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.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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