#BookReview by Lou An Endless Cornish Summer by Phillipa Ashley @PhillipaAshley @AvonBooksUK #Summer #SummerRead #Fiction

An Endless Cornish Summer By Phillipa Ashley ★★★★★
Rating: 5 out of 5.

An Endless Cornish Summer is a great summer read that will take you on a heartrendering mission to find a donor. It’s quite a story that has some heartache, but an overriding warmth and escapism with some romance. It’s a great book for on the beach. Find out more in my blurb and check out the rest of my review too. I thank Avon Books for allowing me to review and gifting me the book.

Blurb

Escape to the seaside with this gorgeous new series from the Sunday Times bestselling author – perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley and Heidi Swain. Rose Vernon is headed to a quiet Cornish village – to find the man who saved her life. For Rose, every day is a gift. She narrowly survived a life-threatening illness and owes everything to her anonymous donor. Determined to thank him, Rose follows a trail of clues that lead her to the little Cornish fishing village of Falford. But things become complicated when Rose is drawn into local life, becoming involved in the legendary Falford Regatta and meeting the handsome Morvah brothers – one of whom might just be the man she’s looking for. But which one? Can Rose find the answer she’s searching for, or will she lose her heart before the summer is over?

Review

This has a great summer feel and a great story. Rose has had a life-threatening illness and has been in hospital in an isolation ward, where even stem-cell treatment crops up. Fast forward 4 years later and things are much better, but sad events still occur in her life, but it is heartwarming that Marge lleaves a powerful, beautiful letter, which persuades her to start to hunt for her donor. It’s quite a story that has heartache, is heartrendering and affairs of the heart. Rose meets Finn Morvah and he and his family own Morvah Marine, but business is complicated on the backdrop of gorgeous scenery, boats and boatyards, that make the area colourful and come to life, along with the other characters she meets. There’s even the potential for a spot of romance and it keeps you guessing whether she will fall for Finn or Joey or neither of them. They also have to work her out too, whether she will be interested in either of them, or so dedicated to her job as an archeologist that she doesn’t have time for that sort of thing. It also brings some light humour to what starts out as quite a heartbreaking situation and moves to being heartwarming, romantic in a way that is great for lounging in the sun with. It is all such a joy to escape to Cornwall and its coastal scenery. It really does make you wish summer would never end. It has that sunshine glow written all over it that makes it a great summer read!

Happy Publication Day for The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams @laurajaneauthor @AvonBooks @ElliePilcher95

The Lucky Escape
By Laura Jane Williams

Happy Publication Day to Laura Jane Williams for her book The Lucky Escape. It is available in paperback, e-book and audio book. Discover more in the blurb below and you can purchase this feel-good summer read from today. Thanks to Ellie Pilcher at Avon Books for giving me the opportunity to share this with you all.

Blurb

The wedding? Cancelled.
The bride? Heartbroken.
The honeymoon? Try and stop her…

The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams is OUT TODAY in ebook, paperback and audiobook. Escape to Australia this summer in this hilarious feel-good read!

Purchase Link – Waterstones

#Review by Lou – Three Weddings and a Proposal by Sheila O’Flanagan @sheilaoflanagan @headlinepg @RandomTTours #ThreeWeddingsandaProposal #RomanticFiction #ContemporaryFiction #SummerRead

Three Weddings and a Proposal
By Sheila O’Flanagan

A gripping summer read that draws you in, with antiques, romance, twists right to the end. Thanks to Random Things Tours for inviting me to the blog tour and to Headline for gifting me the book.
Find out more about this gripping summer read below in the blurb, the graphics and my review. Then why not discover a bit more about the author…

Blurb

An empowering new novel from the author of number one bestsellers The Women Who Ran Away, Her Husband’s Mistake and The Missing Wife.

Delphine is at a wedding when the shocking news comes. Suddenly her life changes forever.

Delphine has worked hard for her success and she knows she’s got everything she wants. But not everyone agrees. Her opinionated family aren’t convinced that living alone with no plans to ‘settle down’ could possibly make her truly happy, and no one appreciates it when she drops everything, day or night, whenever her boss Conrad calls. Yet Delphine wouldn’t change a thing. And when C onrad makes her a surprise offer, it’s clear that her hard work is going to pay off.
A few short days later, Delphine’s life is unrecognisable. The man who once broke her heart has suddenly reappeared, and a shocking tragedy turns her world on its head.
Delphine must rethink everything that matters to her, and to those around her, and decide, once and for all, if love, family and a little compromise should come before career, security and independence… and if she’s
prepared to make that choice.

Review

It all begins at an auction, which is all a bit of “how the other half live” as an antique bracelet is bought for an eye-watering amount of money.

Delphie’s brother – Andre is getting married and there’s some mystery surrounding who Delphie’s plus one will be or if she will indeed have one… Until Ed Miller arrives on the scene.
She has fallen to the fate of so many single women – being asked those dreaded questions about her own marital status and if she will ever “tie the knot”. There’s much there that single women will be able to relate to, including those who are looking for or hoping for a man in their lives.
There are other points of pure reality made here and there, such as the job market and how hard it and competitive it can be, especially nearing that 40 years old mark, and much more… It is a good strong, point it makes about an age group that isn’t talked about much when it comes to seeking employment. So, even if there are readers who perhaps don’t relate to some of the lifestyles, there will be many that can to this.

The book is full of sumptious items when it comes to weddings, that as a reader, I looked on and admired. It is rich in both the materialistic items and in love.

As thoughts turn to work, there is a memory that floods in about a tragedy that brings some twists and complications to people’s lives, amongst all the frivolity and fun. There’s also friendship and the cosyness of niceness around the harder times that life presents to the characters. It’s a pretty gripping summer read that draws you in.

The last page is amazing and wonderful and perhaps not in the way you might expect!

About the Author

Sheila O’Flanagan is the author of nearly 30 bestselling chart-toppers, including The Women Who
Ran Away, Her Husband’s Mistake, The Hideaway, What Happened That Night, The Missing Wife and
All For You (winner of the Irish Independent Popular Fiction Book of the Year Award). After working in
banking and finance for a number of years, Sheila’s love for writing blossomed into curating stories
about relationships in all their many forms.

OVER 8 MILLION COPIES OF SHEILA O’FLANAGAN’S NOVELS SOLD WORLDWIDE

Social Media Links

www.sheilaoflanagan.com

@sheilaoflanagan

Facebook.com/sheilabooks

#Review by Lou – Under the Italian Sun by Sue Moorcroft @SueMoorcroft @ElliePilcher95 @AvonBooksUK #WomensFiction #Romance #Fiction

Under the Italian Sun
By Sue Moorcroft

Family members to discover, loss and lovely scenery and food, Under the Italian Sun will play with your emotions in a journey from the very south of England to Italy. It is all quite intriguing to see lives unearthed as ancestry is uncovered.
Discover more in the blurb and review as you escape to being Under The Italian Sun.

Thanks to Ellie Pilcher at Avon Books for inviting me to review and for gifting me an e-book.

Blurb

The #1 bestseller is back with an uplifting, escapist read that will brighten the gloomiest day!

A warm, sun-baked terrace.

The rustle of verdant green vines.

The sun slowly dipping behind the Umbrian mountains.

And the chink of wine glasses as the first cork of the evening is popped…

Welcome to Italy. A place that holds the answer to Zia-Lucia Costa Chalmers’ many questions. Not least, how she ended up with such a mouthful of a name.

When Zia discovers that her mother wasn’t who she thought she was, she realises the time has come to search out the Italian family she’s never known.

However, as she delves into the secrets of her past, she doesn’t bargain on having to think about her future too. But with local vineyard owner, Piero, living next door, Zia knows she has a serious distraction who may prove difficult to ignore…

This summer, join Zia as she sets out to uncover her past. But can she find the future she’s always dreamed of along the way?

Review

The book deals with loss of a gran and family discovery of where you come from. It begins with Zia and Ursula looking through belongings, left behind by Zia’s gran for clues to who her father was/is. There is also the mystery as to who Victoria Chalmers was and how she may have fit into the family. There’s a lot of unravelling, a bit like “Long Lost Family” and trying to piece together Zia’s family tree, which is of much interest, and Zia is on a mission to discover all, by hiring Harry – a private investigator and things get rather complicated. There’s also the burgeoning romance that brings characters together on this adventure.

The valley where Zia and Ursula go to in Italy – Tenuta Domenicali, in Orvieto wine region, is awash with grape vines for wine, where Emiliano works on the production side, which belongs to the Domenicali family. There’s much to consider for the business and whether to sell to a big company with big tourist ideas and plans for development or to decline the offer.

The book goes between Italy and Devon and brings up some real issues about affordability in the very south of England, or rather lack of it and how everything is vastly expensive.

There is an air of holiday time about the book, which makes it a lovely, beautifully written book to read whilst on a staycation or in your garden with the sun beating down on you or curled up somewhere in your home. The book is both uplifting and emotional. It isn’t a heavy read, although it deals with grief, it still has that lazy summer’s day feel about it. It may also make you hungry with some of the lovely food that is mentioned.

As Under the Italian Sun continues, it is intriguing to see how the vines of family connections intertwine. There are birth and death certificates to be found and the details that come with those. It’s a book that may even inspire some readers to investigate their family history to see what they can unearth.

#QuickReviews of Great Summer Reads In Many Genres of Fiction Part 1 #SummerReads #MustReads #Fiction #CrimeFiction #Thriller #RomanticFiction #HistoricalFiction

Summer Reads
Various Books of Many Genres
By Various Authors

I’ve read a lot of books over this summer, so thought I would share some quick reviews of a few of them. They are in no particular order, except I’ve alternated a crime/thriller with another genre all the way down. I’ve chosen 18 to highlight. There are many genres from crime fiction to thrillers to rom-coms to uplit to historical fiction and more. I have added a link to each part so you can read a bit about the authors, the blurb and full review. I hope you enjoy and gain some inspiration. I am still reading and reviewing. There are many more coming up. Thank you in advance for taking time to read. I always appreciate it. If you click on Full Review for each book, that will take you to the original reviews, which are more in-depth and also have blurbs and more…

The Daughters of Cornwall by Fern Britton – Written with such sensitivity, candour and a little humour along the way; it is an all absorbing read. Set in 1918, 1939 and 2020, discover illigitamacy and family secrets in this atmospheric, well-plotted, compelling book. Click for Full Review

Killing Rock by Robert Daws – Set in Gibraltar, discover the dark side of this island, with its backdrop lovely sun, sea and sand, in this twisty tale that grips and captivates to the end. Full Review

Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce – Discover this wonderfully uplifting book about friendship and a new adventure, even when it takes a lot of determination to make things happen. The contrast between the characters is written so well, it’s a delight to read. Full Review

The Secrets Of Strangers by Charity Norman – a fast-paced psychological thriller that takes place in a cafe, with characters who intrigue with all their secrets as this unputdownable and enthralling book unfolds and characters unravel. Full Review

The Miseducation of Evie Epworth By Matson Taylor – set in Yorkshire in the 1960’s, this is one of the wittiest books that I’ve read in a long time. There’s the fashions, the music, cake and Evie is trying to make a decision between heading to the bright lights of Leeds or NYC. It already has a lot of recognition and made it to the Radio 2 Book Club. I am informed there will be a second one. Full Review

Hinton Hollow Death Trip by Will Carver – a page-turner of a psychological thriller set in a small place called Hinton Hollow, follow the most unexpected and original narrator, around the area as you meet the characters and see how they mirror society and if there is hope of anything getting better. Full Review

Summer on A Sunny Island by Sue Moorcroft – Sun, sea, sand and perhaps a bit of romance on a gorgeous island; all wrapped up in a book that is perfect for lazing with in the sun. Full Review

Before I Say I Do By Vikki Bradley – A rivetting thriller set around a wedding day, supposedly the happiest day of your life. The wedding day is fast approaching and yet there are secrets that the bride would rather not emerge . It’s a thriller that is hard to resist and to put down. Full Review

With or Without You by Drew Davies – A life can change in a second. One day you’re doing the mundane and everything is taken for granted. The next, everything changes. It certainly has a great observed, captivating plot. Full Review

What Lies Beneath by Adam Croft – First in a brand new series set in Rutland, it gets off to a great start as readers get to know the police and Rutland and some bodies that are emerging. Full Review

The Geometry of Holding Hands Hands by Alexander McCall Smith is the latest installment of the delightful Philosophy Club/Dalhousie series. With the return of many wonderful characters and an inexpected offer given to Isabelle, involving a Highland estate. It’s a book that will engage and delight fans. Full Review

The Bobby Girls Secrets By Johanna Bell. Follow this fascinating and enjoyable series about the first volunteer women policewomen. This is the second in the series and I am informed that there is a 3rd in the pipeline. The first is called The Bobby Girls. The bonds of friendship intrigue as do the storylines and this time they aren’t all in one area. Bobby Girl has a new opportunity. There are also interesting photos of the real Bobby Girls and a bit of info about them in the closing pages of the book. Full Review

The Colours by Juliet Bates – A bright, bold, incredible book about a character with synisthesia. With exquisitely observed writing, it is a highly absorbing read that will take any reader to the beach and on a trip through someone’s life. Full Review

Lion Heart by Ben Kane – Don the armour in this atmospheric, compelling book that transports readers into the rich landscape of Richard LionHeart. Forge weaponry and battle, but the action doesn’t stop there as it is much more nuanced than that and focuses on more than just war, which makes it an excellent book in the first in this new series. Full Review

Dance With The Reaper by Wes Markin – Put on your dancing shoes, embrace the reaper and dance through life and death and find the murderer with DCI Yorke. It compels, intrigues and surprises. Full Review

Perfume Paradiso by Janey Jones – Wake up and smell the perfume and travel through the pages to explore Italy to create a new perfume and perhaps find love, is what comes in this delightful romantic comedy. Full Review

The Strange Book of Jacob Boyce by Tom Gillespie – Set between Glasgow, Scotland and Spain, life and art collide, making this an emotional, exquisitely written book that takes readers into a possible forgery and then there’s Jacob’s relationship, but will it survive?Full Review

The Garden of Forgotten Wishes by Trisha Ashley takes you into a beautiful garden and charming characters lives; some of them quite unexpected as an unlikely lot volunteer to bring a garden into the vibrant state it was once in, even though personal lives aren’t always straight-forward. This is a joyful, uplifting summer read. Full Review

#Review of the delightful – The Garden of Forgotten Wishes by Trisha Ashley @trishaashley @TransworldBooks @RandomTTours #Fiction #SummerReading #NewBook #SundayTimesBestSeller

The Garden of Forgotten Wishes
By Trisha Ashley
Rated: 5 stars *****

Today is my stop on the blog tour for the very delightful summer read that is The Garden of Forgotten Wishes. It whisks you away to a beautiful garden and interesting, characters with their uplifting community spirit, sometimes complicated lives and a bit of romance.
Discover the author, blurb, review and the social media links below.
I thank Haley Barnes at TransworldBooks for sending me a copy of the book and to be invited by Anne to review.

About the Author

Trisha Ashley’s Sunday Times bestselling novels have twice been shortlisted for the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance, and Every Woman for Herself was nominated by readers as one of the top three romantic novels of the last fifty years.
Trisha lives in North Wales.

Blurb

The brand new novel from Sunday Times Top Five bestselling author Trisha Ashley – the perfect Summer read!

All Marnie wants is somewhere to call home. Mourning lost years spent in a marriage that has finally come to an end, she needs a fresh start and time to heal. Things she hopes to find in the rural west Lancashire village her mother always told her about.
With nothing but her two green thumbs, Marnie takes a job as a gardener, which comes with a little cottage to make her own. The garden is beautiful – filled with roses, lavender and honeysuckle – and only a little rough around the edges. Which is more than can be said for her next-door-neighbour, Ned Mars.
Marnie remembers Ned from her school days but he’s far from the untroubled man she once knew. A recent relationship has left him with a heart as bruised as her own.
Can a summer spent gardening help them heal and recapture the forgotten dreams they’ve let get away?

Praise for Trisha Ashley:
‘One of the best writers around!’ – Katie Fforde
‘Full of down-to-earth humour’ – Sophie Kinsella
‘A warm-hearted and comforting read. Trisha at her best.’ – Carole Matthews

Review

Meander through the garden. It looks beautiful. Seek out the lovely plants that are listed on a key code list for what you see on the small map, and jump back with Marnie to 1993 before following her to the first chapter in 2017.

In 1993, life is bitter-sweet as Marnie (Marianne) sits with her mum after her aunt has dropped her off, reminiscing together, even though for Marnie, to bring up the good times isn’t a natural thing for a young child to do. Her mum is doing the rounds of chemotherapy.

Marnie, by 2017 was in France. To live in a chateau sounds idyllic. Like a dream!
This is a book with themes of control. It’s a timely book, since that’s finally one of the main topics up for discussion. This is also about Marnie’s escape, with Treena’s help more than what led up to her fleeing.

The book is as heartwarming and as uplifting as it is heart-wrenching. Marnie, once she has left for the UK, she has a hope to reconnect on some sort of level with the mother she lost to cancer. She also hopes to rediscover herself and some people she once knew at Jericho’s end. The Fairy Falls sound tranquil and is where the Cottingley Fairies were “filmed” and proven to be a hoax, later a film was made. She also hopes to restore the garden at Lavander Cottage, that she once knew.

She meets Ned, who presents a tv show called “The Small Plot.” They knew each other from their student days at horticultural college. The only issue is, intriguingly, he isn’t so pleased to see her.

There’s a lot of strength of character and courage presented within the characters in this book. I love that a lot and is, for me anyway, relatable. The characters have been through a lot and yet they still get on with life.

There’s a real passion for gardens and gardening within the book for readers to explore. It’s uplifting how people end up supporting each other to meet the same goal of having a completed garden. Watching it expand is beautiful and elegant to read about. It’s also nice that it isn’t too romanticised, in other words, you can see some of the hard-work it takes to pull something as vast off. Romance blossoms amongst the blooms of nature as the project grows.

This is a beautiful book that shows courage against adversity in so many ways. That’s what makes it a great book for this summer.

After the book, there are related recipes to some of the icecreams within the book. So you can try out making your own, lavender, ginger, minced meat, mulled wine, non-dairy coffee and choc chip icecreams.

Trisha Ashley’s Social Media Links

For more information about her please visit www.trishaashley.com , her
Facebook page www.facebook.com/TrishaAshleyBooks or follow her on
Twitter @trishaashley