Book Review: The Moon Almanac A Month-by-Month Guide to the Lunar Year by Judith Hurrell #TheMoonAlmanac @Summersdale @JudeHurrell @RandomTTours

Synopsis

When can you spot the Hunter’s Moon, a Smiling Moon or a Pink Moon? How can the phases of the moon help your garden grow?
What influence does the full moon have on hamsters, coral and skylarks?

Navigate the rhythms of the night sky with this evocative collection of poetry, prose and precious wisdom. Illuminating the moon’s influence on the natural world and its depiction in folklore and the arts, The Moon Almanac will open your eyes to the wonders of our brightest celestial neighbour.

My Review

As someone who is spiritual, who is fascinated by the moon, can spend many hours staring at it and who is woken naturally when there is a full moon in the sky, I find myself wanting to learn more about it. When I received an e-mail about this book I jumped at the chance to be on the blog tour. I have been looking for an almanac like this for a while but was unsure where to start, especially as the books I have seen on this topic I have not bonded with but this changed when I saw this book.

The book is packed full of information some of which was familiar to me but a lot of which was new to me. The book starts with a short introduction on how to use the book, a chapter explaining the phases of the moon and the remaining chapters represent the months in the year and the role the moon plays in each month. I loved how there was information on the importance of the moon in different cultures, religions and traditions. This is a book that can be read in one sitting or used as a reference guide throughout the year, which is how I will be using it. I loved that the book was full of information, gorgeous illustrations and poetry.

This is a lovely little hardback book that would make the perfect gift for those who want to learn more about the moon, the lunar cycle or for those who are spiritual or would like to explore their spiritual side.

Author Bio

Judith Hurrell is a freelance writer who lives in Buckinghamshire. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her in nature, going on about the sky, the sea, the earth and the trees to her family and dogs. She was inspired to write this book after joining a women’s circle, which meets every month to mark and celebrate the 12 phases of the lunar cycle.

Book Review: Knightfall by Ann Denton @AnnDentonAuthor @KellyALacey @lovebookstours @igbooktours

Synopsis

Want to kill my sister? You’ll have to go through me first.

I will stop you.

Even if it means I have to go back to the palace.

Even if it means I have to take back the crown I left behind.

Even if it means I have to face the four men I left at the altar.

I will take on them and their anger.

I will take on anything to save Avia.

Because the kingdom needs her.

The kingdom needs a good queen.

Not a cursed one. Not me.

If I can’t save her, then the kingdom will fall. Because I can’t rule.

I’m a walking death sentence for anyone who gets too close…

If you like romance, mystery, and laughter, this book will keep you up all night. Get it today!

Buy Links https://amzn.to/3ndJ0H8

My Review

Princess Bloss is the heir of the kingdom of Evaness, but is currently working as a waitress having used a spell to disguise who she truly is. Bloss ran away from Evaness 4 years ago and two days before her coronation as Queen of Evaness. Not only did Bloss run away from her kingdom and her destiny but she also left behind her four soon to be husbands/knights who were chosen by her mother each for their unique qualities. Her husbands/knights included Quinn the spymaster, Connor the son of a Duke and Bloss’ best friend, Ryan the half giant and a general in the Evaness army and Declan the half human half fae. When Bloss hears a plot to kill her sister Princess Avia she knows she must save her sister. When Bloss returns to Evaness her mother arranges a bonding spell to stop Bloss leaving again and the spell cast means that she has to always be within five metres of one of her husbands. Bloss’ goal is to save her sister, give her sister the throne and free herself from the bonding spell. Will Bloss succeed?

Having read some of the author’s other books I was really looking forward to this one and I was not disappointed. There is something about the way the author writes that grabs you from the first page, captures your attention and pulls you into a new world. The world building was amazing and full of magic. As a main character I loved Bloss. She is a bad ass; confident, sassy, fiery, feisty but at the same time she is smart and intelligent. She knows what’s best for her kingdom on an everyday scale but also on a larger political scale. I found Bloss’ power once it was revealed very fascinating as she has the power to transfer the feeling of peace to others. Although it sounded like quite a pleasant power the effects on Bloss herself when she used it was devastating.

As for her husbands/knights it’s hard to choose one over the other and it’s easy to see why Bloss doesn’t have a preference. Each husband has their own unique quality and as the story progresses she bonds with each one individually. One thing is certain each husband cares for Bloss deeply. Knightfall is a reverse harem book which was intense and did include some spicy moments. The book ending on a jaw dropping cliff hanger so I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

If you love fantasy books then you need to add this to your list.

Book Review: The Return of Hester Lynton by Tony Evans #ReturnOfHesterLynton @tonyevansUK @lume_books @RandomTTours

Synopsis

Victorian England’s most celebrated lady detective returns in ten new brain-teasing mysteries.

With scheming fraudsters, corrupt doctors, devious forgers and terrible murderers afoot, Hester Lynton, and her trustworthy assistant Ivy Jessop, have their work cut out for them. But amidst the dirt and deprivation of 1800s London, our investigative duo will stop at nothing to catch their criminals.

The Return of Hester Lynton is a collection of ten absorbing cosy detective stories, perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes, Mrs Gladden and the Lady Hardcastle mysteries.

My Review

Do you like detective stories set in the Victorian era then look no further because this is the book for you.

This is a book of ten short stories which follow detective Hester Lynton and her assistant and colleague Ivy Jessop as they investigate cases brought to them by members of the public and the police. Not to forget Mrs Parsons the house keeper. Each story was fascinating, absorbing and cleverly written. Hester and Ivy deal with a variety of cases involving helping a client obtain their inheritance which involved the use of a book code, missing people, missing jewellery, a famous painting, and famous people including Oscar Wilde. As these are short stories you could read one per day or if you’re like me the book can be read in one sitting as I was captivated by the writing and intrigued by the cases. At times it felt like I was investigating the cases alongside Hester and Ivy. I have to say that I loved both Hester and Ivy. They are clever, strong, independent women. I have always been a fan of Sherlock Holmes and I always wondered what if Sherlock Holmes and Mr Watson had been female. My questions had been answered in Hester and Ivy as they are exactly what I had imagined.

I definitely want to read more about Hester, Ivy and more from this author as I am now a firm fan of the characters, stories and the author. This is a book that I will definitely be reading again.

Author Bio

Tony Evans is a full-time writer. His print publications include eighteen adaptations of classic novels published by Real Reads Ltd. His eBooks include the Hester Lynton mystery series and the Jonathan Harker mystery series. Tony has also written student guides for Hamlet, Dracula and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd: all published by ZigZag Education. He lives with his wife in the Yorkshire Dales.
Follow him on Twitter: @tonyevansUK

Book Review: Beauty And The Reclusive Millionaire by Rachael Stewart @rach_b52 @rararesources @HarlequinBooks

Synopsis

An unforgettable Greek escape…with the man she never forgot!

A-list actress Catherine Wilde has it all, but behind closed doors she is fighting personal battles. So the chance to escape to the private Greek island of her best friend’s brother, Alaric, offers the tranquility she craves. Except seeing Alaric again sets her heart rate soaring. Life might have changed him, but he can still make her feel alive—and when the torch she once held for him reignites, it’s impossible to ignore!

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

My Review

Meet Catherine Wilde, a famous actress and known to the world as Kitty. In order to escape current news about her that is spreading like wildfire she escapes to a private Greek island which is owned by her best friend’s brother Alaric. Alaric and Catherine use to be very close but drifted apart. She became an actress and moved to LA and Alaric was involved in an accident and following that he locked himself away from the world on his own private island. Catherine has been tasked by his sister to check on him and to try and bring him back to his family and friends, a world he is now estranged from. Catherine and Alaric have not seen each other in 10 years, how will they react to seeing each other again and spending time together on a secluded island?

From the first page I was swept away to an amazing Greek island filled with everything I would love i.e. sun, warmth, an amazing house, good food and a handsome book boyfriend. I adored the connection between Catherine and Alaric. There was just something about them from their first meeting that just made sense and it was clear that there was a deep connection between them even though they’d not spoken in years. Catherine and Alaric are very similar. He has closed himself away from the world and Catherine is surrounded by people but she herself is truly lonely. Both of them have scars from recent events both physical and metaphorical and are trying to heal themselves and each other. Catherine although confident shows her vulnerable side but only to Alaric who she quickly realises is a tortured soul and a shadow of his former self. So it becomes her mission to find glimpses of the old Alaric that she fondly remembers. Alaric’s house sounded amazing and the fact that he had a library as well was a bonus. I mean the man had his own private island and a library, what more could a girl want!

This was a truly amazing read that gave me Beauty and the Beast vibes from the outset and as that is one of my favourite films I knew I would love this book. The storyline was on point, the characters had intense chemistry and the location was perfect. I read this book in a few hours because frankly I just couldn’t put it down and I wanted to know what would happen next. I was cheering the characters on from the outset.

If like me you love romance novels that will sweep you away then I would highly recommend this book and its author!

Author Bio

Rachael Stewart adores conjuring up stories, from heartwarmingly romantic to wildly erotic. She’s been writing since she could put pen to paper as the stacks of scrawled-on pages in her loft will attest to. A Welsh lass at heart, she now lives in Yorkshire with her very own hero and three awesome kids, and if she’s not tapping out a story, she’s wrapped up in them or enjoying the great
outdoors.

Social Media Links:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rachaelstewartauthor/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/rach_b52
Website – https://rachaelstewartauthor.com/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rachaelstewart3/

Spotlight: I Am Winter by Denise Brown #IAmWinter @DeniseBrownUK @hashtag_press @literallypr

Synopsis

When Summer’s best friend Cee dies from cardiac arrest after both girls have taken pills, the accusations on social media begin, but as the bullying intensifies, Summer grows closer to revealing the secret both families are harbouring.

Longlisted in the Bath Novel Award 2019, I am Winter offers a fresh take on survivor guilt, a dysfunctional family, and an exploration of contemporary issues including social media bullying and teen suicide. It is a dark story with a glimmer of hope for a teenager who believes no one is rooting for her, in a world where many have already written her off.

Fifteen-year-old Summer craves attention, even more so when her best friend
Cee dies after swallowing pills and alcohol. But Cee’s family, believing
Summer was a bad influence, begin terrorising her and the more alienated she
becomes, the closer she gets to discovering the truth about what happened
that dreadful night.

Author Bio

Denise Brown is a writer, housekeeper, and single parent of five children. Her debut YA novella Devil on Your Back was published by
Salt in 2014. Denise has had short stories published in various online magazines and anthologies and was also longlisted for the 2019 Mslexia Children’s Novel Competition. In 2019 she was longlisted for the Bath
Novel Award. Born in East London, Denise has now settled in Scotland where she feels certain she must have lived in a previous life. She loves dogs and snow globes and has a teensy obsession with Jack
Skellington.

Spotlight: Blue Skinned Gods by SJ Sindu @SJSindu @Legend_Times #BlueSkinnedGods

Synopsis

Traveling from the ashrams of India to the underground rock scene of New York City, Blue-Skinned Gods explores ethnic, gender, and sexual identities, and examines the need for belief in a fractured world.

In Tamil Nadu, India, a boy is born with blue skin. His father sets up an ashram, and the family makes a living off of the pilgrims who seek the child’s blessings and miracles, believing young Kalki to be tenth human incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu.

Kalki is confronted with three trials in his tenth year—tests of his power that will prove his divine status and, his father tells him, spread his fame worldwide. Over the next decade, as the story of his family unravels, his relationship to everyone—his dominating father, his beloved cousin, his cancer-stricken aunt, and the young woman he imagines he will marry—threatens to fall apart. At once a personal tale of youthful searching, and a magisterial, continent spanning tour-de-force, Blue-Skinned Gods is unwaveringly honest and heartbreaking, a powerful novel told through the eyes of a wonderfully winning and idiosyncratic protagonist.

Author Bio

SJ Sindu is a genderqueer Tamil- American author and educator, who was born in Sri Lanka and raised in Massachusetts. Sindu’s first novel, Marriage of a Thousand Lies, won the Publishing Triangle Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction and the Golden Crown Literary Society Award for Debut Fiction, was selected by the American Library Association as a Stonewall Honor Book, was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award and the VCU First Novelist Award and was Longlisted for the DSC South Asian Literature Prize. She now lives in Toronto, Canada.

