No longer content to
just be Snappigram sensations, folk hop singers Zeke and Angelique are ready to
move up from coffee house performances to the big stage. With songs like “Uh
Huh, Future Baby Mama” and “Don’t Worry About the Bills, Little Missus” there’s
pretty much no way they can fail.
But if their musical career takes off, will it leave their love behind?
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review
My Thoughts…
This book fits its title perfectly, Angelique and Zeke are irritating and credible stereotypes of some of today’s celebrity media stars. The idea for this story is good, and it is amusing and satirical. However, the two main characters and their entourage are difficult to empathise and connect with. The reality doesn’t live up to the expectation, rather like Angelique and Zeke.
If you embrace the current obsession with celebrity and publicising life for all to see, this is a fun read. However, if you find it all shallow and not worth your time, this story is likely to reinforce your perceptions.
#HollyTierneyBedord
Holly Tierney-Bedord is the author of over twenty books ranging from serious women’s fiction to romantic comedies, domestic thrillers, humour, and cozy mysteries. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin.
When builder Terry Johnson spots what he thinks is a bargain he
can’t resist but to succumb to temptation. The large, detached house stands on
the side of a railway track and would be perfect for his needs … and it’s
cheap!
But Billington Manor has a very tainted history, and the grounds upon which it stands were part of an unsolved murder back in the 1850s. Terry is about to discover that the road to hell is not always paved with good intentions.
Based upon a true incident, Ryder On The Storm is a stand-alone supernatural crime novella from the author of the IMP series, featuring desk sergeant Maurice Cragg.
His head was all over the place, not to mention his stomach. If he’d eaten anything at all he was sure it would have reappeared. Pins and needles raced up and down both his arms.
What the fuck had he walked into? Was George a ghost? Was he being haunted? Is that what the Billingtons had been on about when they said “he’d” take care of the place. And who exactly were the Billingtons? What part did they play in it all?
Excerpt from Ryder OnThe Storm – Ray Clark.
#RyderOnTheStorm
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
My Thoughts…
The blurb for the first story in this book intrigued me. I like stories with a supernatural element. This story starts in the past with the discovery of a body. Then in the present day, a builder is viewing an old house with a view to redevelopment. The elderly couple are strange and the logistics of the sale is similarly odd, but the builder’s eyes are focused on profit.
What follows is suspenseful and dark. I read it through twice, and the second time it resonated. The twist of the story is a popular one, but it is effectively used here. The more you think about it, the darker it becomes.
The other three short stories feature the author’s characters from the IMP series, which I haven’t read. The first two are Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries. Each is prefaced with an author’s note detailing how the story came about. This has intrinsic interest and puts each short story in context.The stories are well-plotted with complex characters and decent twists. All have engaging settings. Each delivers a good murder-mystery, and police procedural genre story.
I enjoyed reading all of these stories, perhaps the last three short stories are my favourite, and make me want to read the IMP series.
#RayClark
The British Fantasy Society published Ray Clark’s first work in 1995 – Manitou Man: The World of Graham Masterton, was nominated for both the World and British Fantasy Awards. In 2009, Ray’s short story, Promises To Keep, made the final shortlist for the best short story award from The Tom Howard Foundation. Ray is based in Goole and has set his Gardener and Reilly crime series in nearby Leeds.
Can Charlie pull off the perfect showstopper? Charlie has fallen in love with Porthgolow village and they adore her vintage bus, now getting a new lease of life as the best place to have a Cornish Cream tea in the whole of Cornwall. Charlie and her bus have heralded a new start for Porthgolow too, but the one fly in the ointment is Daniel Harper who is still resisting the charms of Charlie and her bus. Can Charlie bake her way into his heart or is it time to admit that her Cornish dream has got a soggy bottom?
I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins UK – Harper Fiction via NetGalley
My Thoughts…
I’m sad now I’ve read the final part of this lovely, coastal series, it ties up all the loose ends and just when you think everything is going to work out for Charlie, because of her hard work and willingness to learn to trust again, there is a final breathtaking twist.
The story begins where part three finished. Will ‘The Cornish Cream Tea Bus’, survive, and who wants it to fail? At the start of the series, there are lots of people who might want Charlie to fail, but at this point in the story, the perpetrators are much fewer in number, thanks to Charlie’s kindness and tenacity. When the guilty party is revealed it isn’t a surprise, but it’s good to have your suspicions confirmed.
Charlie’ s romantic future seems brighter, but what happens after the Summer? The final twist is heartstopping and the resolution is perfect.
I enjoyed my time in Porthgolow and I hope the author may take us back there again? A lovely coastal romantic story, with some good unique elements, and complex, relatable characters, the perfect beach read.
Charlie’s toughest technical challenge yet… Now that Charlie’s Cornish Cream Tea bus has taken off, everything should be going swimmingly – the locals love her baking, Marmite adores getting his paws wet in the crystal-clear sea at Porthgolow beach, but Charlie has managed to get on the wrong side of the mercurial owner of The Porthgolow Hotel, Daniel Harper. He wants her to pack up her doilies and pastry cutters and take her bus elsewhere, but can Charlie convince him that they have just got off on the wrong foot and that her bus could be the start of something wonderful for the little village?
I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins UK – Harper Fiction via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
My Thoughts…
This series is addictive. Now I know the characters and have experienced the numerous plot twists, I can’t wait to read the final part.
Charlie is embroiled in a tentative love triangle with her two admirers, one seems open and honest, just what she needs, but the chemistry is lacking. Her other admirer is not so easy to read, but the air crackles between them, whenever they are together. Can she take a chance, or will he let her down and destroy her fledgeling business?
Charlie’s is still recovering from her boyfriend’s duplicity and has trust issues. Her head says one thing, her heart something different, who if either of them will she choose?
The Cornish Cream Tea Bus venture expands and seems to be going from strength to strength, as the community finally seems to accept her and her bus.
This penultimate part is full of emotions. Anger and passion, threaten to overshadow Charlie’s professional success. Just when she believes she knows who she wants and can trust, her plans are threatened again. Can she trust the man she is falling in love with or not?
Just off to read the final part now, so I can see if my suspicions are correct.
A bachelor party on a cruise ship. What could go wrong?
When private detective Francie is hired to spy on a groom-to-be as he and his bachelor party set sail for the Caribbean, she thinks she’s landed herself a week of paid vacation. Between lounging in the sun and sipping margaritas, she just needs to–best-case scenario–report back that he’s on the up and up, or–the unfortunate, more likely scenario–snap a few photos of her target in compromising positions, buy a box of sympathy chocolates for her client, and then collect her pay along with a nice golden suntan.
Blame it on the island breezes or the alcohol, but within hours of setting sail, Francie’s leisurely vacation gets complicated when she starts making careless mistakes. Like accidentally becoming friends with the groom and falling for his best man.
Can she get herself and her mission back on track, or has she blown her cover and possibly even her career?
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
My Thoughts…
I enjoyed this quirky, humorous novella, part of a series of eight books, by different authors. Each is a standalone read connected by the cruise ship. Romantic comedies, they are lighthearted and reminded me of a twenty-first-century version of the 1970’s ‘ The Love Boat’, television series.
‘I Will Follow Him’, features Francie, a private investigator following in her father’s footsteps. She is hired to follow a bridegroom to be on his bachelor party by his suspicious fiancee. The party takes place on a cruise ship and then the fun really starts for Francie.
Francie lacks self-esteem, evidenced by her sometimes boyfriend’s treatment of her. The cruise proves to be her salvation but also causes professional issues for her. The romance is sweet, and a little contrived, but this adds to the enjoyment. I like Francie and would be happy to read more of her private investigator exploits.
A fun, romantic story, with believable characters and situations, a holiday setting and a heroine who is easy to like.
Holly Tierney-Bedord is the author of over twenty books including Kindle Unlimited All-Star winner Sweet Hollow Women.
The Oceanic Dreams series is a collection of romantic comedy novellas by eight award-winning, bestselling, and critically acclaimed authors from around the globe.
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When Anna is dumped by her fiancé, she moves into her own place on the edge of the gorgeous Wildflower Park and pledges to stay off men and focus on her career, but a handsome new colleague seems to thwart her attempts at every turn. And when she receives an accidental text from a mystery man, could it be the new start she needs? Or someone she really shouldn’t be falling for?
Anna’s neighbour Sophie is a stressed-out mum-of-two with a third on the way. Her husband is a constant frustration, and their children are a regular source of newly-invented swear words and unidentifiable sticky surfaces.
Luckily, Anna and Sophie have each other – and Wildflower Park proves to be a sanctuary as they map out a path to find the happiness they both deserve…
I received a copy of this book from Avon Books UK via NetGalley in return for an honest review
My Thoughts…
The story takes a darker turn as the final part of the series progresses. Even though like me you may have suspected this development, the clues are there, the final events are suspenseful, and menacing and give this story another unexpected dimension. adding depth and interest.
Anna’s character develops further as the actions of others and changes in her career make her face her demons. I love this character and it’s good to see her discovering her true self. Sophie’s story is also resolved in a satisfying way, and she provides her share of angst and laughter in this final part.
Romance isn’t neglected, Anna finally realises where her heart lies but she faces significant conflict before she finds her true soulmate and her happy-ever-after.
This is a lovely, contemporary story about family, friends and career, with romance, humour and mystery, a very enjoyable read.
When Anna is dumped by her fiancé, she moves into her own place on the edge of the gorgeous Wildflower Park and pledges to stay off men and focus on her career, but a handsome new colleague seems to thwart her attempts at every turn. And when she receives an accidental text from a mystery man, could it be the new start she needs? Or someone she really shouldn’t be falling for?
Anna’s neighbour Sophie is a stressed-out mum-of-two with a third on the way. Her husband is a constant frustration, and their children are a regular source of newly-invented swear words and unidentifiable sticky surfaces.
Luckily, Anna and Sophie have each other – and Wildflower Park proves to be a sanctuary as they map out a path to find the happiness they both deserve…
I received a copy of this book from Avon Books UK via NetGalley in return for an honest review
My Thoughts…
Part three of ‘Wildflower Park‘, aptly called ‘Oopsy Daisy’, follows on from the cliffhanger at the end of part two, Heavily pregnant Sophie, Anna’s best friend has left her husband. The early chapters are emotional, but there are plenty of funny moments too, as Sophie and Anna discuss the state of her marriage. There are some touching scenes with Bill, humour with Maurice(the cat) and Anna wonders if she really is cut out for the single life.
Anna undergoes significant character development in this story. Illustrated by scenes with her ex Liam, Hudson, her attractive work colleague, and Connor, the man she met by mistake. She’s in a quandary, should she hold out for her soulmate, settle for what’s available, or go it alone?
A new opportunity forces her to face her past fears and this part of the story ends with something unexpected. I’m off to read part four, I can’t wait.
