Stephanie Dagg's Blog, page 10

Cover reveal: Everything is Beautiful by Eleanor Ray

Everything is Beautiful

Sometimes it’s impossible to part with the things we love the most…

When Amy Ashton’s world came crashing down eleven years ago, she started a collection. Just a little collection, just a few keepsakes of happier times: some honeysuckle to remind herself of the boy she loved, a chipped china bird, an old terracotta pot . . . Things that others might throw away, but to Amy, represent a life that could have been.

Now her house is overflowing with the objects she loves – soon there’ll be no room for Amy at all. But when a family move in next door, a chance discovery unearths a mystery long buried, and Amy’s carefully curated life begins to unravel. If she can find the courage to face her past, might the future she thought she’d lost still be hers for the taking?

Perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant and The Keeper of Lost Things, this exquisitely told, uplifting novel shows us that however hopeless things might feel, beauty can be found in the most unexpected of places.

 

Pre-order Links:

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Everything-Beautiful-Eleanor-Ray/dp/0349427437

US – https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Beautiful-Eleanor-Ray-ebook/dp/B087ZDNZM8/

Publication Date: 4th February 2021

 

And here’s the cover:

 

Author Bio –

Eleanor Ray has an MA in English Literature from Edinburgh University and works in marketing. She lives in London with her husband and two young children.

Eleanor was inspired to write Everything is Beautiful by the objects her toddler collects and treasures – twigs, empty water bottles and wilting daisies. She is currently working on her next novel.

Social Media Links –

Twitter: @ EleanorRayBooks

Facebook: @ EleanorRayBooks

Instagram: @ EleanorRayBooks

The Two Lives of Maddie Meadows by Sharley Scott

The Two Lives Of Maddie Meadows

Maddie Meadows adores her family and loves her work. But she has good reason to keep them separate.

For single mum Maddie, home is a flat on a run-down estate. And family consists of an excitable toddler, a lonely Dad and a younger brother mired in a love triangle.

Meanwhile, professional Madeleine balances a tricky day job, made worse by a jealous colleague. No one at work knows about her other life, and she needs to keep it this way: one of the bosses has made his feelings very clear about single parents and the people on her estate.

Thank goodness for her fun-loving and loyal friends – although Maddie wishes they’d believe her when she insists she has no time for love. Or so she tells herself as she fights to quell her hidden feelings for her gorgeous colleague, Oliver, who comes from the posh part of town.

When her friends line up their ideal man for her – Sean, more beanstalk than Bean – Maddie wishes she’d told them the truth. It’s hard enough juggling two lives. But, with all the added complications, how long will be it be before Maddie’s carefully created world comes crashing down?

 

My review

Maddie really does seem to have two very separate lives: one as Madeleine at work in her role for the local council, and the other at home in her council flat in a physically rundown but emotionally rich housing estate. She has plenty on her plate as single mum of Josh and with father Alan who’s depressed and recovering from cancer, and her brother who has Down’s syndrome. If this sounds rather heavy, well, it is and it isn’t. It’s a lot for one person to deal with, but Maddie does so with optimism and her whole heart. She’s a wonderful character – not a martyr who enjoys suffering, just a devoted, determined human being.

But it’s hard to keep parts of your life completely separate from each other, and the different elements of hers do touch, quite dramatically, from time to time.

She considers she has no time for romance, but her friends think differently and think goodness they do because it leads, eventually, to Maddie finding happiness. Even Madeleine, who faces prejudice and nastiness at work, reaches a similar state when she finds a way to deal with her unpleasant boss.

The book is cleverly written, great fun to read and thought-provoking. It deals with very real issues in an entertaining way, that gives a boost to people who have similar ones in their real lives.

Maddie isn’t the only complex, rounded character. Everyone we meet is presented with detail and care, warts and all, and they provide a convincing slice of life.

Much to enjoy in this easy to read, charming story.

 

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Two-Lives-Maddie-Meadows-feel-good-ebook/dp/B08BCPTQKX

https://www.amazon.com/Two-Lives-Maddie-Meadows-feel-good-ebook/dp/B08BCPTQKX

Author Bio –

Sharley Scott is the author of the ‘Devon Seaside Guesthouse’ novels – Bedlam & Breakfast and B&Bers Behaving Madly.

Her latest book ‘The Two Lives of Maddie Meadows’ is being published in early July 2020. The second in the series ‘The Gift of a Rose’ will be available in the autumn.

Sharley is a guesthouse owner in South Devon. She is thankful to have been blessed with lots of amazing and kind-hearted guests, who are nothing like some of the characters featured in the Devon Seaside Guesthouse series.

