#BlogTour! #Review – True Colours by @EllyRedding #Extract #Giveaway @brookcottagebks

TWG would like to give a warm welcome to Elly Redding and her debut novel, True Colours, as this is the FIRST time Elly has appeared on TWG! How exciting! Well, this visit is an indirect one via her book, but that still counts though, right? To help me on my stop today I am joined by an enticing EXTRACT, giddy GIVEAWAY and of course my RAVISHING review; can’t complain with that!

To tickle your tastebuds, lets kick off with an extract of True Colours by Elly Redding, which is available to buy right now (links below):

“Go away,” she shouted frantically reassessing her options.

“I don’t really think you’re in a position to make demands, do you, trapped as you are?

Unless, of course, you’re thinking of taking up abseiling. In which case, may I advise restraint? You’re on the fourth floor. You’re afraid of heights and I’m not standing in the right place to catch you.”

Good. It would ruin the whole point of the exercise if he was. She didn’t tell him that though. Instead she suggested he make an appointment, that if he wanted to see her, he should do what everyone else did.

“But I’m not everyone else, am I? I’m the guy who’s still considering suing you for breach of contract.”

“Contract – what contract?”

“Your promise to marry me.”

“You bastard.” It was the first thing she could think of to say, but she thought it summed up the situation perfectly. “In which case, may I suggest you contact my lawyer? I think you’ll find I’ve a very strong case for a counter claim. Or has something conveniently slipped your memory? Let me give you a clue. She had an amazing pair of breasts.”

Blurb.

Could you ever trust again – the man who broke your heart?

Kate Fenton thought she’d got the answer to that question all neatly sewn up. Ever since she went to Saul Preston’s London art gallery, a month before their wedding, and found him with his assistant – who looked as if she was in the middle of a game of strip poker.

Now, three years later, she’s no longer so sure. Saul’s back in her life with a new proposition – accompany him on a trip to Majorca as his interpreter. It’s an offer Kate can’t refuse, even though she knows she should. Successful and rich, he’s just the sort of client her translation company is trying to attract – even if he is her two-timing ex!

Saul’s never gone in for second chances. He’s never had the time, but he knows exactly what he’s doing when he suggests the trip to Kate. As gorgeous and infuriatingly easy to fall for as ever, he’s determined to rekindle their past. And he’s only got 3 days to do it…

What does TWG think?

‘True Colours’ could not have come at a better time. I had finished a book the night before and I was starting a brand new day with a brand new book. The thing was, I felt like utter shizmanizzle thanks to illnesses and I need to read a book that just let me…be. A book where no PHD or Oxford dictionary is needed. A book that literally does the talking for you and lets you soak up the storyline like a sponge; effortlessly. Just like Elly Redding’s ‘True Colours’.

Kate Fenton runs her own company which, of course, is brilliant. The not so brilliant thing is that her ex, Saul Preston, wants to hire her company for a job abroad. Sorry, sorry, not her company; her. Probably not the most daring thing for an ex to ask you to do, but it’s a BIT random considering they haven’t had any dealings with each other for many years and Kate isn’t exactly his number one fan after the whole gallery, breasts debacle.

I took to Kate’s character straight away as she is so energetic, rather naive yet such a warm character. Definitely one of a kind and most certainly relatable. After all, we have all hidden from our exes before, right?
The relationship that Saul and Kate have is a teensy bit predictable and it’s clear that they have some unresolved issues to try to move on from. I worked out where the storyline was heading, but, even though that part of the storyline was semi clear, it was all of the situations in between that surprised me the most.

Even though the predictability factor was there, it was still hidden under a mist of secrecy. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t find a way of working out how to clear that mist. Well, except reading it of course, but you know what I mean. There seemed to be something that was being left unsaid but there were no clear pointers as to what it was; I LOVED that. I was hooked by the storyline anyway, but the added something something was such a genius addition. For me, that addition turned an otherwise predictable relationship into an unpredictable situation of sheer uniqueness and promise. It was different, it was quirky, it was humorous and it even brought a little warmth to my cheeks if you catch my drift!

. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, so much in fact that I read it in a couple of hours!
‘True Colours’ is THE ideal book to read if you just need to detach yourself from monotonous daily life and black and white personalities. Cleverly written with relatable and humorous situations, Elly Redding is an exciting author to watch for 2017. Never mind having a black and white personality when you can show your True Colours and live a little; just like Kate.

Thank you BrookCottageBooks & Elly.

Buy links:

Amazon UK // Amazon US

About the author.

Elly Redding was born in London but now lives in Bedfordshire with her husband.

Having originally written screenplays, her first novel, ‘True Colours’, won the Festival of Romance’s New Talent Award in 2014.

She enjoys tap dancing and watching the waves, although not necessarily at the same time!

She keeps in touch with her readers on Twitter – @ellyredding, and Facebook –

https://www.facebook.com/EllyReddingAuthor/

Website: ellyredding.com

Giveaway!!!

To be in with a chance of winning a e-copy of Elly Redding’s ‘True Colours’, follow the link to enter the giveaway. Good luck!
Click HERE to enter the giveaway!

As TWG & V-Day aren’t really friends; this calls for a V-Day Book Bundle #GIVEAWAY!!!!

Anyone seen the film ‘I Hate Valentines Day’, the film where people detest the love fest holiday at first, then end up changing their minds? Well, some do. Anyway, me and valentines aren’t really the best of buds, we haven’t been for as long as I can remember. I mean, all the girls at school had guys falling at their Stead & Simpson platform shoes…except me. Sniff sniff. Unfortunately, that luck stayed with me into my adulthood and ex boyfriends seemed to want to cheat on me on Valentines day instead. Maybe 2017 may be THE year that a guy will melt my frozen heart. Oh and no, I will not let it go ;).

SO, despite my bad luck where V-Day is concerned, I want to spread the love instead. I’m nice like that.

I am giving away a brand new copy of Paige Toon’s ‘The One We Fell In Love With’, a Soap & Glory sexy motherpucker lipgloss AND a Cadburys hot chocolate sachet.

If you like the sound (and look) of that prize and are based in the UK (sorry!), follow the link below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway will close on Valentines day (14th February 2017), so you have a couple of weeks to bump up your entries. Good luck!

#WatchMe as TWG kicks off @TheAngelaClarke #tour with an INCREDIBLE #giveaway!! @avonbooksuk

Asking a blogger to kick off a blog tour is such an honourable task. Publishers/authors are putting their faith in that blogger to shout loud and proud and get the blog tour off to the best start that they can. See, honourable! Now, when I found out that I would be kicking off the blog tour for THE Angela Clarke and her much longed for new novel, ‘Watch Me’, my legs turned to jelly! Nervous much?

Angela’s tour is THE tour to watch right now, can you handle it? #AreYouWatching? Before I light up your screen with a star-studded giveaway (or two), I suppose I had better tell you a little bit about Angela’s new book which is published TODAY by Avon Books UK. You can get hold of your copy right now from Amazon UK.

The body of a 15-year-old is found hours after she sends a desperate message to her friends. It looks like suicide, until a second girl disappears.

This time, the message is sent directly to the Metropolitan Police – and an officer’s younger sister is missing.

DS Nasreen Cudmore and journalist Freddie Venton will stop at nothing to find her. But whoever’s behind the notes is playing a deadly game of hide and seek – and the clock is ticking.

YOU HAVE 24 HOURS TO SAVE THE GIRL’S LIFE.
MAKE THEM COUNT.

If that blurb doesn’t pique your interest, I have no idea what will! Oh, wait….no, I take that back….

What would you say if TWG the book fairy told you that YOU could be in with a chance of winning a book…or two, one of those being ‘Watch Me’?

I have TWO giveaways for you to help celebrate the release of Angela Clarke’s ‘Watch Me’, courtesy of Angela herself, and some star-studded friends.

GIVEAWAY ONE

(Prize: A signed copy of ‘Deep Down Dead’ by Steph Broadribb AND a copy of Angela Clarke’s ‘Watch Me’.)

Blurb of Deep Down Dead.

Lori Anderson is as tough as they come keeping her career as a Florida bounty hunter separate from her role as single mother to nine-year-old Dakota, who suffers from leukaemia. But when the hospital bills rack up, she has no choice but to take a job that will make her a fast buck, and that’s when things go wrong. The fugitive she’s chasing is JT, Lori’s former mentor – the man who taught her all she knows … the man who also knows the secrets of her murky past.

GIVEAWAY TWO

(Prize: I LET YOU GO and I SEE YOU (both US versions) by Clare Mackintosh AND a copy of ‘Watch Me’ by Angela Clarke.)

 Two psychological thrillers from the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author, Clare Mackintosh. I LET YOU GO follows a woman rebuilding her life after a fatal hit-and-run. I SEE YOU tells the story of a woman who finds her own photograph in the classifieds of a London newspaper, and sets out to find out why it’s there.

Fancy a chance at winning? OF COURSE YOU DO! Below is what you need to do to be in with a chance (pay attention to this bit):

OPEN TO UK RESIDENTS ONLY (sorry!)

♠ To be in with a chance of winning, hop over to MY twitter account @kaishajayneh and RT the PINNED tweet (if you don’t do this, you won’t be in with a chance, simples).

♠ Sharing this blog post as well as the giveaway details on Facebook is FABULOUS, however, shares on anything other than Twitter of the pinned tweet will not count.

♠ As there are two giveaways, I will choose one separate winner randomly for each giveaway and the winners details will be passed onto Avon Books UK.

♠ Even though Clare Mackintosh is offering the US versions of both of her books, both giveaways are only open to UK residents due to postage.

Happy with all of that? Good. I don’t know about you but I am rather excited and it’s only day one! Every day of the tour will see a brand new giveaway so make sure you keep your eyes peeled on Twitter & Facebook daily. This is NOT to be missed. Here are all the lovely bloggers who are taking part in this star-studded tour:

Last but not least, have you ever fancied writing your own book? Well, the fabulous Angela Clarke has got a video that might just be up your street:

How To Write A Book by Angela Clarke

HUGE thank you to Avon Books for allowing me to kick of the tour, and also a huge thank you to Steph Broadribb and Clare Mackintosh for being part of such a fabulous giveaway. Congratulations Angela, wishing you oodles of success with your new release, and the rest of the tour!

To keep up to date with Angela, Steph, Clare or Avon Books, make sure you follow them on twitter:

Follow Angela Clarke
Follow Steph
Follow Clare
Follow Avon Books UK

#AreYouWatching?

#Tour #Review – The Silent Pool by @philkurthausen @NeverlandBT #giveaway @HQDigitalUK

 

Brand new week with a brand new blog tour, what more could you want?! Today, the blog tour for ‘The Silent Pool’ by Phil Kurthausen kicks off! I am thrilled to be one of the blogs helping to kick things off! Sit tight as not only do I have a review for you, there is also a giveaway!

How long can the past be kept secret?

It is a time of austerity. Financial cuts are biting hard and the once great City of Liverpool finds itself now almost bankrupt. At the eleventh hour funding is found in the form of enigmatic billionaire Kirk Bovind, a religious zealot, determined to change the moral and religious fibre of his old hometown and bringing salvation to the streets.

So when a man disappears without trace solitary lawyer, Erasmus Jones, agrees to track down missing Stephen, but quickly discovers that this is more than just a missing person case. Men are being brutally murdered across the city and Erasmus suspects the deaths are all linked. As the search for Stephen grows and the ripples from the past begin to spread Erasmus has to ask himself whether Bovind could be behind the killings or if someone is trying to frame him and weaken the strangle hold he has over the city?

Who will be the next to die…?

What does TWG think?

 I am probably not the only one to say this, or the last, but WHAT A NAME! The hero of this book is sure to be remembered with a name like ‘Erasmus’! Again, what a name! There is more to ‘The Silent Pool’ than just the main characters name. A lot more in fact; I did have to pay a lot more attention to the storyline and the information given, in case I missed anything.

Truthfully, ‘The Silent Pool’ is a book that took me out of my comfort zone. I had a feeling it might, and seeing as I do like to push my book boundaries, I kept going. Erasmus has been asked to take on a ‘missing person’ case; a gentleman named Stephen. Erasmus soon realises that it isn’t just a case of a missing person and is about to uncover a lot more than he bargained for..

As I said above, there is a lot of information to get your head round as the storyline seemed to branch off in every direction and uncover even more red tape situations. I found myself trying to work out what had happened and who was involved in things throughout the whole book. I wouldn’t make a good detective though; I became rather indecisive and at one point, I put the blame on myself! Yes, I questioned my own sanity multiple times reading this.

‘The Silent Pool’ is full of mystery, gritty circumstances and a treasure chest full of ‘whodunnits’, it is exceptionally hard not to involve yourself in the storyline. Poor Erasmus gets pulled everywhere as his list of hero antics becomes even longer! I enjoyed the too-ing and fro-ing of evidence, as well as the constant turbulence in regards to the disasters.

Even though ‘The Silent Pool’ isn’t in my ‘go to’ genre, I am glad that I took a chance on it as I did enjoy the nitty gritty parts, even though I struggled to absorb all of the information written.

A nail-biting, busy read, which will keep you on your toes and have you questioning everything that you thought you knew.

Thank you HQ & NeverlandBT

The Silent Pool is available to buy now from Amazon UK

About the author:

Phil Kurthausen was brought up in Merseyside where he dreamt of being a

novelist but ended up working as a lawyer. He has travelled the world working as a flower

salesman, a light bulb repair technician and, though scared of heights, painting the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Ken Dodd once put him in a headlock for being annoying.

He has had work broadcast on BBC radio 4 extra, published some short stories and his novel ‘The Killing Pool’ won the Thriller Round in the Harper Collins People’s Novelist Competition broadcast on ITV in November 2011 and appeared in the final. It was later
shortlisted for the Dundee International Literary Prize in 2012. He lives in Chester.

Twitter | Website

Giveaway:

The giveaway is for a £10 Amazon gift card (UK ONLY) and to have a character

named after the winner in Phil Kurthausen’s next book. It is for one winner. 
Ends 19th December 2016.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY! Good luck!

#BlogTour! #Review of ‘Be My Baby’ by @ALMichael_ @HQDigitalUK @NeverlandBT #giveaway

Blurb.

Two’s company…

If you asked Mollie whether she struggled as a single mum, she’d have to cover her daughter’s ears before answering. Surrounded by friends, watching Esme grow into the sassiest eleven-year-old in North London, and building her name as TV chef Mollie Makes, Mollie’s never been happier. Well, that’s what she’d tell you. But as her best friends pair off, and Esme starts getting into trouble at school, Mollie wonders whether life would be different – not better…but easier – with a team mate.

Three’s a crowd?

But Esme’s dad, Jamie, would be the last man Mollie would team up with. After all, he made it clear eleven years ago that he wasn’t interested in playing the family game. So when he suddenly reappears, Mollie can’t believe her eyes. And soon, she’s got to ask herself the hardest question yet: she knows she can succeed as a single mum. But what if her daughter doesn’t want her to?

What does TWG think?

