Tag: Novella

Posted in Book Review, Contemporary Fiction, Family Drama, Friendship, Humour, Mystery, New Books, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Serial, Short stories

A Wedding at Sandy Cove: Always the Bridesmaid Bella Osborne 5*#Review @AvonBooksUK @osborne_bella #romance #mystery #humour #friendship #romcom #family #novella #serial #part1 #AlwaystheBridesmaid #AWeddingatSandyCove

Posted on by jolliffe01

This is the first part in a brand new four-part serial from Bella Osborne.

This will be Ella’s eighth time down the aisle…

Ella has made it her mission in life to find every bride in their dream dress.

But every time she sends one of her happy customers off to the altar with a perfect, ivory silk gown, she thinks of those seven, hideous bridesmaid dresses hanging in her own closet.

She’s about to add another one, too, because her best friend’s wedding is now only months away. And this one, in a muddy shade of brown, might be the worst dress yet.

Ella is excited for her friend to have the perfect seaside wedding, but every discussion about flowers and centrepieces makes her feel more alone than ever.

So, Ella finally accepts her friends’ pleas to set her up on a blind date.

Ella is set to meet a handsome, gym-going estate agent. But a mix up on the night throws her into the path of Kit, instead.

Kit is most definitely not the man she was supposed to meet, but he could end up changing her life in ways she never thought possible…

Laugh-out-loud funny and full of romance, friendship and yards of white tulle, this is the perfect read to escape with.

Amazon UK Amazon Kobo

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

My Thoughts…

An entertaining read that draws you into Ella’s world of demanding brides, ungrateful bosses, and wedding dresses. She’s a lovely character, hardworking, constantly put upon and always trying to please others. I love the mix of laugh out loud hilarity and poignant moments. The believably created friendship dynamic between Ella, Lucy and Brittany defines this story and makes it engaging.

Meeting Kit is unexpected for Ella and threatens unwelcome life changes. The plot has twists, and this first part has a dramatic ending, making reading the rest of the story essential.

Bella Osborne

Bella has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full-length novel. Since then she’s written seven best selling romantic comedies and she’s been shortlisted three times for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

Bella’s stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She lives in The Midlands, UK with her husband, daughter and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. When not writing Bella is usually eating custard creams and planning holidays.

For more about Bella, visit her website at www.bellaosborne.com or follow her on social media.

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Posted in Blog Tour, Book Review, Christmas Read, Contemporary Fiction, Family Drama, Festive Read, Friendship, Romance

Christmas Surprises at Mermaids Point Sarah Bennett 5*#Review @BoldwoodBooks @Sarahlou_writes @rararesources #friendship #romance #family #coastal #community @bookandtonic #festive #novella #boldwoodbloggers #BlogTour #BookReview #ChristmasSurprisesatMermaidsPoint

Posted on by jolliffe01

Christmas is a time for love, laughter, families and friends, and in Mermaids Point, everyone is getting ready for the festive season.

For Nerissa and Tom, this will be their first Christmas as a couple, but making sure they have time for each other, whilst blending their families, will take some careful planning. What festive traditions will they make their own?

Laurie and Jake are flat out running Laurie’s seafront café, packaging up orders of mince pies, sausage rolls and other delectable Christmas goodies, as well as finding time for Jake’s journalism.  But when Jake’s mum offers them an unexpected gift, their plans are turned upside down.

Alex can’t help but be charmed by beautiful and talented Ivy, but he’s still recovering from his ex-wife’s betrayal and has a secret life he’s not ready to share with anyone yet. But as the Christmas spirit starts weaving its magic, Alex may find himself ready for love sooner than he imagines.

For Andrew, nothing is more important than family. As friends and family gather beneath his roof it’s a time for reflection about what the future might hold.

As far as Nick is concerned, pop sensation Aurora Storm is the one that got away. After they shared a brief holiday fling, he has been thinking about her ever since. Is Christmas the perfect time to finally reach out to her, or is love at first sight just in fairy tales?

