A Reason to Breathe by Mick Williams @mickwilliamsau2

A Reason to Breathe by Mick Williams

About the book

(The ‘Reason’ Collection Book 2)

Is it okay to grow old disgracefully?

Seventy-two-year-old Henry Edwards has a bucket list that he is determined to complete before he ‘checks out’. A list that contains things like bungee jumping, flying aircraft, and swimming with dolphins.

Henry is also wheelchair-bound with a permanently fitted catheter bag.

Tom, Emma and the gang return to continue their trip through life’s lessons but, when Emma volunteers them to help complete Henry’s list, the trip becomes bumpier.

With new babies, sick children, and stressful jobs, it’s going to take everything they have to make Henry’s dreams come true.

The heart-warming follow-up to A Reason to Grieve.

Get your copy from Amazon.co.uk here:- A Reason to Breathe

My Thoughts

The author knows how much I admire his style. Even though he writes different genres they always have that unique Mick Williams humour.

This book can definitely be read as a stand-alone, although it’s nice to revisit some of the characters from A Reason to Grieve.

Henry is living in an old folks home and wants to complete a few tasks before he dies. He and his friends come up with a bucket list, a list that he needs help from his friends to complete. There are certainly a variety of tasks, ranging from driving a fast car to star gazing. Each friend chooses a task to participate in with Henry.

A great cast of characters as usual from this author. Characters that you warm to and feel like you already know. We get invested in the family life of them all, the ups and downs, the happy and sad times.

Some of the stories about the residents in the home where Henry lives had me in stitches.

A real fun read that touches on some serious subjects written perfectly.

I thoroughly recommend anything by this author!

About the author

Mick Williams moved from Stoke-On-Trent, England to Kentucky, USA. Then, after almost a decade, he moved back. Then, after three years, he moved back again.

This time he’s staying.

In between reading, writing and listening to good music he still watches proper football and, for his sins, follows his local team, Port Vale. He does also still cheer for the Indianapolis Colts.

He was adopted by two cats, Crash and Thud, and resides with his patient wife (who is also tiring of moving!) in Kentucky.

Social media links

Facebook: Mick Williams Author

Twitter: @mickwilliamsau2

Amazon Author Page: Mick Williams

Goodreads: Mick Williams

Website: mickwilliamsauthor.com

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Staying Out For The Summer by Mandy Baggot @mandybaggot @Aria_Fiction #StayingOutForTheSummer #bookreview #corfu

Staying Out For The Summer by Mandy Baggot

About the book

For Lucie Burrows, it’s time to embrace Greek life and put the past behind her!

Having spent the summer of 2020 battling a global health crisis, Lucie Burrows is looking forward to a summer out of lockdown. When best friend, Gavin, finds them the perfect Greek escape Lucie finally starts to think this summer might just go without a hitch.

But after a landslide puts the village into a local lockdown, Lucie is thrown together with Michalis Andino, the super sexy village doctor. It’s not quite the holiday she had planned, but things could certainly be worse.

As Lucie relaxes into the Greek way of life, she begins to wonder whether this lockdown might just end in a new life, a new love…

My Review – I loved it

Another winner by Mandy Baggot, the absolute queen of the summer escape.

I totally fell in love with this fab book and the characters, especially the doctor….another gorgeous leading man. And I already love Corfu.

A topical book, and hoping we come out of the lockdown relating to the global pandemic in the same way this book describes. Really well written, and to include all the goings-on of the last year or so is very clever. It gives a good shoutout to all the NHS staff too.

A holiday with best friend, and fellow nurse, Gavin seems the perfect remedy to what has been a difficult year jobwise.

After a crazy journey from the airport in transport arranged by Gavin, Lucie is a bit worried about their accommodation. But she needn’t have worried. Apart from a few stray tortoises, their villa was a dream, with fabulous views out to sea and across to Albania.

