** Blog Tour ** A Good Enough Mother- Sheila Norton

I’m delighted to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘A Good Enough Mother.’

Mia is telling me a story. It’s about a princess, who lives in a castle, on a street that bears a remarkable resemblance to ours. About a kind old lady who’s the queen. I’m distracted for a moment by her little hand softly slipping into mine. My daughter. My angel.

But then she says something that pulls me from my reverie. She says that the queen doesn’t treat the princess well. She punishes her and doesn’t let her eat anything…

Helen, my neighbour, has been so good to me. And more importantly, she’s so good with the children. Surely this is just another story of Mia’s, just make believe.

Because if it’s not, maybe my dad was right all along: I was never good enough to be a mother, and I’ve let my precious children down in the worst way possible.

A heartbreaking and uplifting story about the choices a mother makes for the sake of her children, perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Emma Robinson and Kate Hewitt.

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

Author Bio –

Sheila Norton lives in Chelmsford, Essex and part-time in Torquay, Devon. She is the author of 25 books so far, covering several different sub-genres of contemporary fiction. She is now being published by Boldwood Books, writing emotionally-charged family-based novels, the first of which, ‘A Good Enough Mother’, will be published on 13 March 2024.

Social Media Links –  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NortonSheilaann

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

Review-

This is a compelling tale of one woman’s struggle with single parenthood told through her stream of consciousness as she constantly worries about whether she is a ‘good enough mother’.

It’s easy to feel sympathy for the main character Jess. Losing her mother at a young age and estranged from her father when she fell pregnant as a teenager, it’s no wonder she has doubts about her parenting skills.

It’s similarly no surprise that she clings to her neighbour Helen, who reminds her of her mum, and naively places her trust in her to support her with the care of the children while she is at work.

I found myself second guessing Helen and Robert’s motives all the way through and I’m certain this is a deliberate ploy by the author.

Jess’ worries about her children will resonate with parents ; her concerns are ones we all will have felt at one time or another.

I also enjoyed the inclusion of Mia’s ‘storytelling’ as a way of adding more intrigue to the plot.

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 American Woman- R J Gould

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

The American Woman: a story of hope, disappointment and new beginnings

When it’s impossible to forget is it possible to forgive?

Jennifer is stuck doing dead end waitressing jobs, her naïve dream of Hollywood stardom in tatters. Gareth, an IT consultant on a temporary contract, is the unlikely customer at Giulio’s Diner in the downbeat part of Los Angeles where she is now working.

It shouldn’t be a perfect match, the attractive, outgoing waitress from Idaho and the shy, good looker from Wales, but when it comes to relationships nothing is predictable, is it?

They move from state to state and when Gareth’s work in America dries up Jennifer follows him to Britain. Everything changes. What is she supposed to do when she discovers that she’s been fed a pack of lies?

Now living alone in Muswell Hill, Jennifer is a regular at the popular Dream Café with a great job and a lovely set of friends, but it’s impossible to cast aside the wonderful memories of her time together
with Gareth.

Were his lies justified? Are they forgivable? And most importantly, should she be giving Gareth the second chance he so desperately wants?

[This is a stand-alone novel in the ‘at the Dream Café’ series]

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/American-Woman-story-disappointment-beginnings-ebook/dp/B0CCYSWVJ3/

https://www.amazon.com/American-Woman-story-disappointment-beginnings-ebook/dp/B0CCYSWVJ3/

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. The American Woman is his ninth novel and follows The Engagement Party, Jack and Jill Went Downhill, Mid-life follies, The bench by Cromer beach, Nothing Man, Dream Café, Then and now, and Darren, Andrew and Mrs Hall.

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 and the Romantic Novelists’ Association UK and lives in Cambridge, England.

Social Media Links –

Website: http://www.rjgould.info

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RJGould_author

Email: mailto:rjgould.author@gmail.com

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-

I’m a huge fan of the ‘at the Dream Cafe’ series and while this latest offering can easily be read as a stand-alone, it was nevertheless great to catch up with characters from previous books.

R J Gould has an easy writing style that means you find yourself fully immersed in the storyline from the outset. In ‘The American Woman’, the chapters are split into the past and present which helps to gradually build the story of the two central characters, Jennifer and Gareth.

I loved Jennifer’s journey of self-discovery as the plot progressed, not only in her romantic relationship but also those with her family members.

While Gareth’s character initially seemed endearing, it was hard not to become frustrated by his inability to open up, although this was eventuality an integral feature of the storyline and essential to the plot.

The Dream Cafe ‘crew’ entertain as always, with their differing dynamics and personalities and I especially liked Kelly’s attempts to breakdown Jennifer’s walls and make her a part of the group.

I also enjoyed the depictions of Jennifer and Gareth’s frequent moves around the states of America and how they influenced Jennifer’s feelings about each location.

I also feel like the ending left enough open to suggest a further addition to the series and look forward to discovering what happens to the characters next.

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 ** Darren, Andrew and Mrs Hall- R J Gould

I’m delighted to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘Darren, Andrew and Mrs Hall.’

A tale of two husbands, two wives, and the woman in between.

It is a June day and the rain is lashing down as Emma and Andrew move into the house of their dreams in an affluent London suburb. Two doors away, dejected Darren and Kelly are downsizing into their new home.

It doesn’t take long for the women to hit it off despite being opposites in many ways.

Meanwhile Andrew, a teacher and poet, and Darren, an alarm systems installer, are at loggerheads from the word go.

When Emma and Kelly decide to take breaks away together – to a spa, a countryside retreat, the Scottish Highlands – their men feel abandoned. Their animosity grows and the loyalty to their wives is tested when Mrs Hall moves in as their in-between neighbour. But who exactly is this woman and what game is she playing?

The wives return from a stay in Scotland to discover that a lot has changed. Will their marriages be robust enough to survive?

Purchase Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Darren-Andrew-Mrs-Hall-relationships-
ebook/dp/B0BW9NDRYG
US – https://www.amazon.com/Darren-Andrew-Mrs-Hall-relationships-ebook/dp/B0BW9NDRYG

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. Darren, Andrew and Mrs Hall is his eighth novel and follows The Engagement Party, Jack and Jill Went Downhill, Mid-life follies, The bench by Cromer beach, Nothing Man, Dream Café and Then and now.

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 and the Romantic Novelists’ Association UK and 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 the third book I have read by this author and it is equally as enjoyable as his previous ones.

I particularly liked the exploration of different themes in this one; from differences in perceived or otherwise social status, to unexpected friendships and discord within marriage and reactions from each of the protagonists.

I really enjoyed the introduction of Mrs Hall later in the narrative and seeing how this not only affected the behaviour of Darren and Andrew but also looking at it from Cecelia’s psychology perspective.

The writing style is punchy and easy to follow, making you eager to keep reading to discover what will happen next.

The developing bond between Emma and Kelly, along with their journey of self discovery away from the confines of their marriages, was a fascinating aspect of the storyline and I loved the links and revisits to the characters from The Dream Cafe with their regular meet-ups there.

A thoroughly engaging read!

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

Further stops can be found here:

** Publication Day Push ** The Secrets of Latimer House- Jules Wake

I’m delighted to be part of the publication day push for ‘The Secrets of Latimer House’.

Synopsis-

In the war against Hitler every secret counts…

Society heiress Evelyn Brooke-Edwards is a skilled interrogator – her beauty making her a non-threat in the eyes of the prisoners.

Farm girl Betty Connors may not be able to type as she claimed, but her crack analytical skills soon find her unearthing covert connections.

German ex-pat Judith Stern never expected to find herself listening in to German POW’s whispered conversations, but the Nazis took her father from her so she will do whatever it takes to help the Allies end this war.

Billeted together in the attic of Latimer House – a place where secrets abound – Evelyn, Betty and Judith soon form a bond of friendship that carries them through the war. Because nothing is stronger than women united.

Tucked away in the Buckinghamshire countryside, Latimer House, a grand country estate, stands proudly – a witness to some of greatest secrets of WW2.

Author Bio –

Jules Wake announced at the age of ten that she planned to be a writer. Along the way she was diverted by the glamorous world of PR and worked on many luxury and not so luxury brands. This proved fabulous training for writing novels as it provided her with the opportunity to hone her creative writing skills.

She writes best-selling warm-hearted romantic contemporary fiction for One More Chapter as Jules Wake and was shortlisted for Romantic Novel of the Year 2020 with The Spark.

Under her pen name Julie Caplin, she also writes the warm and witty Romantic Escapes series. 

Between them, the two Js have written eighteen novels, The Secret of Latimer House being the latest.

Social Media Links – @Juleswake Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/juleswakewrites/Instagram: juleswakeauthor

Review-

A fascinating, historical tale of three women from very different backgrounds who come together in order to help the war effort during World War Two.

A unique set of circumstances brings each of them to Latimer House, where they are billeted as a result of the specific skills they possess, although to the public eye, the house is nothing more than a distribution centre.

Whilst ostensibly a novel about the war, the underpinning stories of the women’s lives and how they each overcome their own demons, cementing the strongest of friendships in the process, is at the heart of the narrative and is utterly compelling. Betty, Judith and Evelyn are so very different and yet, the bond brought about by their remarkable situation is both heart-warming and inspiring.

To discover in the epilogue that Latimer House actually existed lends even further intrigue despite the story itself being fictional.

Highly recommended!

With thanks to the author, One More Chapter and Rachel (@rararesources) at Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in today’s publication day push.