Cover Reveal – #CollectorsDaughter by Gill Paul (@GillPaulAuthor) #ComingSoon #PreorderNow #GillPaul #HistoricalFiction #CoverReveal

I am delighted to be bringing you another cover reveal this week, courtesy of the extremely talented Gill Paul. I have been a fan of this author for many years, and in my opinion, she has never written a book that I have disliked! To say that she is talented would be a huge understatement, so knowing that a new book is coming out in a few months makes me extremely, extremely excited. I cannot wait!

Here is the cover for Gill Paul’s upcoming novel, ‘The Collector’s Daughter’. Spoiler, it’s a stunner!

Bestselling author Gill Paul returns with a brilliant novel about Lady Evelyn Herbert, who grew up in Highclere Castle—the real Downton Abbey—and became the first person in modern times to enter the tomb of Ancient Egyptian king Tutankhamun. 

She is the daughter of the Earl of Carnarvon, brought up to make her society debut and follow it with a prestigious marriage. But popular and pretty Lady Evelyn Herbert has other ideas. First she falls for a man her mother doesn’t approve of, then she accompanies her father to Egypt, leaving behind the world of etiquette and chaperones to work alongside archeologist Howard Carter in the Valley of the Kings.

In November 1922 the extraordinary happens when they discover the burial place of Tutankhamun, packed full of gold and inconceivable riches. Eve is the first to crawl inside, the first person to see the treasures in three thousand years. She calls it the “greatest moment” of her life—but soon afterwards a string of tragedies leaves her world a darker, sadder place.

Newspapers claim it is “the curse of Tutankhamun.” Howard Carter says no rational person would entertain such nonsense. Fifty years later, an Egyptian academic comes asking questions about what really happened in the tomb in 1922. And that visit unleashes a new chain of events threatening Eve’s happy life, and making her wonder if there could be some truth behind the stories of an ancient curse.


The Collector’s Daughter is due to be released in the UK on the 30th September and can be pre-ordered now by clicking here.
The book is due to be published in the US on the 7th September and also can be pre-ordered now by clicking here.

Also, if you wish to be notified of Gill Paul’s further releases or any other news, you can sign up to her newsletter now!

Who else is excited for a new Gill Paul novel?! I cannot wait to read it!

#APerfectCornishEscape @phillipaashley @AvonBooksUK

Many thanks to Avon for inviting me to take part in Phillipa Ashley’s blog tour today, and for supplying me with an ARC.

Summer in Cornwall is the perfect time for a fresh start…

Seven years ago, Marina Hudson’s husband was lost at sea. She vowed to love him forever – but when kind-hearted Lachlan arrives in Porthmellow, should she deny herself another chance at happiness?

Tiff Trescott was living life to the full as a journalist in London – until her boyfriend’s betrayal brought it all crashing down. Fleeing to her cousin Marina’s cottage, Tiff feels like a fish out of water. And when brooding local Dirk wins a day with her in a charity auction, she’s thrown headfirst into Cornish life.

This summer promises new beginnings for both Tiff and Marina. But are they too good to be true?

What does TWG think?

Life is very uncertain for all of us right now. Meet ups with friends and family in a close knit situation is forbidden. Travelling for a weekend away to a favourite spot can earn us a slap on the wrists. So how can we escape from a locked down world, without breaking the rules?

One word, books. Actually, scrap that.

Two words….Phillipa Ashley. If you arent allowed to go to Cornwall, then this author can bring Cornwall to you.

Romance, friendships, hope; what more could you want? I wasnt too surprised by many of the elements within this story, yet that didnt deter me from enjoying Tiff and Marina’s personalities and their lives. Dirk is a bit of a questionable character for many reasons which become evident the more the storyline progresses, whereas I couldnt help but forge a bit of a soft spot for Lachlan. He seemed to add so much joy to the storyline, a breath of fresh air if you will.

What I loved most about this book was the way it allowed me to getaway and lose myself in the picturesque setting that was being described to me absolutely beautifully. Phillipa Ashley has such an uplifting way with words which made ‘A Perfect Cornish Escape’ a highly enjoyable read.

Buy now.

