Publisher: HQ Digital

#BookReview The Arctic Fury by Greer Macallister @theladygreer @Sourcebooks #TheArcticFury #GreerMacallister

#BookReview The Arctic Fury by Greer Macallister @theladygreer @Sourcebooks #TheArcticFury #GreerMacallister Title: The Arctic Fury

Author: Greer Macallister

Published by: Sourcebooks Landmark on Dec. 1, 2020

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery/Thriller

Pages: 407

Format: Paperback

Source: Sourcebooks Landmark

Book Rating: 9/10

In early 1853, experienced California Trail guide Virginia Reeve is summoned to Boston by a mysterious benefactor who offers her a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: lead a party of 12 women into the wild, hazardous Arctic to search for the lost Franklin Expedition. It’s an extraordinary request, but the party is made up of extraordinary women. Each brings her own strengths and skills to the expedition- and her own unsettling secrets. A year and a half later, back in Boston, Virginia is on trial when not all of the women return. Told in alternating timelines that follow both the sensational murder trial in Boston and the dangerous, deadly progress of the women’s expedition into the frozen North, this heart-pounding story will hold readers rapt as a chorus of voices answer the trial’s all-consuming question: what happened out there on the ice?


Review:

Captivating, atmospheric, and immersive!

The Arctic Fury is an emotive, absorbing novel set in the mid-1850s that sweeps you back-and-forth between a Boston courtroom where Virginia Reeve is on trial for the kidnapping and murder of socialite Caprice Collins, one of twelve women who embarked on a northern expedition to find the missing Sir John Franklin, and the icy, cold, Arctic where friendships were formed, life was lost, secrets surfaced, and past tragedies haunted.

The writing is vivid and expressive. The plot is well crafted and uses a past-present style to create tension, suspense and emotion as it unravels all the histories, personalities, and relationships within it. And the characters are unique, troubled, and scarred; with the setting, the arctic wilderness, being a character itself with its harsh weather, isolation, and physical challenges.

Overall, The Arctic Fury, loosely based on real-life events, is an intense, unique, gripping novel that reminds us that survival of any form takes unimaginable sacrifice, strength, courage, and often ethical and moral dilemmas.

This book is available now. 

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from the following link.

              

 

 

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.

 

About Greer Macallister

Raised in the Midwest, Greer Macallister is a novelist, poet and playwright who earned her MFA in creative writing from American University. Her debut novel THE MAGICIAN'S LIE was a USA Today bestseller, an Indie Next pick, and a Target Book Club selection. Her novels GIRL IN DISGUISE (“a rip-roaring, fast-paced treat to read” - Booklist) and WOMAN 99 (“a nail biter that makes you want to stand up and cheer” - Kate Quinn) were inspired by pioneering 19th-century private detective Kate Warne and fearless journalist Nellie Bly, respectively. Her next book, THE ARCTIC FURY, is forthcoming from Sourcebooks in December 2020. A regular contributor to Writer Unboxed and the Chicago Review of Books, she lives with her family in Washington, DC.

Photograph courtesy of Author's Goodreads Page.

#BookReview The Time of Our Lives by Portia MacIntosh @PortiaMacIntosh @HQDigitalUK

#BookReview The Time of Our Lives by Portia MacIntosh @PortiaMacIntosh @HQDigitalUK Title: The Time of Our Lives

Author: Portia MacIntosh

Published by: HQ Digital on Apr. 12, 2019

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 300

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: HQ Digital, NetGalley

Book Rating: 9/10

Love is in the air…?

Luca is used to being the ‘single one’ at weddings – it happens, when all your other friends are engaged, married or taken. But when she bumps into Tom, her friend from university who broke her heart into a million pieces, she finds herself wondering what could have been.

It’s ten years later, surely she should be over that Tom by now? So why is he looking even more gorgeous than ever – and why doesn’t he seem to be able to keep his eyes off her either?