BE MY, BE MY, BE MY LITTLE BABYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
YAY! Finaaalllllyyyyy able to review this BEAUTY! It does feel a little bittersweet though. I mean, all three books are fabulous…but…’Be My Baby’ is the third and FINAL book in the House On Camden Square series! I cannot believe we are here already, it feels like yesterday when the series started with ‘Goodbye Ruby Tuesday’. I’ll be very sad to say goodbye to such a wonderful bunch of characters. My fingers are crossed that A.L.Michael gives in to my persistent nature and writes more! Here’s hoping!

‘Be My Baby’ focuses on Mollie and Esme’s relationship, as well as their everyday lives. Mollie has met her match in daughter Esme and she finds herself wondering what life would have been like if Esme’s father was in the picture, or if she had found love after Esme was born. Seeing as Mollie is a single mum and her daughter’s school life is about to be turned upside town, Mollie starts questioning how well she is actually coping…that is, until someone waltzes into her life; again.

As a single mummabear myself, I was able to relate to the storyline rather easily, and incredibly quickly. Well, I have a three year old instead of an eleven year old, but the concept is similar! It’s very clear that Mollie just wants to do right by her daughter, but no matter what she does, it never seems to be the right thing as someone will always be a bit miffed by her choices.
Personally, I felt as though the storyline attempted to rid single mums from the stigma that seems to surround them, especially when people assume it’s a chosen path. Sometimes it isn’t. A.L.Michael has taken such a complex situation and has written about it with such ease, determination and power. For that, I thank her.

In the previous books, Esme’s personality was on point even then, but oh my goodness!! This book in particular showcases her intelligence and sharp wit, I spent most of the book thinking ‘why didn’t I say that?!’. Absolutely brilliant, she has been such a consistent character and a wonderful one to watch grow up from a small witty person, to a witty person that will give adults a run for their money.

The last third of the book was a little bit tricky for me to read. Nothing against the A.L.Michael’s writing, but I found myself deeply involved with the situation and found it difficult to remove my own feelings from that. Jamie got on my nerves swooping in and acting like he had been there all along. Part of me did wish Mollie had a little more fire in her belly to take charge and stick to her guns. But, like I said, that is just my opinion and it is nothing against the writing or book. It does contain a topic that will get people talking so I am sure A.L.Michael knew that beforehand!

‘Be My Baby’ has got to be my absolute favourite book of all three due to its huggable, cosy feel and relatable circumstances. The humour throughout the book, as always, was on point and then some! My belly hurt from laughing so hard afterwards. Such an inspirational read full of gusto, beautiful relationships and a lot of love.
A.L.Michael has completely outdone herself with ‘Be My Baby’. Another stunning book from a very talented author. I cannot WAIT to see what comes next from A.L.Michael and her magical writing fingertips!

Thank you A.L.Michael & HQDigitalUK!

Buy ‘Be My Baby’ from Amazon UK.

Fancy being in with a chance of winning a goody bag which is inspired by one of the characters in the book? Of course you do! The giveaway will close on the 12th December and is UK ONLY! To be in with a chance all you need to do is:
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY! Good luck!

About A.L. Michael

A.L Michael is a writer and workshop leader from North London. She has a BA in Creative

Writing with English Lit, an MA in Creative Entrepreneurship and is starting an MsC in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes. She likes learning and hates essays.

She’s a fan of cheap wine, expensive chocolate and still wants to be a secret agent when she grows up, but she’ll settle for lying on the page.

Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook

#Promo! Saved by the firefighter by Rachel Brimble (@RachelBrimble) @BrookCottagebks

EXTRACT

 

The security alarm chimed. Someone had stepped inside the studio. Exhaling a

heavy breath, Izzy pulled back her shoulders, lifted her head and forced a smile.

“Hi, how can I…” Her heart stopped. Trent Palmer stood just inside the door. “Why

are you here?”

His dark green gaze bored relentlessly into hers, his strong jaw set as he reached

behind him and shut the door. “I came by to see how you’re doing.”

Traitorous attraction skittered over the surface of her skin before Izzy turned and

strode toward the corner she used for staging portrait shots. The fluffy bunnies, huge

furry dice and toys she’d used to relax a toddler earlier now felt macabre.

She spun around, clutching a teddy bear. “The same as I was doing yesterday and

the day before. I told you I don’t want to see you. I don’t ever want to see you. Why

do you keep coming back?”

 

He came closer, his gaze locked on hers. “You have to talk to me. I was Robbie’s

friend. There was nothing—”

“You could do. Fine. I get it, but why do you feel the need to keep coming in here

and checking up on me? What do you want me to do? Dance in the street? Kick up

my heels at the fairground? God, just leave me alone.”

“There’s a beach party tonight. I want you to come with me.”

She stared. Why him? Why would a man she really liked—a damn

firefighter—have to pursue her like she was someone worth pursuing? “No.”

He looked at the equipment covering the desk alongside him. He lifted and

replaced a camera, the hunch of his wide shoulders indicating his discomfort. Izzy

hated that she drew no satisfaction from that…only sadness.

How can she forgive him for what he didn’t do? 

