Blog Tour: Death at Rainbow Cottage by Jo Allen

At the end of the rainbow, a man lies dead.

The apparently motiveless murder of a man outside the home of controversial equalities activist Claud Blackwell and his neurotic wife, Natalie, is shocking enough for a peaceful local community. When it’s followed by another apparently random killing immediately outside Claud’s office, DCI Jude Satterthwaite has his work cut out. Is Claud the killer, or the intended victim?

To add to Jude’s problems, the arrival of a hostile new boss causes complications at work, and when a threatening note arrives at the police headquarters, he has real cause to fear for the safety of his friends and colleagues…

A traditional British detective novel set in Cumbria.

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3fl0tJj 

Review

Death at Rainbow Cottage is your typical police procedural as we follow DCI Jude Sattherwaite and his team through a murder investigation. Having jumped in at book four, I still found myself able to sort through most of the main cast of characters. The jumps to bystander perspectives were a little harder to follow, but at least there's a search function for when I was wondering where I'd seen a character before.

What seems like an overabundance of focus on the personal lives of the police suddenly becomes relevant as the lines between friend, colleague, and potential suspect begin to blur. There is a new Superintendent after the old one left under a cloud of scandal, and she is completing her mandate of equality and inclusion with a series of workshops facilitated by the residents of the titular Rainbow Cottage. The main character is dating one of his detectives but both of them have complications from past relationships coming up to haunt them. It all fits quite nicely into a theme of acceptance - not simply of differences, but also of oneself.

On the mystery side, I found the book well plotted though would have appreciated some maps. While I did see the murderer coming, I wasn't certain until the end, but looking back it made perfect sense. Overall, a solidly enjoyable murder mystery with an interesting cast of characters.

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

Author Bio

Jo Allen is the author of the successful DCI Satterthwaite series of detective novels set in and around the English Lake District, where she lives. After a career in economic consultancy she took up writing and was first published under the name Jennifer Young in genres of short stories, romance and romantic suspense. In 2017 she took the plunge and began writing the genre she most likes to read – crime. In common with all her favourite characters, she loves football (she's a season ticket holder with her beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers) and cats.

Social Media Links
Twitter @JoAllenAuthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoAllenAuthor   
Instagram @JoAllenAuthor

Blog Tour: The Scarlet Dress by Louise Douglas

Alice Lang was wearing her favourite scarlet dress when she disappeared twenty-five years ago, and her memory still casts a long shadow.

'The past was like water. Once the tide turned, you couldn't hold it back.'

In the long, hot summer of 1995, twenty-two-year-old Alice Lang rents a caravan on a holiday park on the outskirts of the lively holiday resort of Severn Sands. She befriends Marnie, a shy, damaged little girl whose father is the park's caretaker and whose mother died a few months earlier. Will, whose mother runs the bar, falls in love with Alice, and is unbearably jealous of anyone else she sees. Tensions rise until one evening Alice disappears from her caravan. She's never seen again, and only her scarlet dress is found washed up on the shore.

A quarter of a century later, the town is run down and nobody comes there anymore. Mr and Mrs deVillars, former owners of the holiday park, have passed the failing business onto their son Guy, who promptly sells the land for development. Builders clearing the land to create an expanse of executive homes uncover human bones. It has to be Alice.

Will and Marnie’s lives were entirely shaped by what happened that summer, and now Alice has been found, they must struggle to pin down their memories, to escape the secrets of the past, the lies they told and the unbearable guilt they're both carrying.

They need to find out what happened to Alice. Who killed her? And why?

Purchase Link - buff.ly/2JFQDpV

Review 

Like a long, hot, summer's day, this book goes forever until it suddenly doesn't and you're staring at a gorgeous sunset, sad it's over but fulfilled all the same. Despite a slow start, I found myself enthralled by the slow unwinding of what really happened that fateful day Alice disappeared.

The two point of view characters are a fascinating study in contrasts. Will was passionately, jealously in love with Alice and her disappearance has clouded his judgement, fueled his career as a true crime writer, and poisoned his relationships ever since. He's not terribly likeable - he's an alcoholic who treats his girlfriend with a shocking lack of care, and his biases when it comes to Alice make him incapable of seeing the truth until it might be too late. Marnie, on the other hand, was a child when taken under Alice's wing who has grown into a defiantly different woman who prefers to keep most of the world at a distance. She knows more than she thinks but no-one ever thought to ask her. Her devotion to her animals and her daughter is almost jarring against Will's apathy.

The flashbacks are brilliantly written, interweaving the past and present seamlessly as the tragedy unfolds. Each chapter gave another crumb, another hint, until the breathtaking climax. You can't help but be drawn in.

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

Author Bio
Louise Douglas is the bestselling and brilliantly reviewed author of novels including The House By The Sea and Missing You - a RNA award winner. The Secrets Between Us was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick. She lives in the West Country.

Social Media Links
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Louise-Douglas-Author-340228039335215/
Twitter https://twitter.com/louisedouglas3
GoodReads: Louise Douglas
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/louisedouglas3/
Bookbub http://bookbub.com/authors/louise-douglas
Mailing list sign up https://bit.ly/LouiseDouglas

Publication Day Push: Preserved by Fiona Sherlock

She's stuck in the past, the killer wants to immortalise his future. When a local farmer announces on social media that he has discovered a bog body in Ardee, the world’s historians are keen to explore the secrets of the life and grisly death of the victim. Antique journalist January Quail is fighting to keep her newspaper job and uncovers far more than she bargained for.

The victim is actually a recent murder, and January uses her nose for the truth to investigate the County Louth town. From shopkeeper to the publican, everyone is a suspect, but when the Gardai can’t find the killer, can January?

Once she sets down the liqueur glass, January gains the confidence of the lead garda investigator. Within days, the case unravels into a much more dangerous situation with a killer on the loose. 

Despite the risk, January is electrified that this newest discovery has come at the perfect time to inject some colour into her flailing career. January relinquishes her old ways to fight for survival, abandoning her antiques column and vintage corsets to solve a cryptic crime that has the experts puzzled. This woman who longs to lives in the past must now fight for her life in the present.

Purchase Links
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Preserved-Fiona-Sherlock-ebook/dp/B08R7QNCSN/
US - https://www.amazon.com/Preserved-Fiona-Sherlock-ebook/dp/B08R7QNCSN/

Author Bio

Fiona Sherlock is a crime writer from Bective, in Ireland. Her murder mystery games are played across the world.  She also writes poetry and prose but cannot stay away from a good murder.  After spending a decade in Dublin working in public relations and journalism, she moved to the country for mid-day fires and elderflower champagne.

Social Media Links
http://instagram.com/fionasherlock
https://twitter.com/fionasherlock
https://www.facebook.com/DionysisDiary/
 

Blog Tour: This Changes Everything by Helen McGinn

Should first love be left in the past, or is first love, forever love...

Sisters Annie and Jess are used to their mother Julia being spontaneous. But when Julia announces she’s flying off to Rome to meet her first love Patrick, whom she hasn’t seen for fifty years, it's an adventure too far. So, her daughters decide the only way to keep Julia safe, is to go too – without actually telling their mother she has chaperones!

Julia and Patrick’s love story was everything – epic, once-in-a-lifetime, with a tragic ending and life-long consequences.  First love is hard to forget, but sometimes, just sometimes, life delivers a chance to rewrite your story. 

As the eternal city of Rome works its magic, old secrets, old friends and old loves become new possibilities and new dreams. And when the four travellers return home, nothing will ever be the same again.

Join Helen McGinn for a timeless, joyous, unforgettable journey through love, family, and long-forgotten dreams.  A novel to hold to your heart and treasure, perfect for fans of Elizabeth Noble, Cathy Kelly and JoJo Moyes

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3eR441O

Review

Permanently exhaused mother Annie and her career-driven sister Jess know their own mother Julia too well to not worry when she declares that she's going to meet up with her first love in Rome. Determined to stop a fourth marriage - or at least be there to witness it - they follow her to Rome where secrets are revealed and each must examine her own life and what she wants out of it.

Each of Annie, Jess, and Julia were distinct but relatable in different ways, especially in their creeping fear that they've made the wrong choices in life, brought to a head at a delightful seafood restaurant in Rome.

Rome as Helen McGinn writes it is delightful and enchanting. I loved the description of the architecture, the sights, and the out of the way spots. All brought the city to life beautifully. Having never been there, I now find myself wanting to, hampered only by current circumstances and the constraints of my wallet. I will note that the locals of Rome are not called 'Romani' (that's a completely different people group) but that is easy enough to fix.

Especially at the start, the book does suffer from a bit of headjumping, which makes it difficult to follow, but this seems to die out after the first few chapters (or I got used to it). What's a little harder to read is the intertwining of the three stories as it feels like both Annie and Jess are shortchanged on the screentime. I really expected more about Annie coming to terms with giving up an art career she loved to have a family and would've liked to see more of Jess's story on the page rather than referred to. However I'm glad all came to a happy resolution.

For a slow, sweet novel about life, choices, and how it's never to late to make different ones, pick up this book.

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

Author Bio

Helen McGinn is a much-loved wine expert on TV and in print and an international wine judge. She spent ten years as a supermarket buyer sourcing wines around the world before setting up her award-winning blog (and best-selling wine book) The Knackered Mother’s Wine Club. She is the drinks writer for the Daily Mail and regularly appears on TV’s Saturday Kitchen and This Morning. Helen lives in the New Forest and Boldwood are publishing her debut women’s fiction title in Spring 2021.

Social Media Links
Website: www.knackeredmotherswineclub.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/knackeredmotherswineclub
Twitter https://twitter.com/knackeredmutha
Instragram http://instagram.com/knackeredmother
 

Publication Day Push: the Viscount's Unconventional Lady by Virginia Heath (with giveaway!)

The notorious Viscount 

And the most gossiped-about lady… 

After years as a diplomat in the Napoleonic wars, Lord Eastwood is reluctant to return to London society. His scandalous divorce has made him infamous, not to mention cantankerous! To halt the rumour mill, he should marry a quiet noblewoman – instead it’s bold, vibrant artist, Faith Brookes, who’s caught his attention. They are the least suitable match, so why is he like a moth to a flame…?

Purchase Links
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Viscounts-Unconventional-Mills-Historical-Monde-ebook/dp/B08CKHQJPM
US - https://www.amazon.com/Viscounts-Unconventional-Mills-Historical-Monde-ebook/dp/B08CKHQJPM

Review

Faith is predisposed to hate Lord Eastwood, the son of her father's latest patrons, on principle. She knows firsthand that noblemen may seduce but will never deign to marry the daughter of creatives like her parents, no matter how talented they may be. For his part, Piers is reminded of his beautiful, vivacious, selfish ex-wife and he has vowed to never be taken in by such a woman again.

Despite their initial misgivings and the disapproval of most everyone around them, Piers and Faith find themselves drawn together as each learn to open their heart again. I thoroughly enjoyed watching both of them overcome (very understandable) prejudices and meet somewhere in the middle.

Faith's unconventional family - painter father, soprano mother, writing and singing sisters - provide a nice foil to Piers' conventional one - his parents are perfectly respectable and both sisters are happily married. His niece emerges as the true standout here, her precocious matchmaking is charming and effective.

There was so much to enjoy in this book, a lot of little threads that enriched the story without overwhelming the romance, in particular, the Napoleonic War drawing to a close and Faith's dream of painting under her own name and not as her father's assistant. There was a really nice side commentary on the aristocracy - double standards between men and women, but also hypocrisy in celebrating the Brookes' talents while denying them entry to their ranks. The Brookes have learnt to survive being the focus of gossip, knowing that there is always a bigger scandal around the corner.

If you want a strong-willed and talented heroine to fall madly in love as she winds a reserved and rather grumpy lord around her little finger - and I did! - this is the book for you. Come and enjoy the biggest scandal of all - love!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book 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. Despite that, it still takes her forever to fall asleep.

Social Media Links
http://viewbook.at/talkofthebeaumonde1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiaheathauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VirginiaHeath_ 

Giveaway to Win 2 x e-copies of The Viscount’s Unconventional 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.

Fierce at Heart by Zoe York

Marriage is for suckers—Adam and Isla agreed on that when they got hitched.

Adam Kincaid has a lot to prove: as a brand-new firefighter, as the youngest of five brothers in a small town where everyone is curious about your business, and as an unexpected newlywed.

Isla Petersen knows exactly what she’s getting into: a marriage of convenience with a younger man, a soldier she once commanded when she was an army captain. And she knows what she’s getting in return: a bakery that’s all her own.

This is a standalone story about two friends who don’t believe in love, but do believe in each other. Welcome back to Pine Harbour! 

Review

Adam didn't expect to meet his former commanding officer selling cookies at a Toronto market, nor did he expect the mind-blowing one night stand or the ensuing friendship, but when he sees a chance for her to own her own bakery, he suggests a marriage of convenience based on friendship, not love. Adam doesn't even believe he can love - and Isla's still scarred from an emotionally abusive relationship.

Most romances go roughly friendship (or lust) > love > sex > marriage, but these two flip this on its head, going something like sex > friendship > marriage > love, and it was believable every step of the way. Their chemistry is never in doubt and the solid friendship sets the foundation for a successful marriage even before love sneaks in.

Adam's a great guy who is starting a new career out of the army and still seems to be the baby of this family in his brother's eyes. Despite the teasing, it is clear the brothers all love each other and they (mostly) wind back the matchmaking when he asks. His confusion over love starts very demiromantic and I'm glad his brothers are there to talk sense into him when he needs it.

Thanks to her time in the army and her awful ex-husband, Isla is terrible at asking for help, but the welcoming small town and supportive husband go a long way to helping her trust again and I loved seeing her open up. The ex-husband deserved a comeuppance but I feel like his sub-plot disappeared suddenly which was a bit disappointing. Even a sentence or two could've wrapped it up.

This is actually the second in a spinoff series from an eight book series set in the same town and it was nice that while some previous characters made an appearance (I even commented on the wealth of Minellis to my roommate and it turns out those four siblings get four books each), it didn't feel overwhelming or annoying. This book stands well on its own and its quality makes me glad of such a large back catalogue.

Overall, a very enjoyable small town marriage of convenience and when my TBR calms down I'd love to read more by the author. 

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

Blog Tour: Love and Ohana Drama by Melissa Baldwin

Love and Ohana Drama is a romantic comedy that explores the challenges of family dynamics and reminds readers that there is always hope for a second chance. Sometimes the most challenging situations bring the most happiness . . .

Twenty-something Cora Fletcher is a book-loving public relations executive who lives with her overly Zen best friend and attention-loving cat. Newly single and focusing on her exciting career, she feels like she’s in a good place. She's even been invited on an all-expenses-paid Hawaiian vacation! The only catch—it’s a family reunion . . . and her family can be a lot to handle.

Cora vows to not let that get in the way, but even before the family has boarded the plane, the ohana drama begins. As usual, there's the sister-in-law who is bent on causing friction, the self-centered cousins, and the aunt who loves to party a bit too much. Her mother has filled the itinerary with endless activities, and she's even invited Cora’s ex-boyfriend in an attempt to get them back together.

Although she feels overwhelmed, Cora gets a blast from her past that could impact her life forever. This is one welcome reunion she did not expect . . .

Will Cora make it through a week of family togetherness? And will she be able to say aloha to someone she thought was out of her life forever?

Puchase Links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07YQDMSRC  
US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YQDMSRC

Review

Cora can't stand her family. They are so stressful, she almost backs out of the Hawaii-based family reunion - and when she arrives at the airport, she finds her ex was also invited because her mom still wants him to be part of the family. Can her holiday survive the Fletcher family drama, and when an old crush resurfaces, will Cora take a chance on love?

This was a sweet and sunny trip to Honolulu full of leis and trips to the beach. Yes, it's an idealised view of Hawaii, available only to wealthy tourists, but everyone could do with a luxury escape. Trust me, it will give you a serious case of travel envy. I had a holiday booked to Hawaii last year and I'm still sad it didn't eventuate.

Cora was a delightful relateable character with her love of reading and sense of isolation from her own family. I wished her every happiness and cheered when she enforced her boundaries, though there was a moment when she texted her mom during the flight to Hawaii (illegal but also impossible) that had me rolling my eyes.

I'm such a sucker for family feels. There's a large cast, almost all of them Fletchers, but the book doesn't feel overstuffed because while each are dramatic, they fit into the overall story and don't have an extended character arc of their own. I loved how everyone who went to the reunion ended the story a little better than they were before and I liked them all a little better than I did before. Even Brynn.

This is a happy book and I think it'll make you happy too.

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

Author Bio

Melissa Baldwin is a planner-obsessed Disney fan who still watches Beverly Hills 90210 reruns and General Hospital. 

She’s a wife, mother, and journal keeper, who finally decided to write the book she talked about for years. She took her dream to the next level, and is now an award-winning, bestselling author of nineteen Romantic Comedy and Cozy Mystery novels and novellas. Melissa writes about charming, ambitious, and real women, and she considers these leading ladies to be part of her tribe.

When she isn't deep in the writing zone, this multitasking master organizer keeps busy by spending time with her family, chauffeuring her daughter, traveling, attempting yoga poses, and going on rides at Disney World.

Social Media Links
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Baldwin/e/B012M1S100?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1579551179&sr=8-1
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/authormelissabaldwin/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mbaldwinauthor/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/mpbaldwinauthor
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-baldwin
Website - http://www.authormelissabaldwin.com

Giveaway to Win a $20 Amazon Gift Card (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.