Tag Archives: contemporary romance

My Summer Reads and Reviews.

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I don’t usually read so many books in a month, but I’ve been focused on relaxing since the summer holidays started (taking a break from teaching), enjoying family time and some time for myself.

I was determined to read a paperback on my holiday in France, whereas I usually read on Kindle or listen to books. Do you count it as “reading” if you listen to a book? I know it’s not the same, but I count it as when I am in school, I listen to books while driving or doing jobs at home or in my classroom. It’s a great way to indulge in the wonderful stories I enjoy.

No matter how I “read” the book, if I enjoy the story, I leave a review. Reviews keep authors going on difficult days and help boost the book’s profile. My reviews vary in length depending on how much time I had to write them, but if you’ve read my blog before, you’ll know the size of the review doesn’t matter. It’s the thought and sharing your appreciation of a good book that counts.

With that in mind, here are my recent reads and reviews.

As you’ll notice, I like reading for escapism and relaxation so I tend to pick books I know I will enjoy: romcoms, romance, and historical fiction (with at least a hint of romance).

You Belong to Me, the sequel to Who’s That Girl?, was the follow-up I didn’t know I needed. Having greatly enjoyed Who’s That Girl?, I absolutely loved You Belong to Me and the opportunity to discover what happened next for Edie. Mhairi McFarlane is one of my favourite writers, and her brilliant way with words shone through. The writing, as always, was pacy and poignant. I was keen to find out what would happen next and so kept turning the pages, all the while knowing I’d be sad to say goodbye to the wonderful characters once I got to the end. Once again, McFarlane masterfully balanced humour and emotion, making You Belong to Me a thoroughly enjoyable read. This book was a delightful continuation of Edie and Elliott’s story, perfect for fans of the first book and anyone looking for a heartwarming romance.

The Fixer Upper is an easy-going, enjoyable romcom. The plot is engaging with a gentle romance. I enjoyed the main characters’ developing friendship, and it was refreshing to read a story with a male lead who wasn’t your stereotypical hero. While there were some unexpected references, they added to the book’s playful and fun nature. Overall, The Fixer Upper was a happy read, perfect for escaping for a few hours.

 

Spring Breeze is a WWII historical novel set in Paris during the German occupation. The story follows Matilde, who initially appears naive and eager to keep a low profile. However, when Matilde’s circumstances change, she determines to fight the enemy however she can. The narrative captures Matilde’s transformation from a passive bystander to a determined and resilient fighter, facing the horrors of war alongside her fellow countrymen with unyielding strength.

Central to the story is the forbidden love between Matilde and Hans, a German soldier who, despite loving his country, abhors the war and its atrocities. Their bond, forged over their attraction, shared love of art, and mutual sense of injustice, is fraught with danger and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. I enjoyed discovering more about each of them as their characters developed through the story. Spring Breeze was an evocative, well-researched novel that shows the horrors of war and its impact on ordinary people thrown into extraordinary circumstances.

Here are some fun facts about buying this book: I decided I should have an actual paperback for my holiday and found it in a charity shop. I love Lucy Diamond’s novels and bought this one despite already having it on Kindle. While in the charity shop, I saw A Summer of Second Chances on the shelf and told the lady beside me I had written it. She bought it and made me smile! After reading The Best Days of Our Lives, I popped it into a book exchange in France for another reader to enjoy. It had gone when I next visited. I hope I introduced someone new to Lucy Diamond’s great stories.

As someone who has lost a sister, goodness, this book was an emotional roller coaster. There is real depth to the characters; you can feel their heartache and struggles as they try to rebuild their lives, which will never be the same again. They make mistakes but also achieve new insights and highs along the way. I loved Alice and felt every step of her emotional journey. There were a lot of characters to follow at first, but I soon found my way with them and followed their family connections with interest. The story made me cry, laugh, and experience all the emotions between; it was another great Lucy Diamond read.

Fake it ’til You Make It was my first Laura Carter read. I really liked the lead characters, Abbey and Ted, and the chemistry they shared throughout. I enjoyed the personal journey both characters went on and the banter they frequently shared. It was a good-fun, light-hearted read. I felt the secrets to be told got a little stretched towards the end, but once all was revealed, I loved the ending every bit as much as I hoped I would. It was a fabulous holiday read that made me smile.

