#blogtour #review An Island Summer by Jenny Hale @bookouture @jhaleauthor

On June 10, 2022June 9, 2022 By kristin's_novelcafe1 Comment

In the summer, everything feels possible… A heartwarming small-town romance about new beginnings, old secrets and how home is truly where the heart is. Fans of Susan Mallery, Pamela Kelley, and Mary Alice Monroe will fall head over heels for this romantic page-turner.

All that Meghan Gray has left of her beloved Pappy is his cottage on the edge of the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Longing to feel close to her grandfather, she returns to the golden sands of Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks for the summer, clutching the manilla envelope he gifted her tightly in her hand.

On her first night on the sun-drenched island, she meets brooding Toby Meyers, a local businessman. She might feel lost without Pappy, but looking into Toby’s sparkling blue eyes feels like coming home.

The beach house where she spent her childhood is just how she remembers: a shingled bungalow with two rocking chairs on the porch and shutters on the windows. As Meghan strolls along the sand with Toby, breathing in the salty air, she realizes she is making new memories…

When Meghan opens the envelope, she finds a black-and-white photograph of someone she doesn’t recognize. If she can find out its meaning, and why Pappy gave it to her, she’ll unlock a secret that has been hidden for decades. The truth has the power to change everything Meghan and Toby thought they knew about their lives—and it will either bring them together, or break their hearts…

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B09VVHGP6Jsocial

Apple: http://ow.ly/k9qh50InU4W

Kobo: http://ow.ly/WPkQ50InU7t

Google: http://ow.ly/PEzO50InU9X

Jenny Hale is a USA Today, Amazon, and international bestselling author of romantic contemporary fiction. Her books have sold worldwide, have been translated into multiple languages, and adapted for television. Her novels Coming Home for Christmas and Movie Guide Epiphany Award winner Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses are Hallmark Channel original movies.

She was included in Oprah Magazine’s “19 Dreamy Summer Romances to Whisk You Away” and Southern Living’s “30 Christmas Novels to Start Reading Now.” Her stories are chock-full of feel-good romance and overflowing with warm settings, great friends, and family. Jenny is at work on her next novel, delighted to be bringing even more heartwarming stories to her readers.

When she isn’t writing, she can be found running around her hometown of Nashville with her husband, two boys, and their labradoodle, taking pictures—her favorite pastime.

Social Media

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

Website: http://itsjennyhale.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jhaleauthor

Bookouture Email sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/jenny-hale

My Review

An Island Summer is the newest book by author Jenny Hale. It’s no surprise that I’m a huge fan of all her books, and this one is no exception.

It checks off all the boxes such as an old house on the beach inherited by the main character (Meghan), her escape from the big city with her best friend in tow, and meeting a handsome entrepreneur (Toby). While the common elements are there, a twist comes to play involving Toby’s grandfather, Meghan’s late grandmother and grandfather, and a glamorous movie star!

What I liked about the book the most was the element of mystery. As little clues unfold, Meghan starts to learn the truth about a family secret that is unbelievable!

True to her style, Ms Hale grabbed my attention from the beginning and all the way to the end. This book is the perfect remedy for the summer blues. My heart swelled and sang throughout the entire book!

#review #newrelease No More Lies by Kerry Lonsdale @kerrylonsdale #nomoreseries

On May 10, 2022May 5, 2022 By kristin's_novelcafeLeave a comment

Secrets and lies shadow a woman on the run in the second novel in the No More trilogy by Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Kerry Lonsdale.

Jenna Mason’s life seems perfect: a successful career as an animator, a town house near the beach, and an adoring son, Josh, whose artistic talent looks as promising as his mother’s. But there’s something nobody realizes about Jenna. She used to be Lily Carson, a young mother on the run from a secret no one must ever know.

After years of constantly relocating, Jenna concedes to her son’s request to settle down. He wants to make friends. He wants some stability. He wants to feel normal. She convinces herself they’re safe. Until a reporter discovers who Jenna really is, bringing her estranged father to her doorstep. When he threatens to expose her carefully fabricated life for the lie that it is, Jenna has no choice but to run again.

But just as she’s about to go off the grid, Josh disappears, forcing Jenna to seek out the one person she never thought she’d see again: Josh’s father.

About the Author

Kerry Lonsdale is the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Amazon Charts bestselling author of Side Trip, Last Summer, All the Breaking Waves; the Everything Series (Everything We Keep, Everything We Left Behind, and Everything We Give); and the No More series (No More Words and No More Lies). Her work has been translated into more than twenty-seven languages. She resides in Northern California with her husband and two children.

You can visit Kerry at http://www.kerrylonsdale.com.

My Review

No More Lies is the second book in the No More series by the fabulous Kerry Lonsdale. After enjoying the first book (No More Words) as much as I did, I was so excited to read Lies.

Let me just say, the book was worth the wait. Kerry Lonsdale is one of my favorite authors. She has a unique way of drawing you in, creating the perfect amount of suspense to make the story that much more intriguing. Her stories are original, which is a welcome break from the usual cookie cutter storylines that seem to circulate in the book world.

