Blog Tour: The Duke's Bluestocking by Josie Bonham

Temptation like never before for the fashion-loving bluestocking when she meets an unconventional duke.

Headstrong Grace Bamford is determined to remain unwed and keep her independence. Which means interesting, marriageable men are best avoided. Her classical studies and philanthropy are more important to her than a husband and a lot safer.

Angus Medley's life is turned upside down when he unexpectedly inherits a dukedom. He is wrenched from the career he loves as an Edinburgh advocate to take up responsibility for the Duchy of Evesham and the people relying on it for their livelihoods.

Grace rescues Angus from a knife-wielding attacker outside the London orphanage she helps to run. He dismisses the attack as a failed robbery but Grace suspects foul play. Is someone from Angus's past trying to kill him? Grace offers to help him investigate, concerned for his safety, even though it means spending time with the most attractive man she has ever met.

Marriage is the last thing on Angus's mind as he grapples with his new responsibilities and his hidden enemy, until he falls in love with Grace. Will Grace find the courage to follow her heart?

Georgette Heyer meets Mary Balogh in this romantic adventure.

Purchase Links
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dukes-Bluestocking-Reluctant-Brides-Book-ebook/dp/B0B5F99W37
US - https://www.amazon.com/Dukes-Bluestocking-Reluctant-Brides-Book-ebook/dp/B0B5F99W37
 

Review

I enjoyed a lot of this book, especially Grace, whose independence is matched only by her love of fashion and her heart for others, particularly the orphans she is trying to place in employment. Her family's matchmaking efforts are frustratingly condescending, and much like Grace, I found her attraction to Angus a tad annoying because it meant giving in. For his part, Angus is rather a good fellow and a worthy suitor for Grace, if only their entire circle of acquaintances weren't pushing them together! By the end of the book however I was certain they belonged together but Grace like myself needed easing into the idea.

Beyond the matchmaking, Angus haws recently inherited a dukedom from the family who shunned his mother but have a fatal string of bad luck in recent years. He is settling in and setting up his household when it becomes apparent someone is trying to kill him. It's going to take him, Grace, and many of his new employees (especially my favourite plucky orphan Sam) to solve this mystery and keep Angus from joining his recently departed relatives.

Now there's so many characters, particularly Angus' new servants, that's it hard to keep them all straight, but the plot is fast enough to just sit back and enjoy the ride. This is a fabulous romance with an intriguing plot and two engaging leads, I just found it a good time.

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

Author Bio 
Josie lives in the English midlands, surrounded by towns full of history such as Evesham, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwick and Worcester. Which is perhaps why her favourite reads are historical. Out of all the periods to choose from the Regency Era stirs her imagination the most. The true Regency lasted from 1811 until 1820 but dates as wide as 1789 to 1837 have been included in the extended Regency period. For Josie the true flavour of this period emerges after the iniquitous hair powder tax of 1795, unsurprisingly, scuppered the fashion for hair powder almost overnight.
Josie has always dabbled in stories but it took the combined efforts of her sister and eldest niece to set her on the path to writing novels. Her Regency romances, with a dash of adventure and intrigue, are the result.
There is more information on her website at www.josiebonhamauthor.com

Social Media Links
Twitter @BonhamJosie
Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/josiebonhamauthor
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/josiebonham/

Publication Day Push: A Summer of Castles by Rachel Walkley

A Summer of Castles. A secret in ruins.

At the beginning of the sultry 2003 English summer, Robyn Yates quits her job to photograph fifteen castles for a man she’s never met. A man who won’t tell her his real name. 

What motivates her is an unusual ability she can’t explain nor understand. Somebody does though and is keen to exploit her secret.

But Robyn isn’t alone on her journey. An artist is painting pictures of the same castles. Wherever she goes, so does he, like a stalker. But is he dangerous? And could this man be the same person who wants her photographs? 

She decides to challenge him, never anticipating that the confrontation will change the path of both of their lives.

The stifling summer will eventually end, but will Robyn find out the truth in time?

Purchase Links
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rachel-Walkley/e/B07B5G7VZP
US - https://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Walkley/e/B07B5G7VZP 

Author Bio

Aspiring writer who pens Women's Fiction and magical tales about family secrets.
What else?
An East Anglian turned Northerner - almost.
Information professional, always.
Biologist, in my memories.
Archivist, when required.
Amateur pianist and flautist.
Reluctant gardener.
Scribbler of pictures.
And forever.... a mother and wife.
Oh, not forgetting, cat lover!

Social Media Links
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17766384.Rachel_Walkley
Twitter - https://twitter.com/RachelJWalkley
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RachelJWalkley
Instagram - @racheljwalkley
Twitter - @racheljwalkley
Newsletter - https://forms.aweber.com/form/09/569468809.htm

Blog Tour: A Change of Heart by Hannah Ellis

She was never meant to fall for her best friend’s brother... 

Seren has had a soft spot for her best friend’s brother for as long as she can remember. But when she starts to see Kit as more than just a friend, she knows she’s on dangerous ground.

Avoiding him is probably her best course of action, but that’s easier said than done when you live on a tiny island.

When Kit declares he’s in love with her, she’s forced to deny her feelings. There’s too much to lose for her to do anything else.

If only her heart would get the message that she and Kit aren’t meant to be.

As the tension between them builds it becomes more and more difficult for Seren to keep her feelings hidden.

Can she find the courage to risk everything for love? And will Kit still be waiting for her when she does?

Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.com/Change-Heart-Isles-Scilly-Book-ebook/dp/B09XL9YV1C/
Universal link: https://mybook.to/ScillyBook2

Review

A Change of Heart is a light friends-to-lovers romance with a hefty helping of mutual pining. It's full of a gentle charm and the power of friendship. I also liked the reflection on the past and finding out people are not as black and white as our memories might suggest.

Even in the depths of their self-denial, I liked Seren and Kit. Seren is scarred by her past poor choices in men and is worried that her inevitable breakup with Kit will ruin her relationship with his family. Good-hearted Kit simply can't believe that Seren would like him back and gallantly keeps a lid on his own feelings. You want to knock their heads together and lock them in a closet somewhere (and it seems many of their friends and family feel the same) but they're such good people you don't want them hurt either. When they finally admit their feelings, it's a relief and a joy.

The supporting cast are about 80% matchmakers and 60% related to Kit. I hope all his brothers get their own happy endings, as their stories (bar Noah) are left in difficult places. For anyone going through a tough time, the simple joys of love, family, and friendship can be found in the Isles of Scilly.

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

Author Bio
Hannah spent many years working in childcare before deciding she'd like to write books. When she's not busy writing she likes to read, drink tea and eat chocolate. She also enjoys yoga and jogging.

Social Media Links
Twitter:  @BooksEllis
Facebook: @authorhannahellis
Instagram: @authorhannahellis

Review: Escape Girl by Michelle Dayton

Workaholic lawyer Emily Austin finds herself reinvigorated by a pro bono case involving stolen software code. It's a welcome escape from thinking about her soon-to-be ex-husband, Bobby March, who swept her off her feet and can't work out why she left him. Emily's not ready to talk about it, but her new case is going to put her on a collision course with her past, complete with personalised escape rooms and the man she can't bring herself to forget.

This is a fabulous second chance romance with side-line of industrial espionage, a dollop of female friendship, and a sprinkling of dramatic lawyerly confrontations worthy of Suits. I particularly liked how the initial relationship and breakup was revealed through the novel via flashbacks and though it was understandable (eventually), it was not insurmountable - if you dislike twu wuv conquering a dysfunctional relationship, this book will suit you as it did me. There is a therapist.

Emily is so deep in denial she becomes an unreliable narrator as she struggles with her feelings, but it makes her character growth all the more satisfying. Bobby almost perfect in his looks, charm, and heart, yet somehow comes across as likeable. They make a perfect couple and you're quickly cheering for them to make it through.

Gorgeous escapism, swoon-worthy romance, and an ending that ties up all the loose ends (including the pro bono case!) - I couldn't ask for more!

Escape Girl is available now.

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

Blog Tour: The House on the Hill by Chris Penhall

Layla is calm, in control and is definitely not about to lose her serenity for the man next door!

Surely it can’t be hard to stay peaceful at one of the oldest yoga and mindfulness retreats in the Algarve, surrounded by sea, sun and serenity? Mostly, owner Layla Garcia manages it – with the help of meditation and plenty of camomile tea, of course.

But keeping her grandparents’ legacy alive is stressful, and Layla has become so shackled to the work that, for her, The House on the Hill is fast becoming ‘The Fortress on the Hill’.

Then writer Luke Mackie moves to the villa next door, bringing with him a healthy dose of chaos to disrupt Layla’s plans, plus a painful reminder of a time when she was less-than-serene. But could his influence be just what Layla needs to ‘dance like no-one’s watching’ and have the fun she’s been missing?

Purchase Link - https://smarturl.it/x4u6oz

Review

This is a book about when to let go of coping mechanisms that no longer serve you. It's also a book about yoga, neighbours, and overcoming the traumas of adolescence to find a better life just around the corner.

I found a lot of myself in Layla, a perfectionist who can't forgive herself for a youthful mistake and the downward spiral afterwards. The strategies she learnt to cope with childhood bullying predispose her to burying herself in her work and hiding at the yoga retreat she inherited from her grandparents. They are excellent avoidance strategies until Luke. He's a famous author, a paparazzi refugee, and an unwelcome blast from the past. His arrival bring chaos and change and Layla's ordered life begins coming apart at the seams. Given we sit inside Layla's head, it's somewhat stressful to read about until it all begins to come together.

I loved Layla's little quirks - she puts colour and shape to her feelings to set them in order, and is low-key obsessed with aromatherapy and finding the perfect blend of scents for the mood. At the beginning of the book she seems almost too perfect to be true, until, swan-like, we discover her perfect serenity belies a woman would so tight she's about to snap. Overall, this is her story, and Luke (while lovely) is merely part of her journey.

Best enjoyed with calming music - or maybe whale noises! - this book is a welcome reminder that even the best of of don't have it together, and that's okay.

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

Author Bio

Chris Penhall won the 2019 Choc-Lit Search for a Star competition, sponsored by Your Cat Magazine, for her debut novel, The House That Alice Built. The sequel, New Beginnings at the Little House in the Sun was published in August 2020. Both are available in paperback, e-book and audio and are part of the Portuguese Paradise series. Finding Summer Happiness, which is set in Pembrokeshire in South West Wales is available in e-book, audio and paperback, and The House on the Hill - A Summer in the Algarve, the third novel in the Portuguese Paradise series, is published in e-book on 28th June 2022.
Chris is an author and freelance radio producer for BBC Local Radio.
She also has her own podcast - The Talking to My Friends About Book Podcast in which she chats to her friends about books. Good title!
Born in Neath in South Wales, she has also lived in London and in Portugal, which is where The House That Alice Built is set. It was whilst living in Cascais near Lisbon that she began to dabble in writing fiction, but it was many years later that she was confident enough to start writing her first novel, and many years after that she finally finished it!
A lover of books, music and cats, she is also an enthusiastic salsa dancer, a keen cook, and loves to travel. She is never happier than when she is gazing at the sea.

Social Media Links
www.chrispenhall.co.uk  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisPenhall
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisPenhallBroadcasterWriter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinepenhall/