Stephanie Dagg's Blog, page 14
March 7, 2020
We Are Animals by Tim Ewins: clever, quirky, poignant
A cow looks out to sea, dreaming of a life that involves grass.
Jan is also looking out to sea. He’s in Goa, dreaming of the passport-thief who stole his heart (and, indeed, his passport) forty-six years ago. Back then, fate kept bringing them together, but lately it seems to have given up.
Jan has not. In his long search he has accidentally held a whole town at imaginary gunpoint in Soviet Russia, stalked the proprietors of an international illegal lamp-trafficking scam and done his very best to avoid any kind of work involving the packing of fish. Now he thinks if he just waits, if he just does nothing at all, maybe fate will find it easier to reunite them.
His story spans fifty-four years, ten countries, two imperfect criminals (and one rather perfect one), twenty-two different animals and an annoying teenager who just…
Will…
Not…
Leave.
But maybe an annoying teenager is exactly what Jan needs to help him find the missing thief?
Featuring a menagerie of creatures, each with its own story to tell, We Are Animals is a quirky, heart-warming tale of lost love, unlikely friendships and the certainty of fate (or lack thereof).
For the first time in her life the cow noticed the sun setting, and it was glorious.
My review
If you love quirky then you’ll adore this very different, witty, poignant, clever book.
Two unlikely companions are thrown together: one older, somewhat set in his ways these days although he’s been anything but conventional in his younger years, and one a younger, rather callow youth. But their being together allows us to hear Jan’s stories and encounter some wonderful animal characters.
The novel is about ships passing in the night, how lives are touched by even the briefest and apparently most innocuous of encounters. We too often blunder along, thinking only of ourselves and things we want, and this can have all sorts of knock-on effects on those around us. There are lots of marvellous coincidences in the story that add both fun and richness.
It’s such a readable and thought-provoking book that you’ll find it hard to put down. It’s a fresh, sweetly touching novel that will twang your heartstrings whilst making you smile.
Purchase links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/We-Are-Animals-Tim-Ewins-ebook/dp/B084HK3C8Q
For a limited time, We Are Animals will be available for only 99p.
https://www.amazon.com/We-Are-Animals-Tim-Ewins-ebook/dp/B084HK3C8Q
Author bio
Tim Ewins has enjoyed an eight-year stand-up career alongside his accidental career in finance.
He has previously written for DNA Mumbai, had two short stories highly commended and published in Michael Terence Short Story Anthologies, and enjoyed a very brief acting stint (he’s in the film Bronson, somewhere in the background).
He lives with his wife, son and dog in Bristol. We Are Animals is his first novel.
Social Media Links – Twitter @EyeAndLightning @EwinsTim
Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/timtewins/ and @quickbooksummaries
March 4, 2020
An exciting cover reveal: Silent Cry by Jenny O’Brien
I’m delighted to be taking part in this cover reveal 
March 1, 2020
Landing by Moonlight by Ciji Ware
on tour
March 2-13
with
Landing By Moonlight:
A Novel Of WWII
(Romantic thriller/Historical novel)
Release date: October 15, 2019
at Lion’s Paw Publishing
476 pages
SYNOPSIS
Based on the lives of a small group of American women secret agents working for British intelligence parachuting into France to help the Resistance during WW II.
The year is 1942, and American secret agent Catherine Thornton has no idea whether she will be dropped behind enemy lines in an inflatable raft launched from a submarine or be flung through the moonlit sky from a low-flying British Halifax. Either way, the young embassy wife and erstwhile journalist knows there’s always the chance she’ll be picked off by German sharpshooters, although nothing in her imagination prepares her for the trial-by-fire to come.
Only she understands why she volunteered for such “unwomanly warfare” and the secret reasons she joined a handful of female American spies destined to risk her gilded life on French soil–yet former Vichy diplomat Henri Leblanc, code name Claude Foret, thinks he knows the answers.
As Catherine’s missions grow more harrowing each day, and she fears she’s fallen in love with a captured fellow agent, the German SS begin to close in on the world of Madame “Colette Durand” and her Résistance network embedded in coastal cities along the French Riviera—an exposure that could threaten the Allied victory itself.
And hanging in the air like a half-opened parachute is the life-or-death question: Who is the betrayer and who will be betrayed in this, their finest hour?
