To the Stars and Back - Camilla Isley (Blog Tour & Giveaway)

Date of Reading: 30/05/2019

Author: Camilla Isley

Publisher: Pink Bloom Press

Publication Date: April 25, 2019

My Rating: 4.5/5

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

About the book:

When Hollywood’s sexiest bachelor meets the girl next door their relationship doesn’t follow the script…

On-screen, Christian Slade is America’s favourite heartthrob. Off-screen, letting romance into his life isn’t as easy. The women he dates all seem to want a piece of his glamorous life rather than his heart, and trust doesn’t come easy for him.

Then along comes Lana. A beautiful rocket scientist who’s also sweet, smart, sexy, and has absolutely no idea who he is. But what will happen when she finds out?

Will their worlds prove too far apart or could love really be like in the movies?

My Review:

       Camilla Isley has been in my reading radar for some time now. This is the fourth one in her 'First Come Love' series but can absolutely be read as a standalone. An easy, quirky read that will keep you glued to the end even if you are quite sure of the Cinderella trope ending.

      From a storage room meet-cute, there springs an unlikely relationship -- a rocket scientist and a film star -- that involves a lot of laughter and hurdles, of course. Christian's struggles to date a girl who is unaware of his fame (he didn't even have to lie) and Lana's baby steps into a celebrity's life was quite hilarious to read. I especially loved the one about the designer bag, a cliched one, but something that never fails to amuse.

      Nikki and Diego from the previous book also make a brief appearance here and on the whole, this was a total fun read. So what are you waiting for? Grab a copy for the weekend, this is your perfect company for a night in.

Meet the author:

Camilla is an engineer turned writer after she quit her job to follow her husband on an adventure abroad.

She’s a cat lover, coffee addict, and shoe hoarder. Besides writing, she loves reading—duh!—cooking, watching bad TV, and going to the movies—popcorn, please. She’s a bit of a foodie, nothing too serious. A keen traveller, Camilla knows mosquitoes play a role in the ecosystem, and she doesn’t want to starve all those frog princes out there, but she could really live without them.

Giveaway to Win a To The Stars and Back Tote Bag (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for the fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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Lessons in Love - Belinda Missen

Date of Reading: 14/06/2019

Author: Belinda Missen

Publisher: HQ Digital

Publication Date: June 11, 2019

Source: NetGalley

My Rating: 4/5

About the book:

Falling in love is never easy… 

Eleanor Manning is finally leaving behind her glittering but empty life in the city (and her soon-to-be-ex-husband) to return to the comfort of her childhood home in Apollo Bay.

She’s landed a lovely new job in her old primary school library and a flatshare with her bubbly best friend, Penny. So yes, she’s well and truly learnt her lesson when it comes to love…

But then she meets gorgeous teacher Marcus Blair and Eleanor’s self-imposed rules fly out of the window! Surely she can resist him long enough to keep this fling no strings attached?

Perfect for fans of Carole Mathews, Mhairi McFarlane and Carrie Hope Fletcher.

My Review:

      The first question that crept into my mind after picking up this book: why do a rebound love tale need 384 pages? The book answered itself after a few pages. When you have just lost your husband to your best friend for no fault of yours, it is hard to fall in love again and that also with someone who shares many qualities with your soon to be ex-husband. There is no guarantee about the way some people change, and that is a risk hard to take (though most of us do).

       This is my third Belinda Missen work, so I am kind of familiar with her style. There is the occasional tinge of humour, slow development of the story and lucid writing that takes you along with the pages. And this is no different. Being set in a school background, the story gave me a much-needed boost to concentrate on the work after a long lazy vacation. The enthusiasm and competitiveness of Marcus and Ellie are infectious. Much to my delight, the author has also included some references to our main characters from 'A Recipe for Disaster'. We don't really meet them (sigh!) but I am so glad to hear that Lucy and Oliver are doing extremely well.

        An emotional and inspiring read that takes you back to your school days and if you are a teacher like me, then this is a definite jump in.

Meet the author:

Author and sometimes foodie, Belinda is a ridiculous romantic who met her husband after being set up by a friend two states away. 

Residing in country Victoria, surrounded by books, cat-fur, and half-eaten cake, Belinda divides her days between writing rom-coms, baking, and indulging her love of comic books.

Oracle's War - David Hair and Cath Mayo

Date of Reading: 27/03/2019

Authors: David Hair and Cath Mayo

Publisher: Canelo

Publication Date: April 29, 2019

Source: NetGalley

My Rating: 4/5

About the book:

Gods and mortals collide in the thrilling second instalment in the historical Greek fantasy the Olympus Series.

When Prince Odysseus is sent on a quest to recover his family honour, he’s led to Delos where a mysterious new prophecy has captivated the gods. Caught in a tangled web of intrigue, he discovers that this prophecy is tied to his own destiny and the fate of his patron goddess, Athena.

With the future of his people hanging by a thread, Odysseus, the daemon Bria, the hero Diomedes and a small band of loyal Ithacans, must unveil the truth before it’s too late. But opposing them is Tiresias, the greatest seer of the age, who will do anything to burn his own vision onto the face of history.

Caught between the prophecy, the gods and his mortal enemies, Odysseus must start a war: one that may be impossible to win…

Oracle’s War, second in the epic Olympus Series, is perfect for fans of David Gemmell and Madeline Miller. 

My Review:

      I am brushing up my mythology lessons, thanks to this amazing series revolving around Odysseus. I had the pleasure of reading 'Athena's Champion' a few months back and the second instalment doesn't disappoint at all. And this has taken me to previously uncharted territory, the war of the Epigoni against the unpenetrable walls of Thebes. Though I haven't found any reference to Odysseus participating in the war in the original story, this fictional rethinking is nothing but brilliant.
       Finally, we have got a reference to Penelope even with the surprising twist. And the role of Tiresias . . . Oh! It was sad to picture the protagonist of 'Wasteland' as a villain, but isn't that clever? As for Odysseus, we got ample proof for his cunning brilliance in the first book itself, and here we find the teenage boy matured evolving into the ruler and strategist he is known for.
     But how authors are going to wrap this story with a single last book is something I would look forward to. We have a great war to win after all. So gear up folks and don't forget to read these first two books in the series. You will find your mythology taste buds adequately satisfied . . . that is until the coming of the last book 😉

Meet the authors:

David Hair is an award-winning New Zealand YA and Adult fantasy writer, and the author of sixteen novels.  He’s joined his considerable skill and expertise with Cath Mayo to create the Olympus Series, an adult historical fantasy drawing on ancient Greek Mythology, following the adventures of Odysseus as he navigates the dangerous world of the Greek Gods.
@DHairauthor

Cath Mayo is a New Zealand YA, Children and Adult fiction author. Her two published YA historical novels are both set in Ancient Greece and her first novel received a Storylines Notable Book Award for Young Adult Fiction in 2014. She’s joined her considerable skill and expertise with David Hair to create the Olympus Series, an adult historical fantasy drawing on ancient Greek Mythology, following the adventures of Odysseus as he navigates the dangerous world of the Greek Gods. @cathmayoauthor   

The Warrior Maiden - Melanie Dickerson

Date of Reading: 10/5/2019

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: February 5, 2019

Source: NetGalley

My Rating: 3.5/5

About the book:

Mulan isn’t afraid to pretend to be a son and assume her father’s soldier duties in war. But what happens when the handsome son of a duke discovers her secret?

Mulan is trying to resign herself to marrying the village butcher for the good of her family, but her adventurous spirit just can’t stand the thought. At the last minute, she pretends to be the son her father never had, assumes his duties as a soldier, and rides off to join the fight to protect the castle of her liege lord’s ally from the besieging Teutonic Knights.

Wolfgang and his brother Steffan leave Hagenheim with several other soldiers to help their father’s ally in Poland. When they arrive, Wolfgang is exasperated by the young soldier Mikolai who seems to either always be one step away from disaster... or showing Wolfgang up in embarrassing ways.

When Wolfgang discovers his former rival and reluctant friend Mikolai is actually a girl, he is determined to protect her. But the battle is a dangerous place where anything can happen — and usually does.

When Mulan receives word that her mother has been accused of practising witchcraft through her healing herbs and skills, Mulan’s only thought is of defending her. Will she be able to trust Wolfgang to help? Or will sacrificing her own life be the only way to save her mother? 

My Review:

       I can't believe this is the ninth book in the Hagenheim series. It seems only yesterday I was glued to my kindle with 'The Healer's Apprentice' starving for more stories. For those who are not familiar with the series, each of these books retells a fairytale and can absolutely be read as standalone. I had religiously followed them until book five . . . well, then life intervened, as usual, directing me to other pursuits. But now, I am finally reunited with one of my favourite series and this time we have the story of Mulan.

        Time for a confession. I started the novel without any idea whatsoever of the story of Mulan. Ok, I know it's about a girl who disguises as a boy but obviously, I am one of those few who missed the Disney remake. Still, that was not a problem as Melanie's able hands will pull you to the story whether you know the premise or not. Her writing is beautiful as always, but sadly not the best. Nothing has so far topped the first book in the series for me. I need a slightly better dose of mystery and angst to give five stars.

      That being said, this is still a good one for all fairytale enthusiasts. War, intrigue, rumours of sorcery .  .  . oh, the plot thickens with every page. It is not always we come across a retelling of Mulan; as a matter of fact, this is my first one. So if you love fairytale retellings, don't miss this amazing series. 

Meet the author:

Melanie Dickerson is a New York Times bestselling author, a two-time Christy Award finalist, two-time Maggie Award winner, Carol Award winner, two-time winner of the Christian Retailing's Best award, and her book, The Healer's Apprentice, won the National Readers Choice Award for Best First Book. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). Melanie earned a bachelors degree in special education of the hearing impaired from The University of Alabama and has worked as a teacher in Georgia, Tennessee, and Ukraine. She lives with her husband and two children in Huntsville, Alabama.

Probably the Best Kiss in the World - Pernille Hughes (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 12/05/2019

Author: Pernille Hughes

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Publication Date: April 12, 2019

Source: NetGalley

My Rating: 4/5

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

About the book:

Jen Attison likes her life Just So. But being fished out of a canal in Copenhagen by her knickers is definitely NOT on her to do list.

From cinnamon swirls to a spontaneous night of laughter and fireworks, Jen’s city break with the girls takes a turn for the unexpected because of her gorgeous, mystery rescuer.

Back home, Jen faces a choice. A surprise proposal from her boyfriend, ‘boring’ Robert has offered Jen the safety net she always thought she wanted. But with the memories of her Danish adventure proving hard to forget, maybe it’s time for Jen to stop listening to her head and start following her heart…

A fabulously feel-good rom-com that will make you laugh till you cry and fall in love with the romance! This is a must read if you love romantic comedies by Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk or Mhairi McFarlane!

My Review:

       It would probably have been the best book if it is not for the hugely annoying heroine. Yes, I am being harsh. There is no rule which says that the protagonist needs to be perfect. But being narrow-minded, I found her a constant eyesore in an otherwise perfect book. Overprotectiveness, stupidity, pure judgement of character -- Jen Attison can be summarised this way. I am not saying that my moral compass is pointed exactly to north, but betraying your fiance is a mistake in bold letters in my book. That was wrong to both men. 

        So, of course, I wanted to wrangle her neck . . . until the last chapter. The author has wrapped it up unexpectedly well with Jen realising her mistakes and giving room to others that it was hard to stay angry on her. What a perfect ending! Not only for the protagonist but to everyone involved. As far as rom-coms go, this is one of the best.

