** Blog Tour ** The Plot Twist- Victoria Walters

I’m delighted to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘The Plot Twist.’

One new boss, one ex-boyfriend, one big dilemma…

Stevie Phillips has just landed her dream job working for a publishing company and it seems like this is page one of her new, improved life.

But her first day throws more curveballs than she thinks she can handle: there’s been a takeover and the whole publicity team has been fired. And her new boss is the last face she expected to see.

Because Noah Anderson also happens to be her ex-boyfriend.

Thrown together on a campaign for a book the rest of the staff don’t want to touch with a barge-pole, Stevie resolves to make the best of a bad situation. This is her chance to prove herself, and she’s not going to let the man who broke her heart ruin it for her.

When Noah starts hinting that there was more to their break up then him just not loving her, Stevie’s resolution starts to wobble. Getting back with your ex is never a good idea, is it? Especially not when your ex is also your boss…

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/theplottwistsocial

Author Bio –

Victoria Walters is the author of both cosy crime and romantic novels, including the bestselling Glendale Hall series. She has been chosen for WHSmith Fresh Talent, shortlisted for two RNA novels and was picked as an Amazon Rising Star. Previously published by Hera, she is now writing romantic comedies for Boldwood.

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaWaltersAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vicky_Walters

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vickyjwalters/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/VictoriaWaltersNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/victoria-walters

Review-

There is so much to love about this book!

Central female character Stevie is immediately relatable and author Victoria Walters has created a main male character in Noah that is perfectly pitched; the broody heartbreaker with that ‘swoon’ factor that you just can’t help but be drawn to.

I loved the ‘meet-cute’ prologue and the fact the plot centred around a love of books and the world of publishing. The contemporary insights into the behind the scenes promotion of a new book in an attempt to make the bestseller list lent the narrative a fascinating authenticity.

Everything slotted together seamlessly and with short, pacy chapters, it’s easy to fly through as you find yourself wanting to read ‘just one more’.

This is the first book I’ve read from this author, but I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for future releases! A fabulously romantic read!

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

Further stops can be found here:

** Blog Tour ** The Perfect Home- Natasha Boydell

I’m thrilled to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘The Perfect Home.’

Until the girl went missing, we thought it was the perfect place to live…

When we move into the exclusive Westford Park housing estate, we feel safe at last. More like a country club, it has everything we might need – beautiful houses with big gardens, a pool, a boating lake, extensive grounds. It’s also got 24/7 security.

Our new neighbours are lovely too. We start to make friendships that feel like they could last a lifetime.

It feels like nothing could possibly go wrong here.

It’s like our secrets haven’t followed us here.

Or that’s what we think at first…

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/theperfecthomesocial

Author Bio –

Natasha is an internationally bestselling author of psychological fiction, including The Missing Husband and The Woman Next Door. She trained and worked as a journalist for many years before moving into communications in the charity and education sectors. She decided to pursue her lifelong dream of writing a novel in 2019, when she was approaching her 40th birthday and realised it was time to stop procrastinating. Her debut, The Missing Husband, was released in May 2021 and she went on to write three more novels, which are published by Bloodhound Books. Her first novel with Boldwood Books is The Fortune Teller. Natasha lives in North London with her husband, two daughters and two rescue cats.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natashaboydell

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tashboydell

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tashy_boydell/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/NatashaBoydellNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/natasha-boydell

Review-

A change of scenery and the chance to start afresh is needed for all three families who arrive at Westford Park. What they don’t realise is just how much their lives will intertwine in the process.

This is a slow bun psychological thriller with character development at the heart of the storyline. Starting with the disappearance of a teenage girl, the reader is immediately drawn in. Then, with plenty of twists and turns along the way and with some dark and shocking revelations at the end, this is an enthralling read.

It’s as much a story about healing and rebuilding relationships as secrets and lies as each of the characters has their own demons to overcome.

Highly recommended!

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

Further stops can be found here:

** Blog Tour ** Team Spirit- R J Gould

I’m delighted to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘Team Spirit.’

Team Spirit: a humorous take on tennis club turmoil

Everything seems straightforward enough with agreement reached for the tennis club to hold social events at the nearby Dream Café while the clubhouse is being rebuilt.

When Oliver Kilroy is forced to resign as club chairman after taking a bribe from the builder, Laurie, his young and inexperienced deputy, is left in charge of running the club. He accepts the post on condition that the attractive Helen is prepared to support him as the new deputy.

The pair are faced with an unprecedented run of challenges. The builder is failing to deliver on time. A player’s dubious line calls are infuriating opponents. The WhatsApp group has become a hotbed of slanderous gossip. A middle-aged flirt is antagonising the female members. And poor behaviour at the Dream Café is threatening the agreement.

Helen and Laurie are struggling to cope, though tennis club problems are a distant second for Helen as she attempts to start a relationship with Laurie. She’s sure he also wants that but something major is going on in his life to prevent progress. What is that something and can it be overcome?

