#Blog Tour #Book Review In pursuit of Happiness by Freya Kennedy @rararesources @Boldwood Books

Thank you to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting to participate in the blog tour for ‘In Pursuit of Happiness’ by Freya Kennedy. It was so lovely to return to the wonderfuly supportive community of Ivy Lane and see what was happening in the lives of its inhabitants. ‘In pursuit of Happiness’ can be read as a standalone, if you haven’t read ‘The Dreams and Hopes of Libby Quinn’, which was published in May 2020 (you can see my review here).

In Pursuit of Happiness
‘A lovely escape that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Just what’s needed at the moment’ No1 bestselling author Jane Fallon
The world is waiting…but just outside of your comfort zone.

Jo Campbell is perfectly content in a perfectly structured life.
Nothing ever changes in Jo’s life, and she likes it that way.
Or at least, she tells herself she does.

Most of the time, she manages to push down the tiny voice that tells her to chase her dream and maybe, just maybe, open her battered and bruised heart up to love.

But to chase her dreams she needs to take chances that are way out of her comfort zone and learn to not put other people’s happiness above her own.

Most of all she has to learn to trust her heart, which may just be the biggest challenge of all.

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3iISOpc

My thoughts:


If I had to describe Freya Kennedy’s books in one word it would be heartwarming. In Pursuit of Happiness is set in Derry, Ireland, so, if you enjoyed Freya’s previous book Dreams and Hopes of Libby Quinn, you’ll be delighted to re-visit Ivy Lane and catch on what’s been happening in this lovely, supportive community.

Jo Campbell loves her family and her job (she is a co-owner of the local pub), but ever since she was a child, Jo dreamt of becoming a writer and sharing her stories with the world. Her friend and future sister-in-law Libby risked everything and took a chance on a shabby place which she turned into a cosy bookshop. Perhaps the time has come for Jo to step out of her comfort zone and see if her first book is any good. Jo lets her friends read it …and surprise, surprise…they love it. In fact, Libby sendsa copy of it to a famous Scottish writer who is about to visit Derry and do a book signing event in Libby’s bookshop.

Things begin to happen on the personal front too. Harry Gallagher’s grandson Lorcan comes to visit his granddad. Lorcan is in need of a quiet place to reflect on his long-term relationship which has just ended, and Derry seems to be a great place. I think this might be the right place for me to stop telling you about the plot, otherwise I might spoil your enjoyment of the story. The events are quite straightforward and once you know more about Jo and Lorcan’s past, you will also understand their present and their dilemmas.

In Lorcan’s words Jo is ‘funny and talented’ and ‘can make a horrible day seem infinitely brighter’. Jo’s relationship with her six-year-old little sister Clara is really special. I also enjoyed reading about Jo’s parents, especially her Mum’s crotchet club, which is all about ‘caring and sharing’ (read ‘good-natured gossip’) The way they care for their foster chidren and now the youngest adopted one- Clara- their kindness, attention, stability and love which they never tire of giving- are all the reasons why their children grow up to be happy, independent, and caring people. There’s also everybody’s favourite shopkeeper Harry with his inexplicable aversion to kitchen rolls and dishwasher tablets. The book is full of charming, likeable characters that will make you smile.

A charming story with my favourite slow-burn romance which highlights the importance of realising our hopes and dreams, being kind and considerate, and paying attention to things that really matter in life.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel, and the publisher, Boldwood Books, for the review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Author Bio

Freya Kennedy lives in Derry, Northern Ireland, with her husband, two children, two cats and a mad dog called Izzy. She worked as a journalist for eighteen years before deciding to write full time. When not writing, she can be found reading, hanging out with her nieces and nephews, cleaning up after her children (a lot) and telling her dog that she loves her.

She has met Michael Buble and even kissed him. It was one of her best ever moments.

She believes in happy ever afters.

Freya Kennedy is a pen name for Claire Allan, who also writes psychological thrillers.