And as the champagne flows and old secrets resurface, Luca realises that perhaps the time to take a chance on love and life is…now?


Review:

Witty, addictive, and undeniably romantic!

The Time of Our Lives is a lighthearted, comical read that takes you into the life of the ordinary, but content Luca as she dreadingly travels to the wedding of her old flatmates and embarks on a weekend that includes reminiscing with old friends, a blossoming new love interest, and being reunited with the one that got away. 

The writing is sentimental and whimsical. The characters are multi-layered, gregarious, and endearing. And the plot, using flashbacks to the past is an enticingly nostalgic tale full of secrets, friendship, chemistry, humorous moments, romantic drama, self-reflection, and hilarious mishaps.

Overall, The Time of Our Lives is another uplifting, humorous, addictively entertaining tale by MacIntosh that is perfect for anyone who loves a will-they-or-won’t-they romance that’s not only heartwarming but laugh-out-loud funny.

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

                       

 

 

Thank you to Portia MacIntosh and HQ Digital for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Portia MacIntosh

Portia MacIntosh has been 'making stuff up' for as long as she can remember - or so she says. Whether it was blaming her siblings for that broken vase when she was growing up, blagging her way backstage during her rock chick phase or, most recently, whatever justification she can fabricate to explain away those lunchtime cocktails, Portia just loves telling tales. After years working as a music journalist, Portia decided it was time to use her powers for good and started writing novels. Taking inspiration from her experiences on tour with bands, the real struggle of dating in your twenties and just trying to survive as an adult human female generally, Portia writes about what it's really like for women who don't find this life stuff as easy as it seems.

#BlogTour #BookReview The Forgotten Secret by Kathleen McGurl @KathMcGurl @rararesources @HQDigitalUK

#BlogTour #BookReview The Forgotten Secret by Kathleen McGurl @KathMcGurl @rararesources @HQDigitalUK

#BlogTour #BookReview The Forgotten Secret by Kathleen McGurl @KathMcGurl @rararesources @HQDigitalUK Title: The Forgotten Secret

Author: Kathleen McGurl

Published by: HQ Digital on Mar. 1, 2019

Genres: Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction

Pages: 285

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: HQ Digital, NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources

Book Rating: 8/10

A country at war

It’s the summer of 1919 and Ellen O’Brien has her whole life ahead of her. Young, in love and leaving home for her first job, the future seems full of shining possibility. But war is brewing and before long Ellen and everyone around her are swept up by it. As Ireland is torn apart by the turmoil, Ellen finds herself facing the ultimate test of love and loyalty.

And a long-buried secret

A hundred years later and Clare Farrell has inherited a dilapidated old farmhouse in County Meath. Seizing the chance to escape her unhappy marriage she strikes out on her own for the first time, hoping the old building might also provide clues to her family’s shadowy history. As she sets out to put the place – and herself – back to rights, she stumbles across a long-forgotten hiding place, with a clue to a secret that has lain buried for decades.

For fans of Kate Morton and Gill Paul comes an unforgettable novel about two women fighting for independence.


Review:

Pensive, interesting, and insightful!

The Forgotten Secret is an intriguing tale predominantly set in County Meath during the summer of 1919, as well as present day, and is told from two perspectives, Clare, a middle-aged woman who stumbles across long-hidden family secrets after moving to Clonamurty Farm to rediscover herself and start afresh, and Ellen, a young girl in love who finds herself unexpectedly caught up in her country’s fight for self-identity and independence against Anglo rule.

The writing is fluid and thoughtful. The characters are strong, kindhearted, and courageous. And the engaging and fascinating plot is written in a past/present style that sweeps you back and forth through all the highs and lows of both Clare and Ellen’s life.

Overall, I would have to say that The Forgotten Secret is a warm, compelling, absorbing novel that does a lovely job of highlighting and reminding us of a time, where for years, Ireland endured rebellion, oppression, political upheaval, and economic instability.

