** Blog Tour ** The Secret of Villa Alba- Louise Douglas

I’m delighted to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘The Secret of Villa Alba.’

1968

Sicily. Just months after a terrible earthquake has destroyed the mountain town of Gibellina, Enzo and his wife Irene Borgata are making their way back to the family home, Villa Alba, on roads
overlooked by the eerie backdrop of the flattened ghost town. When their car breaks down, Enzo leaves his young wife to go and get help, but when he returns there is no trace of Irene. No body, no sign of a struggle, nothing.

2003

TV showman and true crime aficionado Milo Conti is Italy’s darling, uncovering and solving historic crimes for his legion of fans. When he turns his attention to the story of the missing Irene Borgata, accusing her husband of her murder, Enzo’s daughter Maddi asks her childhood friend, retired detective April Cobain, for help to prove her father’s innocence. But the tale April discovers is murky: mafia meetings, infidelity, mistaken identity, grief and unshakable love. As the world slowly closes in on the claustrophobic Villa Alba, and the house begins to reveal its secrets, will the Borgata family wish they’d never asked April to investigate? And what did happen to Enzo’s missing wife
Irene?

Bestselling author Louise Douglas returns with an irresistibly compelling, intriguing and captivating tale of betrayal, love, jealousy and the secrets buried in every family history.

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

Author Bio –

Louise Douglas is the bestselling and brilliantly reviewed author and an RNA award winner. The Secrets Between Us was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick. She lives in the West Country.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.comLouiseDouglasAuthor-340228039335215/

Twitter https://twitter.com/louisedouglas3

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/louisedouglas3/

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

Review-

Regular readers of this blog will know I’m a huge fan of this author, having previously read and reviewed ‘The Scarlet Dress’, ‘The Room in the Attic’ and ‘The Lost Notebook’.

With this latest offering also having the attraction of being set in Italy, I was thrilled to be approved for an ARC.

One of the trademarks of Louise Douglas’ style is her ability to transport the reader to the heart of the narrative through the detailed descriptions of the setting and in this one, the depiction of Sicily is extremely evocative, especially when describing the aftermath of the 1968 earthquake.

The short chapters, told in a dual timeline format, alternate between the present day and Irene’s inner thoughts which helps to draw parallels between the past and present and keep the plot pacy. In describing how April tries to imagine herself in Irene’s situation, it’s incredibly easy for the reader to put themselves in a similar position and empathise with her plight.

This is a tale full of intrigue and family secrets which gradually unravel as the mystery behind Irene’s disappearance is investigated. A hugely captivating 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 ** An Italian Island Summer- Sue Moorcroft

I’m delighted to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘An Italian Island Summer.’

Will one summer in Sicily change her life for ever?

After her marriage falls apart, Ursula Quinn is offered the chance to spend the summer working at a hotel on a beautiful island off the coast of Sicily, Italy. Excited by a new adventure, she sets off at once.

At Residenza dei Tringali, Ursula receives a warm welcome from everyone except Alfio, son of the Tringali family. He gave up his life in Barcelona to help his mother Agata with the ailing business, and
is frustrated with Ursula’s interference – and she in turn is less than impressed with his attitude.

As they spend more time together, though, they begin to see each other in a different light.

But what with Ursula’s ex-husband on her tail, family secrets surfacing and an unexpected offer that makes Alfio question his whole life, there’s plenty to distract them from one another. Can she face her past and he his future, and together make the most of their Sicilian summer?

Purchase Links

Amazon UK EB https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Italian-Island-Summer-gorgeous-romance-ebook/dp/B0B986B7D1/

Amazon UK PB https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Italian-Island-Summer-gorgeous-romance/dp/0008525706/

Kobo UK EB https://www.kobo.com/za/en/ebook/an-italian-island-summer-1

Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/Italian-Island-Summer-gorgeous-romance-ebook/dp/B0B986B7D1

Author Bio –

Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author, #1 on Kindle UK and Top 100 on Kindle US and Canada. She writes two books a year for publishing giant HarperCollins and has won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Novel of the Year, Readers’ Best Romantic Novel award and the Katie Fforde Bursary.

Her novels, short stories, serials, columns, writing ‘how to’ and courses appear around the world.

Social Media Links –

Website [http://www.suemoorcroft.com]

Blog [http://suemoorcroft.wordpress.com]

Facebook profile [Sue.Moorcroft.3]

Facebook author page [https://www.facebook.com/SueMoorcroftAuthor]

Twitter [@suemoorcroft]

Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/suemoorcroftauthor/] @SueMoorcroftAuthor

LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/suemoorcroft]

Newsletter sign-up https://www.suemoorcroft.com/page_2.php?pgenme=eric&signup=2

Street Team https://www.suemoorcroft.com/page_15.php?pgenme=street-team&nav_group=all

Review-

If you’re looking for the perfect summer escapism, then Ursula’s trip to Sicily needs to be on your reading pile!

Author Sue Moorcroft describes Ortigia in such detail, the reader feels transported to Italy within the pages and the interspersed Italian phrases and descriptions of some of the local food and wine in the area adds a real authenticity to the narrative.

While this could easily be billed as a summer romance novel, the plot is more complex than that as past history and family complications threaten Ursula and Alfio’s budding relationship.

A thoroughly enjoyable 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:

** Blog Tour ** The Devil’s Tune- Fran Kempton

I’m pleased to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘The Devil’s Tune’.

Carlo Gesualdo, prince, composer and murderer has his wife and her lover killed in Naples in 1590. The wife’s maidservant, Laura Scala, witnesses the events and vows to avenge her mistress.

The princess, Donna Maria d’Avalos, rescued Laura in Sicily after she had been raped at the age of thirteen. Laura devotes her life to her saviour and after the murders she spends years of her life trying to be revenged on the musical prince.

The scene moves from Sicily to Naples and Venice, back to Naples and finally to the New World. Laura believes she is carrying a curse. Everyone she becomes involved with appears to suffers misfortune and death.

A Jewish girl in the Venetian ghetto is kidnapped and sold into the Sultan’s harem, Laura’s daughter is placed in an orphanage without her knowledge, the artist Caravaggio uses Laura as a model and meets a tragic end.

Three beautiful pearls given to Laura by her mistress play a part in the story. Is Laura really cursed – or is it her connection with the murderous prince who dabbles in the occult?

A gypsy woman is burned at the stake, a Venetian gondolier meets a mysterious fate and Laura becomes a skilled herbalist and poisoner by default before the story ends in the New World. The background to these  events is the strange and compelling music of Gesualdo.

Author Bio – Frances Kempton  is a reclusive writer fleeing from  the clutches of Jane Austen.

She has an obsession with Italy. This is the first book in an Italian trilogy.

Review-

This is an historical fiction novel based around the real-life events of Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa, a notorious composer, whose dark moods and melancholy led to a life of treachery and murder in Renaissance Italy.

The tale is told through the eyes of Laura Scala, a maid rescued by Gesualdo’s first wife Donna-Maria as she flees her countryside home after being sexually assaulted by a local villager.

Fiercely loyal to her mistress, she vows revenge on Gesualdo after he murders his wife and as the story unfolds, we discover how not only her actions, but those of the people around her, impact on her life choices and their consequences.

As the narrative unfolds, the reader is taken from Sicily to Naples and Venice, with the author expertly weaving in accurate descriptions of each setting fitting of the time. There are frequent references to potions and witchcraft which would also have been prevalent at the time, with Laura pondering using the knowledge she learnt early in life to seek her revenge on those who have wronged her.

Fans of historical fiction will find themselves enthralled by this tale; it is fast-paced, enticing and intriguing and truly transports the reader back in time. Highly recommended!

With thanks to the author and @rararesources for the opportunity to participate in the tour. Further stops can be found here:

** Blog Tour ** Under a Sicilian Sky- Lisa Hobman

I’m pleased to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘Under a Sicilian Sky’.

Global box office sensation, Ruby Locke, is a long way from her Yorkshire roots. Together with her fiancé, movie heartthrob Tyler Harrison, they are Hollywood’s new glitterati.

Overnight, however, Ruby’s life implodes when her social media accounts are hacked with a multitude of vile posts, turning her into an international pariah. Even Tyler breaks off their engagement.

Confused and heartbroken, Ruby escapes to the beautiful island of Sicily to avoid the media scrutiny and clear her name. With only a Yorkshire Terrier to comfort her, Ruby is befriended by a handsome neighbour and slowly begins to heal.

But who is this mysterious man and what are his intentions?

When her Sicilian hideaway is compromised, Ruby is once again forced to relocate, this time to the stunning Isle of Skye.

In the tranquil cove of Glentorrin, Ruby is left questioning not only who wants to destroy her career and why but also if celebrity lifestyle is really for her.

Author Bio –  

Lisa Hobman has written many brilliantly reviewed women’s fiction titles – the first of which was shortlisted by the RNA for their debut novel award. In 2012 Lisa relocated her family from Yorkshire to a village in Scotland and this beautiful backdrop now inspires her uplifting and romantic stories.  

Social Media Links

Facebook LisaJHobmanAuthor

Twitter @LisaJHobmanAuth

Instagram @lisahobmanauthor

Newsletter Sign Up Link https://bit.ly/LisaHobmanNewsletter

Bookbub profile @LisaJHobman

Review-

As a lover of all things Italian, I was immediately attracted to this title and the cover certainly pulled me in too.

In Under a Sicilian Sky, author Lisa Hobman has created a gem of a summer read. There’s humour aplenty, stunning descriptions of landscapes and cuisine, a serious exploration of the negative effects of social media and a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure!

It’s impossible not to like central character Ruby, who is forced into hiding not only in Palermo, but also on the remote island of Glentorrin after her social media account is hacked causing a public outpouring of rage and vitriol.

The experience allows Ruby an opportunity to reflect on her life and what is really important to her and having handsome Mitch at her side is an added bonus, although there are a few hilarious glitches in their early friendship to contend with!

The community of Glentorrin welcomes Ruby with open arms and allows her to feel herself again before the identity of her hacker is revealed. The night of the village hall opening leaves the reader with a truly warm feeling.

This is a delightful, easy read and I’m already looking forward to reading more from this author!

With thanks to Lisa Hobman, BoldWood Books and @rararesources for the opportunity to participate in the tour. Further stops can be found here: