Tag Archives: reviews

Review of Lorraine Wilson’s, JoJo’s French Escape.

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Today, I am delighted to join the blog tour for JoJo’s French Escape by Lorraine Wilson.

The blurb:

Trapped in paradise…

For twelve months JoJo Grant has been hiding from a secret too shameful to share.  And whilst her sanctuary might be the beautiful French countryside, JoJo has a horrible feeling that her peace is about to be shattered…because bursting into her life is the hottest celebrity chef around – Callum O’Connor.

Callum knows all about JoJo’s past, her time as a reality star, the scandal that has dogged her, but he isn’t sure why she’s still hiding?  After spending time with Jojo, it’s obvious to him that she has nothing to be ashamed of – she just needs to be a little braver…
But as much as JoJo likes Callum, he thrives on the glare of the outside world.  Can JoJo let go of her past…with Callum by her side?

My review:

I enjoyed Jojo’s story and her journey back to regaining her self-confidence. While there are darker moments, based on her past experiences, the author balances these well. As the plot unfolds, friendship, puppies and positivity become the key focus of the story. And then there is the very lovely Callum O’Connor, who, as a celebrity chef with plenty of swoon appeal, causes more than what’s cooking to sizzle in the kitchen. As you’d expect from Lorraine Wilson, there is plenty of heat and spice in this book, making for a fab read and ideal escapism.

Click to buy: Amazon UK |

This book is the second in the Place in the sun series, see my review of book #1, Poppy’s Place in the Sun here.

About the author:

Lorraine Wilson writes flirty, feel-good fiction for One More Chapter, a HarperCollins imprint – and is unashamedly fond of happy endings. She loves hearing from readers and feels incredibly grateful to be doing the job she always dreamt of.

She splits her time between the South of France and Cambridgeshire and is usually either writing or reading while being sat on, walked over or barked at by one of her growing band of rescue dogs.

You can find out more about Lorraine and her work, via Facebook | Twitter

This review was added to NetGalley, Amazon UK and Goodreads. Thank you, to Lorraine Wilson for the fab read, and also to Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources, and One More Chapter for the advance copy of JoJo’s French Escape.

 

An interview with Christine Stovell.

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Today, I am delighted to welcome Choc Lit author Christine Stovell to my blog. Thank you for agreeing to join me Christine and for answering my questions, aimed at discovering more about you and your novella, Moonbeams in a Jar.

For those who haven’t yet encountered your wonderful, stand-alone novella, Moonbeams in a Jar, give us your elevator pitch:

Control-freak Chloe and adrenaline-junkie Ryan have fallen hard for each other, but neither is willing to compromise their lifestyle until fate intervenes in the form of their dogs, Wilma and Fred.

This was my first visit to your fictional seaside town, Little Spitmarsh, and I loved it. If Chloe wrote a postcard home, how might she describe the location?

“No wonder so few people have heard of Little Spitmarsh! It’s a really isolated seaside town divided from its neighbours by miles of salt marsh and hemmed in by the sea. I love the sense of loneliness about the landscape, but apparently the place was struggling to survive until a smart restaurant opened. There’s a story that the woman who runs the boatyard here was bitterly opposed to the guy who opened the restaurant but now they’re married! These days, Little Spitmarsh retains its salty character but also has a smattering of galleries, cool vintage shops and even an annual film festival. For me, though, the backwaters here will always be very special; in winter the raw north wind can cut you to the bone, but in summer the sky over the marshes shimmers with heat and birdsong. Most importantly, of course, it’s the place where I first met Ryan!”

I enjoyed Chloe’s trip to Hong Kong and recently read that you visited with your hubby. For those planning to go what three romantic musts, would you recommend?

Yes, you’re right – it was a fabulous holiday of a lifetime to a city of dramatic contrasts. Anyone who reads Moonbeams in a Jar might spot one or two of my favourite romantic musts, but it won’t spoil the story to tell you that I absolutely loved crossing Victoria harbour on the Star ferries, especially under a full moon. Seeing the city in the glow of first light from our hotel room was rather wonderful as was soaring through the sky in a crystal cable car. Like Chloe, I also had my fortune told… but I’m still waiting for fame, wealth and the shedloads of sales for my books I was promised. I suspect the fortune teller might have been pulling my leg just a little.

Where did the inspiration come from for your swoon-worthy leading man, Ryan Green?

I honestly don’t know! I can say, hand-on-heart, that I never set out to ‘create’ a leading-man and I only meet them when my heroines do. I was delighted to meet Ryan as he happens to be rather lush, lucky Chloe!

I have a soft spot for dogs, real and fictional. Wilma, the dachshund, and Fred, the basset hound, were both great contributors to the action. Were they based on furry friends in your life?

Wilma and Wurst, a dachsie who makes a guest appearance in my novella, Only True in Fairy Tales, both share character traits with Zorba (pictured above) a miniature dachshund who was the great dog love of my life. He was a renowned hunter and destroyer of footwear and was the only living creature to stick his nose in Dad’s slippers and survive. It broke my heart when we lost him.

What a great picture, Zorba looks a fabulous character and I completely understand the heartbreak of your loss.

Finally, five for fun:

  1. Sweet or savoury? Dark chocolate – I’m an addict!
  2. TV or radio? Spotify; I love a good Spotify-fest
  3. Paperback or e-reader? E-reader – I know that causes people a sharp intake of breath, but I’m a fast reader and I like having lots of books at hand to choose from.
  4. Posh frock or joggers? Skinny jeans and running leggings (not at the same time!).
  5. Sun or Snow? Sunshine all the way.

My review:

Moonbeams in a Jar is a lovely story, with likeable lead characters, great settings, and dogs (always a plus)!

I hadn’t read Christine Stovell’s previous Little Spitmarsh stories, but it didn’t matter, I soon felt right at home in the seaside town. I was drawn to the characters, especially the rather lovely Ryan who has plenty of swoon appeal.

I particularly enjoyed the trip to Hong Kong, not just because it was delightfully romantic but also because it was an unexpected location. I read many romance novels and haven’t been transported to this setting before. It was a real treat as the author brought the city to life and wowed me with its charms.

As a novella, this was the ideal length for reading en route to my holiday and made my time away start with a smile. A fab little holiday read!

Publisher: Choc Lit
Genre: Contemporary romance, novella

Links to buy the book Amazon UK | Amazon.Com | Kobo | 

About the author:

Winning a tin of chocolate in a national essay competition at primary school inspired to Christine Stovell to become a writer. Setting off, with her husband, from a sleepy seaside resort on the east coast in a vintage wooden boat to sail halfway round Britain provided the inspiration for her ‘Little Spitmarsh’ series of novels, but never cured her seasickness although she continues to sail.

As well as writing long and short contemporary romantic fiction and poetry, Christine has written features for various magazines and is a regular contributor to The English Home magazine.

Christine lives on the beautiful west Wales coast where long-distance running helps her plan her plots. Half marathons, she thinks, especially when the going gets tough, are like novels; both begin with small steps.

You can discover more about Christine and her writing here: Blog | Twitter | Facebook |

Thank you for taking part in my Q&A and for the great read, Christine. My reviews are added to Amazon UK and Goodreads. xx

 

Review of Lorraine Wilson’s Poppy’s Place in the Sun

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The blurb:

Sometimes you need to lose yourself to find your way home…

With only her trusty dogs Peanut, Treacle and Pickwick by her side, Poppy Kirkbride could be forgiven for having doubts about her move to a quiet village in rural France. But as the sun shines down on her ramshackle new home, Poppy knows she’s made the right decision. A lick of paint, and some TLC and her rustic farmhouse will be the perfect holiday retreat – Poppy’s dream come true.

Poppy is welcomed by her fellow villagers, except for brooding local vet Leo Dubois, who makes it clear Poppy isn’t welcome in his village – or his life! Leo might be gorgeous, but Poppy won’t be told what to do by an arrogant Frenchman – no matter how kind and gentle he is to her dogs!

Determined to stay, Poppy tries to understand the enigmatic Frenchman better. But as the two get closer, Poppy sees another side to Leo – a man with heartbreak of his own. Falling in love with Leo is easy, but can he ever return Poppy’s love? And what would this mean for her dream life and place in the sun?

Published by: Harper Impulse
Genre: Romantic Comedy

My review:

Beautiful countryside to escape to, and a cute cast of four-legged sidekicks. I enjoyed the Chalet Girl series and so was excited to read Lorraine Wilson’s latest novel. With not a hint of snow in sight, the setting was idyllic. The beautiful French countryside provided the ideal backdrop for Poppy to start to build her new life; something she tackles with admirable determination, despite the adventure not starting out as she planned. Her dogs were cute, good listeners and perfect companions.

When a moody, handsome neighbour appears, who then turns out to be a vet (and to own a dog too), you know romance is going to follow. The plot builds steadily, and while the friendship between Poppy and Leo is slow at times, the reasons are revealed with a backstory that adds depth to Leo’s character.

I liked the cast of supporting characters and the way most enriched Poppy’s new life.

Lorraine Wilson always writes steamy scenes well, and while this book is slower paced than some of her previous novels, if you are a fan, you won’t be disappointed 😉

Click here to buy the book.

About the author:

Lorraine Wilson writes flirty, feel-good fiction for Harper Impulse – a Harper Collins imprint – and is unashamedly fond of happy endings. She loves hearing from readers and feels incredibly grateful to be doing the job she always dreamt of.

She splits her time between the South of France and Cambridgeshire and is usually either writing or reading while being sat on, walked over or barked at by one of her growing band of rescue dogs.

You can find Lorraine online via Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you for the fun read Lorraine,  my reviews are added to Amazon UK and Goodreads. x

What do reviews mean to you?

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Some people agree with Thumper’s dad, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all”, while others feel entitled to an opinion no matter what that opinion is.

But no matter what your stance, whether you are a writer or a reader – receiving or leaving reviews – one thing is for certain, reviews matter!

This week I’ve been asking my fellow Chindi Authors, known for celebrating and helping independent authors, what reviews mean to them as writers and, as readers, what their opinion is on leaving reviews ranging from 1-5 stars.

Helen Christmas, thriller writer: “I am happy with the mix of reviews I have which includes 5, 4 and 3 stars. I draw more strength from what the reviewer writes as this is what people look at.”

J. L. Dean, historical novelist: “I find a considered review more valuable (and more fulfilling) than an unsupported 5 star review.

“When I write reviews, I come at them as an editor. I can thoroughly enjoy a book while seeing its faults.  If I write a purely positive (or negative) review, I am going to affect how that writer feels about themselves, their book or even me for that day but if I write a critical review, then it may contribute to that writer’s craft, and writing is a craft.”

Dan Jones, author of books on Autism and Hypnotherapy: “I like to have at least a couple of good, honest (4/5 star) reviews early on in a book’s launch. I don’t think about reviews beyond this. And I only look at my reviews if perhaps I want to share some comments onto Twitter or Facebook. I’m more interested in readers sharing that they liked my books with their friends.

“If I have strong views on something I will leave a review and rating 1-5. I’ve no problem leaving any rating if I feel strongly about it and feel I should say what I want to say.”

Christopher Joyce, children’s author: ” I think authors may get a little obsessed about reviews mistakingly thinking they affect sales rankings. They don’t. When your book is found on Amazon, they certainly help. The trick is getting it found in the first place.”

Rosemary Noble, historical novelist: “I am slightly ambivalent. It’s great to have some good reviews, but there are always people who will hate your book. I am astonished when I read something amazing and then see reviews of 1 and 2 stars.”

