The Summer of Taking Chances by Lynne Shelby

Would you take the second chance you've always dreamed of?
'A wonderful fresh new talent' Katie Fforde

It's been ten years since Emma Stevens last laid eyes on Jake Murray. When he left the small seaside village of South Quay to chase the limelight, Emma's dreams left with him.

Now Emma is content living a quiet and uneventful life in South Quay. It's far from the life she imagined, but at least her job at the local hotel has helped heal her broken heart.

But when Jake returns home for the summer to escape the spotlight, Emma's feelings quickly come flooding back. There's clearly a connection between them, but Jake has damaged her heart once already - will she ever be able to give him a second chance?

Title:  The Summer of Taking Chances

Author:  Lynne Shelby

Publication Date: 4th June 2020

Published By:  Headline Accent

Links:  UK: Amazon    Hachette

Our Review

I loved this story, Emma was living a quiet life in South Quay, working in a hotel, living with her best friend and spending her free time rehearsing and performing with the local amdram society. When the boy who broke her teenage heart arrives back in town, ten years later and now a man, her world is tipped upside down. Everyone knows the famous actor Jake Murray and everyone wants a piece of him, everyone that is, except for Emma. She manages to renew their friendship and they mingle as part of a group but she can never trust him again. 

I loved the setting for this book and the way the characters were able to take a few steps away from home and be on the gorgeous beach.

Emma's character was gorgeous, she was a lovely friend and I felt for her that she was left unfulfilled after not getting into drama school as a teenager. Jake was gorgeous and arrogant to start off with and his girlfriend was very unpleasant. Emma went on such a journey throughout the book and I could really feel her pain especially after what she did with the seaglass that Jake had given her. I must admit I shouted 'Nooooooooo,' at that point but then again I'm just a real sentimental softie.

The style of writing was lovely and unique, I could really visualise the characters and the settings and I felt I was quickly brought into the friendship group. Unique because just like the theatrical theme of at the heart of the story, the author managed to write about Emma's life as though it was a theatrical performance and she and Jake would quote Shakespeare to each other, I've never seen that done before and it really suited the story.

After saying Jake was arrogant at the beginning of the story I soon warmed to him as did Emma. I found the sexy scenes were hot hot hot and very well written. Emma's story was wonderful as she really went through a whole range of emotions, including fighting her own inner turmoil over her feelings for Jake.

A wonderfully heart-warming read to bring sunshine to your life and a smile to your lips.

Sincerely

Book Angel x

Author Bio

Lynne Shelby writes contemporary women’s fiction/romance. Her debut novel, ‘French Kissing’ won the Accent Press and Woman magazine Writing Competition. She has done a variety of jobs from stable girl to child actor's chaperone to legal administrator, but now writes full time. When not writing or reading, Lynne can usually be found at the theatre or exploring a foreign city - Paris, New York, Rome, Copenhagen, Seattle, Reykjavik - writer's notebook, camera and sketchbook in hand. She lives in London with her husband, and has three adult children who live nearby. 

Lynne can be found across the following platforms;

Twitter: @LynneB1

Website:  www.lynneshelby.com -

Blog:  https://www.lynneshelby.com/blog-1 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LynneShelbyWriter 

Instagram: lynneshelbywriter

Cover reveal - Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe by Annette Hannah

Here comes the bride...

Lucy Woods has always dreamed of running her very own wedding venue. After moving her eight-year-old son to the countryside she's surprised to find the perfect location and her best friend, Abbie, eager to help make that dream a reality! Too bad Abbie's older brother Dominic isn't keen on Lucy or their big idea!

As a divorce lawyer Dominic doesn't believe in love at first sight or wedding vows, he's seen them broken more times than he can count. But when Lucy arrives back in town, his hardened heart begins to crack.

Making her dream come true is a huge undertaking, but Lucy knows that The Signal Box Café is her chance to finally make something of her life. If only the irritating (and oh-so-gorgeous) Dom didn't make her imagine wearing a white dress and walking down the aisle...

Can Lucy and Dominic find a way to each other this summer or will the wedding bells chime for another couple?

Title: Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe
Author:  Annette Hannah
Published By:  Orion Dash
Publication Date: 6th July 2020
Links:  UK:  Amazon     US:  Amazon

Hachette


Cover Reveal

After having the enjoyment of revealing many authors' fantastic covers I honestly never thought I would see the day that I would be revealing the cover of my very own book. It's been a complete whirlwind since I signed with the amazing Orion Dash. Huge thanks to Victoria and Olivia and the team. This cover has absolutely blown me away, I think it's amazing and so unique.

So all you writers out there, never give up because one day your dreams will come true too.

Enormous hugs to Milly Johnson and Sara-Jade Virtue, (they know why,) and to all of my blogger and author friends for helping out with the reveal and the blog-tour and for my London Chapter friends The Muses for being so supportive throughout the ups and downs of writing life. I would also like to thank everybody involved in the Romantic Novelists' Association's New Writers Scheme and for Vicky Bowles for introducing me to it.

Sincerely
Book Angel x

About the Author

Annette Hannah is a Liver Bird who relocated to leafy Hertfordshire in the 80's and now lives near a river with her husband, two of their three grown up children and a crazy black cocker spaniel. She writes Romantic comedies in settings inspired by the beautiful countryside around her and always with a nod to her hometown.

She worked in Marketing for many years as a qualified Marketeer which she loved as it tapped into her creative side.

As an avid reader, she began to review the books she read, became a book blogger and eventually plucked up the courage to fulfil her life long dream of writing a book.

For four years she was a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association's new writers' scheme, during which time she wrote a book a year.
After signing a two book deal with Orion Dash in 2020 she graduated to full member of the organisation and is also their Press Officer.

She loves long walks along the river, travelling to far flung places and spending time with her friends and family.

You can follow her on
twitter @annettehannah
www.sincerelybookangels.blogspot.com
www.annettehannah.com

Sunshine and Second Chances by Kim Nash

 

It’s never too late to be offered a second chance at life.

Debs is newly single, Fiona is caring for her mum, Samantha is grieving, and Liv has the perfect life – or so she’d like her friends to think…

This year, these four life-long friends are turning fifty, and Liv is determined they will honour their promise to each other – made on a beach at sunrise twenty-nine years before – to celebrate this milestone together.

And what better place than a gorgeous villa where they will be spoiled and enjoy the stunning beaches, picturesque fishing towns and glorious climate of the Algarve?

But time away from home doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder. Sometimes it makes the thought of returning to your life too hard to bear. Especially with more than one gorgeous Portuguese man making hearts unexpectedly flutter...

It begins as a reunion in the sunshine, but little do the four friends know what life-changing decisions they’ll all be making before their flight home.

A heart-warming, feel-good summer read about friendship, love and second chances.

Title: Sunshine and Second Chances

Author: Kim Nash

Published By: Amazon

Publication Date: 4th June 2020

Links:  UK:    Amazon     US:    Amazon

Our Review

First of all, what a gorgeous cover, one of the loveliest I've seen.

Also what a wonderful story, I loved every minute of my trip to the Algarve with Olivia and her three friends, Fiona, Debs and Samantha.

When the four friends were 21 they went on holiday together and had a ball so as they all approached the big 5-0 Olivia arranged for them to spend a week in a gorgeous villa in Portugal.

Whilst there they have an amazing time with plenty of ups and downs but the strength of their friendships holds them together and they help each other to make important decisions in their lives.

The support between the friends was so lovely to see as each one had their own private challenges back home. I just loved the camaraderie between them all and I felt I was part of the group. I laughed out loud on numerous occasions due to various things that happened. I think that everyone reading this will relate to at least one but possibly more of the girls as they are so real and warm and funny.

This book has everything you need especially during lockdown as it whisks you away to sunny Portugal with swimming pools, luxurious villas, rose wine and handsome men.

I really wished this book was longer and I think it’s Kim Nash’s best one yet

Warm and uplifting, a story of love, sunshine and friendships. 