Amazon UK

I received a copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

My Thoughts…

As well as Christmas surprises, this story connects the two excellent stories that I’ve already read. Whilst giving the reader a taste of the angst and romance to come in this series. There are updates on the two couples featured in the two previous novels and the introduction of new but connected characters. The community spirit and uplifting ethos that define this series are evident, with a lovely festive twist.

Sarah Bennett

Sarah Bennett is the bestselling author of several romantic fiction trilogies including those set in Butterfly Cove and Lavender Bay. Born and raised in a military family she is happily married to her own Officer and when not reading or writing enjoys sailing the high seas.

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Read my review of Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point

Read my review of Autumn Dreams at Mermaid’s Point

Posted in Blog Blitz, Book Review, Christmas Read, Festive Read, Historical Romance, New Books, Victorian Romance

Snow-Kissed Proposals Jenni Fletcher, Elisabeth Hobbes 5*#Review @JenniAuthor @ElisabethHobbes @HarlequinBooks @MillsandBoon #MillsandBoonInsiders #HarlequinHistorical #MillsandBoonHistorical #VictorianRomance #Novella #Festive #Scotland #Derbyshire #PublicationDay @rararesources #BookReview #SnowKissedProposals

Posted on by jolliffe01

A snowy Victorian Christmas – Two festive short stories!

In The Christmas Runaway by Jenni Fletcher: wilful, independent heiress, Fiona MacKay, impulsively runs away to a remote Scottish tower where she’s trapped in the snow with equally headstrong, deliciously dishevelled Angus Drummond.

In Their Snowbound Reunion by Elisabeth Hobbes: fifteen years ago, Amy Munroe and Anthony Matthews were cruelly parted, and each blames the other. When Amy becomes Anthony’s new housekeeper, their passion is reawakened!

Amazon UK

I received a copy of this book from the authors in return for an honest review.

My Thoughts…

‘Snow-Kissed Proposals’ is set in Scotland and Derbyshire, two festive novellas with independent heroines and wintry settings.

‘The Christmas Runaway’ is set in northeast Scotland, where Fiona’s ill-considered winter trip leads to conflict, friendship and romance. The bleak and forbidding setting is the perfect place for Fiona and Angus to meet. Their relationship develops from enemies to friends and is full of witty banter and conflict right to the end.

‘Their Snowbound Reunion’ is set in Derbyshire and is a story of second chances and forgiveness. Amy and Anthony enjoyed a brief but ill-fated romance. When they meet again, there is still something between them. This is a lovely second chance romance with characters that are easy to empathise with and a happy ending.

Both these Victorian romances are engaging and the perfect book to read in front of a cosy fire.

Jenni Fletcher
Elizabeth Hobbes

Jenni Fletcher is the award-winning author of 15 historical romances. She has been nominated for 4 RoNA Awards and won the Libertà Books Shorter Romantic Novel Award in 2020. She lives in Yorkshire with her family and can be contacted via Twitter @JenniAuthor. Facebook

Elisabeth Hobbes’ writing career began when she finished in third place in Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write contest in 2013.  She was offered a two-book contract and consequently had to admit secret writing was why the house was such a tip.  She is the author of numerous historical romances with Harlequin Mills & Boon covering the Medieval period to Victorian England, and a Second World War romantic historical with One More Chapter. She lives in Cheshire because the car broke down there in 1999 and she never left. Twitter Facebook

Posted in Blog Tour, Book Review, Family Drama, Novella, Poetry

I Left the Room Burning by Beth O’Brien 4*#Review #poetry @bethoblogs @Wildpressed @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours #Novella #Family #Sisters #MentalHealth #ILefttheRoomBurning #BookReview #BookTour

Posted on by jolliffe01


A woman who never wanted children finds herself reluctantly bringing up her sister’s daughter. The aunt is in an abusive relationship. The niece is a strange child who wishes to disappear. The narrative threaded through these eighty short poems confuses and obfuscates, whilst at the same time completely drawing the reader into the extent that by the end, one is left with the feeling of having watched a deeply immersive film or read an engrossing novella.

