Blog Tour ~ Guest Post | The Little Cottage in the Country - Lottie Phillips

Today I'm delighted to be sharing a guest post from author Lottie Phillips as part of the blog tour for her novel, The Little Cottage in the Country.

The Little Cottage in the Country

 Lottie Phillips

Women Fiction/ Romantic Comedy

eBook only

HQ Digital 

 July 3, 2017

      Amazon |  Goodreads

                 

Anna Compton thought that moving to the countryside, leaving London and her past firmly behind

her was the perfect solution. Goodbye life of thirty-something, crazed single mum of two, hello

country glamour queen, domestic goddess and yummy-mummy extraordinaire.

But her new life at Primrose Cottage isn’t quite what she expected! Very soon she’s chasing pork

pies down hills, disguising her shop-bought cakes at the school bake sale – and trying to resist oh-

so-handsome Horatio Spencerville, who just so happens to be the Lord of the Manor…

Could moving to the country be the biggest mistake she’s ever made?

Guest Post

The Inspiration Behind the Twins in

The Little Cottage in the Country

When I started The Little Cottage in the Country I

knew that the role of Anna as mother would be of

utmost importance. Especially as her own mother,

Linda, would be coming to live with her.

Anna, just like me, wants to protect her children and

feels constant ‘mummy-guilt’. Am I doing the right

thing? Am I doing enough? Every mother has

experienced it; any mother will say it never goes

away.

So when Anna decides to leave London she is faced

with the biggest dilemma of all: ensuring that Freddie

and Antonia settle in.

The twins were such fun to write. They have big

personalities and provided so much of the humour.

Let’s not also forget how much comedy (and

embarrassment!) can come from taking children to

nursery or school. The fêtes, the bake sales, the talent

competitions…

But whilst we’re squirming with the odd hierarchy of

yummy-mummies, the joy of children is they can

quite often see past the detail and enjoy the moment

for what it is. They make the most of whatever is

thrown their way.

My son can pick up any item – this morning’s being a

watering can – and it will suddenly become a rocket

or a car. Or I can be pulling my hair out over

something – spilt milk etc. – and he will start laughing

or do a funny dance, putting it all into perspective!

So here is a picture of my son in our laundry basket

going tobogganing… indoors. Yes, he was inside with

the radiator blaring but he thought, ‘This looks fun!’

About the Author

Charlie Phillips, writing under the pseudonym Lottie Phillips, worked as a teacher before turning

her hand to fiction. She was brought up in Africa and the Middle East and then - as an adult -

travelled extensively before moving to London and finally settling in the Cotswolds with her

partner and toddler. When she’s not writing, you will find her scouring interior design magazines

and shops, striving toward the distant dream of being a domestic goddess or having a glass of

wine with country music turned up loud. As a child, she always had her nose in a book and, in

particular, Nancy Drew.

The Little Cottage in the Country is Charlie's debut romantic comedy. She is very excited to be

sharing Anna Compton's hilarious story with you! She also writes psychological thrillers under the

pseudonym Louise Stone, including the best selling novel, S is for Stranger.

Readers can find Charlie Phillips on Twitter @writercharlie or at www.writercharlie.com or

www.writerlottiephillips.com.

Review | The Summer of Serendipity ~ Ali McNamara

The Summer of Serendipity

Ali McNamara

Little, Brown Book Group

July 2017

Rating 4/5

Kindle | Paperback

One summer, property seeker, Serendipity Parker finds herself on the beautiful west coast of Ireland, hunting for a home for a wealthy Irish client. But when she finds the perfect house in the small town of Ballykiltara, there's a problem; nobody seems to know who owns it.

'The Welcome House' is a local legend. Its front door is always open for those in need of shelter, and there's always a plentiful supply of food in the cupboards for the hungry or poor.

While Ren desperately tries to find the owner to see if she can negotiate a sale, she begins to delve deeper into the history and legends that surround the old house and the town. But for a woman who has always been focussed on her work, she's remarkably distracted by Finn, the attractive manager of the local hotel.