Social Media Links

http://www.claireallan.com/
https://twitter.com/ClaireAllan /
https://twitter.com/AuthorFreya
https://www.facebook.com/ClaireAllanAuthor
https://www.instagram.com/claireallan_author/
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/freya-kennedy
Newsletter sign up: http://bit.ly/FreyaKennedyNewsletter

Thank you for reading the post! Have a great Monday!

If you would like to see what other bloggers thought of Freya Kennedy’s In Pursuit of Happiness, here is the full blog tour schedule:

If you would like to read Hope and Dreams of Libby Quinn first, you can find more information about the book here.

#Book blitz #A Billionaire for Christmas @Xpresso Book Tours

Book & Author Details:

A Billionaire for Christmas : A Secret Billionaire Romantic Comedy Holiday Boxed Set
Publication date: December 4th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

For surviving 2020, you deserve A Billionaire for Christmas. Heck, you deserve SEVEN billionaires for Christmas.

It’s been a wild ride this year. So 7 of your favorite romance authors have teamed up to raise a glass of eggnog, sit in front of the fire, and give you 7 billionaire holiday romance novels to help you make it through this last month of the year with a hot billionaire by your side, in his Maserati, with his staff cleaning your house.

Thank you, romance authors.

And what’s in this little holiday present just for you, all tied up in a bow?

Infatuation by Willow Winters — “Maybe the chill that traveled down my spine when I first saw him was a warning. A warning that once he laid eyes on me, I was his to keep. A warning that this man would stop at nothing to have me. A warning I wasn’t given until it was too late.”

Sweet Liar by Laurelin Paige — He isn’t looking for love. She’s looking for lessons and is certain he’ll be the best teacher. If he agrees, can this Love Scrooge keep his heart?

A Very Dare Christmas by Carly Phillips — Ian Dare misses the alone time and intense sex life he and his wife shared before their children were born. What’s an alpha man to do? He kidnaps Riley for an erotic weekend away before the Christmas rush overwhelms them both. Riley Dare adores her husband and she’s excited to spend time with him minus distractions on a sexy retreat where anything goes … and spontaneity leads to future surprises. A complete stand-alone for people who haven’t yet read Dare to Love but a special treat for those who want to revisit their favorite couple.

Delight Me by J. Kenner — There’s one special gift Damien wants to give his wife Nikki and their daughters for Christmas… but with a crisis brewing and time running out, can he make it home in time for the holidays?

Christmas Shopping for a Billionaire by Julia Kent — When Shannon is called to the mall to work as a sexy Christmas elf, her billionaire boyfriend, Declan, gets roped into playing Santa. The mall mommies start tweeting pictures, and soon everyone is crashing the mall to have a seat on Santa’s lap. Ho ho… ahem.

Bossy Bride by JA Huss — Jesse Boston is the man of my dreams so I’m gonna marry him. I’m not real picky about how that happens but when my mother invites my childhood nemesis, KAREN, to plan our wedding AND be one of my bride’s maids? Uh—no. We’re going to elope to Vegas on Christmas Eve, get hitched in the most ridiculous way possible, and then fly home in time for dinner. We’ve got it all figured out. Nothing can go wrong.

Santa, Baby by Blair Babylon – Peyton Cabot hates his life: being a rock star, performing for screaming crowds, being interviewed for magazines’ hottest musician of the year articles, winning awards, and banking loads of money. Yeah, it sucks to be him. Especially when the one woman who really gets him won’t return his calls anymore. When he goes to see what’s up, he gets a Christmas surprise that really rings his sleigh bells.

(Maserati and house-cleaning staff not included.)

Goodreads

Purchase:
FREE for a limited time!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ac19jM

GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)

  • $25 gift card (winner’s choice)

rafflecopter

2021 Audiobook Challenge

This year I would like to join in this new challenge for me- Audiobook Challenge- hosted by Kimberly from Caffeinated Reviewer and Jen from That’s What I’m talking about.

Challenge Details

  • Runs January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021. You can join at any time.
  • The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2021 than you did in 2020.
  • Books must be in audio format (CD, MP3, etc.)
  • ANY genres count.
  • Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
  • You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, Facebook, LibraryThing, etc.
  • If you’re a blogger grab the button and do a quick post about the challenge to help spread the word. If you’re not a blogger you can help by posting on Facebook or Tweet about the challenge.
  • Updates plus a giveaway will be posted twice during the year. The first update will be July 2, 2021, and the last update will take place on December 30, 2021.

Achievement Levels

  • Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5
  • Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10
  • Stenographer (can listen while multitasking) 10-15
  • Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20
  • Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30
  • My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30+
  • Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+
  • Over-Achiever (Power Listener) 75+
  • The 100 Club (Audiobook Addict) 100+

I’m going for the second level of achievement (5-10 audiobooks). Partly because I love the alliteration in the name – Weekend Warrior, but also because that’s exactly what I’m doing- just getting the hang of it and trying to work out what this whole new world of audiobooks is about.

  • Do you like this format? If yes, do you prefer listening to reading print copies or e-books?
  • How many books do you listen to in a year? What are your favourite genres?

#Book Blitz #A Sweet, Soft Glow by Josh Magnotta (15-19 December) @Xpresso Book Tours

Book & Author Details:

A Sweet, Soft Glow
by Joshua Magnotta
Publication date: December 15th 2020
Genres: Adult, Thriller

Synopsis:

In the ten years since John Malley lost his wife and daughter, he has slowly faded into obscurity in a rural Pennsylvania town. He spends his days at the local bar and tries to numb the pain of his loss. That is, until Ted’s Dead Rose Tavern becomes the home of the biggest mass killing in the history of the town. John, the lone survivor of the killing-spree, is forced on the run. He heads north where he hopes to hide out at his brother’s house.

Meanwhile, in New York City, young Melanie Parker investigates a disturbing new trend she discovered online. From what she has learned, metallic black bands worn along the forearm are responsible for some form of mind control. Skeptical of this theory, Melanie embarks on a night time excursion that places her in the middle of a riot in the middle of the city. Melanie fights for her life as chaos spreads throughout the city.

As John witnesses the events in New York, he is compelled to take action. But once in the city, John is forced to confront his past.

Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon  / B&N  / iBooks

AUTHOR BIO:

Josh Magnotta has been a resident of northern Pennsylvania for most of his life. Throughout his early life and teenager years he was an avid writer but during college drifted away from the passion as work and other priorities took precedence. In 2014 he graduated from college and soon began working swing shift in a factory. It was here, during off shifts where Josh would read during the night to stay awake, that his passion for writing was rekindled. After leaving the factory-life behind Josh went back to college and began work on his first novel, A Sweet, Soft Glow. He has since been writing ever since.

Author links:

twitter / facebook / website  / instagram

GIVEAWAY

Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)

  • $25 Amazon gift card

rafflecopter

#Blog Tour #Book Review #The Spark by Jules Wake @rararesources

Thank you to Rachel from Racel’s Random resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for this lovely book. This was my first book by Jules Wake, but it definitely won’t be the last!

The Spark

Jess is falling for Sam.
Sam is falling for Jess.

But it seems life will do whatever it takes to make them fall apart.
When Jess and Sam lock eyes at a party, a spark ignites. The spark. But love at first sight isn’t like the movies, especially when Sam’s ex, Victoria, is determined to make their honeymoon period a living hell.
Is love at first sight enough?

Purchase Links
🇬🇧 amzn.to/36wkD0N
🌎 mybook.to/TheSparkJW

My thoughts:

Jess is a lovely girl. She considerate, and genuinely non-judgemental. She works with victims of domestic abuse at a refuge centre, so it is her deeply held conviction that women should be supportive of each other. Sam is a primary school teacher who works with autistic children. He’s also used to taking care of other people’s needs first. They are perfect for each other. They really are.

Sometimes it just happens that you meet a person who seems to have been made for you. But what if this soulmate of yours is already in a long-term relationship or even married? There are lines you just don’t cross, however intense your feelings are. If you are the single part of the equation, you quietly walk away. If you are the ‘taken’ part, you either forget about the spark or start questioning the relationship you are in. This is what Sam does and then…he breaks up with his long-term girlfriend. A month later he asks Jess out. Breakups are often messy. Friends and families often take sides and refuse to see the new girlfriend as anything else, but a fling, or even worse ‘the other woman’.

We see the events from Jess’s point of view and this is why I started this review by saying what a great person she is. Strong, independent, dignified, and emotionally mature. Jules Wake takes this situation and asks us explore What if ‘The Other Woman’ was the nicest person imaginable, while the ex …well, we get an exaggerated version of her behaviour, but let’s say, she is having trouble moving on.
I loved the sub-plot of Jess’s own family and their history. My heart was breaking when I read what she went through as a child. To what extent does our parents’ personal life, with its successes and mistakes influence us? Are we doomed to repeat them or do we choose how to live our lives and how to love freely?

This was a quick and entertaining read, despite all these heavy questions (and I haven’t even said anything about the social media and how they sometimes add oil to the bonfire of our past relationships). Recommended to anybody who likes looking at both sides and making their own opinion.

Thank you to NetgGalley, rachel and the publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

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 2019 with Notting Hill in the Snow.
Under her pen name Julie Caplin, she also writes the warm and witty Romantic Escapes series. 
Between them, the two Js have written sixteen novels, The Spark being the latest.
 
Social Media Links – @Juleswake Twitter
https://www.facebook.com/juleswakewrites/
Instagram: juleswakeauthor

Thank you for reading the post!

#Blog Blitz (December 15-19) #Ain’t she sweet by Whitney Dineen (Seven Brides for Seven Mothers#2) @Xpresso Book Tours

Book & Author Details:

Ain’t She Sweet
by Whitney Dineen
(Seven Brides for Seven Mothers #2)
Publication date: December 15th 2020
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

Synopsis:

Tara Heinz began her modeling career at the tender age of twelve. After spending fifteen years drooling over forbidden foods, she does the unthinkable. She enrolls in culinary school and becomes a pastry chef.

After a nasty breakup with her rock star boyfriend that leads to tabloid war, Tara takes a job at a rural lodge in Oregon to escape the spotlight she no longer desires.

James Cavanaugh is a farmer in Oregon. His days are spent building his business and his nights are spent sleeping, so he can get up at four in the morning.

Ruby Cavanaugh has plans for her son that involve her new pastry chef. Of course, neither James nor Tara know what’s going on until it’s too late.

Goodreads

Purchase Link
Amazon

AUTHOR BIO:

Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries — not always in that order.
Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.
She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.

Gold Medal winner at the International Readers’ Favorite Awards, 2017.
Silver medal winner at the International Readers’ Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016.
Finalist RONE Awards, 2016.
Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017.
Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards, 2017
Finalist Top Shelf Indie Book Awards, 2017

Website / Twitter  / Goodreads /  Instagram  / Facebook

GIVEAWAY  (ends December 28th)
Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)

  • 2x $25 Amazon gift cards

rafflecopter

#Blog Tour #Book Review #Find Me in the Snow by Pamela Q. Fernandes #Giveaway @IndieSagePR

Thank you to Nicole from IndieSagePR for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for this fast-moving romantic thriller.

Synopsis

When Althea meets Morgan Hunter at Muldoon’s pub for the first time, she thinks he’s a handsome, ego tripping, prissy-pants executive. She quickly rebuffs him only to find him thundering at her in the operation theater, the very next day. He’s dogged in his censure of her, but not immune to her allure. Through a snowy December Morgan courts Althea and wins her heart but not her trust.

When she travels with him at his request for Christmas to his home in Finesse, a tumble in the snow leads to the discovery of Morgan’s missing ex-girlfriend. Dead. Morgan pushes Althea away and she doesn’t understand his reasons.

Althea returns to build the new rural clinic in Finesse. She discovers the truth about Morgan’s heritage, the murdered ex-girlfriend and the secrets about the Hunter clan.

Can she save the man she loved from going to prison?

Purchase Links

Amazon  /   Print  /  Smashwords  /  Kobo 

 My thoughts:

I know my mum and my medical romance-crazy friends are going to love this gripping, twisty and fast-moving story when they get their own copies.

The story grabbed my attention straightaway. Dr Althea Paes is hard-working, humble, generous with her time and money, honest, professional- basically, she is your archetypal good girl who happens to be unlucky in love. Her cheating fiance left her just two days before the wedding and saddled her with tons of debt. Whatever she does and however hard she tries, it is never going to be good enough for her parents who will always prefer her brother to Althea. Perhaps, moving to New York from Portugal was good for her professional career, but definitely not so great for her personal life. Althea is too smart and too caring, and she doesn’t want a relationship with an expiry date.

When a goodlooking, well-dressed stranger offers to buy her a drink in a bar and would like to know if she works in St.Mary’s hospital, Althea is quick to refuse and challenge him. When it turns out that he is a member of her hospital’s executive board and a rich and powerful donor, the last thing Althea expects is Dr Morgan Hunter courting her, but that’s exactly what he does. Morgan knows he has to make her trust him, because she is one of a kind. He even asks her come and meet his family at Christmas. Little does she know what she is going to go against and how dramatic her discoveries are going to turn out.

This book has everything: medical drama (let’s face it- we, romance junkies, love our hospital TV shows), a feisty (read sarky) heroine, a crazy potential future mother-in-law (well, this just taps into every girl’s biggest fear), a couple of exes one could happily never hear about or from, a murder mystery, and a flawed male protagonist who appears to be strong and protective, but may need a bit of rescuing himself. You see why I just couldn’t put the book down until I got to its very satisfying, albeit totally traditional, ending?

There is a large cast of characters- friends, co-workers, patients, neighbours, exes, siblings, cousins-no man is an island and we all have our own networks that aren’t always easy to mesh whenever we start a new romantic relationship. My life is very different from Althea’s, but I quickly began rooting for her. Sometimes you just have to be tenacious and fight for your right to be happy and loved.

Recommended to all romantics who might have been disappointed in love once or twice, but never lost their sunny smile, or just anyone who enjoys reading about doctors falling in love and solving murder mysteries all in one book.

Thank you to IndieSage PR and the author for the review copy. Alll opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

About the Author

Pamela Q. Fernandes is a doctor, author, and medical writer. She hosts The Christian Circle Podcast and plays the piano. When she’s not writing or practicing medicine, she’s baking or traveling the world.

She started as an author with Seoul-Mates and since then has written many romances & other short stories. You can find out more about her https://www.pamelaqfernandes.com

website / facebook  / twitter / pinterest / bookbub / amazon

GIVEAWAY

Rafflecopter

#Book Review #Blog Blitz #Christmas at the Marshmallow Cafe by C.P. Ward @rararesources

Thank you to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for this magical Christmas read!

Christmas at the Marshmallow Café

When downtrodden checkout assistant Bonnie Green receives a letter from a mysterious uncle, she can hardly believe her eyes.

Gifted a hundred-year lease on a famous cafe situated in the middle of a mythical theme park, Bonnie sets off with her best friend Debbie on an adventure to a hidden valley in the Lake District where they will find new friendship, love, and happiness, all set against the magic of Christmas … and more marshmallows than they can possibly eat….

Purchase link

Only 99p/c until 20th December!

My thoughts:

Absolutely magical! One of those books that immediately puts you in a festive mood and makes you wish Christmas was all year round. I am quietly humming Jingle Bells, while I am writing this…just can’t help myself, sorry!


Fifty-year-old Bonnie is a checkout assistant at a supermarket. Her husband left her for another woman, her grown-up children don’t want to do anything with her, convinced that it was her fault, all her savings are gone together with her player of a husband…the only thing she has is a mortgage on her tiny house and an unusual best friend. Debbie is young enough to be her daughter, has a penchant for wearing black leather, looking like a Goth and falling in love with unsuitable guys. She is also kind, enthusiastic, and great with the Internet.


When Bonnie gets a letter from a solicitor informing her of her uncle Mervin’s death, Debbie is immediately transported to the only time she remembers meeting him. She was twelve and had just lost her father, who used to tell her marvellous stories about a wonderful place caled Christmas Land. Well, Bonnie gets a surprise of her life when she finds out that this place really exists and this is where her uncle Mervin’s shop is located. The shop which she has inherited. Only she can’t sell it as it is a 100-year lease, and it is in the Lake District which means she won’t be able to move there and keep her supermarket job…Luckily, Debbie doesn’t think that far, she simply suggests checking it out, a few days off aren’t going to hurt anyone and Bonnie needs to reconnect with her childhood memories.


What happens next is so full of adventure and wonderful discoveries, that I really don’t want to spoil the pleasure of reading this book. Like lots of other people I adore marshmallows, so finding out that they don’t always come straight from a packet, but can be home-made was such a treat! The location is beautiful and there is such a great cast of characters. The best thing for me is that Bonnie goes through an amazing transformation in this book and we all need a gentle reminder that life is wonderful and full of possibilities whatever our age or status is.


Wholeheartedly recommended. Make yourself a cup of hot chocolate and curl up with this joy of a book.

Thank you to Rachel and the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Author Bio

CP Ward is an author from Cornwall in the UK.

Social Media Links
https://www.facebook.com/groups/510678469409835

Thank you for reading this post! Have a great Monday and a wonderful week!

#Blog Tour #Book Review of Blood Brothers by Heather Atkinson @rararesources @Boldwood Books

Bloood brothers

When you’re running the streets, loyalty is everything…

Gangs rule the streets of the rough Gallowburn Estate in Glasgow, but the deepest rivalry of all is between Jamie Gray and his friends, known as the Blood Brothers, and their enemies, the Lawsons.
The two gangs clash frequently, but when a phone containing incriminating evidence disappears after a particularly brutal run-in, the stakes are higher than ever.

Jamie’s mother Jackie is as hard as nails and is not going to let anyone hurt her boy – even if she has to roll up her sleeves and get stuck in. What she wants more than anything though, is to see Jamie turn his back on the street life. And when he meets spoilt rich-girl Allegra, who has a penchant for shoplifting, Jackie thinks she could be Jamie’s way out.

But with the Lawsons closing in, and everyone taking sides, there is only one way out for Jamie, and to triumph he must take out his biggest enemy…

If you love Martina Cole, Kimberley Chambers, and Jessie Keane, you’ll love Heather Atkinson. Discover the bestselling author Heather Atkinson, her crackling plots, unforgettable characters and page-turning pace and you’ll never look back…

Purchase link

Amazon

My thoughts:
If you are a fan of gangland thrillers, you are going to enjoy this first instalment in Heather Atkinson’s new series, based on lives of four friends, four Blood Brothers from a fictional scheme/ housing estate on the outskirts of Glasgow.

Jamie Gray’s life has never been easy- he lives in one of the poorest areas imaginable. His Dad left their family when Jamie’s little brother was just two. Guess what, their close-knit family of three, Jamie, Charlie, and their awesome mother Jackie have actually been better off without the abusive alcoholic of their father. Jackie has instilled a great sense of loyalty in Jamie and a few other important values e.g. treating women with respect. Jamie’s also grateful for his best friends- Logan, Gary and Digger. They are well-known and feared locally, because their undisputed control of the northern part of their scheme has been won in violent fights. Their archenemies, the Lawsons, may give them hassle from time to time, but the Blood Brothers won’t let them take over what they see as their rightful territory. Well, Jackie keeps reminding Jamie that he shouldn’t be getting in al these fights, but secretly she knows the only way to survive on these streets is to hold your own. One day Jamie meets a well-dressed, feisty, clearly rich girl who likes shoplifting and dangerous driving and seems to be inexplicably attracted to him. Their love story is intense and full of dangerous twists and turns, because Allegra’s father is notoriously powerful Cameron Abernethy who does think himself above the law.

There is a lot of action and violence, something that I guess comes with the territory if you choose to read this genre. There is also young love, fierce loyalty and friendship. My favourite character is probably Jackie with her formidable weapon of a frying pan. Just proves that there is nothing that will stop a loving and dedicated mother from coming to rescue her cubs, and since this mother’s temper is a bit on a short side, beware: somebody is going to get seriously hurt.

Although this is my first book by Heather Atkinson, she has many loyal fans, who undoubtfully will be waiting impatiently to find out what happens with the rest of Blood Brothers- Gary, Digger, and Logan, who already proved to be unique characters in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Author Bio
Heather Atkinson is the author of over fifty books – predominantly in the crime fiction genre. Although Lancashire born and bred she now lives with her family, including twin teenage daughters, on the beautiful west coast of Scotland. Her new gangland series for Boldwood, set on the fictional Gallowburn estate in Glasgow begins with Blood Brothers which will be published in December 2020.
 
Social Media Links

Facebook  / website  / twitter  /  instagram  /  bookbub

Thank you for reading this post ! Have a great Sunday!

If you would like to see what other bloggers thought of Blood Brothers, here is the full blog tour schedule:

#Blog Tour #Book Review of Chroma by Oscar Wenman-Hyde @rararesources

Thank you to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting to participate in this blog tour.

Synopsis

When Riley watched Chroma, the latest movie by Armani Manora, he had no idea how much his life was about to change. Riley’s parents, Jean and Paul, are currently getting divorced, and they have managed to keep the situation hidden from Riley, until now. 

They were unaware of the effects this was having on Riley’s emotional and mental well-being, and as tensions rose at school and at home, he was visited by a voice in his bedroom. Before too long, he began a journey that was not only dangerous, but eye opening. 

Chroma explores the rapidly changing family dynamic throughout divorce, and how a child’s imagination can take them to unknown places. It is emotional, insightful and a moving story which not only teaches us how to be an adult, but how to be a child.

Purchase Links

UK / US

My thoughts:
Chroma by Oscar Wenman-Hyde is one of those books that is really difficult to classify in terms of genre or even target age category. It is an interesting mix of thriller, mystery, sci-fi, middle grade, (I’d still argue that the target age group is adults) and literary fiction, all blended into a very visual, cinematographic experience.

The protagonist of the book, eight-year-old Riley, knows that something has changed in his parents’ relationship and these changes are both scary and confusing. In fact, Jean and Paul are going through divorce, but would like to keep it secret from Riley. They need to work out how to move forward and build up a new life without sacrificing Riley’s emotional well-being and sense of security. Riley is a fan of Armani Manora’s sci-fi films and can’t wait to see his latest release Chroma. Exhausted Jean knows some of her parental choices might be debatable, including that of allowing Riley see films intended for much older audience. She intends to supervise watching the film and cover Riley’s eyes should any scenes become too scary or violent, but…she falls asleep and lets Chroma work its powers on her sensitive and imaginative child.

Surprisingly few books deal with the topic of divorce from the perspective of a child. Riley is propelled into this new reality and has to find a way to understand and cope with the changes. We also get Jean and Paul’s points of view, which make it even more evident that Riley (as any child in this kind of situation) has to operate with very little knowledge of what is going on and has to fill in the gaps by using his imagination. I really liked the title evocative of the purity and complexity of the protagonists’ emotions, but also reminding us that every family is different and every divorce is different and there are myriads of factors to take into account.

Would I go to see the film this book should definitely be made into? Of course! The topic, the characters and their feelings are all highly relatable. Even if you are one of those lucky people whose life hasn’t been touched by divorce, we all have the universal experience of childhood as the time of great discoveries and intense feelings.

Thank you  to Rachel and the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Author Bio –

Oscar Wenman-Hyde is a writer living in Gloucester, UK. Born and raised in the quiet towns of North Devon, Oscar would spend the majority of his time as a child writing and directing short films with his brother and neighbours. From here, Oscar’s passion led him to explore all aspects of his creativity, by graduating with a BA Hons in Songwriting at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute. He now finds joy in all mediums of writing and although he has worked and trained in many areas, he is always inspired by film and remains grounded in storytelling.
Social Media Links –

Thank you for reading the post! If you would like to find out what other bloggers thought of Chroma, here is the full blog tour schedule:

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started