Tuesday 25 April 2023

Blog Tour: The Viscount’s Daring Miss by Lotte James


May the best Viscount or Miss…

 …win!

When her best friend and employer is injured, groom Roberta ‘Bobby’ Kingsley feels compelled to help him. She agrees to step into the saddle and compete in an endurance horse race to help secure his ancestral home. Yet the minute Bobby comes face to face with her opponent—arrogant yet infuriatingly charismatic Lawrence, Viscount Hayes—it’s clear that it won’t just be the competition that has her heart racing!

Purchase Link - https://bit.ly/3W1SOnY

Review

A thrilling endurance race is overshadowed by the riders and the sparks between them!

This was such a fun book! Bobby and Lawrence felt real people, with their own traits and flaws. It was surprising to see how quickly things started heating up, but it allowed them almost the entire race to fall for one another properly. I enjoyed how the insults turned into banter turned into more emotional and vulnerable confessions, even though the competition never let up!

Bobby faces period-appropriate sexism so it's not all cheers and banter, and the way she reacts is totally understandable even though it's not ideal. I liked that the book acknowledged and addressed this, while still giving a satisfying and realistic ending. Lawrence isn't perfect either, but it's made clear that as a man his eccentricities are tolerated by society so it takes someone slightly outside the bounds - like Bobby - to make him see the need for change.

It's interesting that the circumstances leading to the rivalry and the race - the age-old bet and the mounting debt - are never fleshed out, leaving the reader to wonder who was more in the right. Perhaps we'll be lucky and get to find out in Julian's story - because that man needs a good woman to take him in hand!

For everyone who felt like they didn't fit in, who finds happiness somewhere unexpected, or who just really likes horses - I recommend this romance!

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

Author Bio

Lotte James trained as an actor and theatre director, but spent most of her life working day jobs crunching numbers whilst dreaming up stories of love and adventure. She’s thrilled to finally be writing those stories, and when she's not scribbling on tiny pieces of paper, she can usually be found wandering the countryside for inspiration, or nestling with coffee and a book.

Social Media Links
www.lottejamesbooks.com
https://www.tiktok.com/@lottejamesbooks?lang=en
https://twitter.com/lottejamesbooks

Tuesday 11 April 2023

Blog Tour: An Unexpected Guest by Hannah Ellis


A family reunion takes everyone by surprise…

Jago Treneary hasn’t been home since his father’s funeral three years ago. Now, he’s returning to the Isles of Scilly for his brother’s wedding and is intent on building bridges with his family.

When a last-minute guest arrives to stay at his mum’s house, the trip takes an unexpected turn.

Soon, he’s playing tour guide for Sylvie and rediscovering the beautiful islands he grew up on.

He never expected to feel so at home.

But with his attention on Sylvie he neglects his family.

Before long he’s faced with a choice: follow his heart and see where things lead with Sylvie, or put the work into making things right with his family.

One thing seems certain: he can’t have it all.

With his time on Scilly coming to end, he needs to make some big decisions… fast.

Purchase Link - https://geni.us/ScillyBook5

Review

Jago Treneary is the mystery Treneary brother. All of his brothers got some early bird page time but all we know about Jago is that he's been in America for the last four books and he and older brother Lowen had a somewhat fractious relationship growing up. Now it's finally time for Jago take the spotlight and it feels the most weighty because Lowen's happily ever after is coming apart at the seams.

I really felt for Jago and Sylvie. A chance meeting sets them up with someone who could be the one, only they both have family issues to resolve and it happens to be the same family, because Jago's brother Lowen is Sylvie's cousin by his birth mother. Don't worry, there's nothing squicky, but one person is uncomfortable and I'll give you no prize for guessing who. 

If it wasn't for the family drama it would be a very straightforward boy meets girl. It sometimes felt like their relationship was simplified to make sure the series was tied up well. This meant that I didn't get a good grasp of Jago and Sylvie as people, but I honestly prefer it to the alternative where a series doesn't get a good ending.

Best enjoyed as the end of the series, especially after reading Lowen's book, though it can stand okay on its own. I know this is the last book about the Treneary boys and that makes me sad, because I'd love to see them live the success they've built, which is how you know it was a lovely ending.  Once again, we're left with a heartfelt story about the importance of family and the reminder that very little is absolutely good or bad when you look at it from someone else's perspective.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via 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
FB: https://www.facebook.com/authorhannahellis
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BooksEllis
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/authorhannahellis/

Saturday 8 April 2023

Review: Stolen Sorcery & Other Misadventures by Annette Marie & Rob Jacobsen

MPD Agent Kit Morris is back and he can't catch a break. An evil Internal Affairs Agent has taken over his precinct, his partner is keeping secrets from him, and someone is killing GMs around Vancouver.

It all makes for a hell of a ride.

Once the action starts it doesn't stop and you won't be able to put the book down. There's murder, magic, and mayhem galore, with a satisfying conclusion that will still leave you wanting more.

You don't need to have read the other Guild Codex series to enjoy this book - you don't even need to have read Kit's previous books, but you would be missing out on a whole lot of fun. Kit is talented, loyal, and hilarious, getting himself (and his partner Lienna)  into trouble and out of it with wisecracks and movie references, though he'd insist none of it is his fault. The worldbuilding is fantastic, though I'd recommend reading at least his other books to get the full effect. I liked seeing some familiar faces, however I appreciated that they weren't allowed to take over.

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