Michalis is back in his home village in Corfu, after working as a doctor on the mainland through the pandemic. Something has happened, and we do find out, which makes his situation a little complex. He and Lucie really get along though, and we have some super sexy scenes.

Funny and entertaining in equal measure, just what I’d expect from Mandy Baggot. I love her writing.

Just look at that cover too, I hope I’m doing a similar thing in the summer.

Thanks to Aria and NetGalley for the early review copy in which I give my honest opinion.

Publication date 1^st April 2021

Amazon UK: Staying Out For The Summer

About the Author

Mandy Baggot is an international bestselling and award-winning romance writer. The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK’s Festival of Romance, her romantic comedy novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016. Mandy’s books have so far been translated into German, Italian, Czech and Hungarian. Mandy loves the Greek island of Corfu, white wine, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor. Mandy is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.

Check out her recent appearance on Ready Steady Cook where she had fun with her own dishy Greek chef Akis Petretzikis!

Follow Mandy 

Facebook: @mandybaggotauthor

Twitter: @mandybaggot

Follow Aria

Website: http://www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

A Perfect Paris Christmas by Mandy Baggot @mandybaggot @Aria_Fiction #APerfectParisChristmas #bookreview

A Perfect Paris Christmas by Mandy Baggot

My Review – I loved it!

Mandy Baggot is the absolute queen of the festive story.

I absolutely fell in love with this book and the characters. Paris at Christmas time sounds so perfect. The descriptions of the places visited and the food consumed transported me there.

It has been a rough and tough year for Keeley and her parents. She gets surprise holiday to France with her best friend Rach, all paid for by……you’ll have to read it!

The very gorgeous Ethan is in France and working for a hotel chain. He had a difficult childhood as an orphan living on the streets. He looks out for a young teenager who he found trying to get by in similar circumstances, along with their dog. This is a great relationship and totally heart-warming as the story progresses. Ethan has also had a terrible year after losing his best friend and business colleague in an accident.

Keeley and Ethan keep having these chance meetings at various places in the city and there is a spark. As a reader we know about their connection, but they don’t. It’s not all plain sailing, but it makes for a lovely story. Keeley is a very strong character, although she doesn’t realise this.

This isn’t a light chick lit read, it’s a very thought-provoking story which catches your heart.

Filled with touching topics, I especially loved the relationship between Keeley and Erica, a girl in the hospice where Keeley is a volunteer.

There are some very funny parts too as expected with books by this author, including the taxidermy thread and the penguin issue.

I adore Mandy Baggot books, this one is extra special and magical. I loved it.

Her other Christmas books are definitely worth a try if you enjoy this one and her books set in Corfu will take you through the Summer season with a smile.

Thanks to Mandy Baggot, Aria Fiction and NetGalley for the early review copy in which I give my honest opinion.

Publication date 3rd September 2020

Amazon UK link A Perfect Paris Christmas

About the Book

United in grief. Pushed apart by tragedy.

Keeley Andrews knows more than anyone that you only live once. So when she receives an invitation to spend two weeks in Paris, all expenses paid, she jumps at the chance.

Ethan Bouchard has had the worst eighteen months of his life. He’s ready to give up on everything, including his hotel chain. So when he meets Keeley, it simply isn’t the right time.

As Keeley and Ethan continue to bump into each other on the romantic Parisian streets, they can’t help but wonder whether this is fate telling them to let go of the past and leap into the future…

Head to Paris this Christmas and fall in love under the lights of the Eiffel Tower with best-selling author, Mandy Baggot.

About the Author

Mandy Baggot is an international bestselling and award-winning romance writer. The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK’s Festival of Romance, her romantic comedy novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016. Mandy’s books have so far been translated into German, Italian, Czech and Hungarian. Mandy loves the Greek island of Corfu, white wine, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor. Mandy is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.

Follow Mandy 

Facebook: @mandybaggotauthor

Twitter: @mandybaggot

Website: mandybaggot.com

Follow Aria

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @Aria_Fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Amazing Grace by Kim Nash @KimTheBookworm #AmazingGrace @HeraBooks A whopping 5* for this beauty!

