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