Blog tour: A Laird for the Highland Lady by Catherine Tinley (including international giveaway!)

A sparkling, witty Regency set in the Scottish Highlands

Becoming a laird

 …worthy of the Highland lady?

After an unexpected encounter with Eilidh MacDonald, Max Wood thinks this shockingly beautiful woman is unlike anyone he’s ever met! Working to restore the Scottish estate long neglected by his family, Max is achieving more than he thought possible. As a carefree second son, he’s never considered marriage—until now… But is shaking off his decadent persona enough to win the flame-haired lady who’s captured his heart?

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/LairdHLady

Review

A sweet romance and a belated coming of age   - I really enjoyed this book! It ties in with the previous book in the series but stands well alone, though you likely will be seeking the others as Catherine Tinley's writing is delightful. 

Poor Max does not come across as a hedonistic layabout, but a lifetime has convinced him that he is useless. This is his coming of age as he seeks to shed his ennui and do something useful with his life. I especially liked that he grew because it was the right thing to do, not merely to win Eilidh over. Having said that, he is easy to like and I can understand why Eilidh falls for him. I would've liked Eilidh to have a bit more of an arc but that is a minor point.

It's a feel good Scottish Regency romance that doesn't shy away from the lasting damage caused by the English - but reminds you that it's not what your ancestors did but what you do now that matters.

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

Author Bio –

Catherine Tinley is an award winning author of historical romance. She writes witty, heartwarming Regency romance for Harlequin Mills & Boon. Her first book, Waltzing with the Earl, won the Rita® Award for Best Historical Romance 2018, while Rags-to-Riches Wife won the RoNA Award for Best Historical Romance 2021 as well as the HOLT Medallion, and A Waltz with the Outspoken Governess has won the RoNA Award for Best Historical Romance 2022.
She has loved reading and writing since childhood, and has a particular fondness for love, romance, and happy endings. After a career encompassing speech & language therapy, Sure Start, maternity campaigning and being President of a charity, she now manages a maternity hospital. She lives in Ireland with her husband, children, cats, and dog and can be reached at catherinetinley.com, on facebook, twitter, and instagram. Full links are here.

Social Media Links – Catherine Tinley social media 

Giveaway to Win a Signed copy of A Laird For The Highland 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.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Troy Story by Carla Luna

The friendship that launched a thousand adventures is about to embark on the greatest one of all…

 Ever since Stuart Carlson and Dusty Danforth met as kids on a dig in Egypt, they’ve been best friends, supporting each other through heartaches, triumphs, and countless archaeological expeditions. So when Stuart gets hired to help run the American excavations at Troy, he asks Dusty to join him as the site illustrator.

For Dusty, the Troy project isn’t just another adventure. It’s the chance to tell Stuart how she really feels. After years of pining for him, she’s ready for more than friendship. 

But soon after they arrive at the site in Turkey, they’re caught up in a feud with a group of German archaeologists. While both teams are eager to make a major find, Stuart’s boss is so determined to beat his rivals that he’s willing to break a few rules. Or laws.

As Stuart and Dusty work together to keep the dig on track, they give in to the passion that’s been simmering under the surface. But will their romance survive when their boss’s scheme puts the entire project in jeopardy? 

Purchase Links
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BWGKBFNT
B & N Nook Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/troy-story-carla-luna/1143099586
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id6445787375
UBL (Books2Read): https://books2read.com/u/bMN2k8

Review

Carla Luna continues to impress with another wonderfully  written romance with a bit of spice and minimal angst. Her knowledge of archaeology shines as she reminds us of the most cutthroat of battlefields: academia. From the hallowed halls of learning to a dig site in Turkey, the quest for recognition seems more trouble than it’s worth!

Dusty Danforth can’t settle on a thesis topic or keep a lid on her temper, and she is still trying to get out from the shadow of her intimidatingly successful mother. I might sign at her choices when she flies off the handle (even though I completely understand why) but she always has a good heart and definitely keeps things interesting!

Poor sweet Stuart is doing his best but when caught between a shady dig director and his burgeoning academic career, he isn’t sure where to turn, making him very relatable. Being together honestly causes Dusty and Stuart to make worse choices until they learn how to make each other better.

The background characters were great - I liked that all of the on page women were different and it worked for them, and that the petty rivalries and jealousy were on the whole worked out so the girls really banded together. I’m especially glad to see that Emilia and TJ are in line for the next book!

If you love archaeology, romances with a setting outside the usual, or characters with jobs that matter to them, please pick up this book!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book 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 Vancouver Island, 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:  https://www.facebook.com/CarlaLunaAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlalunacullen/
BookBub Page: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/carla-luna

Blog Tour: Spin the Bottle by Isabella May

CELESTE thought she had long forgotten the sweet, citrusy kiss she shared with TRAVIS during a game of spin the bottle. Splitting her time between her accounts office in super Instagrammable Notting Hill, and her tiny apartment in quirky Exmouth Market, modern-day life is simply too busy for men. Besides, whenever she tries to find The One, it always ends in disaster. From Tinder tragedies to trampolining tribulations, Celeste is starting to think that she's cursed.