The Law of Attraction is a quick, fun holiday read with likeable characters and a flashy setting. Unless I missed it, I don’t think it was explained how come hot-shot lawyer Drew Harrington seemed to know a lot about romcoms, but I liked him, so I was happy to go with it 😉 I loved Drew’s family and their dynamics. I also liked Drew’s friendship group. The story is told mainly from Drew’s alpha-male perspective, with a few insights into Becky’s past coming from her perspective. It was an enjoyable read (with a few trigger moments regarding Becky’s previous abusive partner). I like Laura Carter’s fresh, pacy writing style and dynamic characters. I also enjoyed the escapist setting, too.

The Spare Room is a sweet story with likeable characters, all the feels, and a happy ever after that will leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling. I really enjoyed the friendships and some of the quirky family members. There’s an adorable male lead who has watched romcoms and can quote poetry, a likeable female lead, and a cute cat. What more could you want? …

Maybe a dog, but I’m aware that could just be me, haha!

My current read is Beth Moran’s It Had To Be You. My Kindle tells me I am twenty-five per cent into the book. Now I’m home from my holiday, the sun has disappeared, and I’m thinking about all the jobs I should have done this summer, my reading has slowed down somewhat, but I am enjoying it so far.

What have you been reading this summer? It would be great to hear your favourite summer reads. 

Enjoy the final days of August. xx

Morton S. Gray: Writing Romance.

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This week, I am delighted to be joined by my good friend Morton S. Gray as she talks about writing romance. Over to you, Morton…

Thank you for having me on your blog, Carol. My seventh romantic novel, A New Arrival in Borteen Bay, was published on 23 January 2024 with Choc Lit Publishing, an imprint of Joffe Books.

I sometimes find it quite funny that I’m listed as a romance author. Very often, when I’m writing, I get so carried away with the mystery or the plot of a book that when it comes to the editing stage, I’m often asked to make it much more romantic. I guess it’s the other relationships that make up the story that interest me most.

It’s also a source of fascination to me that we only see people as they appear in front of us, as they are right now and not their history or backstory. We all have our own path through life that makes us who we are, and I think that’s what intrigues writers.

For example, someone looking at me will see a happily married woman with an older son with a lovely partner who has just made me a grandma and a younger son at university. The fourteen years as a solo parent working full time after my divorce from my first husband isn’t visible on the surface at all, and yet those years have had such a huge influence on who I am as a person. But then, taking that a step further, my second marriage is why I believe romance is possible and second chances do come along. I personally have probably lived the plot of many a romance novel!

To give a bit more insight into my take on romance, I thought I would share my favourite romance film, novel, and song. However, it’s tough to choose just one for each of these, so I will give you a selection for each.

Film: Finding You, The Holiday, The Wedding Date.

Novel: Wintercombe by Pamela Belle, Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts by Lucy Dillon, Starting Over by Sue Moorcroft (I’ve read all of these titles many times over).

Song: Breathless by The Corrs, Wildest Dreams by Taylor Swift.

Thank you for your post, Morton. Despite watching a lot of films, I haven’t seen Finding You, so I will check it out. I do remember you recommended Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts to me, and I greatly enjoyed reading it, too, as I have each of your romance novels.

About A New Arrival in Borteen Bay: 

FALL IN LOVE WITH AN UTTERLY IRRESISTIBLE, BRAND-NEW ROMANCE ABOUT FRESH BEGINNINGS AND LETTING GO OF THE PAST.

Skye knows it’s now or never. It’s time for her to reveal herself to the father she’s never met.

So she hops on a plane from Dublin to the English seaside town of Borteen.

But between the father she’s just getting to know and her worried mother, Skye realizes that the past is never that simple as a whirlwind of secrets turns their world upside down.

And now Skye has Adam, the hunky guy next door, to contend with. He’s determined to show her there’s room in her life for love.

Skye thinks they’re better off as friends, but Adam has other ideas. Even when she reveals a secret of her own.

Will Skye allow history to repeat itself? Or will she let go of the secrets of the past and open herself up to the future?

This uplifting and feel-good romance is perfect for fans of Beth Moran, Shari Low, Jessica Redland, Sue Moorcroft or Isabella Connor.

Purchase or discover more here: A New Arrival in Borteen Bay

My review:

I enjoyed returning to the enchanting setting of Borteen Bay and spending time in the company of Buzz, Skye and Adam. While Adam’s actions sometimes seemed impetuous, I felt this was explained as I discovered more about his character and motivation. For me, Buzz was the real star of the story, emerging as a compelling figure with his poignant creation of a labyrinth on the beach, only for it to be erased by the tide – encapsulating both the fragility of life and the enduring spirit of optimism (something he certainly embodies). As the characters come together, the narrative weaves their individual stories, creating a tapestry of resilience, healing, and acceptance. It’s a lovely, gentle read to cosy up with.

Morton’s books are a delight to read and always have a great hook. If you are looking for a new series to fall in love with, I recommend checking them out: The Secrets of Borteen Bay

About the author:

Morton S. Gray lives in Worcestershire, U.K. She has been reading and writing fiction for as long as she can remember and penned her first attempt at a novel at the age of fourteen. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and The Society of Authors.

Morton worked for many years in the electricity industry, developing and training staff. She is a qualified hypnotherapist and Reiki Master. She enjoys crafts and history and loves tracing family trees. Having a hunger for learning new things is a bonus for the research behind her books.

You can find out more about Morton and her work here: website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Paws and Prose with Carol Thomas.

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As someone with a soft spot for Labradors, I am thrilled to be sharing a little about the special dogs in my life who have inspired the dogs in my novels.

Benson, my chocolate Labrador, was my constant companion and best (furry) friend for almost sixteen years. I could rely on him for a cuddle no matter what the ups and downs of life. He was the most loveable and loyal of dogs. When writing my first novel, Crazy Over You, I knew I wanted to weave him into the story.

After discovering her husband has had an affair, my protagonist, Abby, is at a crisis point in her relationship. She feels betrayed, confused and isolated. While her world is falling apart, her chocolate Labrador, Bramble (who shares many qualities with Benson), remains her constant support. He epitomizes the themes of love and loyalty and is the perfect companion for Abby.

Three years after getting Benson, we found him a friend, Milo. Milo was a slightly wonky-eyed boy with an independent spirit, a variety of quirks and a lot of love to give. He and Benson quickly became very close.

Milo inspired Jack, in my second novel, The Purrfect Pet Sitter. Jack is a similarly wonky-eyed black Lab, the beloved pet of Winnie, the first client to put their faith in Lisa Blake as she embarks on her new career.

One of my favourite scenes involving him is the opening chapter in which he has slipped his collar. In Lisa’s search for Jack, she has a chance encounter with a mysterious man in leather; Lisa finds him frustrating, whereas Jack seems to have him on side.

Another of my favourite scenes comes when Lisa and Winnie take Jack to church for a service in honour of St Francis of Assisi (patron saint of animals). Writing the scene in the church was a lot of fun. I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say that what Jack does to a Yorkshire terrier actually happened. Albeit, Benson was the one guilty of this misdemeanour in one of his early training classes, in which he, being a Labrador, was much larger than his smaller breed puppy pals.

Jack gets up to a few cheeky antics in the book. Some were inspired by my second black Lab, Hubble, who sadly passed away at a far too young age.

He was a bundle of energy and stars in adverts and the book trailer for The Purrfect Pet Sitter!

In my most recent novel, A Summer of Second Chances, Granger, the chocolate Labrador of the Bramlington family, comes from a long line of esteemed pedigree dogs. However, like his owner Henry (Lord Bramlington of Dapplebury), who finds living up to familial expectations difficult, Granger knows where his affections lie and forges a new path.

I love incorporating dogs into my stories; they add warmth and, being good judges of character, offer another perspective to the story.

After the sadness of losing Hubble, I was sure I wouldn’t have another dog. I had been blessed with three wonderful boys and knew I was lucky to have them. … that was until I saw Luna, a rescue dog needing a loving home. Luna had spent the first two years of her life in a barn, being used for breeding. She is our first female dog, our first rescue and our first yellow Labrador. She’s come a long way in the short time we have had her. She has learned to play with toys, accept treats, be walked, have cuddles, relax, trust, and snuggle up on the sofa. She is adorable, and it is a privilege to see her increasingly realise that life is full of love and fun. And the reason I am introducing her now? Well, I am sure she will appear in one of my books in the future.

Thank you for reading about my dogs. And if you enjoyed this post look out for others coming over future weeks as other writers share the animals that have inspired the paws in their prose.

Find me on Facebook and X (Twitter).

Review of K. T. Dady’s Lemon Drop Cottage.

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Today, I am delighted to join the blog tour and share my review for K. T, Dady’s novel, Lemon Drop Cottage.

About the book:

Welcome to Pepper Bay. A small close-knit community where you’ll find chocolate box cottages, quaint shops, love, drama, and a happily ever after.

Snuggle down with this cosy, feel-good, comfort read that whisks you away to a beautiful bay on the Isle of Wight – Perfect for fans of Christie Barlow, Phillipa Ashley, and Holly Martin.

The Pepper Bay books are standalone stories that intertwine with recurring characters. Best read in order for maximum enjoyment.

The blurb:

At first glance, Scott Harper is a shy artist who keeps himself to himself, but he isn’t the man everyone thinks he is. Scott has a secret. One that has kept him firmly away from any chance of having an intimate relationship. The only woman in his life is the one he talks to online but has never met. It’s easier that way, for them both.

Dolly Lynch has just taken over her aunt’s shop in Pepper Bay. Between looking after her teenage son, running around for her old aunt, moving home, and opening a new shop, she barely has time to herself, so she really appreciates the moments she spends talking online with a man she’s never met. Little does she know he’s the same man who lives just up the road in the cutest cottage she has ever seen.

Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US

My review:

This is the first book by K. T. Dady that I have read and, therefore, my first visit to Pepper Bay. As each book in the series is standalone, this didn’t spoil my understanding of the story – though I would happily go back and read the others in the series, too.

I enjoyed meeting Scott and Dolly and spending time in this close, friendly community as their feelings developed. Dolly’s son, Dexter, is a great character who shone through; it was nice to see a teenage boy represented in a positive, caring way. There is an interesting sub-plot with the local retirement home being under threat and a good cast of secondary characters – I liked Giles, who has a close link to Scott and his secretive past. Having visited the Isle of Wight, I enjoyed the setting. And I loved the sound of Lemon Drop cottage – a sunny cottage for a sunny read!

Overall, this is a warm-hearted novel full of kind, caring characters who will make you smile.

Follow the rest of the tour:

About the author:

K.T. Dady is an Amazon best-selling author, reader, mum, chocolate lover, and a huge fan of a HEA. She was born and raised in the East End of London, and has been happily writing stories since she was a little girl. When not writing, she is baking cakes or pottering around in her little garden in Essex, trying not to kill the flowers. She is the author of contemporary romance, middle-grade, and the thought-provoking thriller about mental illness, The Focus Program.

Social Media Links: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Many thanks to K. T. Dady for the great read, and Rachel Gilbey, of Rachel’s Random Resources, for inviting me to be a part of the tour.

My reviews are added to Amazon UK and Goodreads. x

Review of Emma Jackson’s One Kiss Before Christmas.

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The blurb:

Could it be the start of her happy ever after?

Ashleigh could use a little Christmas magic. She’s still living in Brighton with her Nan – who could give the Grinch lessons in how to be miserable – her acting career has been reduced to playing one of Santa’s elves, and not even the prospect of a friend’s winter wedding can cheer her up…

That is until Olivier, the gorgeous French chef, reappears in her life. Or more accurately, next door.

When they were teenagers, Olivier would spend every Christmas with his mother, who just happens to be Ash’s neighbour and owner of the best chocolate shop in England.

If anyone can bring a little sparkle back to Ash’s life, it’s Olivier. All she needs is one kiss before Christmas…

Purchase links: AmazonUK | Amazon.com |

My review:

This was a sweet, second chance romance story set in Brighton (not that far from where I live), and so I greatly enjoyed recognising places mentioned and visited. The lead characters, Ashleigh and Olivier, were both likeable, as were the supporting cast. I especially liked Romesh and his matchmaking. There is a lovely sprinkling of Christmas throughout as Ash and Olivier both learn to be the people they want to be. While the middle slowed a little in terms of the will they won’t they, I really liked the ending; it provided the kind of warmth you expect from a cosy Christmas film.

About the author:

Author of the Best Selling A MISTLETOE MIRACLE and contender for the Joan Hessayon Award 2020, Emma has been a devoted bookworm and secret-story-scribbler since she was 6 years old. When she’s not running around after her two daughters and trying to complete her current work-in-progress, Emma loves to read, bake, catch up on binge-watching TV programmes with her partner and plan lots of craft projects that will inevitably end up unfinished. Her latest romantic comedy, SUMMER IN THE CITY, was released in June, with a festive romance, ONE KISS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, was released on 2nd November 2020.

Emma also writes historical and fantasy fiction as Emma S Jackson. THE DEVIL’S BRIDE was published by DarkStroke in February 2020.

Discover more about Emma Jackson via: newsletter | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Huge thanks to Emma Jackson and Orion Dash for the advance read copy and special thanks to Rachel Gilbey of Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me along to be a part of the blog tour. xx