Book Blitz: Stranger Love by Autumn Miller @AMillerWrites @KellyALacey @igbooktours @lovebookstours

Synopsis

Rose

They say you’ll have the time of your life at university, but it was the handsome stranger in a local bar who gave me mine.

Our connection was instantaneous, our conversation littered with inappropriate teasing. And his kiss. Blew. My. Mind.

Going home with him was never in doubt.

The next day, he promised to call, but I never heard from him again. Trying not to feel rejected, I decided to look at my one night stand as an experience fitting of college life.

The unexpected baby wasn’t part of the deal though. I wasn’t down for that particular experience. I’m a final year student and the timing is awful.

But despite delivering babies for a living, Callum’s not happy about the pregnancy, making accusations and assumptions every time we meet. 

He treats me as if I’m his enemy, and if he’s not careful he’ll make me one, pushing me away for good.

Callum

The green-eyed girl from the bar is standing in my hospital, looking at an ultrasound scan in her hands. I hoped to see her again, to relive our incredible night, but not like this.

Not with my world exploding, my worst fears realised.

I’ve knocked up a stranger.

When I confront her about the baby, things go from bad to worse. I’m unable to say a thing right, upsetting Rose every chance I get. 

But despite being blindsided by the news, I want to be involved in the pregnancy. After all, I’m an obstetrician, and babies and women’s bodies are my speciality. And even though I’ve never felt possessive about a woman before, it’s not long before strong, protective tendencies build inside me.

I can’t stay away from her.

She’s carrying my child. 

I’m going to be a father.

That connection we had months ago, reignites. 

We get closer. Too close.

And I have no idea where we go from here.

Author Bio

I loved reading romance books so much, I started to write my own. Featuring my own personal swoon-worthy book boyfriends with killer bods/smiles/moves and playful banter, hopefully, you’ll enjoy these heartfelt stories too. 

I live in Norfolk, England and write stories with heat, heart and happily ever after.

Book Blitz: Stranger Love by Autumn Miller @AMillerWrites @KellyALacey @igbooktours @lovebookstours

Synopsis

Rose

They say you’ll have the time of your life at university, but it was the handsome stranger in a local bar who gave me mine.

Our connection was instantaneous, our conversation littered with inappropriate teasing. And his kiss. Blew. My. Mind.

Going home with him was never in doubt.

The next day, he promised to call, but I never heard from him again. Trying not to feel rejected, I decided to look at my one night stand as an experience fitting of college life.

The unexpected baby wasn’t part of the deal though. I wasn’t down for that particular experience. I’m a final year student and the timing is awful.

But despite delivering babies for a living, Callum’s not happy about the pregnancy, making accusations and assumptions every time we meet. 

He treats me as if I’m his enemy, and if he’s not careful he’ll make me one, pushing me away for good.

Callum

The green-eyed girl from the bar is standing in my hospital, looking at an ultrasound scan in her hands. I hoped to see her again, to relive our incredible night, but not like this.

Not with my world exploding, my worst fears realised.

I’ve knocked up a stranger.

When I confront her about the baby, things go from bad to worse. I’m unable to say a thing right, upsetting Rose every chance I get. 

But despite being blindsided by the news, I want to be involved in the pregnancy. After all, I’m an obstetrician, and babies and women’s bodies are my speciality. And even though I’ve never felt possessive about a woman before, it’s not long before strong, protective tendencies build inside me.

I can’t stay away from her.

She’s carrying my child. 

I’m going to be a father.

That connection we had months ago, reignites. 

We get closer. Too close.

And I have no idea where we go from here.

Author Bio

I loved reading romance books so much, I started to write my own. Featuring my own personal swoon-worthy book boyfriends with killer bods/smiles/moves and playful banter, hopefully, you’ll enjoy these heartfelt stories too. 

I live in Norfolk, England and write stories with heat, heart and happily ever after.