Sincerely

Book Angel x

About the Author


Kim Nash is an author of uplifting, funny, heart-warming, feel-good, romantic fiction.

She lives in Staffordshire with son Ollie and English Setter Roni, is Head of Publicity 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.

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases. Your e-mail will not be shared with anyone else and you will only contacted about Kim's books.
https://www.kimthebookworm.co.uk/

Amazing Grace was her debut novel with Hera Books and came out in April 2019.

Escape to Giddywell Grange is Kim's second novel and was published in September 2019.

Sunshine and Second Chances is Kim's third novel and will be published on June 4th 2020.

You can read Kim's Blog here: www.kimthebookworm.co.uk

Connect with Kim on Social Media here:
Twitter: (@KimTheBookworm) https://twitter.com/KimTheBookworm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimTheBookWorm/

Instagram: @Kim_the_bookworm

You can follow the rest of the blog tour here...

 

Hello Again by Isabelle Broom

Philippa Taylor (Pepper to her friends) has big dreams. When she closes her eyes, she can picture exactly who she ought to be. The problem is, it's about as far away from her real life in a small coastal town in Suffolk as she can imagine.

So when her elderly friend Josephine persuades Pepper to accompany her on a trip to Europe, she jumps at the chance to change her routine. And when Pepper bumps (literally) into the handsome Finn in Lisbon, it seems as though she might have finally found what she's been looking for.

But Pepper know all too well things are rarely as they seem. Her own quiet life hides a dark secret from the past. And even though she and Finn may have been destined to find each other, Pepper suspects life may have other plans as to how the story should end.

A romantic and sweeping story about friendship, love and realising that sometimes it's about the journey, not the destination.

                                                                          ~

Title: Hello Again

Author: Isabelle Broom

Published By: Hodder

Publication Date: ebook; 4th June   Paperback; 9th July

Links: UK:   Amazon        US:   Amazon

Waterstones:

Our Review

Once again Isabelle Broom takes us on a wondrous journey, this time to three new beautiful destinations, which she describes so vividly that I can see them clearly in my mind. I had to look one landmark up after reading about it and it was totally divine.

This story of Pepper has literally exercised my heart so much and left it broken. It explores all of our emotions but focuses strongly on grief and love in all its many forms.

Isabelle’s writing has such a maturity about it. She skilfully weaves these threads of emotion throughout the story so subtly but then they grow and grow and then the unexpected happens and Bam your heart is broken. The way Pepper’s mosaics connected the story was truly genius and I loved this character so much.

I loved Pepper’s relationship with her older friend Josephine and the fun they had together and how much Pepper learned from her.

This book will take you on a journey like no other, it’s heart-breaking, wondrous and Isabelle Broom at her absolute best. 

Sincerely

Book Angel x

Author Bio

Isabelle Broom was born in Cambridge nine days before the 1980s began and studied Media Arts in London before a 12-year stint at heat magazine. Always happiest when she's off on an adventure, Isabelle now travels all over the world seeking out settings for her escapist fiction novels, as well as making the annual pilgrimage to her second home - the Greek island of Zakynthos. Currently based in Suffolk, where she shares a cottage with her two dogs and approximately 467 spiders, Isabelle fits her writing around a busy freelance career and tries her best not to be crushed to oblivion under her ever-growing pile of to-be-read books.

If you like pictures of dogs, chatter about books and very bad jokes, you can follow her on Twitter or Instagram @Isabelle_Broom or find her on Facebook under Isabelle Broom Author. To find out more about her books, visit her website www.isabellebroom.com

Meet Me at Pebble Beach by Bella Osborne

Meet Me at Pebble Beach was originally published as a four-part serial. This is the complete story in one package.

Regan is holding a winning lottery ticket.
Goodbye to the boyfriend who never had her back, and so long to the job she can’t stand!
Except it’s all a bit too good to be true…

When Regan gets pranked, she finds herself jobless, homeless and boyfriendless in one fell swoop.

Luckily her friendly seaside community provides a beacon of hope, proving to Regan that sometimes you really can rely on the kindness of others – and one local in particular, a handsome fireman called Charlie, helps Regan realise that this could be her chance for a fresh start.

Armed with a list of ways to change her life, Regan decides it’s time to step out of her comfort zone. Because – as Charlie knows all too well – life is for living . . .

A feel-good summer read, perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Veronica Henry and Cressida McLaughlin.


Title: Meet Me at Pebble Beach
Author: Bella Osborne
Published By: Avon
Publication Date: 28th May
Links: Uk:  Amazon     US:  Amazon

Waterstones


Our Review


This book had me laughing out loud most of the way through, apart from the devastatingly sad bits. Regan is a bit of a disaster, everything that can go wrong does. The bit at the beginning was so funny and the sort of thing you would imagine happening to Bridget Jones.

When she meets Charlie she thinks her luck might have changed for the better but she is very much mistaken and things go from bad to worse.

Set in Brighton I was able to visualise clearly all the places that she went to which I really enjoyed.

Regan was rather annoying at times but lovable and a very loyal character. Even if she didn’t have anything she would still try to help other people and put them first. I loved her relationship with Elvis the dog and the other characters in the book.

A fun read with lots of laughs and a touch of heartbreak. Regan’s journey is filled with ups and downs and she is a character that will definitely stay with you.
Sincerely 
Book Angel x


About the Author

Bella has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full length novel.
In 2016, her debut novel, 'It Started At Sunset Cottage', was shortlisted for the Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year and RNA Joan Hessayon New Writers Award.
Bella's stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She likes to find the humour in the darker moments of life and weaves these into her stories. Her novels are often serialised in four parts ahead of the full book publication.
Bella believes that writing your own story really is the best fun ever, closely followed by talking, eating chocolate, drinking fizz and planning holidays.
She lives in The Midlands, UK with her lovely husband and wonderful daughter, who thankfully, both accept her as she is (with mad morning hair and a penchant for skipping).

For more about Bella, visit her website at www.bellaosborne.com or follow her on Social Media:
Twitter - @osborne_bella

Wedding Bells for Woolworths by Elaine Everest

July 1947. Britain is still gripped by rationing, even as the excitement of Princess Elizabeth’s engagement sweeps the nation… In the Woolworths’ canteen, Freda is still dreaming of meeting her own Prince Charming, and Sarah's idyllic family life is under threat with worries about her husband, Alan. The friends must rally round to face some of the toughest challenges of their lives together. And although they experience loss, hardship and shocks along the way, love is on the horizon for the Woolworths girls.

Title: Wedding Bells for Woolworths

Author: Elaine Everest

Publication Day: 30th April

Published By:   Pan MacMillan

Links:  UK: Amazon   Waterstones

Our Review

I was delighted to read Wedding Bells for Woolworths as I really wanted to catch up and see what the original Woolworths girls had been getting up to.

Things had changed a lot for Maisie, Sarah and Freda and their boss Betty as three of them were married with children. Freda the youngest of the group found herself in a bit of a scrape due to perhaps misguided loyalties and subsequently risked the amazing friendships she had built with the other girls.

The story is set in post war Erith against the backdrop of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding and the Olympics being held in London. Although the story is fiction I found it even more interesting because of the snippets of history that were weaved throughout.

There is a troubling incident that happens which escalated as the story unfolds and becomes extremely shocking which totally pulled the rug from under my feet. I really don't want to give the game away so I won't say any more about that.

I love how Maisie manages to make clothes for the girls out of bits and bobs and I can really see the outfits in my imagination.

One of the things I love about the Woolworths series is that it gives the reader a glimpse of a more innocent and simple way of life, people didn’t have much but they shared what little they did have. The matriarch of the family Ruby was amazing as usual and still looked after everyone she came in contact with and treated them like they were her own.

There are lots of happy moments to look forward to with Wedding Bells for Woolworths but there is also heartbreak as things don't work out quite as well as they should do for some of the characters. It really does show that life isn't all plain sailing. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Woolworths series and The Teashop Girls by the same author. 

Sincerely

Book Angel x

About the Author
A former Woolworths Girl herself, Elaine Everest is from Kent and she grew up listening to stories of the war years in her home town of Erith, which features in her bestselling Woolworths Girls series. A former journalist, Elaine has written over sixty short stories for the women's magazines and she used to run the Romantic Novelists Association blog. When she isn't writing, Elaine runs The Write Place creative writing school in Hextable. She lives with her husband, Michael and sheepdog Henry.

My Pear Shaped Lfe by Carmel Harrington

Meet Greta.

She’s funny.

She’s flawed.

She’s hiding so much behind her big smile she’s forgotten who she is.

But Greta is about to discover that the key to being happy is…being yourself.

Greta Gale has played the part of the funny fat one her entire life, hiding her insecurities behind a big smile. But size doesn’t matter when you can laugh at yourself, right?
Until Greta realises she’s the only one not laughing. And deep down, she’s not sure if she’ll ever laugh again.

But Greta is about to discover that sometimes the best moments in life come when it’s all gone a bit pear-shaped…

Title:  My Pear Shaped Life

Author: Carmel Harrington

Published By: Harper Collins

Publication Date: 1st March 2020

Links:  UK: Amazon    US: Amazon

Our Review

You know that lovely cosy feeling you get when you kick off your shoes at the end of the day and curl up with a hot drink and a bar of chocolate to watch a Christmas movie? Well that's exactly how I felt when I finished reading this book.  I absolutely loved it. 

I saw Carmel being interviewed by the fabulous Kim Nash and was completely struck by how bubbly she was and I immediately pre-ordered the book just from the conversation. I'm so glad I did because her bubbly personality really comes through in the writing.

Greta was a girl after my own heart, she was lovely but couldn't see herself how other people saw her. She was from an athletic family which made her feel like the odd one out because she was the curvy one. Sometimes her dad was a bit hard on her but there is no doubt that her family loved her, they just didn't really understand her. Unfortunately Greta found herself with a serious problem and her life spiralled out of control. During her recovery, her uncle, with whom she has always had a special bond, came up with the perfect solution. A road trip across America to see her favourite life coach quickly ensues and Greta has the time of her life. Whilst travelling she learns quite a lot about herself and helps her uncle with a journey that he has found himself on too. I loved hearing about the unusual places they travelled to and the connections to Greta's family's favourite film.

Greta's journey opened her eyes to so many things but the most important one was that she was worthy, her story was told with sadness and heartbreak but lots of humour too that made me laugh out loud. The book is really fast paced as we are carried along on Greta's life changing trip which is made even more fun when a couple of other characters tag along.

I really enjoyed the close relationship that Greta had with her uncle and the fact that when no one else understood her, he always did and he believed in her from beginning to end, even when she didn't believe in herself.

Funny, captivating and uplifting throughout.

Sincerely

Book Angelx

About the Author

International bestseller CARMEL HARRINGTON writes uplifting and inspiring books that have captured the hearts of readers worldwide. They have been translated into eight languages and published in eleven countries to date. Her latest novel, My Pear-Shaped Life goes on sale in April 2020. Previous novels include A Thousand Roads Home, The Woman at 72 Derry Lane and Cold Feet, The Lost Years, the official ITV original novel to accompany the hit TV series. Carmel was shortlisted for an Irish Book Award in 2016 and 2017 and won the Kindle Book of the Year and Romantic eBook of the Year in 2014 for her debut novel, Beyond Grace’s Rainbow. Carmel is also a regular on Irish TV as a panellist on Virgin Media’s Elaine show. She lives with her family and rescue dog in a small village in Wexford.
Carmel loves hearing from readers, so please feel free to connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, @HappyMrsH. You can sign up for Carmel’s newsletter on her website www.carmelharrington.com or join The Carmel Harrington Reading Room on Facebook, where readers discuss their favourite reads and take part in bookish challenges.
Carmel is represented by Rowan Lawton of The Soho Agency, London. 

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