Bena Roberts's Blog, page 15
April 15, 2018
Review - The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May
The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay
by Nicola May
Praise for Nicola May���s books
���This book will twang your funny bone & your heartstrings��� ��� Milly Johnson
���A fun and flighty read��� the Sun
���A funny and fast-paced romp ��� thoroughly enjoyable!��� WOMAN Magazine
*
Rosa Larkin is down on her luck in London, so when she inherits a near-derelict corner shop in a quaint Devon village, her first thought is to sell it for cash and sort out her life. But nothing is straightforward about this legacy. While the identity of her benefactor remains a mystery, he - or she - has left one important legal proviso: that the shop cannot be sold, only passed on to somebody who really deserves it.
Rosa makes up her mind to give it a go: to put everything she has into getting the shop up and running again in the small seaside community of Cockleberry Bay. But can she do it all on her own? And if not, who will help her succeed - and who among the following will work secretly to see her fail?
There is a handsome rugby player, a sexy plumber, a charlatan reporter and a selection of meddling locals. Add in a hit and run incident and the disappearance of a valuable engraved necklace ��� and what you get is a journey of self-discovery and unpredictable events.
With surprising and heartfelt results, Rosa, accompanied at all times by her little sausage dog Hot, will slowly unravel the shadowy secrets of the inheritance, and also bring her own, long-hidden heritage into the light.
Purchase from ���
Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B8KML35/
Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07B8KML35/
Amazon CA - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07B8KML35/
Amazon AU - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07B8KML35/
About Nicola May
���
Award winning author Nicola May lives in Ascot in Berkshire with her rescue cat Stanley. Her hobbies include watching films that involve a lot of swooning, crabbing in South Devon, eating flapjacks and enjoying a flutter on the horses. Inspired by her favourite authors Milly Johnson and Carole Matthews, Nicola writes what she describes as chicklit with a kick.
���
Follow Nicola May
Website - www.nicolamay.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NicolaMayAuthor
Twitter - https://twitter.com/nicolamay1
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/author_nicola/
Giveaway ��� Win x 3 Paperback copies of The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay (Open Internationally)
*Terms and Conditions ���Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners��� information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
My Review The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May
I felt like I was in Devon. I loved Rosa, and her past and the mystery of the shop made me want to read and read. I mean, who doesn't want to be left something mysterious in a will. Very relatable characters and the I loved Hot Dog or Dog Hot or just Hot. I can't remember the exact name as I write the review -but it was just the cute little dog and the twists and the turns with Luke, the lousy journalist, his son... Page turner! Seriously, good fiction!
The Good
Very easy to fall in love with the characters, easy to understand fun writing style.
The Bad
A good read from an unfortunate backstory, which was sad.
The Ugly?
None. I really enjoyed this book!
5 Stars
Cover Reveal - The Weekend Spa Break by Anne John-Ligali
THE WEEKEND SPA BREAK
Friendships Online Series
Part Two
After finally meeting in person at the publishing party of the season, Constance and Estelle are determined not to let their friendship return to mere virtual champagne bottles and uploaded pictures of food.
It���s been a busy year, and Constance feels it���s time to reward herself with the spa break Estelle gave her for Christmas. Naturally, Constance wouldn���t dream of taking anyone other than Estelle, and this will provide the perfect opportunity to bond with her new chum.
As the excited pair spend some quality time together, they realise it���s not just writing books they have in common, but something that goes much deeper. After a few Jacuzzi sessions, facials, pedicures, and a massage by sexy Senior Therapist, Julio, everything seems to be peachy until an unexpected visitor turns Constance���s weekend of bliss ��� on its head.
A two-day spa break.
Sparkling water on tap.
And the perfect massage.
But who���s rubbing who up the wrong way?
BIO
Anne John-Ligali is a writer and the founder of Books and Authors UK, a popular website featuring author interviews and book reviews. She loves all things books: reading, writing, going to book events, and meeting other book lovers. She has written a series of short stories and is currently writing her first novel.
Anne has always loved stories and read many books as a child, including the entire Sweet Valley High and Caitlyn series. Her interest in writing fiction came years later, when she began writing for pleasure in 2007.