Book Review: Toni’s Blind Date By Rosie Dean @RosieDeanAuthor @rararesources

Synopsis

Toni Spielman and Will Thomas have no plans to date — anyone — but when fate throws them together on a TV dating show, they have to smile, pretend, and rethink their plans.

Purchase Link – mybook.to/Tonis_Blind_Date

My Review

Toni’s dad produces a dating show and she is working as a production assistant to help out. Will is a contestant and after a blip before the show starts Toni has to fill in as a contestant. When they are matched Toni and Will set off for a romantic holiday skiing in Val Thorens where they get to know each other. Can Toni and Will find love in front and behind the cameras?

As soon as I picked up this book I felt like I was reading about an episode of Blind Date which is a show I truly loved. I liked the fact that the setting of this book was around a dating show which made it unique for me and fun to read. This was an easy read which I enjoyed picking up after a long day at work. The storyline was well written and I really liked the characters of Will and Toni. Both are nursing broken hearts after splitting from their partners and in Toni’s case she has been through an event that she is still struggling to cope with. The romance between the two characters was just so sweet. One of my favourite parts was when they managed to escape the cameras and finally spend some time together.

The perfect romance novel to read on a weekend!

Author Bio

Rosie writes romantic fiction with a sense of humour and, sometimes, a sense of the ridiculous; because we all know life and love aren’t exactly how we’d like them to be.

She has won a Readers’ Choice Award from Ancient City Romance Authors (part of Romance Writers of America) and been a finalist in the 2017 Maggie Awards for Excellence.

Before writing novels, Rosie wrote training courses and marketing copy for the corporate world – a far cry from teaching Art and Pottery, where her career began.
She lives on the Isle of Wight, within sight and sound of the sea, with her partner and her dog.

Social Media Links –
Website/blog http://www.rosie-dean.com
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/RosieDeanWriter
Twitter http://twitter.com/RosieDeanAuthor
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/RosieDean
Amazon (Author Page) http://www.amazon.com/Rosie-Dean/e/B00GML9CU0
BookBub http://www.bookbub.com/authors/rosie-dean
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.co.uk/RosieDeanAuthor/isle-of-wight/

Book Review: Batting For Charlie by Belinda E. Edwards @BooksByBelinda @lovebooksgroup @lovebookstours

Synopsis

At 23, India may be starting out in the world of work, but she has talent and big ambitions. So when the opportunity comes along to lead on a project for a new client, she throws herself into it. With so many opinions about what she should do, will she ever find her own way forward?

Can India keep her cool and work out who is or isn’t supporting her? Can she survive both professionally and romantically?

Professional cricketer Charlie leaps at the chance to take on some promotional work for a new start-up fitness brand to fill the gap in his finances. But it means having to confront his past and work with someone he may not have had the best start with. He has his own family worries going on and he doesn’t really have the time for anything else in his life.

Can he stay out of the tabloids long enough to keep his promises? Can he start again with India?

Life is a challenge when love comes with the job.

My Review

India works as a PA at Bentley & Bentley. When they are approached to support the launch of a new product called Gym Away and are looking for a sports person to promote it, India inadvertently blurts out the name of Charlie Robertson a famous cricketer. Charlie aka Charlie Whiskey Romeo isn’t a stranger to India. She first met him at a New Year’s Eve party some years ago and due to a misunderstanding they never spoke again. Now they will be spending more time together on the project will they become closer? Can India make the project a success?

I really enjoyed this book. There’s something about a second chance romance that I truly love and is a genre that I will never be tired of. I loved the storyline, it was well structured and included some surprises along the way. To start with it took me a while to warm to India but I gained a whole new respect for her when she stood up for herself in the meeting in front of her boss and basically said it as it was. It’s very clear that she wasn’t appreciated in her job and the talent she bought to the organisation which her colleagues saw as a threat. Charlie just sounded perfect: sweet, caring, strong and dreamy. The chemistry between Charlie and India was just so cute and was clearly there despite the fact they’d not talked properly for years. I adored the text messages that they would send each other and the way Charlie would take care of India was so adorable even when India was trying to put distance between them.

A must for fans of second chance romances and no you don’t need to know anything about cricket to love the story.