Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality. It’s all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books (directly from their authors or Netgalley and Edelweiss, books you’re given as gifts, physical copies, ebooks and audiobooks.
NetGalley/Edelweiss/ Blog Tours:
Purchased:
Fingers crossed none of these will spend long time on my gigantic tbr and will quietly move to the read shelf very soon! Here is to wishful thinking 🙂
Happy Reading to all of us!
What did you add to your shelves this week? Do any of these books appeal to you?
Today I’m delighted to participate in the blog tour for the Weekend Getaway by Hannah Ellis.
The Weekend Getaway
A weekend away changes everything…
The chemistry between Keira and Noah is instant. After their first date, it’s clear there’s something special between them.
A weekend in Noah’s hometown further cements their feelings, and Keira falls head over heels. Not only for Noah, but his close-knit family and the stunning Isles of Scilly.
There’s just one problem: Noah’s about to move back home and his plans can’t be altered.
It’s too early in their relationship to make life-changing plans, but if they stand a chance of being together, one of them is going to have to take a leap of faith.
Can love triumph over location? And when following your heart, how far should you go?
Author Bio – Hannah Ellis spent many years working in childcare before deciding she’d like to write books. When she’s not busy writing she likes to read, drink tea and eat chocolate. She also enjoys yoga and jogging.
Virtual Reality Bites Ava Wixx Publication date: April 19th 2022 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Science Fiction
What happens when a romance author agrees to test romance tropes in virtual reality?
Following divorce number two, Zoe Woods is jaded, bitter, and unable to write her latest novel. For an author whose brand is all about finding true love, that’s kind of a problem.
Desperate to revive her romantic optimism, Zoe accepts an offer from an unlikely place to beta test virtual reality romance tropes. Unfortunately, Zoe jumps in too fast, and instead of a fun romp in virtual Romancelandia to rekindle her creativity, she finds one debacle after another.
Regretting her choices, Zoe realizes nothing is ever what it seems when it comes to love and romance and fantasy vs real world. The only thing she does know for sure is that virtual reality definitely bites.
Ava Wixx escaped into books at a young age and decided to stay there. It was only a matter of time before she was driven to create her own fantasy worlds from fear of running out of places to explore. Reader, writer, dreamer … Ava only toils in reality when absolutely necessary. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, and spoiled mini-poodle.
Under the Stars Melissa Chambers (Destiny Dunes, #6) Publication date: April 19th 2022 Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Why is he making it so hard to hate him?
Chapman
There are few things I enjoy more than messing with Taylor Palmer. She’s such a priss with her tight, corporate skirts and her high heels. Someone’s got to bring her down to Earth.
She glares at me and parades her dates into my bar like she thinks it’ll bother me. She’s on the hunt for a husband, but she’s doing it all wrong. She’s never going to be into one of these nerds. She really wants a man like me, but I’m not on the market.
I can help her find a guy she can stomach. And if she decides to break her celibacy streak with me in the meantime, good for her…and me. But she better not get attached. She also needs to quit making me feel things I don’t understand.
Taylor
I’ll never forgive John Chapman for what he did to my best friend. I don’t care that she’s forgiven him, is close friends with him now, and even seems to be pushing me toward him. It’s because he and I are the last two single people in our friend group. All will be right in the world if he and I just connect. Forget it.
He fancies himself some kind of dating coach. He says he can find me the right guy. He certainly couldn’t do worse than I’ve been doing. I guess it won’t hurt to let him help.
The only problem is he won’t quit making his own moves on me, and they are working, impressively. I can’t fall for him. He’s made that crystal clear. But as we grow closer, I have to wonder if I’m chipping away at his cement walls, just a little bit.
Welcome to Destiny Dunes, where the only thing hotter than the Florida sun is the romance between this resort’s employees. Each book in this steamy series focuses on your favorite romance tropes. Once you enter the gates of Destiny Dunes, you’ll never want to leave!
Melissa Chambers writes contemporary novels for young, new, and actual adults. A Nashville native, she spends her days working in the music industry and her nights tapping away at her keyboard. While she’s slightly obsessed with alt rock, she leaves the guitar playing to her husband and kid. She never misses a chance to play a tennis match, listen to an audiobook, or eat a bowl of ice cream. (Rocky road, please!) She has served as president for the Music City Romance Writers and is the author of the Love Along Hwy 30A series, the Before Forever series (YA), and Courting Carlyn (YA).
January sees the dawn of the Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation year as the mothers of Reckoners Row unite in preparation for the celebration of the new Queen.
Meanwhile Evie Kilgaren is dreaming of her summer wedding to Danny Harris, but trouble looms for Skinner & Sons with a new rival trying to put them out of business, but no-one knows why….
Ada Harris is summoned to the bedside of her estranged husband, who, in his dying moment confesses to a deadly secret – he knows who really murdered Evie’s mam Rene all those years ago and the consequences are far reaching.
Has an innocent man been jailed and is there still a murderer walking carefree?
Will Evie get the happy-ever-after she so longs for with Danny? And will The Mersey Mothers unite and still be friends?
Publisher: Boldwood Books Publication Date: April 19th, 2022
This was my first book by Sheila Riley and I can see now why her novels are extremely popular. The book is so engaging and easy to read that it’s impossible not to fall in love with its fabulous characters!
The Mersey Mothers starts with a grim prologue. If you’ve read the previous books in the Reckoner’s Row series, you already know that Evie Kilgaren’s mother Rene was murdered in 1947. Here we get a brief glimpse of what happened and know the case wasn’t as clear-cut as it appeared to the investigating authorities. Is it possible that Rene’s husband, Frank Kilgaren, was wrongly convicted and sent away to the Asylum for Criminally Insane?
Fast forward to 1953. While the whole country is preparing for the coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II, Evie Kilgaren is preparing for her summer wedding with Danny Harris (Skinner). They are doing their best to keep Danny’s delivery business afloat, but the company is rapidly losing its customers and is in trouble. Ada Harris, the woman who the woman who raised Danny, is called to the deathbed of her estranged husband Bert. There shocked Ada finds out Bert knew who really killed Evie’s mother Rene, but will she have courage to help to right the past wrongs?
It is very easy to follow the story even if you haven’t read the previous parts. Having said this, I wish I’d started from the beginning of this family saga- the writing style is extremely enjoyable and I loved all the historical detail that put the story into a wider context and brought it to life for me.
Heartwarming, family and community-oriented, full of likeable, strong characters, The Mersey Mothers has a lot going for it and will be much appreciated by the readers who enjoy the historical fiction genre!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
The Last Beekeeper Rebecca L. Fearnley Publication date: April 20th 2022 Genres: Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy, Young Adult
Solma is a fighter. Trained by her village Steward to protect their community from the predators of their harsh world, she is fierce and loyal. But how can she protect her friends and family from crop failure and starvation? With flying insects extinct for over a century, nowhere on the forsaken continent of Alphor is safe and Solma is terrified her little brother, Warren, will be one of the next to die. The villagers cling to life, waiting for the Earth Whisperers—mysterious nomads with a strange magic that helps plants grow—to arrive.
But then Warren finds something. Something impossible. When the first bee in a hundred years crawls out of the earth, Warren forms a strange bond with the creature and Solma fears he might have a new power. One that leaders of Alphor would kill for. As she and Warren fight to keep the bee secret and safe, word of this miracle sweeps the continent. Allies and enemies alike descend on the village. Some demand the bees for themselves, others want to destroy the colony to level the odds. When words become threats and then violence, Solma and Warren are caught in the conflict, and now it isn’t just the bees in danger.
When whoever controls the bees controls the world, how will Solma and Warren know who to trust?
Rebecca has been obsessed with two things since she learned to walk and talk: stories and animals. Luckily, the two seem to be very compatible. Rebecca writes stories set in strange worlds filled with bizarre creatures, strong female characters and magical powers. She started her writing career as a poet, performing all over the country and publishing her first collection, Octopus Medicine, with Two Rivers Press in 2017.
In addition to writing, Rebecca is also a teacher and, in 2018, decided that she wanted to write quality books for the young people she works with. Her books tend towards themes of respect for the environment, protecting the planet and the new generations challenging the old to face up to their mistakes.
She lives in Reading, UK, with her unusual family, which includes herself and her partner, a friendly little mini-lop rabbit (called Cleo) and a gregarious and feisty quaker parrot (called Maya).
“Fire wasn’t exactly the intended outcome of a water spell, but with me, sadly inevitable.”
Phoebe’s new life as a mage hasn’t had an auspicious start. No matter how hard she tries, her spells fail spectacularly. How is she to impress her boss, Archibald Kane, if she keeps setting her hair on fire?
Her problems with magic become trivial when a night out ends with a dead body. The victim has clearly been killed by a vampire, and the evidence points at Phoebe’s housemate Luca.
The leader of London vampires, Morgan Hunt, is convinced Luca is guilty. To prove his innocence, Phoebe and Luca set out to solve the death. Was the victim random, or has an old enemy of Hunt’s returned? And how are they to find the killer when Hunt has done his best to hide his past?
Phoebe is an expert in unearthing old things, but facing a powerful foe would be easier, if she had a hang of her spellcasting too. Luckily she has magical friends she can count on. And maybe the third spell turns out to be the charm after all.
Publisher: Crimson House Books Publication Date: March 27th 2022 ISBN 9789527061558
My thoughts:
Third Spell’s the Charm is the third book in Susanna Shore’s House of Magic series of paranormal cozy mysteries set in London.
Our sweet and charming protagonist Phoebe Thorpe is finally coming to terms with the discovery of the supernatural London and its usual suspects- vampires, weres, witches and warlocks, and an occasional hellhound or two. This is a bit of a spoiler if you haven’t read the first two books yet, but she is also a mage herself, well, an untrained one, who needs to level up her non-existent spellcasting as soon as possible. As the title and the blurb suggest, Phoebe shouldn’t let her spectacular failures discourage her, it will all come to her eventually and our naive mage/amateur sleuth will save the day for her lovely landladies, her housemates Ashleigh and Luca, her gentlemanly boss/love interest Kane, and the whole law-abiding magic community.
I loved seeing the familiar faces and finding out how Phoebe’s relationships and friendships grow and deepen. The mystery itself is based on an old grudge -someone is targeting random victims who attend night clubs that belong to Morgan Hunt, the leader of London vampires. Our hapless apprentice mage/antique shop assistant Phoebe has to do a lot of good, old-fashioned digging in the past and just won’t let bygones stay bygones. As you can guess, this doesn’t go down well with elusive vampires and she manages to ruffle a few feathers (and not only of the boa kind). If you pay attention to details, it isn’t too difficult to guess the villain this time.
An easy, fun read, perfect for anyone who likes paranormal cozies with quirky, adorable characters and a lot of fast-paced action. Looking forward to the next story in this addictive series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crimson House Books for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
About the author:
Susanna Shore is an independent author of more than twenty books. She writes the Two-Natured London paranormal romance series, P.I. Tracy Hayes series of light mysteries set in Brooklyn, and House of Magic paranormal mystery series. She is also an author of some contemporary romances and thrillers. You can find her on Twitter @SusannaShore and more about her books on her webpage susannashore.com, where you can also find short stories and a sign-up page to her newsletter.
Today I’m delighted to present a guest post by Caoline James, the author of the Spa Break. The topic is very dear to my heart, so a huge thank you to Caroline and I wish her book a lot of success!
Why I chose to write about older protagonists
by Caroline James
My new novel, The Spa Break, is a story about a group of four mature friends who are full of fun and mischief. I like to write uplifting novels about characters ‘of a certain age’ who learn to live well in their later years and love life. The friends all have life-changing experiences during their stay at a spa, and I’d like to think that as we age, similar experiences can happen if you are prepared to come out of your comfort zone and give them a go.
When I was compiling research for the novel, I discovered that in the UK today, more than one in three adults over the age of fifty now live on their own. This may be, for example, through choice, death of a partner or divorce. I talked to countless over fifties and realised that many are lonely and unsure of what to do with the rest of their lives. I wanted to inspire readers with the message that it is alright to get older, embrace this second bite at life and find ways to discover new adventures and friends and run down the road to happiness, not stagger along worrying about the future.
A key message to embrace when living your best life as you get older is to live without regrets. Like the ladies in The Spa Break, learn to accept the results of decisions that may not have been right at the time and understand that you can make adjustments and live your best life in your golden years.
The Spa Break is a book about mature friends having fun, with many laughs and a few tears, but it covers serious issues too and has a surprising ending. I hope that you enjoy it.
Many thanks again, Toni, and I wish you and your readers many happy reading hours.
With love
Caroline x
About the book:
The Spa Break
The Spa Break – The laugh-out-loud romantic comedy of the year for fans of The Book Club with Jane Fonda & Judy Leigh!
A weekend at the spa will leave four old friends with a whole lot more than they’d bargained for…
The glossy brochure promised a serene experience of total tranquillity and rejuvenation, but what best friends Bridgette, Emily, Serena and Marjory get is a weekend that upends their lives!
There for a girls’ weekend to celebrate Bridgette’s impending seventieth birthday, the spa soon has these spicy sexagenarians realising that there are unexpected benefits to age and experience, and that over the hill certainly doesn’t mean out of the game…in any respect…
Best-selling author of women’s fiction, Caroline James, has owned and run businesses encompassing all aspects of the hospitality industry, a subject that often features in her novels. She is based in the UK but escapes whenever lockdown allows. A public speaker, which has included talks and lectures on cruise ships worldwide, Caroline is also a consultant and food writer. Caroline writes articles and runs writing workshops, is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association, the Society of Women’s Writer & Journalists and the Society of Authors. In her spare time, Caroline can be found walking with Fred, her Westie and in summer, wild water swimming. In winter, when not working, she relaxes with her head in a book and hand in a box of chocolates.
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
Thank you to Caroline for her guest post today and thank you for stopping by and reading it! Have a lovely Thursday!
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you’re continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.
And the book I am waiting for is…
From the blurb:
The fiercely-anticipated sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Once Upon a Broken Heart, starring Evangeline Fox and the Prince of Hearts on a new journey of magic, mystery, and heartbreak
Not every love is meant to be.
After Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, betrays her, Evangeline Fox swears she’ll never trust him again. Now that she’s discovered her own magic, Evangeline believes she can use it to restore the chance at happily ever after that Jacks stole away.
But when a new terrifying curse is revealed, Evangeline finds herself entering into a tenuous partnership with the Prince of Hearts again. Only this time, the rules have changed. Jacks isn’t the only force Evangeline needs to be wary of. In fact, he might be the only one she can trust, despite her desire to despise him.
Instead of a love spell wreaking havoc on Evangeline’s life, a murderous spell has been cast. To break it, Evangeline and Jacks will have to do battle with old friends, new foes, and a magic that plays with heads and hearts. Evangeline has always trusted her heart, but this time she’s not sure she can. . . .
**************
Expected Publication Date: September 13th, 2022
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy
ISBN 9781250268426, 1250268427
416 pages
**************
Stephanie Garber is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of Once Upon a Broken Heart and the Caraval trilogy. Her books have been translated into over thirty languages.
Thank you to Rachel from rachel’s Random resources for inviting me to participate in the cover reveal for My Paris Romance by Olivia Spring, the third book in her My Ten-Year Crush series.
Publication Date: 30th August 2022
My Paris Romance: Falling in love with a billionaire…
Cassie swore she’d never fall for another rich guy. Her heart has other ideas.
After a whirlwind holiday romance with hot billionaire Frenchman Nico, personal assistant Cassie receives an invitation to visit him in Paris.
Although she’d love a fairy-tale reunion, Cassie cannot fall for Nico. They live in different countries, come from different worlds, plus he’s more loaded than a bank vault. And after her rich ex and his snooty family left her feeling heartbroken and worthless, Cassie swore off dating wealthy guys. If she’d known Nico was France’s most eligible bachelor when they met, she’d never have got involved.
But their connection is undeniable and she’d be crazy not to see him again. If Cassie suppresses her feelings and just goes for the experience, she can avoid getting hurt, right?
Except when Nico sweeps her off her feet with a string of sexy, romantic dates around Paris, her plan not to fall in love unravels. She hopes he feels the same, but then a shocking revelation turns her world upside down…
Can they overcome their obstacles? And will Cassie get the happily-ever-after she’s been dreaming of?
Order this fun, steamy, fish-out-of-water, billionaire romantic comedy now and join Cassie in Paris to find out!
Read as a standalone novel or as book three in the My Ten-Year Crush series.
Olivia Spring is a British, London-based writer of contemporary women’s fiction, sexy chick lit and romantic comedy. Her uplifting debut novel The Middle-Aged Virgin, which was released in 2018, deals with being newly single in your thirties and beyond, dating, relationships, love, sex and living life to the full.
In addition to The Middle-Aged Virgin, Olivia has published The Middle-Aged Virgin in Italy, Love Offline, Losing My Inhibitions, Only When It’s Love and the sequel When’s The Wedding?
Olivia’s seventh novel, My Ten-Year Crush, was published in September 2021. Book two in the series, My Lucky Night followed in November 2021 and book three, My Paris Romance will be published in summer 2022.
When she’s not writing, Olivia can be found enjoying cupcakes and cocktails and of course, seeking inspiration for her next book!
readingtonic 