Book Review: Love At First Sight by Laura Jane Williams
She’s found the one. He’s just not the one for her.
Jessie doesn’t believe in love at first sight. Until one sunny Saturday in London, a fire alarm in Whole Foods throws her into a stranger’s arms. Cal is charming and funny: their chemistry is instant.
Quick-fire flirting turns into the most romantic day of Jessie’s life. But that evening they’re forced apart before swapping numbers. Jessie is devastated – has she just lost the one?
After weeks of searching, Cal turns up on her doorstop holding two dozen red roses. It feels like fate.
The only thing is, they’re not for her…
*****
Jessie has dreams of running her own business but also loves being a nanny to Henry. When she meets a stranger at Whole Foods with whom she spends a perfect evening, she believes that maybe she could chase her dream whilst also keeping her current job. She also thinks that maybe she found the one…or is he?
I was a BIG fan of Our Stop so I jumped at the chance to review Love At First Sight, the latest novel from Laura Jane Williams.
The plot of this novel moves well and I really couldn’t figure out where it was going to go next. The premise is strong and focuses on Jessie as she tries to navigate next stages. She is attempting to find courage to seize life with both hands.
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Book Review: The Accidental Debutante by Jane Dunn
It’s so exciting to be welcoming Jane Dunn back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest novel, The Accidental Debutante.
A daring young lady and dashing lord
At Prebbles Flying Circus, the daring Eliza Gray captivates audiences with her breathtaking feats on horseback. Yet beyond the applause, she harbours a longing to find the family she lost as a child and discover who she truly is.
Fate, however, takes an unexpected turn when Eliza is unceremoniously knocked down by a curricle driven recklessly by Raven, Earl Purfoy. Dazed but intrigued, she cannot help but notice Purfoy’s commanding presence.
For his part, the dashing lord, is mortified at his carelessness and resolves to assist the spirited yet intriguing young woman. He deposits her in the care of his dearest friends, Corinna and Alick Wolfe, who encourage Miss Gray in her search for her family and sponsor her entry into London society. The glittering balls and scurrilous gossip of the ton are a far cry from the circus ring and Eliza finds herself the subject of intense speculation and unwelcome advances.
As a most accidental debutante, Eliza has to navigate the complexities of high society and her new friendships. Her quest for family and belonging becomes perilously entwined with Zadoc Flynn, an American heir in search of an English bride, and the unfathomable Lord Purfoy.
Can Eliza uncover the truth of her past and the family she longs for? And will it be Mr Flynn or Lord Purfoy, or indeed her new female friends, who help her find her place in the world?
In a tale of courage, passion, and self-discovery, this lost orphan must decide where she truly belongs.
*****
Eliza knows little of her life before Prebbles Flying Circus. With little in terms of clues, she leaves the circus life behind to go in search of her long lost family. When she falls (literally) into the path of Lord Raven Purfoy, things go in a direction that even Eliza couldn’t have imagined. Can Eliza find what’s she’s looking for?
by Book Review: Death at Fakenham Races by Ross Greenwood
We are so pleased to be welcoming Ross Greenwood back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his latest book, Death at Fakenham Races.
When everyone is lying, how do you catch a killer?
A brutal attack at Fakenham Racecourse plunges DI Ashley Knight into the competitive world of horse racing, where fortunes are won and lost in the blink of an eye. As the investigation unfolds, a chilling discovery reveals a darker side to this glamorous sport. In these high-stakes arenas, where winning is everything and everyone has something to hide, a few are willing to cross the ultimate line.
Can Ashley, an outsider in a world of whispers and long-held grudges, unmask the murderer before they kill again?
Ross Greenwood is back with a brand new, heart-pounding case for DI Ashley Knight, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham, Ian Rankin and Peter James.
*****
A brutal murder in the depths of winter, a man beaten to death at a major racecourse. Newly promoted DI Ashley Knight has her work cut out for her to get to the bottom of things before the body count grows.
This is the 5th book in the Norfolk Murders series and it doesn’t disappoint. I read Death at Horsey Mere for review a few weeks ago and since then I have devoured the back catalogue. Ross Greenwood has an uncanny ability to keep you guessing right until the end, throwing in just enough information to keep multiple characters in the running for the spot as number one evil doer. While I confess I have read all the others in the series you don’t need to read them first if this is the first book you come across – it stands alone really nicely, filling in backstory as needed in a way which provides the information you need without boring people who already know the canon.
by Book Review: Rainbows and Lollipops by Mo Fanning
Set against the backdrop of the troubled British summer of 2024, Rainbows and Lollipops weaves together three lives in a warm, witty, and unflinching story about love, loss, and the families we choose.
When Jake met Tom, he thought he’d left Birmingham’s gay bars behind forever-until a twist of fate lands him back in his childhood bedroom, sleeping under glow-in-the-dark stars.
Vicky, an ambitious lawyer and lifelong loner, has her life meticulously planned-until threats emerge that no power suit or clever argument can fix.
Lucy has planned every detail of her wedding down to the perfect petals-but “happily ever after” comes with a question mark.
As secrets unravel and lives collide, Jake, Vicky, and Lucy discover that family isn’t always blood-it’s the people who show up when everything falls apart.
*****
Jake thought that life was finally coming together when we met Tom. However, things don’t turn out the way we plan.
Vicky is searching for success in her career as a lawyer in the city of Birmingham. Then a case hits very close to home, putting her in danger.
Lucy is doing everything she can to plan the perfect wedding but as the date inches closer, is this the happily ever after she deserves?
Having previously read Husbands, which I loved, i was eager to get started on Mo Fanning’s latest book, Rainbows and Lollipops. Bravo to whoever designed this book cover. It’s very pretty.
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by Book Review & Giveaway: Over the Sea to Skye by Sue Moorcroft
It’s our pleasure to be welcoming Sue Moorcroft back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, Over the Sea to Skye.
One summer on a beautiful island could change everything…
Valentina Taylor’s life has been upended. With her marriage over, and unsure of what her future holds, she heads to the Isle of Skye for the summer with her young son, Barnaby.
But the journey there sets her on a new path, when she meets Xander Courage on the train – a charming American, running from problems of his own. After sparks fly, they go their separate ways. But on this small island, they’re never far from one another…
Skye offers Valentina the refuge she needs as she whiles away the long summer days at her beachside cottage, enjoying visits from her sisters, Thea and Ezzie. But when bad news from home throws her Scottish idyll into turmoil, Valentina finds herself pulled away from the place – and people – that she loves.
Valentina knows she must confront her heart’s desires – but can she let go of the past and embrace the future she deserves?
Lose yourself in a heartfelt story of second chances, love, and self-discovery, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Isle of Skye. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Karen Swan.
*****
Part of the joy I’ve had from reading these three books, is getting to know about each sister, and by giving each their own book, the author has only added to that joy. I’ve had a complete story for each, together with a little of the other two lightly sprinkled throughout, as the icing on a cake, to add to the wonderful flavour.
Sue Moorcroft has been one of my favourite authors for a number of years now, and I’m always grateful when a new story of hers is published. With ‘Over the Sea to Skye’ this is tempered by the knowledge that this is the third and final book in the series. That being said, this is one heck of a way to bring the series to a finale.
by Book Club
