Saturday 23 March 2019

Professional Courtesy - J. V. Speyer

Date of Reading: 23/03/2019
Author: J. V. Speyer
Publication Date: December 21, 2018
Source: Xpresso Book Tours 
Rating: 4/5
 
About the book: 
 
This is the story of two college professors who share an office and not much else – until the holiday season works its magic.

Eric’s semester hasn’t been going all that well. Not only have renovations to the English Department’s physical space forced him to share an office with the department’s newest faculty member, Mike Kistler, but his mother also showed up at the beginning of the semester with all her worldly possessions and a U-Haul. It’s not that he doesn’t care for his mother, but she’s disruptive. She keeps wanting to honour traditions they never cared about when he was growing up, starting with the giant antique advent calendar she dragged over from her parents’ house in Hamburg.

Eric has a solution, though. He might not have much interest in his mom’s traditions, but his irritating office mate does. He’ll bring Kistler over, and his mom will have someone who cares, and someone to speak German with, and Eric will be left alone to grade papers in peace.

Mike is the rising star of the English Department. He’s worked damn hard to get from homeless teen to young PhD, he’s proud of his accomplishment, and he loves to give back. He likes his work. He could live without his office mate, who’s attractive but stuffier than an overfull burrito. He’s shocked when Eric invites him to help his mother celebrate Advent but intrigued by the old traditions. And it’s been more than ten years since he’s had anything like a family to celebrate anything with, so he agrees.

Moving from a cramped office to a family setting shifts things for Eric and Mike, and they start to see each other through different eyes. Can they find love, or will old family issues keep them apart forever?
  
 
My Review: 
 
         This has been such a short and sweet read that the pages flew by without me realising it. Speyer doesn't go for any pleasantries but leads us straight to the crux of the story providing a very light-hearted read perfect to relieve the stress of a working day. 
       There are no surprises in store, the plot is predictable -- two guys in the workplace finding love, later the definite friction in the relationship which is to be resolved for a very pleasant HEA. There had been the possibilities for a much larger story involving Mike's childhood days, but the author, it seems, preferred to concentrate on their love life. Eric and Mike are so adorable together, that I can't feel but wish for more. This is one of those rare occasions where I complain about the length of a book.
      We get a glimpse of the academic environment which was the primary reason I opted for this book. I would have loved to know a bit more about the inner workings of a university though.
     So if you fancy a quick and easy read and is comfortable with m/m romances then this is just your pick. 
 
Meet the author:
 
 J. V. Speyer has been telling stories since she was a small child. Her father raised her on a steady diet of science fiction, horror, and fantasy, and she came to romance later in life. Most of her inspiration is drawn from music, whether from a specific song or just a rhythm.

J. V. grew up in Upstate New York, in a deeply diverse city in the heart of the Rust Belt. She now makes her home just outside of Boston in an old farmhouse with more animals than people. She’s held jobs in security, accounting, finance, and non-profit management before turning to write professionally.

In her spare time, J. V. enjoys baseball, history, and music. She can often be found avoiding direct sunlight and seeking out the perfect martini.

Wednesday 20 March 2019

The Cornish Lady - Nicola Pryce (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 19/03/2019
Author: Nicola Pryce
Publisher: Corvus
Publication Date: March 4, 2019
Rating: 4/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

About the book:

Cornwall 1796: Educated, beautiful and the daughter of a prosperous merchant, Angelica Lilly has been invited to spend the summer in high society. Her father's wealth is opening doors and attracting marriage proposals, but Angelica still feels like an imposter among the aristocrats of Cornwall. 

When her brother returns home, ill and under the influence of a dangerous man, Angelica's loyalties are tested to the limit. Her one hope lies with coachman Henry Trevelyan, a softly spoken, educated man with kind eyes. But when Henry seemingly betrays Angelica, she has no one to turn to. Who is Henry, and what does he want? And can Angelica save her brother from a terrible plot that threatens to ruin her entire family? 

My Review:

        The size of this book had made me a bit nervous since the author was not familiar. But I was not prepared for such elegant diction which flows through the pages and 464 pages were gone in a breeze. Fourth in the 'Cornish Saga' series, this book is a charming historical tale with a mystery and romance at its heart. All four books are standalone, so there is no need to be acquainted with the other three. But I will suggest you check them (as I am planning to do now) as all of them sound rather thrilling.
     Set in 1796 Cornwall, the novel traces Angelica Lilly's attempts to save his brother from jail which also brings in an unlikely companion. Though there are many vague ends to the plot (I would have loved to know more about Angelica's childhood and also the conflict with the French), the picture of Carew household where she finds love and support is perfectly drawn. I loved all unique women in the family and was very happy to see the mystery unravelled within this family estate itself.
        What is remarkable about the book is the way it has tried to include all the sections of the society as the strong-willed heroine doesn't follow the established class consciousness. It is her unique and fearless nature that makes this novel remarkable and hugely enjoyable.

Meet the author:


Nicola Pryce trained as a nurse at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London. She loves both literature and history and has an Open University degree in Humanities. She's a qualified adult literacy support volunteer and lives with her husband in the Blackdown Hills in Somerset, UK. She and her husband love sailing and together they sail the south coast of Cornwall in search of adventure.

Nicola is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and The Historical Writers Association.

Thursday 14 March 2019

Knowing You - Samantha Tonge (Blog Blitz)

Date of Reading: 03/03/2019
Author: Samantha Tonge
Publisher: Canelo
Publication Date: March 14, 2019
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4.5/5

(This review is part of the publication blog blitz organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

About the book:

An abrupt change; a new friendship; a dark secret...

Kind-hearted Violet has never fitted in, but despite being bullied at school is now content. She is dating ambitious Lenny, has her dream job in publishing and runs a book club at the local retirement home.

However, when her relationship with Lenny begins to falter, Violet, hurt and alone, seeks the advice of her new flatmate, Bella. She changes her image and with her head held high aims to show that she doesn’t need Lenny in her life to be happy and successful.

Her long-term friends Kath and Farah worry about Bella’s influence and slowly Violet starts to distance herself from them. When she was a child, her closest confidant and companion was a boy called Flint. Her mother didn’t approve of their closeness and he suffered a terrible end. She won’t let the same thing happen to Bella, no matter what anyone says...

Knowing You is about friendship and knowing who to trust with your deepest secrets; it’s about taking control of your life and not being afraid to stand out. 

Perfect for fans of Ruth Hogan, Gail Honeyman and Amanda Prowse 

My Review:

         This novel took me by surprise and shook up my work schedule. There is no way I was able to concentrate on anything else before knowing what happened to Violet. If you are a fan of psychological thriller, you would see it coming I am sure. Since I am not, the ending left me astounded. 
          Being my first book by Samantha Tonge, I could very well say her popularity is well earned. The elegant diction tugs at your heartstrings and will sweep you off your feet. And what I loved most is the way it is set in the publishing industry giving us a very intimate picture of the editorial process. I have always wondered how it is to work as an editor - the passion, creativity and the happiness when your hands help to deliver a perfect book - and now I know. Thank you, Samantha, for the touching compliments on book bloggers that you have lavishly supplied in between the pages. I just couldn't help myself from glowing while reading those words.
          The novel takes a dual narrative mode with Violet's present interspersed with the memories of her childhood. Bullied and alone in school, her only friend was Flint who instigated her to follow through her outrageous impulses. Effortlessly written, it won't take us much time to side with Violet in everything while she pulls through the betrayal of Lenny with the help of her new flatmate.
        Altogether a brilliant piece of work that will thrill you and make you weep. Without any doubt, one of the best books of 2019.

Meet the author:


Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK with her husband and children. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has travelled widely.

When not writing she passes her days cycling, baking and drinking coffee. Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women’s magazines. 

She is represented by the Darley Anderson literary agency. In 2013, she landed a publishing deal for romantic comedy fiction with HQDigital at HarperCollins and in 2014, her bestselling debut, Doubting Abbey, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category. In 2018 Forgive Me Not, heralded a new direction into darker women's fiction with publisher Canelo. In 2019 she was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association romantic comedy award. 

Wednesday 6 March 2019

A Perfect Cornish Summer - Phillipa Ashley

Date of Reading: 02/03/2019
Author: Phillipa Ashley
Publisher: Avon
Expected Publication Date: April 25, 2019
Source: NetGalley
My Rating: 5/5

About the book:

The first in a gorgeous new series from the author of Summer at the Cornish Cafe. 

Summer is on the horizon, and the people of Porthmellow are eagerly awaiting the annual food festival. At least, most of them are…

For Sam Lovell, organising the summer festival in her hometown is one of the highlights of her year. It’s not always smooth sailing, but she loves to see Porthmellow’s harbour packed with happy visitors, and being on the committee has provided a much-needed distraction from the drama in her family life (and the distinct lack of it in her love life).

When their star guest pulls out with only a few weeks to go, everyone’s delighted when a London chef who grew up locally steps in at the last minute. But Gabe Matthias is the last person Sam was expecting to see, and his return to Porthmellow will change her quiet coastal life forever.

Curl up with this gorgeous novel and savour the world of Porthmellow Harbour.

My Review:

         I got to know about Cornwall through many gorgeous novels set in this land surrounded by sea. But none of them had induced me to visit this place, probably because I am more drawn to historical places than coastal towns. Thanks to Phillipa Ashley, now I might have to add it to my bucket list. I have never seen a novel which has so effortlessly captured the spirit and life of Cornwall within a beautiful and mesmerizing story.
         There are so many things I loved about this book, starting from the elegant cover. Sam was in love with Gabe even from their school days, when he was not as good looking or famous as he is now. Their love life faced a set back when Gabe reported Sam's brother to the police. To be honest, I supported Gabe from the beginning but the way Sam behaved is quite understandable. And the way both of them moved on from their relationships and faced their break up is quite admirable too.
       But this is not only about Sam and Gabe coming together after years. There is also a subplot involving the new member of their community, Chloe. Behind her happy facade lies a heaviness and sorrow, for which the efficient community of Porthmellow offers the perfect cure.
     The author uses multiple narrative voices enhancing our understanding of the dilemma most of the characters undergo. 
     Altogether an impressive read that won't disappoint you a bit. . .

Meet the author:


Phillipa Ashley is an award-winning author of 17 novels under three pen-names. Her best selling new Cornish Cafe series is available in e-book and paperback now. The first in a brand new series - Christmas on the Little Cornish Isles: the Driftwood Inn was published on September 18th. She also writes the Oxford Blue series as Pippa Croft.