Book Review: The Garden of Shared Stories by Clare Swatman
It’s so exciting to be welcoming Clare Swatman back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Garden of Shared Stories.
Emma is at an all-time low the day she meets Nick. She sits down in a quiet rose garden in her local park, and from nowhere a handsome man sits next to her and turns her world upside down.
Over the weeks, she and Nick meet regularly, always in the same place, always at the same time. They discover they have a lot in common – shared heartbreak, and shared dreams. They tell each other stories about the people they’ve lost – things they’ve never told anyone else. Bit by bit, they get to know each other, and fall in love.
But there’s a catch, because however much they have in common, they have one big thing keeping them apart… twenty years apart. Because when Nick is sitting in the garden it’s 1999 – two decades before Emma is there.
Emma never expected to fall in love again, but now she has, she’s not going to give up on it without a fight. But how do you turn something impossible into a happy ever after?
*****
Emma is mourning the loss of her husband, Greg whist Nick is trying to move on after the death of his wife, Dawn. Through a twist of fate, they both find themselves visiting the bandstand in the town gardens at the same time. Will they see where life takes them or will they be kept apart by a force stronger than fate?
I have been a fan of Clare Swatman’s books for a long time and never pass on an opportunity to jump onto one of her blog tours if I can and so, I couldn’t wait to get started on The Garden of Shared Stories.
I want to start by saying how pretty this cover is. Stunning.
OK, so down to the story. In one word, masterful.
The author wastes no time in tugging at the heartstrings and pulling the reader right into the story and taking hold, not letting go until the end.
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Book Review: A Lot to Unpack by Portia MacIntosh
I am so excited to be welcoming Portia MacIntosh back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, A Lot to Unpack.
It’s going to be a bumpy ride… 👀
Liberty’s just landed her dream job. The catch? It’s at Matcher, the dating app that ruined her life. After catching her boyfriend sending intimate pictures to everyone in a twenty mile radius, Liberty is struggling to get back into the dating game. Every man gives her the ick sooner or later.
Still, she’s having a great time travelling the world for work, until she’s assigned a secret mission: Travel to New York with her handsome and charming boss Jordan and swap out a contract from under his nose. It should be easy, but the more time Liberty spends with Jordan, the more she realises he might not be the bad boy she thought he was. But it turns out they’ve both got a lot to unpack, and Liberty still needs to complete her mission if she wants to keep her job – which means not breaking the one golden rule: do not fall for the boss!
*****
Liberty wasn’t ever expecting to get that kind of picture. When this triggers a series of events that sees her out of a job and a boyfriend, she has to get her life back on track and fast.
I always know that when there’s the chance to read a novel from author, Portia Mackintosh, it’s going to be a riot of a novel and this one did not disappoint.
Liberty is a character that’s impossible not to like. She’s relatable, fun and deserves better than Ben.
The other characters also bring a lot to the story. Paige was the one I couldn’t make my mind up about. Jordon… well, I’ll let you discover him for yourself. The author is good at presenting well rounded, layered characters that all have their good points and flaws. At least I thought so anyway.
by Book Review: An Apple Butter Christmas by Terry Lynn Thomas
I’m happy to be welcoming Terry Lynn Thomas to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, An Apple Butter Christmas.
From the USA Today Best-Selling Author Terry Lynn Thomas
An Apple Butter Christmas
A Heartwarming Small-Town Christmas Romance
Coming home for Christmas was supposed to be temporary—until love, legacy, and one unforgettable orchard changed everything.
Welcome to Hartstone, where the snow is deep, the secrets are deeper, and love might just get a second chance under the twinkling lights of the town Christmas tree.
Diana Marchcroft didn’t plan on returning to Hartstone, but when her beloved aunt is injured, Diana leaves the city behind to help save her family’s struggling apple orchard. What she doesn’t expect? The fight of a lifetime and the survival of her family’s heritage. The orchard is at risk of being developed into an exclusive golf course and destination wedding venue.
Alex Kelley thought he’d buried his feelings for Diana after their relationship ended abruptly on the night he planned to propose. When he unexpectedly bumps into her, he realizes that some embers never go out.