Originally from Peterborough, Anne now lives in London. After moving to London, she studied graphic design at the University of Arts and has held a number IT administration jobs in the city. Anne continues writing and aspires to write more women���s fiction books, a non-fiction book and several children���s books.
Social Media Links ���
Author blog: http://annejohnligali.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/booksnauthorsuk/
Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnneJohnLigali
Author FB: https://www.facebook.com/annejohnligali/
Books and Authors UK: www.booksandauthors.co.uk
Books and Authors UK Twitter: https://twitter.com/BooksNAuthorsUK
Books and Authors UK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Books-and-Authors-UK-674729805905507/
April 14, 2018
Cover Reveal - The Picture by Roger Bray
The Picture
A warehouse in Japan used as an emergency shelter in the aftermath of the 2011 Tsunami. A distraught, young Japanese woman in dishevelled clothes sits on a box, holding her infant daughter. Ben, a US rescue volunteer, kneels in front of her offering comfort. They hug, the baby between them. The moment turns into an hour as the woman sobs into his shoulder; mourning the loss of her husband, her home, the life she knew. A picture is taken, capturing the moment. It becomes a symbol; of help freely given and of the hope of the survivors. The faces in the picture cannot be recognised, and that is how Ben likes it. No celebrity, thanks not required.
But others believe that being identified as the person in the picture is their path to fame and fortune. Ben stands, unknowingly, in their way, but nothing a contract killing cannot fix.
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/RogerBray
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Roger-Bray/e/B0725KF3NF/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1523321091&sr=8-1
Author Bio ��� I have always loved writing; putting words onto a page and bringing characters to life. I can almost feel myself becoming immersed into their lives, living with their fears and triumphs. Thus, my writing process becomes an endless series of questions. What would she or he do, how would they react, is this in keeping with their character? Strange as it sounds, I don���t like leaving characters in cliffhanging situations without giving them an ending, whichever way it develops.
My life to date is what compels me to seek a just outcome, the good will overcome and the bad will be punished. More though, I tend to see my characters as everyday people in extraordinary circumstances, but in which we may all find our selves if the planets align wrongly or for whatever reason you might consider.
Of course, most novels are autobiographical in some way. You must draw on your own experiences of life and from events you have experienced to get the inspiration. My life has been an endless adventure. Serving in the Navy, fighting in wars, serving as a Police officer and the experiences each one of those have brought have all drawn me to this point, but it was a downside to my police service that was the catalyst for my writing.
Medically retired after being seriously injured while protecting a woman in a domestic violence situation I then experienced the other side of life. Depression and rejection. Giving truth to the oft said saying that when one door closes another opens I pulled myself up and enrolled in college gaining bachelor and master degrees, for my own development rather than any professional need. The process of learning, of getting words down onto the page again relit my passion for writing in a way that I hadn���t felt since high school.
So here we are, two books published and another on track.
Where it will take me I have no idea but I am going to enjoy getting there and if my writing can bring some small pleasure into people���s lives along the way, then I consider that I will have succeeded in life.
Social Media Links ��� https://twitter.com/rogerbray22
https://www.facebook.com/rogerbraybooks/
April 12, 2018
My second book and first novella The Forever Night Stand #newrelease on sale for #99cents
The Forever Night Stand
Buy now! Only 99 cents!
Amazon
Smashwords
Kobo
Nook
Amazon Paperback
Sara's world shatters when she stabs her husband's lover at a party. The press has a field day, and Sara moves from Scotland and her life of riches back to her parent's modest home in West London. She ditches her married name of MacDonald and becomes Sara Sharma once more. With no friends and little money, her electronic prison anklet a constant reminder of what she left behind.
Living back at home with her eccentric Bollywood loving parents is a challenge. It gets worse when Sara realizes how badly she let them down. For the sake of her family, she considers having an arranged marriage. Could she be the perfect wife again?
Just as she thinks she might, her childhood love George Wright walks through the door. Memories of the past come flooding back, including how he betrayed her. Sara vows never to forgive him, however hard he mixes things up.
Buy Now on Nook
Buy Now on Kobo
Buy Now on Smashwords
Buy Now on Kindle
Helen's children leave home at eighteen. She sleepwalked through her marriage of twenty years for their sake. But when they go, she leaves her husband. Her house is a mess, as is her image and Helen breaks down. Through her pain, she draws blood and allows the universe to guide her and her decisions.
The unexpected happens, scientist Helen gets thrown into a new life of hedonism, dating, and self-discovery. A charming lawyer steals her heart, but is Helen ready for the fast lane? Will the local village firefighter provide the romance of her dreams? Or the military spy CJ, who is convinced that Helen is part of a Romanian smuggling gang. With the help of her sister Portia, Helen starts to transform her life. The universe guides her to finding something in herself.
Debut author Bena Robert's provides a unique perspective in this witty black comedy. Dark humor meets chick lit with a robust and realistic voice.
Part one of the revamp!
When the cover is finished I will post it here too! Then onward with new stronger keywords!
April 11, 2018
The Blog Tour for Blind Dates, Big Love & Six Tinder Weeks starts next week!
These wonderful bloggers are taking part in a blog tour of Blind Dates, Big Love & Six Tinder Weeks! Please check out their blogs!
Thank-you to Rachel's Random Resources for creating this blog tour for me! It starts on April 15th 2018!
Whispering Stories The Northern Witch's Book Blog
April 8, 2018
Review Spring at the the Little Duck Pond Cafe
Spring at The Little Duck Pond Cafe
Fleeing from a romance gone wrong, Ellie Farmer arrives in the pretty little village of Sunnybrook, hoping for a brand new start that most definitely does not include love! Following an unscheduled soak in the village duck pond, she meets Sylvia, who runs the nearby Duck Pond Caf��. Renting the little flat above the caf�� seems like the answer to Ellie's prayers. It's only for six months, which will give her time to sort out her life, far away from cheating boyfriend Richard.
But is running away from your past ever really the answer?
Clashing with the mysterious and brooding Zack Chamberlain, an author with a bad case of writer's block, is definitely not what Ellie needs right now. And then there's Sylvia, who's clinging so hard to her past, she's in danger of losing the quaint but run-down Duck Pond Caf�� altogether.
Can Ellie find the answers she desperately needs in Sunnybrook? And will she be able to help save Sylvia's little Duck Pond Caf�� from closure?
Purchase from Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spring-Little-Duck-Pond-Cafe-ebook/dp/B07BH4NWL8/
Purchase from Amazon.com - https://www.amazon.com/Spring-Little-Duck-Pond-Cafe-ebook/dp/B07BH4NWL8/
Author Bio
Rosie Green has been scribbling stories ever since she was little. Back then they were rip-roaring adventure tales with a young heroine in perilous danger of falling off a cliff or being tied up by ���the baddies���. Thankfully, Rosie has moved on somewhat, and now much prefers to write romantic comedies that melt your heart and make you smile, with really not much perilous danger involved at all, unless you count the heroine losing her heart in love.
Rosie���s brand new series of novellas is centred on life in a village caf��. The first, Spring at the Little Duck Pond Caf��, is out on March 22nd 2018.
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green1988
My Review Spring at The Little Duck Pond Caf�� by Rosie Green
A sweet romance story. Extremely digestible and not too long-winded.
The Good
A sweet family story, love the mum dementia angle and cozy cafe and cakes. The characters were delightful and Zac the dreamer type of man you could fall in love with.
The Bad
No sex for sex sake!
The Ugly
Dementia is ugly. I did like the way that the author referred to The Thing. I think all woman do that I remember calling someone monster toad for a long time!
An enjoyable Novella - 4 Stars
Win!! Giveaway!!
Win wooden Duck ornament and chocolates (Open to UK Only).
During each day of this blog tour, each clues will be revealed to the true identity of Rosie Green.
Today's Clue is:
One of my titles brings to mind a well-known movie about weddings, starring Hugh Grant.
In order to enter, you need to follow Rosie Green on Twitter, RT this tweet and then take a guess using the hashtag #WhoisRosieGreen
https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green1988/status/978271556068630528
You may guess more than once.
All entries using the hash tag will be entered, and the giveaway closes 23:00 BST 12th April
The identity of Rosie Green will be revealed on twitter after 12th April as will the giveaway winner.
Good luck and don't forget to look at posts on other days of this tour, for more clues.
First Video Review and Extract of The Forever Night Stand!
Please watch my first video review of The Forever Night Stand! I am so excited about it and I really like bloggers going the extra-mile and also sharing videos! #booktubers rock!
About - The Forever Night Stand!
Sara's world shatters when she stabs her husband's lover at a party. The press has a field day, and Sara moves from Scotland and her life of riches back to her parent's modest home in West London. She ditches her married name of MacDonald and becomes Sara Sharma once more. With no friends and little money, her electronic prison anklet a constant reminder of what she left behind.
Living back at home with her eccentric Bollywood loving parents is a challenge. It gets worse when Sara realizes how badly she let them down. For the sake of her family, she considers having an arranged marriage. Could she be the perfect wife again?
Just as she thinks she might, her childhood love George Wright walks through the door. Memories of the past come flooding back, including how he betrayed her. Sara vows never to forgive him, however hard he mixes things up.
April 7, 2018
Blog Spotlight - Carol Roberts author of Atlantis
Who is Carol?Carol Roberts is an author and member of the Visionary Fiction Alliance. She writes visionary/metaphysical genre cross fantasy. She is also a freelance writer with particular interest in cultural myth. Originally from Vienna, she has spent all of her adult life in the Far North of New Zealand. Her work took her to several different countries, where she indulged her fascination with stories, particularly those dealing with the creation of man. 'Atlantis' is her first full-length novel; speculating on concepts of the human condition, the meaning of individual and collective destiny, and choices.
What is the book about?
When Alanthea, high-priestess of Atlantis, connects to a woman in her dreams, she becomes haunted by a mystery. Compelled to trace the other woman's life she finds coded poems that hold clues to the predicament of her people. Now she has to venture ever farther into forbidden territory to link past and present, and understand the real danger threatening Atlantis.
Arakon always thought of himself as an orphan, a loner without any real belonging. But after a strange encounter his life changes, and he is drawn into events beyond his control.
They move parallel in their search for answers until their destinies converge, and the weave unravels. Yet what they finally uncover lies deep at the heart of collective evolution, and what has been set in motion cannot be undone.
Buy here!! https://www.amazon.com/Atlantis-Carol-Roberts-ebook/dp/B0777J2MC8/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Twitter Link @authorRobertsC
April 6, 2018
Reader and Love Tour Giveaway! BlackLoveBooks.com
Do you love reading romance books featuring people of color? Join us on the Reader Love Tour & Giveaway where it���s all about YOU.
Enter daily giveaways for African American, Interracial, and Multicultural Romance books by the participating authors on BlackLoveBooks.com and several prizes including a six month KU subscription (or $60 Amazon Gift Card).
Participating Authors:
Amarie Avant | Bella Fontaine | Chiquitad Dennie | Dana Pittman | Danyelle Scroggins | DeiIra Smith-Collard | G.L. Tomas | J. Nichole | J.L. Campbell | Ja'Nese Dixon | Janae Keyes | Kim Golden | ML Preston | Monica L. Smith | Rachelle Ayala | Savannah J. Frierson | Sheena Binkley | Suzette D. Harrison | Suzette Riddick | Taige Crenshaw | Tasha L. Harrison
GIVEAWAY LINK
http://www.blacklovebooks.com/giveaways/reader-love-tour/
Booktube Review featuring Blind Dates Big Love & Six Tinder Weeks!
My first ever Booktube review! I am absolutely delighted and I think that #booktubers are fantastic!
Six Tinder Weeks was published in December 2017. In March 2018 I rebranded it to Blind Dates, Big Love & Six Tinder Weeks.
I also gave it a complete make-over and new cover. It was my debut and I have learned so much since then. When people tell you that
you really know nothing when you publish your first novel independently - listen!
Thank-you to The Tranquil Reader! Follow her on Twitter and YouTube!
https://twitter.com/Tranquil_Reader
