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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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?
by 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.
by 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.
by 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.
by Book Club