Beth O’Brien weaves magic with her lyrical and evocative language, and with the tangibility of her characters’ unreliable voices, she reveals herself as a master storyteller.

Amazon UK

I received a copy of this book from Wildpressed Books in return for an honest review.

My Thoughts…

Poetry, because of its imagery and lyrical qualities, evokes an emotional response in its reader. This may be confusion, happiness, humour, sadness, or a combination of these. This collection of poems left me feeling confused and sad as it tells the story of a family torn apart by abuse, disinterest and poor mental health.

The imagery is powerful and pushes the story forward towards its conclusion. It has a uniqueness that is refreshing and doesn’t reveal everything about its subject. This needs more than one reading to appreciate the content. The lyrical quality and structure are enjoyable from the first pages.

Contemporary and thought-provoking this collection of poems resonates with the reader.

Posted in Cover Reveal, Novella, Poetry

I Left the Room Burning by Beth O’Brien #poetry #CoverReveal @Wildpressed @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours #Novella

Posted on by jolliffe01


A woman who never wanted children finds herself reluctantly bringing up her sister’s daughter. The aunt is in an abusive relationship. The niece is a strange child who wishes to disappear. The narrative threaded through these eighty short poems confuses and obfuscates, whilst at the same time completely drawing the reader into the extent that by the end, one is left with the feeling of having watched a deeply immersive film or read an engrossing novella.

Beth O’Brien weaves magic with her lyrical and evocative language, and with the tangibility of her characters’ unreliable voices, she reveals herself as a master storyteller.

Posted in Blog Tour, Book Review, Friendship, Novella, Romance, Romantic Comedy

Blue Skies Alana Oxford 3 *#Review @AlanaOxford @rararesources #BlueSkies #Romance #Serendipity #RomCom #Novella #SweetRomance #BlogTour #BookReview

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Life isn’t always a walk in the park, but when Patrice takes her Pomeranians to the park after a rough day at the office, fate steps in. An unlikely hero comes to the rescue when one of her dogs gets loose. Short, pale, and kind of cute, Seth doesn’t have a lot of confidence with the ladies, but he hits it off with Patrice.

But some things might be too good to be true. While Patrice wonders if Seth could possibly be “the one”, fate steps in again with a horrible twist. Will it be a deal breaker or just a storm before bright blue skies?

Amazon Amazon UK

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

My Thoughts…

The author manages to create a credible love story in novella format.

Patrice and Seth are relatable characters, and the romance is sweet, but there’s plenty of believable conflict getting in the way of their happy ever after. The dialogue and setting reflect that this is North American sweet romance. I struggled to connect with the characters and the setting, but I can appreciate that this will appeal to many.

Alana Oxford

Alana Oxford is a Michigan author of romcoms, sweet romance, and humorous women’s fiction. She wants her stories to bring sunshine and smiles to her readers. She enjoys improv comedy, moody music, everything book related, and has an ongoing love affair with the United Kingdom.

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Posted in Blog Blitz, Book Review, Fantasy, Horror Fiction, Noir, Paranormal, Short stories

The Deal by Jonathan Whitelaw 4* #Review @urbanebooks @JDWhitelaw13 @HoneyandStag #TheDeal @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours

Posted on by jolliffe01

Following the sinful shenanigans of Hellcorp and The Man in the Dark, the hellishly handsome Devil turns his attention to the most frightening of all holidays … Halloween.

Jonathan Whitelaw has written a unique, one-off special tale starring Ol’ Nick himself – and set in the wild Wild West. After lending a hand to a down-on-his-luck prospector, The Devil returns thirty years later to collect his debt – but as ever when The Devil is involved, nothing ever goes to plan.

A prequel to the bestselling HellCorp, this enthralling and very funny tale is the perfect read for Halloween and fans of Ben Aaronovitch, Christopher Fowler and Benedict Jacka.

All proceeds from every sale of The Deal will be donated to Samaritans.

Amazon UK

I bought a copy of this book from Amazon UK for 99p.