 

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from the following link.

    

 

 

Thank you to Kathleen McGurl, HQ Digital, and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Kathleen McGurl

KATHLEEN MCGURL lives near the sea in Bournemouth, UK, with her husband and elderly tabby cat. She has two sons who are now grown-up and have left home. She began her writing career creating short stories, and sold dozens to women’s magazines in the UK and Australia. Then she got side-tracked onto family history research – which led eventually to writing novels with genealogy themes. She has always been fascinated by the past, and the ways in which the past can influence the present, and enjoys exploring these links in her novels.

 

#BookReview #BlogTour #Giveaway The Secret to Falling in Love by Victoria Cooke @victoriacooke10 @HQDigitalUK @rararesources

#BookReview #BlogTour #Giveaway The Secret to Falling in Love by Victoria Cooke @victoriacooke10 @HQDigitalUK @rararesources

#BookReview #BlogTour #Giveaway The Secret to Falling in Love by Victoria Cooke @victoriacooke10 @HQDigitalUK @rararesources Title: The Secret to Falling in Love

Author: Victoria Cooke

Published by: HQ Digital on Feb. 9, 2019

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction

Pages: 198

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: Rachel's Random Resources

Book Rating: 8.5/10

Lifestyle journalist and thirty-something singleton Melissa hashtags, insta’s and snapchats her supposedly fabulous life on every social media platform there is.

That is until she wakes up on her birthday, another year older and still alone, wondering if for all her internet dates, love really can be found online? The challenge: go technology free for a whole month!

Forced to confront the reality of her life without its perfect filters, Melissa knows she needs to make some changes. But when she bumps into not one, but two gorgeous men, without the use of an app, she believes there could be hope for love offline.

If only there was a way to choose the right guy for her…


Review:

Sweet, warm, and romantic!

The Secret to Falling in Love is the humorous, heartwarming story of Melissa, an independent, single, thirty-five-year-old whose ready to settle down and have a family, but after online dating proves fruitless and inspiration comes in the form of The Matrix she decides to go entirely unplugged for thirty days to see if love might actually find her offline.

The writing is effortless and light. The characters are intriguing, supportive, and genuine. And the plot is an enchanting mix of friendship, family, light drama, awkward moments, tricky situations, swoon-worthy romance, and the endless ups and downs of dating.

Overall, The Secret to Falling in Love is a fresh, uplifting, timely tale by Cooke with some beautiful imagery and a storyline that will definitely leave you smiling.

 

This book is available now.  

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from the following link.

 

 

About Victoria Cooke

Victoria Cooke grew up in the city of Manchester before crossing the Pennines in pursuit of a career in education. She now lives in Huddersfield with her husband and two young daughters and when she’s not at home writing by the fire with a cup of coffee in hand, she loves working out in the gym and travelling. Victoria was first published at the tender age of eight by her classroom teacher who saw potential in a six-page story about an invisible man. Since then she’s always had a passion for reading and writing, undertaking several writers’ courses before completing her first novel, 'The Secret to Falling in Love,' in 2016.

 

Thank you to Victoria Cooke and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.

 

Giveaway:

Win an ARC of The Secret to Falling in Love and a box of Belgian Truffles (UK Only)

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

*Terms and Conditions – UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box above.  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.

#BlogTour #BookReview Love and Lies at the Village Christmas Shop by Portia MacIntosh @PortiaMacIntosh @HQDigitalUK

#BlogTour #BookReview Love and Lies at the Village Christmas Shop by Portia MacIntosh @PortiaMacIntosh @HQDigitalUK Title: Love and Lies at the Village Christmas Shop

Author: Portia MacIntosh

Published by: HQ Digital on Oct. 8, 2018

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 208

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: HQ Digital, NetGalley

Book Rating: 10/10

Blast the Michael Bublé, wrap your hands around a cinnamon latte and enjoy this warm, hilarious Christmas novel!