About the Book

She’s taking her life back, one step at a time…

Grace thought she had it all. Living in the beautiful village of Little Ollington, along with head teacher husband Mark and gorgeous son, Archie, she devoted herself to being the perfect mum and the perfect wife, her little family giving her everything she ever wanted.

Until that fateful day when she walked in on Mark kissing his secretary – and her perfect life fell apart.

Now she’s a single mum to Archie, trying to find her way in life and keep things together for his sake. Saturday nights consist of a Chinese takeaway eaten in front of the TV clad in greying pyjamas, and she can’t remember the last time she had a kiss from anyone aside from her dog, Becks.

Grace’s life needs a shake up – fast. So when gorgeous gardener Vinnie turns up, his twinkling eyes suggesting that he might be interested in more than just her conifers, she might just have found the answer to her prayers. But as Grace falls deeper for Vinnie, ten-year-old Archie fears that his mum finding love means she’ll never reconcile with the dad he loves.

So when ex-husband Mark begs her for another chance, telling her he’s changed from the man that broke her heart, Grace finds herself with an impossible dilemma. Should she take back Mark and reunite the family that Archie loves? Or risk it all for a new chance of happiness?

A funny, feel good romance about finding your own path and changing your life – readers of Cathy Bramley, Jill Mansell and Josie Silver will love this uplifting read.

My Thoughts

Kim the Bookworm is Kim Nash the author!!

OMG I absolutely loved it!

It had me in tears several times, happy tears too, just so touching. Beautifully written from the heart.

I was so looking forward to reading this book. I love Kim as a blogger and she shouts from the rooftops about books, sharing the booklove.

I knew it would be fabulous from the start. Totally hooked me in. I felt like I was reading about myself at times, especially with all the household things to do and not being able to relax. Firstly let me say that I need ‘a Monica’ to come and sort out my wardrobe and give some guidance, just as she did with Grace. I loved their relationship, just up-front with each other they made me laugh so much. Monica wasn’t much of a matchmaker though! Grace’s son Archie was a little star. I loved the football part, as a Mum with a son it’s something I can relate to. And of course Becks the dog. Another thing I can relate to being a working and dog-owning Mum. Vinnie was a proper hunk, and Grace getting to know him and his family was just lovely. Her ex, Mark, was trouble and being awkward, trying to upset her plans.

What touched me most were the words spoken by her Mum, totally had me in tears. Her Mum would be so proud of her.

It is just so beautifully written and I finished the book on my lunch break, snivelling in my office….happy tears though.

It is a funny, romantic and emotional read and I can’t recommend it enough.

All my reviews are quite short and concise as I’m here to show off the book rather than my own writing ability.

Thanks to Hera Books and NetGalley for the review copy in which I give my honest opinion.

Publication date 10^th April 2019

Get your copy here:-

Amazon UK Amazing Grace

Suddenly Single by Carol Wyer #review #SuddenlySingle @carolewyer @canelo_co

About the book  

When bestselling romance author Chloe Piper’s marriage implodes a week before Christmas, she flees her cheating ex and the village gossips for the solitude of the newly built Sunny Meadow Farm and the company of her hapless dog, Ronnie.

But Chloe is soon pushed out of her comfort zone. Because with a lively development building crew – headed up by charming Alex – and a larger-than-life neighbour determined to make Chloe’s love life her pet project, Chloe finds herself in a whole new world of chaos…

This enthralling romantic comedy of self-discovery and new beginnings is perfect for fans of Kirsty Greenwood, Colleen Coleman and Marian Keyes.

My Thoughts

After the breakdown of her marriage Chloe is keen to move out of Appletree and find somewhere peaceful and away from it all. Appletree is the setting where she based her best-selling novel, mostly on pub gossip from her ex William. There had been a few rumours on the identity of novelist C J Knight, so a good time to move away.