Photographer Izzy Cooper feels as frozen as her pictures. Trent Palmer might be the

hottest firefighter in Templeton Cove, but she can never face him again. Not after he

failed to save her brother. But when they’re forced together by a calendar shoot, the

sparks between them are undeniable. 

Izzy knows it’s not fair to blame Trent for the tragedy, but opening herself up to loss

again isn’t something she’s prepared to do, no matter how determined Trent is to show her that pain is part of life and that love—their love—can make any suffering

bearable.

 

Amazon | Amazon US | B & N

**GIVEAWAY**

If you fancy being in with a chance of winning a copy of the book and a tote bag, all you need to do is enter the giveaway!

Enter the giveaway

About the author.

 

Rachel lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a small town near Bath

in the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured

agent representation in 2011. Since 2013, she has had six books published by

Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and recently signed a contract

for two more. She also has four Victorian romances with eKensington/Lyrical Press.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of

America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think You

Can Write 2014 contest. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a

book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to

live is Bourton-on- the-Water in South West England.

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow

romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

Rachel’s links:

Facebook | Facebook Street Team | Twitter | Goodreads author page. | Blog | Website

#Extract of New Blood by Lorna Peel (@PeelLorna) @BrookCottagebks #giveaway

Extract.

Closing the bedroom door, she saw Heaton crossing the stable yard. It was the first time shehad seen him dressed in anything but a suit and she stopped and stared. He was wearing a brown wax jacket with a bottle green jumper underneath, khaki combat-style trousers similar to her own and brown walking boots. She sighed and shook her head. It looked as though he was one of those men who looked fabulous in everything they wore. She reached for her mobile phone, pulled on a waterproof jacket, and grabbed her car keys before going downstairs to join him.

“You’ll have to move the seat back,” she said as she unlocked the Mini.

He got in and moved the passenger seat so far back that he might as well have been sitting

on the back seat. She looked around at him, couldn’t help herself, and laughed.

“Sorry. I wanted something small and cheap to run.”

He pulled a comical expression. “I was looking to see if you had a sunroof that I could stick

my head through. Maybe we should go in the Land Rover?” She nodded and he got out. “I’ll

just get the keys from Des.”

She got out, locked the car, and saw him emerge from Des’ office. The two of them crossed

the stable yard to the huge Land Rover.

“You’ll have to give me directions to where we start from,” he said as they got in.

“I will.”

Twenty minutes later, he pulled in at a small car park. “I haven’t been up here for years. You

don’t walk too fast, do you?”

“No. There are two routes we can take. Up to what I call the big rock, which is eight

kilometres there and back. Or up to the stone circle, which is five. Maybe five would be

enough for today?”

He smiled. “I think so.”

He locked the Land Rover, they climbed over the stile, and walked up onto the footpath

which ran through the heather.

“It’s lovely up here, isn’t it?” He halted after a few paces, hands on hips, and looked around

them.

“If you need to stop and catch your breath just say.”

“Thanks. I’m not very fit. Walking between my office and the house isn’t really enough.”

They set off again at a slower pace.

“Where did you go to university?” she asked.

“Cambridge. The Heatons have always gone there. I was halfway through my final year

when I learned that my father had cancer. I still have no idea how I got through my finals.

The last time I saw him, he didn’t know who I was, so I do understand what it’s like.

Unfortunately, he had run the estate like there was no tomorrow. I went into his study the

day after the funeral and found drawers full of bills, invoices, and tax demands. Some went

back years. It took years to pay all the creditors and the tax bill was astronomical. I’m still

struggling to make ends meet and when the idea was put forward of opening the house up to

coach tour parties, well, you saw what I was like. I apologise if I was rude to you. It’s no

excuse, but I had to go to a funeral that day and I loathe funerals.”

“I hate funerals, too, and I wouldn’t like complete strangers traipsing through my home so I

can sympathise. But there are tours booked for the next three months and Lady Heaton is

scheduling additional daily tours because so many coach tour operators want to add the

abbey to their list of stops. The way things are going, the abbey will soon have tours all year

round.”

He nodded. “I know, but I am not dressing up as a monk or in a suit of armour for anyone.”

She laughed. “What do people say to you when they ask what you do for a living?”

“When people find out I have a title it is a bit of a conversation killer. I think some people

have this idea that lords are all at least fifty, frequent gentleman’s clubs, and hunt, shoot and

fish. I do none of those things. I was twenty-two when I inherited the title; I’ve been working

to keep the place afloat ever since and I don’t want anything to spoil that.”

“It seems to be working, though.”

“Yes,” he agreed. “Just about.”

“Mum and Dad remember when you went down the mine instead of your father when he

became claustrophobic.”

“Really?” He gave her an incredulous frown. “Good God, I must have been only about twelve

or something. I wanted to go down with him but he wouldn’t let me. Then, when he had to

come back up I asked if I could go and he just waved his hand in agreement.”

“Mum said that you asked lots of very good questions and that Dad was impressed. That is a

huge compliment from my dad.”

“Were you ever down the mine?” he asked.

“No, I was never allowed, and it’s far too dangerous now. The nearest I got was the

museum. I’d liked to have satisfied my curiosity but I much prefer the open air.