But will she ever discover the real truth behind the mysterious 'Welcome House'? Or will the house cast its magical spell over Ren and help her to find true happiness?

If your looking for a book to completely lose yourself in this summer then look no further than this latest novel from Ali McNamara.

I read Ali's previous book and sadly felt that the magic elements were a little too make believe for my liking, but I'm so glad I've given Ali another chance with The Summer of Serendipity.

The Summer of Serendipity sees our main character, Serendipity Parker - or Ren as she likes to be known - and her colleague Kiki Fisher head to Ireland for their latest job. Ren is a property seeker and is looking for the perfect home for her latest client.

No sooner as the pair arrive at their hotel we are introduced to their love interests - Finn and Eddie respectively - which sets the book up nicely. 

Ren and Kiki immediately start their search but to know avail, that is until they take a boat trip across the lake during some down time.

As they are being rowed, Ren spots what appears to be the perfect house and ask's their boat man, Jackie, how they can locate said house. The girls are informed that the house is known as The Welcome House, which has been around for as long as anyone can recall.

Once back on dry land they ask Finn and Eddie more about the house, and more importantly who owns it. The girls are informed that no-one knows who the owner of the house is and after locating it and discovering it to be unlocked and stocked with the bare basics, Ren makes it her mission to try and uncover the secrets of the Welcome House.

What follows is a tale of discovery - Ren looks in to the history of the house and stories of Irish legends as well as discovering more about her self and her heart where Finn is involved.

The Summer of Serendipity is a fun ( I adored Kiki and her witty one liners! ) and gorgeous summery book that reminded me a little of the early Cecelia Ahern novels!

Blog Tour ~ Extract | Her Last Breath ~ Tracy Buchannan

Today I'm delighted to be able to offer you an extract from Her Last Breath, the new novel from Tracy Buchanan.

I've started reading this today and totally intrigued despite only being a few chapters in - be sure to check back on the blog at the end of the week for my review.

I've read two of Tracy's previous novels - My Sisters Secret and No Turning back - and love the detail Tracy gives within her stories along with the unexpected twists. Please click on the titles to read my reviews of these and check out Tracy's Amazon page for all her work, Here.

So without further ado, read on for all the details about the book and a little snippet for you to enjoy!

Her Last Breath

Tracy Buchanan

Avon

June 2017

Kindle | Paperback

Extract

[Extract 7 from Chapter 2 pp.21-22]

She pulled away the white paper from a large slab of beef ready to put it in the fridge.

Then she frowned. There was something on top of the meat, square and white.

She looked over at Louis who was busy tapping away at his laptop at the other end of the

large island, then she grabbed a fork and lifted the item off the meat. It was an envelope,

a name scrawled on the front.

Stel.

She peered at the windowsill, where the poppies she’d received the evening before had

been placed in a vase. The note that had come with them had been addressed to Stel too.

She quickly opened the envelope and pulled out a Polaroid photo. It was a close-up photo

of a teenage girl. Sad brown eyes. Freckled button nose. Dyed red hair . . . red hair that

made her think of another girl, another time.

Alice.

But it wasn’t Alice. In fact, Estelle had no idea who the girl in the photo was. But as she

looked into her eyes, she still felt a flare of recognition.

She looked at the bottom of the photo, where a message had been scrawled, droplets of

blood from the beef blossoming around the words.

They say you’re as pure as the driven snow. But I know you’re not.

I’m watching you. I know everything about you.

Estelle dropped the photo with trembling fingers, watching as it floated to the floor, the

blood from the beef congealing in her nails.

Who the hell had sent this to her?

For more exclusive extracts of 

Her Last Breath

please check out the other wonderful bloggers that are taking part

in the image above.

Review | Summer at Buttercup Beach ~ Holly Martin

Summer at Buttercup Beach

Hope Island Book 2

Holly Martin

Bookouture

June 2017

Kindle | Paperback

For two years Freya Greene has hidden the fact that she’s totally and utterly in love with her best friend Rome Lancaster. It’s not been easy – they work together in his glasswork business, she lives above his workshop and, he’s completely gorgeous. But Rome has never shown any sign of returning those feelings. Until now…

Lately they’ve shared affectionate touches and words heavy with meaning. Yet Freya knows Rome has a damaged heart. After losing his fiancé in a tragic accident, he’s not allowed himself to fall in love.

Freya has already had her heart broken by a man who couldn’t let go of a past love. Can she risk it happening again? Rome and Freya have a friendship that could blossom into something more. Are they both brave enough to take that chance?

I am seriously running out of words to review Holly's books with!

Summer at Buttercup Beach is the second novel in the latest
Hope Island series and features three siblings.

We've already met Bella in the first book, Spring at Blueberry Bay, and followed her romance with Issac, but we were also introduced to her siblings Rome and Eden.

Summer at Buttercup Beach is the turn of Rome's story although I must point out that each of the books can be read as stand-alone novels and in any order,

Rome and Freya have been working together for two years and have formed a strong friendship, however Freya's feelings have moved towards love which is a big step for her since having her heart broken, and although Rome won't admit it - it seems the feelings are mutual!

Over the course of a few weeks and a lot of flirting, Rome eventually takes Freya out on a date.

This of course should be all lovey dovey, however a proposal of the wrong kind sets Freya up for even more heartache.

What follows is a tale of finding your feelings and taking risks with your heart.

Summer at Buttercup Beach has lots of ups and downs, deep conversations, past ghosts and lots of sex talk!

As Freya and Rome get closer, something happens to jeopardise what they could have, until eventually Rome admits his feelings, but again things are taken out of context leaving Freya feeling the only choice is to flee the island - can Rome catch her in time?

Well you are just going to have to grab yourself a copy of this feel good romance story and find out for yourself.

What I will say though, is reading a novel by Holly Martin is sure to leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. Despite the ups and downs of the sub plots her books will certainly whisk you away for a few hours!

Blog Tour ~ Review | The Bed and Breakfast on the Beach ~ Kat French

The Bed and Breakfast on the Beach

Kat French

Avon

June 2017

Rating 4/5

               

A gorgeous summer read to escape with this summer!

Three women throw caution to the wind and move from England to run a B&B on a Greek island.

They’ve all reached a point in their lives when they need a change – one divorced, one empty nester, one made redundant from the job she’s held since leaving school many moons ago.

The move tests their friendship to the limits, brings errant husbands running, and offers new opportunities for love. Each of the women go through their own metamorphosis, but will they choose to stay in Greece when the holiday season winds down?

                

Last year Kat French brought us Robinson Duff in her sexy summer novel, One Hot Summer.

This year's novel, The Bed and Breakfast on the Beach sees us treated to Jesse, an Australian art sculptor and Angelo, a grumpy yet handsome Greek!

OK, so the book isn't primarily about them but its certainly one bonus to it... that and the Sun, Sea and.... Gin! 

The book focus' around three friends, Winnie, Frankie and Stella and starts with them all jetting off to the Greek Island of Skelidos for some girl time. Quickly moving on it is clear that after one too many gin's the girls have ended up purchasing the B&B - Villa Valentina.

That in itself comes with huge responsibilities - a donkey that has vacated to the neighbouring farm and strict intrustions to keep alive the sacred gin recipe which is supplied to the locals.

As the story unfolds we get to know each of the girls that little bit more -

Winnie, nursing a broken heart

Frankie, getting over a divorce

Stella, lost her job.

Villa Valentina is set to be a new start for each of them and they soon fall into their roles of running the place. As Winnie tires to befriend their donkey she gets closer to Jesse their neighbour but after blowing hot and cold signals, Winnie just can't work him out.

Stella is the brains of the business and gets going on a swanky new website but her patience run thin with Angelo, a grumpy and rude, yet sexy customer

And Frankie is in charge of the kitchen - trying out new recipes and wondering where her marriage went wrong, the last thing she expects is to see her ex arrive at the B&B!

I thought that The Bed and Breakfast on the Beach was going to be all sun, sea and steamy nights but it has a lot more drama to it too - their first booking other than Angelo turns out to be a well know pop group looking for a hideaway to work on their next album.

But no sooner as things look up for the girsl, things quickly go horribly wrong too with one of the band members being an alcholoic and setting the place on fire.

throughout the book we are left wondering if the girls will get their happy ever after on what is a book about friendship, love, challenges and discovery.

The Bed and Breakfast on the Beach is the perfect poolside read to take away on your travels this year!

               

Blog Tour ~ Review | The Little Bed and Breakfast by the Sea ~ Jennifer Joyce

The Little Bed & Breakfast by the Sea

Jennifer Joyce

HQ Digital

June 2017

Kindle

Escape to the seaside this summer!

Mae loves running her little Bed & Breakfast, it’s the perfect place to raise her adorable four-

year-old daughter! And no matter how persistently local vet, Alfie, chases her, she just

doesn’t have time for men in her life.

Willow is busy building her dream home with her husband, Ethan, but with every month that

passes she secretly worries that her happy ever after will never come true…

Melody only intended to stay in the bustling seaside town for a few days to capture the

perfect photo. But when she meets Hugo – the charming man in the ice cream van – she

decides to stay a little longer!

One thing is for sure, summer at the little Bed & Breakfast by the sea certainly has a few

surprises in store…

I've love the last couple of novels from Jennifer Joyce so was more than happy to oblige when she recently contacted me about her latest book with HQ - The Little Bed & Breakfast by the Sea.

Firstly - just how gorgeous and summery does that cover look? If I was looking for a beach read then this is the type of cover I would be picking up and popping into my suitcase!

The Little Bed & Breakfast by the Sea is an easy going, light read with lots of humour and cheeky moments that kept me glued, and follows the lives of three women over a summer in Clifton-on-Sea.

The first of the ladies is Mae and the owner of the Seafront B&B - a house she has renovated left to her by her late grandmother. Its just Mae and her young daughter, Hannah, since both Mae's father left when she was small and Hannah's did a runner before she even entered the world.

Mae as a character was easy to like, very down to earth and bubbly but lonely at being single - not that she would let anyone know that, especially Alfie the village vet who ask's her for a date pretty much every time he sees her.

Can I just say here though - Hannah's character was brilliant, having a nieces at similar ages, the language and attitude was spot on!

The second lady from the trio is Willow, a married woman who runs the local up-cycling shop.

Her and Ethan her husband are having a few problems - one being their lack of family status and two being their lack of home. They are currently renovating their dream house but it's not going swimmingly!

When the builders announce the house isn't safe for Willow to stay in she has to hunt for temporary accommodation whilst Ethan is working away. Lucky, cancellations at the B&B means that Willow becomes Mae's first guest for the Summer.

Willow's character again was likeable and relatable  and 

I loved the descriptions the author went to with regards to her work.

Making up Mae's other guest and the third character to the story is Melody, a younger lady to the other two who is travelling along seasides attempting to capture the perfect image to enter a photography competition.

Instantly, Melody hits it off with Hugo and his dog, Scoop, and they spend a lot of time together over the coming days.
I think Hugo and his ego was one of my favourite characters- some can have a big ego that gets on your nerves, but Jennifer had the right balance with his humour that just made him a brilliant addition to the book.

Throughout, though, there is a lot of mention to Ollie from Melody but it isn't until the latter part of the book who we get the full details here.

The three girls bond wonderful and the story flows nicely, although I have recently read a book that I felt had similar sub plots to this one and another that was also set in a B&B
(which I think is this year's buzz setting!) it didn't take away that Jennifer's writing is improving book on book and I enjoyed reading a light hearted, romantic comedy.

The Little Bed & Breakfast by the Sea is the idea sun lounger novel!