Love Heart Lane by Christie Barlow

Welcome to Love Heart Lane…

When Flick Simons returns to the small village of Heartcross she only expected to stay for a few days. The white-washed cottages of Love Heart Lane might be her home, but the place holds too many painful memories, and of one man in particular – Fergus Campbell.

When a winter storm sweeps in, the only bridge connecting the village to the main land is swept away! As the villagers pull together, Flick finds herself welcomed back by the friends she once left behind. And as the snow begins to melt, maybe there is a chance that Fergus’s heart will thaw too…

Title:  Love Heart Lane

Author:  Christie Barlow

Published By:  Harper Impulse

Publication Date:  11th January 2019

Links:  UK:    Amazon     US:    Amazon

Our Review

As soon as I saw the title of this book I knew I was going to fall in love with it and it certainly didn’t disappoint. I was also thrilled to find it was the first book in a brand new series set in the Scottish Highlands.

Felicity Simons is disillusioned with her life in London and when her gran sadly dies she returns home to Love Heart Lane in the remote village of Heartcross.

Having hurt so many people when she upped and left eight years before, she is filled with trepidation and isn’t sure whether she’ll be welcomed back or not.

I was intrigued to know why Fergus, her ex, found it so hard to forgive and forget and wanted nothing to do with Felicity. It was interesting to observe the dynamics of what happened in their relationship from the two different viewpoints, especially when those two people were suffering so much.

When devastation hits the small village, Felicity manages to show everyone what she’s made of and even surprises herself with what she can achieve.

The love story that runs through the book is heartbreaking, heartwarming and joyful. Christie has a way of describing emotions that enables the reader to feel every bit of pain, confusion and happiness that the characters are going through.

Felicity works hard to rebuild the bridges between her and her family and friends. The relationship she has with a little girl called Esme is simply beautiful and extremely healing.

Christie has created a wonderful village in Heartcross with characters full of warmth and kindness and it was so endearing to see the community come together to face adversity.

This book is about love, friendship, forgiveness and acceptance and will totally melt your heart.

Pre-order Foxglove Farm, the next book in this delightful series here.

Sincerely
Book Angel x

About the Author  

Christie Barlow is the author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother, Kitty's Countryside Dream, Lizzie's Christmas Escape, Evie's Year of Taking Chances, The Cosy Canal Boat Dream, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm and Love Heart Lane. Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to prove a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA & Australia.

Christie is an ambassador for @ZuriProject raising money/awareness and engaging with impoverished people in Uganda through organisations to improve their well-being as well as Literary Editor for www.mamalifemagazine.co.uk bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the book world.

website www.christiebarlow.com

Twitter @ChristieJBarlow

Facebook page Christie Barlow author

Follow the blog tour here...

** COVER REVEAL ** Poppy's Recipe for Life by Heidi Swain

Heidi Swain is the perfect summer read!

About the book…

Treat yourself to a glorious novel full of food, sunshine, friendship and love.

Things haven’t always been straightforward in Poppy’s life but her dreams are finally within her reach.

She's moving into a cottage in beautiful Nightingale Square, close to the local community garden, where she can indulge her passion for making preserves and pickles. She may not have the best relationship with her family but she is surrounded by loving friends, and feels sure that even her grumpy new neighbour, Jacob, has more to him than his steely exterior belies. 

But the unexpected arrival of Poppy's troubled younger brother soon threatens her new-found happiness and as the garden team works together to win community space of the year, Poppy must decide where her priorities lie and what she is prepared to fight for …

Title:   Poppy's Recipe for Life

Author:  Heidi Swain

Published By:  Simon & Schuster 

Publication Date:  30th May 2019

Links for pre-order

Paperback

E-book


Praise for Heidi Swain:

‘Wise, warm and wonderful – a real summertreat!’ heat magazine

'A fabulous feel good read – a ray of reading sunshine!’ LAURA KEMP, author of A Year of Surprising Acts of Kindness

'This book had it all for me! A beautiful setting, likeable characters and a wonderful plot. I was captivated from the first chapter. A charming book you will not want to put down!' NetGalley Reviewer

We are delighted to be able to share the cover for the brand new book by Heidi Swain and can't wait to read Poppy's Recipe for Life.
While you're waiting why not catch up with all of Heidi's previous books, you won't be disappointed.

You can download them here:-

The Cherry Tree Café

Summer at Skylark Farm
Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market
Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage
Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair
    Sunshine and Sweetpeas in Nightingale Square
    Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland

Sincerely
Book Angel x



About the Author


Heidi Swain is the Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author of SLEIGH RIDES AND SILVER BELLS AT THE CHRISTMAS FAIR. Her other titles include The Cherry Tree Café, Summer at Skylark Farm, Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market, Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage and Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland.

Heidi lives in beautiful south Norfolk with her family and a mischievous cat called Storm. She is passionate about gardening, the countryside, collecting vintage paraphernalia and reading. Her tbr pile is always out of control!

Heidi loves to chat with her readers and you can get in touch via her website heidiswain.co.uk/ or Twitter @Heidi_Swain

The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker by Jenni Keer

Meet Lucy, aged 25, and Brenda, aged 79. Neighbours and unlikely friends.

Lucy Baker is not your usual 25-year-old. She is more at home reading and knitting in her cluttered little flat than going out partying and socialising.

79-year-old Brenda is full of wise and wonderful advice, but when she’s diagnosed with dementia her life begins to change. Before her memories slip away for ever, Brenda is desperate to fulfil one last wish – to see Lucy happy.