My Thoughts…

Atmospheric with authentic historical detail this quirky short story takes the reader to 1850s California, where gold prospecting is a way of life. Abner is a young man hoping to make his fortune, everything about the place unnerves him, but the chance for riches keeps him there. Enter the devil who sees him as a soul ripe for the picking and the age-old battle of good versus evil commences.

The devil has an enticing manner with untold evil barely hidden beneath the surface. The writing style draws you into the story. It makes you suspend belief, and the ending shows how unpredictable humans and life can be.

An ideal Halloween read which makes you want to seek out the author’s other books.

Interview with Jonathan Whitelaw

Jonathan Whitelaw

Jonathan Whitelaw is an author, journalist and broadcaster.

After working on the frontline of Scottish politics, he moved into journalism. Subjects he has covered have varied from breaking news, the arts, culture and sport to fashion, music and even radioactive waste – with everything in between.

He’s also a regular reviewer and talking head on shows for the BBC and STV.

HellCorp, from Urbane Publications, is his second novel following his debut, Morbid Relations.

Posted in Audiobook Review, Blog Tour, Book Review, Contemporary Fiction, Friendship, Novella, Romance

Jesse’s Girl Tara September 4*#Review @TaraSeptember #Narrator @verla_bond #Audiobook #Review #Romance #Friendship @RandomTTours #BlogTour #BookReview #JessesGirl

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🎶 “I wish that I had Jesse’s Girl”*

Successful Texas lawyer, Reade Walker, curses that damn song every time it plays, all too aware of the irony of its lyrics. After all, he has been secretly and painfully enamored with Jesse’s girl, Gwen, for nearly a decade. It was love at first sight for him, but sadly she’s not his girl. She belongs to the one man who betrayed him and knows Reade’s hidden family secret. Yet Reade can’t seem to love anyone except the one woman he can’t have. Or can he make her mine? When Gwen Clark’s senator husband runs off with his intern and all their money, the ensuing scandal turns her life upside down. Deserted, penniless and desperate to provide for her six-year-old daughter, Gwen has no one to turn to but Reade Walker. The one man her heart desperately wants, but her pride dreads having to ask for help. Despite welcoming them into his home, it seems like Reade can barely stand being in the same room with her anymore, let alone under the same roof—in the same bedroom. But Gwen is determined to get her life back on track. It is past time to rediscover her own dreams…if only she can keep her aching heart from breaking all over again.

Amazon UK

I received a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

My Thoughts…

This is a friend to lover romantic novella with relatable characters and sensual romance. I listened to this story in audiobook form, and it was enjoyable. The narration is professional, and her interpretation of the characters and the plot immerses the reader in the story making it an authentic experience.

The plot is easy to follow with great sensual tension between Gwen and Reade. There is also a charming family element to this story, which makes the happy ever after more rewarding. This easy to listen to audiobook is perfect for lovers of sensual romance and happy endings.

Tara September

Blogger and former PR executive for The Walt Disney Company, Tara holds a Master’s degree in journalism & communications from New York University. She also spent a semester abroad during her undergrad at Queen Mary University in London. For over a decade before publishing, Tara has penned a popular lifestyle, travel and parenting blog at TaraMetBlog.com. 

Always an avid romance reader, she has been daydreaming about being an author since school. Dozens of bad dates, four cities and adventures later, she still finds it impossible that she met her husband on a New York City subway. They now live in sunny Florida with identical twin boys and four cats underfoot/on her laptop/everywhere. Fueled by an IV of green tea and sometimes Champagne, she’s finally writing the happily ever after tales she’s been dreaming about.

