A Million Dreams - Dani Atkins

About the book…

'Dani Atkins is the undisputed queen of fiction that packs a huge emotional punch' Heat

Beth Brandon always dreamed of owning a florist, but today the bouquets of peonies and bright spring flowers are failing to calm her nerves. Because today, Beth will visit her husband's grave, and share with him a life-changing decision.

Izzy Vaughan thought she and her husband would stay together forever, but sometime last year, their love began to fade. They both find such joy in their young son Noah - but is he enough to keep them together? 

Eight years ago, something happened to these two women. Something that is about to bring them together in a way no-one thought possible... 

Thought-provoking, emotional and uplifting, this is a gripping love story for fans of Jojo Moyes and Amanda Prowse.

Buy Links: 

About the author… 

Dani Atkins is an award-winning novelist. Her 2013 debut FRACTURED (published as THEN AND ALWAYS in North America) has been translated into sixteen languages and has sold more than half a million copies since first publication in the UK. Dani is the author of four other bestselling novels, one of which, This Love, won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award in 2018. Dani lives in a small village in Hertfordshire with her husband, one Siamese cat and a very soppy Border Collie. 

Contact Links:

Twitter: @AtkinsDani

Facebook: @DaniAtkinsAuthor

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Website: www.headofzeus.com

Twitter: @HoZ_Books

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My thoughts…

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, this is something I am more than happy to do. Huge thanks to Head of Zeus for letting me join the blog tour.

Dani Atkins never fails to deliver so I jumped at the chance to have an early read of A Million Dreams and was totally blown away.  This is a serious, heart string puller of a read, that had me gripped from the very first chapter, I was totally absorbed and lost in the lives of Izzy and Pete and Beth, tragically widowed when she and husband Tim were to have been embarking on the road to parenthood - three strangers thrown together on their rocky road to parenthood.

A Million Dreams is a breath taking, beautiful book with so many strands interwoven and stitched together to form a read that is in equal measures heart warming and heart breaking.  For the most part of reading A Million Dreams I had tears rolling down my face so was very grateful to be reading in the privacy of my caravan and not anywhere public.

Dani Atkins has not shied away from the difficult questions and dilemma's faced by thousands of would be parents - nurture or nature, there is no stronger love than that of a mother and child and parenthood is a tricky road to navigate without the added complications faced by Beth, Izzy and Pete. 

I can't recommend this book highly enough, it's difficult to say too much without 'spoilers' other than this book will break you into a Million Pieces as you walk in their footsteps only to turn the page and lift you back up again. It's emotional, heartfelt and uplifting at the same time and will leave you thinking about the story long after the final page has been turned.  Dani Atkins does not shy away from the difficult subjects in life and always creates characters that are totally relatable and life-like, I felt their pain and joy like close friends as they and I traversed  Million Dreams.  Huge thanks Dani for another exceptional read.

The Christmas Wish List - Heidi Swain

About the book… 

After being let go from her job in a swanky hotel just weeks before Christmas, Hattie is feeling lost. Even more so when her high-flying boyfriend announces he’s landed his dream job in Abu Dhabi and asks her to move with him. Luckily, Hattie’s long-time friend Dolly is on hand to help and invites Hattie to spend one last holiday in the small, festive town of Wynbridge, determined to give her a Christmas to remember . . .

Upon Hattie’s arrival, holiday preparations are in full swing. But for Hattie, whose Christmas cheer has long since run out, it’ll take more than mince pies and mistletoe to open her heart to the season once more. Relishing the task of reigniting Hattie’s Christmas spirit, Dolly suggests they create a wish list of all the things the season can offer, and with the helpful hands of Wynbridge’s resident handyman, Beamish, Hattie finds her frosty exterior is starting to thaw.

As Wynbridge prepares for its most spectacular Christmas yet, will Hattie leave snowy England behind for life in a sunnier clime, or will she in fact realise that her heart’s desire lies much closer to home?

The Christmas Wish List is the perfect read this Christmas, promising snowfall, warm fires and breath-taking seasonal romance. Perfect for fans of Carole Matthews and Cathy Bramley.

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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, Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland, Poppy's Recipe for Life, The Christmas Wish List and The Secret Seaside Escape. 

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!

Contact Links: 

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

My thoughts…

From the moment The Christmas Wish List arrived through my door I wanted to shout about it.  It is an addictive Christmas read that took me back to my childhood, reminding me of the anticipation of waiting for Christmas to come, all the beautiful decorations and lights that sparkles all the way to the big day.  The activities, smells and tastes that heighten your senses had me giddy with excitement.