She finds her new home at a new development of old farm buildings called Sunny Meadow. The name is idyllic as the setting….countryside, reservoir, winding lanes and a dark starry sky. I want to live there too. Chloe keeps to herself. She has a close friend, Faith, who is also her publisher. She lost her family in an accident and since then she suffers with social anxiety disorder. This holds her back a lot, avoiding crowds and social gatherings. She’s happy to sit at home in her pyjamas, writing and shopping online. Since her break up she’s suffering with writers block, and her submission date for her next novel is getting nearer. A bit of a panic!

Back to Sunny Meadow. It’s quite a small and exclusive development. Her nearest neighbours pop over and introduce themselves, Eleanor and Fairfax, and before she knows it she’s been invited to their house, drunk far too much, and signed up to their singles club. She’s dreading the first activity day and makes herself ill with worry. I won’t give any spoilers for The Singleton Club, but the activities were a lot of fun and are a big part of the story. It also pushed Chloe out of her comfort zone in terms of meeting new people. Alex was another neighbour, son of Thomas the site developer. He was really nice. William, the ex, reappears and he was a real creep! Not forgetting Ronnie, her faithful dog. I loved him.

Funny, entertaining and easy to read too with a satisfying conclusion.

All my reviews are quite short and concise as I’m here to show off the book rather than my own writing ability.

Thanks to Carol Wyer and Canelo for the review copy in which I give my honest opinion.

Publication date 8^th April 2019

Amazon UK   Suddenly Single

ISBN: 9781788632775

Meet the author

Carol Wyer is an award-winning author and stand up comedian. In 2017 she stepped away from writing comedy to the “dark side” and embarked on writing a series of thrillers which became best-sellers and have been translated into several languages. She won the 2015 People’s Book Prize Award for non-fiction, and can sometimes be found performing her stand-up comedy routine Laugh While You Still Have Teeth . Now writing full-time, Carol has several books published alongside journalism in many magazines.

Author Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolEWyer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/carolewyer

Website: www.carolwyer.co.uk

Blog: www.carolwyer.com

 

The Mill on Magnolia Lane by Tilly Tennant @TillyTenWriter @bookouture #bookreview #TheMillOnMagnoliaLane

Description

The sky is cornflower blue, the air is scented with the smell of fresh apple blossom and Lizzie Lovell can’t wait to start her new life in the mill on Magnolia Lane. But is she just about to fall in love with someone she shouldn’t?

When Lizzie loses her larger-than-life Dad she doesn’t know how to move forward. Encouraged by a childhood dream she shared with her beloved father, she is determined to continue his legacy and moves to the old Mill on Magnolia lane, a place he had always longed to own.

Restoring the old windmill is a much bigger job than Lizzie bargained for, especially when she is distracted by her new next door neighbour Jude, who has temptingly twinkly eyes and a body to die for. But when Jude’s ex- girlfriend Harriet arrives back on the scene, Lizzie begins to wonder if life wasn’t far simpler before she moved to the mill. Especially when it emerges that Harriet knows something about Jude’s past, something that could shatter her new start and her heart into smithereens …

If your heart is warmed by Jenny Colgan, Lucy Diamond and Josie Silver’s One Day in December, you’ll fall in love with this beautiful feel-good story about finding love when you least expect it.

My Thoughts

A lovely feel-good story.

After losing her Dad, Lizzie has a mad moment and buys the dilapidated windmill her Dad had always admired. She ups sticks and lives in a caravan on-site while the renovations are being done. She is single and works from home so it’s ideal for her. Her family think she is bonkers though. We get to meet her family, Mum, sister and brother. And her lovely stepmum. There are many ups and downs between them all. Many touching and emotional scenes which the author writes so beautifully. There is instant attraction with Jude, her nearest neighbour. Things move quickly but it isn’t plain sailing as his ex always seems to pester him at a crucial moment!

I loved the renovation of the windmill. I could visualise it so well that I wanted to help with the decoration and finishing touches. The surrounding countryside made me want to live there, the village life seemed perfect.

The characters were really likeable (well, mostly!) and all had good depth. It made me interested in their lives and what was going on.

An easy and enjoyable read, I’d recommend it.

If you’ve not read any books by this author, why the heck not?! Read one from the ‘From Italy with Love’ series, or the ‘Honeybourne’ series…you won’t regret it!

All my reviews are quite short and concise as I’m here to show off the book rather than my own writing ability.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the review copy, in which I give my honest opinion.

Publication date 4^th April 2019

Get your copy here:-

Amazon.co.uk The Mill on Magnolia Lane

Author Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TillyTennant/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TillyTenWriter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tillytennant6000/

Website: www.tillytennant.com

A Summer Scandal by Kat French @KFrenchBooks @AvonBooksUK #SummerScandal #RomanceBooks #bookreview #lovedit #backablogger #bloggersblast

Description

Summer has never been so scandalous…

When Violet moves to Swallow Beach, she inherits a small Victorian pier in with an empty arcade perched on the end of it, and falls in love immediately. She wants nothing more than to rejuvenate it and make it grand again – but how?

When she meets hunky Calvin, inspiration strikes. What if she turned the arcade into an adult-themed arcade full of artisan shops?

Not everyone in the town is happy with the idea, but Violet loves her arcade and business begins to boom. But as tensions worsen and the heat between her and Calvin begins to grow, life at Swallow Beach becomes tricky. Is it worth staying to ride out the storm? And can Violet find her own happy ending before the swallows fly south for the winter?

Sexy, sassy and full of heart, Kat French is back in a new summer sizzler.

My Thoughts

I read it sitting in my sunny garden and I really enjoyed it, a perfect summer read.

After the death of her Grandad Henry, Violet is about to discover something that will change her forever. How did she not know about Swallow Beach and the pier before this and why has her family kept it from her? She intends to find out.

I loved Violet. Loved the quirkiness of her clothes and hair. Her costume-making job really fitted her personality, which really shone out after the move to Swallow Beach. Her previous home and life looks pretty boring in comparison.

Some of the neighbours become a big part of her life, and some remember her Grandparents. Especially the fact that she is the image of Monica, her Grandmother.

The characters were really likeable (and one really dislikeable). I was really interested in their lives and what was going on.

There are some touching and emotional scenes which the author writes so beautifully.

This was my first Kat French book, but certainly not the last. Definitely my cup of tea.

Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the review copy, in which I give my honest opinion.

And I love the cover, just gorgeous.

Publication date 28th June 2018

Get your copy here:-

Amazon.co.uk A Summer Scandal

 

The Misadventures of a Playground Mother by Christie Barlow

Description

New term. New dramas. New friendships. And that’s just the parents…

After a year of country living, Rachel Young is finally getting into the swing of things. Her four kids are happy and content at the village school, and she’s managed to navigate the choppy (shark-infested) waters of the playground mafia.

Or… so she thought.

When playground mum Penelope Kensington moves herself and her kids into Rachel’s home, after discovering husband Rupert has been having an affair, Rachel knows she must ask them politely to leave. The problem is, Penelope never takes no for an answer.

As Rachel tries to deal with Penelope, she also meets new school mum Melanie. Melanie is a breath of fresh air, but her arrival sends ripples of gossip through the playground. Melanie has a few secrets in her closet, and it seems she’s not the only one…

 

My Review – 4 stars

I’ve always worked full-time, so I never experienced the playground. My husband worked shifts so it was left to him. Goodness knows what he thought of the mums!!

Here we follow Rachel Young, mum of four.

Penelope, what a crazy woman!

I don’t know how Rachel held on to her tongue most of the time.

I liked the friendships, how they ended, how they began.

Some parts made me laugh out loud.

Lots of tender and emotional times too.

I didn’t know there was a related book before this one, but it made no difference to the story. I felt I knew the characters enough through reading this one.

I really enjoyed the book, good honest and fun to read!