Ivy loves Christmas. As owner of Christmas Every Day, the year-round festive store, you’d expect nothing less!

The only thing missing in Ivy’s life is a dash of romance – something her twin sister Holly will not let her forget…

When her mother passed away, Ivy vowed to take over the running of her mother’s store and keep the Christmas spirit alive in the idyllic seaside town of Marram Bay.

But all this changes when an enigmatic businessman moves to the town, threatening to bulldoze her beloved shop to make way for holiday complex.

Can Ivy save her shop before Christmas? Could there be a different side to the newest resident of Marram Bay that would make all her Christmas wishes come true?


Review:

Jolly, big-hearted, and delightfully fabulous!

Love and Lies at the Village Christmas Shop is an amusing, heartwarming tale that takes us back to Marram Bay and into the life of the thoughtful, optimistic Ivy Jones as she struggles to keep her mother’s Christmas shop alive and out of the hands of the mysterious, yet charmingly handsome businessman who’s suddenly moved to town.

The prose is polished and effortless. The characterization is spot on with a cast of characters that are unique, fun-loving, and adorable. And the plot is an irresistible blend of heart, humour, nostalgic moments, family, friendship, tension, loyalty, attraction, chemistry, wonderful shenanigans, community spirit, and Christmas cheer.

Overall, Love and Lies at the Village Christmas Shop is nothing short of magic. It’s a light, funny, wintery treat that’s deliciously absorbing and hands down one of my favourite holiday reads of the year!

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

           

 

 

Thank you to Portia MacIntosh and HQ Digital for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Portia MacIntosh

Portia MacIntosh has been 'making stuff up' for as long as she can remember - or so she says. Whether it was blaming her siblings for that broken vase when she was growing up, blagging her way backstage during her rock chick phase or, most recently, whatever justification she can fabricate to explain away those lunchtime cocktails, Portia just loves telling tales. After years working as a music journalist, Portia decided it was time to use her powers for good and started writing novels. Taking inspiration from her experiences on tour with bands, the real struggle of dating in your twenties and just trying to survive as an adult human female generally, Portia writes about what it's really like for women who don't find this life stuff as easy as it seems.

 

#BlogTour #BookReview Lies Between Us by Ronnie Turner @Ronnie__Turner @HQDigitalUK #LiesBetweenUs #WhereIsBonnie?

#BlogTour #BookReview Lies Between Us by Ronnie Turner @Ronnie__Turner @HQDigitalUK #LiesBetweenUs #WhereIsBonnie?

#BlogTour #BookReview Lies Between Us by Ronnie Turner @Ronnie__Turner @HQDigitalUK #LiesBetweenUs #WhereIsBonnie? Title: Lies Between Us

Author: Ronnie Turner

Published by: HQ Digital on Oct. 1, 2018

Genres: Mystery/Thriller

Pages: 259

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: HQ Digital, NetGalley

Book Rating: 8.5/10

Will they ever learn the truth?

Three people, leading very different lives, are about to be brought together with devastating consequences . . .

John has a perfect life, until the day his daughter goes missing.

Maisie cares for her patients, but hides her own traumatic past.

Miller should be an innocent child, but is obsessed with something he can’t have.

They all have something in common, though none of them know it –and the truth won’t stay hidden for long . . .

A gripping psychological thriller for fans of Clare Mackintosh, Shari Lapena and Lisa Jewell.


Review:

Illusive, dark, and disturbing!

Lies Between Us is a creepy, well-crafted thriller that takes you into the lives of a cunning, evil kidnapper, an attentive, caring ICU nurse, and a desperate, distraught father of a missing child and has you questioning what they could possibly have in common.

The prose is intricate and menacing. The characters are distressed, raw, compassionate, and in some cases depraved. And the plot told from multiple perspectives and alternating between timelines quickly unravels as it spins you through a highly complex story filled with well-timed surprises, unforeseen twists, mind games, manipulation, obsession, and pure wickedness.

Overall, Lies Between Us is one of those stories that leaves you reeling and flipping back to discover what you missed. It’s gripping, gritty, and spine-chillingly eerie, and clearly showcases that Ronnie Turner is not only a wonderful member of the blogging community but a fantastic writer with an incredibly devious mind.

 

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

                

 

 

 

Thank you to Ronnie Turner and HQ Digital for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Ronnie Turner

Ronnie Turner grew up in Cornwall, the youngest in a large family. At an early age, she discovered a love of literature and dreamed of being a published author. Ronnie now lives in Dorset with her family and three dogs. In her spare time, she reviews books on her blog and enjoys long walks on the coast. She is currently working on her second novel.

Ronnie's debut novel, Lies Between Us, will be published by HQ Digital in October 2018.

 

          

#BlogTour #BookReview Summer Secrets at the Apple Blossom Deli by Portia MacIntosh @PortiaMacIntosh @HQDigitalUK

#BlogTour #BookReview Summer Secrets at the Apple Blossom Deli by Portia MacIntosh @PortiaMacIntosh @HQDigitalUK Title: Summer Secrets at the Apple Blossom Deli

Author: Portia MacIntosh

Published by: HQ Digital on May 1, 2018

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 384

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: HQ Digital, NetGalley

Book Rating: 8.5/10

Lily Holmes is ready for a fresh start. And there’s no better place to begin again than the idyllic seaside town of Marram Bay.

All Lily wants to do is focus on making her new deli a success and ensuring her son’s happiness. Not the postcard creeping out of her handbag, and definitely not finding a new man in her life!

But this isn’t going to be as easy as she first thought. The town is in uproar about the city girl who’s dared to join them and she’s fighting a battle at every turn.

Perhaps with a little help from the gorgeous cider farmer next door, she may be able to win them over, but her past secrets threaten to ruin everything…

The brand new laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from bestseller Portia Macintosh. Perfect for fans of Jo Watson and Tilly Tennant.


Review:

Comical, uplifting, and delightfully sweet!

Summer Secrets at the Apple Blossom Deli is a charming, summery read that takes us to Marram Bay and into the life of Lily Holmes as she meanders through all sorts of highs and lows, from single motherhood, moving to a new town, disgruntled locals, opening a new restaurant, an unexpected visit from her ex, and a blossoming new romance.

The prose is well turned and light. The characters, including all the supporting characters, are amusing, quirky, authentic, and cordial. And the plot is a fun, flirty, beguiling tale full of tricky situations, tender moments, humorous mishaps, self-discovery, friendship, family, community, happiness, romance, and scrumptious food.

Overall, Summer Secrets at the Apple Blossom Deli is another entertaining, refreshing, enjoyable treat by MacIntosh that reminds us that life is truly an adventure!

If you haven’t had a chance to read my reviews for Portia MacIntosh’s other novels be sure to check them out here:

[acx_slideshow name=”Portia MacIntosh 3″]

 

 

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from the following links.

            

 

 

Thank you to Portia MacIntosh and HQ Digital for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Portia MacIntosh

Portia MacIntosh has been 'making stuff up' for as long as she can remember - or so she says. Whether it was blaming her siblings for that broken vase when she was growing up, blagging her way backstage during her rock chick phase or, most recently, whatever justification she can fabricate to explain away those lunchtime cocktails, Portia just loves telling tales. After years working as a music journalist, Portia decided it was time to use her powers for good and started writing novels. Taking inspiration from her experiences on tour with bands, the real struggle of dating in your twenties and just trying to survive as an adult human female generally, Portia writes about what it's really like for women who don't find this life stuff as easy as it seems.