Gifting Lucy the locket that helped Brenda find her own true love, she hopes to push her reticent neighbour in the right direction. But is Lucy Baker ready for the opportunities and heartbreaks of the real world? It’s about time she put her knitting needles aside and found out…

The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker will be the most charming, heart-warming and feel-good novel you will read this year, perfect for fans of Ruth Hogan and Gail Honeyman.

Title:  The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker

Author:  Jenni Keer

Published By: Avon

Publication Date:  10th January 2019

Links:   UK:  Amazon    US:  Amazon

Our Review

What a fun yet emotional story. Light hearted, refreshing and entertaining, just like Jenni herself.

Lucy Baker is an adorable character who simply does not have enough faith in herself. When she meets a new hunky neighbour and a scruffy cat she confides in her elderly neighbour Brenda that she could do with a helping hand where her love life is concerned.

Brenda who is a fabulously eccentric character bestows a magical locket onto Lucy and then sits back to watch the fireworks as Lucy follows the instructions that the locket gives out.

Brenda and Lucy have such a beautiful friendship despite the huge age gap and that really appealed to me as I have friends who are so much older and wiser and still have so much to give. The present that Lucy makes for Brenda's birthday is so thoughtful and shows just how much Lucy 'gets' Brenda and I actually 'aaaahed' out loud when she unwrapped the gift.

The knitted characters that Lucy makes provide a fun aspect to her personality and I’ve seen the pictures of the real life Poldark one which is brilliant and here he is modelling the book.

Lucy is a very well developed character as is shown from the various relationships around her with her sister and friends and colleagues. At one point she has to choose whether to forgive someone close to her and I think she made the right decision.

The story of Brenda’s illness is very touching and poignant and makes for tearful moments however the overall tone of the book is fun fun fun and I loved reading it.

I shall now wait with bated breath for Jenni’s next book. 

Sincerely

Book Angel x

About the Author

Jenni Keer is a history graduate who embarked on a career in contract flooring before settling in the middle of the Suffolk countryside with her antique furniture restorer husband. She has valiantly attempted to master the ancient art of housework but with four teenage boys in the house it remains a mystery. Instead, she spends her time at the keyboard writing women's fiction to combat the testosterone-fuelled atmosphere with her number one fan #Blindcat by her side. Much younger in her head than she is on paper, she adores any excuse for fancy-dress and is part of a disco formation dance team.

Social Media Links –

FB Jenni Keer Writer

Twitter @JenniKeer

Instagram jennikeer

Website - https://jennikeer.co.uk/ 

Follow the rest of the Blog Blitz here...

The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton by Anstey Harris

For fans of The Keeper of Lost Things, The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton is the story of a woman who has her heart broken, but then puts it back together again in the most uplifting and exquisite way.

Between the simple melody of running her violin shop and the full-blown orchestra of her romantic interludes in Paris with David, her devoted partner of eight years, Grace Atherton has always set her life to music.

Her world revolves entirely around David, for Grace’s own secrets have kept everyone else at bay. Until, suddenly and shockingly, one act tips Grace’s life upside down, and the music seems to stop.

It takes a vivacious old man and a straight-talking teenager to kickstart a new chapter for Grace. In the process, she learns that she is not as alone in the world as she had once thought, that no mistake is insurmountable, and that the quiet moments in life can be something to shout about …

Title:  The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton

Author:  Anstey Harris

Published By: Simon and Schuster

Publication Day: 10th January 2019

Links:   UK:   Amazon     US:   Amazon

Waterstones       WHSMITH

Our Review

What a fabulous book, so beautifully written and totally captivating from beginning to end.

Grace has her flaws but I felt such empathy for her as we gradually uncovered exactly what makes her tick and why she is the way she is.

The book described the making of a cello which is something I’d never thought about before but the language used was almost musical and I could hear the cello playing in my head. The passion for the cello, both making one and playing one came through so strongly that the cello itself was almost another character.

Talking of characters, I loved the relationship between Grace and Nadia her nineteen year old assistant and the elderly Mr Williams, together they formed a wonderfully eclectic mix.

Every part of the story was beautiful, even the shocking twists and turns of Grace’s life.

I felt so uplifted when reading this book especially as Grace had been almost held prisoner by certain events in her life so it was great to see her free herself from those shackles.

I could visualise the glamour of Paris and Italy so clearly and there was one moment involving a pale blue dress which had me in tears. This book is as beautiful as the cello music it describes.

Powerfully uplifting and totally captivating. A symphony of Joy.

Sincerely

Book Angel x

About the Author

Anstey Harris is based by the seaside in south-east England where she lives with her violinmaker husband and two dogs. She teaches creative writing in the community, local schools, and as an associate lecturer for Christchurch University in Canterbury.

Anstey writes about the things that make people tick, the things that bind us and the things that can rip us apart. In 2015, she won the H G Wells Short Story Prize for her story, Ruby. In novels, Anstey tries to celebrate uplifting ideas and prove that life is good and that happiness is available to everyone once we work out where to look (usually inside ourselves). Her short stories tend not to end quite so well...

Things that interest Anstey include her children and granddaughter, green issues and conservation, adoption and adoption reunion (she is an adopted child, born in an unmarried mothers' home in Liverpool in 1965), stepfamilies, dogs, and food. Always food. She would love to be on Masterchef but would never recover from the humiliation if she got sent home in the first round.