Searching for Mr Tilney by Jane Odiwe (Tuesday Intro & Teaser Tuesday)

If you're a Jane Austen fan and have yet to read anything by Jane Odiwe, you are seriously missing out. Her love for Jane shines through the pages of her books and Searching for Mr Tilney is no exception. Of course, it doesn't hurt at all that I am absolutely in love with Henry Tilney so the title alone made this book a winner for me even before I started reading it. As it is, I'm still only about 15% in, but it's already a book I would recommend.

As always, "First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two of a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea. "Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.

Amazon Description

Mistletoe and Murder by Robin Stevens (Tuesday Intros & Teaser Tuesday)

Have I mentioned lately how horribly much I adore Robin Stevens and her Murder Most Unladylike Mystery series?!? I meant to read this one last year but got overwhelmed with NetGalley stuff, so this year I've decided to take a break from ARCs and dove right in. Ooooh how I've missed Daisy and Hazel (whom I still declare to be my Spirit Animal more often than not)! 

In this installment the girls are at Cambridge visiting Daisy's brother for Christmas break. Their friends and fellow detectives Alexander and George are also there so when a mysterious death occurs (as so often is the case when Daisy and Hazel are involved), the four of them set out to figure out what happened. Of course, they don't always work together so the competition and frustration of boys versus girls is a fun little addition to the normal Wells and Wong dynamic I've come to love.

Of course I recommend this highly and of course I'm going to say to read them in order. For those in the States, I know that we're a bit behind in publication dates (and the U.S. title is still unknown to me at this time), but copies are available on Amazon through the Marketplace and at BookDepository. Well worth the extra time they might take to ship!

As always, "First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two of a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea. "Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.

Christmas at Mistletoe Cove by Holly Martin (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

I've been wanting Eden's story to be told since she was first introduced in the first Hope Island book, Spring at Blueberry Bay. (Yes, this is where I tell you to read them in order. Major spoilers if you don't!) When it was finally released in September I jumped on it, but couldn't bring myself to read it until closer to Christmas and it was so worth the wait. Holly is giving Eden exactly the story I was hoping for.  Once again Holly Martin has proven why she's my go-to for Christmas romance and I'm not even finished with the book yet. It already has five glowing stars for me and would get more if available!

Friday 56 (today is 56% from the ebook) is hosted at Freda's Voice

& Book Beginnings (share the first few sentences) is at Rose City Reader.

Amazon Description

Two by Tilly Tennant - An Unforgettable Christmas Series (Tuesday Intros & Teaser Tuesday)

This week I've decided to tease the latest books from Tilly Tennant which, together, make up the series "An Unforgettable Christmas." Of course, they should be read in order. You've probably already figured out that I'll always say that.

The first in the series is A Very Vintage Christmas. It's the story of Dodie Bright, who loves all things vintage. She has her best friend Isla, stick-in-the-mud boyfriend Ryan, hilarious Gran, and her own vintage clothing shop. She tries to see the best in everyone and will often go out of her way to help others, such as her homeless friend Nick. She finds an old love letter dating back to World War II in the pocket of a coat that comes into the shop and decides that she needs to return it to the family of the woman who received it -- or the man who sent it. She doesn't have much to go on, but it leads her to the doorstop of Ed Willoughby who decides to help her search. There are lots of ups and downs but it's a delightful story without being overly schmaltzy. 

Dodie's best friend, Isla McCoy, gets her story told in A Cozy Candlelit Christmas. She finds out that she has received a mystery inheritance from the grandmother she never knew -- largely because her father exited her life when she was five. In order to receive it, though, she needs to go to the French Alps and spend time with her father. Her mother tries to stop her, but she goes anyway because she feels like it may mend the part of her that has always felt a bit broken. Besides, she has no boyfriend holding her back -- she's firmly anti-relationship. Of course this means that once she reaches St Martin-de-Belleville  the men are plentiful and tempting and romance blossoms. It's not the romantic aspects of this book that I enjoyed the most, though -- it was Isla's blossoming relationship with her father that touched me the most. The other bits were nice, but felt more like they were there because they had to be.