Derek Nudd, non-fiction author and reviewer: “To me, star reviews are just too blunt an instrument. Five should really be kept for something of truly pivotal influence, either on the language or the wider world. For most of us that leaves four to play with – dock one for this and another for that, we can easily sound unjustly harsh. I have given three-star ratings – with explanation – and positive written reviews to books I keep by me in the ready-reference pile. I have to say I’m mainly thinking of non-fiction here.”

Michael Parker, thriller writer: “Reviews seem to be a necessary evil in the book world. I try very hard not to read my reviews because often the review says more about the reviewer than the book itself.”

Angela Pitch, historical novelist: “Reviews to me are very important, especially when they come from complete strangers; it means so much when somebody objective comments.

“I always review books I read but would not bother if I felt less than 3 stars was deserved. If I felt it would help the author, I would send a private message with a suggestion for improvement.”

Patricia Feinberg Stoner, author of comic verse and limericks: “I think honest reviews are useful. The problem comes when someone you know gives you their book to review. If you hate it, what do you do? And even if you love it, can you be totally unbiased?”

Emily Williams, author of women’s fiction and YA novels: “I love to receive reviews, and they all mean a lot to me when I receive them, that someone has taken time to read my book and leave their thoughts. They do seem to make a difference to sales, as in the larger quantity of reviews the more sales.

“When it comes to writing reviews I do tend to just write the positives I found and leave out anything negative, especially public reviews on Amazon. Thoughts and advice, on the other hand, can be shared privately.”

Thank you to all of the Chindi Authors who kindly shared their opinions.

For me, I love to receive reviews that show someone has taken something positive from their reading experience. As I know how important they are to me as a writer, I also make sure I leave reviews when I have enjoyed a book too. A glance through my blog will show you my motto that size doesn’t matter, even a short review will do, and for authors trying to get their work, and their name noticed this is very true. It also reminds readers that if they could take a moment to leave even a sentence or two, it is appreciated.

Thank you so much for reading my blog. Whether you are a reader, a writer or both, I’d love to hear what reviews mean to you too! x

Review of Emily Williams’ Rafferty Lincoln Loves

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Rafferty Lincoln Loves by Emily Williams, foreword by Frankie Dettori MBE

The Blurb

Rafferty Lincoln Loves… 

A sensational and compelling, coming of age story for older YA (young adult) readers and adults. Foreword by Frankie Dettori MBE, ambassador for the British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre. 

Rafferty Lincoln doesn’t like horses. Not one bit. But when the popular high school girl of his dreams, Liberty Ashburn pulls him into a world of lead ropes and horse brushes, who is he to say no?

Except this isn’t any old horse. This is the missing racehorse, Profits Red Ridge. The horse Rafferty and three of his friends are hiding from the world. And Liberty Ashburn isn’t just any ordinary high school girl. How far will Rafferty go to win her over?

Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Lutino Publications (13 Feb. 2018)

My review:

An enjoyable coming of age romance with an adventure that puts a group of teenagers to the test. Developed around the children discovering what they believe to be a missing racehorse, the adventure propels the group of unlikely friends on a journey of self-discovery. I tend to read HEA books, but as this is the second book I have read from this author I knew to expect something a little different. I wasn’t wrong. The writing, like the story, is engaging and keeps you turning the pages. The moral, that actions have consequences, is hit home in a thought-provoking manner, that will touch even the hardest heart. The characters are diverse, interesting, well developed and relatable. Another great Emily Williams read and how fab that the proceeds from this book will be donated to the British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre!

Click to buy the book.

About the author:

Emily Williams lives by the seaside in West Sussex with her family and a menagerie of small pets. After graduating from Sussex University with a BA in Psychology, Emily trained as a primary school teacher and teaches in a local school.

Letters to Eloise is her debut novel. Her new novel, the YA fiction Rafferty Lincoln Loves… will be released this year. The proceeds from the book will be donated to the British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre.

Find Emily Williams on Twitter and Facebook.

Thank you for the great read Emily. My reviews are added to Amazon UK and Goodreads x