Posted in Blog Tour, Book Review, Friendship, Novella, Romantic Comedy

A Cornish Summer Holiday Little Duck Pond Cafe Rosie Green 4* #Review @Rosie_Green1988 @rararesources #RachelsRandomResources #RomCom #Loss #Cornwall #rural #Friendship #BlogTour #BookReview #ACornishSummerHoliday #LittleDuckPondCafe #novella #FridayMorning #FridayFeeling #FridayMotivation

Posted on by jolliffe01

The Little Duck Pond Cafe girls are looking forward to a well-earned break in the Cornish seaside town of Pengully Sands, where Sylvia’s sister, Aggie, owns a holiday home. With the glorious golden sands, sparkling azure sea and an ice-cream parlour only yards away, it seems like the perfect location to relax and watch the surfers riding the waves (and maybe even have a go themselves). But when they arrive, the girls find it’s not quite the seaside idyll they were expecting. The house is less ‘holiday home’ and more ‘creepy, dilapidated haunted house.’ Gracie, who runs the ice-cream parlour, has problems of her own and the last thing she needs is a bunch of high-spirited girls arriving to disturb the peace and isolation she craves. And when a handsome stranger looks set to destroy her livelihood, it seems like the last straw. Will Gracie get her happy ending – and maybe even make friends with the girls next-door? This wasn’t the relaxing break the Little Duck Pond Cafe girls were expecting, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be the holiday of a lifetime!

Amazon UK

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

My Thoughts…

Book ten of this popular series is my first experience with The Little Duck Pond Cafe series, which reads as a standalone. The girls are on a sabbatical from the cafe. They travel to Cornwall for a luxury coastal holiday, but everything is not as planned.

The dual perspective story contrasts between the girls’ camaraderie and new character’s Gracie’s isolation. There are lots of sad moments interspersed with fun mayhem and romance.

This is a lovely tale of friendship loss and love. Complex characters interact well making you want to read the earlier books in the series.

Rosie Green

Rosie has been scribbling stories ever since she was little.

Back then, they were rip-roaring adventure tales with a young heroine in perilous danger of falling off a cliff or being tied up by ‘the baddies’.

Thankfully, Rosie has moved on somewhat, and now much prefers to write romantic comedies that melt your heart and make you smile, with really not much perilous danger involved at all – unless you count the heroine losing her heart in love.

Her series of novellas is centred around life in a village cafe. The latest, ‘ A Cornish Summer Holiday Little Duck Pond Cafe’, is out now.

Rosie is currently writing a full-length book, ‘Lucy’s Great Cornish Escape’, which – in a fun twist – will feature favourite characters from the Little Duck Pond Café series.

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Posted in Blog Blitz, Book Review, Crime, Novella, Suspense

Vanishing Point Vanessa Robertson 4*#Review @Ness_Robertson @lovebooksgroup #KateCarpenter #lovebookstours #BlogBlitz #Newsletter #SignUp #BookReview #Art #VanishingPoint

Posted on by jolliffe01

A stolen painting.

A high stakes recovery operation.

A game of nerve.

Art advisor Kate Carpenter has an off-the-books sideline in art recovery, dealing with thieves and gangsters to reunite valuable artworks with their owners. But this time she’s taking it up a notch. Only a day after her ex-boyfriend was convicted of assaulting her, she’s off to Belarus on the trail of a priceless van Gogh with a posse of ex-soldiers riding shotgun. Right now, the buzz of securing the return of that painting is just what she needs.           

Amazon UK

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I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

My Thoughts…

As an introduction to the intrigues of the art world and Kate Carpenter, art recovery expert, this novella works well. The detailed story draws you into Kate’s world. It’s a fascinating place to be. The story has a steady build-up of suspense, pacy with a touch of gentle romance.

Kate is a complex character. Past events have left their emotional scars, and there’s an undercurrent of danger in her life. I’m looking forward to the first full-length novel after this insight into her world.

Vanessa Robertson

Midlander by birth, Scot by choice, Vanessa Robertson won Pitch Perfect at the Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival in 2015. Death Will Find Me, a crime novel set in 1920s Edinburgh featuring former spy, Tessa Kilpatrick is her first novel. Later in 2019, Vanessa will be launching a series of thrillers set in the world of high stakes art crime, and the second Tessa Kilpatrick book will be published in early 2020.

Vanessa lives in a cottage in the middle of a Scottish wood with her family and an unfeasibly large dog. She enjoys wild beaches, Venetian cafes and wandering around art galleries. She dislikes celery, cheap notebooks and writing about herself in the third person.