The Christmas Wish List revolves around Hattie, we meet her as she is made redundant from a job she loves, she lives and works in a posh hotel and has made it her life to give the guests the best experience and service she can, being on hand to cater to their every need.  It's a shock and has her reeling, she's knocked further sideways when Jonathan her boyfriend announces he is taking a job in Dubai and wants her to move in with him and go with him.

Hattie is in turmoil and can't think straight so accepts an invitation from a dear, old, elderly, friend Dolly to spend one last Christmas in Wynbridge before she leaves for `Dubai.

Oh, I so want to move to Wynbridge, the town and Dolly wrap themselves around Hattie giving her the time and space to question past decisions made and current ones to be made.  Hattie is estranged from her family, has just lost her long standing job, doesn't like Christmas and appears to have a strong-minded boyfriend that delivers his thoughts and ideas which then seem to become her thoughts and ideas.

Oh we all want a Dolly in our lives, she encourages and pushes Hattie along to join in every aspect of life in the small town, even bamboozling her into a job, helping in the local primary school.  Hattie doesn't 'do' Christmas anymore, she used to love it but not anymore. Dolly and a reluctant Hattie write a Christmas Wish List, she really doesn't want to but Dolly is determined to show her all the things she used to love.

Imagine every wonderful sparkly, shiny, magical thing about Christmas and that is what you get as you read this book, my senses were on high alert I could smell the delicious aromas of food, drink and just Christmas all around me as I read this book.  It's a book that is about remembering the simple things in life, the joy of seeing others excitement and pleasure.  Spending time with family and friends. As the pages turned, it was like unwrapping the many layers of outdoor clothing to reveal the warmth and glow in Hattie that had been buried for so long.  She immerses herself in the Wish List for Dolly, it may, probably will be the last time she gets to spend time with her, but the reality is Dolly's Christmas Wish List is the best tonic for Hattie. She has the time and experiences thrust upon her to allow her own thoughts and feelings to surface, she's able to think about what is important in life and sets on a path to forgiveness and fresh starts.

I'm off to New York at the end of the month and writing my Christmas Wish List raised my excitement levels through the roof, I itching to get on the plane and go there and then.  I'm taking my List with me and I am determined to tick off all the Christmassy things I've planned to do and a few more I couldn't fit in and intend to tweet them as they happen so you can all share the magic of Christmas in New York and all thanks to the gorgeous Heidi Swain for the idea xx.

The Christmas Calendar Girls - Samantha Tonge

About the book… 

This Christmas fall in love with the town of Chesterwood...

Christmas is meant to be a time of giving, so with Chesterwood food bank under risk of closure Fern knows just what to do to save it. She's going to get the town to create a living advent calendar.

Fern, and her best friends, call for help from the local community to bring this calendar to life. When Kit, the mysterious school caretaker, offers his assistance, Fern's heart can't help but skip a beat (or two).

As they grow ever closer, Fern must admit that Kit's the first man to touch her heart since she lost her husband, but his past is holding him back.

In this town, Kit's not the only one with secrets. Domestic goddess Chummy is behaving oddly, burning meals in the oven and clothes whilst ironing, and Davina's perfect children are causing trouble at school leaving her son, Jasper, desperately unhappy.

Can the Christmas Calendar Girls find a way to bring the community together in time to save the food bank, while still supporting their families and each other? Can Fern find love again with Kit?

This is a story about kindness and letting go of the past. It's about looking out for your neighbours and about making every day feel like Christmas.

Buy Links: 

About the author…

Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK with her husband and children. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has travelled widely. When not writing she passes her days cycling, baking and drinking coffee. Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women’s magazines. She is represented by the Darley Anderson literary agency. In 2013, she landed a publishing deal for romantic comedy fiction with HQDigital at HarperCollins and in 2014, her bestselling debut, Doubting Abbey, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category. In 2018 Forgive Me Not, heralded a new direction into darker women's fiction with publisher Canelo. In 2019 she was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association romantic comedy award

Contact Links: 

Website: http://samanthatonge.co.uk/

Twitter: @SamTongeWriter

Facebook: @SamanthaTongeAuthor

Follow Aria 

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

My thoughts…

Awwww what an absolute delight this book was.  It was my first festive read of the year and the premise had me hooked from the moment Victoria at Aria Fiction first told me about it. 'A living Calendar" OMG I so want to organise one!!

What's not to love about the Christmas Calendar Girls.  It has it all,  it truly is a magical, read that had me totally hooked.  It pulled at my heart strings and certainly gave me food for thought. It made me question what is important in life, when is it better to give rather than receive, to find acceptance within ourselves, to accept it's sometimes ok to follow your heart rather than your head. To look beyond the obvious, things aren't always what they seem at face value.  It was desperately sad in places but counter-balanced with hope, fun and happiness in others.  It's about love, friendship, solidarity and support - it's about friends, family and a community coming together to support and help each other.  It's about picking your battles, knowing when to fight for what's right or when to acquiesce.  It's what would appear at first glance to be a light, easy read and turns out to be anything but - it has depth, the characters and setting providing solid foundations for the story to unfold. It revolves around three friends, their friendship, their families and their community.   They come together to support a fund raising event  to save a vital public service, the local food bank.  

The story sees 'The Living Calendar' brought to life and I was giddy with excitement  muttering to myself what an amazing idea it was and wondering when and how I could replicate it. It really was brilliant, I loved every aspect of it and dare you not to be touched by this incredible read.  

I highly recommend this Christmas Read, it's definitely one readers will be sorry to have missed.  Huge thanks for allowing me to be part of the blog tour all at Aria Fiction.

The Family - Louise Jenson

About the book… 

The new psychological thriller from master storyteller, Louise Jensen, will leave you breathless.

Laura is grieving after the sudden death of her husband. Struggling to cope emotionally and financially, Laura is grateful when a local community, Oak Leaf Organics, offer her and her 17-year-old daughter Tilly a home.

But as Laura and Tilly settle into life with their new ‘family,' sinister things begin to happen. When one of the community dies in suspicious circumstances Laura wants to leave but Tilly, enthralled by the charismatic leader, Alex, refuses to go.

Desperately searching for a way to save her daughter, Laura uncovers a horrifying secret but Alex and his family aren’t the only ones with something to hide. Just as Laura has been digging into their past, they’ve been digging into hers and she discovers the terrifying reason they invited her and Tilly in, and why they’ll never let them leave…

Buy Links: 

About the author… 

Louise Jensen always wanted to be Enid Blyton when she grew up, and when that didn’t happen she got a ‘proper’ job instead.

Several years ago an accident left Louise with a disability and she began writing once again, to distract her from her pain and compromised mobility. But writing turned out to be more than just a good distraction. Louise loves creating exciting worlds, dark characters, and twisted plots.

Louise lives in Northamptonshire with her husband, sons, a dog and a rather naughty cat, and also teaches mindfulness.

Contact Links: 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Fab_fiction

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

Website: www.louisejensen.co.uk

My thoughts…

It's my stop on the blog tour for The Family by Louise Jensen.  Grateful thanks to Jess at HQ Stories for my copy. I was hugely excited when I heard Louise had written another book, I have devoured every book she has written and with each the tempo, pace and bar is raised. She has immense talent, an author that sucks you right into the heart of the story from page 1.

This book follows the story of Laura and daughter Tilly as they navigate their way through the path of grief, Gavan, husband and father died tragically after falling from the roof of a house he was building.  At the same time they are faced with sudden isolation from the rest of the family too, for reasons unknown to them.  Almost from the very first chapter I had a nervousness low in the belly, a grey, miserable feeling of dread that hung like a cloud over me.  Laura is struggling to cope both emotionally and financially and is trying to hold it together for Tilly.  Tilly is finding herself without friends and ostracised at school by her friends and both try to keep their hurt and grief from each other.

There are hints and insinuations that Gavan, Lauras husband didn't die as a result of an accident and the insurance company are withholding payment of his life insurance whilst it is investigated.  The family are at rock bottom and broken.  Laura is about to lose the roof over their heads and has no idea what she is going to do, how they will survive, where they will live. She is thrown a lifeline in the form of Alex and Oak Leaf Organics - Saffron came to Laura's rescue one day after she fell ill and they became friends, she told her she should visit the farm, that she'd be made welcome whilst she gathered her thoughts and planned a strategy for the months ahead.

Laura reluctantly accepts the lifeline, she has no choice, things couldn't get any worse.  Family have turned their back on her and she is desperate.   As her car rattled up the potholed, lane to the secluded farm I was internally repeating don't do this, turn around, don't go in.  The atmosphere as I read felt tight and claustrophobic I had the most uneasy feeling and my senses were on full alert.

The farm turned out to be a commune of sorts that was a refuge to several others - they were welcoming and caring and welcomed Laura and Tilly into their fold.  So why did it feel so wrong, why did I feel anxious and had a gut feeling that screamed things weren't quite right?  Laura and Tilly were at rock bottom, they'd lost everything and gave off a sense of empty hopelessness.  Saffron, Alex & commune should be their saviour but oh boy, I so wished she'd had second thoughts.  Oak Leaf Organics turned out to be both heaven and hell as both Tilly and Laura got sucked into the life there and were pulled in different directions. I didn't trust anyone. 

The more I read, the more I couldn't shake the sick feeling of dread that rose from low in the heart of my stomach.  I had that feeling that makes you want to stop reading or start reading in equal measures. Too scared to know what’s behind the story yet a burning need to know what comes next.  This was a book that haunted me whilst I read it and haunted me when I finished it.  Nobody is who they seem, everyone has a back story and a hidden agenda, with individual stories so separate yet joined like the links on a bracelet. 

Louise Jensen is a firm go to author of mine, an author that I would buy and read without having read anything about the story.  Louise thank you for yet another page turning thriller that hooked me in and gripped me so tightly I felt captive, breathless and broken as I walked in the footsteps of Laura and Tilly. An outstanding read that will stay with me forever, a read I have already recommended to so many friends, thank you.

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Due to losing all images for books jackets and authors as a result of Google+ being removed I have had to put all posts in draft form whilst I source, repair and review over 400 posts.

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Winter Without You - Beth Good

About the book… 

What do you do when you lose everything?

After the tragic death of her boyfriend, Hannah Clitheroe is hiding away from the world. But when she discovers she's inherited a house in Cornwall, she knows it's time to face reality.

Her estranged grandmother lived in Kernow House for years, but Hannah soon realises someone else thinks it's rightfully theirs: Raphael Tregar, an intolerant and contemptuous man who quickly gets under her skin.

But as winter sets in, there's one more thing that keeps her up at night, and the rising fear that she may not find her true home in Cornwall after all…

Buy Links:

Amazon USA: Winter Without You

About the author… 

I write quirky, romantic fiction, mostly with a comic twist, sometimes a little magical. Some are novellas, some are 'long' short stories, though I now have a full-length novel out, THE CORNISH COLOURING BOOK CLUB.

The wondrous bestselling author Katie Fforde has said of my books, 'I love Beth Good's quirky style! A thoroughly enjoyable read.'

My stories are always romantic, sweet to a little spicy, and tend to feature either gloriously sunny Cornish beaches or snowy festive scenes, with heroes and heroines falling over each other in a futile effort not to fall in love.

I have too many children and not enough money, so need all the readers I can get. If you love talking to authors in real time, please chat with me on Twitter at @BethGoodWriter ... I'm there most days!

Contact Links: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethgoodwriter
Blog: http://bethgoodwriter.blogspot.com/p/winter-without-you.html?spref=tw

My thoughts…

I favourite genre is thrillers, I read a lot of them but sometimes when life is full on I crave a gentle read, an antidote almost where I can escape into a story that isn’t quite so nail biting and fraught.  Winter Without You was my antidote and it hit the spot perfectly.

Hannah Clitheroe’s life changes direction when her boyfriend tragically dies and she finds herself in a dark corner of Cornwall in the company of a young solicitor.  It’s a miserable, winters afternoon and she’s there to view her inheritance - Kernow House.  The property has been left to her by her estranged grandmother - she fully expects to view it and probably sell it but the house draws her in and wraps itself around her.  Both she and the house have a history, both are at rock bottom and both are in need of more than a little TLC.

This was such a lovely story with characters that are eclectic to say the least - I’m not sure I know what I’d do if a knock at the door revealed a visitor who introduced herself as a sitting tennant who paid no rent but was a rat wrangler and would bring over a rabbit or two for the pot.  Then there was Raphael who was also laying claim to Kernow House, saying it was owned by his late grandfather.

This is a book of discovery and growth for more than a couple of the characters and I thoroughly enjoyed taking their journey with them.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a happy ending but in a book that isn't all predictable.  The characters are not ‘typical’ and had me smiling and laughing at times, I love a book set around Christmas time, reading about the traditions and customs of a local community that gradually sucked Hannah in as one of their own.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Winter Without You, losing myself in the plot. Hurt, sadness and intrigue butted up to friendship and love. A perfect book to curl up with on a winters afternoon.