 

#BlogTour #BookReview The Things We Need to Say by Rachel Burton @bookish_yogi @rararesources @HQDigitalUK

#BlogTour #BookReview The Things We Need to Say by Rachel Burton @bookish_yogi @rararesources @HQDigitalUK

#BlogTour #BookReview The Things We Need to Say by Rachel Burton @bookish_yogi @rararesources @HQDigitalUK Title: The Things We Need to Say

Author: Rachel Burton

Published by: HQ Digital on May 11, 2018

Genres: General Fiction, Women's Fiction

Pages: 384

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: HQ Digital, NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources

Book Rating: 9/10

Sometimes the things we never say are the most important.

Fran loves Will with all her heart. They had a whirlwind romance, a perfect marriage and a wonderful life. Until everything changed. Now Fran needs to find her way again and teaching a yoga retreat in Spain offers her just that. Leaving behind a broken marriage she has some very important decisions to make.

Will needs his wife, he needs her to open up to him if they’re to ever return to the ways things once were. But he may have damaged any possibility he had of mending their relationship and now Fran is in Spain and Will is alone.

As both Fran and Will begin to let go of a life that could have been, fate may just find a way of bringing them back together.

 Perfect for fans of Katie Marsh, Amanda Prowse and Sheila O’Flanagan


Review:

Heartwrenching, touching, and undeniably affecting!

The Things We Need to Say is an absorbing, character-driven novel that highlights the emotional, physical and mental strain infertility and the loss of a child can have on a marriage.

The writing is vivid and eloquent. The characters are raw, consumed, traumatized, and real. And the plot told from dual perspectives is a beautifully written tale about life, loss, heartache, infidelity, friendship, yoga, introspection, and second-chance love.

Overall I would have to say that The Things We Need to Say is an immersive, warm, thought-provoking novel that reminds us just how important trust, communication, honesty, forgiveness, and love are to the success of a relationship and thus ultimately our own happiness.

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from the following link.

    

 

 

Thank you to Rachel Burton, HQ Digital, and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Rachel Burton

Rachel Burton has been making up stories since she first learned to talk. After many false starts she finally made one up that was worth writing down.

After graduating with a degree in Classics and another in English, she didn’t really know what to do when she grew up. She has worked as a waitress, a paralegal and a yoga teacher.

She has spent most of her life between Cambridge and London but now lives in Leeds with her boyfriend and three cats. The main loves of her life are The Beatles and very tall romantic heroes.

Her debut, The Many Colours of Us, was an Amazon Kindle bestseller. Her second novel, The Things We Need to Say, is released on 11 May 2018. She is currently working on her third novel in which the heroine follows the love of her life to live in a city in northern England. It has no autobiographical elements at all…..maybe.

Find her on Twitter & Instagram as @bookish_yogi or search Facebook for Rachel Burton Author. She is always happy to talk books, writing, music, cats and how the weather in Yorkshire is rubbish. She is mostly dreaming of her next holiday….

#BookReview #BlogTour The Start of Something Wonderful by Jane Lambert @JaneLambert22 @HQDigitalUK

#BookReview #BlogTour The Start of Something Wonderful by Jane Lambert @JaneLambert22 @HQDigitalUK Title: The Start of Something Wonderful

Author: Jane Lambert

Published by: HQ Digital on Jun. 5, 2015

Genres: Women's Fiction

Pages: 364

Format: eBook

Source: HQ Digital, NetGalley

Book Rating: 7.5/10

Previously published as Learning to Fly

It’s never too late to follow your dreams…

Forty-year-old air stewardess, Emily Forsyth, thought she had everything a woman could wish for: a glamorous, jet-set lifestyle, a designer wardrobe and a dishy pilot boyfriend. Until he breaks up with her…

Catapulted into a mid-life crisis she wishes she’d had earlier, she decides to turn her life upside-down, quitting her job and instead beginning to chase her long-held dreams of becoming an actress!

Leaving the skies behind her, Emily heads for the bright lights of London’s West End – but is it too late to reach for the stars?

Don’t miss this heartwarming and uplifting debut, perfect for fans of Colleen Coleman and Cate Woods!


Review:

Inspiring, humorous, and heartfelt!

The Start of Something Wonderful is a delightfully affecting tale that takes us on a journey into the life of Emily Forsyth as she courageously decides at forty to reinvent herself and give up all the luxuries she’s become accustomed to and follow her life-long dream of becoming an actress.

The writing style is light and genuine. The characters are fun-loving, realistic, quirky, and likable. And the amusing plot is filled with hope, heartbreak, infidelity, friendship, family, dreams, romance, awkward moments, entertaining mishaps, yummy food, and an insight into the crazy world of theatre production and movie making.

Overall, The Start of Something Wonderful is an engaging, effortless read that highlights that at any age it’s possible to start over and live a happy, rewarding, fulfilled life you just have to commit and jump!

 

This book is available now. 

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

      

 

 

 

Thank you to Jane Lambert and HQ Digital UK for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.

 

About Jane Lambert

Jane was born in Yorkshire and brought up on the west coast of Scotland. She studied French and German at Stirling University, taught English in Vienna and travelled the world as cabin crew before making the life-changing (and slightly mad) decision to become an actress in her mid-thirties.

She has appeared in “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time”, “Calendar Girls” and “Deathtrap” in London’s West End.

While hanging around as an understudy in draughty theatre dressing rooms, she wrote her first novel, “The Start of Something Wonderful” and has now discovered her true path in life. Jane is currently writing her second book, “Marriage, Mafia & Mozzarella” and a 6-part comedy drama for TV.

 

#BookReview A Proposal To Die For by Vivian Conroy @VivWrites @HQDigitalUK

#BookReview A Proposal To Die For by Vivian Conroy @VivWrites @HQDigitalUK Title: A Proposal to Die For

Author: Vivian Conroy

Series: Lady Alkmene #1

Published by: HQ Digital on Sep. 19, 2016

Genres: Mystery/Thriller

Pages: 162

Format: eBook

Source: HQ Digital, NetGalley

Book Rating: 8/10

The first book in the new Lady Alkmene Callender Mystery series

A murderous beginning

With her father away in India, Lady Alkmene Callender finds being left to her own devices in London intolerably dull, until the glamorous Broadway star Evelyn Steinbeck arrives in town! Gossip abounds about the New York socialite, but when Ms Steinbeck’s wealthy uncle, Silas Norwhich, is found dead Lady Alkmene finds her interest is piqued. Because this death sounds a lot to her like murder…

Desperate to uncover the truth, Lady Alkmene begins to look into Ms Steinbeck’s past – only to be hampered by the arrival of journalist, Jake Dubois – who believes she is merely an amateur lady-detective meddling in matters she knows nothing about!

But Lady Alkmene refuses to be deterred from the case and together they dig deeper, only to discover that some secrets should never come to light…


Review:

Whimsical, suspenseful, and amusing!

A Proposal To Die For is a lighthearted, cozy mystery that transports you back to 1920s London where Miss Lady Alkmene Callender has an abundance of freedom and imagination and where a timely introduction to the devilishly handsome, mysterious ex-con Jake Dubois has them teaming up to solve the suspicious death of the wealthy Silas Norwhich.

The writing style is fluid and smooth. The characters are engaging, endearing, and authentic. And the plot develops nicely and has the right mix of misdirection, deduction, suspects, clues, mishaps, and murder.

If you enjoy straightforward, entertaining mysteries that take you back in time to when forensics was almost nonexistent, social class was everything, and crimes could easily be solved by everyday snooping, shrewd reasoning, and stubborn determination this is a book for you.

If you haven’t already had a chance to read my review of Fatal Masquerade,  Lady Alkmene #4, be sure to check it out here:

 

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

             

For more information on Vivian Conroy follow her on Twitter at: @VivWrites

 

Thank you to Vivian Conroy and HQ Digital for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.