Blog Tour: Finding Love on Sunshine Island by Georgina Troy

Welcome to the Sunshine Island - where the beaches are golden, the lifestyle is perfect and anything is possible.

Piper Le Brocq is happily single after the disastrous ending of her engagement eighteen months before. The only man in her life is Jax, her best friend and cousin, who spends his life teaching locals how to forage and taking tourists on boat trips around the island. Her days are filled with helping out at her mother's guest house and selling her glass mosaics at The Cabbage Patch emporium in Trinity.

Piper loves living on the Sunshine Island, where the neighbours look out for each other and visitors are welcome. So, when handsome guest Alex Cooper arrives at the guest house to check up on his grandfather, she welcomes him to the sunny island. And when he needs help after his grandfather is injured, she's quick to get involved.

Yet, the more she gets to know Alex the more mysterious he seems, and Alex isn't the only one keeping secrets from her.

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3Ce7ebq

Review

This is a light and sweet holiday romance between Piper, native of Jersey, and Alex who comes to stay at her family’s guesthouse. Sparks fly from the very beginning, but Piper’s been hurt before and is reluctant to take a chance on another relationship, especially with someone who lives on the mainland.

Piper’s awful past experience has left her understandably distrustful of men, but matters aren’t helped by meddlesome family on both sides. There’s a great bond between Piper, her mother, and her grandmother, but it does mean they sometimes have trouble taking no for an answer. I did find the subplot with Piper’s gran and Alex’s grandfather fascinating and an interesting contrast to the romance between the respective grandchildren. 

In addition to a romance, this book does double duty as an advertisement and travel guide to Jersey as Piper shows Alex around. It sounds both beautiful and historically fascinating, I’m left with a serious case of travel envy! I also loved the artistic community at the Cabbage Patch and wish that we got to see more of the people there and Piper’s art.

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

Author Bio

Georgina Troy writes uplifting romantic escapes and sets her novels on the island of Jersey where she was born and has lived for most of her life. When she was writing her first novel she realised there were hundreds of places on the small island that would make perfect romantic settings and when she discovered that no one else had at that time written a romance set on the island she decided to do it herself.

Social Media Links 
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GeorginaTroyAuthor/
Twitter https://twitter.com/GeorginaTroy
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ajerseywriter/
Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/georgina-troy

Blog Tour: The Storm Girl by Kathleen McGurl

The gripping new historical novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Girl from Bletchley Park and The Forgotten Secret.

A heartbreaking choice. A secret kept for centuries.

1784. When Esther Harris’s father hurts his back, she takes over his role helping smugglers hide contraband in the secret cellar in their pub. But when the free traders’ ships are trapped in the harbour, a battle between the smugglers and the revenue officers leads to murder and betrayal – and Esther is forced to choose between the love of her life and protecting her family…

Present day. Fresh from her divorce, Millie Galton moves into a former inn overlooking the harbour in Mudeford and plans to create her dream home. When a chance discovery behind an old fireplace reveals the house’s secret history as a haven for smugglers and the devastating story of its former residents, could the mystery of a disappearance from centuries ago finally be solved?

Sweeping historical fiction perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Kathryn Hughes and Tracy Rees.

Purchase Links
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Storm-Girl-Sweeping-historical-fiction-ebook/dp/B09VYLVP58/
US - https://www.amazon.com/Storm-Girl-Sweeping-historical-fiction-ebook/dp/B09VYLVP58/

Review

This is a fascinating time slip between two very different women - Esther and Millie. They are tied together by location though their lives have very different trajectories - Esther is a smuggler (much like half her town), determined to help her father at his pub, whereas Millie is looking for a fresh start in what used to be Esther's home a few centuries later.

Both time periods have a super strong sense of place and such a different vibe, but I loved seeing how the two different stories tied together. I found some of the past emotional and tense whereas the present was more hopeful, even from the very start, and found myself rooting for both women.

For a quality time slip with smugglers, betrayal, and fresh starts with home renovation, I seriously recommend giving this one a go!

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

Author Bio 

Kathleen McGurl lives near the coast in Christchurch, England. She writes dual timeline novels in which a historical mystery is uncovered and resolved in the present day. She is married to an Irishman and has two adult sons. She enjoys travelling, especially in her motorhome around Europe but home is Mudeford, where this novel is set.

Social Media Links
https://twitter.com/KathMcGurl

Publication Day: Temptation in Instanbul by Hana Sheik (with giveaway!)

Escape to Istanbul, where a nanny may just tempt a bruised billionaire to give love a second chance in this heartwarming romance by Hana Sheik.

A single dad’s greatest temptation?

The nanny on his doorstep!

Billionaire Faisal is anxiously awaiting custody of his little girl, who’s been living miles away with her mother. First he must win the approval of her nanny, Maryan, who has traveled with her to Istanbul. While he shows Maryan the delights of his city, the instant attraction between them is hard to ignore. But Maryan leaves in two weeks, so Faisal must decide how much of his bruised heart he is prepared to risk…

Purchase Links - Harlequin | Amazon (UK) | Amazon (US)

Review

I wasn't sure what to expect - I haven't read many books set in Turkey and there are an awful lot of billionaire stories out there - but I was pleasantly surprised to find a lovely romance with themes of family and different immigrant experiences. They might seem to have very little in common, but Faisal and Maryan make a wonderful couple who bring out the best in each other! Faisal isn't your typical ruthless billionaire either, he genuinely cares about his community as well as his company, and I wish more real-life billionaires were as compassionate. I liked how the author handled the potential power imbalance and adored Faisal's daughter Zara, who was a perfect blend of kiddy and innocent wisdom.

This is a short and light read, a little steamy but overall closed-door. You'll root for the characters to admit their feelings so they can find their happy ending, and fall in love with Istanbul as they explore the sights together - I know I did! Best enjoyed when not thinking about how long it's been since travelling overseas!

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

Author Bio

Hana Sheik falls in love every day reading her favourite romances and writing her own happy-ever-afters. She's worked as a data entry operator, customer service rep, telemarketer, and ghostwriter—but being a romance author is without a doubt the best job ever! Born in Somalia, she moved to the beautiful capital of Canada as a toddler, and still lives there happily with her family. She loves to hear from readers. Reach out to her on the contact page at hanasheik.com

Social Media Links – Twitter (@HanaSoChic), Facebook (@HanaSheikAuthor)

Giveaway to Win 3 x paperback copies of Temptation in Istanbul (Open to UK / Ireland / US & Canada)
*Terms and Conditions –UK / Ireland / US and Canada 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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Kiss Hard by Nalini Singh

Catie Rain and Danny Esera have known each other since Danny's brother courted Catie's sister. The whole Bishop-Esera clan subsequently adopted Catie and Isa as their own, and Catie and Danny have spent the entire time since bickering, teasing, and sniping at each other. When an incident during a night out has the whole world thinking they finally hooked up, they decide to run with it - and realise the relationship they never saw coming might be the best thing to ever happen to them!

Danny is your typical star rugby player with high expectations, strict management, and a looming fear of falling off his game. It's great that this is a rugby series because I can actually picture what's going on for once. He's a little bossy and overprotective, but fights himself to let Catie handle herself. Because Catie? She's a double-amputee with Paralympic dreams and I love how Nalini writes her - not an object of pity or stoic inspiration, but a top athlete who wants to be seen for herself rather than for what's missing, who leverages her disability into a career and a way to help others. She's tough, funny, and realistic.

This is officially fourth in the Hard Play series, though the eldest Bishop brother's book (Rock Hard) is actually number 2 in the related Rock Kiss series, and if that is too confusing, this book stands perfectly well on its own. On the other hand, the Bishop-Esera clan are so warm and engaging, you're probably going to want to read the rest sooner rather than later.

Like Nalini's other contemporaries, this is a high-steam, low-angst romance where the characters talk to each other instead of breaking up at the first hurdle. Their relationship definitely has its ups and downs, but I enjoyed knowing that whatever happens, there will be no silly big misunderstanding.

It's sexy, it's heartwarming, and I really hope it's not the last in the series - who's keen to see Danny's teammates get their own happy ever afters?

Kiss Hard is available now as an ebook

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