MY REVIEW
This book is thoroughly enjoyable for many reasons. The enjoyment encompasses plenty of breath-holding moments because our heroine walks on a knife edge in her role as secret agent. It’s hard for we readers to be as calmly confident as she always appears to be that things will go to plan, more or less. Catherine is determined, initially almost exuberant in her commitment to her role, but always professional. She loves life, has a sassy streak, but when push comes to shove she’s courageous, loyal and resourceful.
The author creates the wartime atmosphere brilliantly. Her fascination with history and particularly this pivotal time in the twentieth century is obvious. There are so many details lurking in the background adding richness but never becoming overwhelming, from mentions of clothes, food, transport and so on of the time. Most of all, the mentality of the period comes through – how people got through each day when truly horrific things could happen at any moment. How ordinary people were so brave, so heroic, which carries extra poignancy when read in contemporary Britain where certain politicians hide in fridges to avoid journalists, never mind armed enemies. But I digress a little…
This novel is exciting and engrossing. Every character we meet is convincing and rounded, every setting atmospheric, every event carefully choreographed and contributing to such a wonderfully crafted whole. You experience many different emotions as you read.
It’s a book that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading it and throws a new perspective on the wartime period.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ciji Ware
is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
of twelve works of historical and contemporary fiction,
two of nonfiction,
and was short-listed for the Willa [Cather] Literary Award
for Historical Fiction in 2012.
A graduate of Harvard University in History,
she is an Emmy-award winning television producer,
a Dupont awardee for investigative journalism,
and an American Bar Association winner
of a Silver Gavel for her magazine work.
For eighteen years, she was a broadcaster and commentator for KABC Radio/TV in Los Angeles.
A recipient of Harvard’s prestigious Alumni Award in 2004,
Ware was the first woman graduate of the university
to serve as President of the Harvard Alumni Association, Worldwide.
Ware and her husband, Tony Cook, live in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Follow the author on Facebook , Pinterest , and Amazon .
Visit her website
Buy the book: paperback and ebook available on Amazon , Barnes & Noble, ibook/Apple, and Kobo.
***
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or on any other book blog participating in this tour.
Visit/Follow the participating blogs on Facebook/Twitter,
as listed in the entry form below, and win more entry points!
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
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will give you 5 extra entries each time!
[just follow the directions on the entry-form]
Global giveaway open to all
5 winners will receive a copy of this book
***
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February 28, 2020
Cover reveal: The Walls We Build by Jules Hayes
Three friends …
Growing up together around Winston Churchill’s estate in Westerham, Kent, Frank, Florence and Hilda are inseparable. But as WW2 casts its menacing shadow, friendships between the three grow complex, and Frank – now employed as Churchill’s bricklayer – makes choices that will haunt him beyond the grave, impacting his grandson’s life too.
Two Secrets …
Shortly after Frank’s death in 2002 Florence writes to Richard, Frank’s grandson, hinting at the darkness hidden within his family. On investigation, disturbing secrets come to light, including a pivotal encounter between Frank and Churchill during the war and the existence of a mysterious relative in a psychiatric hospital.
One Hidden Life …
How much more does Florence dare reveal about Frank – and herself – and is Richard ready to hear?
Set against the stunning backdrop of Chartwell, Churchill’s country home, comes a tragic story of misguided honour, thwarted love and redemption, reverberating through three generations and nine decades.
“Passion, intrigue and family secrets drive this complex wartime relationship drama. A page turner. I loved it.” #1 bestselling author, Nicola May
So here’s the cover:
Publication Date: 23rd March
Pre-order here:
UK -= https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0855YZ3GG/
US – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0855YZ3GG/
About the author
Jules Hayes lives in Berkshire with her husband, daughter and a dog. She has a degree in modern history and holds a particular interest in events and characters from the early 20th century. As a former physiotherapist and trainer – old habits die hard – when not writing Jules likes to run. She also loves to watch films, read good novels and is a voracious consumer of non-fiction too, particularly biographies.
Jules is currently working on her second historical novel, another dual timeline story.
Jules also writes contemporary thriller and speculative fiction as JA Corrigan.
Jules Hayes can be found at:
Website: jules-hayes.com
Twitter @JulesHayes6 – @JulesHayes6
Facebook Author Page: JulesHayesAuthor – www.facebook.com/JulesHayesAuthor
Instagram: JulesHayes6 – www.instagram.com/juleshayes6
Writing as JA Corrigan, Jules can be found at: Website: www.jacorrigan.com
Twitter: @juliannwriter – www.twitter.com/juliannwriter
Facebook Author Page: JA Corrigan – www.facebook.com/jacorrigan
Instagram: corriganjulieann www.instagram.com/corriganjulieann
February 26, 2020
From Thailand With Love by Camilla Isley
All Logan has to do is to get the gold and get the girl. Easy, right?
Travel photographer Winter Knowles and archaeology professor Logan Spencer dislike each other at first sight. Stuck together on a wild island, these two unwilling teammates will bicker and banter their way through a laugh-packed treasure hunt.
After years of searching, a new mapping technology has given Logan a clue to the location of the legendary Lost City of Gold. A discovery that could make his career. So the last thing he needs on this life-changing expedition is for his team to get distracted by a pair of long legs.
When Winter accepted the assignment on a tropical island she didn’t sign up for a brooding team leader who’d clearly prefer to run a boys-only club. Never one to back down from a challenge, Winter is ready to show him she’s no damsel in distress.
But when a treasure like no other is uncovered and ruthless enemies will want to keep it for themselves, it’ll be up to the two of them to save the day. Left alone to fight in the jungle, they will soon discover their lives might not be the only thing at stake—their hearts could be too.
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
A fun read packed with danger, action, romance, and comedy.
From Thailand with Love is part of a series of interconnected romantic comedies but can be read as a standalone novel as all the other books in the First Comes Love series.
My review
We’ve all come across people to whom we’ve taken an instant dislike, but fortunately it’s not too often that we’ve found ourselves having to work closely with them, as do Winter and Logan in this story. So long as this is happening to someone else, this scenario is scintillating! There’s so much tension and gritted-teeth just-about-tolerance to enjoy.
Both characters are wonderful. We get to see their sides of the story as the viewpoint in the novel switches between the two. That’s always a clever way to dig a little deeper under the skin. Both develop and as we learn more about them, and they about each other, then they become more than engaging. They become engrossing.
The setting of the book is original, and also very atmospheric. Plenty happens to keep us on the edge of our seats in this brisk-paced, quick fire romantic mystery. It’s great fun to read and helps you escape from the winter greyness outdoors!
Purchase Links:
Amazon http://smarturl.it/FTWL
Apple Books https://books.apple.com/us/book/from-...
B&N https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/from-thailand-with-love-camilla-isley/1133420733?ean=2940163330850
Kobo http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=9788887269383
Google Play https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=-NytDwAAQBAJ
Author Bio
Camilla is an engineer turned writer after she quit her job to follow her husband on an adventure abroad.
She’s a cat lover, coffee addict, and shoe hoarder. Besides writing, she loves reading—duh!—cooking, watching bad TV, and going to the movies—popcorn, please. She’s a bit of a foodie, nothing too serious. A keen traveler, Camilla knows mosquitoes play a role in the ecosystem, and she doesn’t want to starve all those frog princes out there, but she could really live without them.
Social Media Links –
https://www.facebook.com/camillaisley/
https://twitter.com/camillaisley
https://www.instagram.com/camillaisley/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14135080.Camilla_Isley
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/camilla-isley
https://www.pinterest.com/camillaisley/
Giveaway to Win a From Thailand With Love Tote Bag (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 Rachel’s Random Resources reserves 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 Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494351/
February 25, 2020
New Beginnings at Wynter House by Emily Harvale: engrossing and enjoyable
The New Year brings unexpected revelations at Wynter House.
Neva Grey’s Christmas brought several surprises. Now a shocking secret has life-changing consequences for the Wynters, as the New Year brings revelations … and relatives to Wynter House.
It also brings Hazel Smart and Amelia Goodbody. And it’s not just Adam and Rafe Wynter who are pleased Hazel and Amelia have come to stay. Olivia Wynter will enjoy bossing nurse Hazel around and she also makes it clear Amelia – who is handling the marketing for Rafe’s new business venture – is far more suited to be her grandson’s girlfriend than Neva will ever be.
Whilst Amelia is ensconced at Wynter House, Neva is busy with her new hair and beauty salon in Merriment Bay. Perhaps she should enlist her niece, Sasha’s help because just when she thought she had found the love of her life, old secrets, ghosts from the past, and new arrivals might shatter all her dreams.
At least she has her best friend, Jo Duncan to lean on. But newly single, Jo is determined to have some fun, both at Wynter House and in Merriment Bay. And so is Adam Wynter.
This is book two in the Wyntersleap series but it can be read as a standalone. The Wyntersleap series is interlinked with the Merriment Bay series and several characters appear in both series.
My review
Here’s another warm, enticing quick read from this prolific and talented author.
If you’ve been following the Wynter House series you’ll soon recognise the characters and get back into the swing of things. If not, it may take you a little longer to piece the parts together but that won’t stop you still enjoying the story.
There’s love, humour, tension, drama, secretiveness, discovery and resolutions, everything you want and everything you need to keep you thoroughly entertained in a novel. We see quite the cross section of human nature amidst the cast of characters, from the genuine to the ulteriorly-motivated. We get a good glimpse of them all as the action unrolls.
Engrossing and enjoyable.
Purchase links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B082SXKFKZ/
US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082SXKFKZ/
Author bio
EPSON scanner imageEmily 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 and the RWA, 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
Hattie Goes To Hollywood by Caroline James: a quacking good read!
Phew. Unforeseen technical problems put the Books Are Cool website out of action for a couple of days, but now we’re up and running again. Apologies to Caroline for running late with this review.
Hattie Goes to Hollywood
A Cumbrian Village…
Three suicides…
A red-hot summer…
Join super-sleuth Hattie as tempers and temperatures rise in the Cumbrian village of Hollywood. With mischief and shenanigans aplenty, will Hattie discover the truth?
A funny and intriguing mystery – the first in a new series by Caroline James
When recently bereaved Hattie Mulberry inherits her aunt’s dilapidated cottage in the village of Hollywood in Cumbria, she envisages a quiet life. But retired hotelier Hattie is bored and when her neighbour asks her to investigate a suspicious suicide, Hattie’s career takes a new direction and H&H Investigations is born. During the hottest summer for years, Hattie discovers there have been three recent suicides in Hollywood and she determines to find out why. Temperatures rise as she throws herself into village life and, with mischief and shenanigans aplenty, Hattie has her work cut out. But will she establish the truth?
My review
It’s wonderful to meet Hattie, a character from Caroline James’s ‘The Best Boomerville Hotel’, again, but even if it’s your first encounter with her, you’ll still love her! She’s lively, indomitable, likeable and a brings a gale of fresh air into the village of Hollywood.
She’s surrounded by a host of equally fascinating, vibrant and eccentric people, some great, some ghastly. There’s even a duck to add even more novelty to the cast!
The setting of village life in Cumbria is warm and convincing, and the brisk plot is clever and keeps you on your toes. There’s lots of wit and humour in the writing, and taken altogether this is an absolutely brilliant cosy mystery with everything we expect from and love in this genre.
A quacking good read!
Purchase Links:
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hattie-Goes-Hollywood-Shenanigans-intrigue-ebook/dp/B083V16G5D/
US – https://www.amazon.com/Hattie-Goes-Hollywood-Shenanigans-intrigue-ebook/dp/B083V16G5D/
Author bio
Best-selling author of women’s fiction, Caroline James has owned and run businesses encompassing all aspects of the hospitality industry, a subject that often features in her novels. She is based in the UK but has a great fondness for travel and escapes whenever she can. A public speaker, which includes talks and lectures on cruise ships world-wide, Caroline is also a consultant and food writer. She is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association, the Society of Women’s Writer’s & Journalists and the Society of Authors and writes articles and short stories, contributing to many publications. In her spare time, Caroline can be found trekking up a mountain or relaxing with her head in a book and hand in a box of chocolates.
Books by Caroline James:
Coffee Tea the Gypsy & Me
Coffee Tea the Chef & Me
Coffee Tea the Caribbean & Me
Jungle Rock
The Best Boomerville Hotel
Hattie Goes to Hollywood
Social Media Links –
Website: www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk
Twitter: @CarolineJames12
Facebook: Caroline James Author
Giveaway to Win a cuddly Drake toy! (Open INT)
Be in with a chance to win Drake, Hattie’s faithful pet duck! Tall Drake & Handsome
– A gorgeous soft toy who will be your friend for life.
*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 Rachel’s Random Resources reserves 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 Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494346/#
February 19, 2020
Rage and Retribution by Lorraine Mace: a powerful read
Can two wrongs ever make a right?
A man is found by the side of a canal, comatose and brutally attacked.
It quickly becomes clear that someone is abducting men and subjecting them to horrific acts of torture. After three days they’re released, fighting for their lives and refusing to speak.
A councillor is accused of fraud.
Montague Mason is an upstanding member of the community. That is until he’s publicly accused of stealing the youth centre’s funds – an accusation that threatens to rip through the very heart of the community and expose his best-kept secret. But how far would he go to protect himself?
Two cases. One deadly answer.
As the two cases collide, D.I. Paolo Sterling finds he has more questions than answers. And, when torture escalates to murder, he suddenly finds himself in a race against time to find the killer and put an end to the depravity – once and for all.
My review
I usually like my mysteries cosy and tongue-in-cheek so a challenging, gritty, brutal novel like this certainly too me out of my comfort zone. It made for a refreshing change in the way that a walk by the sea does – when there’s a gale blowing and you’re being soaked in spray. It certainly wakes you up.
The story grips you from the first page with its graphic opening scene. From here on the pace rarely lets up. The only times it does is to allow for necessary character development. This book isn’t a one-dimensional police procedural, which can be the downside of this particular genre: here we have an exciting, chilling plot peopled by rounded and interesting characters and taking place in atmospheric, detailed settings.
There’s plenty of edge-of-your seat, tense suspense to keep you turning the pages quickly, interspersed with moments of reflection and revelation. The rage and retribution elements are given equal treatment and justification in the book.
A powerful read.
Purchase Links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1786156857
US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1786156857
Author bio
When not working on her D.I. Sterling Series, Lorraine Mace is engaged in many writing-related activities. She is a columnist for both Writing Magazine and Writers’ Forum and is head judge for Writers’ Forum monthly fiction competitions. A tutor for Writers Bureau, she also runs her own private critique and author mentoring service. She is co-author, with Maureen Vincent-Northam, of THE WRITER’S ABC CHECKLIST (Accent Press). Other books include children’s novel VLAD THE INHALER – HERO IN THE MAKING, and NOTES FROM THE MARGIN, a compilation of her Writing Magazine humour column.
Social media links
Website: www.lorrainemace.com
Blog: thewritersabcchecklist.blogspot.com
Twitter: @lomace
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lorraine.mace.52
February 18, 2020
A New Life for Ariana Byrne by Liz Hurley: deft and delightful
What happens after all your dreams come true?
Ariana Byrne knows how to survive. After becoming guardian to her four little sisters after their parents died when she was only eighteen, she had to grow up quickly. Now she’s in her twenties, stuck in a loveless marriage to Greg, trying to make ends meet for her young twins, William and Leo.
So when Ari is told that she’s actually the Right Honourable Lady de Foix, Countess of Hiverton, owner of a sprawling estate in the village of Saxburgh in Norfolk, her first instinct is laughter. Surely the girl who has to choose between food and keeping the lights on isn’t really rich beyond her wildest dreams?
She knows how to take care of her sisters and her children, but how on earth can Ari take care of an entire village? Can she fight off the circling land developers from Saxburgh, and stop her in-laws from grabbing all the money for themselves?
And while she’s struggling to settle in and settle down, she’s making new friends and new mistakes. Trusting her gorgeous neighbour, Sebastian Flint-Hyssop, may be the biggest one of all…
She’s swapped sink estate for country estate…but can a girl from inner city London learn how to become a Lady?
Take a trip to Hiverton Manor for the most uplifting novel of 2020 – guaranteed to put a smile on your face! Fans of Jenny Colgan, Trisha Ashley and Carole Matthews will love this romantic, feelgood read.
My review
Oh dear, I’m late reviewing this wonderful book. Sincerest apologies to talented author Liz. I wrote the wrong date down in my book review diary – truly a ‘senior moment’.
But here I am, better late than never.
A New Life For Ariana Byrne is a heartening, truly uplifting story. After a tough start to her adult life, things start to come right for Ari, who’s had to grow up quicker than she should. She finds herself transported to Norfolk, where she can establish a new life for her family. And mybe a new chance at love.