But then Travis begins to pop up wherever she goes, and Celeste knows with stomach-sinking clarity that fate has finally caught up with them. Inspired by the idea of fake dating, Celeste is convinced the only way out of this mess is to call the curse's bluff. But will Travis agree to it? And how can she manage not to fall in love?

Pour yourself a lemonade and escape with this gorgeous will-they-won't-they rom-com set between London and Gibraltar!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/spinthebottle

Review

Celeste is cursed. Every quirky date she plans goes hilariously, hopelessly wrong. Her so-called best friend Mel thinks she's being over dramatic but Celeste can't let go of a teenage kiss and an old lady's prophecy, especially when the subject of both keeps popping up at every turn. Travis thinks she's crazy when she suggests fake dating to break the curse, but how long will it stay fake?

There's something sugary sweet and sometimes spicy about this book. Disastrous dates aside, Celeste is living a charmed life, right until Travis stumbled back into it. While initial meetings are not promising, there is a ton of UST just simmering under the surface. It makes me wonder if Celeste and Travis would've gotten together faster without the curse hanging over their heads.

Nevertheless, the banter is witty, the romance is lively and light, and there's just a hint of the supernatural. For a fan of fake dating, unique date ideas, and lemons, this book will tickle your fancy.

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

Author Bio
Isabella May lives in (mostly) sunny Andalusia, Spain with her husband, daughter and son, creatively inspired by the mountains and the sea. She grew up in Somerset on Glastonbury's ley lines and loves to feature her quirky English hometown in her stories.
After a degree in Modern Languages and European Studies at UWE, Bristol (and a year working abroad in Bordeaux and Stuttgart), Isabella bagged an extremely jammy and fascinating job in children's publishing... selling foreign rights for novelty, board, pop-up and non-fiction books all over the world; in every language from Icelandic to Korean, Bahasa Indonesian to Papiamento!
All of which has fuelled her curiosity and love of international food and travel - both feature extensively in her romcoms.
Isabella is also a Level 4 Pranic Healer and a stillbirth mum.

Social Media Links
www.isabellamayauthor.com
Twitter - @IsabellaMayBks
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/IsabellaMayAuthor/
Instagram - @isabella_may_author

Blog Tour: One Moment in Time by Shari Low

Sometimes the best surprises reveal the most shocking secrets.

After three decades of marriage, Brenda Jones has decided to leave her husband, just as soon as they both return from a mystery trip with their daughter Zara. But she has no idea that Zara is flying them to Las Vegas to renew their vows.

Zara Jones has recreated almost every detail of her parent’s original wedding - now her only challenge is tracking down the two friends who were pictured with her mum and dad back in 1993.

Aiden Gregg is dealing with his own relationship woes when he receives an unexpected message from a complete stranger. WIth the help of Facebook, Zara has tracked him down and is asking if his parents are the other couple in the old photo? And if so, could he bring them to Vegas for a surprise reunion?

What Zara and Aiden don’t know is that thirty years ago, One Moment In Time changed everything.

Will rewinding the clock right the wrongs of the past?

Or are they all counting down to a rendezvous with disaster?

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/OneMomentsocial

Review

Shari Low has a lovely gift for telling several overlapping stories, making you fall in love with multiple characters as their lives intersect in unexpected ways. The intersection of the four narrators - Brenda, her daughter Zara, Eileen, and her son Aiden - are only unexpected to some of them, because Zara, her sister Millie, and Aiden are conspiring to reunite their respective parents in Vegas.

With little hints from Brenda and Eileen's narration, the celebration of a lifetime is like a train wreck in slow motion, with every encounter sending dreams of happily ever after closer to the edge. From Aiden scheming to get his divorced parents both to Vegas, to the explosive reunion of the older generation, you simply have to keep reading to find out if Brenda and Colin make it to renew their vows, or if this last surprise is the straw that breaks Brenda's ever-patient back. And after so much build up, I would've enjoyed more on-page denouement of everyone in the aftermath.

I don't want to spoil the story because the twists make it fun, but there are happy endings and maybe a few more chances for the author to work her magic on loose ends.

Perfect for an escape from reality but don't start when you have somewhere else to be!

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

Author Bio 

Shari Low is the #1 bestselling author of over 30 novels, including My One Month Marriage and One Summer Sunrise and a collection of parenthood memories called Because Mummy Said So. She lives near Glasgow.

Social Media Link
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sharilowbooks
Twitter https://twitter.com/sharilow
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sharilowbooks/
Newsletter Sign Up https://bit.ly/ShariLownews
Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/shari-low

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

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/

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.