As always, "First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two of a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea. "Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.

Blog Tour : The Runaway Children by Sandy Taylor

Sandy Taylor's When We Danced at the End of the Pier absolutely blew my mind and I still talk about it and recommend it often. I've still been holding off on reading the other books in that particular series because I've felt that there was no way that they could measure up. How could an author possibly pen multiple books that would both tear at my heart and make me laugh until I cried? Of course, then The Runaway Children was announced, and a spot on the blog tour opened up for my birthday, and I knew it was somehow fated. Somehow I knew that Sandy Taylor was once again going to keep me up at night, and her characters would become treasured loved ones.

I wasn't wrong at all.

The Runaway Children focuses on Nell Patterson and her little sister, Olive. They're evacuated from their home in the East end of London with their brother Tony -- leaving behind their mother, newborn brother, and everyone and everything they know and love. Like so many other children they were sent to the countryside in Wales. Watching the two girls adjust to their changing circumstances was as much of a roller coaster for me as it was for the characters. I grew attached to Taylor's villages and inhabitants -- most of them, anyway. Most of all, though, I grew attached to Nell and Olive and their amazing relationship. The age difference is significantly different here than it was between the sisters in When We Danced, but here it worked in making the relationship even more special. 

I don't want to say too much because I fear that if I truly start gushing about how perfect this book was, I won't be able to stop until I've given it all away. This is one that needs to be read rather than told.

*****

Visit the other tour stops:

UK 🇬🇧 http://amzn.to/2xAwtXf 
US 🇺🇸 http://amzn.to/2iDTz5i

A heart-wrenching, unforgettable story of two evacuee sisters during the Second World War… Perfect for fans of Orphan Train, Nadine Dorries and Diney Costeloe.

London, 1942: Thirteen-year-old Nell and five-year-old Olive are being sent away from the devastation of the East End. They are leaving the terror of the Blitz and nights spent shivering in air raid shelters behind them, but will the strangers they are billeted with be kind and loving, or are there different hardships ahead?

As the sisters struggle to adjust to life as evacuees, they soon discover that living in the countryside isn’t always idyllic. Nell misses her mother and brothers more than anything but she has to stay strong for Olive. Then, when little Olive’s safety is threatened by a boy on a farm, Nell has to make a decision that will change their lives forever…

They must run from danger and try to find their way home.

Together the two girls hold each other’s hands as they begin their perilous journey across bombed-out Britain. But when Nell falls ill, can she still protect her little sister from the war raging around them? And will they ever be reunited from the family they’ve been torn from?

An unputdownable novel of unconditional love, friendship and the fight for survival during a time of unimaginable change. The Runaway Children is guaranteed to find a place in your heart.

About the author: 

Sandy Taylor grew up on a council estate near Brighton. There were no books in the house, so Sandy’s love of the written word was nurtured in the little local library. Leaving school at fifteen, Sandy worked in a series of factories before landing a job at Butlins in Minehead. This career change led her to becoming a singer, a stand up comic and eventually a playwright and novelist.
https://twitter.com/SandyTaylorAuth
https://www.facebook.com/SandyTaylorAuthor/

Blog Tour : It Had To Be You by Keris Stainton

If I actually gave awards for "best ____ of the year," Keris Stainton's It Had To Be You would likely win for Best RomCom of 2017. There was so much that I loved about this book and it is definitely one that I can see myself re-reading any time I need a little pick-me-up.

Bea is a twenty-five year old hopeless romantic who has had a recurring dream for years about "The One" and exactly how she would meet him. She even moved to a specific part of London in order to see the dream become a reality. Her life basically lives like a romcom -- complete with an internal voiceover much like that in movie trailers. (I totally get it. The same voice has invaded my own head on more than a few occasions.) She has the odd mix of friends and housemates, the quirky bookstore job, and the lack of a clue about what she really needs and wants.

