Month: April 2022

Posted in Blog Blitz, Book Review, Contemporary Fiction, Friendship, New Books, Romance, Romantic Comedy

The Wednesday Morning Wild Swim Jules Wake 5* Review @Juleswake @0neMoreChapter_ @rararesources #BlogBlitz #BookReview #Women #friendship #romance #trust #family #romcom #YorkshireEscapes

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She’s trying to figure out her future.

He’s trying to forget his past.

But with the help of some unlikely friends, young and old, and a scruffy dog who just can’t help getting into trouble, a new community is formed – just when they all need each other the most.

Amazon UK

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher.

My Thoughts…

This story admirably showcases this author’s skill in taking relatable characters in everyday circumstances and bringing out what is unique in each person and situation.

Ettie is still searching for a career that suits her. Initially, she appears to lack commitment and drive, but the reader soon appreciates this is not the case. I enjoyed getting to know Ettie and the friends she met whilst wild swimming. Each character has a unique story that emerges and adds to this read’s motivational and uplifting quality.

Dominic is driven and determined to make a success of his latest project, whether he enjoys it or not. His past tragedies define him, and meeting Ettie challenges him to think again. Their friendship and romance are lovely and full of humour, misunderstanding and passion. The many engaging elements in this story make it the perfect read to help you relax.

Jules Wake

Jules Wake is the internationally bestselling author of over ten books including The Saturday Morning Park Run. She also writes as Julie Caplin and her Romantic Escapes series has hit the bestseller charts around the world.

After reading English at the University of East Anglia, Jules Wake worked in PR where she honed her fiction writing skills on press releases.  She’s now a full-time author and what better job is there than making stuff up! It certainly beats housework.

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Posted in Blog Tour, Book Review, Crime, Historical Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Murder Mystery, Mystery, New Books

Miss Aldridge Regrets Louise Hare 4*#Review @LouRHare @HQStories #murdermystery #histfic #BookReview #BlogTour #London #socialhistory #political #AtlanticCrossing #NewYork #1930s #1936 #crimefiction #historicalcrimefiction #MissAldridgeRegrets

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London, 1936

Lena Aldridge is wondering if life has passed her by. The dazzling theatre career she hoped for hasn’t worked out. Instead, she’s stuck singing in a sticky-floored basement club in Soho and her married lover has just left her. She has nothing to look forward to until a stranger offers her the chance of a lifetime: a starring role on Broadway and a first-class ticket on the Queen Mary bound for New York. 
 
After a murder at the club, the timing couldn’t be better and Lena jumps at the chance to escape England. Until death follows her onto the ship and she realises that her greatest performance has already begun.

Because someone is making manoeuvres behind the scenes, and there’s only one thing on their mind…

Amazon UK

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

My Thoughts…

Set in the classic age of murder mystery, the Atlantic crossing aboard a luxury liner provides the setting for a locked room mystery. The murder mystery is only one aspect of this multilayered novel that explores the social history of the time evocatively, mainly centring on class, politics, and race.

Lena’s career has not developed despite her obvious talent and tenacity. London in 1936 is rife with prejudice and extreme politics making Lena’s position precarious. An offer of a role in New York comes at the right time. Possibly implicated in a murder leaving town seems the best option for Lena. Life on the luxury liner is not what she imagined as beneath the glamour, danger, deceit, and depravity simmer, waiting to destroy her.

I like how the social-historical issues explored give this story a literary fiction feel. Interwoven with the well-written classical murder mystery, it has depth and originality that resonates.

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Posted in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contemporary Fiction, Friendship, Giveaway, Humour, New Books

The Spa Break Caroline James 4*#Review @CarolineJames12 @0neMoreChapter_ #Friendship #SecondChances #Heartwarming #age #women #selfdiscovery #humour #uplit #ContemporaryFiction #BookReview #BlogTour @rararesources #TheSpaBreak #giveaway

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A weekend at the spa will leave four old friends with a whole lot more than they’d bargained for…

The glossy brochure promised a serene experience of total tranquillity and rejuvenation, but what best friends Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory get is a weekend that upends their lives!

There for a girls’ weekend to celebrate Bridgette’s impending seventieth birthday, the spa soon has these spicy sexagenarians realising that there are unexpected benefits to age and experience and that over the hill certainly doesn’t mean out of the game…in any respect…

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I received a copy of this book from the author.

My Thoughts…

Four friends go on a weekend spa break to celebrate a birthday; all are older and feel their lives are not what they want them to be. The spa setting is full of colourful characters and new experiences, which help the four friends to find themselves again and move on positively.
The women are believable characters that the reader cares about, brought to life with detailed backstories and their spa experiences. The humour is plentiful, with pertinent, poignant moments that resonate. It’s escapist and uplifting.

CAROLINE JAMES

Best-selling author of women’s fiction, Caroline James, has owned and run businesses encompassing all aspects of the hospitality industry, a subject that often features in her novels. She is based in the UK but escapes whenever lockdown allows. A public speaker, which has included talks and lectures on cruise ships worldwide, Caroline is also a consultant and food writer. Caroline writes articles and runs writing workshops, is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association, the Society of Women’s Writer & Journalists and the Society of Authors. In her spare time, Caroline can be found walking with Fred, her Westie and in summer, wild water swimming. In winter, when not working, she relaxes with her head in a book and hand in a box of chocolates.

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Giveaway to Win a Fred the Westie soft toy and a personalised box of chocolates (UK Only)

Click on the giveaway link to enter.

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the giveaway link above. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for the fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for the despatch or delivery of the prize.

Posted in Blog Blitz, Book Review, Giveaway, Historical Romance, New Books, Regency Romance

The Earl Should Never Desire Lara Temple 5*#Review @laratemple1 @MillsandBoon @HarlequinBooks #MillsandBoonHistorical #HistoricalRomance #BookReview #RegencyRomance @rararesources #TheEarlShouldNeverDesire

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This very handsome earl…Is the one man she cannot fall for…
War widow Lily Walsh has left her aristocratic family behind, but she can’t deny her younger sister’s request to come to London to meet her fiancé. Though not a love match, Lord Sherborne is kind, amusing and ideal for her sister on paper. But as Lily gets to know him, she’s finding him alarmingly attractive! And the forbidden look in the earl’s eye shows the feeling is mutual…

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I received a copy of this book from the author.

My Thoughts…

Lily is a war widow scarred from the war. She teaches veterans and their families in Birmingham. She is devoted to her younger siblings, and when her sister, the toast of society despite the family’s lack of wealth, asks her to London to meet her future husband, she cannot refuse. Marcus promised his mother that he would marry. Anne is beautiful and will make a good mother. A marriage of convenience is fine until he meets Lily.

I enjoyed this Regency romance full of wit and sizzling desire tempered by honour. A sparkling forbidden attraction between Lily and Marcus remains unrequited because of her love for her sister and his sense of integrity. The plot is simple but effective, and the reader hopes for a happy ending but is never sure it will be until the emotional and romantic conclusion.

Lara Temple

Lara Temple writes strong and sensual Regency romances about complex individuals who give no quarter but do so with plenty of passion.
She lives with her husband, two children, and one very fluffy dog and they are all very understanding about her taking over the kitchen table so she can look out over the garden as she writes and dreams up her Happy Ever Afters.

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Giveaway to Win 3 x e-copies of The Earl She Should Never Desire by Lara Temple (Open INT)

Click on the giveaway link to enter

*Terms and Conditions Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the giveaway link above.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for the fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for the despatch or delivery of the prize.

Posted in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contemporary Fiction, Friendship, New Books, Romance

It Started With A Kiss Lisa Hobman 5*#Review @LisaJHobmanAuth @BoldwoodBooks #boldwoodbloggers #BlogTour #BookReview @rararesources #Love #Romance #Friendship #MondayBlogs @bookandtonic #Edinburgh #ItStartedWithAKiss

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Can two strangers’ dreams lead to their destiny?


American Star Mendoza is living in her dream location, Edinburgh, a place she discovered in British novels while growing up.

Employed at a trendy city-centre coffee shop, quirky, pink-haired Star spends her days fantasising about a handsome businessman she serves daily.

He’s totally out of her league but a girl can dream, right?

Fin Hunter is exhausted from striving for his father’s elusive love and approval, and from following a life path of his family’s making.

When things go drastically wrong Fin decides it’s time to stand on his own two feet and follow his own dream.

Star is bereft when her handsome stranger stops coming to her coffee shop, but a chance encounter in the most unlikely of places leaves her wondering if her fantasy could now become a reality?

Can opposites attract over their love of a city and music or is their story simply doomed to fail?

Previously Published as ‘Star Attraction’

Amazon UK

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

My Thoughts…

Star and Fin are opposites. She works in a coffee shop and is a free spirit; he is a successful lawyer, yet when they meet, there is a spark, and as their story plays out, they discover more similarities than differences in the things that matter.

Excellent characterisation and world-building draw the reader into this lovely couple’s lives. They are flawed and relatable, and as their relationship deepens, they help each other become their true selves. The vibrant setting complements a story full of angst and love.

I like the story’s immersive qualities that invest the reader in Star and Fin’s lives and make what happens matter.

Lisa Hobman

Lisa Hobman has written many brilliantly reviewed women’s fiction titles - the first of which was shortlisted by the RNA for their debut novel award. In 2012 Lisa relocated her family from Yorkshire to a village in Scotland and this beautiful backdrop now inspires her uplifting and romantic stories. Her first title for Boldwood Dreaming Under an Island Skye was published in February 2021.

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Posted in Blog Tour, Book Review, Friendship, Mystery, New Books, Romance, Romantic Comedy

A Scottish Highland Surprise Julie Shackman 5*#Review @G13Julie @0neMoreChapter_ #Romance #Mystery #Secrets #Family Friendship #BlogTour #BookReview @rararesources #AScottishHighlandSurprise

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Discover the secrets and surprises that the scenic Scottish town of Briar Glen has to offer…

When wedding planner Sophie Harkness refuses to move a friend’s wedding to accommodate a spoilt bridezilla, she finds herself out of a job. That is until she discovers her late grandma has purchased a local shop for her in the pretty Scottish town of Briar Glen.

Surprised and delighted, Sophie opens her own porcelain shop in honour of her grandmother. But when an unusual tea set is left with Sophie, along with a mysterious letter, she can’t help but be intrigued by the story behind the antique.

And when the handsome but aloof art critic Xander North comes knocking on her door, Sophie is about to find out the true colourful past of her latest treasure.

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I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

My Thoughts…

As a wedding planner in a highlands hotel, Sophie loves her role except for her boss and the often overzealous brides. Resigning on a point of principle means she can take up the opportunity afforded by her late grandmother, but can she make the business succeed? A multilayered story tells the story of her grandmother’s early life, a mystery surrounding an antique tea set and a gentle but conflicted romance for Sophie.

I like the story’s originality and how the plot incorporates three women’s stories, all intricately woven into an engaging plot. Sophie is s likeable character with easy to understand motivations. Xander is the perfect love interest, arrogant but hiding a broken and kind heart.

This story provides the reader with an enjoyable medley of mystery, poignancy and romance.

Julie Shackman

Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags. She is married, has two sons and a Romanian rescue pup, who she named Cooper. A Scottish Highland Surprise is Julie’s sixth novel.

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Posted in Book Review, Historical Romance, New Books, Victorian Romance

A Dance To Save The Debutante Eva Shepherd 5*#Review @MillsandBoon @HarlequinBooks #millsandbooninsiders #millsandboonhistorical #harlequinhistorical #historicalromance #evashepherd #victorianromance #histfic #BookReview #ADanceToSaveTheDebutante

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A jaded rake

And an innocent debutante…

Seeing Miss Sophia Cooper being rebuffed by a reprobate Duke, Lord Ethan Rosemont does the gentlemanly thing and dances with her himself. He discovers she’s no damsel in distress, but an intelligent woman who’s had enough of the marriage mart. It would be all too easy to give in to the desire fizzing between them – but only if this rake is willing to save her reputation – by marrying her himself…

Amazon UK

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

My Thoughts…

A Dance To Save The Debutante’ is an enjoyable romance between a naive but intelligent debutante and a kind-hearted rake. The story gives an insight into Victorian society’s attitude towards women. Sophia and Ethan’s chemistry and unlikely friendship develop into a gentle and engaging romance full of conflicts and soul searching before their happy ending. The two main characters develop satisfyingly. With touches of forbidden passion and fairytale romance, this is a lovely escapist read.

Posted in Book Review, New Books, Romance

Banished Prince to Desert Boss Heidi Rice 5*#Review @HeidiRomRice @millsandboon @harlequinbooks #millsandboonmodern #harlequinpresents #Romance #millsanbooninsiders #BanishedPrincetoDesertBoss

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Will she be his Cinderella?

Exiled prince Dane’s declaration that he’ll only attend an important royal ball with her as his date sends by-the-book diplomatic aide Jamilla’s pulse skyrocketing. Ignoring protocol for once feels amazing, until their stolen moment of freedom becomes a sizzling scandal…

Amazon UK

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

My Thoughts…

Ambitious and loyal, Jamilla hopes guiding the King of Zafar’s half brother through a vital trade mission will further her career. Dane doesn’t want to be in Zafar but would do anything for his older brother. Sizzling chemistry and misunderstandings define Jamilla and Dane’s first meeting, and Jamilla needs all her diplomatic skills to deal with Dane.

I like the gradual emotional commitment and trust between Jamilla and Dane. The beautifully flawed characters, both with emotional damage from childhood, have a conflicted but deepening relationship.

Vivid settings and vibrant characters make this glamorous romance engaging to read.

Posted in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contemporary Fiction, Family Drama, Friendship, Historical Fiction, New Books, Parenting and Famlies, Romance

The Secrets of Summer House Rachel Burton 5*Review @RachelBWriter @AriaFiction #TheSecretsofSummerHouse @HoZ_Books #family #secrets #relationships #loss #mothersanddaughters #mentalhealth #Romance #BlogTour #BookReview

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The secrets of Summer House are about to come out at last…

1976. Rushing out of the University Library, undergraduate Alice Kenzie bumps straight into PhD student Tristan Somers. There begins a whirlwind romance, and Alice falls pregnant and gives birth to a baby girl. Then Tristan is killed in a car accident. Unable to cope, Alice takes her baby to Summer House, Tristan’s family home in Suffolk, leaves her there and disappears.

2018. Olivia Somers has always been told that her mother died in the same accident as her father. But when she finds a bundle of old letters in Summer House, everything she ever believed about her mother is called into question. Can she find her – and even more importantly, forgive her?

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I received a copy of this book from Head of Zeus- Aria via NetGalley.

My Thoughts…

Atmospheric, emotional and full of well-crafted characters, this dual timeline novel grips the reader from the first page and immerses them in the two hot summers of 1976 and 2018. Both stories are intriguing, and they give the reader insight into both women’s emotions and lives. There is an underlying mystery that weaves itself around the house, an immersive setting in both timelines.

Character-driven this story explores familial relationships and mental health issues and the differences in acceptance, attitudes and expectations in 1976 and 2018. There are many poignant scenes in both Alice’s and Olivia’s lives. Olivia’s quandary over whether to look for her mother and her feelings towards her are particularly emotional.

The passion and romance shine through in each woman’s life, as do the tragic events. I enjoyed the characters’ authenticity and the details and sensory imagery that bring this story to life.

Rachel Burton

Rachel Burton has been making up stories for as long as she can remember and always dreamed of being a writer until life somehow got in the way. After reading for a degree in Classics and another in English Literature she accidentally fell into a career in law, but eventually managed to write her first book on her lunch breaks. Now she writes from a small bedroom looking out over hydrangeas, lavender bushes and rambling roses, in a little house in Yorkshire that she shares with her husband and their three cats. She loves words, Shakespeare, tea, The Beatles, dresses with pockets and very tall romantic heroes (not necessarily in that order).

Find her on Instagram as @RachelBWriter or follow her blog at rachelburtonwrites.com.

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Posted in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contemporary Fiction, Family Drama, Friendship, Mystery, New Books, Romance

Six Days Dani Atkins 5#Review @AtkinsDani @AriaFiction @HoZ_Books #BlogTour #BookReview #Romance #Wedding #Friendship #loss #love #Family #mystery #SixDays

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Two people. One love story. Six days.

Gemma knows that she and Finn are destined to be together. They are soulmates. But then, on their wedding day, he never arrives at the church.

Gemma is convinced Finn wouldn’t abandon her like this, even though he has disappeared once before. But back then he had a reason. She feels sure something terrible has happened, but no one else is convinced. Even the police aren’t concerned, telling Gemma most people who disappear usually turn up in a week… assuming they want to be found, that is.

For the next six days, Gemma frantically searches for Finn, even though every shocking revelation is telling her to give up on him. Before long, even she begins to doubt her own memories of their love.

How long can she hold on to her faith in Finn if everyone is telling her to let him go?

Waterstones Amazon UK

I received a copy of this book from Head of Zeus - Aria.

My Thoughts…

Gemma and Finn are soulmates, at least that’s what she believes even when he fails to turn up for their wedding—told in a dual timeline from their first meeting to the days after the wedding that never was. It’s a tumultuous journey that encompasses many emotions that immerse the reader in Gemma and Finn’s story.

Gemma is a lovely character, driven, loyal and loving of everything she cares about, and Finn is at the top of her list. Her relationships with her father and best friend are strong, but her heart belongs to Finn, and this is clear with every page turned in this engaging read.

The plot is intricate, and the mystery of what happened to Finn remains until the final chapters. The author creates believable characters, and original scenarios capture the reader’s interest. I enjoyed the element of mystery, the strong friendship and familial connection, and especially the love that binds Gemma and Finn, making this an epic romance.


Dani Atkins is an award-winning novelist. Her 2013 debut Fractured (published as Then and Always in North America) has been translated into 18 languages and has sold more than half a million copies since its first publication in the UK. Dani is the author of four other bestselling novels, two of which, This Love and A Sky Full of Stars, won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award, in 2018 and 2022 respectively. Dani lives in a small village in Hertfordshire with her husband, one Siamese cat and a very soppy Border Collie. Follow Dani on Twitter @AtkinsDani

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