The No More series follows the drama of the Carson family and is told from the point of views of the three siblings. While No More Words is told from Olivia’s POV (the oldest of the sisters), Lies centers around Jenna/Lili. While the books can be read as stand alones, I recommend reading them in order. Even though I read Words, I found myself confused at times. Lies jumps right in and without the prior knowledge of the story I would have been somewhat lost. There were even times when I found myself searching the prior book just to bring some clarity and understanding.

With all of that being said, I enjoyed No More Lies. Puzzle pieces were put together, but without wrapping everything up in a neat little bow….and that’s perfect because it just makes me that much more excited for the third book!

#blogtour The Note by Carly Schabowski @bookouture @carlyschab11

On March 30, 2022 By kristin's_novelcafeLeave a comment

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour of The Note, by Carly Schabowski. I am a huge fan of this author and am so excited to share the release of her new book. Ms. Schabowski has written several books about WWII, doing extensive research before each one. If you are a fan of WWII drama/fiction, then I urge you to check out her books!

A heartbreaking World War Two tale, The Note is about lost loves and long-buried secrets, desperate decisions––and the consequences that cannot be escaped…

Auschwitz, 1942: On a warm summer’s day in Paris, Jozef and his beloved wife Adi are captured by the Nazis after going on the run. Forced onto a train with countless others, they spend days travelling to Auschwitz. They are torn from each other, stripped of belongings, their arms inked with prison numbers. In the death camp, their days are numbered––will they ever see each other again?

1953, South Carolina: On the night of her thirteenth birthday, the air as sticky as honey, Alice is woken up by the ear-splitting sound of sirens. The body of a teenage girl, Nancy, has been found in the lake.

Suspicion falls on Jozef, a German refugee who now lives in the small town. When one of Alice’s friends breaks a window in his house, Alice is wracked with guilt. She writes a note apologizing––a note that changes everything.

As Alice and Jozef form a friendship, Jozef opens ups about his painful past: he is an Auschwitz survivor. Hearing about the desperate choices people were forced to make, and thehunt for freedom amongst so much heartbreak, Alice starts to see her own life––and the death of her friend––in a new light.

As their bond deepens, Alice uncovers Jozef’s secret––one that has followed him from Auschwitz, and could now shatter Alice’s world. When a long-awaited storm breaks thesuffocating heatwave, the truth finally comes out, and Alice’s life will never be the same again…

An incredibly gripping and tearjerking page-turner perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, When We Were Yours and We Were the Lucky Ones.

Order the book: https://geni.us/B09Q3LXFRMsocial

Carly Schabowski worked as a journalist in both North Cyprus and Australia before returning to Oxford, where she studied for an MA and then a PhD in creative writing at Oxford Brookes University. Carly now teaches at Oxford Brookes University as an associate lecturer in Creative Writing for first and second-year English literature students.

Twitter: twitter.com/@carlyschab11

#BlogTour The White Rose Network by Ellie Midwood @bookouture

On February 10, 2022 By kristin's_novelcafeLeave a comment

The White Rose Network: Based on a true story, an unputdownable and utterly heartbreaking World War 2 page-turner

1943, Germany: “I won’t be able to live if anything happens to you,” she whispered into his ear as they said goodbye, not knowing if they would ever see each other again. The White Rose Network brings to life the incredible true story of Sophie Scholl––one of history’s bravest women, who risked everything to lead a revolution against darkness.

Sophie was born to be a rebel, raised by parents who challenged the brutal Nazi regime. Determined to follow in their footsteps, she leaves for university, defying Hitler’s command for women to stay at home.

On her first day in Munich, Sophie’s brother Hans introduces her to his dear friend. When she meets Alexander, with his raven-black hair and brooding eyes, she knows instantly that she isn’t alone. There are more courageous souls like her, who will fight against evil.

Together, and with others who also refuse to back down, they form the White Rose Network. In an underground vault, Sophie and Alexander conspire in whispers, falling in love as they plot against Hitler. Promising her heart to Alexander is the most dangerous act of all––with each risk they take, they get closer to capture.

As snowflakes fall on a frosty February morning, Sophie and her brother scatter Munich University with leaflets calling for resistance: “We will not be silent; we will not leave you in peace!”

But their lives hang in the balance, with the secret police offering a reward to anyone with information on the White Rose Network. It is only a matter of time before the Gestapo closes in… And when Sophie is imprisoned in an interrogation room, staring a Nazi officer in the eye, will she take their secrets to her grave? Will she sacrifice her freedom for love?

Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Alice Network and The Lilac Girls will be completely gripped by this heartbreaking and addictive page-turner. This inspirational tale shows that, in the face of evil, giving up is not an option…

Amazon: https://geni.us/B09LMG41YFsocial

Ellie Midwood is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning historical fiction author, whose works have been translated into 14 languages. She owes her interest in the history of the Second World War to her grandfather, Junior Sergeant in the 2nd Guards Tank Army of the First Belorussian Front, who began telling her about his experiences on the frontline when she was a young girl. Growing up, her interest in history only deepened and transformed from reading about the war to writing about it. After obtaining her BA in Linguistics, Ellie decided to make writing her full-time career and began working on her first full-length historical novel, “The Girl from Berlin.” Ellie is continuously enriching her library with new research material and feeds her passion for WWII and Holocaust history by collecting rare memorabilia and documents.

In her free time, Ellie is a health-obsessed yoga enthusiast, neat freak, adventurer, Nazi Germany history expert, polyglot, philosopher, a proud Jew, and a doggie mama. Ellie lives in New York with her fiancé and their two dogs.

Author social media

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/EllieMidwood?_rdr

Instagram: @elliemidwood

Website: http://elliemidwood.com/

#BlogTour #Review Pepper Pot Farm by K.T. Dady @rararesources @kt_dady

On February 2, 2022February 1, 2022 By kristin's_novelcafeLeave a comment

Welcome to Pepper Bay. A small close-knit community where you’ll find chocolate box cottages, quaint shops, drama, friendship, and love.

Snuggle down with this cosy, feel-good, comfort read that whisks you away to a beautiful bay on the Isle of Wight – Perfect for fans of Christie Barlow, Phillipa Ashley, and Holly Martin.

The Pepper Bay books are standalone stories that intertwine with recurring characters.
Pepper Pot Farm – Tessie Sparrow and Nate Walker have everything a relationship can have, except intimacy. Neither of them want to add it into the mix, for fear of ruining their friendship. It’s not easy for them to stay apart when they are growing so close, and Tessie’s secret plan to help save Nate’s farm might destroy them forever.

Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pepper-Pot-Farm-heartwarming-uplifting-ebook/dp/B09167JKKZ/

https://www.amazon.com/Pepper-Pot-Farm-heartwarming-uplifting-ebook/dp/B09167JKKZ/

Author Bio – Author, reader, mum, chocolate lover, and a huge fan of a HEA. I was born and raised in the East End of London, and I’ve been happily writing stories since I was a little girl. When I’m not writing, I’m baking cakes or pottering around in my little garden in Essex, trying not to kill the flowers. I’m the author of contemporary romance, middle-grade, and the thought-provoking thriller about mental illness, The Focus Program.

Social Media Links –
https://ktdady.com
https://twitter.com/kt dady
https://www.instagram.com/kt dady

My Review

Pepper Pot Farm is a cute romance set in a beautiful small village where everyone knows everyone. Farming is the main source of income, as well as the quaint little shops and neighborhood bakery.

The story revolves around Nate and Tess…best friends who are secretly in love with each other, and have been for years. It is the typical friends-to-lovers story.

While the story was charming and the characters were likeable, I found the writing to be elementary at best. Told from the perspectives of Tess and Nate, every inner thought was written in italics. While it was an interesting writing technique, at times I found it to be a distraction.

Being a romance, the chemistry between Nate and Tess jumped off the pages. There were a couple of scenes where I felt as though I was intruding on their special moments.

Overall, this was a sweet, quick, and enjoyable book.

#Blog Tour #Review Heartcross Castle by Christie Barlow @christiejbarlow @rararesources

On January 14, 2022January 13, 2022 By kristin's_novelcafeLeave a comment

Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what

A second chance…
When her grandfather Marley passes away, Grace Power discovers she’s been left the beautiful but crumbling estate of Heartcross Castle. As a single mum of three, Grace has no idea what she’s going to do with it – but who can say no to a roof over their kids’ heads and a chance to get away from past hurts? And a forever home

Heartcross Castle is full of secrets – especially a lost security deposit box that holds the truth to
everything… But when celebrity chef Andrew Glossop sets his eyes on the castle and, to make
matters worse, mistakes Grace as the new housekeeper, Grace tells him there is absolutely NO CHANCE he is getting his hands on her home. Devastated to have got it so wrong, Andrew will do anything to make it up to her – but is she willing to listen?

Purchase Links:
UK-https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B091BL4DX3
US-https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091BL4DX3

Author Bio

Christie Barlow is the number one international bestselling author of fifteen romantic comedies including the iconic Love Heart Lane Series, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm and Kitty’s Countryside Dream. She lives in a ramshackle cottage in a quaint village in the heart of Staffordshire with her four children and two dogs.

Her writing career has come as a lovely surprise when Christie decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. Christie’s dream was to become a writer and the book she wrote to prove a point went on to become a #1 international bestseller in the UK. USA, Canada and Australia.

When Christie isn’t writing she co-presents The Book Show on Radio Northwich, enjoys playing the piano, is a keen gardener and loves to paint and upcycle furniture. Christie is an ambassador for the @ZuriProject alongside Patron of the charity, Emmerdale’s Bhasker
Patel. They raise money and awareness for communities in Uganda.

Christie loves to hear from her readers and you can get in touch via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christie_barlow/?h|=en
Twitter @ChristieJBarlow
Facebook page Christie Barlow author

My Review:

Heartcross Castle is the latest book in the Love Heart Lane series by Christie Barlow. Having read all of the books in the series, I’m happy to report that this latest installment does not disappoint.

The book centers around Grace and her three boys, returning to the small town she once called home. Is the saying true? Can one always return home?

I think part of why I like this series so much is the focus on one character. Sometimes they’re new to the area and if we’re lucky, we catch a glimpse of them from a previous book. Whichever it may be, we are able to witness the growth, happiness, and sometimes heartache from a personal level. It is evident that the author writes the stories from the heart, putting depth into the characters I’ve grown to love.

For those that love a feel good story, Heartcross Castle is not to be missed. While I recommend reading the other books first, you could read this one as a stand-alone. Either way, you will sure be left smiling.

#Promo The Renegade Spy Project by Terri Selting David @rrbooktours1

On December 6, 2021 By kristin's_novelcafeLeave a comment

TheRenegade copy

Welcome to the book tour for The Renegade Spy Project by Terri Selting David, a book I know most parents and readers will whole-heartedly recommend! Read on for info and a chance to win the entire trilogy!

Cover SPY FRONT RGB

The Renegade Spy Project (The Renegade Girls Tinkering Club #1)

Publication Date: August 10th, 2020

Genre: Middle Grade/ Chapter Books/ Children’s Inventor Books (Ages 8 – 12)

Publisher: Spiderdust Studios

Wren is impulsive, curious, and always in trouble. Can her flaws become her greatest asset?

Wren Sterling has a problem. She knows she’s super smart and a good friend, but no matter how hard she tries, she can’t shake her reputation as a troublemaker. It feels like the only people who believe in her are her three best friends in the Renegade Girls Tinkering Club. She’d hoped middle school would be different, but when her inability to control her temper causes an accident, even her beloved STEM Club is no longer a safe haven.

She has to find a way to fix it. When her idea to start a business inventing and selling spy gadgets succeeds, it looks like she’s finally done something right! But then the Club is accused of a crime. Can they use their own gadgets, and a little bit of trouble to solve the mystery? If they can find the real culprit, Wren may just discover she has a bright future after all. If they can’t, she could lose her best friends forever.

“It’s The Babysitter’s Club meets MacGyver!”

Build your own SPY GADGETS! Instructions included in this charming story about friendship, middle school, and the Engineering Design Process for kids ages 8-12.

Add to Goodreads

Excerpt

Technically it was Wren’s Greenhouse, hidden behind her family’s small home in the middle of San Francisco, but all the Renegades felt at home there. In the Greenhouse, they didn’t have to worry about other people’s rules and opinions. Or try to be boring or be like everyone else. The Greenhouse was their safe space. They could just be themselves. Wren’s parents let them use it as their workshop and clubhouse as long as her little sister, Trixie, could be part of the club.

When they’d formed the Renegade Girls Tinkering Club, the Greenhouse had been abandoned and filled with broken pots and spiderwebs. It was small and dirty, but had everything they needed. A door hidden like a secret behind an overgrown wisteria vine. A back wall with shelves from floor to ceiling, and excellent light from a front wall made entirely of glass. A small but sturdy potting table sat against the windows. It was pleasant and warm, with one electrical outlet and a small work sink. They loved it from the first time they saw it.

Amber, Kammie, Ivy, Wren, and even Trixie had worked tirelessly last summer, cleaning and gathering assorted leftovers, recyclables, and a mishmash of bins to put them in. They categorized and labelled, collected cardboard by cutting down shipping boxes, and saved empty toilet paper rolls from the trash. They snuck random scissors from kitchen drawers, ribbons, buttons, anything that looked useful or had an interesting shape. Amber had borrowed a folding card table from her garage, and Kammie brought in some stools her parents were getting rid of. Wren found an old glue gun, and they had even managed to find an unused sewing machine. The first purchase with their club dues had been copies of the side gate key, so everyone could head directly into the backyard when they came over.

Amber rocketed through that side gate, clutching a cardboard box protectively to her chest with her delicate arms. Beneath a spring green sundress her feet, in their pristine white flats, skipped quickly and skillfully over the ground. The September afternoon sun lit up her auburn hair like a fiery halo.

Available on Amazon

About the Author

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In 1996, Terri left Colorado, where she grew up, and headed even more West until she couldn’t get any West-er. Landing in San Francisco, her career spanned more than a decade in 3D character animation for video games, films, television shows, and even a comic book (but mostly video games.) Her work encompassed character animation, art direction, and story development before she had children and, imagining a better world for them, co-founded the Renegade Girls Tinkering Club with her friend Vicky in 2015. Since then she’s created over a dozen curricula and assisted in creating half a dozen more, encompassing more than 230 individual projects.

She lives in San Francisco with 2 rowdy children and a fabulous, brilliant husband who brings her tea every night.

Spiderdust Studios – Girls Who Make Stuff

International Giveaway: The Renegade Girls Tinkering Club Trilogy (Digital)

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Book Tour Organized By:

R&R Book Tours

#BlogTour #Promo Bad Cruz by L.J. Shen

On November 14, 2021 By kristin's_novelcafeLeave a comment

Bad Cruz, an all-new romantic comedy with off the charts chemistry and sure to make you fall in love and LOL from Wall Street Journal bestselling author L.J. Shen is available now!

I would say Dr. Cruz Costello is my archenemy.
But that would require acknowledging one another, which we haven’t done in over a decade.

He’s the town’s golden child. The beloved quarterback-turned-physician.
I’m the girl who got knocked up at sixteen and now works at a diner.

He is Fairhope royalty.
I get my monarch dose from tabloid gossip.

He’s well-off.
I’m…well, off.

When our siblings get engaged, Cruz’s parents invite both families to a pre-wedding cruise.
Except Cruz and I find ourselves stuck on a different ship from everyone else.
Cue ten horrible, insufferable days at sea with a man I cannot stand.
(My fault, of course.)
But when the alcohol pours in, the secrets spill out, and I’m left with one question:
Can I take another chance on love?

Enjoy a laugh and fall in love today for ZERO PENNIES on Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3y7hM8u
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/BadCruz

Add Bad Cruz to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3AVtPYs

Excerpt

This whole day made me feel super prickly, but I still went with it. Unfortunately, I had no say in this, since I had lost a bet.

Then there was Trinity and my parents’ wrath to think about. And the fact Bear deserved a mother who didn’t look like she practiced the most ancient profession in the world.

Also, privately, I could admit I really, really liked the Anthropologie dresses.

“I think I’m starting to get a feel of what you’re into,” Cruz said when we got out of the store, which by the way, smelled like a new car and someone’s upscale bathroom.

I ignored his observation. I already felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman without being told I was on the cusp of self-discovery and inner transformation.

Next, we went to Free People, where I grabbed a few pairs of pants and some casual shirts and jackets. Then we went to a bohemian boutique, something small and not too pricey, and Cruz splurged on two pairs of sandals for me—both orthopedic but surprisingly not hideous—and a little purse that didn’t look like a tie-dyed squirrel.

I didn’t thank him one time during the entire shopping trip, careful to remind him that it was his idea, not mine.

Finally, around two in the afternoon, when I was ready for my lunch (more like in danger of eating my own arm), he stopped in front of Prada.

He jerked his chin inside. “Ladies first.”

“Are you crazy?” I glared at him. “I’m not really going to let you buy me anything from there.”

I knew I’d joked about it the other day, but I also joked about having Benicio del Toro’s babies, and I sure as heck was closed for business.

“It’s an outlet.”

“It’s outrageous,” I countered. “I don’t care how much money someone has, a five hundred dollar scarf is excessive.”

“Quality costs.”

“Say that to my Kmart shoes. They’ve been servin’ me well for three years and counting. Even when I work double shifts.” I was surprised my feet didn’t slap my face for lying.

“I try not to converse with inanimate objects as a general rule. Why do you even care? It’s my money. I get to decide what I want to spend it on.”

“Why would you want to spend it on a semi-stranger you don’t even like?”

“This semi-stranger I don’t even like is about to become my family. Besides, I’m a shitty tipper.”

We were blocking the entrance to Prada, but that was all right, because no one but us seemed irrational enough to wander in.

There was also a guard at the entrance. A flipping guard. It made me want to throw up. I would never, ever walk into a store where some people might not feel welcome.

People like my mom.

Or like me, for that matter.

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” I thumbed my nose at him, adamant to put up a fight. “I’d hate to be associated with you. You may ruin my reputation.”

“Your reputation’s in the shitter,” he reminded me kindly.

“Yeah, well, maybe it’ll find your kissing technique there, since it seems to be in the same destination. What the hell was that about yesterday?”

Classic aversion.

I was a master of misdirection.

“You enjoyed it,” he said calmly.

“Did not.”

“Did, too.”

Lord, I had.

And not only had I enjoyed it, but the fact that it had been sweet and intimate and not filthy and carnal had completely disarmed me. I still felt my pulse against my lips. Both pairs.

Mental note number one hundred and sixty: Charge. That. Vibrator.

About LJ Shen
L.J. Shen is a USA Today, Washington Post and Amazon #1 best-selling author of contemporary, New Adult and YA romance. Her books have been sold to nineteen different countries.

She lives in California with her husband, son, cat and eccentric fashion choices, and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows and catching sun rays with her lazy cat.

Connect with L.J. Shen
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2OhSvp1
Twitter: http://bit.ly/36ELHZc
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2oMbFsu
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2AIOiTo
Stay up to date with L.J. Shen by signing up for her mailing list:
http://bit.ly/36MnmAQ
Website: http://www.authorljshen.com/

#blogtour #review The Lost by Simon Beckett @Tr4cyF3nt0n @BeckettSimon @orionbooks

On November 9, 2021November 8, 2021 By kristin's_novelcafeLeave a comment

A MISSING CHILD

Ten years ago, the disappearance of firearms police officer Jonah Colley’s young son almost destroyed him.

A GRUESOME DISCOVERY

A plea for help from an old friend leads Jonah to Slaughter Quay, and the discovery of four bodies. Brutally attacked and left for dead, he is the only survivor.

A SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH

Under suspicion himself, he uncovers a network of secrets and lies about the people he thought he knew – forcing him to question what really happened all those years ago…

My Review

Let me start off by saying as soon as I heard about the controversy on the cover, which is eerily amazing by the way, I knew I had to promote the book. And I am so glad I did. From the first page, The Lost captivated my interest and turned into one of the rare books that I couldn’t put down.

I liked the main character, Jonah. Having endured tragedies in his life, his strength was fascinating.

The story is told in the present times, but because of events in Jonah’s life, there is a time jump to ten years prior. This form of storytelling was perfect. Somewhat suspenseful, the time jump made the story that much more gripping.

This is the first book I’ve read by Mr. Beckett, however, will definitely not be my last.

#Release Love Heart Lane Boxset @christiejbarlow @rararesources

On October 31, 2021October 30, 2021 By kristin's_novelcafeLeave a comment

Don’t miss this gorgeous eBook boxset of the first three novels in Christie Barlow’s bestselling Love Heart Lane series – also including a bonus Christmas short story!

Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what

Love Heart Lane

When Flick Simons returns to the cosy village of Heartcrossshe 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.

Foxglove Farm

Isla and Drew Allaway appear to have the perfect life – a strong marriage, two beautiful children and their picture-perfect home, Foxglove Farm.
But, new mum Isla is struggling. When she discovers that Drew has been keeping secrets from her, Isla has to face losing the home they all love.

Clover Cottage

When Vet Rory Scott inherits ramshackle Clover Cottage in the quaint village of Heartcross, Allie MacDonald just knows this is their happy ever after. A place to call home with the man she loves – it’s her dream come true!
Until Rory drops a bombshell. He loves Allie but he has dreams of his own to follow – to live and work in Africa. Clover Cottage will have to wait just a little longer…

Plus the exclusive short story – Christmas at HeartcrossCastle.

Celebrate Christmas with all your favourite residents from Love Heart Lane – a short Christmas story not to be missed! Merry Christmas! X

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09B4R97YL/

US – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09B4R97YL/

When Christie isn’t writing she co-presents The Book Show on Radio Northwich, enjoys playing the piano, is a keen gardener and loves to paint and upcycle furniture.

Christie is an ambassador for the @ZuriProject alongside Patron of the charity, Emmerdale’s Bhasker Patel. They raise money and awareness for communities in Uganda.

Christie loves to hear from her readers and you can get in touch via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christie_barlow/?hl=en

Twitter @ChristieJBarlow

Facebook page Christie Barlow author

#BlogTour Behind Closed Doors by Catherine Alliott @RRBookTours1 #RRBookTours #Books

On October 22, 2021 By kristin's_novelcafeLeave a comment

BehindClosedDoors copy

Welcome to the release of the North American edition of Behind Closed Doors by bestselling author, Catherine Alliott! Read on for book details!

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Behind Closed Doors

Original Publication Date: March 4, 2021

Genre: Women’s Fiction/ Romance

From the outside, anyone would think that Lucy Palmer has it all: loving children, a dashing husband and a gorgeous home.

But when her marriage to Michael comes to an abrupt and unexpected end, her life is turned upside down in a flash.

As the truth of her marriage threatens to surface, Lucy seizes the opportunity to swap her house in London – and the stories it hides – for a rural escape to her parents’ farmhouse in the Chilterns.

But Lucy gets more than she bargained for when she moves back to her childhood home, especially when it throws her into the path of an old flame.

Coming face-to-face with her mistakes, Lucy is forced to confront the secrets she’s been keeping from herself and those she loves.

Is she ready to let someone in? Or will she leave the door to her past firmly closed . . .

Available on Amazon

About the Author

Catherine with Chickens

Catherine has sold over 3 million bestselling novels worldwide and is translated into eighteen languages.

The first of these novels Catherine started under the desk when she worked as an advertising copywriter. She was duly fired. With time on her hands, she persevered with the novels, which happily flourished.

In the early days she produced a baby with each book – but after three – stuck to the writing as it was less painful.

She writes with her favorite pen in notebooks, either in the garden or on a sofa.

Home is a rural spot on the Hertfordshire border, which she shares with her family and a menagerie of horses, cows, chickens, and dogs, which at the last count totaled eighty-seven beating hearts, including her husband. Some of her household have walk-on parts in her novels, but only the chickens would probably recognize themselves.

All her novels are published by Penguin Random House internationally, and by No Shooz Publishing in America.

Catherine Alliot | Instagram | Facebook

Book Tour Organized By:

R&R Book Tours

#BlogTour #Review A Lighthouse Christmas by Jenny Hale @Bookouture @itsjennyhale

On October 15, 2021October 13, 2021 By kristin's_novelcafeLeave a comment

A heartwarming page-turner about the beauty of being at home with family, second chances, and the magic of Christmas, when anything is possible… A gorgeous festive treat for fans of Debbie Macomber, Pamela Kelley, and Sheila Roberts.

When her beloved grandmother passes away, Mia Broadhurst returns to the snow-covered seaside village of Winsted Cape, where Grandma Ruth ran the lighthouse overlooking the golden beach.

This will be Mia’s first Christmas without her, and she can’t bear to part with the lighthouse that has been in their family for generations. As she steps into it, childhood memories rush back to her. She can almost hear them playing tag on the steps… But her life is back in New York, dedicated to a busy PR firm, and she has no choice but to sell.

With the snow falling, turning the grounds into a winter wonderland, Mia works with real estate agent Will Thacker. As they restore the historical building, she tries not notice how handsome he is. After all, she’s only home for Christmas… And Will’s deep blue eyes, as stormy as the Atlantic Ocean, tells her he has his own heartbreak to contend with.

Warmed by a crackling fire, Mia packs up Grandma Ruth’s belongings with the help of her mother and sister. But waiting for them is a black-and-white photograph with a faded inscription. The mysterious message is the key to a family secret that has been hidden for decades––one that changes everything.

When Mia finds out the truth, will it save the precious lighthouse and show Mia where her heart belongs? Or will it tear her from Winsted Cape––and Will––for ever?

Amazon: https://geni.us/B09F6P4R42cover

Apple: http://ow.ly/KVCD50G2QFW

Kobo: http://ow.ly/BGjK50G2QEh

Google: http://ow.ly/IWUL50G2V1v

Jenny Hale is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic fiction. Her novels Coming Home for Christmas and Movie Guide Epiphany Award Winner Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses are Hallmark Channel original movies. Her bestselling novel The Summer House was named one of ’19 Dreamy Summer Romances to Whisk You Away’ by Oprah Magazine and her novel We’ll Always Have Christmas was one of Southern Living’s ’30 Christmas Novels to Start Reading Now’. Her stories are chock-full of feel-good romance and overflowing with warm settings, great friends, and family. When she isn’t writing in her favorite coffee shop, she’s running around her hometown of Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and two boys.

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

Website: http://itsjennyhale.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jhaleauthor

My Review

A Lighthouse Christmas is a delightful story about a family trying to have the best Holiday season possible, while reliving the memories from their recently passed Grandmother. The Carter sisters and their mother are having to sell the lighthouse that has been in the family for decades. The older sister, Mia, is also juggling plans for the massive corporate Christmas party. And of course, there is a sub-story of girl meets boy while trying to find her true purpose in life. It’s amazing!

So far, two of Jenny Hale’s books have been made in to Hallmark Christmas movies…and there’s no secret as to why. Like the other two, A Lighthouse Christmas is a lighthearted joy to read. Although a little predictable, I still found myself smiling as the images of the lighthouse being decorated for Christmas came to fruition. A romantic at heart, the friendship between Mia and Will was also so very charming.

If you love a feel-good romance, with elements of Christmas, this is the perfect book for you. I am hoping this one especially turns into a Hallmark movie, because it would fit the bill perfectly!

#pre-order #ReleaseRevealed My Mother, Munchausen’s and Me by Helen Naylor @threadbooks_ @HelenNayls

On October 1, 2021September 30, 2021 By kristin's_novelcafeLeave a comment

This morning I have a special post for you. The new book, My Mother, Munchausen’s and Me by Helen Naylor is now available for pre-order (released November 25th). I’ve always been so fascinated with this subject, maybe because I couldn’t imagine doing such a thing to my child. Either way, I think the book sounds fantastic! The pre-order links are below. My review will be coming shortly also.

My Mother, Munchausen’s and Me

A true story of betrayal and a shocking family secret

By: Helen Naylor

There was a time when I loved my mother. It’s shocking to imply that I stopped loving my mum because mothers always love their children and always do their best for them. Mothers are supposed to be good. But my mother wasn’t good.

Ten years ago, Helen Naylor discovered her mother, Elinor, had been faking debilitating illnesses for thirty years. After Elinor’s self-induced death, Helen found her diaries, which Elinor wrote daily for over fifty years. The diaries reveal not only the inner workings of Elinor’s twisted mind and self-delusion, but also shocking revelations about Helen’s childhood.

Everything Helen knew about herself and her upbringing was founded on a lie. The unexplained accidents and days spent entirely on her own as a little girl, imagining herself climbing into the loft and disappearing into a different world, tell a story of neglect. As a teenager, her mother’s advice to Helen on her body and mental health speaks of dangerous manipulation.

With Elinor’s behaviour becoming increasingly destructive, and Helen now herself a mother, she was left with a stark choice: to collude with Elinor’s lies or be accused of abandoning her.

My Mother, Munchausen’s and Me is a heart-breaking, honest and brave account of a daughter unravelling the truth about her mother and herself. It’s a story of a stolen childhood, mental illness, and the redemptive power of breaking a complex and toxic bond.

About the Author

Helen Naylor has been writing as a hobby since she was a small child, but it wasn’t until she began a memoir about growing up with a mother who faked illnesses and had narcissistic personality traits that she was encouraged to pursue writing professionally.

Helen lives in Nottingham with her husband and two children.

Pre-order Link:

https://buff.ly/3nXyrK

#Publication George McKenzie Thriller Series by Marnie Riches @bookouture @Marnie_Riches

On September 30, 2021September 28, 2021 By kristin's_novelcafeLeave a comment

Happy publication day to Marnie Riches! Her George McKenzie thriller book series is being released to day for US and Canada readers! Read below for info on this series, and be sure to absorb the amazing covers also!

The George McKenzie series follows George, criminologist and the most kickass heroine you’ll find since The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Over the course of five books, she faces some of the worst killers around… but doesn’t hesitate to pursue justice and help save the innocent.

The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die: after a bomb goes off in a university campus, George McKenzie, criminology student, is recruited to help Detective Paul van den Bergen work the case. But is it terrorism… or something even worse?

The Girl Who Broke the Rules: women are dying on the streets of Amsterdam. And to get answers, George McKenzie will have to face jailed serial killer Dr. Silas Holm. But is she walking into his trap?

The Girl Who Walked in the Shadows: a killer called Jack Frost is stalking the shadows, leaving no trace behind… Only George McKenzie and Detective Paul van den Bergen can crack the case… and its strange link to the tragic disappearance of two children.

The Girl Who Had No Fear: when George McKenzie receives a plea for help from the father she’s not seen since she was a small child, she’ll stop at nothing to find him and get answers after years of silence. No matter the risks…

The Girl Who Got Revenge: someone is killing Amsterdam’s war heroes. As George and Detective Van den Bergen investigate, they realize that the sins of the past cast long shadows…

The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die: https://bit.ly/3u3GGFR

The Girl Who Broke the Rules: https://bit.ly/39wBnVU

The Girl Who Walked in the Shadows: https://bit.ly/3EKOKjG

The Girl Who Had No Fear: https://bit.ly/39yALPs

The Girl Who Got Revenge: https://bit.ly/3i2ZqAn

Author Bio:

Marnie Riches grew up on a rough estate in north Manchester. Exchanging the spires of nearby Strangeways prison for those of Cambridge University, she gained a Masters in German & Dutch. She has been a punk, a trainee rock star, a pretend artist and professional fundraiser.

Her best-selling, award-winning George McKenzie crime thrillers were inspired by her own time spent in The Netherlands. Dubbed the Martina Cole of the North, she has also authored a series about Manchester’s notorious gangland as well as two books in a mini-series featuring quirky northern PI Bev Saunders.

Detective Jackson Cooke is Marnie’s latest heroine to root for, as she hunts down one of the most brutal killers the north west has ever seen at devastating personal cost.

When she isn’t writing gritty, twisty crime thrillers, Marnie also regularly appears on BBC Radio Manchester, commenting on social media trends and discussing the world of crime fiction. She is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow at Salford University’s Doctoral School and a tutor for the Faber Novel Writing Course.

Connect with the author:

https://marnieriches.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MarnieRichesAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/marnie_riches/

#blogtour #review Blind Pony by Samantha Hart @samanthahart @DeborahBrosseau @RRBookTours1 #RRBookTours1

On August 20, 2021August 19, 2021 By kristin's_novelcafeLeave a comment

Welcome to the blog tour for Blind Pony, a memoir by Samantha Hart! Read on for details and a chance to win a signed copy of the book!

When your mother names you after your father’s affair, you might wish you were living someone else’s life.

For Samantha Hart, growing up on a farm in rural Pennsylvania had been no childhood idyll but rather a violent, surreal nightmare. A twisted vision of pastoral life part Faulkner part Dante. At fourteen years old, she ran away in search of her father, a character she only knew as Wild Bill. Discovering he wasn’t the hero she dreamt he’d be, she was on her own.

Arriving in Los Angeles at the peak of LA’s decadence where money, drugs, and good times flowed, she floated through a strange new world of champagne-soaked parties, high-stakes backgammon tournaments, and a whirlwind of international escapades flogging nude photographs. When a wealthy playboy mistakes her Pittsburgh accent for being British, it begins a spiral of white lies leading Sam to question everything she thought she knew about herself and who she could be.

Blind Pony is a story of healing and hope, a coming of agenarrative intersecting themes of recovery, redemption, forgiveness, and the struggle it takes to define life on your terms.

Add to Goodreads

Available on Amazon

About the Author

Samantha Hart’s career has spanned music, film, and advertising, earning her a reputation as an award-winning Creative Director. Her creative marketing campaigns brought prominence and Academy Awards to films such as Fargo, Dead Man Walking, and Boys Don’t Cry while earning cult status for independent features, Dazed and Confused, Four Weddings and A Funeral, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

With her partner, Sam built a successful company in the advertising industry, Foundation, with over forty employees and offices in Chicago and Los Angeles. Foundation earned distinction as an early disrupter of the traditional production and post-production models combining the two under one roof.

In 2017, Sam launched Wild Bill Creative which is a creative ideation company working with brand clients, non-profits, and start-ups.

Sam currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, director James Lipetzky, and their sons, Davis and Denham.

Samantha Hart

My Review:

Blind Pony is the story of Samantha Hart. It’s her story, told in the rawest form, baring all truths.

The book begins with her childhood, growing up in rural Pennsylvania. After her father left, her mom moved the family (Samantha and several sisters) to her grandparents’ farm, and into her personal Hell.

From the moment she arrived, Samantha couldn’t escape her grandfather’s abuse. His game of ‘tiger’ became a household staple, and without anyone to confide in, she soon craved a way out.

After escaping the wrath of her Grandfather, she found herself living Arizona, California, and New York. Still only a teenager, a wild world of men and drugs consumed her life.

The book itself was fascinating. It provided a first hand view inside the crazy world of the rich and elite in Hollywood. With all of the ups and downs Samantha endured, I was starting to wonder if she would ever catch a break. However, even though the story was interesting, the book itself was a little difficult to read. The chapters were somewhat choppy with scattered information, and some of the details (making this a long book) weren’t needed.

This is the story of hope and finding the strength to overcome demons from the outside as well as from within. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Giveaway: Signed Copy of Blind Pony (Canada and US only)

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