It ends up being pretty predictable fairly early on as to what should (and, ultimately, does) happen for not only Bea but for the supporting characters as well, but that takes nothing away from the joy and delight I had in reading it. After all, aren't all romcoms a bit predictable? Isn't that why we read and watch them? And yes, I've already worked on "casting" this one in my head -- Olivia Cooke as Bea? Sydney White as Freya? Matthew Lewis would definitely be a perfect Henry! Oh what a fabulous movie it would be to add to my collection!

Make sure you check out the other stops on the blog tour to celebrate the release of this fabulous 5-star read ... and, of course, buy the book!

Available now!

UK

🇬🇧

http://amzn.to/2ff3Nr9

US

🇺🇸

http://amzn.to/2BuvhTD

Twenty-five-year-old Bea is a hopeless romantic with a hopeless love life – until now. New beau Dan ticks all the boxes: he’s good-looking, kind and thoughtful. The complete opposite of Bea’s ex, who once threw her out in the middle of the night when she was ill so she didn’t disrupt his sleep.

So when her friends point out that she and Dan don’t have fireworks, Bea ignores them. Dan is the whole package. And yet Bea can’t stop comparing him to her best friend Henry… Because Dan doesn’t get Bea’s jokes. Or like books. Or make her laugh until she can’t breathe. Or become speechless when Bea puts on her favourite black dress for a night out…

As time goes on, Bea can’t shift the feeling that something just isn’t right. On paper Dan is the perfect man. But in reality… Will Bea be brave enough to ask for more from life – and get the fireworks she deserves?

A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy for fans of Giovanna Fletcher, Cate Woods, and Mhairi McFarlane.

About the author: 

Keris lives in Lancashire with her husband and two sons. She’s written a bunch of books for young adults and children, and is obsessed with Twitter, tea, and 1D.

www.keris-stainton.com

https://twitter.com/Keris

The Girl I Used to Know by Faith Hogan (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

Every so often a book comes along that shocks me with how very much I love it. Faith Hogan's The Girl I Used to Know is one of those books. I was expecting to like it ... otherwise I wouldn't have requested it from NetGalley and Aria in the first place ... but it absolutely stole my heart. More accurately, Tess and Amanda stole my heart.

Tess lives in Amanda's basement -- much to the dismay of Amanda and her husband, Richard. She's a cantankerous woman in her mid-sixties and does whatever she can to keep her flat and keep her landlords as on edge as possible. She wasn't always miserable, but something happened years prior that more or less stole her spirit.

Amanda is busy being a society wife and mother, maintaining the perfect house, and slowly becoming unrecognizable to even herself. She once had spunk and artistic dreams and now she has weekly coffee/gossip sessions with the other wives where she finds herself eating a bit too much and losing herself a bit more.

The two definitely don't like each other. They don't even really know each other in spite of having lived at the same address for many years. Of course all of this begins to change as each decides to re-know themselves, they end up knowing each other. What a wonderful combination they make, too! Add in the other characters who tag along on their journey's of rediscovery (sometimes knowingly, sometimes not), and we've ended up with a book that kept me up in the middle of the night more than once because "just one more chapter" kept turning into several.

Highly recommended to anyone who has ever looked in the mirror and had to wonder what in the world happened ... and to anyone who just loves a good story with amazingly rich and complex characters.

Friday 56 (today is 56% from the ebook) is hosted at Freda's Voice

& Book Beginnings (share the first few sentences) is at Rose City Reader.

Amazon Description

The Forgotten Children by Anita Davison (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

Flora, Bunny and my beloved Sally are all back for their grittiest and more heart-wrenching case yet. Anita Davison's Flora Maguire series just keeps getting better and better! The Forgotten Children is the fourth in the series so, of course, I have to recommend that you start at the beginning so you know all of the ins and outs of our main characters. This could be read as a standalone, but you really want to follow them through. They're definitely worth it!

This latest installment sees Flora adjusting to life as a new mum. She and her husband are invited to visit a local children's hospital in hopes of getting them to donate money, but before long they end up investigating some rather disturbing happenings instead. "Rather disturbing" leads to "extremely disturbing," which only makes Flora fight harder to figure it all out.

As always, Anita Davison's attention to historical detail and character development is amongst the best. It's almost as though you can smell all of the smells and feel all of the feels. If you're a fan of historical mysteries and have yet to pick her books up, get thee to the bookstore!

Friday 56 (today is 56% from the ebook) is hosted at Freda's Voice

& Book Beginnings (share the first few sentences) is at Rose City Reader.

Lucy's Book Club for the Lost and Found by Emma Davies (Tuesday Intros & Teaser Tuesday)

I have a huge weakness for books about the bookish so when I saw Emma Davies' Lucy's Book Club for the Lost and Found on Netgalley my finger couldn't hit the request button fast enough! The cover claims it to be "a heartwarming feel-good romance novel" and they absolutely nailed it for a description. 

The story centers around Lucy and the book club she forms at the library where she works. It's a mixture of people who attend -- elderly widower Oscar, shy computer nerd Callum, single mom Hattie and Lia, whose entire life is centered around caring for her mother with dementia. Each of them, in their own way, is "lost" and Lucy wants to use the book club as a way to help them find what's missing. Of course, she doesn't take into consideration that she needs the same for herself, too. 

Watching the individual stories unfold and how they end up intertwining as a group was an absolute delight at times and absolutely heartbreaking at others. It didn't take long at all for me to care about all of the book club members and that made for a quick and highly recommendable read.  

It's being released this coming Friday, just in time for the post-holiday unwind for those of us here in the States and it's available for pre-order at the oh-so-amazing price of 99 cents so you won't even have to think about it while debating where to do your Black Friday shopping! It will already be waiting on your Kindle!

"First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two of a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea. "Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.

Amazon Description

Release Day Blitz! Gone Missing by T.J. Brearton

I am absolutely thrilled to be participating in today's blitz celebrating the release of T.J. Brearton's Gone Missing. I had a feeling that I would enjoy it because of the oohing and aahing from other Bookouture fans, but I had no idea just how much I would love this book.

Now, the vast majority of the Bookouture books that I have read thus far have been based in the UK which has been great since I'm a huge Anglophile. I didn't do any research at all into the book or  T.J. Brearton before diving in to this like I normally would. I had assumed that it would be based somewhere "across the pond" and was hit with a huge happy surprise of places I know and have been and roads that I have traveled numerous times over my almost 42 years. I'm a "north country" New Yorker in so many ways. I was born in Ogdensburg; dated a guy who went to Paul Smith's College when I was in high school; did my first year of college in Plattsburgh; taught workshops on the north end of Lake George throughout graduate school and beyond. This is my home turf that Brearton wrote about and he wrote about it beautifully.

Of course, the actual storyline of the abduction and search of Katie Calumet is what most people would be paying attention to and, luckily, Brearton wrote that beautifully as well. It takes a lot to get me hooked on crime thrillers, but from the very beginning I found that it was one that I didn't want to put down. (I even got caught once or twice sneaking in some pages at work.) The alternating chapters between Katie and the investigation led by Detective Justin Cross kept the pace riveting and the turns as twisty as a north country drive -- which, believe me, are plenty twisty! I gasped out loud more than a few times, was full of "you go, girl!"s for Katie, and ended up wanting more of Cross. (Please? Make this the first of many? I know that there are other series and lots of other books of Brearton's to read, which is great ... but I really want to see more of Cross and his team!)

The Murderess by Jennifer Wells (Tuesday Intros & Teaser Tuesday)

Even when I wasn't very far into Jennifer Wells' The Murderess, I was finding it difficult to put down. The characters tugged at me and kept pulling me back in and the further I got, the more I had to keep reading to find out what would happen -- and what did happen. The story jumps between Millicent's story in 1915 to Kate's in 1940. It's not an easy task to pull off and I have read far too many books that end up a jumbled mess when such things are attempted, but Wells pulls it off beautifully.  

"First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two of a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea. "Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.

Amazon Description

Lies Jane Austen Told Me by Julie Wright (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

As always, Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice &
Book Beginnings is at Rose City Reader.
This week my "56" comes from the 56% ebook mark.

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Amazon Description

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Books inspired by my beloved Jane are very much hit or miss for me. They tend to either fall in the "why would they do this" category or the "I need this on my Jane shelf" category. Rarely does a book fall in between. Julie Wright's Lies Jane Austen Told Me is definitely in the "I need this on my Jane shelf" category and in spite of having received an advanced ebook from the publisher and NetGalley, I've already made plans to obtain the paperback and know exactly where on the shelf it will go.

I adore Emma and especially Lucas. Each one has traits of some of my favorite Austen characters woven together beautifully. She's a little Lizzy mxed with Emma; he's a bit Knightley mixed with Tilney. If you've been paying attention at all, you know what a combination like that means! New book boyfriend? Hmmm...

Mostly, though, I love the premise of Emma breaking up with Jane Austen as her romance guru ... or at least trying to. I think at one point or another all Austenites have become disillusioned when we take into consideration the fact that Jane never got her happily-ever-after romance. Who is she to say anything about anything? Watching Emma's relationship with Jane play out was almost as satisfying as watching her romantic entanglements.

Definitely one for the shelves!

Snowflakes, Iced Cakes and Second Chances by Sue Watson (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

This is the third book set in Appledore and it's every bit as heartbreaking and hopeful and lovely as the first two. It may be even more so since this one is set around Christmas which, in itself, tends to add a little extra something to your typical "feel-good" (when you aren't snotting all over your shirtsleeves) romance.

My only real problem with the book is the male lead. He rubbed me the wrong way and would never make it onto my list of book boyfriends ... but that could be because I've known too many like him on his worst days. Still, the book overall was so lovely that the most I could deduct because of Gianni is half of a star. Then, though, we add in how beautifully Chloe deals with him (and all of the snotty shirtsleeve moments), and that half of a star comes shooting right back on with a vengeance. 

Another 5 star book for me from Sue Watson. Now, can we PLEASE get Marco his own full story?

As always, Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice & Book Beginnings is at Rose City Reader.
This week my "56" comes from the 56% ebook mark.

from Amazon:

The Things We Learn When We're Dead by Charlie Laidlaw (Tuesday Intros & Teaser Tuesday)

"First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two of a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea. "Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.

from Amazon:

On the way home from a dinner party she didn't want to attend, Lorna Love steps into the path of an oncoming car. When she wakes up she is in what appears to be a hospital – but a hospital in which her nurse looks like a young Sean Connery, she is served wine for supper, and everyone avoids her questions. It soon transpires that she is in Heaven, or on HVN. Because HVN is a lost, dysfunctional spaceship, and God the aging hippy captain. She seems to be there by accident. Or does God have a higher purpose after all? At first Lorna can remember nothing. As her memories return – some good, some bad – she realizes that she has decisions to make and that she needs to find a way home… 

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Fatal Masquerade by Vivian Conroy (Tuesday Intro & Teaser Tuesday)

I am absolutely gobsmacked.

Really. 

I didn't think that there was really any way that Vivian Conroy could possibly make me love Jake Dubois anymore than I already did after the first three books in the Lady Alkmene series. I was so very wrong.

Fatal Masquerade sees Alkmene and Jake at a house party where they are to attend a masquerade ball. Of course, someone turns up dead. And, of course, our dynamic duo has to get in the middle of things to investigate. Sticking to the true Christie-esque fashion that I so love about Conroy's books, the details are rich, the intrigue is gripping, and the red herrings are plentiful. Even better? I'm not sure I've ever crushed as hard on any character as I crush on Jake ... except, perhaps, for Arthur Hastings. (Sorry, Oliver ... you're a close third.)

Do yourself a favor and start this series from the beginning. You really need to get to know Jake (and Alkmene, of course) from the beginning of their relationship. You can thank me later, but just remember that I claimed dibs first.

Fatal Masquerade is available TOMORROW (October 4th) at: Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play

"First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two of a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea. "Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.

Something Like Happy by Eva Woods (Tuesday Intro & Teaser Tuesday)

I know, I know .... I'm on a "hiatus." I'm taking a break from blogging because life is a steaming pile o' internetless crap .... except for on my phone or when I'm at work like I am right now. I would normally be, you know, working but this book is just too good to not share. 

It will rip your heart out and probably do the tango on top of it. 

It will lift your spirits so high you'll wonder if somehow the book is emitting helium.

It will make you laugh until you cry and then make you rush out to buy more tissues because the waterworks keep emerging when you least expect them. 

A lot of the tears will be happy; a whole lot of them won't be. All of them will end up being worthwhile, though.

"First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two of a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea. "Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.

Amazon Description

A bit of a hiatus

The only internet access I currently have outside of work is my less-than-stellar data plan on my phone. It makes blogging more than a little difficult so I'll be taking a break until things get back up and running again. I'll still be reading when my brain let's me focus, but the reviews will likely be limited to short blurbs on Goodreads & Amazon.

House. Tree. Person. by Catriona McPherson (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

Catriona McPherson's latest, House. Tree. Person., took me a while to get into. It actually took me several different attempts -- each time I would start from the beginning and make it a little further. I love McPherson, though, so I was determined. By the time it finally clicked with me, I couldn't put it down because I just had to know what was going on with Ali and I had to know yesterday. (I received the book via NetGalley back in May and finally finished it on its release date.) It can be a gripping tale ... if you can make if far enough in to it.

from Amazon:

As always, Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice & Book Beginnings is at Rose City Reader. This week my "56" comes from the 56% ebook mark.

Cocktails and Dreams by A.L. Michael (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

You may remember how much I abso-freaking-lutely adored A.L. Michael's House on Camden Square series. Those girls became part of my tribe. I didn't want to ever let them go. When I heard that Michael was starting a new series I wasn't thrilled with the idea. I know that these things happen, but I'm still in mourning over not knowing what's happening on Camden Square. I reluctantly hit the request button on NetGalley, figuring that maybe someday I would possibly get around to reading this Cocktails and Dreams thing.

Oh, me of little faith.

I'm absolutely loving this book and its main character, Savannah ("Savvy"), and her friends and co-workers and dad and most definitely not her mom or her ex. And then there's Milo. I never thought I would be bookcrushing on anyone named Milo .... but I've fallen for him pretty hard (and I'm definitely not Jacques' type even though he's pretty crush-worthy, as well). 

I still have a bit to go, but I'm already claiming this a 5-star hit and I'm already looking forward to seeing what's coming next at The Martini Club! (And I have every intention of taking some of the cocktail ideas with me to my favorite bar at some point to see if I can get them to make me some!)

As always, Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice & Book Beginnings is at Rose City Reader. 

This week my "56" comes from the 56% ebook mark.

Tour! Rubies in the Roses by Vivian Conroy

In June I participated in the double cover reveal for Vivian Conroy's latest series.

In July I was able to share my love for the first in the series, Death Plays a Part.

Today I am beyond thrilled to be participating in the blog tour for the next Cornish Castle book -- Rubies in the Roses!

Once again, we're back at the castle in Cornisea where Guinevere is still trying to make some sense out of all of the books and documents that Lord Bolingbrooke needs catalogued ... as well as out of Lord Bolingbrooke's son, Oliver.

Oh, Oliver.

I have to hand it to Vivian Conroy. She definitely knows how to write a swoon-worthy male. I am absolutely torn between Oliver and Jake Dubois from her Lady Alkmene Callender series. It's almost as bad as my constant battle of whether I prefer Knightley over Tilney! Each one is rugged, serious without being too stuffy, mysterious in his own right and, at least in my head, ridiculously good looking.

And then she has to go and throw Max into the mix.

Max is a photographer staying at the castle with Bolingbrooke's old friend, Gregory Wadencourt. Wadencourt is a historian and treasure seeker who believes that there's a legendary wedding goblet on the castle grounds and he has every intention of locating it before an article about it's existence is published and hordes of tourists show up to search.

Of course, another murder takes place and thrusts Guinevere, her dog Dolly, and Oliver right into the middle of things. Having to figure out what happened in the past, in the present and what could possibly be happening in her future has poor Guinevere more than a bit frazzled. I honestly can't blame the poor girl!

History is obviously a dangerous thing -- especially on Cornisea. Luckily, Guinevere has the support of Inspector LeFevre again (and oooooh how I want to know more about him!) and, of course, her beloved Dolly. It almost makes up for the constant confusion being thrown at her from Max and Oliver!

It's another 5-star winner for me from Vivian Conroy and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us (and Guinevere) next!

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Get the first two #CornishCastle books now!

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Death Plays a Part

Welcome to Cornisea island and spend your summer holidays in a Cornish Castle.

Guinevere and her trusted dog Dolly have arrived on Cornisea island in Cornwall for the summer. But what should be weeks of cataloguing books and sunny walks on the beach turns deadly when murder strikes!

Amazon US

Amazon UK
Amazon Canada

Barnes & Noble
Google Play

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Rubies in the Roses

Welcome to Cornisea island and spend your summer holidays in a Cornish Castle.

Guinevere and her Dachshund Dolly are happily enjoying their summer by the Cornish coast - sun, sea and delicious food. Until a long-lost treasure and a mysterious death turns her holiday into a search for justice!

Amazon US

Amazon UK
Amazon Canada
Google Play

The Great Escape by Charlotte Fallowfield (Tuesday Intro & Teaser Tuesday)

I absolutely loved the first of Charlotte Fallowfield's books set in Dilbury, Never the Bride, so when I was offered the chance to read the follow-up I was pretty much ecstatic. The Great Escape actually overlaps Never the Bride a bit, but it isn't necessary to read them in order I suppose. (Yes, it pained me to say that. Read them in order. ALWAYS read things in order.)
It's another fabulous book that made me laugh, and cry, and laugh some more until I cried some more. This time, though, our main focus is on Georgie -- the best friend of Abbie from the first book. She's not quite as much of a hot mess as Abbie, but the girl definitely has some serious issues going on in the trust and romance departments.
While on vacation with Abbie she meets Weston who, of course, turns her world upside down. She allows herself to let her guard down to have some vacation fun .... but then he shows up in Dilbury, too! (Because it's a book and of course he does.) And because Georgie has trust issues, he ends up lying about ..... something. (Because it's a book and of course he does.)
Watching it all unfold with the other Dilbury residents (Dilburians?) mixed in has been absolutely delightful and I'm already looking forward to reading Charlie's story next!

"First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" from Bibliophile by the Sea is on vacation ... but I'm used to doing these two together so I'm just going to stick with it. "Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two from anywhere in the book currently being read.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

Oh, my dear readers, you must know by now how much I adore Jane Austen (except, of course, for Mansfield Park). Even on my own personal Facebook page I'm constantly updating my cover photo with different art based around sappy Austen quotes. I have a regular rotation from Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, and Emma, with a random Persuasion tossed in from time to time. But what about Northanger Abbey? It's not that I don't love Northanger Abbey because I do oh-so-much, but it seems as though aside from one or two quotes, the vast majority of the world overlooks it. 

It's a shame, really, because that means that they miss out on Austen being fabulously snarky (especially towards the book world), the innocent bookworm Catherine Morland, and most of all the swoon-worthy Henry Tilney. Sure, Emma's George Knightley is one of my longest-standing fictional crushes (especially when being portrayed by Jonny Lee Miller) but Henry? 

Oh, Henry. 

He's the stuff that daydreams and life-long loves are made of. He's got intelligence and quirkiness and is adorably funny. I do believe I fell for him at their first meeting. I do love a good smirk, after all. And he reads. Not just the "proper" things, either. In fact, one of my favorite Austen quotes (which stays off my Facebook cover to save certain people from being offended) is Henry's: 

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid."

Of course, it figures that my beloved Tilney does not appear in either of today's Book Beginnings & Friday 56 snippets. I suppose you'll have to acquaint yourself with him the old fashioned way and grab yourself a copy of the book. 

As always, Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice & Book Beginnings is at Rose City Reader. 

This week my "56" comes from the 56% ebook mark since I sadly forgot my paperback at home.