Mum’s grandfather was killed in a pitfall and I think she always worried that the same would

happen to Dad. Now most of the time she thinks he’s dead.” She burst into tears. “Oh, God,

I’m sorry.”

“Come and sit down.” Taking her arm, he led her off the path. They sat down in the springy

heather and she wiped her eyes. “You have to cry, and let it all out,” he told her gently. “I’ve

lost count of the number of times I’ve locked myself in the library and just…”

He pulled a comical expression as she stared at him. It was hard to imagine him crying his

eyes out but who knows how he reacted when he left the library after learning that his real

mother was a complete stranger.

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: 3 November 2016

Publisher: Crooked Cat Publishing

Suitable for 18+

Sophia Nelson returns to her hometown in Yorkshire, England to begin a new job as

tour guide at Heaton Abbey House. There, she meets the reclusive Thomas, Baron

Heaton, a lonely workaholic.

Despite having a rule never to become involved with her boss, Sophia can’t deny

how she finds him incredibly attractive.

When she overhears the secret surrounding his parentage, she is torn. But is it the

attraction or the fear of opening a Pandora’s box that makes her keep quiet about it?

How long can she stay at the abbey knowing what she does?

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01KW0I7P2

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KW0I7P2

Universal Amazon Link: http://viewbook.at/NewBlood

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/660432

Netgalley: https://s2.netgalley.com/catalog/book/96399

About the author.

Lorna Peel is an author of contemporary and historical romantic fiction.

Her debut novel, ONLY YOU, a contemporary celebrity romance set in London, England,

was published in 2014. INTO THE UNKNOWN, a World War Two romance set in London,

the south east of England, and Ireland, was published in 2015 and reached Amazon’s top 20 best sellers in 20th Century Historical Romance. THE IMAGE OF HER, a romantic suspense set in rural England about a woman’s search for her birth mother, was published in May 2016. NEW BLOOD, a romantic suspense set in a stately home in Yorkshire, England, will be published on 3 November 2016.

Lorna was born in England and lived in North Wales until her family moved to Ireland to

become farmers, which is a book in itself! She lives in rural Ireland, where she writes,

researches her family history, and grows fruit and vegetables. She also keeps chickens (and a Guinea Hen who now thinks she’s a chicken!).

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LornaPeelAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PeelLorna

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/LornaPeel

Google+: http://plus.google.com/+LornaPeel

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lornapeel

Website: http://lornapeel.com

Blog: http://lornapeel.com/blog

!!!Giveaway!!!

Prizes: cotton tote bag, magnetic postcard and a signed postcard

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

#Promo Bloodie Bones by Lucienne Boyce (@LucienneWrite) #giveaway@BrookCottagebks

Blurb.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery

Release Date: May 2016

Publisher: Silver Wood Books

“Parsons and tyrants friends take note. We have born your oppreshuns long enough.

We will have our parish rights or else Bloodie Bones will drink your blood.”

When Lord Oldfield encloses Barcombe Wood, depriving the people of their ancient

rights to gather food and fuel, the villagers retaliate with vandalism, arson and riot.

Then Lord Oldfield’s gamekeeper, Josh Castle, is murdered during a poaching raid.

Dan Foster, Bow Street Runner and amateur pugilist, is sent to investigate.

Dan’s job is to infiltrate the poaching gang and bring the killers to justice. But there’s

more to Castle’s death than at first sight appears. What is the secret of the

gamekeeper’s past and does it have any connection with his murder? What is Lord

Oldfield concealing? And did someone beside the poachers have a reason to want

Josh Castle dead?

As tensions in Barcombe build to a thrilling climax, Dan will need all his wits and his

fighting skills to stay alive and get to the truth.

Bloodie Bones is a finalist in the Historical Novel Society Indie Award 2016 (result to

be announced in September); was long listed for the M M Bennetts Award for

Historical Fiction 2016; and is approved by Awesome Indies.

BUY LINKS

Bloodie Bones: A Dan Foster Mystery is available in paper back and as an

ebook.

Amazon UK | Amazon Kindle | Kobo | IBooks | Nook | Amazon US | SilverWood Books Online | Foyles Online | Wordery | Book Depository

About the author.

Lucienne Boyce writes historical fiction and non fiction. After gaining an MA in

English Literature (with Distinction) with the Open University in 2007, specialising in

eighteenth-century fiction, she published her first historical novel, To The Fair Land

(SilverWood Books, 2012), an eighteenth-century thriller set in Bristol and the South

Seas. Her second novel, Bloodie Bones: A Dan Foster Mystery (SilverWood Books,

2015) is the first of the Dan Foster Mysteries and follows the fortunes of a Bow

Street Runner who is also an amateur pugilist. Bloodie Bones was joint winner of the

Historical Novel Society Indie Award 2016, and was also long listed for the M M

Bennetts Award for Historical Fiction 2016.

In 2013, Lucienne published The Bristol Suffragettes (SilverWood Books), a history

of the suffragette movement in Bristol and the west country. She regularly gives talks

and leads walks about the suffragettes. She has contributed articles to various

publications, and also appeared on television and radio in connection with both her

fiction and non-fiction work.

Lucienne has recently joined the team of Bristol Radio BCfm’s Silver Sound show as

a presenter. She is on the steering committee of the West of England and South

Wales Women’s History Network, and is also a member of the Friends of the

Women’s Library, the Historical Novel Society, the Society of Authors, and the

Alliance of Independent Authors.

Lucienne is currently working on the second of the Dan Foster Mysteries, and a

biography of a married couple who were involved in the suffragette, socialist and

pacifist movements. She was born in Wolverhampton and now lives in Bristol, which

is the setting and inspiration for much of her work.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucienne.boyce

Twitter: @LucienneWrite

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6437832.Lucienne_Boyce

Blog: http://francesca-scriblerus.blogspot.co.uk/

Website: http://www.lucienneboyce.com/

Giveaway!!

To be in with a chance of winning a paperback copy of the book (open internationally), you can enter the giveaway right –>HERE<–

Good luck!

#Blogtour! Occupying Love by Marilyn Chapman (@MarilynChapma77) @BrookCottagebks #promo

EXTRACT

‘So you’ve met the handsome new rector, you lucky girl.’ Maggie’s eyes twinkled.

‘What did you think of him?’

‘He’s good looking, I’ll give you that. I gather you haven’t been introduced?’

‘I’ve had the odd glimpse since he replaced old man Ozanne, but believe me,

tongues are wagging. Some folks say he’s a double agent put here by the Jerries, and

that he daubed “V for Victory” on the prison walls. Isn’t it exciting?’

‘Exciting he may be,’ Lydia kept her voice casual, ‘but he’s not really my type.’

‘You mean you fancy him?’

‘I mean nothing of the sort, Maggie. He’s a rector, not a movie star – don’t you

think of anything but the opposite sex?’

‘Not very often, to be frank. I think of food, of course, seeing as there’s never

enough to go round, and going out after the curfew, and being able to buy whatever I

like in the shops. What else is there to occupy my mind?’

‘You could help with the Sunday school at Torteval. The lady who leads it has gone

to England.’

‘Me? Help with the Sunday school? You do make me laugh. There’s hardly any kids

left on the island and those that are here wouldn’t gain much from me. Or much that

would do them any good. I think all that book-learning’s gone to your brain. You

need to relax a bit more.’ Maggie winked. ‘There’s a picture on at the Regal tonight.

Do you want to come with me?’

Lydia pulled a face. ‘It’s German, with English subtitles. Are you still sure you

want to go?’

‘You never know who you might meet.’

‘Oh, Maggie – you really are a hopeless case.’

Blurb.

With the Nazis poised to invade Guernsey in 1940, feisty student Lydia Le Page returns from England on the day the island is devastated by the first bombing of the war on British soil. Trapped on the German occupied island, two men enter Lydia’s life: Martin Martell, the handsome but mysterious rector and Major Otto Kruger, the ruthless German Kommandant who falls under her spell.

When Martin disappears, Lydia discovers a secret from her past that threatens her future.

Will she be able to keep it from the enemy? And will she choose love or duty?

Occupying Love is a story of love, loss and the identity that makes us who we are.

Buy: Occupying Love | Baggy Pants and Bootees

Fancy a giveaway?

An ecopy of the book (open internationally)

A paperback copy of Baggy Pants and Bootes (UK only)

Enter here!

About the author.

I got my first break writing in a football magazine when I was 15 and have been writing ever since. An NCTJ qualified journalist, I spent my early years on the Blackpool Evening Gazette and Lytham St Annes Express in Lancashire. I then helped to set up a family PR and publishing company on the Fylde Coast and freelanced for national newspapers and

magazines, including Woman.

My debut novel Baggy Pants and Bootees was released as an e-book in February 2014 by a

small publishing house based in Britain and Germany. A time-slip novel set between World War Two and the ‘swinging sixties, it was published as a paperback in August 2014.

Born in Guernsey, I have always wanted to write a novel set in the Occupation of the Channel Islands, after hearing so many stories about life under German rule from my grandparents, whose home was requisitioned by the enemy. Occupying Love is the result.

After spending several years in the Midlands I now live in Lancashire with my husband of

45 years. We have two daughters and two granddaughters who we spend lots of time with.

A member of the Society of Authors and the Romantic Novelists’ Association I am currently working on a sequel to Baggy Pants and Bootees.

Author Links: Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google +

| LinkedIn | Blog

Guest Post & Giveaway courtesy of author Jo Lambert (@JoLambertwriter) @BrookCottagebks

Thrilled to be the stop on Jo Lambert’s blog tour today for Watercolours in the Rain! I am hosting a guest post from Jo where she talks about book covers and the importance of them! Not only that, there is also a fantastic giveaway too! Enjoy!

A COVER SPEAKS A THOUSAND WORDS – GETTING THE BOOK COVER RIGHT…

You’ve completed your book. It’s been edited and polished until it’s the best it can be. And now it’s all about the cover. In 2009 when I completed my first book When Tomorrow Comes I self-published with a company who organised the cover but gave me the freedom to choose my own design. Of course it was basic stuff, one photo to which they added the title and my name plus blurb and ISBN number on the back. The covers for my next two books were designed in the same way. It was only when I met up with a fellow author for lunch that the issue of branding was raised: creating covers whose style and format would instantly identify the books as mine. My colleague suggested I contact Jane Dixon Smith who had worked on her covers. Jane, I was to discover is a multi-talented individual who is not only a designer but a writer as well.

Before I contacted her I spent time thinking about how I wanted what was now a trilogy, to look. I liked the idea of having one of the main characters on each of the covers. With this in mind I contacted her and although we were several hundred miles apart, everything went so smoothly it was if we were in the same room discussing options. She gave me some website addresses for royalty free images and I sent her samples of what I thought would work. The result was three covers which not only completely changed the look of my books but gave them a connection to me. Two covers for sequels followed. One – Between Today and Yesterday – became my favourite cover of all time. I absolutely loved the photo but it was black and white. I was about to dismiss it as a non-contender but Jane explained she could add colour. She did and this

amazingly atmospheric cover was born.

The five books became my Little Court Series, set in West Somerset. Once I felt the stories had run their course, I moved over the border into Devon for my next book. On this occasion I decided new project , new designer. I wanted this book (or as it turned out, two books) to look slightly different. This time I chose my good friend designer Cathy Helms, who lives in the States, to design the cover for Summer Moved On. I trawled the royalty free photo sites and came up with the picture of the girl holding the poppy and the result was exactly what I wanted. My new novel, Watercolours in the Rain, saw me returning to Jane and her design beautifully mirrored Cathy’s for this, the sequel.

So what are my thoughts on covers? Well as far as I’m concerned, they are every bit as important as the book itself. They are the shop window for your work, the advertisement that says to readers ‘Come in, take a look.’ Of course if you are with a publisher you will automatically have a support team behind you for this. However, speaking as an indie author, I feel as it takes a whole lot of hard work to produce a book, why cut corners? Cover designers are a fraction of the cost of a good editor. You’ve spent money on getting the contents professionally polished, why skimp on something as important as the cover? And believe me, there’s a great deal of difference between DIY and using a professional.

In a very competitive market if you hope to sell (which is what all that hard work and burning the midnight oil has been about) your book needs to be given the best chance to succeed, doesn’t it?

I think a lot of us will be agreeing with Jo’s thoughts on book covers, I know that I agree with them. I do get enticed by a book based on the cover, they are so important! And Jo, your cover is beautiful!

How do you fancy a chance of winning some prizes?

The 1st prize is this beautiful necklace!
Please note this prize is for UK residents only.

The 2nd prize is 2 e-book copies of Jo’s book, and it is also open internationally too!

If you fancy either of those prizes, click on the following link to get yourself in with a chance! Good luck!
Enter the giveaway!

Blurb.

What happens to the future when past and present collide?

JESS: Six years ago Jess’s relationship with Talún Hansen was torn apart by one

night of deception. He disappeared from Lynbrook village and she headed for

university vowing never to let anyone break her heart again. Now a teacher, Jess

returns from holiday to an unexpected phone call and life changing news which will

eventually bring her back home once more.

TALUN: Six years on Talún Hawkeswood, as he is now known, is heir to his

grandfather’s Norfolk farming empire. When he hears of trouble in the village due to

Lynbrook Hall being put up for sale, going back is the last thing on his mind. But

staying away is not an option either, not when someone he owes so much to is about

to lose their home and their livelihood.

LILY: Splitting with her husband after her son Josh’s birth, Lily now works as part of

an estate agency sales team.  She has always held onto her dream of finding a wealthy

husband and a life of self-indulgence. When the sale of an important property brings

her face to face with Talún once more, she realises despite the risks involved, the

night they spent together six years ago may be the key to making those dreams come

true.

As Jess, Talún and Lily return to Lynbrook and the truth about what happened that

summer is gradually revealed, Talun finds himself in an impossible situation. Still in

love with Jess he is tied into to a trade off with Lily: his name and the lifestyle she

craves in exchange for his son. And when a child is involved there is only one choice

he can make…

Buy the book.

Amazon UK
Amazon US

About the author.

Born and raised in rural Wiltshire, Jo Lambert grew up with a love of books and a vivid imagination. As a child she enjoyed creating her own adventure stories similar to Enid Blyton’s Famous Five. Writing always stayed with her, but college, work and eventually marriage found it was kept very much in the background. However in 2009 she finally had her first novel – When Tomorrow Comes – published. Three other connected books – Love Lies and Promises, The Ghost of You and Me and Between Today and Yesterday followed. They became collectively known as the Little Court Series.

In 2013 she decided to give up full time work to concentrate fully on her writing. Two other books have been written since – The Other Side of Morning which is the final book of the Little Court Series and Summer Moved On, a love story set in South Devon. Jo is about to publish, Watercolours in the Rain, and plans to begin work on her new book in early November 2016. She describes her writing style as drama driven romance. Jo is married and lives in a village on the eastern edge of Bath with her husband, one small grey feline called Mollie and a green MGB GT. She loves travel, red wine, rock music and has a passion

for dark chocolate…

Follow Jo on Twitter
Jo’s Website
Jo’s Blog
Jo on Facebook