#SummerOnASunnyIsland @SueMoorcroft @AvonBooksUK #blogtour #review #SummerReads

Delighted to be joining Sue Moorcroft on her blog tour today for ‘Summer On A Sunny Island’ – many thanks to Avon the ARC, and for inviting me to take part. Here is my review:

This summer, sparks are flying on the island of Malta…

When Rosa Hammond splits up from her partner Marcus, her Mum Dory suggests a summer in Malta. Not one to sit back and watch her daughter be unhappy, Dory introduces Rosa to Zach, in the hope that romance will bloom under the summer sun. But Rosa’s determined not to be swayed by a handsome man – she’s in Malta to work, after all.

Zach, meanwhile, is a magnet for trouble and is dealing with a fair few problems of his own. Neither Rosa or Zach are ready for love – but does fate have other ideas? And after a summer in paradise, will Rosa ever want to leave?

What does TWG think?

Wow, what can I say? Firstly, don’t be fooled by the summery cover as this novel is more than just summer romances in a different country. I was genuinely surprised by how much the content differed from my first impression of the cover, and that is definitely a compliment!

I am a huge fan of Sue Moorcroft’s novels, so I had very high hopes for ‘Summer on a Sunny Island’. Did it deliver? If you asked me that question after three or four chapters, I would have said no as I felt like I wasn’t reading a Sue Moorcroft novel. It didn’t, at the beginning, have the vibe from the author that I have loved in all of her previous novels.

Wait a second, before you get angry…..

HOWEVER! Once the storyline got going, it was as though the author had warmed up her voice and got comfortable in her story because, what started off as a bit ‘meh’, ended up becoming one of my most favourite books that Sue Moorcroft has written to date! I loved Rosa and Dory’s relationship – it was so genuine and loving. A real pleasure to read.

I also loved the dynamics between Zach and his family, even though they were, like many other families, quite flawed, the level of depth that their situations brought to the storyline is what gave the novel that bite, that extra lot of oomph. In my opinion, I felt that the issues that arose courtesy of Zach and family, is what turned the novel from typical summer romance read, to a diverse, in depth, passionate, summer romance read.

Sue Moorcroft delivered with her trademark humour, her hot under the collar moments, and brilliantly crafted characters who were as strong on their own as they were together. Yes, it took me a while to warm up to this, however it was soooooo worth the wait and then some.

Loved it – this is the ideal read for all seasons, nevermind just summer. Give this author a crown because she is the queen of romance!

Buy now.

When #lockdown is down, #MeetMeAtPebbleBeach! #OutOfTheBlue @Osborne_Bella @AvonBooksUK #blogtour #review

The only thing I can read just now are novellas, something which certainly comes in handy for my blog tour stop today!

I am excited to be closing the tour for the first part in Bella Osborne’s new series, Out Of The Blue; a four part serial with the combination title of ‘Meet Me At Pebble Beach’. Many thanks to Avon for the tour invite and ARC.

When Regan’s lottery numbers unexpectedly come up on a rollover, she can’t believe her luck. Having spent the past few years coasting along in the slow lane of life, this is the break she’s been waiting for – and she wastes no time in making some big life decisions.

But Regan’s plans for a life of sipping cocktails on her own private island come crashing down when she discovers that the winning ticket was a bad prank – and she’s now jobless, boyfriendless, and homeless to boot.

When the going gets tough, can Regan stay afloat?

What does TWG think?

I am stunned!! The beauty of novellas is the way that they are written in bite sized chunks, ideal for people who fancy a little something to read in between other books, or for those who are struggling with their concentration levels. Like me.

I have read and enjoyed many of Bella’s Osborne’s novels, however I have never, EVER read one which made my jaw drop as instantaneously as this one did. Regan is one to watch and is incredibly naive. Her outlook on life is so blase, yet without that fire in her belly, she wont end up completing her ever growing list of ‘wants’. She struck me as the type of character who needed mothering, but also like someone who could really rile people up the wrong way with her unrealistic expectations. With that in mind, I found her very endearing….her workmate is a bit of a tube though. Who does that!!!!!!!!

I flew through the pages of this book as though they were on fire! I was so eager to follow Regan’s journey that nothing prepared me for the bombshell the author dropped at the very last second. Seriously, I have absolutely no idea where that came from! I did even look behind my kindle….just to check of course!

For such a short read, ‘Out Of The Blue’ packs more of a punch than Tyson Fury, and I even have my ringside seats for part two. This is shaping up to be a series not to be missed!

Buy now.

#CoverReveal! #IDareYou by Sam Carrington (@sam_carrington1) @AvonBooksUK

Are you a fan of the ‘Bad Sister’ that is, Sam Carrington? Of course you are!! ‘I Dare You’ to read her books….

Especially as her newest one is called ‘I Dare You’, and I am delighted to be helping Sam and Avon to reveal the cover this afternoon!

Take a look at this!!!

AN INNOCENT GAME. A SHOCKING CRIME. A COMMUNITY FULL OF SECRETS.

Mapledon, 1989
Two little girls were out playing a game of dares. Only one returned home.
The ten-year-old told police what she saw: village loner Bill ‘Creepy’ Cawley dragged her friend into his truck and disappeared.
No body was found, but her testimony sent Cawley to prison for murder. An open and shut case, the right man behind bars.
The village could sleep safe once again.

Now…
Anna thought she had left Mapledon and her nightmares behind but a distraught phone call brings her back to face her past.
30 years ago, someone lied. 30 years ago, the man convicted wasn’t the only guilty party.
Now he’s out of prison and looking for revenge. The question is, who will he start with?

Geez!! Anyone else get goosebumps on their arms after this?! You can pre-order your copy right now from Amazon! Publication date is the 12th December!

#BlogTour! #Extract from #MummyNeedsABreak by Susan Edmunds (@SusanEdmunds) @AvonBooksUK

Many thanks to Avon for inviting me to take part in the blog tour for ‘Mummy Needs A Break’ by Susan Edmunds! Seeing as it was my daughters 6th birthday on Wednesday, this particular mummy certainly needs a break! For my stop on the tour, I have the pleasure of hosting an extract from the book. Before I do, here is a little bit more about Susan Edmunds’ novel and the all important ‘to buy’ link. Enjoy!

With a devilish toddler and baby number two on the way, Rachel’s big dream is to one day go to the toilet on her own. So, she’s surprised to discover that her husband has found the time to have an exciting affair while she’s been bringing up their family.

Suddenly, Rachel is left wrangling with a child who will only eat crackers and a 35-week bump. She knows even Mumsnet isn’t going to solve this.

What Rachel needs is a handsome, good-with-children, single man. But she can barely leave the house without a stain on her top and child on her hip. How on earth can she claim her life back, let alone thinking about dating?

Buy now from Amazon UK

Extract.

I stared at him. An evening chorus of crickets had started up in the garden, highlighting the silence between us. I watched him struggle for words. My flicker of hope that there was a story to explain the messages evaporated. He had always become tongue-tied at the first hint of a lie and would avoid someone for months rather than risk a confrontation.

The back of my throat was caustic with heartburn and fear danced on my nerve endings. I had only just finished getting the baby’s room ready, and Stephen still had to put the cot back together. What had he done to us? To me?

I poured myself a glass of iced water, wishing it were wine, my hands shaking. It was only 8.30 p.m. What was I meant to do? I pondered calling a friend but what do you say:
‘Hello, nice evening isn’t it? I think I’ve just caught my husband having an affair.’
If it turned out he wasn’t, it would be witheringly awkward to make small talk with the neighbours at our next barbecue.

And if it transpired that he was – but we stayed together regardless – no one would look him in the eye. I could not imagine anything worse than turning up to drinks at my perfect friend Charlotte’s house and having everyone look at me, the scorned wife. Poor Rachel, stuck with a cheating husband and a new baby.

#BlogTour! #Extract from #TruthOrDie by Katerina Diamond (@TheVenomousPen) @AvonBooksUK

Many thanks to Avon for inviting me to take part in the blog tour for ‘Truth or Die’ by Katerina Diamond. If you’ve been wondering about whether to buy the book or not, here is an extract for you all to whet your appetite:

Their darkest secrets won’t stay buried forever…

The butchered body of a professor is found in a private office of Exeter University. It is the first in a spate of horrific murders that shakes the city to its core.

Who would target a seemingly innocent man, and why? DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles turn to his students for answers, but their investigation turns up no leads. Someone must know more than they’re letting on…

As the body count rises, the police have to look into the past to uncover the person responsible before it’s too late.

But are they brave enough to face up to the truth?

Buy now from Amazon

Extract.

At the top of the window he had a couple of tricky manoeuvres to do before he could get over the second ledge onto the small balcony. Once they had been executed, he grabbed the thin ledge and pulled himself up, and then hoisted himself over the wall. One last push before he could get onto the roof. He could go to the side and climb up that way, but it wasn’t as interesting for his followers and so he continued on his path straight upwards.

He climbed up the final window and grabbed hold of the feet of the statue standing at the top of it. He didn’t know who it was of, probably St Peter. Neither history nor religious studies were his subjects at school, so he hadn’t paid attention on the various school trips they had made to the building over the years.

He got his hand around the spike at the centre of the top of the roof and pulled himself up. He didn’t give himself time to rest; he wanted his followers to see the view and so he spun around and looked out over the city. His phone was a tiny blip on the ground from where he was standing, but he waved nonetheless. He would splice the footage together later and put it to music. This was going to look awesome; he couldn’t wait to watch it back.

#BlogTour! #Extract – A Random Act of Kindness by Sophie Jenkins (@SophieJenkinsUK) @AvonBooksUK

The final stop on the ‘A Random Act of Kindness’ is here with me, TWG, where I will share an extract from Sophie Jenkins’ new book. Thank you, Avon, for having me on the tour!

It only takes a moment, to change a life for ever…

Fern is too busy making sure other people feel good about themselves to give much thought to her own happiness. But somehow, without her noticing, life has run away from her.

Suddenly, Fern realises her vintage clothes business is struggling, and the casual relationship she’d always thought she was happy in doesn’t look so appealing.

But sometimes, karma really does come through. And when Fern goes out of her way to help 85-year-old Dinah, little does she realise their new friendship will change her life.

Dinah may have troubles in her past, but she’s lived and loved to the full. Can Dinah show Fern that even the smallest acts of kindness can make the world a better place?

Extract.

Anyway, I can get no enjoyment from wearing Enid’s blouse after remembering that. I’ll try it on again in three days’ time. So I hang it back up again, put my shirt back on and once more I’m at a loose end in my empty house. I ring Betty. ‘The undertakers have been,’ I tell her.
‘Oh, Kim,’ she says. ‘Poor Enid. Poor you.’
‘Yes, well. No use brooding. I’m going to ring a chap called Cato Hamilton to clear her belongings.’

‘Kim,’ she says quickly, ‘it’s far too soon to get rid of things. George might want them. Don’t do anything you’ll regret. Just try to go on as usual for now.’

George won’t want them. He has his own things. ‘I can’t go on as usual without her.’

‘No. Of course not.’ She’s quiet for a moment.

‘Do you want anything of hers?’ I ask.

‘Kim, if you want my advice, you’ll wait a bit.’

I grunt a laugh. ‘Why? In case she comes back?’ I can hear Betty suck in through her teeth at my admittedly tasteless remark. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s come over me,’ I say apologetically.

She breathes out a forgiving sigh. ‘Grief affects everyone differently,’ she says. ‘I expect it’s different for men. The sentiment, I mean. I didn’t feel right getting rid of Stan’s clothes. I felt it wasn’t enough that I’d lost him, I was giving away what little of him I had left. I gave his watch to my granddaughter’s boyfriend and when they broke up, I regretted it, but she was heartbroken and I didn’t like to bring it up. I know I sound rather mercenary, but I still think of tracking him down now and then, you know, to ask for it back. I wouldn’t mind paying him for it.’

I nod. ‘You should do that,’ I tell her.

‘Young people don’t wear watches anyway.’

‘Don’t they?’ I doubt this is true, but the sense of the world getting away from me comes over me strongly. I want to ask her what proof she has of this.

Buy now.

#BlogTour! #Review – The Unlikely Life of Maisie Meadows by Jenni Keer (@JenniKeer) @RaRaResources @AvonBooksUK

Many thanks to RaRaResources for the blog tour invite, and thank you to the publisher for the ARC. Here is my review of Jenni Keer’s new novel:

When Maisie Meadows finds herself single and jobless on New Year’s Day, she resolves that this will be the year she focuses on bringing her scattered family back together. Romance is all very well, but it’s the people you grew up with that matter the most. But a new job working at an auction house puts her in the path of Theo, a gorgeous but unattainable man who she can’t help but be distracted by. As their bond begins to grow, Maisie finds herself struggling to fulfil the promise she made to herself – but the universe has other ideas, and it’s notlong before the Meadows family are thrown back together in the most unlikely of circumstances…

Can dealing with other people’s treasures help Maisie to let go of the past, and teach her who she ought to treasure the most?

What does TWG think?

Don’t you just love family drama!! Maisie Meadows’ family has had it’s fair of drama and arguments over the years, yet one thing Maisie herself longs for, is all of her family under one roof…together. Not much to ask though is it? Ha…

Maisie was such an interesting character to get to know. On one hand she was very determined and feisty, and then the next she came across very uncertain which, weirdly enough, I actually found quite endearing. Her heart was in the right place completely, and she was so hopeful that she could patch her family up for Christmas. However, Maisie seemed to be unable to think logically which definitely surprised me.

I did enjoy the premise of the story and the magic behind the teapot. I really felt the love and the joy it brought to it’s original owner, and then Maisie. That said, I struggled a lot with how the storyline switched between the past and present, as the sections weren’t clearly defined which hindered my enjoyment a little.

Like I say, I did enjoy the storyline, and I thought the characters were such a colourful bunch. Johnny’s flamboyant personality had me giggling and he really lifted the story up when the vibe became a bit sad due to what was happening with Maisie.

I may be on the fence, yet I totally appreciated the thought and feeling behind ‘The Unlikely Life of Maisie Meadows’. Jenni Keer did a grand job of creating a bunch of characters who are guaranteed to leave their individual marks on readers.

Buy now from Amazon

#BlogTour! #GuestPost from author of ‘A Walk in Wildflower Park’, Bella Osborne (@osborne_bella) @AvonBooksUK

Many thanks to Avon for inviting me to take part in the blog tour for ‘A Walk in Wildflower Park’ by Bella Osborne. For my stop on the tour today, I am delighted to be sharing a guest post from the lady herself. However, before I do, here is a bit more about her new book and where you can buy it:

Life’s not always a walk in the park…

Anna thought she’d found The One – until he broke off their engagement exactly a year before their wedding day. Hoping new surroundings will do her the world of good, she moves in to a place of her own on the edge of gorgeous Wildflower Park.

With the help and friendship of her neighbour Sophie (a stressed-out mum whose children a regular source of newly-invented swear words and unidentifiable sticky surfaces), Anna quickly settles in and pledges to focus on her career, but a handsome new colleague seems determined to thwart her attempts at every turn. And when she receives a text from a mystery man, it looks as though an unlikely romance is on the horizon…

Is Anna about to be swept off her feet by someone she really shouldn’t be falling for? Or could this be the new start she needs and deserves?

Buy now from Amazon.

Guest post.

I run the risk of sounding very old when I say I spent a lot of my childhood outdoors but it’s true. I did and I loved it. These days we are more aware of the dangers and I think we have to try harder to find that same freedom for our children so that they don’t miss out on some wonderful experiences.

I was brought up on the coast so a lot of time was spent on the beach and in the sea but there was also a lot of rough space where we could roam and still be home in time for tea. Here we made dens, fought imaginary battles and played cricket until it was dark. We also were thrown up against nature and this was what I particularly enjoyed. I remember tracking the wild rabbits for hours – it was quite an expedition. We once found a fox’s den, which was incredibly exciting. We went back the next day and we’re a little alarmed to find the remains of a rabbit in kit form at the entrance. We took it as a warning and kept our distance after that.

We collected wildflowers, played hide and seek in the bushes and climbed trees. Tree climbing was my passion and a skill I was mightily proud of. My grandma used to complain that she couldn’t get a brush through my hair because I had brought home so much foliage in it but I didn’t care.

Whilst a lot of the rough ground I played on has now disappeared I think it puts more focus on the need for designated park and wildlife areas. I am lucky enough to live very close to one such area and I love that my daughter can experience some of the freedom I did – if not a more sanitized version. She’s not as proficient a tree climber but her ability to collect stuff in her hair is second to none.