Blog Tour - Love Unscripted by Owen Nicholls

Today I am delighted to be taking part in Headline and Random Things blog tour to celebrate the publication of Love Unscripted by Owen Nicholls.

Owen Nicholls’ Love, Unscripted is an uplifting love story, following film projectionist, Nick as he tries to understand the difference between love on the silver screen and love in real life. Perfect for fans of David Nicholls, Nick Hornby and Laura Barnett.

For Nick, love should look like it does on the big screen. And when he meets Ellie on the

eve of the 2008 presidential election, it finally does. 

For four blissful years, Nick loved Ellie

as much as he loved his job as a film projectionist in his local cinema. Life seemed picture perfect.
But now it’s 2012, Ellie has moved out and Nick’s trying to figure out where it all
went wrong. With Ellie gone and his life falling part, Nick wonders if their romance could
ever be as perfect as the night they met.

Can love really be as it is in the movies?


Love Unscripted is a great read and I think it would make a great film. There are great characters who are realistic and loveable. 

The story is littered with references to both film and music and I loved these excerpts as they were perfectly added seamlessly and all added to the magic of the story. 

The storyline talks about the realities of love - life is not as it is portrayed on the big screen and Nick discovers this through his romance with Ellie.

I found that Nick was a great character, there were times when I felt for him in his struggles but also times when I wanted to give him a real good talking to as he strived to make things perfect as he had seen in on the big screen, when really he needs to listen to his heart and take a step back to re-evaluate the situation.

Love Unscripted is a great read and, as mentioned in the synopsis above, it is perfect for fans of David Nicholls and has some great similarities to Simon Curtis' films.

Thank you to the publishers, Headline Review, and to Random Things blog tours for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and for a copy of the book in return for an honest review. 













Thank you to Headline and Random Things for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Blog Tour - Home Truths by Susan Lewis

Today I am delighted to be taking part in Harper Fiction's blog tour to celebrate the publication of Home Truths by Susan Lewis.

How far would you go to keep your family safe?

Angie Watts had the perfect ordinary family. A new home. A beloved husband. Three adored children.

But Angie’s happy life is shattered when her son Liam falls in with the wrong crowd. And when her son’s bad choices lead to the murder of her husband, it’s up to Angie to hold what’s left of her family together.

Her son is missing. Her daughter is looking for help in dangerous places. And Angie is fighting just to keep a roof over their heads.

But Angie is a mother. And a mother does anything to protect her children – even when the world is falling apart.

Home Truths is an honest and thought provoking tale, with family at the heart of the story and the lengths a mother will go to to protect her family and keep them safe.

I really enjoyed Home Truths. It is a story that could happen to anybody and is thought provoking and, at times, heart breaking. The storyline is current and it addresses many current issues which are becoming more and more frequent.

I found the characters likeable and very realistic and could easily be people who I would have in my own friendship circle. The story is a stark reminder of how things can change in an instant and how mothers will do anything to protect their family.

Although the storyline may appear to be one of sadness, it really is a great read and one that I would recommend as the perfect summer read.

Thank you to Harper Fiction for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Books On Tour - Date Night by Samantha Hayes

Today I am delighted to be taking part in Bookouture's Books On Tour to celebrate the publication of Samatha Hayes latest novel, Date Night.

Returning early from a disastrous date night with my husband, I know something is wrong the moment the wheels crunch the gravel drive of our home. Inside, the TV is on and a half-eaten meal waits on the table. My heart stops when I find our little girl is alone in the house and our babysitter, Sasha, is missing…
Days later, when I’m arrested for Sasha’s murder and torn away from my perfect little family, I’ll wish I had told someone about the threatening note I received that morning.

I’ll hate myself for not finding out who the gift hidden inside my husband’s wardrobe was for.

I’ll scream from the rooftops that I’m innocent – but no one will listen.

I will realise I was completely wrong about everything that happened that night…

But will you believe me?

Samantha Hayes always writes brilliant psychological thrillers which keeps readers on the endge of their seats to that final page and Date Night is another such read, with an ending that I didn't expect.

The story is based on secrets and lies and with an added extra of control which drives the story in an uncomfortable direction.

There are two timelines throughout the story of Then and Now and it swaps between the two as the story unfolds and builds with a crescendo to the very end, where the truth is discovered.

This is an edge of your seat read which will keep the reader hooked in until the very end.

Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me to take part in the Books on Tour promotion and for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Blog Tour - When You Were Mine by Lisa Swift

Lifeisalovesongwhenyoufindtherightnotes

MaggieandIbbymakeupahappy–ifunconventional–family.Aftermeetingatuniversity,theynowliveinthevillageofApplecroftonthebeautifulWestCountrycoast.

Okay,soIbby’sgayandpronetodisastrousdates,whilecouples’counsellorMaggiespendsherdayshelpingpeoplewiththeirrelationshipproblemsdespitehavingnosexlifeofherown.Nevertheless,they’redevotedtobringingupteenagedaughterAmelia–theresultofadrunkenone-nightstandwhentheywerestudents–inastableandlovingfamily.

Untilafacefromthepast–intheformofhard-partyingrockstarJordanNash–disruptstheirquietlives.AsJordanstruggleswithhispersonaldemonsandoldsecretsarerevealed,canMaggieandIbbystaystrong?Orwillbringingbackthepastthreatenallthatthey’vebuiltinthepresent?

Afeelgood,heart-warmingnovelaboutaboutfirstlovesandsecondchances.FansofHollyMartin,DaniAtkinsandHeidiSwainwillbecaptivated.

LisaSwiftisthepseudonymforbestsellingwomen'sfictionnovelist,MaryJayneBaker.
 

Life is a love song when you find the right notes

Maggie and Ibby make up a happy – if unconventional – family. After meeting at university, they now live in the village of Applecroft on the beautiful West Country coast.

Okay, so Ibby’s gay and prone to disastrous dates, while couples’ counsellor Maggie spends her days helping people with their relationship problems despite having no sex life of her own. Nevertheless, they’re devoted to bringing up teenage daughter Amelia – the result of a drunken one-night stand when they were students – in a stable and loving family.

Until a face from the past – in the form of hard-partying rock star Jordan Nash – disrupts their quiet lives. As Jordan struggles with his personal demons and old secrets are revealed, can Maggie and Ibby stay strong? Or will bringing back the past threaten all that they’ve built in the present?

My second blog tour today is for Lisa Swift's 'When You Were Mine' which is a lovely, easy read which I lost myself in on a long weekend.

There are many themes within this book including ambition and second chances and I found it an empowering read where the underlying message is that it is possible to reinvent yourself and lead the life you want.

I loved the unconventional family and found them relateable and believable.

I recommend this as a great summer read.

Thank you to Hera Books and to Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and for a copy of the book in return for an honest review. 

Life is a love song when you find the right notes

Maggie and Ibby make up a happy – if unconventional – family. After meeting at university, they now live in the village of Applecroft on the beautiful West Country coast.

Okay, so Ibby’s gay and prone to disastrous dates, while couples’ counsellor Maggie spends her days helping people with their relationship problems despite having no sex life of her own. Nevertheless, they’re devoted to bringing up teenage daughter Amelia – the result of a drunken one-night stand when they were students – in a stable and loving family.

Until a face from the past – in the form of hard-partying rock star Jordan Nash – disrupts their quiet lives. As Jordan struggles with his personal demons and old secrets are revealed, can Maggie and Ibby stay strong? Or will bringing back the past threaten all that they’ve built in the present?

A feel good, heart-warming novel about about first loves and second chances. Fans of Holly Martin, Dani Atkins and Heidi Swain will be captivated.

Lisa Swift is the pseudonym for bestselling women's fiction novelist, Mary Jayne Baker.

Blog Tour - The School Run by Helen Whitaker

Today I am taking part in Compulsive Readers Blog Tour to celebrate the publication of Helen Whitaker's 'The School Run'.

Two mothers.  Two best friends. One school place.

Old friends Imogen and Lily will do whatever it takes to get their children into the perfect school.

Two mothers. Two daughters. One school place.

Imogen and Lily are old friends - they've shared hangovers, unsuitable boyfriends and wild nights out together. But now they're mums, and their partying days are behind them.

When a place comes up at one of the best primary schools in the area, both women want it for their daughters. From faking religious beliefs to bogus break-ups, Imogen and Lily will go to any lengths to secure the perfect school for their children - and so will all the other mothers.

Will their friendship survive the strain? Will their marriages take the pressure? And when a sexy new vicar arrives on the scene, will the mothers' keep focus for long enough to keep their eyes on the prize?

'The School Run' is a laugh out loud, true to life tale of life at the school gates and the lengths people go to to ensure that they get the school place they want for their child at the best primary school possible.

Life at the school gates could be a soap opera. Having two children I am well aware of the leading conversations, unobvious boasting and comparisons parents will divulge throughout, seemingly, innocent conversations and these are all included within Helen's brilliant book. 

Thank you to Compulsive Readers and Trapeze for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and for a copy of the book in return for an honest review. 

Blog Tour - The Undoing of Arlo Knott by Heather Child

Today I am taking part in Compulsive Reader's blog tour to celebrate the publication of Heather Child's novel. The Undoing of Arlo Knott.

What if your life had an 'undo' button?

Arlo Knott discovers he can rewind time - just by a minute or two - enough to undo any mistake, say the right thing or impress his friends with his uncanny predictions...

But second chances aren't all they're cracked up to be. As wonderful as his new life is, a mistake in Arlo's traumatic childhood still haunts him and the temptation to undo, undo and keep undoing is too much to resist.

'The Undoing of Arlo Knott' is an intriguing and unique tale which I found thought provoking and addictive. 

What would life be like if you could rewind time by a few minutes to undo mistakes or change a decision? This very idea is the premise for 'The Undoing of Arlo Knott'.

I found the idea of this book brilliant. It has a brilliant lead character in Arlo Knott - he had so many sides to him, a disturbed character due to his traumatic childhood and relationships with his parents. 

Thank you to Compulsive Readers and the publishers, Orbit, for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Books on Tour - The Beekeeper's Cottahge by Emma Davies

Today I am pleased to be taking part in Bookouture's Books on Tour to celebrate the publication of Emma Davies new release, The Beekeeper's Cottage.

Comforted by the gentle hum of the beehives at the bottom of the garden, Grace drains the last of her tea and walks slowly back towards the little hillside house she adores. Her marriage is over, but is it too late to start her life again?

Beekeeper Grace thought throwing out her cheating husband would be the hardest thing she ever did. But when she opens the door to a property developer one morning, it’s clear that keeping the beautiful home and garden – her only sanctuary throughout her miserable marriage – will be the greatest challenge of all…

Fleeing to her best friend at the flower farm next door, Grace blurts out all her problems, only to be overheard by Amos, a handsome, free-spirited visitor in bright red Doc Martens. Fascinated by Grace and her bees, Amos offers to stay in the village of Hope Corner, to help turn her home into a guest house in return for lessons on beekeeping.

As Grace shows Amos how to nurture a hive and harvest honeycomb without getting stung, he is charming but secretive. He never stays long in the same place after an incident in his past involving a mysterious woman named Maria. But as their eyes lock over a jar of homemade honey, Grace can’t help feeling that she’d really like him to stay…

Determined to dispel her growing suspicion that Amos is running from something serious, Grace goes in search of the truth about Maria. But when she finds it, will she still want Amos to put down roots in Hope Corner, and will they still have a house to return to?

I really enjoy Emma Davies books, they are cosy, set in beautiful settings and have a romantic feel running throughout the storyline and The Beekeeper's Cottage is no exception.

Set in Hope Corner, a setting which has featured in a number of Emma's books it was great to return and to meet new characters along with a number of the locals. It is the sequel to The House at Hope Corner but could easily be read as a standalone book, although I am sure that once The Beekeeper's Cottage has been read readers will be eagerly reading The House at Hope Corner too. 

There is a sadness in the book which needs to be resolved and soon the romance soon appears. It is a great book to devour on a sunlounger, on a long journey or a relaxing weekend, with characters that are an instant hit and in a stunning location. 

Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me to take part in the Books on Tour and for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Blog Tour - The Girl at the Window by Rowan Coleman

Today I am delighted to be taking part in the blog tour to celebrate the publication of Rowan Coleman's latest novel, The Girl at the Window.

A beautiful new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Memory Book and The Summer of Impossible Things 

The Girl at the Window is a beautiful and captivating novel set at Ponden Hall, a centuries-old house on the Yorkshire moors and famously used as a setting for Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. Known as the place where Cathy’s ghost taps on the window, Emily Bronte used to visit often with her sisters and use the extensive library there. It’s a magical place full of stories. 

In The Girl at the Window, Ponden Hall is where Trudy Heaton grew up, but also where she ran away from… Now, after the devastating loss of her husband, Trudy returns home with her young son, Will, who refuses to believe his father is dead. While Trudy tries to do her best for her son, she must also attempt to build bridges with her eccentric mother. And then there is the Hall itself: fallen into disrepair but generations of lives and loves still echo in its shadows, sometimes even reaching out to the present...

The Girl at the Window is hauntingly beautiful, and centred on an epic love story with a twist that draws you in fast. The strong themes of grief, absent fathers and maternal instincts are consistent emotional pulls throughout. Trudy and Abe are the ultimate love story, but there is also a wonderfully atmospheric ghostly mystery to be solved as well.

When I heard that Rowan Coleman was writing a novel based at the setting for Wuthering Heights I was immediately awaiting its publication and it was well worth the wait!

The Girl at the Window is set at Ponden Hall, a house set on the Yorkshire Moors, which adds an air of mystery and intrigue to the story. Add to this the eerie atmosphere and the ghosts that reside in the property and it sets the scene perfectly.

I really enjoyed the book - it is a different style to Rowan Coleman's back catalogue but it is fantastic. Rowan's love for Wuthering Heights is evident throughout the book as the storyline mirrors some of its predecessor but it is a story that is around family, with estranged families reuniting and the loss of a father.  I don't usually like ghost stories but The Girl at the Window is an exception to the rule - it is so much more than a ghost story and has characters that I empathised with and cared with.

I recommend this book as a great summer read. It transports the reader directly to the Yorkshire Moors and I will be rereading Wuthering Heights again soon to remind myself of the magic it instils.

Thank you to the publishers, Ebury, and to Random Things Blog Tours for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Blog Tour - Headshot by Victoria Nixon

Today I am pleased to open the blog tour for Victoria Nixon's memoir, Head Shot.

A girl from a Yorkshire mining town is barely thirteen when her father kills himself – her brother finds him dying. At sixteen she’s spotted by a rock star and becomes an international Vogue model. Seven years later her brother kills himself in her New York apartment and her mother dies too. With no family left, her life is now one of extreme choices.

Fifty years later, Victoria confronts her past and takes her readers on an unflinching voyage through her experiences as a model and beyond. Speaking frankly about loss, love, friendship and ambition, Head Shot is a book of inspiration and purpose.

Packed with astonishing images by the photographers Victoria worked with, and the defiant fashions she wore throughout her career, it also bears witness to a time of unparalleled cultural energy and invention; it’s a story in which bags and shoes can, and do, sit right next to life and death.

Wow, Head Shot, is a no holes bared personal account of the life of a model which started with a chance meeting with a rock star.

Head Shot is an honest and frank memoir, where the reader is able to track the highs and extreme lows of Victoria Nixon's life. It also tracks fashions and trends through the photographs included.

The reader will follow Victoria through her life, one which includes the death of her mother and brother, which make her stronger and determined to succeed.

This is a hard hitting, honest and frank memoir which is a must read for any wannabe model or for fashionista's who grew up in the 60s and 70s and remembers Victoria Nixon gracing the cover of magazines and catwalks.

Thank you to the publishers, Unbound and to Random Things Blog Tours, for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.