Tag Archives: Canelo

Review of T.A. Williams’ novel, Dreaming of Verona!

As a lover of T.A. Williams’ books, I am delighted to wish him a very happy publication day and to share my review of his latest novel, Dreaming of Verona.

The blurb:

Verona is the City of Love. But will Suzie find romance there or, like Romeo and Juliet, will it all end in tears?

When Suzie is hired to accompany spoiled, abrasive Lady Alexandra Tedburn on an all-expenses paid holiday to Italy, she fears the trip will be a disaster.

But she soon discovers there’s more to Alex than shopping and tantrums, and she’s determined to help her realise her potential – against Alex’s authoritarian father’s wishes.

As they settle in Verona, Suzie can’t stop thinking about local artist Michael, who is still mourning the tragic death of his wife. With Suzie’s future uncertain, and Michael’s past
holding him back, it seems there’s no hope for romance in the city of
star-crossed lovers… or is there?

A gorgeously uplifting and moving story, Dreaming of Verona is the perfect read for fans of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant and Jenny Oliver.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Canelo


My review:

I am a fan of T. A. Williams’ books, I have never been to Verona – but I LOVE Romeo and Juliet, and, of course, I have a soft spot for Labradors (I’ve yet to read a book by the author that doesn’t feature one), and so this was a must-read for me.

The characters were likeable, each with their own issues and development through the story. The setting was sumptuous. Verona is definitely on my ‘to visit’ list. The story led me on a gentle journey that I was more than happy to relax and enjoy. And there really was lots to enjoy as the pages slipped by – female friendship, self-discovery, love, loss treated with a gentle understanding, a range of interesting male leads, and more than one budding relationship.

And, as for the Labrador, I was not disappointed. Dogberry was a delight! I need to break it to my husband that I need another Labrador so I can steal the name.

Overall, it was a lovely, gentle, enjoyable read, that led me off on to an adventure in the beautiful city of Verona!

Buy the book Amazon.UK | Amazon.com


About the author:

T.A. Williams says, “I’m a man. And a pretty old man as well. I did languages at university a long time ago and then lived and worked in France and Switzerland before going to Italy for seven years as a teacher of English. My Italian wife and I then came back to the UK with our little daughter (now long-since grown up) where I ran a big English language school for many years. We now live in a sleepy little village in Devonshire. I’ve been writing almost all my life but it was only seven years ago that I finally managed to find a publisher who liked my work enough to offer me my first contract.

“The fact that I am now writing romantic comedy is something I still find hard to explain. My early books were thrillers and historical novels. Maybe it’s because there are so many horrible things happening in the world today that I feel I need to do my best to provide something to cheer my readers up. My books provide escapism to some gorgeous locations and, as a writer, I obviously have to go there in person and check them out first. I love my job…”

Discover more about T.A. Williams and his work here: Twitter | WebsiteFacebook


Thank you, T.A. Williams, for another great read – including a Labrador! Thank you, also to Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources, and Canelo for the advance copy of Dreaming of Verona.

My reviews are posted on Amazon UK and Goodreads. xx


Kitty Wilson joins my Christmas Countdown!

Today, I am excited to welcome author of the wonderful Village School series, Kitty Wilson, to my Christmas countdown!

Welcome to my blog Kitty, I would love to know how your characters will be spending Christmas…

Alice and Dan both live in Penmenna and they LOVE Christmas. With Alice being a teaching assistant in the school and Dan the local vicar, this story sees the two of them working together to make the school’s Nativity play something truly special, even though at times it looks like the production may get a little out of hand.

Meanwhile, Alice is secretly trying to pull together a special choir to march down the aisle on Christmas Eve as a festive surprise for Dan whose church choir has dwindled down.

At the same time Dan’s Granny Annie has moved into the village for the Christmas period and has very firm ideas of exactly what she wants to happen for Christmas, and will stop at nothing to have her festive dreams come true.

Christmas is certainly a very special, and very busy, time of year for Penmenna.

It sounds great, and to tempt readers further here’s the blurb:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Penmenna…

Teaching assistant Alice has sworn off men, which is fine because with Christmas coming she’s super busy organising the school Nativity. This should be a blast with the help of close friend and village vicar, Dan – if she can ignore those more-than-just-a-friend feelings she’s developed for him…

Dan is happy to help Alice – his secret crush – but not only is his beloved Granny Annie about to be made homeless, the church choir has disintegrated and he’s battling some dark demons from his past.

With meddling grannies and PTA wars thrown in the mix, can Alice and Dan overcome their past hurts to move forward? Will they be spending Christmas together as friends… or something more?

A festive feel-good romance perfect for fans of Tilly Tennant and Holly Martin.

Buying links: Amazon | KoboiBooks | GooglePlay | The Village School series


With your characters having a fabulously festive time, I’d love to know how you will be spending this Christmas…

Christmas has always revolved around my children but with me now officially being an empty nester, and them both likely to be working on the day itself, things are going to be quite dramatically different this year.

In the past it has been a mad frenzy of baking and making in preparation. Lots of the things referenced in Christmas Wishes come straight from our Christmases, glitter footprints up the stairs from fireplace to stocking, bells as Santa’s sleigh crosses the skies, Christmas carol services, parties and gallons of mulled wine.

This year will probably be considerably quieter, I shall sneak off down the motorway at some point to celebrate with all my friends in Cornwall and cook a Christmas dinner for the children (which means I get two Christmases) when they are free but the day itself will be quite quiet; myself, my partner and my mum will eat far too much and lie around groaning as the dog expectantly jangles his lead. I’m looking forward to it.

I hope you enjoy your quiet Christmas, and I love the fact your own Christmases inspired the festive fun in Christmas Wishes. Before you go, Kitty, I have to ask you to answer five quick questions from my Christmas selection (when I say “have to”, I think everyone has realised by now, it is because I am nosey and loving these answers):

Naughty or nice? Naughty…every time!

Real or artificial Christmas tree? Real, I love the smell of a real tree and the excitement of choosing it.

Favourite Christmas song? No prizes for originality but it’s The Fairy Tale of New York, largely because it was the one the children and I would sing super loudly together every time it came on the radio. I also have a sneaking love for O little Town of Bethlehem.

Sprouts or no sprouts? Yes, yes, yes to sprouts. Cooked with pancetta and chicken stock make these a huge family favourite. Hmm, you’ve actually managed to make them sound appealing, hehe!

Best cracker prize? The little red fortune telling fish – despite it seemingly only having one setting (curling up) we all love this. I am with you on this!

Thank you so much for joining my Christmas countdown and I can’t wait to read Christmas Wishes! xx


About the author:

Kitty Wilson lived in Cornwall for twenty-five years having been dragged there, against her will, as a stroppy teen. She is now remarkably grateful to her parents for their foresight and wisdom – and that her own children aren’t as hideous. Recently she has moved to Bristol, but only for love and on the understanding that she and her partner will be returning to Cornwall to live very soon. She spends most of her time welded to the keyboard, dreaming of the beach or bombing back down the motorway for a quick visit! She has a penchant for very loud music, equally loud dresses and romantic heroines who speak their mind.

You can follow Kitty, and find out more about her work here: Facebook | Twitter 


Don’t miss author, Sharon Ibbotson, joining me on Monday 23rd December with her novel, Hanukkah at the Great Greenwich Ice Creamery! xx