** Blog Tour ** Friends for Life- Liz Murphy

I’m pleased to be one of the stops on the final day of the blog tour for ‘Friends for Life.’

Kate, Rose and Pascalle are thrown together because they share one experience – they have each lost their husbands. Shocked and bewildered, all three try to work out what it means to be suddenly alone with no partner, no security and their entire future wiped out.

If that wasn’t enough, they are also faced with family conflict, elderly parents, and a support network that turns out to be sadly lacking. And for each woman, secrets from the past threaten to derail their attempts to move on.

*On the surface, Kate’s husband Jason was fun-loving and generous. Only she knows differently. In the months after his death, her attempts to rid her life of the things that trigger bad memories are also driving her son away. By keeping Jason’s secret is she in danger of losing her son as well?

*Rose and Richard were soul mates. Married straight out of university, they shared a career, a business and a love of the good life. Childless, they lived only for each other, or so Rose thought. That all changed the night Richard was killed in a car crash.

*Once spirited, vibrant and flamboyantly French, Pascalle is now a grey shadow of herself. Her husband Trevor’s death has left her so emotionally paralysed, she can’t accept that he’s gone. Then her daughter offers her a chance to create a new life for herself. But will past secrets emerge to hinder her decision?

We follow Kate and Rose through their first year without their husbands. As their friendship with Pascalle grows they encourage each other to be brave, to take control of their lives, and to begin to heal. They draw on past mistakes to help each other build new relationships with their families. And by trusting each other, they realise that true friendship can point the way to a new future.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.com/friends-life-face-grief-turn-ebook/dp/B0CS54LNW5

Author Bio –     

Originally from Scotland, Liz Murphy moved to London in the mid 1980s as a features writer on Woman’s Own and since then has worked on some of the biggest weekly and monthly magazines in the country including Good Housekeeping, House Beautiful, TVTimes and Sky The Magazine, where she held senior editorial positions. Liz is also a qualified mat and reformer Pilates teacher.

 The sudden death of her husband, Steve, prompted her to reassess her priorities, following which she left magazines and now focuses her time on teaching Pilates, playing tennis, working at tennis tournaments, singing in a choir and sitting on the governing body of a federation of three primary schools. She has two grown-up daughters.

 Social Media Links – 

INSTAGRAM. https://www.instagram.com/lizmurphybooks      . https://www.instagram.com/elizabethlizlizzie

WEBSITE  https://selfishatsixty.com/

FACEBOOK Liz Murphy writer

Review-

It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel, such is the quality of the writing. The prologue draws you in immediately as each of the central characters lose their husbands in different circumstances.

What follows is a raw, yet honest exposure of grief and the effect it has on people’s lives in a host of ways.

Kate, Rose and Pascalle are all immediately likeable and this definitely makes them more relatable to the reader.

There are some poignant moments due to the subject matter, but overall this is a tale of empowerment and friendship.

The short chapters entice you to keep reading and the writing style is engaging to follow.

A recommended read!

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

Earlier stops can be found here:

** Blog Tour ** A Kiss in Kashmir- Monica Saigal

I’m delighted to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘A Kiss in Kashmir.’

Sharmila, a painter entering the autumn of her life, had gently set aside hopes of love after a heart-wrenching loss. In Kashmir to orchestrate her daughter Alina’s wedding, Sharmila never anticipated that the universe was crafting a different plan—one of second chances and unexpected love.

She crosses paths with George, a professor of Indian art history and a kindred spirit bearing the weight of lost love. Together, they explore Kashmir’s lush valleys, snow-draped mountains, clear lakes, and ancient shrines. A fragile romance quietly blossoms, gently guiding their hearts toward a future neither dared to dream of.

Is it possible for a single glance to kindle a connection, or for one to find a soulmate twice?
Yet, as their burgeoning love blooms, a startling revelation threatens to cut their story short. With the breathtaking beauty of Kashmir as its canvas, “A Kiss in Kashmir” is a touching story of love, loss, and second chances.

 Purchase Links

Amazon (US): https://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Kashmir-Timeless-Tale-Love-ebook/dp/B0CPX8FLQB

Amazon (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kiss-Kashmir-Timeless-Tale-Love-ebook/dp/B0CPX8FLQB

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-kiss-in-kashmir

Author Bio –

Equal parts storyteller and globe-trotter, Monica Saigal (Bhide), is an award-winning author, accomplished literary coach, and educator who transcends countless borders—chronological, geographical, religious, and economical—to inspire her readers. Born in New Delhi, raised in the Middle East, and now residing outside Washington, D.C., she currently serves as a corporate storyteller for one of the world’s leading professional services companies.

Monica writes in a variety of genres and has written best-selling short story collections and heartwarming love stories, as well as acclaimed memoirs and cookbooks—Eat Your Books chose Monica’s memoir, A Life of Spice as one of the top five food memoirs of 2015 and Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi picked Monica’s Modern Spice as one of the “Best Books Ever” for Newsweek in 2009. Her novel, Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken, is a book club favorite and inspired the NPR café in Washington, D.C., to serve up creations inspired by her protagonist chef. Her much anticipated upcoming novel, A Kiss in Kashmir was released in February 2024.

Social Media Links –

Website: https://monicasaigal.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mbhide

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monica.bhide1

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

Review-

“Kashmir has a way of getting deep into your soul, and once it does, you never want to let go.”

What a wonderfully evocative and captivating story! It had me yearning to visit to sample this piece of paradise for myself, such was the beauty of the depiction of the landscape and culture.

This is a tale of love through tragedy, family history, and a blend of cultures coming together in harmony.

The tagline ‘a timeless tale of love’ is especially apt. The narrative felt historical in places but was brought to the present day with current dates at the beginning of chapters and the mention of pandemic. It truly feels as though it could have been written for any time.

The warmth of the Kashmiri welcome for Sharmila and Alina is a delight, as is the open hospitality shown towards them and the blessing bestowed unconditionally upon them fosters a real sense of belonging.

Art is a prominent theme throughout; George is a professor of Indian art history, Vikram a painter and teacher, Daneen talented in textiles and Sharmila a talented artist and this helps to weave the narrative and characters together.

It’s no surprise to read the author has written several cookbooks of her own, as the mouthwatering descriptions of the traditional Kashmiri dishes are tantalising and authentic.

This is up there as one of my favourite reads so far this year.

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

Further stops can be found here: