to-lovers to stick the landing, I need some sort of grovel or proper closure.

It's a solid, steamy romance with plenty of tension - romantic and narrative - but it loses ground for glossing over pranks that were just plain mean.

A Reckless Match is available now in ebook or hard copy.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley; all opinions are my own

Blog Tour: When Only Pride Remains by Natalie Kleinman

A enchanting story of love, loss and healing set in Regency England! For fans of Georgette Heyer, Mary Balogh, Jane Aiken Hodge and Jane Austen.

Can two estranged friends find their way back to each other…?

 Regency England 

When her father —Major Angus Fairham — returns home from the Napoleonic wars, Prudence is excited to welcome him home to Fairham Manor. 

However, tragedy strikes when Angus loses his estate to his close friend and comrade — young Captain Jack Staveley — in a drunken game of cards. Unable to face his loss, Angus takes his own life. 

Distraught, Jack tries to restore Fairham Manor to Prudence, but she is too proud to accept his offer. 

Overcome with grief and anger, she retreats to her aunt’s house in Bath and distances herself from her once close friendship with Jack. 

But as the initial shock of her sorrow begins to dull, Prudence is soon missing the support of her most trusted confidant.

And when they once more find themselves in each other’s orbit, she must decide whether she can put aside her pride and open her heart…

WHEN ONLY PRIDE REMAINS is a historical romantic tale set in Regency England, with a feisty heroine and a moving love story at its heart.

Purchase Link  - https://amzn.to/3w0s60Y

Review

This is a charming, gentle story about life, loss, and love, filled with house parties and extended rides through the countryside. It's a story where the happy ending is less important than the path to get there.

It was interesting to see Prudence discover her place in the world after seemingly losing the one place she thought would always be hers. Like an unfolding puzzle box, her life trips from one relative to another as she realises she's not as alone as she thought. Jack's struggle with returning from the war is all too common and his efforts to combat boredom while helping others were admirable. Their love blooms slowly but it is clear that its roots are buried deep.

There are many supporting characters - I adored Pru's aunt Becky - and the dialogue takes a while to get into but both deepen the atmosphere and add colour to a rich picture. Pick up this book, sit back, and rusticate with Pru and Jack for a while.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

Author Bio 

Natalie’s passion for reading became a compulsion to write when she attended a ten-week course in creative writing some sixteen or so years ago. She takes delight in creating short stories of which more than forty have been published, but it was her lifelong love of Regency romance that led her to turn from contemporary romantic fiction to try her hand at her favourite genre. Raised on a diet of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, she is never happier than when immersed in an age of etiquette and manners, fashion and intrigue, all combined into a romping good tale. She lives on the London/Kent border, close to the capital’s plethora of museums and galleries which she uses for research as well as pleasure. A perfect day though is when she heads out of town to enjoy lunch by a pub on the river, any river, in company with her husband and friends.
Natalie is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association, the Society of Authors and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. 

Social Media Links
https://nataliekleinman.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NatalieKleinmanAuthor/
https://twitter.com/NatKleinman
https://www.instagram.com/nataliekleinman6279

Blog Tour: Snug in Iceland by Victoria Walker

Rachel Richards is stuck in a rut. Her boyfriend Adam barely notices her most of the time and her life in London isn’t as exciting as it should be. When the company she works for, Snug, asks her to oversee the opening of a new store in Iceland, she jumps at the chance for a change of scenery. Exploring Reykjavik with the help of Icelandic tour guide Jonas, Rachel discovers that life is out there waiting to be lived. As she falls in love with Iceland, she begins to see what is important to her and wonders whether the life she left behind is what she wants after all…

Purchase Links
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Snug-Iceland-heart-warming-romance-Northern-ebook/dp/B09F7WQ56C
US - https://www.amazon.com/Snug-Iceland-heart-warming-romance-Northern-ebook/dp/B09F7WQ56C

Review

Warning: this book is like a travel ad for Iceland and it's almost cruel, to make me yearn to visit at a time when it's so unlikely. The descriptions of glaciers, hot pools, and the Northern Lights through Rachel's eyes are just gorgeous. It's easy to see why she begins to doubt her life back in London, when this amazing place is right there. Especially as Jonas is the biggest sweetheart ever, compared to the distant Adam. The love-triangle angst did carry on for a little too long for my tastes though.

My favourite part was seeing Rachel find her feet doing a job she loved, exploring a new place, and making new friends. It reads almost like a second coming of age. Her job and her passion for it is described in loving detail, although I know very little about homewares.

The ending did feel a little abrupt - while it did end happily, I had a few questions left about how some parts would play out. I think an epilogue would've help to round this out. Overall this was a charming and comforting novel that made me fall in love with a place I've never been.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

Author Bio 

Victoria Walker lives in the Malvern Hills with her husband and two teenage children. She is an avid reader of contemporary romance but tempers this addiction by being a member of a book club where she is often surprised by her enjoyment of other genres. She also loves sewing and knitting and Scandinavian dramas.

Social Media Links
Twitter -@4victoriawalker
Instagram - victoriamakes

Publication Day: How Not to Chaperon a Lady by Virginia Heath (with giveaway!)

His childhood nemesis…is the woman he can’t resist!

Chaperoning Charity Brookes while she’s on a singing tour should be easy for Griffith Philpot—he’s spent his whole life sparring with her over her flighty ways! But as he discovers that she’s much more than the impetuous girl he thought he knew, a passion ignites between them… Sharing a steamy kiss leaves him torn – he’s supposed to be responsible for guarding her virtue!

Purchase Link - https://books2read.com/talkofbeaumonde3 

Review

Youngest daughter of a supremely talented family and a rising star of the opera, Charity Brookes has the world at her feet. If only she could banish her long-time crush on the older brother of her best friend. Nothing she does is ever good enough for Griffith Philpot and now he's been assigned as her chaperone on a singing tour of the north. Expecting him to stifle her with rules and restrictions, she's surprised by his care - and then by a kiss. Could it be there's something else underneath his gruff exterior?

Funny, steamy, and sometimes too sweet for words, this is the perfect end to the tales of the Brookes sisters. Pretty, flighty Charity gets her time in the spotlight - not that the budding diva has ever left it - and it turns out her life isn't all songs and roses like her sisters assume. It's been fascinating to see how each of them have deeply held insecurities about their talents and Charity is no different. She might be a success at the start of the story (unlike the other two, whose search for recognition is an integral part of their plots) but Charity's story is less about making it and more about how to cope when you do.

And then there's Griff. Deep in denial about his feelings for Charity, I really can't condone the jealousy, but when he steps up to take care of her you can't help but swoon. He's clever and persistent with a Charity-sized blindspot in the middle of his feelings. I like that he's not a member of the aristocracy, and I like that no-one in the Brookes clan cares one bit.

The camaraderie between Piers, Luke, and now Griff was simply delightful, though I do wish we got more sisterly interactions. There was also a confrontation that occurred off-page that I would've loved to read first-hand, but that's a minor gripe about - and who knows, maybe it'll turn up as a deleted scene!

Best enjoyed in a long flowing gown with a bit of opera in the background - a wonderful conclusion to a great series!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources, all opinions are my own.

Author Bio
When Virginia Heath was a little girl it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Twenty books and two Romantic Novel of the Year Award nominations later, and it still takes her forever to fall asleep.

Social Media Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiaheathauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VirginiaHeath_

Giveaway to Win 2 x e-copies of How Not to Chaperon a Lady (Open INT)
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide 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.

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Blog Tour: Red Velvet by Carla Luna

Faking it has never been so much fun… 

In her ultra-competitive family, April Beckett is used to taking last place. For years, she’s put up with jabs about her modest job and her pathetic love life. Especially after she tried to impress her older sisters with a fake boyfriend in college and failed miserably. But now she has a smoking-hot date for her brother’s wedding, guaranteed to wow them.

Until he bails. Cue total desperation.

Without April’s friendship, Brody Blackwood wouldn’t have survived his last breakup. So, if she needs a plus-one for a family wedding, he’s all in. Even if it means pretending to be her boyfriend. And committing to six days of activities at a wooded resort in Wisconsin. But how hard could a relaxing getaway with your best friend be?

Too bad there’s a grueling 10K race and a cutthroat trivia night to endure. Not to mention a massive secret to protect. But will the biggest secret of all turn out to be that this fake relationship feels more real than April or Brody ever imagined?

Purchase Links
Website: https://www.carlalunabooks.com/red-velvet
Books2Read Link: https://books2read.com/u/m0KQrW

Review

When April's plus-one to her brother's wedding falls through, her best friend Brody steps up to the plate. He's nursing his own broken heart but April was there for him during his own bad break-up and the miserable months that followed. Pretending to be her boyfriend at a destination wedding is the least he can do. April's family might be ultra-competitive and she might have been nursing a crush on him for the last few years, but they can pull this off, right?

Like the namesake cupcakes, Red Velvet is sweet and delicious, full of banter and character growth. I loved both April and Brody, seeing their similarities and differences - April is the short and curvy graphic designer in a family of competitive corporate high-fliers, whereas Brody is the second son of a multimillion dollar business, and both feel like they can never live up to their parents' expectations. They complemented each other so well - April helps Brody realise what he actually wants out of life and he helps her stand up to her overbearing family. Both felt like real people with real problems, and yet I fully believed in their happily ever after.

Family is a strong theme through this book (and likely the whole series) and April's family surely deserve an honourable mention here, especially the decent ones. They might push and prod too far but it comes from a place of love - and this book does a good job at respecting that love while still drawing boundaries. The trivia quiz was possibly my favourite scene and even though the series is about Brody's family, I surely hope Ginger gets her own book (and away from her parents!).

Light, sexy, and entertaining: I'm definitely interested in reading more by this author! Best enjoyed on the couch with a glass of wine.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

Author Bio
Carla Luna writes contemporary romance with a dollop of humor and a pinch of spice. A former archaeologist, she still dreams of traveling to far-off places and channels that wanderlust into the settings of her stories. When she’s not writing, she works in a spice emporium where she gets paid to discuss food and share her favorite recipes. Her passions include Broadway musicals, baking, whimsical office supplies, and pop culture podcasts. Though she has roots in Los Angeles and Victoria, B.C., she currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her spoiled Siberian cat.

Social Media Links
Website: www.carlalunabooks.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/casacullen
FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/CarlaLunaAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlalunacullen/

Blog Tour: the Dating Game by Sandy Barker

‘Hilarious and highly original’ ~ Julie Houston, bestselling author of A Village Affair

Once upon a time, twelve women joined the hottest reality TV show looking for love. Except one had a secret identity . . .

Abby Jones is a serious writer. Or at least she will be, one day. Right now, she spends her time writing recaps of reality television under a secret identity.

When a recap for The Stag – the must-watch dating show – goes viral, her editor thinks she should be on set, writing the drama as it happens. The good news: the next season will be filmed in Sydney. Sun, sea and a glamorous trip abroad, this could be Abby’s big break.

The bad news: the producers don’t just want Abby to write the recaps, they want her to be on the show. Abby can’t think of anything worse than being undercover and followed around by cameras. But her career depends on it, and when she meets gorgeous producer Jack, Abby begins to wonder if this job might not be so bad after all . . .

Review

Abby Jones pays rent by writing snarky recaps of The Stag, a Batchelor-type reality show where multiple women, nicknamed 'Does', vie for the affections of a handsome 'Stag'. When one recap goes viral, Abby is offered (ordered) the chance to go undercover as a Doe on the next season to write her recaps from inside the Manor. Armed with a makeover, a new background, and dossiers on her competition, 'Doe Abby' jets off to Sydney. Unfortunately, it's a lot harder to be clever when the subjects aren't just characters, they're fast becoming friends, and soon Abby is juggling her secret identity, the Stag, her competition, and the attention of one of the producers - as well as getting her recaps in on time!

I seriously enjoyed this book. It's a little slow to start as it introduces Abby and gets her to Sydney, but once she arrives at Stag Manor the book really gets going. This is a story about love, but it's also a story about friendship, as the friendships Abby makes among some of the Does drive the story just as much if not more than the eventual love story. I was a little apprehensive at the start, given Abby's rather catty review of the previous season of the Stag, and yes, some of the Does are written as Fillers or out-and-out Villains, but the majority of them are layered and complex characters with their own voices and motivations (and given the cast list is at the back, reducing some of the Does to stereotypes does help one keep track of who's who). Her mum gets one of the best scenes in the book.

Abby is a hoot and her recaps are entertaining if sometimes confusingly entwined with her inner monologue (I received an ARC so I'm hoping the formatting will make the distinction clearer in the final copy). I enjoyed watching her mature and learn to reconcile her multiple identities (Abigail Jones, would-be journalist; 'Doe Abby', hopeful contestant; Anastasia Blabbergasted, witty recapper) in order to claim her own happy ending.

Laugh-out-loud and deliciously entertaining, this book has all the drama of a so-called reality show but no celebrities were harmed in the making! Best enjoyed with a fruity cocktail while wearing some strappy stilettos

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

Purchase Links
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dating-Game-romantic-comedy-Santorini-ebook/dp/B096TBRT6B/
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-dating-game/id1571261358
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sandy_Barker_The_Dating_Game?id=iwQyEAAAQBAJ
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dating-game-sandy-barker/1139650830
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/the-dating-game-30

Author Bio
Sandy is a writer, traveller and hopeful romantic with a lengthy bucket list, and many of her travel adventures have found homes in her novels. She’s also an avid reader, a film buff, a wine lover and a coffee snob. She lives in Melbourne Australia with her partner, Ben, who she met while travelling in Greece. Their real-life love story inspired Sandy’s debut novel One Summer in Santorini, the first in the Holiday Romance series with One More Chapter, an imprint of HarperCollins. 

Follow Sandy:
https://twitter.com/sandybarker
https://www.facebook.com/sandybarkerauthor
https://sandybarker.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sandybarkerauthor/

Blog Tour: The Knight's Maiden in Disguise by Ella Matthews

Risking her life

To save a knight!

Disguising herself as her late twin brother keeps Avva Carpenter, and her family, safe. Until Sir William Devereux arrives in her town. As the castle’s stable master, Avva can’t avoid the knight—or the desire he instantly stirs in her. He’s everything she never knew a nobleman could be: honest, kind, brave. When danger surrounds them, the only way to help William is to reveal her true identity, but can she trust him enough?

Purchase Links
UK  - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Knights-Maiden-Disguise-Mills-Historical-ebook/dp/B09127FJ29
US - https://www.amazon.com/Knights-Maiden-Disguise-Mills-Historical-ebook/dp/B09127FJ29

Review

Avva Carpenter has no reason to trust noblemen, not until Sir William Devereux rides into town. He's one of the King's Knights, there to announce the King's visit, only the Baron isn't home and there's something very suspicious about the whole situation. William needs to marry a rich heiress to fund his parents' excesses, and for that he needs his mission to be a success. What a pity there's treason afoot and William can't take his eyes off the stablemaster...

It wasn't long ago that I read a book set in the court of Isabella, mother of King Edward III, and this story takes place in those years just following his successful revolt against her regency. The land is ostensibly at peace but years of war have taken their toll, which marks our protagonists in different ways. Avva outright states that as a Welsh woman she has no loyalty to an English king, whereas William is in the service of said king - a potentially advantageous but precarious position.

The electricity between Avva and William just about crackles off the page, even when Avva's deception stands between them and they are both fighting the very inconvenient attraction to each other. It's a relief when the walls come down because while the tension doesn't abate, it's leavened with some fabulous banter. The story is a little light on supporting characters so it's a relief that the leads are so engaging.

Their relationship is intertwined with a plot against the king which clips along nicely, adding dramatic tension and aids the final resolution - though not as much as William facing his inbuilt resolve against falling in love. It really is quite delicious when a romance hero decides they're not going to fall in love, because mate, you have no idea... I liked Avva's loyalty and determination, although her stubbornness did sometimes verge into TSTL which got a little frustrating.

Overall this is a good romance with great leads and tension that had me putting down my phone for a breather.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

Author Bio

Ella Matthews lives and works in beautiful South Wales. When not thinking about handsome heroes she can be found walking along the coast with her husband and their two children (probably still thinking about heroes but at least pretending to be interested in everyone else).

Social Media Links
https://twitter.com/ellamattauthor
www.ellamatthews.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/ella.matthews.524381

The Rose Kiss by Esme Rome

In this retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Lana Moreau is named the Belmorta (beautiful death) by a local prophet and framed for poisoning one of her unwanted suitors. Fleeing into the forest, she finds refuge at an enchanted castle with invisible servants and a host who requests she never try to look at him. As soldiers search outside, the two become close - but the magic that hides the castle from Lana's pursuers is also hiding them from a greater threat - one who will stop at nothing.

This was definitely an interesting twist on Beauty and the Beast! I like that while Lana enjoyed reading, she wasn't a carbon copy of Belle. The world has a magic all of its own.

I did find the world-building inconsistent and this led to enough plot holes that the pacing felt off. The fairytale feel with two lost souls bonding in an empty castle morphed into a frantic fantasy adventure and it was a rather rocky transition. I also found it hard to like Lana as she came across as judgey and self-absorbed.

I can definitely see potential in the author and that cover is gorgeous, but it's definitely a first novel and I hope the next ones get a little more polish and a tougher editor.

The Rose Kiss is available now.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

Love Me Ever After by Julie Archer

Eighteen months after taking an international secondment and leaving behind a girlfriend who didn't want to do long-distance, Mason Miles is back in the country and needs somewhere to live.

Emily Berry doesn't want the hassle of finding a new housemate, but surely that's better than having her ex move in? Unfortunately, she's not given much of a choice. Even worse, it turns out that a year and a half have done nothing to put out the sparks between them, and she still seems to have those pesky little things called feelings. But with his career taking off and hers on the line, hooking up might give them another chance at everything they ever wanted - or ruin it.

Third in a series, this second chance romance has the perfect mix of angst, steam, and happy endings. Mason and Ems have all the chemistry but must learn to navigate life together if they really want the relationship to work out this time around.

There were a few moments where I bemoaned poor decision-making and an awful lot of jumping to conclusions, but nothing egregious or unreasonable. Mason and Ems felt like real, flawed human beings trying to work out what they want out of life.

A side effect of jumping in at book three is that there's a lot of characters to keep track of and it's not immediately clear who is related or how they fit in. Despite this, I found it relatively easy to start here and I didn't feel like I'd missed out by doing so.

If you're looking for a solid second chance romance or simply want a contemporary about normal people learning how to make a relationship work, I'd definitely put this book forward.

Love Me Ever After is available now.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via The Indie Pen PR; all opinions are my own