       Oh! I am almost carried away by my ranting. Let's have a look at the premise. Our Jen is a brewer, a unique one for a woman. This has been new territory for me and I enjoyed all the talks on beer and brewing. Then there is Lydia, the physically challenged sister. If it is not for her, I would have thought that the story is anti-feministic. She is an inspiration to all to take life by its horns. I am sure you must have earned multitudes of fans by now and I am counting myself as one among them.

      Altogether, a delectably put together feast for all book lovers. Highly recommended!

Meet the author:

Pernille Hughes is a RomCom author and mum, whose debut novel was SWEATPANTS AT TIFFANIE'S, soon to be followed by PROBABLY THE BEST KISS IN THE WORLD (April 2019). Previously her writing has been printed in The Sunday Times and the fabulous SUNLOUNGER summer anthologies. Find out about her new books at www.pernillehughes.com Pernille (pronounced Pernilla) studied Film & Literature at uni and took her first job in advertising, having been lured by the temptation of freebies, but left when Status Quo tickets were as good as it got. After a brief spell marketing Natural History films, she switched to working in Children's television which for a time meant living in actual Teletubbyland, sharing a photocopier with Laa-Laa. Now, she lives in actual Buckinghamshire, sharing a photocopier with her husband and their four spawn. While the kids are at school she scoffs cake and writes Rom-Com stories in order to maintain a shred of sanity.

How (Not) to Date a Prince - Zoe May (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 11/4/04/2019

Author: Zoe May

Publisher: HQ Digital

Publication Date: May 4, 2018

Source: NetGalley

My Rating: 4.5/5

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

About the book:

Surely fairy tales don’t happen in real life?

After being jilted at the altar, high-flying journalist Sam doesn’t believe in love any more – and she certainly doesn’t believe in fairy tales! So, when she’s asked to cover the Royal Wedding, it’s the last thing she wants to do.

And when she crashes into a ridiculously handsome stranger, Fredrik, later that day, things are going from bad to worse. But as the big day draws closer, Sam finds herself being swept up in the excitement – as well as swept off her feet by Fredrik!

But there’s something that Fredrik’s hiding from her – and when he finally reveals his secret, might Sam just have the happy-ever-after she never thought she wanted…?

My Review:

        Anyone who follows my reviews might surely know that I am a fan of royalty. Oh! not in real life (I am all for democracy), but everyone is allowed to have a bit of closet adoration. So without a doubt, the book had clinched me with the title and what is more, it is a Zoe May novel. And that sealed it for me.

      Probably the best that is produced out of this delightful author's hands, 'How (Not) to Date a Prince' can be termed as another modern version of Cinderella story (we even have a glass slipper moment) where dreams are merged with practicality. It is so romantic to get married into the royal family, not that enjoyable if you have a name of your own and a promising career in front of you. Or what if you want a normal life in spite of being in love with a prince? A modern woman obviously faces this dilemma. And I so admire the way Zoe has put them all together in the story.

     If you are a fan of 'Prince and Me' movie series like me, go blindly to take a copy. This is the perfect weekend getaway with lots of fun and a heartwarming story.

Meet the author:

Zoe May lives in Oxford and writes romantic comedies. Zoe has dreamt of being a novelist since she was a teenager. She spent her twenties living in London, where she worked in journalism and copywriting before writing her debut novel, Perfect Match. Having experienced the London dating scene first hand, Zoe could not resist writing a novel about dating, since it seems to supply endless amounts of weird and wonderful material! 

Perfect Match was one of Apple's top-selling books of 2018. It was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association's Joan Hessayon Award, with judges describing it as 'a laugh out loud look at love and self-discovery - fresh and very funny'. As well as writing, Zoe enjoys walking her dog, painting and, of course, reading.

Social Media Links:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/zoe_writes/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe_writes/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zoemayauthor/

Coming Home to Wishington Bay - Maxine Morrey (Blog Tour & Giveaway)

Date of Reading: 29/04/2019

Author: Maxine Morrey

Publisher: HQ Digital

Publication Date: May 1, 2019

Source:NetGalley

My Rating: 3.5/5

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

About the book:

Holly doesn’t have time for a holiday this year. But when her job threatens to send her over the brink, her boss insists she takes a sabbatical. So she packs her bags and escapes to her beloved grandmother Gigi’s house on Wishington Bay, which has sat empty since Gigi passed away.

But Holly’s dreams of a coastal escape take an unexpected turn. Holly didn’t expect to spend time with any man this summer – let alone an Aussie Adonis…but when she meets her next-door neighbour Gabe and his tiny dog Bryan, it’s clear her quiet summer of strolling along the sand and wandering through the seaside village’s tiny streets on her own will come with a hefty dose of distraction.

With a summer to fill and Gigi’s wonderful and surprising house to sort through, Holly knew it would be a summer packed with old memories. She just didn’t expect to make so many new ones…

Coming Home to Wishington Bay is the new gorgeous uplifting rom-com from Maxine Morrey, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Tilly Tennant!

My Review:

     I was planning to read a Maxine Morrey book for long and finally, the day has come. The story is not one of her best I assume,(yes, I have most of her books decorating my TBR) since this is a recurrent theme nowadays - girl inherits property and chances upon a man. But that should not dissuade you from meeting the charming folk and dreamy beaches of Wishington Bay. And the funny banter between the two protagonists makes it so worth it.

      Holly is not a heroine I identify with as I usually label her type as difficult-to-manage or in other words, unpredictable. Her self dependence borders on pride and the constant self-denials on her mental health were getting on my nerves most of the time. More than anyone else, she needs someone to rely upon and I am not being an anti-feminist here. But who can convince her?

     So why did I continue to read? Simple. There is Gabe, our ever-patient Aussie doctor and . . . a dog who is the embodiment of cuteness. I wish the story were from Gabe's perspective with some glimpse of his hectic medical practice. Well, not everything happens the way we want; so I licked my wounded hopes and eagerly savoured the scenes both these adorable guys are featured. Even with the minor flaws, this is an absolutely sweet quirky read which won't fail to tempt you to the beachside.

Meet the author:

Maxine has wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember and wrote her first (very short) book for school when she was ten. Coming in first, she won a handful of book tokens – perfect for a bookworm!

As the years went by, she continued to write, but ‘normal’ work often got in the way. She has written articles on a variety of subjects, as well as a book on Brighton for a Local History publisher. However, novels are what she loves writing the most. After self-publishing her first novel when a contract fell through, thanks to the recession, she continued to look for opportunities.

In August 2015, she won Harper Collins/Carina UK’s ‘Write Christmas’ competition with her romantic comedy, ‘Winter’s Fairytale’.

Maxine lives on the south coast of England, and when not wrangling with words loves to read sew and listen to podcasts. As she also likes cake she can also be found either walking or doing something vaguely physical at the gym.

Giveaway:

Giveaway to Win a Wishington Bay notebook, a Wishington Bay canvas shopper bag, and an e copy of the book. (Open to UK only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for the fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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Bridesmaids - Zara Stoneley (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 20/04/2019

Author: Zara Stoneley

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Publication Date: April 26, 2019

Source: NetGalley

My Rating: 4/5

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

About the book:

Meet Rachel, the beautiful bride with BIG plans for the perfect day! The venue is a castle and the dress is designer. It’s just a shame her husband is a rat.

Maddie and Sally have only one thing in common – they both love the same man!

Beth is a newly single mum with a mystery baby daddy. Surely the father isn’t someone the girls all know?

And then there’s Jane, the glue holding them all together, but being dumped doesn’t make her the happiest bridesmaid…especially with gorgeous flatmate Freddie complicating things.

Will the bride say, ‘I Do!’? Or will her bridesmaids save the day…and find love along the way? 

The most hilarious, feel-good rom-com of the year!

My Review:

      The blurb for sure summarises what you can expect from this new Zara Stoneley book. Definitely the most hilarious, feel-good rom-com of the year. Be prepared for a roller coaster ride because this book has lots of excitement in store for you.

     As you might have already guessed, the whole story revolves around the preparations of a wedding. Added to this is the fact that our chief protagonist, Jane, is dumped at her hen do and is sworn off weddings. And other bridesmaids have their own skeletons which are threatening to come out at any moment. Yes, folks! We are going to have our hands full.

      There are relationships made and unmade and a heartwarming fairytale ending (talk of true love!) that is both realistic and magical. Cosy and comforting, 'Bridesmaids' is the perfect gem for summer holidays with the most charming romantic mix -- a cute kitten and a cute guy along with it. Sigh!

Meet the author:

Zara Stoneley is the USA Today bestselling author of The Wedding Date.

Born in a small village in the UK, she wanted to be a female James Herriot, a spy, or an author when she grew up. After many (many) years and many different jobs, her dream of writing a bestseller came true. 

She writes about friendship, dreams, love, and happy ever afters, and hopes that her tales make you laugh a lot, cry a little, and occasionally say 'ahhh'.

Zara now lives in a Cheshire village with her family, a lively cockapoo called Harry, and a very bossy (and slightly evil) cat called Saffron.

Zara’s bestselling novels include 'The Wedding Date', 'The Holiday Swap', 'Summer with the Country Village Vet', 'Blackberry Picking at Jasmine Cottage' and the popular Tippermere series - 'Stable Mates', 'Country Affairs' and 'Country Rivals'.

Pathways - Camille Peters

Date of Reading: 15/04/2019

Author: Camille Peters

Publisher: Rosewood Publications

Publication Date: February 4, 2019

Source: Clean Wholesome Romance

My Rating: 4/5

About the book:

Eileen has never been interested in love. Ever since her father's abandonment, she's vowed to never experience such pain again. But the enchanted forest has different ideas. When the continuously shifting pathways lead her to a mysterious stranger, Eileen finds her promise to fiercely guard her heart increasingly difficult to keep. 

One night when she becomes lost in a storm, the enchanted forest's pathways lead her to the castle, home to the kingdom's Dark Prince, where Eileen finds herself entangled in what many consider an opportunity but which Eileen believes to be a curse: competing for the Dark Prince’s hand through a series of tests that judge one’s royal worth. Eileen is neither royal nor interested in becoming a princess. But the mysterious stranger she met in the woods has his own reasons for helping her succeed, although the cost of his assistance may be too high: that of Eileen's heart, the one thing she's vowed never to give. 

Inspired by “The Princess and the Pea” and "Rumpelstiltskin"

My Review:

      I have always been a fan of fairytale retellings in a medieval setting and this has been another addition to my favourites. Loosely based on 'The Princess and the Pea' and 'Rumpelstiltskin', Camille Peters has created an altogether wonderful story that will leave you enraptured. 

      Perfectly drawn characters (I adore them all) and a beautiful setting in the shape of an enchanting forest and a castle create a beautiful plot to soothe your heart. The forest cannot be counted as a character but it sure has a personality of its own. If it were all real, I would have packed my bags already to escape the scorching sun outside. Eileen and Aidan are so lucky to have a forest as their friend.

      The array of royals and the contests are equally hilarious. Well, we will be able to guess the mystery by then, but that is not going to affect the smooth flow of the book a bit. So take this cute novel to awaken the little girl (or boy, I don't want to be partial) inside you. It will take you back to those days when you believed in magic and miracles.

Meet the author:

Camille Peters was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah where she grew up surrounded by books. As a child, she spent every spare moment reading and writing her own stories on every scrap of paper she could find. Becoming an author was always more than a childhood dream; it was a certainty.

Her love of writing grew alongside her as she took local writing classes in her teens, spent a year studying Creative Writing at the English University of Northampton, and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in English and History. She’s now blessed to be a full-time author.

When she’s not writing she’s thinking about writing, and when’s she’s not thinking about writing she’s…alright, she’s always thinking about writing, but she can also be found reading, playing board games with her family and friends, or taking long, bare-foot walks as she lives inside her imagination and brainstorms more tales. 

Amazing Grace - Kim Nash (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 18/04/2019

Author: Kim Nash

Publisher: Hera Books

Publication Date: April 10, 2019

Source: NetGalley

My Rating: 3.5/5

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

About the book:

She’s taking her life back, one step at a time… 

Grace thought she had it all. Living in the beautiful village of Little Ollington, along with headteacher husband Mark and gorgeous son, Archie, she devoted herself to being the perfect mum and the perfect wife, her little family giving her everything she ever wanted. 

Until that fateful day when she walked in on Mark kissing his secretary - and her perfect life fell apart. 

Now she's a single mum to Archie, trying to find her way in life and keep things together for his sake. Saturday nights consist of a Chinese takeaway eaten in front of the TV clad in greying pyjamas, and she can’t remember the last time she had a kiss from anyone aside from her dog, Becks… 

Grace’s life needs a shake up – fast. So when gorgeous gardener Vinnie turns up on her doorstep, his twinkling eyes suggesting that he might be interested in more than just her conifers, she might just have found the answer to her prayers. But as Grace falls deeper for Vinnie, ten-year-old Archie fears that his mum finding love means she’ll never reconcile with the dad he loves. 

So when ex-husband Mark begs her for another chance, telling her he’s changed from the man that broke her heart, Grace finds herself with an impossible dilemma. Should she take back Mark and reunite the family that Archie loves? Or risk it all for a new chance of happiness? 

A funny, feel-good romance about finding your own path and changing your life for the better – readers of Cathy Bramley, Jill Mansell and Josie Silver will love this uplifting read. 

My Review:

        Kim Nash's debut is a realistic take on the everyday life of a single mom with a sprinkle of romance to bring the cheerful and perfect ending. Reading this has been like living through Ibsen's 'A Doll's House' all over again. Here, in a very modern scenario, Grace is confronted with the same choices as Nora -- should she sacrifice her happiness for the love of her child or should her needs be prioritized? Years must have passed by, but for a woman, it is still hard to make a decision when it involves her kids.

         What touched me most about the book is the way Grace is led by her mother's spirit and her vocalisations given at the end of each chapter is really quite beautiful and tear-jerking. The role of the mediator was unsettling since I don't believe in that stuff, but the firm belief that our dear ones are watching over us from heaven is something anyone can share.

       On the whole, the book has left me brooding. Reading Grace's story has made me realise the hopeful side of this earthly life. If you have good friends and encouraging siblings any murky water can be waded through with ease.

Meet the author:

Kim Nash lives in Staffordshire with son Ollie and English Setter Roni, is PR & Social Media Manager for Bookouture and is a book blogger at www.kimthebookworm.co.uk. 

Kim won the Romantic Novelists Association's Media Star of the Year in 2016, which she still can't quite believe. She is now quite delighted to be a member of the RNA. 

When she's not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog, reading, standing on the sidelines of a football pitch cheering on Ollie and binge-watching box sets on the TV. She's also quite partial to a spa day and a gin and tonic (not at the same time!) Kim also runs a book club in Cannock, Staffs. 

Amazing Grace is her debut novel with Hera Books and will be out on 10th April 2019

Connect with Kim on Social Media here:

Twitter: (@KimTheBookworm) https://twitter.com/KimTheBookworm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimTheBookWorm/
Instagram: @Kim_the_bookworm