Publication Day: How Not to Chaperon a Lady by Virginia Heath (with giveaway!)

His childhood nemesis…is the woman he can’t resist!

Chaperoning Charity Brookes while she’s on a singing tour should be easy for Griffith Philpot—he’s spent his whole life sparring with her over her flighty ways! But as he discovers that she’s much more than the impetuous girl he thought he knew, a passion ignites between them… Sharing a steamy kiss leaves him torn – he’s supposed to be responsible for guarding her virtue!

Purchase Link - https://books2read.com/talkofbeaumonde3 

Review

Youngest daughter of a supremely talented family and a rising star of the opera, Charity Brookes has the world at her feet. If only she could banish her long-time crush on the older brother of her best friend. Nothing she does is ever good enough for Griffith Philpot and now he's been assigned as her chaperone on a singing tour of the north. Expecting him to stifle her with rules and restrictions, she's surprised by his care - and then by a kiss. Could it be there's something else underneath his gruff exterior?

Funny, steamy, and sometimes too sweet for words, this is the perfect end to the tales of the Brookes sisters. Pretty, flighty Charity gets her time in the spotlight - not that the budding diva has ever left it - and it turns out her life isn't all songs and roses like her sisters assume. It's been fascinating to see how each of them have deeply held insecurities about their talents and Charity is no different. She might be a success at the start of the story (unlike the other two, whose search for recognition is an integral part of their plots) but Charity's story is less about making it and more about how to cope when you do.

And then there's Griff. Deep in denial about his feelings for Charity, I really can't condone the jealousy, but when he steps up to take care of her you can't help but swoon. He's clever and persistent with a Charity-sized blindspot in the middle of his feelings. I like that he's not a member of the aristocracy, and I like that no-one in the Brookes clan cares one bit.

The camaraderie between Piers, Luke, and now Griff was simply delightful, though I do wish we got more sisterly interactions. There was also a confrontation that occurred off-page that I would've loved to read first-hand, but that's a minor gripe about - and who knows, maybe it'll turn up as a deleted scene!

Best enjoyed in a long flowing gown with a bit of opera in the background - a wonderful conclusion to a great series!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher 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. Twenty books and two Romantic Novel of the Year Award nominations later, and it still takes her forever to fall asleep.

Social Media Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiaheathauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VirginiaHeath_

Giveaway to Win 2 x e-copies of How Not to Chaperon a 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.

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Blog Tour: Red Velvet by Carla Luna

Faking it has never been so much fun… 

In her ultra-competitive family, April Beckett is used to taking last place. For years, she’s put up with jabs about her modest job and her pathetic love life. Especially after she tried to impress her older sisters with a fake boyfriend in college and failed miserably. But now she has a smoking-hot date for her brother’s wedding, guaranteed to wow them.

Until he bails. Cue total desperation.

Without April’s friendship, Brody Blackwood wouldn’t have survived his last breakup. So, if she needs a plus-one for a family wedding, he’s all in. Even if it means pretending to be her boyfriend. And committing to six days of activities at a wooded resort in Wisconsin. But how hard could a relaxing getaway with your best friend be?

Too bad there’s a grueling 10K race and a cutthroat trivia night to endure. Not to mention a massive secret to protect. But will the biggest secret of all turn out to be that this fake relationship feels more real than April or Brody ever imagined?

Purchase Links
Website: https://www.carlalunabooks.com/red-velvet
Books2Read Link: https://books2read.com/u/m0KQrW

Review

When April's plus-one to her brother's wedding falls through, her best friend Brody steps up to the plate. He's nursing his own broken heart but April was there for him during his own bad break-up and the miserable months that followed. Pretending to be her boyfriend at a destination wedding is the least he can do. April's family might be ultra-competitive and she might have been nursing a crush on him for the last few years, but they can pull this off, right?

Like the namesake cupcakes, Red Velvet is sweet and delicious, full of banter and character growth. I loved both April and Brody, seeing their similarities and differences - April is the short and curvy graphic designer in a family of competitive corporate high-fliers, whereas Brody is the second son of a multimillion dollar business, and both feel like they can never live up to their parents' expectations. They complemented each other so well - April helps Brody realise what he actually wants out of life and he helps her stand up to her overbearing family. Both felt like real people with real problems, and yet I fully believed in their happily ever after.

Family is a strong theme through this book (and likely the whole series) and April's family surely deserve an honourable mention here, especially the decent ones. They might push and prod too far but it comes from a place of love - and this book does a good job at respecting that love while still drawing boundaries. The trivia quiz was possibly my favourite scene and even though the series is about Brody's family, I surely hope Ginger gets her own book (and away from her parents!).

Light, sexy, and entertaining: I'm definitely interested in reading more by this author! Best enjoyed on the couch with a glass of wine.

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 spoiled Siberian cat.

Social Media Links
Website: www.carlalunabooks.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/casacullen
FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/CarlaLunaAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlalunacullen/

Blog Tour: the Dating Game by Sandy Barker

‘Hilarious and highly original’ ~ Julie Houston, bestselling author of A Village Affair

Once upon a time, twelve women joined the hottest reality TV show looking for love. Except one had a secret identity . . .

Abby Jones is a serious writer. Or at least she will be, one day. Right now, she spends her time writing recaps of reality television under a secret identity.

When a recap for The Stag – the must-watch dating show – goes viral, her editor thinks she should be on set, writing the drama as it happens. The good news: the next season will be filmed in Sydney. Sun, sea and a glamorous trip abroad, this could be Abby’s big break.

The bad news: the producers don’t just want Abby to write the recaps, they want her to be on the show. Abby can’t think of anything worse than being undercover and followed around by cameras. But her career depends on it, and when she meets gorgeous producer Jack, Abby begins to wonder if this job might not be so bad after all . . .

Review

Abby Jones pays rent by writing snarky recaps of The Stag, a Batchelor-type reality show where multiple women, nicknamed 'Does', vie for the affections of a handsome 'Stag'. When one recap goes viral, Abby is offered (ordered) the chance to go undercover as a Doe on the next season to write her recaps from inside the Manor. Armed with a makeover, a new background, and dossiers on her competition, 'Doe Abby' jets off to Sydney. Unfortunately, it's a lot harder to be clever when the subjects aren't just characters, they're fast becoming friends, and soon Abby is juggling her secret identity, the Stag, her competition, and the attention of one of the producers - as well as getting her recaps in on time!

I seriously enjoyed this book. It's a little slow to start as it introduces Abby and gets her to Sydney, but once she arrives at Stag Manor the book really gets going. This is a story about love, but it's also a story about friendship, as the friendships Abby makes among some of the Does drive the story just as much if not more than the eventual love story. I was a little apprehensive at the start, given Abby's rather catty review of the previous season of the Stag, and yes, some of the Does are written as Fillers or out-and-out Villains, but the majority of them are layered and complex characters with their own voices and motivations (and given the cast list is at the back, reducing some of the Does to stereotypes does help one keep track of who's who). Her mum gets one of the best scenes in the book.

Abby is a hoot and her recaps are entertaining if sometimes confusingly entwined with her inner monologue (I received an ARC so I'm hoping the formatting will make the distinction clearer in the final copy). I enjoyed watching her mature and learn to reconcile her multiple identities (Abigail Jones, would-be journalist; 'Doe Abby', hopeful contestant; Anastasia Blabbergasted, witty recapper) in order to claim her own happy ending.

Laugh-out-loud and deliciously entertaining, this book has all the drama of a so-called reality show but no celebrities were harmed in the making! Best enjoyed with a fruity cocktail while wearing some strappy stilettos

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

Purchase Links
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dating-Game-romantic-comedy-Santorini-ebook/dp/B096TBRT6B/
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-dating-game/id1571261358
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sandy_Barker_The_Dating_Game?id=iwQyEAAAQBAJ
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dating-game-sandy-barker/1139650830
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/the-dating-game-30

Author Bio
Sandy is a writer, traveller and hopeful romantic with a lengthy bucket list, and many of her travel adventures have found homes in her novels. She’s also an avid reader, a film buff, a wine lover and a coffee snob. She lives in Melbourne Australia with her partner, Ben, who she met while travelling in Greece. Their real-life love story inspired Sandy’s debut novel One Summer in Santorini, the first in the Holiday Romance series with One More Chapter, an imprint of HarperCollins. 

Follow Sandy:
https://twitter.com/sandybarker
https://www.facebook.com/sandybarkerauthor
https://sandybarker.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sandybarkerauthor/

Blog Tour: The Knight's Maiden in Disguise by Ella Matthews

Risking her life

To save a knight!

Disguising herself as her late twin brother keeps Avva Carpenter, and her family, safe. Until Sir William Devereux arrives in her town. As the castle’s stable master, Avva can’t avoid the knight—or the desire he instantly stirs in her. He’s everything she never knew a nobleman could be: honest, kind, brave. When danger surrounds them, the only way to help William is to reveal her true identity, but can she trust him enough?

Purchase Links
UK  - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Knights-Maiden-Disguise-Mills-Historical-ebook/dp/B09127FJ29
US - https://www.amazon.com/Knights-Maiden-Disguise-Mills-Historical-ebook/dp/B09127FJ29

Review

Avva Carpenter has no reason to trust noblemen, not until Sir William Devereux rides into town. He's one of the King's Knights, there to announce the King's visit, only the Baron isn't home and there's something very suspicious about the whole situation. William needs to marry a rich heiress to fund his parents' excesses, and for that he needs his mission to be a success. What a pity there's treason afoot and William can't take his eyes off the stablemaster...

It wasn't long ago that I read a book set in the court of Isabella, mother of King Edward III, and this story takes place in those years just following his successful revolt against her regency. The land is ostensibly at peace but years of war have taken their toll, which marks our protagonists in different ways. Avva outright states that as a Welsh woman she has no loyalty to an English king, whereas William is in the service of said king - a potentially advantageous but precarious position.

The electricity between Avva and William just about crackles off the page, even when Avva's deception stands between them and they are both fighting the very inconvenient attraction to each other. It's a relief when the walls come down because while the tension doesn't abate, it's leavened with some fabulous banter. The story is a little light on supporting characters so it's a relief that the leads are so engaging.

Their relationship is intertwined with a plot against the king which clips along nicely, adding dramatic tension and aids the final resolution - though not as much as William facing his inbuilt resolve against falling in love. It really is quite delicious when a romance hero decides they're not going to fall in love, because mate, you have no idea... I liked Avva's loyalty and determination, although her stubbornness did sometimes verge into TSTL which got a little frustrating.

Overall this is a good romance with great leads and tension that had me putting down my phone for a breather.

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

Author Bio

Ella Matthews lives and works in beautiful South Wales. When not thinking about handsome heroes she can be found walking along the coast with her husband and their two children (probably still thinking about heroes but at least pretending to be interested in everyone else).

Social Media Links
https://twitter.com/ellamattauthor
www.ellamatthews.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/ella.matthews.524381

The Rose Kiss by Esme Rome

In this retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Lana Moreau is named the Belmorta (beautiful death) by a local prophet and framed for poisoning one of her unwanted suitors. Fleeing into the forest, she finds refuge at an enchanted castle with invisible servants and a host who requests she never try to look at him. As soldiers search outside, the two become close - but the magic that hides the castle from Lana's pursuers is also hiding them from a greater threat - one who will stop at nothing.

This was definitely an interesting twist on Beauty and the Beast! I like that while Lana enjoyed reading, she wasn't a carbon copy of Belle. The world has a magic all of its own.

I did find the world-building inconsistent and this led to enough plot holes that the pacing felt off. The fairytale feel with two lost souls bonding in an empty castle morphed into a frantic fantasy adventure and it was a rather rocky transition. I also found it hard to like Lana as she came across as judgey and self-absorbed.

I can definitely see potential in the author and that cover is gorgeous, but it's definitely a first novel and I hope the next ones get a little more polish and a tougher editor.

The Rose Kiss is available now.

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

Love Me Ever After by Julie Archer

Eighteen months after taking an international secondment and leaving behind a girlfriend who didn't want to do long-distance, Mason Miles is back in the country and needs somewhere to live.

Emily Berry doesn't want the hassle of finding a new housemate, but surely that's better than having her ex move in? Unfortunately, she's not given much of a choice. Even worse, it turns out that a year and a half have done nothing to put out the sparks between them, and she still seems to have those pesky little things called feelings. But with his career taking off and hers on the line, hooking up might give them another chance at everything they ever wanted - or ruin it.

Third in a series, this second chance romance has the perfect mix of angst, steam, and happy endings. Mason and Ems have all the chemistry but must learn to navigate life together if they really want the relationship to work out this time around.

There were a few moments where I bemoaned poor decision-making and an awful lot of jumping to conclusions, but nothing egregious or unreasonable. Mason and Ems felt like real, flawed human beings trying to work out what they want out of life.

A side effect of jumping in at book three is that there's a lot of characters to keep track of and it's not immediately clear who is related or how they fit in. Despite this, I found it relatively easy to start here and I didn't feel like I'd missed out by doing so.

If you're looking for a solid second chance romance or simply want a contemporary about normal people learning how to make a relationship work, I'd definitely put this book forward.

Love Me Ever After is available now.

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

Publication Day: Cornish Gold at Summer’s End by Laura Briggs (with international giveaway!)

Rumors of a ghostly presence haunt Julianne’s Cornish autumn in the series’ charming fourth installment.

What began as a bit of teenage mischief in the village quickly became stories of spooky lights and ghost sightings in the wood. Being sensible, Julianne is more worried about whether she can finish her kids’ costumes in time for the annual Halloween contest—and whether husband Matt and his eager assistants will be selected for the exclusive Brookshire Garden Design Competition. So when everyone in town begins flocking to the local ‘ghost walk’ tours Julianne assures her wide-eyed children it’s just a case of imagination run wild...until she experiences her own brush with the supernatural, that is.

Real or imagined, Julianne can’t shrug off what she saw, or even bring herself to confide in sympathetic Matt for advice. Best friend Kitty is on hand to help, despite her usual family battles, including that of her cousins’ shady new scheme to profit from the town’s ghost mania. But even Julianne’s friends can’t fully understand her need to find a solution this time, one that leads her on a quirky quest from local lore, to meetings with the village’s ragtag paranormal club, and even a creepy abandoned cottage hiding secrets in the woods. 

Join Julianne for suspense, surprises, and (of course) heartfelt moments as book four in the series brings an autumn like no other to sleepy Ceffylgwyn.

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

Review

Julianne's life finally feels like it's settling into a comfortable, if very full, rhythm. Halloween is just around the corner, so she is ready to ignore the local ghost stories and concentrate on sewing costumes for her kids. It gets a little bit more difficult after her own spooky encounter, one that has her searching for answers in all the creepiest places.

A cosy tale full of family and feelings, this is a lovely read with an air of mystery. Julianne doesn't really have time to investigate but finds herself doing so anyway, and I can certainly relate to her curiosity! I'm definitely interested to see where her story goes next.

I always enjoy stories set in a small town with an eclectic cast of characters and this fits the bill perfectly. There are quite a few to keep track of (only natural, given this is the fourth book in the series) but their interactions give this community a real warmth.

This is an enjoyable read that I would recommend to fans of small town stories.

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

Author Bio

Laura Briggs is the author of several feel-good romance reads, including the Top 100 Amazon UK seller 'A Wedding in Cornwall'. She has a fondness for vintage style dresses (especially ones with polka dots), and reads everything from Jane Austen to modern day mysteries. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, caring for her pets, gardening, and seeing the occasional movie or play.

Social Media Links
Find Laura on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/1JjeMoI
Follow her on Twitter at http://bit.ly/1ME9ivJ 

Giveaway to Win an e-copy of Cornish Gold at Summer’s End (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