Coming Home to Maple Cottage - Holly Martin

About the book… 

This utterly addictive new novel from bestselling author Holly Martin will make you smile until your cheeks hurt, sob tears of pure joy and fall head over heels in love with a totally unforgettable romance…

Isla Rosewood is creating a new life for herself and her sweet nephew Elliot in their cosy, yellow-brick family cottage, brimming with special memories. Living in Sandcastle Bay was never part of Isla’s plan but, after her brother Matthew’s tragic accident, her whole world changed as she unexpectedly became a mother to the little boy she adores so much.

Leo Jackson was always known as Matthew’s fun-loving and wild best friend. But now Matthew is gone, it’s time to put his colourful past behind him. His role as Elliot’s godfather is the most important thing to him. And even though Leo and Isla are two very different people, they both want to give Elliot the childhood he deserves.

As the three of them enjoy time together watching fireworks, baking cakes and collecting conkers, Isla begins to see a softer side to charming Leo, with his twinkling eyes and mischievous sense of humour. And, despite herself, she begins to fall for him.

But does Leo feel the same way? Isla knows their situation is complicated but is it too complicated for true love… or will the year end with a happy new beginning for them all?

A glorious, feel-good romance that will make you want to snuggle up under a warm blanket with a hot chocolate and the one you love. If you enjoy reading Sarah Morgan, Jenny Oliver and Lucy Diamond this book is for you.

Buy Links: 

About the author… 

Holly lives in a little white cottage by the sea. She studied media at university which led to a very glitzy career as a hotel receptionist followed by an even more glamorous two years working in a bank. The moment that one of her colleagues received the much coveted carriage clock for fifteen years’ service was the moment when she knew she had to escape. She quit her job and returned to university to train to be a teacher. Three years later, she emerged wide eyed and terrified that she now had responsibility for the development of thirty young minds. She taught for four years and then escaped the classroom to teach history workshops, dressing up as a Viking one day and an Egyptian High Priestess the next. But the long journeys around the UK and many hours sat on the M25 gave her a lot of time to plan out her stories and she now writes full time, doing what she loves.

Holly has been writing for 8 years. She was shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance. Her short story won the Sunlounger competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology. She won the Carina Valentine’s competition at the Festival of Romance 2013 with her novel The Guestbook. She was shortlisted for Best Romantic Read, Best eBook and Innovation in Romantic Fiction at the Festival of Romance 2014. She is the bestselling author of 18 books

Contact Links: 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HollyMAuthor

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

Website: https://hollymartinwriter.wordpress.com/my-books/

My thoughts…

I couldn't agree more, this book was utterly gorgeous, Coming Home to Maple Cottage was pure indulgence.  Holly martin has the ability to make you lose all track of time and before you know it you've lost the morning and only have 20% left to read so it would be rude not to.

Coming Home to Maple Cottage focuses on Isla, Leo and Elliott.  Isla and Leo had a one night stand four years previous, felt a connection but never pursued it - Leo has a reputation for being a bit of a bad boy, a serial womaniser so why would you?  They are brought back together when Matthew, Isla's brother, is killed in a car accident and Isla is left with the job of bringing Elliott up, supported by godfather Leo.

This is a story that pulls at your heart strings, Elliott is an absolute dream, I wanted to gather him up and cuddle him - he's confident and happy and his open questions and statements had me guffawing more than once.  Leo and Isla have a connection that is clear to everyone around them but to each other - neither is able to make the move.  Isla doesn't know whether her feelings are reciprocated and Leo has such a bad reputation he doesn't want to tarnish her with it.

Holly intricately weaves their lives around each other, their family and friends want them to get together but the town is against it.  I so was in their corner, cheering them on from the side lines, smiling and laughing out loud.  Holly Martin writes some of the best one liners ever and the way she fed them through the mouths of babes made for a hilarious read at times.  Add to the mix Leo's aunt Agatha, a character that is so unlike any elderly aunt I've ever met.  She's wacky, outspoken and openly discusses and advises Leo and his brothers on bedroom activities that she thinks they should pursue in front of the whole town, she's taken the idea of an agony aunt to a whole new level.

This was one of the most touching books that Holly has written, softening the edges with humour, funny and embarrassing moments to lighten the more serious content.  I loved every single page and can't wait for the next instalment.