Ari is likeable, determined and genuine. She’s a modern mother hen, caring deeply for her children and sisters but she’s a truly twenty-first century young woman. We really care about her and become totally invested in the story. And she’s not the only fascinating character. There are plenty more thoroughly engaging people to meet, good and bad, all different and appealing in their own way.
The settings are beautifully handled. Early in the book, when Ari is struggling, her surroundings seem constraining and harsh, but once she moves to the estate there’s space, light, possibilities. There are shadows on the horizon but Ari can cope with those.
I particularly love how the author has combined the very realistic hardship of struggling to make ends meet with Ari’s slightly magical rise to riches. This demonstrates both deftness of plot and great skill by the author to marry these two elements in the story and make each so convincing.
I can’t wait to read more from Liz Hurley and I’m delighted that Ari has four sisters whose stories she’s going to share with us.
Purchase Links
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2uPB0ob
Apple: https://apple.co/2RsuI5z
Author Bio –
When I grew up I wanted to be an underwater archaeologist or an astronaut but I ended up in a library. Everyone laughed as I’m not a naturally quiet person but I loved it. I went on to become a professional librarian for the money and the glamour. Not finding quite enough of either my husband and I set up a bookshop. We didn’t find much there either so I started writing. Now I have loads of money and glamour but only in the pages of my books! In the meantime I dive and look at the stars.
Social Media Links –
Twitter: @hello_hurley
Facebook fan page: @theotherlizhurley
Instagram: @liz_hurley_writes
Author website: lizhurleywrites.com
February 17, 2020
From Here to Nashville by Julie Stock
Two worlds, 4,000 miles apart. Is their love strong enough to keep them together?
Rachel Hardy dreams of being a successful country music singer in Nashville’s Music City, four thousand miles away from her lonely life in Dorset. When Jackson Phillips, an independent record label owner, encourages her band to audition for a nationwide ‘Open Mic’ competition, she decides they have nothing to lose.
But when she starts to fall in love with Jackson, the stakes suddenly get higher and she finds herself with a great big dilemma on her hands. Should she abandon her dream and take the easy way out or should she leave the life she has always known behind and take a gamble on a man who has personal demons of his own?
Follow Rachel and Jackson as they learn to trust in love again to see whether their music really can unite them.
My review
This is great fun – a young British girl from Dorset wants to become an authentic Country and Western singer in Nashville. What a challenge! The determined and talented Rachel is one of our two main characters, and the other is Jackson, a music producer. These two narrate the story and their alternate points of view add a lot of interest to the story. They’re from very different backgrounds but have a shared love of music. And will there be a different kind of love too? They’re both interesting, imperfect, make mistakes but learn from them, and are generous at heart.
There are atmospheric settings in both the UK and America. The author really makes you feel like you are there with the characters.
Music is central to the story and helps bring the book alive. If you like country music, but even if you don’t, you’ll enjoy seeing behind the musical scenes.
The pace is brisk, and the plot is enjoyable and fresh. Julie Stock’s writing flows and is enjoyable to read.
Purchase link: – mybook.to/FromHeretoNashville
Author bio:
Julie Stock writes contemporary feel-good romance from around the world: novels, novellas and short stories. She published her debut novel, From Here to Nashville, in February 2015 and her second novel, The Vineyard in Alsace in March 2017. Over You (Sam’s Story) and Finding You (Jenna’s Story), her follow-up novellas to From Here to Nashville were published in 2018, making the From Here to You series complete. She has also published a boxed set of the From Here to You trilogy of books.
The Bistro by Watersmeet Bridge was published in August 2019, followed by Bittersweet, a collection of 12 Short Stories for Modern Life in September 2019.
Julie is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and The Society of Authors.
Julie is married and lives with her family in Bedfordshire in the UK.
Social media links
Website – www.julie-stock.co.uk
Twitter – https://twitter.com/wood_beez48
Facebook Author Page – www.facebook.com/JulieStockAuthor
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/julie.stock...
Giveaway to Win a signed paperback copy of From Here to Nashville, a bookmark and a guitar magnet (Open to UK Only)
*Terms and Conditions –UK 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 Rachel’s Random Resources reserves 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 Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...