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.com/Team-Spirit-humorous-tennis-turmoil-ebook/dp/B0CY7HRQB1

Author Bio –

R J Gould writes contemporary fiction about relationships using a mix of wry humour and pathos to describe the tragi-comic life journeys of his protagonists. Team Spirit is his tenth novel and the fourth in the stand-alone ‘at the Dream Café’ series. He has been published by Headline Accent and Lume Books and also self-publishes. Before becoming a full-time author he worked in the education and charity sectors. In addition to his addiction to telling stories, he has somewhat milder addictions to playing tennis, watching film noir cinema, completing Wordle and eating dried mango slices. He is a member of Cambridge Writers, Society of Authors and the Romantic Novelists’ Association UK. He lives in Cambridge, England.

Social Media Links –

Website:  http://www.rjgould.info

Twitter:    https://twitter.com/RJGould_author

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RJGouldauthor

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rjgould_author   

Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6432126.R_J_Gould

Review-

This is a fun packed tale, with plenty of humour and a sprinkle of romance.

Although the fourth book in the Dream Cafes series, this can easily be read as a stand-alone (although I do recommend the earlier books too!)

Who would have thought there would be so many shenanigans going on in a trendy tennis club in Muswell Hill?

There’s a delightfully eclectic mix of characters; some from previous books in the series and others newcomers. Laurie is particularly endearing as he tries to juggle his busy life while embarking on a sweet new romance with Helen.

The Dream Cafe is actually in the background for most of this storyline as it’s the tennis club members who take centre stage; the cafe being a meeting place after the C Team’s Sunday matches.

I particularly liked the inclusion of the messages from the WhatsApp group at different intervals which were very entertaining.

The only thing I struggled with was the inclusion of the ages of Helen and Laurie as I had already built up an image in my head of them being older and couldn’t get to grips with them being in their 30s!

A great, easy read, perfect for a lazy Sunday in the garden!

With thanks to the author and Rachel at Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

Further stops can be found here:

** Blog Tour ** Guilty- Ruby Speechley

I’m thrilled to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘Guilty.’

“You’re invited to my farewell party. I’ve got something to tell you before I die…”

Heather wants to leave this world with a clear conscience.

One confession. One secret. Two scores to settle.

Heather accepted the fate of her terminal diagnosis long ago, but now the time is nearing, she arranges a huge farewell party for her nearest and dearest.

She wants to say goodbye to everyone personally, but there’s another reason she wants the people in her life to gather.

She knows who killed young Simon Eyre all those years ago, and she needs to tell. The boy deserves justice.

But she doesn’t realise that by freeing her own inner demons, she’s unleashing much worse secrets, and putting everyone at risk…

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/Guiltysocial

Author Bio –

Ruby Speechley is a bestselling psychological thriller writer, whose titles include Someone Else’s Baby. Previously published by Hera, she has been a journalist and worked in PR and lives in Cheshire.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063999185095

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rubyspeechley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubyjtspeechley/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/RubySpeechleyNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ruby-speechley

Review-

I was lucky enough to read and review ‘Missing’ by Ruby Speechley and always intended to look out for future books.

In ‘Guilty’, the story is told from the perspective of Heather and the mystery and intrigue is there from the outset. What happened all those years ago and what is the secret she is determined to reveal at her Farewell Party?

Once the party is in full swing, there is a palpable increase in tension and suspense as things become considerably darker and the plot thickens.

From then on in, it’s impossible to put down and a real page-turner.

What is particularly remarkable about this book is how the author manages to successfully weave together a psychological thriller about murder with a main character who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. This feels like it shouldn’t work but it really does!

Some of the themes may be a trigger for some readers but it’s another huge hit from Ruby Speechley and as with the last book, I’m eagerly waiting to see what comes next!

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

Further stops can be found here:

** Blog Tour ** The Workhouse Girl- Lynette Rees

I’m delighted to be one of today’s stops on the final day of the blog tour for ‘The Workhouse Girl.’

Once a workhouse girl, always a workhouse girl…

 

Enid Hardcastle has always had a hard life, but when her family can’t make ends meet and are moved to the workhouse, it feels like things can’t get any worse.

But luckily for Enid, her friendship with local boy Jimmy gives her the strength she needs. Also from the cold, hard streets of Merthyr, Jimmy has made his name as an entrepreneur, repairing boots and hand-delivering them to the fine people of the town.

Enid has seen for herself that you can make a better life for yourself, so with Jimmy’s help, she sets about trying to save her family.

But there are even darker places than the workhouse, and as the rumour mill churns, it appears there’s an even more dangerous fate she will need to avoid…

An emotional and nostalgic historical saga that will have you turning pages, engrossed. Perfect for fans of Sheila Newberry and Lynn Johnson.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/workhousegirlsocial

Author Bio –

Lynette Rees lives in Wales and has been writing since she was a child. She’s in the fortunate position of being a hybrid author – as well as independently publishing some of her novels, she’s also published with Boldwood Books.

The Winter Waif, the story of one young girl’s struggle to overcome adversity following the death of her mother, was published by Boldwood Books in January 2024. This will be followed by two other titles focusing on the lives of another two children growing up in the bustling Welsh town of Merthyr Tydifl where the ironworks and coalpits are the main industries and a life of hardship is the norm. The second in the series, The Workhouse Girl, will be published on May the 31st. This book tells the tale of a fourteen year old girl whose family hits hard times when her father loses his job at the ironworks and they’ve little choice other than to enter the workhouse. This will be followed by a third book at the end of the year.

Lynette enjoys the freedom of writing in a variety of genres including: crime fiction and contemporary romance, though her first love is historical fiction which complements her interest in local history and genealogy. When she’s not writing, or even when she is writing, Lynette enjoys a glass of wine and the odd piece of chocolate as she creates stories where the characters guide her hand. She honestly has no idea how a story will turn out until the characters tell their own tales in their own unique ways.

The most important thing to Lynette is her family and her stories illustrate this with their warm characters who often show a great deal of compassion for others and the plight they find themselves in.

Social Media Links –   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlynetterees

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LynetteRees0

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/LynetteReesNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lynette-rees

Review-

This is a second book in a planned trilogy and while some of the characters from the first book are present in this one, it can easily be read as a stand-alone.

I was fortunate enough to be able to read and review ‘The Winter Waif’ so I had an idea of what to anticipate and it certainly lived up to expectations.

I’m particularly drawn to Lynette Rees’ books due their setting in South Wales and one of the things I find most fascinating is the historical accuracy of the time, including the references to the Cyfarthfa Ironworks and the Crawshay family. I often find myself turning to Google while reading to find out extra titbits of information!

I also love reading about the Victorian era and there is an incredible authenticity within these pages; whether it is the description of conditions in the workhouse or of the more elite members of society at that time.

A real strength of the writing comes through the characters, whose personalities are vividly portrayed. While Enid is the primary focus of the narrative, there are plenty of others who feature prominently and I especially loved Cook, whose warmth and affection leapt out from the pages.

I was gripped by Enid’s tale from the outset and fully invested in her struggles as the story progressed. Her resilience and strength of character is incredible and I loved her determination to not only better herself but also to take care of her family.

A must-read for historical fiction fans. I’m already eagerly anticipating the next one!

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

Earlier stops can be found here:

** Blog Tour ** Her Last Summer- Nina Manning

I’m thrilled to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘Her Last Summer.’

I had vowed I would never get back into the water, but of course, this was always going to be the outcome. I never really had a choice.

When out of work actress Rey Levine is offered her dream acting role, she knows she has to make it work. But there’s a catch: the film calls for Rey to swim, something she hasn’t done since her last fateful summer holiday fifteen years ago. The summer her sister disappeared…and everyone blamed Rey.

Rey will do anything to block out the painful memories, but it means her current life is in freefall – drink and men her drugs of choice.

With her first dip in the cool water, Rey thinks she’s found the perfect escape. But as the water holds her, old memories float to the surface, forcing Rey to remember the terrible summer she’d rather forget.

But someone doesn’t want the truth to surface. Not now, not ever… And they’re prepared to ruin Rey’s life all over again.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/herlastsummersocial

Author Bio –

Nina Manning studied psychology and was a restaurant-owner and private chef (including to members of the royal family). She is the founder and host of Sniffing The Pages, a book review podcast. The Daughter in Law is her debut psychological thriller and since then Nina has gone on to write 9 more books including: The Guilty Wife published in March 2020, The House Mate published in October 2020.The Bridesmaid published May 2021 and Queen Bee in January 2022. She has also written two ‘mum-lit’ fiction books: The 3 am shattered mums’ club and the 6 pm frazzled mums’ club. Her tenth book, Her Last Summer, another thriller, is published in May 2024.

Nina currently lives in The Highlands in Scotland with her family.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083674816362

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ninamanninguk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninamanningauthor/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/NinaManningNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nina-manning

Review-

This is the sixth psychological thriller from Nina Manning that I’ve been fortunate enough to read and review (previous reviews can be found by typing the author’s name into the search bar).

The plot line of this one is quite suspenseful, with little snippets of information gradually being drip fed over the alternating chapters between past and present, told through the eyes of main character Rey.

It’s clear that family dynamics and circumstances have played a pivotal role in events over time and these continue to threaten how individuals behave in the present day. Trauma is a key theme throughout and it is interesting to read Rey’s own journey of self discovery (and sometimes destruction) as a result of childhood experiences.

I had some suspicions early on about different characters and I think this was a really successful part of the narrative as you can’t help but want to piece together the missing parts of the jigsaw puzzle.

An intriguing read that will appeal to fans of this genre.

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

Further stops can be found here: