Book Review: Pepper River Inn by K T Dady @kt_dady @rachelsrandomresourc

Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for giving me the chance to review Pepper River Inn by K T Dady.

Blurb

There has been a longstanding family feud in Pepper Bay between the Renshaws and the Trents, and it’s about to get even more messy.

Rosie and Belle Trent have just inherited their uncle’s rundown hotel and have decided to see if they can rebuild the unloved business. They don’t rate their chances of having a successful inn, not with the perfect one right next door owned by Elliot and Ned Renshaw.

The two sisters and two brothers aren’t meant to be friends, so when Elliot saves Rosie from drowning and they fall in love, it’s down to Belle and Ned to keep the family feud alive. All they have to do is continue to hate each other. How hard can it be?

Review

Although this is Book 6 in the Pepper Bay series, it can easy be read as a standalone.

I absolutely adored this book and while I initially didn’t like the characters, I soon grew to love them. It had me laughing throughout and always left me wanting more. This was such a lovely read and yet another excellent installment in the Pepper Bay series.

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Book Review: A Winter Warmer at the Little Cornish Kitchen (The Little Cornish Kitchen, Book 3) by Jane Linfoot @janelinfoot @rararesources

Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for giving me the chance to review A Winter Warmer at the Little Cornish Kitchen by Jane Linfoot

Blurb

When Gwen Starkey and her best friend, Ella Simpson, arrive in St Aidan to take on a cottage renovation, it’s the fresh start they both so desperately need. But when their new adventure begins with them unintentionally breaking into their neighbour, Ollie Lancaster’s cottage – thinking it’s their new home – and Gwen accidentally flashing the gorgeous Ollie before they flee, the life-long friends realise that life in Cornwall is going to be anything but quiet!

They also quickly discover that they’re in over their heads and it’s going to take a village to turn their cottage’s narrow walls into the luxurious hideaway of their dreams. St Aidan is full of colourful characters just waiting to welcome them, if only Gwen and Ella can find the courage to start leaving the past behind them…

Review

Having enjoyed reading the previous two books, I couldn’t wait to delve into Jane Linfoot’s latest installment of The Little Cornish kitchen series. Even though this is the third book in the series it can easily be read as a standalone as it focuses on two new characters who move to St Aidan.

It did not disappoint one bit. It was a lovely read about new beginnings and definitely have you that village community feel the other books had. The characters were likeable and for many highly relatable.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Winter Warmer at the Little Cornish Kitchen, as I knew I would. I highly recommend this book.

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Book Review:Janet Jackson’s Yorkshire B&B by Becky Papworth @beckypapworth1 @rararesources

Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for giving me the chance to review Janet Jackson’s Yorkshire B&B by Becky Papworth

Blurb

Dental receptionist and Yorkshire lass Janet Jackson (no, not that one) has just turned her garage into a Bed & Breakfast – and without any experience at all, is now awaiting her very first guests. What can possibly go wrong? Helped by sulky teenage daughter Chloe and hindered by sex-mad sister Maureen, Janet lurches from one crisis to another, relying on her Yorkshire wit and wisdom to get her through with her bank balance, her love-life and her sanity intact. A word of warning: if you’ve ever dreamed of running a B&B read this book and, like Janet, you’ll probably do it anyway.

Review

What a superb read this was, it had my in fits of giggles throughout. It was such an easy read, it would be ideal for holidays or lazy days at the beach. I was hooked from the start and by the end of each chapter I was eager to know more.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book.

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Book Review: Why We Walk by Siena’s Stories

Thank you to Rachel for giving me the chance to review Why We Walk by Siena’s Stories

Blurb

When we walk we see things that we would have missed if we drove. Things like birds, cats, & squirrels. When we walk we have fun spending time together. We talk and learn how walking can help to care for our planet. Join Siena and her dad as they walk to school and discover every little step counts.

This is the second book in the Siena’s Stories series. The first book, The Dance of the Snow Tractors, was named a top book for children in the automobile category by Newsweek magazine.

Review

It was so sweet to read about Siena’s and her daily walks with her dad but also has an important underlying message which I think is also highly important for the next generation to learn about. Myself and both my girls enjoyed reading this book. It is also beautifully illustrated

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Book Review: The Sweet Shop of Second Chances by Hannah Lynn @HMLynnauthor @rararesources

Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for giving me the chance to review The Sweet Shop of Second Chances by Hannah Lynn

Blurb

Starting over never tasted so good

Holly Berry has it all; a good corporate career, a steady boyfriend, and enough savings that they will soon be able to buy a nice little house. But when she finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her, she decides to retreat to the Cotswolds and a place full of far sweeter memories.

Quite literally.

However when Holly discovers the quaint village sweet shop that she worked in as a teenager is starting to crumble she decides that maybe the sensible life isn’t what she wants after all. Putting all her chocolate eggs in one basket, she says goodbye to the city, and sets her sights on Just One More.

After all, how hard can running a sweet shop be?

With charismatic Giles, ready to rescue her at every turn and the local bureaucrats breathing down her neck, it certainly isn’t the quiet life she expected. Can Holly really save the place from the the wicked developers, or will she be the reason Just One More closes its doors for good?

Review

This book took me down memory lane and how wonderful the little sweetshops used to be. It was such a sweet read and a perfect opener to the series.

It’s a nice easy read with a cracking storyline and characters. I absolutely adored this book and look forward to reading more.

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Book Review: Rainbows End in Ferry Lane Market by Nicola May

Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for giving me the chance to review Rainbows End in Ferry Lane Market by Nicola May

Blurb

39-year-old Glanna Pascoe – also known as ‘the Rainbow Painter’ – runs the Hartmouth Gallery in Ferry Lane Market in Cornwall. She is just getting her head and broken heart around being single, childless, and sober when Cupid flies in, shooting arrows all over the place.

Meeting the mysterious and fascinating Isaac Benson, famous local artist, and recluse, allows Glanna’s disillusioned heart and attitude to soften, and she begins to learn more about herself than she ever thought possible. Confused by her growing feelings for Isaac, Glanna throws herself into organising a life-drawing class at her gallery, using both male and female nudes – and setting local tongues wagging.

A theft from her gallery and the return of ex-love Oliver Trueman cause Glanna to wonder if a pot of gold will be appearing at the end of her rainbow. And will it bring her the happiness, she has sought for so long?

Review

This is Book 3 in Nicola May’s latest series and what a cracking third installment it is, although it can be read as a standalone.

I enjoyed meeting the new characters of Ferry Lane Market as well as catching up with old favourites. It was a lovely read that I thoroughly enjoyed. A perfect escape read.

I am absolutely loving the series and look forward to reading more.

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Book Review: The Spa Break by Caroline James @carolinejames12 @rararesources

Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for giving me the chance to review The Spa Break by Caroline James

Blurb

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…

Review

OMG I absolutely adored The spa Break. It had me hooked from the start and kept me captivated throughout. There were plenty of laugh out loud moments that really brought the book to life. It’s so nice to read a book that has women over the age of 40 in, and not being frumpy but instead enjoying life.

I fell in love with this book and it’s definitely a book I’ll happily read over and over again.

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Book Review: Keeping up with the Kershaws by Helen Buckley @HelenCBuckley @rararesources

Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for giving me the chance to review Keeping up with the Kershaws by Helen Buckley

Blurb

What do you do when your life becomes more dramatic than reality TV?As the devoted carer for famous antique expert Harold Kershaw, Karrie Morgan was always happy to keep a professional distance from his four spoilt grown-up children, who rarely made time for their father. But then a surprise involving Harold’s Will means Karrie is flung headlong into a press scandal, and into the chaotic world of the surviving Kershaws.With the support of her trusted childhood friend Andrew, mild-mannered Karrie must face down ruthless ice queen Portia, master manipulator Gabriel, Botox fanatic Arabella, and ladies’ man Rafe, star of reality TV show Raised in Richmond … although perhaps not as fake and flashy as he initially seems?As vicious rumours circulate and Karrie’s past comes back to haunt her, she struggles to know who to trust. Can she keep up with the Kershaws’ schemes?

Review

Despite being part of the Spotlight series, as with the other books, this can easily be read as a standalone.

To say I enjoyed this book would be an understatement, I loved it. It was exactly what I enjoy reading when I get some downtime. It was entertaining throughout and left me wanting more.

Highly recommend this book

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Authors Bio

Ever since I was little I wanted to be a writer, to turn daydreams into books. I’m fascinated by fame, in love with Happy Ever Afters, and enthralled by slow-burn romances. I squeeze in time to write around looking after my two sons. Find out more about me on my website http://www.buckleybooks.org

Book Review: The Girl in the van by Helen Matthews

Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for giving me the chance to review The Girl in the van by Helen Matthews .

Blurb

A tormented mother. An abandoned girl. A deadly game of survival.