The Two Lives of Maddie Meadows is a fictional account, but Sharley has never forgotten how interesting life can be with a toddler. Some of the mischief Josh gets up to will be familiar to all parents. Sharley has carried out the threats she made to her son decades ago and now embarrasses him by telling tales to his girlfriend, although he gets her back by recounting stories about his mum.

Social Media Links –

Sharley can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/SharleyScott3/

Or follow Sharley on Twitter: @ SharleyScott

Summer at my Sister’s by Emily Harvale

Twin sisters. One scorching summer.

A bucketful of secrets.

Diana’s life is perfect. Her twin sister, Josie’s – not so much.

Diana has a rich and successful husband, two talented youngsters and an adorable dog. She always looks as if she’s stepped from the cover of a magazine. Her immaculate second home by the sea, for idyllic summers with her perfect family, was actually featured in one.

Josie has a messy, compact flat, dates, but not relationships, and she can’t even keep a houseplant alive. She moves from job to job, goes clubbing with her friends and often looks as if she’s fallen through a hedge.

Although Josie loves Diana deeply, each year she declines the invitation to spend the summer with her sister. Or any other family holiday. Because Josie has a secret.

But is Diana’s life so perfect? Or is she also hiding something? When secrets are revealed this summer, everything will change. Josie could finally have the life she’s always wanted … if she’s brave enough to take a chance.

 

My review

Oh, but I do love Emily Harvale’s books! Always entertaining, interesting, revealing, absorbing, unique, she never fails to thoroughly delight the reader.

This book is set in picturesque Seahorse Harbour (and you get to learn a few facts about seahorses while you’re  there). One fact you don’t learn, at least not for a while, is why Josie hasn’t been to this perfect-sounding place for so long, despite family links. And another is what is going on behind the scenes with Diana.

As always with this fabulous author, there are secrets to be discovered. It’s fascinating as they’re gradually revealed.

We have some charming men to catch the eye of our heroine, and us too! And a lovable dog who has his part to play.

Family plays a crucial role, as does community, creating a rich, warm atmosphere, despite the odd hiccup.

There’s a lot going on in the novel, and we’re kept hanging on every word since it’s all so involving. There’s humour, crossed purposes, economies with the truth when pride is at stake, and lots of very clever writing.

Wonderful from front cover to back!

 

Purchase Link – mybook.to/SummeratmySisters

Author bio

Emily writes novels, novellas and short stories about friendship, family and falling in love. She loves a happy ending but knows that life doesn’t always go to plan. Her stories are sure to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart.

Emily loves to connect with her readers and has a readers’ group in which many have become good friends. To catch up with Emily, find out about the group, or connect with her on social media, go to her website at www.emilyharvale.com.

Having lived and worked in London for several years, Emily returned to her home town of Hastings where she now writes full-time. She’s a member of the SoA, an Amazon bestseller and a Kindle All Star. When not writing, she can be found enjoying the stunning East Sussex coast and countryside, or in a wine bar with friends, discussing life, love and the latest TV shows. Chocolate cake is often eaten. She dislikes housework almost as much as she dislikes anchovies – and will do anything to avoid both. Emily has two mischievous rescue cats that like to sprawl across her keyboard, regardless of whether Emily is typing on it, or not.

Social Media Links –  https://www.facebook.com/emilyharvalewriter

https://www.twitter.com/emilyharvale

https://www.instagram.com/emilyharvale

Snowflakes Over Bay Tree Terrace by Fay Keenan

As the snowflakes fall, new love blossoms…

When teacher Florence Ashton receives a surprise inheritance, she decides to make the life-changing decision to up sticks to the charming town of Willowbury in Somerset. With a new house and a new job, she’s too busy putting down roots to think about love.

Air Ambulance pilot Sam Ellis is definitely not looking for romance either, especially not on his doorstep. When Florence, his new neighbour, complains about his noisy housemate, he feels more cross than star-crossed.

But as the nights draw in and both find themselves thrown together in Willowbury’s seasonal drama production, will they overcome their differences and allow a little bit of winter magic to fall along with the snow? And what secrets will be revealed by the box of memories Florence finds in the attic at Bay Tree Terrace?

Let Fay Keenan transport you to the perfect country winter wonderland, with roaring fires, spectacular scenery, and unforgettable characters.

My review

I must start by saying I think it is definitely a bit too early to be reading and reviewing Christmas books, especially when it’s still so hot here in France! But I appreciate authors and publishers want to get their offerings in front of an audience in good time. I just hope that you won’t have forgotten all about this book when the chill of November puts you in a mood for a Christmassy read.

Aunts are so handy in literature when they die and leave legacies that change the heroine’s life! It’s a familiar trope but always interesting, and this author handles it in an original way.

Florence and Sam are very engaging as hero and heroine. Neither is perfect as each comes with a certain amount of baggage and flaws but that’s what we want and expect from this genre. They meet, grate, grumble and finally begin understand each other, with lots of lovely will-they won’t-they along the way.

This is a lovely, easy read, with the right amounts of comedy and romance and seasonal atmosphere for the perfect, festive romcom. I shall read it again during once the night’s have really drawn in as I’m sure it will resonate and entertain even more then.

Love the cover!

 

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3d1DPTC

 

Author bio

Fay Keenan is the author of the bestselling Little Somerby series of novels. She has led writing workshops with Bristol University and has been a visiting speaker in schools. She is a full-time teacher and lives in Somerset.

Social Media Links –

Twitter Profile: @faykeenan

Facebook Profile: www.facebook.com/faykeenanauthor

Instagram Profile: faykeenan

YouTube Channel: faykeenan

Pinterest Profile: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/faykeenanauthor/

Bookbub Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/fay-keenan

Blog / website URL: http://www.faykeenan.com

 

Love, on the Rocks by Elsie McArthur: tremendously enjoyable

Love on the Rocks

Escaping a difficult childhood, unhappy marriage and dead-end job, Rachel McIntyre has escaped to the tiny Hebridean island of Inniscreag in search of a new beginning.

Taking a job as the manager of the local distillery, she’s just settling into her new life when the elderly, eccentric owner dies, unexpectedly leaving her two hundred year old family legacy in Rachel’s inexperienced hands.

Can she keep the small, community business alive in the face of a takeover attempt from a major multinational corporation? And can she resist the charms of the flirtatious, attractive company lawyer who arrives on the island to persuade her to sell up?

Join Rachel and the quirky inhabitants of Inniscreag – along with a couple of unexpected arrivals – in this funny, heartwarming tale about love, loss and having the courage to start over.

 

My review

The synopsis makes the book a little more serious than it is. Yes, the book tackles some big and unpleasant issues, but it does so in a positive way.

This is a tremendously enjoyable book. Rachel is a wonderful, real character – caring, kind, committed, a bit too self-critical – and her interactions with the other people who populate the pages of this book are always interesting. She’s always ready for the next challenge – which is just as well, since suddenly finding yourself running your own distillery has to be just a teeny bit daunting! Duncan, or hero, is a good foil to her, with more confidence but less imagination and gung-ho-ness.

The setting is full of quirky but warm atmosphere, the plot is unpredictable and clever, and there’s plenty of humour and happiness alongside the everyday ups and downs of rural Scottish life.

A super story that’s an absorbing and fast-paced read.

 

Purchase Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B089G71S4N

US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089G71S4N

 

Author bio

Elsie McArthur is an independent author of women’s fiction. After studying law at university, and then re-training as a primary school teacher, she now lives in the Highlands of Scotland with her husband, two kids, a couple of badly behaved dogs and a cat with a superiority complex. As well as continuing to work part time as a teacher, she is now indulging in her first love of writing. Her first book, ‘The Back Up Plan’, was released in January 2020. Her second novel, ‘Love, on the Rocks’ – a tale of love, loss and starting over, set on the remote Scottish island of Inniscreag – is due for release in Summer 2020.

Social Media Links

Twitter – @ElsieMcarthur

Instagram – @elsiemcarthur.author

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ElsieMcArthurAuthor/

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19961166.Elsie_McArthur

 

A Seagull Summer by Jane Lovering

Synopsis

Leah has come to Dorset to collect seaweed samples for a nutrition research project. She’s trying to leave behind a disastrous family life, and is haunted by the death of her best friend, Claire, on whom she relied for advice.

Here she meets Brendon, an Australian come to search for his mysteriously-vanished-from-the-family great grandfather. Brendon has discovered a fear of British seagulls, particularly Roger, a hand-reared bird which has taken a liking to Leah. As Leah and Brendon form a summer friendship, their pasts catch up with them. But together they help each other to see beyond the narrow confines and mistakes of the past.

My review

This is an enjoyable romcom, with a side helping of some serious, tricky family issues.

Leah is a hard-working scientist who’s not good at enjoying herself. Brendon, in contrast, is a free spirit who very much lives for the moment. Whereas Leah would rather forget her difficult mother, Brendon is on a quest to find out more about his in the form of his great-grandfather. Leah is also trying to come to terms with a difficult secret.

Events, and a demanding seagull called Roger, bring the two together. There’s the will they, won’t they element that all romcom fans love, with other action to keep us interested while the emotion grows steadily in the background.

There were some fascinating secondary characters and lots of entertaining situations.

 

Get your copy here: https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B08BCRJ1DJ/

Murder Ahoy! by Fiona Leitch

Murder Ahoy!

Famous crime writer Bella Tyson is hired to co-host a Murder Mystery cruise, on a luxury liner sailing from Southampton to New York. She’s expecting an easy ride; fun and games, surrounded by amateur sleuths and fans of her books, all the while staying in a deluxe cabin and enjoying the spa and the amazing restaurants on board, culminating in a visit to one of her favourite cities in the world – the Big Apple.

She’s NOT expecting to be stuck on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic with her two least favourite people in the world, her hot but unfaithful bastard ex-husband Joel Quigley and fellow crime writer, bitch goddess and Twitter frenemy, Louise Meyers. And when real live dead bodies start turning up – as well as fake not-really-dead bodies – Bella’s dreams of being pampered on the high seas turn sour.

Accused of a murder she would have liked to commit but didn’t, and helped (or hindered) by a gang of unlikely detectives, can Bella find out who the real murderer is before the ship reaches its destination and New York’s finest drag her off?

 

My review

There are certain things that just have to be there for a good cosy mystery: an off-stage crime usually quite near the start of the story with an unlikeable victim; a somewhat limited setting such as in a small town or, as here, a boat; a clever villain but who, fortunately, is not as smart as our generally reluctant amateur sleuth; plenty of humorous touches; a cast of quirky if not downright eccentric characters; clues galore, and a catchy title.

These, as I say, are crucial for any good cozy. Murder Ahoy, however, isn’t a good cozy – it’s a brilliant one! It has all the above and so much more. This author could make an instruction manual for installing plumbing sound scintillating as she has such a lively, sparkly, humour-laden style and vibrant imagination.

Belle is an awesome heroine. She’s feisty but not brashly so, and is wonderfully human with her insecurities and other foibles. She’s down to earth, funny and kind, but can give the occasional tongue-lashing when necessary.

Louise, the victim, is wonderfully vile. In fact, everyone we meet is an enthusiastic example of the role they’re playing. Will is a truly dependable, loyal partner, for example, and Joel is the epitome of the scheming, cheating ex.

The plot is fun and peppered with delightful action of every kind. The story might take place on a stolid cruise ship but it whisks you along as though you’re in a speedboat.

Everything about this invigorating, breath-of-sea-air novel is enjoyable. Grab a copy. Now!

 

Purchase Links – mybook.to/Ahoy

 

Author bio

Fiona Leitch is a writer with a chequered past. She’s written for football and motoring magazines, DJ’ed at illegal raves and is a stalwart of the low budget TV commercial, even appearing as the Australasian face of a cleaning product called ‘Sod Off’. After living in London and Cornwall she’s finally settled in sunny New Zealand, where she enjoys scaring her cats by trying out dialogue on them. She spends her days dreaming of retiring to a crumbling Venetian palazzo, walking on the windswept beaches of West Auckland, and writing funny, flawed but awesome female characters. Her debut novel and first in the Bella Tyson series, ‘Dead in Venice’, was published by Audible as one of their Crime Grant finalists. Fiona is represented by Lina Langlee at the North Literary Agency.

Social Media Links

https://twitter.com/fkleitch

www.fionaleitch.com

https://www.pinterest.nz/fionakleitch/

Lady Anne and the Menacing Mystic by Victoria Hamilton

Synopsis

While in Bath preparing for her upcoming marriage to Lord Darkefell, Lady Anne learns of a profoundly accurate mystic working in town whose uncanny predictions have stunned the gullible and the sceptical alike. Certain there’s a harmless rational explanation for the medium’s supposed otherworldly abilities, Anne’s tolerance turns to defiance when the seer’s dark pronouncements begin having a decidedly harmful affect on her friends—and a troubled local vicar takes his own life.

Convinced that the woman is orchestrating a devious scheme, Anne begins to suspect that she’s working in league with a shrewd newcomer who’s attached himself to many of the town’s wealthy widowers. As she navigates the swirling rumours of Bath society to confirm her suspicions and unmask the charlatans for what they are, she discovers that the treacherous conspirators are plotting to make her own future very dark—and very short-lived . .

