Book Review: Reach for the Stars by Maxine Morrey

I’m so pleased to be welcoming Maxine Morrey back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Reach for the Stars.

Felicity was never meant to end up with a money-pit farmhouse to renovate and a broken heart to heal…

But when Fliss attempts to drown the sorrow of seeing her ex-fiancé and his new wife’s magazine-worthy wedding all over social media, one rash decision loses her a job and gains her a doer-upper in the blink of an eye.

The only bright spot of living in the country is the very dishy and very handy loveliest-man-ever Jesse Woods. And when Fliss’s new roof has an ill-advised meeting with a tree in the middle of the night resulting in her literally seeing stars, there’s only one thing for it. She’s going to have to accept Jesse’s help and a place to stay.

City girl Fliss is at rock bottom but if anyone can teach her to turn her gaze from the gutter to the stars it’s Jesse Woods. She’s been burnt trusting men before, but Jesse may just be worth breaking her own rules for…

*****

Felicity not only has to deal with her ex’s wedding being everywhere, she also loses her job. Learning that alcohol and the Internet shouldn’t mix, she soon finds herself the owner of a renovation project. Is it too much or can Jessie help her? 

I am a fan of Maxine’s novels and I was so pleased to be part of the blog tour her latest book, Reach For The Stars. It has a cute cover and I couldn’t wait to get started. 

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Book Review: Starting Over at Starlight Cottage by Debbie Viggiano

I’m delighted to be welcoming Debbie Viggiano to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Starting Over at Starlight Cottage.

49-year-old Tilly Thomas would never have known any different if she hadn’t unexpectedly turned up at hubby Robin’s office to surprise him with an off-the-cuff evening at the theatre.  Instead, the surprise is on Tilly when she interrupts Robin and his young PA in a compromising position. 

Stumbling from the office, blinded by tears, Tilly thanks God she was never gifted the children she once craved and is spared explaining why Mummy and Daddy will now be living apart.  Instead, Tilly has an adopted daughter – but this little girl has a wet nose and warm heart. 

Mongrel Cindy is privy to all her mummy’s hopes and dreams as Tilly prepares to start over in the village of Starlight Croft.  Thank goodness a dog can’t speak because Cindy knows things her mistress has never shared, including a secret that once broke Tilly’s heart.

As Tilly prepares to embrace an unknown future and make peace with her past, she discovers that sometimes difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations…

*****

Tilly is 49, works for an estate agent and believes she is happy…ish married. When she finds her husband with his assistant, she doesn’t know what to do. Then, she finds Starlight Cottage. However, has someone else got there first? 

I believe this is the first novel I’ve read by this author. I loved the cover and the premise intrigued me a lot especially the fact that she had a dog by her side. Although my companions are feline rather than canine, I still related to Tilly in regard to talking to them and hearing replies back. Hahaha. 

I couldn’t wait to get started. 

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NK Chats To…Louise Davidson

Hi Louise. Thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your novel, The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond and what inspired it? Have you always had a fascination with Gothic and Tarot?

Hi, so excited for this Q&A! So, The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond is my first novel. Set in 1890, it tells the story of Julia Pearlie, a young woman who is hired to act as an etiquette coach for the mysterious Olivia Richmond. She discovers Olivia has a witchy reputation and Olivia’s father, Doctor Richmond, would like Julia to convince his daughter that her ‘powers’ are not real, but the more Julia gets to know Olivia, the more she begins to wonder if they really are…

Story ideas always come to me like a movie trailer playing in my head and when I came up with this one, I had an image of a young woman in white, standing at a set of French windows staring out over an overgrown lawn towards dark woods beyond and there was something waiting for her in the trees. I took that and ran with it.

I have always really enjoyed creepy psychological tales. I first encountered tarot through my aunt who used to read them and as I studied literature more – and began to teach it – I was really interested in gothic as a genre because of how it explored individuals and society so the interest went from there.

 

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have a favourite place to write? Prefer noise or silence? Any other writing rituals?

I’m a full-time teacher so writing days tend to be during holidays and weekends and it happens wherever it can – there’s very little aesthetic going on! I wrote ‘Fortunes…’ either sitting at the kitchen table with my laptop or getting up early on a Saturday morning with my stepson and writing on the sofa while he watched Pokemon or Beyblade.

I do have a home office set up now though so when I can, I’ll make a cup of tea, light a scented candle (ambience. Very important.) and play some music that I feel reflects the mood I want to create or the scene that I’m writing. For instance, I listened to lots of Victorian waltzes when writing the party scenes in ‘Fortunes…’
If I’m writing a scary scene, I’ll try to write it at night in silence. That way, if I get nervous or scared, I know it will scare other people!

 

What were the challenges you found when writing your novel?

Plotting versus just writing and overcomplicating things for myself.

Technically a gothic novel is three books in one because they’re a ghost story, a mystery and (if you want to make your life difficult like me) a romance and so having a clear plan feels important. It’s easy to get stuck on the plotting and feel like you’re making headway, but plotting isn’t writing, and books are wily creatures. You’ll have everything mapped out and planned, and then you’ll start writing and realise that, in practice, that plan doesn’t work, or the characters take the wheel and start driving you in a different direction.

It’s easy to feel frustrated and like you’ve ‘wasted time’ plotting or try to force the book into the shape you’ve planned for it and in either situation, you can (like me) come up with over complicated ‘fixes’ when really the important thing is to just enjoy writing and let the story be what it is. It’s meant to be fun – let the process do its thing.

 

From idea to finished book, what’s your writing process like and how long does it typically take you? Any advice on research, starting and editing?

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Book Extract: Casa Paradiso – 300 Years in the Life of a House by Francesca Scanacapra

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Francesca Scanacapra back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Casa Paradiso – 300 Years in the Life of a House which is book four in the Paradiso series. 

Lombardy, Northern Italy, 1637

Cristó Lovetta, a skilled stonemason, arrives in the rural village of Pieve Santa Clara to work on a nobleman’s house.

Haunted by a tragic past, Cristó wonders if he will ever find happiness again. However, as he immerses himself in his work, the warmth of the community and the beauty of the landscape convince him to begin a new life there.

Cristó designs and builds his own house, which he names Casa Paradiso. Over the centuries, Casa Paradiso becomes home to many generations, standing testament to lives beginning and ending, and witnessing the everyday challenges and triumphs of its inhabitants – from love lost and found, to the tragedies of war, the far-reaching consequences of political decisions made by powerful men and the evolving role of women in Italian society.

Casa Paradiso – the fourth instalment of the Paradiso Novels – is a shining, evocative saga spanning three hundred years in the life of a very special house, and a book that explores the enduring strength of the human spirit, contrasted with the transient nature of life itself.

 

Francesca has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy it. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

This is the start of the third story in the book, beginning in 1680. Carolina Lovetta has inherited Paradiso and the house’s colourful and rich history is being formed bit by bit, as fascination people visit this strong, independent woman in her home.

1680

CAROLINA LOVETTA

Casa Paradiso was a respectable establishment of excellent reputation, catering for select paying guests. It was both owned and run by Carolina Lovetta, now in the thirty-sixth year of her life. She was a woman of many talents – resourceful, industrious and highly-esteemed within the community.

Carolina had written signboards placed along the Via Postumia advertising rooms to let, which worked well to attract the right calibre of clientele, because only those who were able to read could follow them. Her lodgers included merchants, members of the clergy, men of law and men of letters, as well as a regular traffic of artisans, particularly those associated with the luthiery crafts. With Pieve Santa Clara being situated not quite twenty miles from Cremona – a city world-renowned for the manufacture of the finest stringed instruments – Casa Paradiso was perfectly positioned as a rest-stop. Even Maestro Antonio Stradivari himself, the most famed of Cremona’s violin-makers, had stayed with Carolina on numerous occasions. His employees and fellow luthiers were frequent guests, and Maestro Stradivari even recommended Casa Paradiso to his clients.

That crisp late autumn morning Carolina was seeing off Signor Zucca, a cordaro by profession, procurer and spinner of strings for musical instruments. He always overnighted at Casa Paradiso to rest both himself and his horses on his way to and from the sheep pastures of Colazzo. Sheep gut made for the most prized strings, not just for the bowed instruments, such as violins, violas and cellos; but also for lutes, guitars and mandolins, all of which were produced in Cremona.

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Novel Kicks Book Club: The Most Wonderful Crime Of The Year by Ally Carter

Can you hear those bells? Ho, Ho, Ho, it’s December. 

For me, this time of year means advent calendars (I am firmly in the never too old for one camp), decorating my Christmas tree, Christmas films, even the really cheesy ones, and belting out the Christmas songs. I’m not so sure if my neighbours are a fan of the last one.

Another thing I love about this time of year is the Christmas fiction. There’s not many things I like more than to find a cozy jumper and snuggle down with the Christmas lights on. Also required – a hot chocolate, a cat curled up on my lap and a festive novel to fall into.

I can’t do much about the hot chocolate, the cat or the comfy spot from here but I can give you a suggestion for a book. This month, the book I’ve picked is The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter.

This book sounds amazing. The blurb makes it feels so fun. Festive feels and a puzzle – what else could I ask for?  I am a big fan of this author and I hope that you’ll join me in reading this novel this month.

Our book club is open to anyone and you don’t even have to go out in the horrible weather. Don’t worry if you’ve not started yet, you are welcome to join in at any point in the month or maybe you’ve already read it? I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts about this book in the comments below. I have even added a question to get the discussion going.

However you approach December, I hope you have a wonderful month full of twinkly lights and chocolate.

 

*****

 

About The Most Wonderful Crime Of The Year – 

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Book Review: A Skye Full of Stars by Sue Moorcroft

We are so pleased to be welcoming Sue Moorcroft back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, A Skye Full of Stars.

Under the winter stars, anything is possible…

Ezzie Wynter can’t wait for Christmas on the beautiful Isle of Skye. Her island home sparkles at this time of year thanks to the snow-capped mountains and frosty winter walks, topped off with family gatherings with those she loves the most.

But her peaceful Christmas idyll is upended when she hears that the Larson family – the owners of Rothach Hall – are flying in from Sweden for the festivities. As Manager of their grand Scottish manor house, Ezzie suddenly has decorations to hang, food to source and itineraries to organise.

Life only becomes more difficult when Mats Larson turns up. The owners’ handsome, self-assured son is used to doing things his own way – and he is only another headache to add to her overflowing list.

Yet when unexpected visitors arrive looking for Ezzie, nothing else matters as she is left questioning everything she ever knew about herself. But amidst the Christmas chaos, she might also discover that, when all is lost, it’s sometimes those we least expect who come to our aid…

A beautiful, escapist festive tale to curl up with by the fire this Christmas. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Karen Swan.

*****

For this, the second book in the author’s Sky trilogy, we focus on Ezzie.

Single and supposedly happy with how her life was going, she only begins to rethink her life choices after her sister Thea finds love in the first book. Mats, the son of the owner of the stately home she’s the manager of, turns up and unexpectedly, Ezzie feels her heart begin to open up to the possibility of falling in love.

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NK Chats To…Soulla Christodoulou

Hello Soulla. Thank you so much for joining me today and inviting Novel Kicks onto the blog tour for your book, The Magic of Miramare.

Aww, thanks so much. I appreciate you taking the time to chat to me like this.

 

What’s your typical writing day like and do you have any writing rituals – like a favourite place to write? Silence or noise?

Definitely silence and it’s what prompted my partner to build my own little haven away from the house. I’m now lucky enough to have a beautiful writing room tucked into the corner of my garden. It has lighting and heating and internet access so I can hide away all day writing—I usually start early, sometimes as early as 7am—and do my researching and planning for my books, social media campaigns and client edits. I can keep going for hours and sometimes even forget to stop for lunch. The back wall of my space is covered in pictures from magazines to inspire me and the other has shelves which house most of my books; all organised by colour. It really is a special place and during the pandemic I wrote Alexander and Maria in there in just a few short weeks.

 

What were the challenges when writing a novel from the point of view of three characters and what’s the most important thing to remember when doing so?

My second novel, The Summer Will Come was written from the POV of four different characters and each POV started with a new chapter. I have done the something similar with The Magic of Miramare. I like the use of multi viewpoints in that it brings the reader closer to the character and their thought processes and helps them to understand the characters’ motivations and behaviours better.

 

What’s your favourite word and why?

My favourite word is serendipity, not only is it such a beautiful sounding word but it brings so much magic to our everyday, ordinary lives. I have found that so many of my happiest moments and opportunities have arrived just by chance, as if by magic, and the feeling of being in the right place at just the right time, not a moment too early or too late, for me, speaks volumes about how amazing the power of God, and the Universe, are.

 

If you could visit a fictional world for a day, where would you go and why?

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NK Chats To…Susan Buchanan (Plus a Giveaway To Win A Copy Of A Little Christmas Spirit)

Hello Susan, thank you so much for joining me and for inviting Novel Kicks onto the blog tour for your book, A Little Christmas Spirit. Could you tell us a little about your latest novel, A Little Christmas Spirit and what inspired it? 

Hi, thanks for having me. Well, it’s the third in the series, and the main character, Lara, who pulls everyone together in this story, is now 9 years old. It has been a long time since the last Christmas Spirit book (2015) so I specifically ensured Lara was the right age for everything to happen organically. We’re back at the Sugar and Spice café, now owned by her mum Tabitha and her uncle Jacob. Because of Lara’s age, and her key role in the novel, a great part of the book is set in her school, with all the Christmas events that throws up.

 

Which songs would make up a playlist for your novel?

This is a tough one, as I’ve never really thought about it. How about ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ by Mariah Carey. ‘Merry Christmas, Everyone’ by Shakin’ Stevens. ‘Wonderful Christmastime’ by Paul McCartney. You’ve got me on a roll here, now! ‘Step Into Christmas’ by Elton John, and ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham.

 

What’s your typical writing day like and do you have any writing rituals, for example, writing in silence, needing coffee? 

I don’t have a typical writing day as every one is different and I don’t write every day. When I do write, sometimes I write a lot, like 12,000 words, to finish a book. As I also edit other authors’ books, sometimes it depends on my workload, and in the run-up to launch of a new book, I have a lot of business things that need doing: admin, processes. However, with regards to the actual writing, yes, I need silence and lots of coffee. Apart from that, I just lose myself in my world!

 

From idea to finished book, what’s your process like? How do you approach editing and when do you know when you’ve done enough preparation/research prior to starting? 

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Book Extract: The Revenge Pact by Liz Mistry

I’m pleased to be welcoming Liz Mistry to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, The Revenge Pact.

TWO DEATHS

Tommy and Markie Jones are found dead at the side of a main road in Scotland.

TWO RIVALS

Detectives Jazzy Solanki and Annie McQueen are on the scene where the bodies are identified as the nephews of Jimmy Nails, head of a notable gang in Glasgow. The turf war between the gangs of Glasgow and Edinburgh has existed for years, but these murders are seen as an escalation in violence.

ONE UNFORGIVABLE BETRAYAL

As the investigation unfolds, there’s suspicion about a leak within the police force, and to her dismay Jazzy is asked to keep a watchful eye on someone close to her.

With distrust mounting on all sides, can the pair uncover the truth before someone else is killed?

 

Liz has shared an extract from The Revenge Pact with us today. We hope you enjoy it. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

The Turf Wars Begin

This is an extract from Chapter 1 of The Revenge Pact which sets the scene for the violence that the turf wars between Edinburgh and Glasgow organised criminal gangs are perpetrating in West Lothian.

It also reintroduces us to my two wonderfully unique and formidable, yet very different female detectives, Scottish Indian DS Jazzy Solanki who is in her mid-twenties and because of past trauma is more reserved and finds it hard to trust. DC Queenie (Annie) McQueen is in her early fifties and despite her own share of past trauma, she’s loud, brash, verging on obnoxious, but absolutely hilarious.

 

Chapter 1

‘As warfare between gangs in Edinburgh and Glasgow peaks, a new report into the extent of criminal gang activity in our cities and proposals to combat it will be published today by the Scottish Government. Later on we’ll have an MSP spokesperson to comment on the impact of the report as well as . . .’ Continue reading

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NK Chats To… Ian McFadyen

Hi Ian, thank you so much for joining me today and inviting Novel Kicks onto the blog tour for your latest book. Can you tell me about your novel, Blood Matters and what inspired it?

Blood Matters is the tenth book in my Carmichael whodunit series. It’s set in rural Lancashire (as they all are) and starts with the discovery of a body down a dark unlit road. The murder victim is not from the area but is known to some of the residents of the small hamlet where he’s discovered. It quickly becomes apparent that the deceased was seen by the young man who found him and countless other people, less than 30 minutes earlier in the local pub, having a heated argument with one of the village residents.

The book was inspired by a twist I thought of when I was driving about 18 months ago.

 

What were the challenges you found when writing your novel, especially when it’s part of a series?

The main challenge when writing murder mysteries in a series is to come up with ideas for a plot, characters and a twist that are not just different from anything else in previous books in the series but that aren’t similar to whodunits written by other authors.

 

Which songs would make up a playlist for your book?

I’d go for tracks from the 80’s or 90’s.

 

From idea, to finished book, what’s your writing process like and how long does it typically take you?

It’s remarkably haphazard in that I write ferociously at times, but I can also not put finger to keyboard for a week or two if I’m mulling over how to tackle something I find tricky that’s coming up soon. I only write in the mornings and rarely write more than 1000 words a day (usually more like 500). Despite my seemingly chaotic approach I generally take about 1 year to write the first draft then 6 months recrafting parts to make them ready to share with my copy editor.

 

What’s your favourite word and why?

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Book Review: The Echoing Shore by J.H. Mann

I’m pleased to be welcoming J.H, Mann to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his book, The Echoing Shore.

A lifeboat is lost off Cornwall’s wild Atlantic coast. All eight crewmen die. The cause is never fully explained.
Ten years later, Kate Tregillis, the editor of a small, struggling newspaper, becomes obsessed with solving the longstanding mystery.
Her investigations provoke a backlash of threats and violence in the insular fishing community of St Branok. In exposing the truth, she risks the future of her newspaper and even her life – and discovers that the man she loves has his own secrets.

Praise for The Echoing Shore – A Yeovil Literary Prize award winner:

‘A gripping story full of twists and turns’ – Margaret James, Writing Magazine.

‘An enthralling read that keeps you guessing to the end’ – Victoria Howard, author and judge for the international 2023 Yeovil Literary Prize.

‘I would definitely pick this book up from the bookshop shelf’ – Claire Gradidge, winner of the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition.

***** 

It’s been nearly ten years since the Talan Bray was lost off the coast of Cornwall. The boat and her eight crew were never found.

Kate Tregillis, the editor of the local paper, along with new freelancer, Danny Flanagan try and solve the mystery. Many people say it was a tragic accident. However, the deeper Kate and Danny dig, the more threatened they feel. Someone doesn’t want them looking.

Can Kate and Danny get to the bottom of what happened to the lifeboat that disappeared all those years ago or will they not get the chance?

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Book Extract & Review: Dohva: The Land Within by Sophie Haeder

I’m so delighted to be welcoming Sophie Haeder to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her upcoming book, Dohva: The Land Within.

Embark on a journey to the enigmatic realm of Dohva, where elemental magic reigns supreme and ancient secrets lie buried beneath the mountains.

In the isolated land of Dohva, where souls are trapped in an endless cycle of rebirth by an ancient elemental sphere, a malevolent force wields the forbidden dark magic of the demon prince Agthod. Avala, a rebellious air sorceress haunted by the loss ofher closest friend, is driven to unravel the mysteries that have long plagued her world. She finds unlikely allies with three anti-heroes, a colourful and diverse cast who each struggle with their own demons and desires for redemption.

But as the shadows deepen and the threat grows, Avala and her newfound companions must set aside their differences and forge an uneasy bond. But can they confront this powerful enemy force that threatens to consume their world and change their destiny forever?

“Dohva – The Land Within” is the first book of an epic fantasy meets romantasy trilogy that will captivate readers from beginning to end and leave them eagerly anticipating the next installment in this spellbinding saga.

 

My review for the book is below as well as details on how you can pre-order the novel. Sophie has also shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy it. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

“What are you thinking, Avala? I can see you’re worried. What is it?” Sineth asked.

“I just think she might be expecting us to come to her.”

“So? Even if she does, she might not see everything we have planned. The most important thing is that Kalira and Kima can do their part. I can handle Venja,” Baldor said, stepping to the door. He opened it and stared in. For a moment, Avala thought he might not see anything, but he waved her inside. “Hold on to me, I’ll guide you. Avala, tell me where to go.”

She took Baldor’s hand, cold to the touch and strangely soft, like a child’s skin. It contrasted with the hand she took from Sineth, the familiar calluses of hard work. Somehow it calmed her nerves to hold hands with these two very different men.

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Book Review: A Little Place in Prague by Julie Caplin

I’m pleased to be welcoming Julie Caplin to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, A Little Place in Prague.

It’s been years since Anna has seen Leo Knight. And of all the apartments in all the cities in all the world, he just happens to walk in to her cosy new attic home – as her new housemate.

As the two walk the cobbled streets of Prague, taking in the sights and sounds from Wenceslas Square, frosted with snow, to the soft glow of candlelit Charles Bridge, the enchantment of the City of a Hundred Spires soon starts to work its magic on them…

*****

I was delighted to be invited onto the blog tour for A Little Place in Prague and I’d like to welcome Julie Caplin back to Novel Kicks. 

The premise for this novel sounded so good, I couldn’t wait to get started. Although this is book twelve in the Romantic Escapes series, it can be read as a standalone. So if this book is also your introduction to Julie Caplin’s book series, don’t fear. 

I want to give a shout out for the book cover. It’s absolutely stunning and one of my favourites of the year. 

I immediately got pulled into this novel and didn’t want to stop reading. Anna and Leo have crackling chemistry and seeing their relationship develop, as well as learning more about them, was an interesting and wonderful ride. 

Anna is a strong woman. She just doesn’t back herself enough. A lesson for us all perhaps?

Is Leo a ladies man or misunderstood? Well, I’m not telling.

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Book Spotlight: Murder at The Crooked Horse by Lesley Cookman

I’d like to welcome Lesley Cookman to Novel Kicks. Today, we are shining a spotlight on her latest book, Murder at The Crooked Horse.

Here’s a little about the novel – 

After learning of a suspicious attempt to burn down a beloved old pub, The Crooked Horse, Libby Sarjeant and her friend Fran reluctantly agree to investigate.

But when a local antiques dealer mysteriously disappears after apparently taking out his boat, it appears there are dark and sinister forces at play.

Can Libby and Fran uncover a connection between the fire and the missing man? And will unravelling a deadly case put them in terrible danger?

 

I don’t know about you but this book sounds amazing. It was released by Headline Accent on 7th November 2024. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Waterstones and Amazon US

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Book Review: The Wives by Valerie Keogh

I’m excited to be welcoming Valerie Keogh back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Wives.

Meet The Wives…

Lies, secrets, deadly decisions…

When Natasha meets Daniel, she knows her life is made. Rich, handsome and charming, Daniel will make the perfect husband. Even if she won’t make the perfect wife…

She is thrilled when Daniel suggests an all-expenses paid cruise for Natasha, her friends, Barbara, Tracy Ann and Michelle, and their husbands. What better way to show everyone that Natasha has finally made it?

But as the ship sets sail, she learns that far from being the perfect husband, Daniel has terrible secrets that are about to be revealed. And each of the wives has their own reasons for wanting him dead.

This trip might cost more than any of them ever imagined…

*****

When Natasha marries Daniel, she feels that her life can finally be her own again without having to go back to nursing. 

When Daniel suggests that she and their friends go on a cruise, the secrets and lies reveal themselves one by one and with fatal consequences. 

I always get super excited when Valerie Keogh releases a novel as I know it’s going to be a rollercoaster of a ride. This novel was no exception. 

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Book Extract: It Never Rains by Tony Bassett

I’m so pleased to be welcoming Tony Bassett back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his book,  It Never Rains – book six in the Detectives Roy and Roscoe crime fiction series.

It never rains but it pours . . .

When a ruthless gang burgles the home of a Premier League football player, DCI Gavin Roscoe and DS Sunita Roy suddenly have a murder and a kidnap on their hands.

The footballer’s stepson, Marcel, is taken from the palatial property whilst it is being ransacked, and his bodyguard is shot, stone cold dead.

To help them with their task, DI Parkes from the National Crime Agency’s Kidnap Unit joins the investigation but he has very different ideas about how the operation should be run.

While rain lashes the surrounding countryside, tempers rise, as do the flood waters.

Can the police track down this dangerous gang, unmask its malevolent ringleader, and reunite the boy with his family before it’s too late?

 

Tony has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

Chapter 16

Three detectives – DCI Gavin Roscoe, DI Joseph Parkes and DS Sunita Roy – are visiting footballer Jean-Jacques Beauvais and his wife Camille at their mansion near Worcester. The couple’s son Marcel has been kidnapped and the family have just received a message and video from the gang holding him.

Roscoe was meanwhile concerned about drafting a proper response to the text message.

‘Shall we sort out a reply now?’ he asked.

‘Yes,’ said Jean-Jacques. ‘What do you suggest?’

‘Just keep it simple,’ said Parkes. ‘I suggest you say, “Thank you for your message and for keeping Marcel safe. We await further instructions.”’

‘All right,’ said the footballer. ‘I will send that now.’

Parkes stepped across the room and took the phone from the Frenchman.

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A Moment With…Alice May

I’m so pleased to be welcoming Alice May to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, The Mid-life Trials of Annabeth Hope.

Two very different worlds are about to collide.

Feisty country girl Annabeth Hope has sworn off men since her ex abandoned her. Juggling three resentful step-teens, a hyperactive toddler, a smallholding, and a herd of rescued llamas, she has her hands full.

With the roof about to collapse on her crumbling New Forest home, she is desperate to find a way to hold her patchwork family together. The last thing she needs is an attractive distraction moving in next door.

Burnt-out inner-city doctor Rick Mahon has left London and his medical career behind in a moment of professional crisis. A malpractice lawsuit is on the horizon, and the cancel culture mob are snapping at his heels. His plan to stay under the radar is thrown off course when he meets his new neighbour and sparks start to fly.

Annabeth and Rick couldn’t be more different, but maybe they hold the key to each other’s happiness…

 

Alice joins us today to chat about inspiration and people watching so without further ado, it’s over to you. 

 

I love writing family dynamics. Finding the inspiration to write teen characters can be tricky, especially when you are trying to replicate their interactions with the adults in their lives. When I worked as a school librarian, it was interesting that pupils using the library often forgot that I was there. While I quietly moved around the room emptying the returns box and filing books back onto shelves, teenagers would chat openly with their friends about things they would never share in front of an adult. I wasn’t deliberately eavesdropping, but it was impossible to do my job without hearing what was being shared quite openly around me. Snippets of random conversations triggered ideas, situations and character quirks that went on to influence my writing.

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Book Review: The Fortunes Of Olivia Richmond by Louise Davidson

After a terrible tragedy, governess Julia Pearlie finds herself with no job, home, or references. When she’s offered a position as companion to Miss Olivia Richmond, her luck appears to be turning. But Mistcoate House is full of secrets.

Olivia has a sinister reputation. The locals call her the Mistcoate Witch, thanks to her tarot readings, and her insistence that she can speak to the dead. Her father, Dr Richmond, believes this to be girlish fantasy and is looking to Julia to put a stop to it.

Determined to prove herself and shake off her own murky history, Julia sets to work trying to help Olivia become a proper young lady. However, as she becomes a fixture at Mistcoate, it is soon clear that there may be more to Olivia’s stories than Dr Richmond would have Julia believe – not least because somehow, Olivia seems to know something of the darkness that Julia desperately hoped she had left behind.

As the danger grows, and the winter chill wraps around the dark woods surrounding Mistcoate, Julia will have to fight to uncover the truth, escape her past – and save herself.

*****

Julia Pearlie has found herself with no job and is trying to run from her past. When she is offered employment by Dr. Richmond, to prepare his daughter, Olivia for her introduction to society, she feels she has no choice.

However, things in this household are not what they seem and soon Julia finds herself being haunted by her past and feeling threatened by her present.

Having read the blurb for this novel, I couldn’t wait to get started and it seriously wasn’t long before I was completely engrossed in Julia’s story. I was completely hooked and didn’t want to stop reading. I am going to try and review without spoilers.

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Cover Reveal: Candlelight Dreams in Cosy Cove by Abbey Hicks

I’m so excited as I help to reveal the cover for Candlelight Dreams in Cosy Cove, the upcoming novel by Abbey Hicks.

Welcome to Cosy Cove, where love burns brighter than any candle!

Beth Williams thought her dreams had melted away after a devastating breakup, but she finds a flicker of hope at Harbour Lights, her artisan candle shop nestled in the heart of Cosy Cove. But just when Beth thinks she’s content with her quiet life, a ruggedly handsome stranger threatens to reignite her carefully guarded heart.

Enter Jacob Lawson, a charming journalist whose assignment in the quaint seaside town quickly becomes more than just another story. As Beth introduces him to the town’s hidden gems—from the bustling summer fair to sunset walks on the beach—Jacob finds himself captivated by more than the scenery.

But as their attraction simmers, both Beth and Jacob must confront their deepest fears. Can Beth trust her heart to love again? And will Jacob choose the comfort of Cosy Cove over the call of his career?

Join Beth and Jacob on a journey of second chances, sweet moments, and the kind of love that makes every day feel like a summer holiday. Will they find the courage to embrace a future together, or will their fears extinguish the flame before it truly ignites?

Get ready to fall head over heels for Cosy Cove, where every page promises a warm hug for your heart. Perfect for fans of seaside romances, charming small towns, and love stories that sparkle brighter than the sea at sunset!

 

OK, so now you’ve learnt a little about the novel, are you ready to see the cover? 

Drumroll…… 3…2…1.

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Book Review: The Winter Runaway by Katie Flynn

Can you ever escape your past?

Tammy and her mother, Grace, are desperate to escape Tammy’s violent bully of a father.

When an unforeseen tragedy strikes, mother and daughter must flee Scotland in the dead of night, forced to leave behind everything they know and love – including one another.

Under new identities, Tammy and Grace must start afresh. Tammy joins the services, where she meets a dashing officer who begins to break her guard down.

But can the course of love ever run smooth with Tammy unable to reveal her true self?

The Winter Runaway is the first instalment in the brand-new Runaway’s trilogy from the beloved bestselling author.

*****

It’s 1940 in Clydebank. Grace and Tammy Blackwell have more to worry about than the war. Dennis Blackwell thinks nothing of harming his wife and daughter on a daily basis. With the encouragement of Rory, Tammy’s boyfriend, they decide it’s time to leave. However, before they can, something happens that changes their lives forever but the two women never lose hope of seeing each other again.

I was very excited to be invited onto the blog tour for A Winter Runaway, the latest novel from Katie Flynn and is due to be released on 24th October. Having not read anything from this author before, I was intrigued and couldn’t wait to get started.

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Book Extract: The Wedding Engagement by Zoe Allison

Please join me in welcoming Zoe Allison to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, The Wedding Engagement.

It’s not supposed to be her love story…

Planning a wedding with the man you’re secretly in love with… what could go wrong?

Liv Holland has a secret: she’s been crushing on Arran Adebayo, her brother’s best friend, for years. They’re ‘just friends’ but she can’t help the butterflies in her stomach whenever she’s around him.

When they’re asked to help plan festivities for Liv’s brother’s wedding, Liv and Arran can no longer deny the sparks between them. But with both having their own chequered romantic history, risking everything for love could mean losing each other forever…

As the wedding bells ring, will Liv and Arran finally find their own happy ever after?

 

Zoe has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy it. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

Arran has just made an SOS call to Liv to ask if she can collect his son, Jayce, from his street dancing class. Arran’s ex, Jess, was meant to pick up their son but she was waylaid. Unfortunately Arran couldn’t get back home in time for the class finish because he was out of town buying paint supplies for his art studio. Liv collected Jayce and took him for a milkshake and is just driving to Arran’s house to drop Jayce off.

*****

‘And then what happened?’ Liv asked, maintaining a serious expression as Jayce carried on with his tall tale.

‘And then I rescued everyone from the dragon and saved the day,’ he said from the back seat, a proud look on his face when she glanced in the rear-view mirror.

She returned her eyes to the road as she navigated the last turn onto Arran’s driveway. ‘Wow. And this was definitely real, not a dream?’

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Book Extract: Coincidentally in Venice by Kate Zarrelli

I’m happy to be welcoming Kate Zarrelli to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Coincidentally in Venice.

Best friends Ashley and Juliet, who’ve been made redundant from their marketing jobs during Covid, at last get to go to Venice. The long days of lockdown were made a little easier by looking at webcams of the deserted city. One day, Ash spied a man walking his dog in Campo Santa Maria Formosa. What would happen if she were to meet him for real?

Though Jules hits it off with a handsome waiter, and both girls take the opportunity to think through big career changes, things otherwise don’t go quite according to plan. And why is it that boring Joe from Accounts keeps turning up where he’s not supposed to be? Only, whoever falls in love with Venice won’t stay boring for long, and Joe unwittingly finds himself at the centre of a trade in faked artworks.

Coincidentally in Venice is a joyous celebration of love, friendship, vintage clothes to die for, Prosecco and spaghetti alle vongole. Oh, and not to mention a stolen gondola, a dog called Killer, ten thousand fictitious virgins and an old Grateful Dead t-shirt.

 

Kate has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

It’s April 2022 and best friends Ashley and Juliet are at last able to take their postponed holiday to Venice. In the silent days of lockdown, both girls had feasted their eyes on webcams of the deserted city. In a lonely square, Ashley had spotted a solitary man exercising his dog. Never one to miss an opportunity, Juliet urged her friend to go to that square to get a look at him close up…

*****

Close up the waiter really was worth looking at, even with his nose and mouth covered by the regulation mask. He was slender. His sleeves were rolled up, exposing golden skin and silky dark hairs Ash wanted to reach up and stroke. A little badge bore the name Davide. Ash remembered that in Italian every syllable was pronounced. She rehearsed saying it in her head: Dah-vi-deh.

Il nome è Ashworth,’ pronounced Juliet carefully.

‘Oh yes. You booked,’ he said, in nearly unaccented English. ‘Your table is here. You’ll find the menu with this Q-R code,’ he added, indicating a laminated little square. ‘Or I could just tell you…’

‘Oh yes, just tell us. It’s so good to deal with a real human. What does vongole veraci mean?’

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Book Extract: The Next Step by B R Maycock

I’m so pleased to be welcoming B R Maycock to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for The Next Step, book three in the Abbeyglen series.

Christmas has been all but forgotten as a negative pregnancy test makes Rachel reconsider her future with Todd. The realisation sends her to the small town of Abbeyglen where the opening of Caulfield’s Café is all anyone’s talking about. But it also has her beginning to see returning colleague at Blackwater Financial Services, the loud, hilarious Owen Larrson in a new light.

Natalie has decided she needs a change. In the midst of Christmas craziness, with the grand opening of the café and the excitement of her two children’s Christmas concert, Natalie can only hope the people of Blackwater Financial Services can help her find the job that will change her life. But as ex-boyfriend Darren returns, she realises luck might not be on her side for a bright Christmas after all 

Join two women who are trying to figure out what the rest of their lives hold, in the midst of the mayhem of the most wonderful time of the year in the most wonderful place to be!

 

B R Maycock has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

Hi! So this is a little excerpt/ extract from The Next Step and it’s the lovely Natalie Martin, who works in The Abbeyglen Arms, who has just had a day job hunting. Hope you enjoy!!

*****

‘You’re late, Mammy,’ Katie said, as she walked out of the babysitter’s, gripping her mother’s hand. ‘Today was supposed to be the day you didn’t work.’

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NK Chats With… Alana Oxford

Hi Alana, thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your novel, A Modern Midlife Christmas Carol and what inspired it?

Thank you so much!

My book is about a frazzled wife/mother who is fast approaching burnout for the holiday season.

I am part of the “sandwich generation” myself, meaning I’m caught in the middle of helping aging parents, but I still have my own children at home to care for as well. I’ve had a lot of powerful conversations with friends and colleagues about navigating this challenging time of life and I drew upon our collective experiences, embellished and fabricated, to explore those feelings under the added pressure of holiday expectations.

I thought this stressed wife/mother character would make a fantastic modern day Scrooge and went from there.

 

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you like to write in a particular spot? Silence or noise? Any other writing rituals?

I don’t like to be around other people when I write, so depending on who’s home, I’ll either write with my laptop on the dining room table, or closed up in my office.

I prefer to have music playing when I write. I also create a playlist for every book I write. Certain songs act as theme songs for different characters, or they get me in the right frame of mind for certain scenes I’m writing. If I have to step away from writing for a few days due to life, the music will put me right back in the world I’m creating.

 

What were the challenges you found when writing your novel especially when A Christmas Carol is so well known?

I wanted it to harken back to the original, but not too much. Scrooge himself makes a brief appearance in my book, but I really enjoyed playing with the idea of an overtaxed woman who’s lost her Christmas cheer but is expected to make holiday magic for everyone in her family.

To give myself more direction, I wanted to keep the length of my book to about the length of Dickens’ classic. His is a little more than 30,000 words. Mine came in around 37,000.

 

Which songs would make up a playlist for your book? 

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Book Review: Falling for a Star in the City by Krysten Lindsay Hager

I’m so pleased to be welcoming Krysten Lindsay Hager back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Falling for a Star in the City, book two in the Stars in the City series. 

Paige thought she had it all: a job on a soap opera and a boyfriend who was trying to get discovered as a singer/songwriter. Then her part on the show is reduced to reoccurring status and her family pushes her to leave her acting dreams behind to major in journalism—what they call a “real job.” Her relationship with her wannabe pop star boyfriend ends only for her to find out he signed a recording contract right after their breakup. Then she reads online that his new album is about their relationship.

She gets an internship in the sports department at a TV station where she meets a college hockey player named Viktor who has trust issues from a past relationship. Now with Walker’s pop star dreams taking off, it leaves her questioning her acting career and self-worth.

Paige and Viktor begin to fall for each other, but Paige worries their worlds are too different for them to work as a couple. Plus, there’s the issue of her ex coming back into her life.

Now she must figure out what she really needs to be happy and fulfilled in life. Can Paige find both her purpose & true love?

*****

Paige feels that her life is going pretty well. She’s an actress on Charmed Lives and has a boyfriend trying to make it as a singer/songwriter. Then, just like that, it’s all gone and she doesn’t know what she’s going to do. When she gets an internship as a sports journalist, maybe she can begin to piece her life back together again?

Having read and enjoyed the first novel in this series, Stars in the City, I was excited to be invited onto the blog tour for the second novel, Falling For a Star in the City. This latest novel can be read as a standalone if you’re new to the series although I recommend book one. It was nice to see some familiar faces from the previous story. As usual, I am going to try and review without spoilers.

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NK Chats To… Minnie Lewis

Hi Minnie, thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your novel, Beyond the Smiles and what inspired it?

I wanted to write a book about a strong, young, independent woman who appears to have everything going for her but doesn’t realise that the people she’s close to aren’t what they seem. Laura became that character and it just went from there.

 

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have a favourite place to write and any writing rituals?

I didn’t adopt a strict routine. I wrote some days and not others; but I thought about the book almost all the time. I’m a morning person so most of my writing was done by mid-afternoon.

  

What were the challenges you found when writing your novel?

The main challenge was to keep the reader engrossed even when a situation is being revisited through new eyes. I hope I achieved that.

 

Which songs would make up a playlist for your book?

It would be a mixture of old and new – but they’d all have to be upbeat tracks.

 

Which fictional character would you like to meet and why?

Dr Who – as I’d like to travel back into the past.

 

From idea to finished book, what’s your writing process like and how long does it typically take you? How do you approach editing?

My time was divided roughly into three – thinking time, writing time the editing / proof reading. I probably spent 70% thinking about the characters and plot, 15% writing the book and 15% editing.

 

Which comes first for you, plot, or characters?

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Book Review: A Classy Affair in the Country by Margaret Amatt

I’m so happy to be welcoming Margaret Amatt back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, A Classy Affair in the Country – book ten in the Glenbriar series. 

It’s hate at first sight… But he’s about to dismantle her walls brick by brick.

Young heiress Ophelia Chattan-Blythe needs a miracle to save the family estate, and working with Brann – the ruggedly handsome, popular, and extremely irritating local builder – is not it. He may have a smile that can melt diamonds, but when he and Ophelia hit it off on the wrong foot, she starts to hate him with a passion.

Single-dad Brann isn’t all he seems. He’s built up a good business, though it doesn’t stop him from being lonely. Falling for a beautiful but stubborn heiress isn’t part of his master plan. But how can he not find Ophelia’s serene charm and whip-like comebacks irresistible?

As Brann and Ophelia work together, their arguments advance to attraction, and their desires ignite. But it’s more than Brann’s job’s worth to act on his feelings and Ophelia mustn’t, not if she’s to secure a wealthy match and stop her family from going under. A love this intense should be worth the fight, but constructing a happy ending is an almost impossible task without breaking all the rules.

*****

I was very pleased to be invited onto the blog tour for A Classy Affair in the Country by Margaret Amatt. Although we’ve previously featured this author, this is the first novel of hers that I’ve read (I am not sure why it’s taken me this long to read one and for that I can only apologise.)

Being book ten in the Glenbriar series, I was worried that I’d struggle to keep up but as I discovered, this can be read as a standalone.

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NK Chats To… L A Johnston

Hello. Thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell us a little about your novel, Manhattan Melodies Azorean Dreams and what inspired it?

Manhattan Melodies Azorean Dreams is deeply personal, as it draws from my own experiences from a trip I have taken to the island of Sao Miguel. The novel follows two individuals in different stages of their lives, who find each other when they need each other the most, despite being from vastly different worlds.

The inspiration came during a visit I made to the Azores, a place that holds a special significance for me. Walking through the lush landscapes with my fiancée, the Atlantic stretching endlessly on the horizon, I couldn’t help but reflect on how different life felt there compared to the city. The reason I selected Manhattan as the home location for the protagonist Olivia, I had anticipated getting engaged there, but alas the Covid virus vetoed my plans. That contrast—between the hectic, concrete jungle and the tranquil, almost timeless feel of the islands—sparked the idea of a character caught between these two places.

Through the novel, I explore themes of identity, cultural heritage, and belonging. Like my protagonist, I’ve often felt the pull between these two worlds, trying to navigate the fast-paced city life while being deeply connected to the quieter, introspective rhythms of the Azores. The novel became a way for me to reconcile those feelings and celebrate both the rush of the city and the profound beauty of the islands.

 

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any writing rituals like writing in silence, a favorite place to write, coffee or tea?

I start writing usually in the evenings, usually with a bucket sized cup of tea perched on the arm of my sofa. I prefer writing in silence, though sometimes instrumental jazz or classical music sets the mood. I write for several hours, aiming for a balance between disciplined output and creative flow.

 

Were there any challenges when writing your novel?

One of the main challenges was capturing the essence of two vastly different places—New York and the Azores—while making them feel interconnected. Balancing the pacing was tricky as well; I had to ensure that the slower, reflective moments of island life didn’t drag down the story’s momentum, while also letting the hustle of Manhattan breathe naturally into the plot.

With my homeplace being situated up a single-track country road, that in places is only marginally wider than a patio door, and being constantly surrounded by birdsong, painting a vivid landscape of the island of Sao Miguel using appropriate diction to keep the reader invested is second nature to me, almost to the extent wherein the Sao Miguel itself almost becomes a character However, I have my doubts that I have been able to pull this off in the Manhattan landscape where the early chapters of the novel is set.

 

Which songs would make up a playlist for your book?

The playlist would be comprised exclusively of long songs. Top three songs would include:

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Book Extract: A Death Of Fresh Air by Helen Golden

I’m so excited to be welcoming Helen Golden back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, A Death Of Fresh Air, book 10 in the A Right Royal Cozy Investigation book series.

In a charming seaside town, secrets don’t stay buried for long…

‘Body of Chef Found in Wall Three Years After He ‘Left to go to Australia’

Human remains found inside the wall of a disused building have now been identified as those of Victor Blackwell. He was the head chef at Windstanton’s The Seaside Lounge until just over three years ago, when, according his friends, he left for a job in Australia. Detective Inspector Albert Finch from Fenshire’s Cold Case Unit has asked for anyone who has information about the chef’s movements three years ago to come forward.

We have no choice! With only three weeks until the Grand Opening, the last thing Bea and Perry need is the grim discovery of a skeleton in the wall of Simon and Ryan’s soon-to-open restaurant, SaltAir. But when it’s designated a crime scene, and the policeman in charge of the investigation into Vic’s murder refuses to let them have access to continue the refurbishment, they have no other option than to investigate the murder themselves or risk letting Simon and Ryan down.

But in a town where everyone harbours secrets, can they uncover the truth in time or will SaltAir’s opening be a damp squib?

 

Helen has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

In the serene seaside town of Windstanton, royal amateur sleuth Lady Beatrice, and her best friend and business partner, Perry Juke, embark on the restoration and refurb of Ryan Hawley, and Perry’s husband, Simon Lattimore’s, soon-to-open restaurant, SaltAir.  With the Grand Opening only three weeks away, the town is buzzing about the new restaurant and advance bookings are flooding in. Everything is looking great. There’s just a stud wall and an ugly old bar to knock down and they’ll be finish on time. What could possibly go wrong?

*****

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Book Extract: The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison

I’m so happy to be welcoming Zoe Allison to Novel Kicks to celebrate the book birthday of The Ex-Mas Holidays.

Falling in love can sometimes go off-piste…

There’s never a good time to bump into your ex – so Maya Bashir is shocked when she comes face to face with her old flame Sam Holland, who is wearing nothing but a tiny apron, working as a naked butler at her friend’s Christmas party.

Having driven home for the holidays after losing her boyfriend, flat and job – and dreading her father’s inevitable disappointment that she still doesn’t have a fifty-year plan – perhaps Sam is exactly the distraction Maya needs.

But as sparks begin to fly, Maya doesn’t know if she can let Sam back into her heart so easily… With Christmas day fast approaching, will Maya find love or disaster under the tree?

 

To celebrate, Zoe has shared an extract with us. We hope you enjoy and that it helps you feel a little festive.

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

Context: Maya stops off at her friend Kirsty’s festive party on her way home to Glenavie after breaking up with her boyfriend and losing her job. She doesn’t know anyone at the party except for Kirsty.

*****

‘Have a seat,’ Kirsty said, with a wink. ‘I’ll be back in a sec.’

Maya sat on the massive, soft, grey sofa next to a couple of the other guests. The room was so stylishly decorated that it was difficult to keep her envious eyes off all the furnishings. It was clearly a new build, and Kirsty had the place done out to the nines.

A smiling woman wearing a black jumpsuit shifted over to take Maya’s hand in a shake. ‘I’m Isabelle.’

Maya returned her smile. ‘Maya. Nice to meet you.’

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Novel Kicks Book Club: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

October is here. Autumn has arrived, the clocks go back and of course, Halloween is approaching. 

It’s one of my favourite months (although I am a little biased with it being my birthday in October.) I am sad to be saying goodbye to summer but at the same time, I love the colder nights. It’s a great reason for the warm blankets, tea and books. Not that I’ve needed an excuse.

This month, the featured book we shall be reading is A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. This is book one in the All Souls series and I think it’s perfect for the spookiest month of the year.

Our book club is open to everyone. It’s online so no need to remove the warm socks, get up from the comfy sofa and discard the cozy blanket. I think this is even the best excuse for a hot chocolate too… go on, treat yourself. I’ve posted a question below to get the discussion going. Whether you’ve already read it or will be reading along with me, I look forward to discussing this book with you in the comments.

 

About the book: 

Diana and Matthew – the forbidden love at the heart of it.

When historian Diana Bishop opens an alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, it’s an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordered life. Though Diana is a witch of impeccable lineage, the violent death of her parents while she was still a child convinced her that human fear is more potent than any witchcraft. Now Diana has unwittingly exposed herself to a world she’s kept at bay for years; one of powerful witches, creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires.

Sensing the significance of Diana’s discovery, the creatures gather in Oxford, among them the enigmatic Matthew Clairmont, a vampire genticist.

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Book Review: How To Slay At Work by Sarah Bonner

Please join me in welcoming Sarah Bonner to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, How To Slay At Work.

When your boss is at a conference in a city where there’s a suspicious death, it’s unlucky.

If it happens twice, it’s odd.

But when she’s in the same city at the same time as a third unexplained death . . .

Could she be a stone-cold killer?

Millie’s always known her boss Freya is a psycho – the demanding and ever-changing coffee orders, the cryptic instructions, the apparently expected mind reading and don’t even start on the insistence that Millie wears heels . . . All. The. Time.

But it only extends as far as exacting office standards. Right?

As Freya’s assistant, Millie has privileged access to her diary and travel history and when a pattern emerges of men (who seem to have no connection to each other) dying in cities where Freya is travelling, Millie is determined to figure out what’s going on.

After all, a stone-cold killer could be exactly what Millie needs . . .

A sharp, funny and deliciously dark thriller that fans of Katy Brent, Bella Mackie or Killing Eve will love.

*****

Millie works at cosmetics company, Serendipity. She has big dreams though. She wants to make it to the main office in L.A. However, she doesn’t like her boss and when strange things begin to occur, she asks herself… her boss couldn’t be a killer, right?

The idea of this novel really caught my attention when I was invited onto the blog tour for How To Slay at Work and I couldn’t wait to get started.

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Book Review: Doris Flies Solo by M W Arnold

I’m excited to be welcoming M W Arnold back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his novel, Doris Flies Solo – the latest book in the Broken Wings series. 

Air Transport Auxiliary pilot Doris Johnson is sent on a solo trip, escorting a British General on a secret mission to Scotland, vital to the success of D-Day, the forthcoming invasion of Nazi occupied France.

Her natural inquisitiveness means her life is in put in great danger and she’ll need more than her superb flying skills to survive.

Doris has to trust her own instincts, and those of the new friends she makes, so that everyone comes through their adventures in one piece. Not everything is as it seems, sometimes by design, as she faces whatever is thrown at her with a determined smile and the spirit to stand fast for what is good and right.

*****

We are back at RAF Hamble with the ladies from the Air Transport Auxiliary. This time, Doris ventures out on her own when she is tasked with a top secret mission; to accompany an important General. However, where there is any member of the ATA Mystery Club, intrigue and danger is soon to follow and it isn’t long until it finds Doris.

Right, I am going to try and talk about this novel without giving away spoilers. It’s going to be hard but, deep breath… here we go. Haha.

It is so brilliant to be back with these characters. Having read all the books prior to this one, I have grown so incredible fond of every single one of these ladies. If this is your introduction to the Broken Wings series however, don’t worry, I feel it can be read as a standalone. Be sure to put the whole series on the TBR pile though.

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Audiobook Review: Another Life – An Audible Original by Karla Marie Sweet

When the External Womb Programme is launched, the news is controversial. Hundreds take to the streets in protest, feeling strongly that growing a baby outside of the human body is “unnatural”. But thousands more people rejoice: at last, an alternative for those who wish to have children but worry about the physical toll it may take. A chance that throwing a baby-shaped grenade into one’s career path might not derail it entirely.

For Lucy, whose acting career is finally taking off, the news is well worth celebrating. Could having a baby this way mean she can have it all? As she and her husband James embark on their journey, however, it becomes clear she’s not being entirely honest with him and, as an old flame returns, everything is thrown into jeopardy.

Decades later, the use of external wombs is commonplace. But a corrupt government stepping into power leads to this groundbreaking piece of technology falling into the wrong hands, forcing everyone to reckon with a challenging new world and their place within it.

Performed by Erin Doherty (The Crown) and Kingsley Ben-Adir (Bob Marley: One Love), Another Life marks the arrival of a brilliant new literary talent that will thrill, entertain and challenge you from beginning to end.

Another Life is part of Audible Originals showcasing new and original fiction from talented British authors commissioned exclusively by Audible. These handpicked “audio first” stories cannot be found anywhere else or in any other format (such as print or eBook) and are at the heart of Audible’s mission to offer the most captivating and compelling audio content to book lovers.

*****

Another Life by Karla Marie Sweet is an Audible Original and I was offered the chance to gain access to this novel prior to its release. I have to say, the premise of it intrigued me. As a huge fan of dystopian fiction, I couldn’t wait to get started.

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Book Review: Bella’s Countryside Christmas by Claire Huston

I’m pleased to be welcoming Claire Huston back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Bella’s Countryside Christmas.

An uplifting festive romance perfect for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies and authors such as Phillipa Ashley, Trisha Ashley, Sue Moorcroft, Rebecca Raisin and Donna Ashcroft.

Fleeing her heartache and horrendous job, Bella stumbles upon a December wedding in the beautiful village of Haileybrook and the spirit of the season moves her to act as a fake date to handsome stranger Jack.

Jack and Bella hit it off, but Bella has to leave in a hurry and their magical evening soon becomes nothing more than a blissful memory.

A year later, Bella is returning to Haileybrook, seeking a fresh start and a quieter life. With a new job close to her cosy cottage home, a peaceful Christmas is surely only days away.

But it’s not long before family surprises, small-town feuds and romantic drama disrupt Bella’s plans, and she has to wonder if being alone is what she really wants for Christmas …

*****

Bella’s visit to Haileybrook was meant to be quick. However, when she meets Jack, the night ends very differently to what she expected. When they meet again a year later, it’s not plain sailing. Can Christmas work its magic on Bella’s life or has she made a big mistake?

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Claire Huston back to Novel Kicks and I jumped at the chance to be part of the blog tour for her latest book, Bella’s Countryside Christmas.

I love this cover. It’s so beautiful and really helps set the festive tone. This continues from the first page to the last as we get to know Bella. She, hands down, has to be one of my favourite fictional characters. Her love life aside, she really doesn’t take any **** and has confidence in situations I could only dream of having.

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Book Review: Murder at Midwinter Manor by Anita Davison

I’m pleased to be welcoming Anita Davison to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book,  Murder at Midwinter Manor – book three in the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mysteries series. 

Escaping the city doesn’t mean escaping the criminals…

1916, Midwinter Manor: Desperate for a Christmas weekend break from war-torn London, Hannah Merrill and her Aunt Violet take Bartleby the cat and themselves off to visit Hannah’s sister, in her beautiful country estate, deep in the English countryside.

The huge house is full of relatives, friends and merrymakers, and everyone’s excited to have a Christmas to remember.

But then, when a fellow-guest’s body is found in the library – apparently bludgeoned to death – and a precious ruby is stolen from another guest, it appears that it’s going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons.

With the house snowed in, and the rural police force completely incapable of finding a single credible suspect, Hannah and Aunt Violet realise that once again it’s going to be down to them to get to the bottom of it.

Because whoever’s behind the crimes must be at Midwinter Manor… And if they’re not found, who knows what their next ‘gift’ will be?

A totally unforgettable Golden Age, country house, cozy crime novel, perfect for fans of Helena Dixon, Verity Bright, and Agatha Christie.

*****

It’s Christmas, 1916. Hannah Merrill and her Aunt Violet are on their way to Midwinter Manor to spend Christmas with Hannah’s sister and her family. It’s not long before a case presents itself. When a fellow guest is murdered and a ruby stolen, the ladies are in a race against time to find the person responsible.

Two things drew me to this book. First, the premise intrigued me and second, it was set at Christmas so I was excited to be invited onto the blog tour for Murder at Midwinter Manor. This was my introduction to both the author and this series. If, like me, you’ve not read the previous novels, don’t worry, this can be read as a standalone.

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Book Review: The Best Is Yet To Come by Jessica Redland

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Jessica Redland back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest novel, The Best Is Yet To Come.

Emma is having a fresh start.

After a successful teaching career, an exciting new chapter awaits Emma – helping her fiancé Grayson run one of Beatrix Potter’s farms. While imagining days spent supporting Grayson with his dream, working the land and helping with the animals, Emma harvests a dream of her own – to set up an alpaca-walking business around the farm.

But working together isn’t as easy as Emma expected. Soon her dreams are in tatters and, broken-hearted, she must start over yet again.

When Oliver, Rosie and the team at Willowdale Hall welcome Emma with open arms, she can’t believe her luck. But starting a new business in a new place is a daunting prospect, especially when it comes with unexpected obstacles. With a reserved, prickly groundskeeper as a partner, rapidly changing family dynamics to contend with, and time running out to get her new career off the ground, Emma may have bitten off more than she can chew.

But even though things are not going to plan just yet, the best is yet to come for Emma, if she can just take a leap of faith and follow her heart…

Escape to the Lake District with million-copy bestseller Jessica Redland, for an uplifting story of family, friendship and love.

*****

It’s always a wonderful day when there is a new Jessica Redland novel to read and i was so pleased to be invited onto the blog tour for The Best Is Yet To Come. 

This is book three in the Escape to the Lakes series and almost immediately follows on from the previous novel, A Breath of Fresh Air which ended on a cliffhanger (I am not going to give anything away on that front.)There is a little catch up chapter at the beginning of this novel so, if it is your introduction to the series, you don’t need to have read the prior novels in order to read this one. I do recommend them though. 

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Book Review: Christmas Ever After by Jaimie Admans

I am beyond excited to be welcoming Jaimie Admans back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Christmas Ever After. 

A picture-perfect town, a place where dreams come true. Welcome to Ever After Street…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but Franca Andrews has never felt more miserable. With business far from bustling, she needs a Christmas miracle to keep her beloved nutcracker shop open… But there’s one man standing in her way – expert snow globe maker Raff Dardenne.

Dardenne Snow Globes have a magical reputation for bringing lovers together, a myth that Raff continues to exploit, much to Franca’s annoyance! But this Christmas their shops are pitted against each other and only one gets to stay on Ever After Street. Franca doesn’t know how her handmade nutcrackers are ever going to compete with Raff’s magical snow globes, especially at the most magical time of the year!

Franca’s determined to prove Raff’s business is built on lies. But when disaster strikes, and she’s left unable to make anything, she needs help. It’s just very frustrating that the only person offering is her gorgeous, annoying, nemesis himself!

As these two enemies get to know each other, Franca discovers another side to Raff – kind, caring and funny. . But unless she can prove that his magical snow globes can’t really match true lovers together, she’s going to lose everything…

But maybe it’s not too late for them to put aside their differences and find some Christmas magic of their own?

*****

Words can’t describe my excitement whenever a new book in the Ever After series gets released. When I got invited onto the blog tour for, Christmas Ever After, I couldn’t wait to get reading.

This is book four in the series. However, if you’d like your introduction to Ever After Street to have a festive feel, it can be read as a standalone.

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Novel Kicks Chats To… Nova García

Hello Nova, thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your novel, Not That Kind of Call Girl and what inspired it?

Not That Kind of Call Girl is in many ways, my personal story. It’s about a young newspaper call center manager with post-partum depression juggling a colicky newborn, a meddling mother and a skirt-chasing boss while working, undercover, to untangle a vulnerable employee’s mysterious relationship with a Hollywood icon. Saving the employee part is the fiction, but the rest mirrors my life.

My mission in writing this novel was three-fold. (1) Tell a highly relatable & humorous story about a woman experiencing post-partum depression so those who’ve been through it know they’re not alone and open the gate for conversation. (2) Make the protagonist, Julia, a Latina. Latinos make up 19% of the U.S. population according to the 2023 U.S. Census, and yet, we aren’t featured much as primary characters in the literary industry. While the lack of representation is improving , there’s still a long way to go. (3) Shed light on an injustice most often inflicted on powerless women, that isn’t often in the public consciousness.
 

What are the challenges you found when writing your novel?

When I first wrote the book, I loved it and couldn’t wait to find an agent to represent me. The trouble was, after more than a hundred tries, no one offered me a contract. Yes, more than a hundred! Dejected, I put the book away for three years then started up again. I felt connected to my lead character (probably because she and I are one and the same), so I kept her, deleted every chapter but one and started again. Luckily, The Wild Rose Press offered me a contract the second go around. So, what was the challenge? Staying motivated after a staggering number of no’s and no responses.

 

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have a favourite writing spot and any daily writing rituals?

I really should follow a schedule, but I don’t. I write when the mood strikes. Sometimes, I’ll go a month or more between writing stints which gives my brain time to recoup. If my head’s not in the game, there’s no sense in sitting down and staring at my computer. I do my writing in a home office, but admittedly, our two little dogs distract me from time to time with their need for attention, which I happily oblige.

 

What songs would make up a playlist for your book?

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Book Review: This Is Not a Holiday Romance by Camilla Isley

I am so excited to be welcoming Camilla Isley back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest novel, This Is Not a Holiday Romance.

Two sworn enemies, snowed in over Christmas with chemistry that will melt the ice!

Nina Thompson has one Christmas wish: to avoid her brother’s obnoxiously handsome best friend, Tristan, like the plague. From the moment he humiliated her as a teenager to their escalating revenge schemes, Nina and Tristan’s relationship can only be defined as an all-out prank war! And there is yet to be a winner.

But it just so happens the ghost of Christmas present has other ideas. When Tristan unexpectedly crashes her family’s Christmas, Nina’s dreams of a peaceful holiday vanish faster than Santa up a chimney. Determined to end their rivalry for good, she braces herself for one last prank-filled showdown.

But when they find themselves snowed in, with no way of avoiding each other amongst the holiday festivities, they discover their heated exchanges have been masking a different kind of sizzle. Caught in a snow globe of holiday romance, they decide to let their fiery chemistry burn bright—but this is absolutely and unequivocally nothing more than a secret fling destined to melt with the snow, this is not a forever romance…

This Is Not a Holiday Romance is an enemies to lovers, brother’s best friend, forced proximity rom-com perfect for fans of Sarah Adams, Abby Jimenez, and Lynn Painter.

*****

Nina is looking forward to spending Christmas with her family or she was until her brother’s best friend, Tristan joins them. Can she get through the holiday with her sanity and her heart in one piece?

I have become such a big fan of this author. I was excited to be invited onto the blog tour for This is Not a Holiday Romance.

Nina is a brilliant character. She has strength and doesn’t let anyone walk over her. I was cheering for her all the way through.

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Book Extract: Dangerous Descent by Evie Jacobs

Please join me in welcoming Evie Jacobs to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her novel, Dangerous Descent.

The first rule of undercover work—don’t get attached…

Pilot Elise Hughes left the family business in the Florida Keys and now flies the rich and powerful to and from the Rocky Mountains. When she has to execute a by-the-book emergency landing, it’s no big deal. But being stranded in a small town with her handsome new colleague is something else entirely.

Obsessed with getting justice for his murdered father, undercover FBI agent Eric Erickson believes retribution is finally within reach. Until things get complicated. And dangerous. And he’s forced to face a few too many realities—including Elise’s connection to a well-known crime boss.

After Elise is kidnapped by the same man who took Eric’s father, he has a choice to make—find Elise or exact revenge. Meanwhile she has a choice of her own—trust the dangerous family she never knew she had or the man who’s been lying to her from the start.

 

Evie has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy it. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

Set Up: Eric is an FBI agent who has been working undercover as a pilot at a private airline to investigate a mob boss passenger. After being forced to land in a small Nebraska town, his co-pilot is kidnapped by the mobster. Eric set out to save her, but after freeing her from one crime family, they run into another. And this one is Elise’s actual family. Eric and Elise are captured and are being taken to a mafia compound.

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Novel Kicks Book Club: Blind Spot by Paula Hawkins

Hello September. 

The first of the ‘ber’ months. It’s the back to school month. I confess, I’ve always loved this month especially when I was younger. It gave me an excuse to get new stationery although my husband will tell you I have enough notebooks.

The nights are getting a little shorter. It’s the perfect month to settle in with a good book and I hope you’ll find this month’s pick a good companion.

This month’s pick is Blind Spot by Paula Hawkins. 

I am a fan of Paula’s novels and this novella sounded interesting. At only approx 128 pages, it’s a quick read.

Anyone can take part in our book club whether you’re reading along with me or have already read it. People who have seen the TV series are also welcome. The best part, you don’t have to leave your house to take part. I’ve posted a question below to kick off discussion and I look forward to chatting with you there.

 

About Blind Spot: 

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Blog Tour: After The Husbands by Gina Cheyne : NK Chats To… Gina Cheyne

Hello Gina. Thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your novel, After the Husbands and what inspired it?

After the Husbands is set on a river cruise in Vietnam. I have always been fascinated by Vietnam, ever since I was in the USA shortly after the Vietnam USA War had finished. There I kept meeting men who had served in Vietnam and hearing their stories of this incredibly beautiful place torn apart by war. It gave me a real interest in the county but I always wondered what the Vietnamese thought about the USA. Then a couple of years ago we were lucky enough to win a Mekong Cruise; the basis for After the Husbands was set.

 

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have a favourite place to write and any daily rituals?

I have three places in the house where I like to write, and one away from home. The first is my office, which is good in the summer or if there are too many people in the house, however it has a big drawback; it has three outside walls and is perishingly cold in the winter. My second favourite place, and where I do most of my writing is on the kitchen table. There I am definitely in the thick of things and I enjoy the general buzz around me. However, sometimes that gets too much and I retire to the only smart room in the house. It is very seldom used but is within the body of the house so it is warm. I like to sit behind the sofa on a little table and write. In that place I have a fabulous view of the garden and the world outside my writing.

Away from home I will write on my Ipad. My computer is very old and I don’t like to carry it outside the house, so I write on the Ipad and transfer my writing back there when I get home.

Most days I will write in the morning, but sometimes life gets in the way of writing and then I just take whatever moments I can get to write. Once I’m started I find it easy to concentrate, even when surrounded by people.

 

What were the challenges you found when writing your novel especially when it’s part of a wider series?

The biggest challenge for me in the series is remembering the exact timeline and not making children into adults too early or adults suddenly regress ten years. I do spend a lot of time working out what ages people should be.

 

What songs would make up a playlist for your book?

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Cover Reveal: Bella’s Countryside Christmas by Claire Huston

I’m so excited to be helping to reveal the cover for Bella’s Countryside Christmas, the upcoming novel from Claire Huston.

Before I reveal the cover, here’s a little about the book which is part of the Haileybrook Village series.

An uplifting festive romance perfect for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies and authors such as Phillipa Ashley, Trisha Ashley, Sue Moorcroft, Rebecca Raisin and Donna Ashcroft.

Fleeing her heartache and horrendous job, Bella stumbles upon a December wedding in the beautiful village of Haileybrook and the spirit of the season moves her to act as a fake date to handsome stranger Jack.

Jack and Bella hit it off, but Bella has to leave in a hurry and their magical evening soon becomes nothing more than a blissful memory.

A year later, Bella is returning to Haileybrook, seeking a fresh start and a quieter life. With a new job close to her cosy cottage home, a peaceful Christmas is surely only days away.

But it’s not long before family surprises, small-town feuds and romantic drama disrupt Bella’s plans, and she has to wonder if being alone is what she really wants for Christmas …

OK, here we go. Are you ready? 3…2…1… 

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Book Extract: Mistletoe Moments by Stephanie Wood

I am pleased to be welcoming Stephanie Wood to Novel Kicks. Today, we are saying happy book birthday to Mistletoe Moments, book five in her Christmas on The Close book series. 

You are invited to spend CHRISTMAS ON THE CLOSE where each of the neighbours are celebrating in their own special way.

Veronica and Owen are looking forward to a happy Christmas on The Close with their friends and neighbours.

Their son, Travis, is due to take some important exams, but will he be able to concentrate when a serious crush derails his schedule?

As their fortieth birthdays approach, some significant celebration will be required, but how can Veronica agree to Owen’s life-changing request?

The fifth standalone episode of ‘Christmas on The Close’ shows how sharing a treasured life with someone does not necessarily result in sharing the same treasured dreams.

 

In celebration of its book birthday, Stephanie has shared an extract from Mistletoe Moments. We hope you enjoy it. 

 

*****beginning of extract*****

 

Teenager Travis has a crush on his neighbour’s daughter and knows she is out of his league, but with an opportunity to get close to her, he dares to dream about what might happen…

*****

 Travis wasn’t sure how he’d got away with it, but he had convinced his parents he would rather revise for his English Literature exam than go to the fireworks display and they had left him to it.

He couldn’t imagine anything he would rather do less than translate a passage of Shakespeare into readable English, but somehow they had believed it and agreed to give him the space to study in peace and quiet.

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Cover Reveal: A Modern Midlife Christmas Carol by Alana Oxford

I am so excited as I help to reveal the cover for A Modern Midlife Christmas Carol, the upcoming novel by Alana Oxford.

Before I reveal the cover, here’s a little about A Modern Midlife Christmas Carol – 

Christmas cheer was dead, to begin with.

The world rests on Eliza’s shoulders. The kids, her husband, work, her elderly mother and don’t forget her newest friend, perimenopause. It’s too much to carry, but she’s been doing it for years. It’s just what a good wife and mother does, isn’t it? 

When another Christmas rolls around, Eliza is drained by all the expectations and logistics of the holiday season. She’s fast approaching her breaking point, only no one around her notices she’s on the edge.

After an incident at her in-law’s on Christmas Eve brings things to a boiling point, she finds herself with three unexpected visitors. The spirits of the past, present, and future take her on a journey through her life to shake her out of the rut she’s gotten into. Their messages leave her with new possibilities: reconnect with her past, reclaim her present, or forge a new future, and you, the reader, decide which option is best! 

 

OK, are you ready. Drumroll. 3…2…1…

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Book Review: The Final Score by Carys Jones

I’m excited to be welcoming Carys Jones to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, The Final Score.

It’s never too late for revenge…

Connie Winchester was once a celebrated music prodigy… but those days are long behind her. So when Daniel Layton shows up on her doorstep to interview her about her career, Connie Winchester is flattered to be remembered.

But as he moves through her story, it all comes back. Robin. Her friends. The drugs. What happened that final night. The lies she told.

Connie has been running from her past for years. But now there’s nowhere left to run…

*****

Connie Winchester has led an illustrious life as a world leading violin player but feels like the world has all but forgotten her. Now in her 80’s, she agrees to be interviewed. As she begins to talk about her life, it comes back to haunt her. 

I was intrigued to read this novel from Carys Jones and pleased to be invited onto the blog tour for The Final Score. 

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Book Review: Last Christmas by Clare Swatman

I’m excited to be welcoming Clare Swatman back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Last Christmas.

‘Bea was always early for everything. Even, it turned out, when she was running away from her life.’

As Christmas approaches, Bea Preston has a choice.

Looking up at the departures board in Heathrow airport, her flight to New York boarding soon, she knows that getting on that plane changes everything. Her life in London has grown stale, her relationship with boyfriend Dom has run its course, and New York has always been her dream. But it’s a risk – she’ll miss her parents, her friends, her job.

What if Bea could live both lives? In one she goes back home for Christmas, and in another she heads to the Big Apple. Would her fate remain the same, or can one decision really change everything?

In a grand sliding-doors love story that spans oceans, years and lives, Clare Swatman’s unforgettable tale of fate and friendship is perfect for all fans of Jojo Moyes, Beth Moran and Ruth Jones.

*****

Bea is running from her life. Standing at the airport, she faces a choice – to stay or to go?

Having become a big fan of Clare Swatman, I felt excited to be asked onto the blog tour for her latest novel, Last Christmas.

The premise for this novel is one I find so intriguing as it looks at these moments and decisions that have the potential to change the rest of your life. Of course, you can only know the outcome for the decisions that you make. However, this book follows Bea and shows alternative realities – one showing what happens if she stayed in her current life and the other showing her life if she’d left.

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Book Review: A Corpse in Christmas Close by Michelle Salter

I’m pleased to be welcoming Michelle Salter back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, A Corpse in Christmas Close, book five in The Iris Woodmore Mysteries series. 

When a pantomime turns deadly, Iris investigates a cast of killers…

Christmas, 1923. When reporter Iris Woodmore is sent to cover the Prince of Wales’ visit to historic Winchester, she discovers more than just royal gossip.

The leading lady in Winchester Cathedral’s charity pantomime is found dead in mysterious circumstances. And the chief suspect is Cinderella’s handsome prince, played by Percy Baverstock’s younger brother, Freddie.

For the sake of the Baverstocks, Iris must investigate the murder, even though it means confronting an old enemy. And as the line between friend and foe blurs dangerously, she’s ensnared by someone she hoped she’d never see again…

Everyone’s favourite amateur sleuth returns for a Christmas mystery, perfect for fans of Verity Bright, Claire Gradidge and Emily Organ.

*****

It’s 1923 and Iris Woodmore is preparing for royalty to arrive in Winchester. However, when a girl is found murdered on the day of the Prince of Wales’s visit, Iris is in a race against time to find the person responsible before they potentially strike again.

I am such a BIG fan of the Iris Woodmore Mysteries series and was very excited to be invited onto the blog tour for book five in the series, A Corpse in Christmas Close. Iris and a mention of Christmas in the title. Come on, no brainer.

It was so lovely to catch up with Iris. She’s a strong, independent woman and such a wonderful character to read. I love that she forges her own path, especially in the time in which this novel is set. She’s how I hope to have been had I lived in that time period. It was also fabulous to catch up with the familiar faces surrounding Iris.

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Book Review: The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club by Freya Kennedy

I’m very excited to be welcoming Freya Kennedy to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her novel, The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club.

Becca Burnside isn’t sure where it all went wrong. How did she end up single in her forties, with the highlight of her weekend being a trip to Big Asda with her mum and the only chance of cuddles coming from her dog?

It’s fair to say that Becca’s life isn’t quite where she’d hoped it would be. She already knew that, deep down, but when she finds the time capsule she and her friends made as teenagers and remembers the hopes and dreams sixteen-year-old Becki (with an i) had for the future, she knows she has to do something, and fast.

Refusing to be controlled by her hot flushes and Unexplained Waves of Sadness, Becca is determined to turn things around – for Becki’s sake. But what will it take to prove there’s life in the old girl yet?

*****

Now in her forties, Becca is wondering how the most exciting thing in her life has become a trip to ASDA. After finding a time capsule and a letter from her 16 year-old self, Becca is determined to improve her life, hot flushes and menopause be damned.

Having been a big fan of this author’s psychological thrillers (where she writes as Claire Allan,) and The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn, I was excited to be invited onto the blog tour for The Fecking Fabulous Forties Club,

First, I want to show some appreciation for the title. I love it. Haha.

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