Life Unbothered by Charlie Elliott (Tuesday Intro & Teaser Tuesday)

As per usual, "First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" from Bibliophile by the Sea is on vacation ... but I'm used to doing these two together so I'm just going to stick with it. "Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two from anywhere in the book currently being read. I know I have more than a line or two. Be impressed I didn't just screenshot the whole page to post.

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I knew absolutely nothing about Charlie Elliott when I saw us both complaining on Twitter one day about Goodreads being down. I was just outright complaining while Charlie was lamenting the fact that he had a giveaway to set up for Life Unbothered. Smartass that I sometimes am (I know - you're shocked at that revelation), suggested that since Goodreads wasn't playing nicely he could just send the book to me directly and cut out the middle man. Shockingly (to me, anyway), he agreed.

Of course, my life being such as it is, it took me longer than I had hoped to start reading it and then longer still to actually find the time and mental oomph to stick with it. It's the story of Wade (and, later, of Wade and Sophia).He's depressed. He's got massive anxiety. Panic attacks are a normal thing for him. He shuts pretty much everyone away as often as possible. 

I get it. 

Most of what he experiences and feels I just sat there nodding. "Yep ... that's totally what it can feel like." Amazingly, though, Elliott has written it in a way that hasn't triggered any of the feelings like books sometimes can. Either I'm getting a better grip or Charlie Elliott is some kind of magical being. Perhaps it's a little bit of both.

This is not a happy-go-lucky book. There's humor and romance and pain and heartache and so much realism that it's sometimes hard to read, but it's harder to put down.

Jolly Foul Play by Robin Stevens (Book Beginnings & Friday 56)

I have an enormous amount of NetGalley ARCs waiting for me right now ... but Hazel Wong is my spirit animal and I need to spend some quality time with her, Daisy and the rest of my Deepdean girls.
The last two books saw Daisy and Hazel off campus, but they're back in Jolly Foul Play and the school has been commandeered, as it were, by a nasty group of Big Girls. When the head of the group, who also happens to be the school's Head Girl, dies at a Guy Fawkes Night celebration, the Detective Society jumps into action.
This time, Daisy and Hazel have accepted help from their friends and suite-mates, Lavinia, Kitty and Beanie. Oh, and Hazel is also secretly corresponding with a boy detective they met in First Class Murder and is enlisting his aide, as well. It's all so delightfully scandalous!

As always, Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice & Book Beginnings is at Rose City Reader. 

This week my "56" comes from page 56 of the UK paperback.

The Punch Escrow by Tal M Klein (Teaser Tuesday & Tuesday Intro)

As a general rule, if Felicia Day recommends something I'll give it a shot. Such was the case when I was offered Tal M Klein's The Punch Escrow. I wasn't sure that it really sounded like it would be "my thing," but .... Felicia .... so I said yes and I am so flipping happy that I did.

No, it's not "my thing." I daresay it's not like anything I've read in a very long time. That, my friends, is a very good thing. And, for at least the first 44%, so is this book.

As per usual, "First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" from Bibliophile by the Sea is on vacation ... but I'm used to doing these two together so I'm just going to stick with it. "Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two from anywhere in the book currently being read. I know I have more than a line or two. Be impressed I didn't just screenshot the whole page to post.

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Amazon Description

"An alt-futuristic hard-science thriller with twists and turns you'll never see coming. I couldn't put it down." —Felicia Day, founder of Geek & Sundry

It’s the year 2147. Advancements in nanotechnology have enabled us to control aging. We’ve genetically engineered mosquitoes to feast on carbon fumes instead of blood, ending air pollution. And teleportation has become the ideal mode of transportation, offered exclusively by International Transport—a secretive firm headquartered in New York City. Their slogan: Departure... Arrival... Delight!

Joel Byram, our smartass protagonist, is an everyday twenty-fifth century guy. He spends his days training artificial-intelligence engines to act more human, jamming out to 1980’s new wave—an extremely obscure genre, and trying to salvage his deteriorating marriage. Joel is pretty much an everyday guy with everyday problems—until he’s accidentally duplicated while teleporting. 

Now Joel must outsmart the shadowy organization that controls teleportation, outrun the religious sect out to destroy it, and find a way to get back to the woman he loves in a world that now has two of him.