 

 

My review

This is an entertaining historical cosy mystery set in late eighteenth-century Bath. Lady Anne is a very forceful heroine, in some ways ahead of her time but, sadly, still constrained by it. She’s quite austere and it takes a while to warm to her, but if you’ve read earlier books in the series this fondness might already be in place. She’s well-meaning and interesting, that’s for sure.

The setting is beautifully described and the era comes over very convincingly with the details about everyday life, dress, furniture, means of travel and so forth.

The plot, although perhaps a little slow to get established, is ingenious and absorbing. It keeps you guessing all the way through.

Much to enjoy.

Buy the book here

Vanishing Act by Charlie Hodges

Synopsis

A darkly funny whodunnit of sex, death and the tragi-comedy of old age

Ex-SAS officer Tom Knight is now a 73-year-old private detective in a seaside town, with a bad leg, a taste for good weed and a morbid fear of growing old. He’s also fallen in love with Fran, a sprightly 52-year-old carer at a retirement home. The bad news is that she’s dumped him for lying about his age.

So when she’s framed for the murder of three old ladies at the home he resolves to win her back by proving her innocence. His quest takes him behind the town’s veil of respectability, into a murky world of Oxbridge hookers, a lovelorn Tarot card reader and England’s most obnoxious policeman. He even faces up to his fear of old age and dementia, by going undercover at the care home where the murders happened.

But will it be enough to win back the lady of his dreams?

Proving that you’re just as young as you feel, the Tom Knight mysteries combine delicious comedy with a precision-engineered plot.

 

My review

This is a cosy mystery rich with black comedy. We have an unusual – for this genre – protagonist in the elderly Tom, but he’s as energetic as any younger one! You do worry  a bit about his hips and knees when he gets into kerfuffles, but he’s made of stern stuff! I hope I’ll be that robust at his age…

Mature Tom has the added benefit of experience and wisdom, both of which he uses when dealing with the intriguing case, but unfortunately not so much when dealing with the attractive Fran.

The plot is clever and the action brisk. It’s an absorbing, bittersweet read, and highly enjoyable. The author has a lively, light style that’s gripping and entertaining.

 

The book will be published in mid September by Farrago. Pre-order here.

I received an ARC via Netgalley, and this is an unbiased, honest review

A French Affair by Jennifer Bohnet

What will be will be…

Belinda Marshall’s idyllic teenage life in Brittany, France, fell apart when her parents dramatically separated and her mother took her back to England.

Fast forward thirty-five years when Belinda’s world is once again turned upside down.

It’s the week before Christmas and Belinda’s employer ‘surprises’ her by asking for her help to rejuvenate their latest investment, a run-down campsite in Brittany. Memories and anxieties that had lain dormant for years suddenly begin to resurface.

As secrets from a lost life threaten to overwhelm her, there is a realisation that maybe she wasn’t told the whole truth by her mother all those years ago.

Can Belinda reconcile her emotions and find happiness once more in the place she so loved and called home?

 

My review

This is a very atmospheric novel, and couldn’t be set anywhere other than France. The author catches the sights, sounds and all the nuances of expat life beautifully.

It’s also rather sad at times, particularly where Belinda and Fern tackle some serious issues. We experience the action of the novel from the point of view of these two characters.  However, the book is fast-paced so we don’t  get too long to dwell, and in contrast to these more difficult elements, there are joyful moments, and lots of life and imagination, and yes, happiness.

It is, however, essentially an optimistic novel overall, dealing as it does with facing up to truths, processing them and moving on, although that’s not as easy as it might sound. But it doesn’t shy from the damage and difficulties having such lurking truths – or rather untruths – can inflict.

The cover is lovely and oh so enticing, but since there are a lot of books out there called A French Affair, or some sort of close variation on the theme, I do worry slightly that this particular book will get lost in the melee. It really isn’t the most imaginative title! I think it deserves to made far more distinctive as it’s a unique story and should be allowed to stand out as well as it deserves to.

 

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/2N4AiJO

 

Author bio

Jennifer Bohnet is the bestselling author of over 14 women’s fiction titles, including Villa of Sun and Secrets and A Riviera Retreat. She is originally from the West Country but now lives in the wilds of rural Brittany, France.

Social Media Links –

http://www.jenniferbohnet.com/

http://facebook.com/Jennifer-Bohnet-170217789709356

http://twitter.com/jenniewriter

http://instagram.com/jenniebohnet

Newsletter sign up link: http://bit.ly/JenniferBohnetNewsletter

Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jennifer-bohnet