With the town busy with visitors for the annual Apple Butter Festival, Diana and Alex discover that sometimes Christmas miracles come wrapped in second chances.
If you love:
• Cozy snow-covered small towns
• Second-chance love stories
• Orchard festivals and secret kisses under the stars
• Family, friendship, and a sprinkle of holiday magic
…then curl up with An Apple Butter Christmas, a feel-good romance that will warm your heart like a mug of hot cider on a winter’s night.
*****
Diana has spent a year away from the hometown she loves as she tries to escape heartache. When the festive season brings her back to Hartstone, she is facing not only the failure of her family’s beloved business, but she must see the man who broke her heart.
The book had me at the cover. It’s so incredibly pretty and puts me in such a festive mood.
by Book Review: A Christmas Gift by Sue Moorcroft
It’s such a pleasure to be welcoming Sue Moorcroft back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, A Christmas Gift.
Can the happiest time of year heal the most broken of hearts?
Georgine loves Christmas. The festive season always brings the little village of Middledip to life. But since her ex-boyfriend walked out, leaving her with crippling debts, Georgine’s struggled to make ends meet.
To keep her mind off her worries, she throws herself into organising the Christmas show at the local school. And when handsome Joe Blackthorn becomes her assistant, Georgine’s grateful for the help. But there’s something about Joe she can’t quite put her finger on. Could there be more to him than meets the eye?
Georgine’s past is going to catch up with her in ways she never expected. But can the help of friends old and new make this a Christmas to remember after all?
*****
Welcome to a Middledip Christmas…again!
First published in hardback (I can’t believe) seven years back, ‘A Christmas Gift’ by best selling author Sue Moorcroft gets its long overdue paperback release. This gave me a great excuse, not that I need one as this is a Christmas read each year for me, to revisit this wonderful book again!
So, close your eyes, imagine that there’s snow falling outside (who knows, it may well be) and join me in settling in for a most wonderous story.
The only thing I’ll give away about the story is, the main protagonist, Georgine France, isn’t doing so well since her boyfriend left, leaving her with more problems than she’d wish on her worst enemy. Still, life goes on and Middledip has a habit of being just the right place at the right time; but will the added distraction of Joe Blackthorn help or hinder her?
by Book Review: Saving Starlight Hall by Debbie Viggiano
I’m very excited to be welcoming Debbie Viggiano to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Saving Starlight Hall.
Nestled deep in the countryside lies Starlight Croft – population small, gossip levels high, and secrets harder to hide than a cow in a phone box.
Jen Armstrong thought she had life more or less under control – marriage ticking along, teenagers on the right side of the law – until hubby Peter unexpectedly demises leaving Jen suddenly single, hugging a secret, and trying very hard not to fall apart in front of the entire village.
Just when things couldn’t get messier a For Sale sign appears. The community centre – the only place big enough to host Pilates and the local psychic’s séance nights – goes up for sale.
Cue The Starlight Society: a mismatched crew of locals with hearts of gold, questionable strategies and Jen reluctantly roped in to assist. Their mission? Raise the cash to save the hall before a charming-but-infuriating property developer named Liam Lancaster possibly turns it into a boutique hotel with mood lighting and tufty towels.
Can they pull it off? Will the hall survive? Might a secret be unwittingly revealed? And can Jen resist throttling an enemy who has the most annoyingly twinkly eyes?
A feel-good romantic comedy where love, lies, and livestock collide.
*****
After losing her husband, Jen is wanting to move on and get away from bad memories. She just isn’t quite sure how. When there is an announcement that the local community hub is to be sold to developers, Jen joins the efforts to save it. Is it possible that she finds more along the way than she bargained for?
First, I want to share my love for this cover. It’s ‘chef’s kiss’.
Having been a big fan of the first novel in the Starlight series, Starting Over At Starlight Cottage, I was eager to start the next book, Saving Starlight Hall. If you’ve not read book one, don’t fear, this can be read as a standalone. I didn’t feel like any key information was missing from this latest instalment. I recommend book one though. It’s ace.
by Book Club