What happened to Ellie?

Traumatised by events, Ellie’s mother, Laura, can’t bear to stay in the Welsh seaside town where she lives with her partner, Gareth. She escapes to London, breaking all ties with him, and refusing to tell anyone her new address.

After two years of living alone and working in a mundane job, Laura buys an old campervan and joins a singles holiday. Here, she meets Miriana, a teenage girl who bears a chilling resemblance to Ellie. As Laura uncovers Miriana’s story, she’s shocked by the parallels to her own life.

But stories can be dangerous, and someone out there will stop at nothing to prevent the truth about Ellie from coming out…

Review

What an incredibly gripping read this was. I loved it from start to finish. The characters were excellent. It’s a fast paced story but there is plenty of twists to keep you guessing.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

Purchase here

Authors Bio

Welcome to my Amazon author page. I write page-turning psychological suspense and suspense thrillers and I’m fascinated by the darker side of human nature and how a life can change in an instant. Look out for my new novel ‘The Girl in the Van’ to be published on 17 March by Darkstroke Books and available for pre-order now. It’s a chilling page-turner that touches on serious and complex themes including individual grief and vulnerability, as well as societal responsibilities towards the disadvantaged and dispossessed. According to an advance reader “It manages to be both thought-provoking and thrilling – no mean feat.”

My previous novel ‘Facade’ was published by Darkstroke and is a twisty tale of tragedy, guilt and revenge in a family where ‘silence echoes louder than truth’.

Why not try ‘Lies Behind the Ruin’ published in April 2019 by Hashtag Press? It’s domestic noir and contemporary suspense about a family whose problems at home in the UK threaten to overwhelm them so they try to outrun them by moving to a ‘ruin’ in France. But secrets and lies from the past pursue them because, after all, how can you build a new life on toxic foundations?

My debut novel ‘After Leaving the Village’ was published in October 2017. It won first prize in the opening pages category at Winchester Writers’ Festival. It’s a gritty contemporary suspense thriller so won’t suit all tastes but it’s been hailed by reviewers as ‘very much a novel of our times’ and ‘powerful’…one of the reasons ‘why it has been endorsed by anti-slavery charity, Unseen.

‘I’m now an ambassador for the charity and available to give talks at festivals, author events and to local groups about the themes in my novel.I’d love to know what you think, so please leave a review.

My short story and travel writing collection Brief Encounters is available as an eBook and includes many prize winning and short-listed stories. Take a look at my website over on http://www.helenmatthewswriter.com where you’ll also find my contact details and can tell me what you loved – or hated – about my novel

Book Review: Mollie Mack Private Detective by Linda Dobinson @LindaDobinson27 @rararesources

Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for giving me the chance to review Mollie Mack Private Detective by Linda Dobinson

Blurb

Mollie is excited!
She has been a private detective for six months, and FINALLY a BIG case has landed on her desk. If she solves it, it will make the papers and make her agency famous. She needs to give it her full attention; BUT, she already has three cases she is working on. And when she gets an unexpected lead for her oldest case, she HAS to run with it.
Could her new BIG case be linked to her oldest case?

Review

I absolutely loved reading this with my daughter’s, it reminded me so much of the Nancy Drew books from my childhood. It’s not a very long book but it really does pack a punch. The characters are fantastic, especially Mollie, she’s definitely someone girls can look up to in this day and age.

Mollie Mack Private Detective was a truly wonderful read. I really hope there will be more Mollie Mack books.

Purchase here

Authors Bio

I was born in Croydon, England but grew up in Barbados, endless sunshine and never far from the sea – I was spoilt. When I was seventeen we returned to England. The fast pace of London life was exciting, the shops were fantastic, the cold – not so good. I may not have liked the cold but I loved the changing seasons.

I love reading, writing children’s books and poetry, baking cakes, F1, shopping, chocolate, cats and watching far too much TV – not necessarily in that order.

I started writing poetry when I was studying for a BA degree with the Open University. I joined the Open University Poetry Society and it was the positive comments from fellow members that encouraged me to submit to poetry publications. I have had poems in ‘Decanto’, ‘Time Haiku’, ‘Poetic Licence’, ‘Candelabrum’, ‘Krax’ and ‘Poetry Now’ to name a few.

I have written three children’s books ‘Kerry’s Busy Saturday’,’Kerry’s Party Sunday’ and ‘Mollie Mack, Private Detective’.

Follow me on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LindaDobinson27