Monday, March 25, 2024

My Review for The Serpent and the Wings of Night, written by Carissa Broadbent and read by Amanda Leigh Cobb

March 25, 2024  , , , , , , ,  No comments


'Human or vampire, the rules of survival are the same: never trust, never yield, and always – always – guard your heart'.

This gave me Fourth Wing/Iron Flame vibes, and I adored it right from the beginning. This isn’t something I’d have chosen myself, but it was a book club pick of the month for February, and I’m so glad Carissa Broadbent is now at the top of my ‘favourite authors’ list.

As the weather slowly starts to improve in the UK and I spend more time outside, I find myself listening to more and more audiobooks. I love that I can keep up with my TBR as well as lose myself in someone else’s life for a few hours while I’m outside.

Narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb and full of energy, passion and excitement, this book had all the weirdness of Hunger Games, the fantasy of Harry Potter, plus so much more. Oraya was awesome, feisty and wasn’t taking any shit from anyone, and quite frankly Raihn was an ass and I couldn’t work out what was in it for him? Why he befriended Oraya and why he was going out of his way to help and protect her? There is so much more of this story to come and I can’t wait to buddy-read part two with some amazing people.

Thank you to #acrossthepondbookclub for choosing The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent as February’s read of the month.

About the Book

The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself.

But winning won’t be easy amongst the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival.

Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father’s crown… and her greatest competition. Yet, what terrifies Oraya most of all is that she finds herself oddly drawn to him.

But there’s no room for compassion in the Kejari. War for the House of Night brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone – but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love.


About Carissa

Carissa has been freaking out teachers and parents with mercilessly grim tales since she was roughly nine years old. Since then, her stories have gotten (slightly) less depressing and (hopefully a lot?) more readable. Today, she writes fantasy novels with a heaping dose of badass ladies and a big pinch of romance. Her books include the Crowns of Nyaxia series, the War of Lost Hearts series, and hopefully many more to come!

She lives with her husband, one very well-behaved rabbit, one very poorly-behaved rabbit, and one perpetually sceptical cat in the extremely underrated state of Rhode Island. 




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Saturday, March 23, 2024

My Review for A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs' Home by Sarah Hope

March 23, 2024  , , , ,  No comments



Anything with ‘wagging tails’ in the title has to be a good book, right? As soon as I saw the title, I knew I wanted to be included on the blog tour for A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home. This is the third book in the series and I haven’t read any of the others. This can be read as a standalone, and I wouldn’t hesitate to go back and read the others.

I loved most of the characters in the book. They’re warm and friendly, and I felt a part of their lives from the very beginning. I wanted cuddles from all the dogs that were staying in the dogs’ home and I loved the Nemo puppies the best!

To be honest, the human characters were just a sideline to the dogs who were one hundred per cent the stars of this book. I think you'll like this one if you love dogs, great characters and a warm and easy read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home by Sarah Hope.


About the Book

There’s no place like home… Although dog trainer Sally is relatively new to Wagging Tails, the team she works with have quickly become her family and the dogs her friends.

But when Andy, the one that got away, turns up for a brief respite from the city, she is at a crossroads. As tempting as a life with him is, she loves her home of West Par, and anyway, she has responsibilities here.

Number one on that list is ensuring the dogs' home stays in business. A developer has been sniffing around wanting to buy the land, and the team is worried.

Sally will do anything to save her home and her friends’ livelihoods but the lure of reuniting with her lost love is strong. Is there a way for her to have both?

About Sarah

Sarah has been dreaming up stories ever since she was a child. She remembers many a family stroll when she’d daydream up her next story adventure. 

As an adult, she prefers to write romance novels and novellas with a Happy Ever After ending. She has two main romance series, the Escape To... series that focuses on single mums taking a chance and fulfilling their career dreams as well as finding love, and The Cornish Bakery series, that follows a busy bakery in a beautiful fictional bay in Cornwall. 

Sarah Hope lives in Central England with her two children and an array of pets and enjoys escaping to the seaside at any opportunity. 

She has also written some women’s fiction books.

















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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

My Review for Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley

March 19, 2024  , , , , ,  No comments


When Alexandra Kiley asked readers to express their interest in her book, Kilt Trip, I jumped at the chance. After all, who doesn’t love the wilderness of Scotland and a Highland Coo?!

An enemies-to-lovers romance, Addie and Logan have that spark from the offset, you know the one? Everything that a certain person is doing annoys you, but you can’t get enough, and your entire day consists of that back-and-forth banter that results in the desire just getting stronger, despite your head protesting!

The author immerses you into the heart of Scotland itself, with its many castles, stunning scenery and oh-so-much history. The more I read, the closer I could feel myself becoming to Logan, Addie, and Elyse. Elyse was kind and funny and but I think she’d make a good friend!

With Outlander vibes, amazing descriptive writing and warming characters, I’d one hundred per cent recommend adding Kilt Trip to your reading list for this summer.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alexandra Kiley and her publishers for the opportunity to read and review Kilt Trip.

About the book

Ready or Scot...

Globetrotter Addie Macrae always follows her wanderlust. As a travel consultant, she jet sets around the world—anywhere but Scotland. But when she’s sent on assignment to help a struggling family-run tour company in the Highlands—and save her own job—Addie packs away her emotional baggage and turns on the professional charm. 

Rugged as the land he loves, Logan Sutherland’s greatest joy is sharing the beauty of Scotland’s hidden gems…even if it means a wee bit of red ink on the company’s bottom line. The last thing Logan wants is some American “expert” pushing tourist traps and perpetuating myths about the Loch Ness Monster—especially when Addie never leaves her desk to experience the country for herself. 

As they wage an office war, Logan discovers Addie’s secret connection to Scotland: a handful of faded Polaroids of her late mother. Hoping for a truce, he creates a private tour to the places in the pictures to help Addie find closure and appreciate the enchantment in less-traveled destinations, never expecting the off-limits attraction sparking between them. But Addie’s contract is almost up, and magic won’t pay the bills. They can’t afford distractions, but how can Addie do her job if she hasn’t explored all Scotland—and Logan—have to offer?

About Alex

Alexandra Kiley writes big-hearted romances full of banter, found-family, and deep love. When she’s not writing, you can find her drinking tea, hiking, or gazing adoringly at the mountains of Colorado where she lives with her husband and two kids. Her novels are inspired by her semester in Scotland where she fell in love with not only the lush and magical land, but also the people who invited her into their homes and made her feel like family.
















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Monday, March 4, 2024

My Review for Chasing a Highland Dream by Lisa Hobman

March 04, 2024  , , , , , , ,  No comments


Easily one of my favourites so far for 2024, Chasing a Highland Dream was just a delight to read. Set in Inverness in Scotland, Bella works as a Personal Assistant to her best friend Olivia, who has just inherited a castle. However, Bella has aspirations of becoming an interior designer and certainly has the skills to achieve her dream. 

I loved, loved, loved Granny Isla so much! She was hilarious, with her many malapropisms, including her WhatsUp messages, she was just brilliant. I found myself smiling more often than not as I devoured this book in just a day. In fact, with the exception of Kerr (aka Kermit according to Granny), and Aiden, all the characters were absolutely cool and loveable. 

Lisa Hobman writes with such humour and fun, bringing the characters, the dogs and the Scottish scenery straight into the readers’ imagination. I spent numerous happy moments drinking tea and eating cake with Bella and Harris, walking along by the loch with Beau, and taking a tour of the castle with Olivia.

Do yourself a favour and add this book to your reading list for your holidays this year. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Now I’m off to close my eyes and make believe I’m being whisked away on a motorbike around the highlands of Scotland by my very own Sergeant Donaldson!

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read Chasing a Highland Dream by Lisa Hobman.


About the Book

Can you live your dreams and also find your destiny? 

Since having to drop out of her design degree, Bella Douglas has been unlucky in just about everything life has thrown at her.She’s lost more jobs than she cares to remember and to top it off she’s still single, despite her Granny Isla’s best attempts to set her up with every eligible bachelor in the Scottish Highlands. Currently PA to her best friend, aka, Lady Olivia MacBain, at Drumblair Castle, Bella is yet to find a role that sets her soul on fire. But when disaster strikes for Olivia, Bella steps into the breach to rescue her bestfriend from a fate worse than a bad interior designer. 

When Bella and her Granny find themselves homeless, they relocate to the castle where a handsome new neighbour brings mystery, intrigue and a spark of romance. 

Is Bella finally on the track to find true happiness? Or do more catastrophes lie ahead? And does true love hide where you least expect it?


About Lisa

Lisa is a happily married mum of one with two energetic dogs who make cameo appearances in some of her books. She loves writing and creating new characters and now has the pleasure of writing almost full time.

In 2012 she relocated, with her family, from England to their favourite place in the world: Scotland, and they're now happily ensconced in village life. The stunning country she now calls home was the inspiration for her writing career, and so it's only fitting that it features in all of her books.

​Writing has always been something she's enjoyed, although in the past it has centered on poetry and song lyrics; some of which appear in her stories. But to now be a published author with Boldwood Books is a real dream come true. 

​Lisa is qualified as an editor and proofreader to distinction level through the College of Media and Publishing


























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Saturday, March 2, 2024

My Review for Living the Dream at Puddleduck Farm by Della Galton

March 02, 2024  , , , ,  1 comment


This was my first trip to Puddleduck Farm and it wasn't until the end that I realised it was the fourth in the series, so now I need to go back and read the others!

This was a delightful book to immerse myself in for a couple of days and I really enjoyed it. Full of kindness and love, hilarity and fun, Living the Dream at Puddleduck Farm was a joy to read.

I don't think there was a character I didn't like and it was a pleasure to join them in their lives for just a while. In my head I was helping Phoebe in her vet's practice, riding alongside Sam as he took his horse Ninja out and helping Maggie with her wedding preparations. The animals are all incredibly entertaining and each and every one had their own part to play in the story.

If you're an animal lover and enjoy romance and fun in your stories, then I would definitely recommend you read Living the Dream at Puddleduck Farm. I'm off to grab a cup of tea, one of Maggie's wonky mince pies and settle down with my next read for a few hours.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review Living the Dream at Puddleduck Farm by Della Galton.



About the Book 

Life would be idyllic if everyone else was on the same page… 

Puddleduck Vets Practice is busier than ever. Phoebe Dashwood is juggling the usual crazy animal antics of her quirky clients, whilst organising the wedding of her bridezilla grandmother and thankfully dating her perfect man. 

Phoebe loves every minute of being a New Forest vet, even if she hardly has time to catch her breath. If only she could find some quality time for her and the man of her dreams, life would be perfect. 

When an ex’s heartbreak stirs up some emotions from the past, Phoebe realises she must deal with some unfinished business. It would seem a miracle is needed to pull off a happy ending for everyone – but is it within Phoebe's power to work miracles?


About Della

Della Galton (aka Della Parker) writes novels set in Dorset, featuring quirky characters and very often a dog or two. She's had more than 2000 short stories published and she's run out of fingers to count her books on | .

She is a popular speaker at writing conventions and the agony aunt for Writers' Forum Magazine.

When she is not writing she enjoys walking her dogs around the beautiful Dorset countryside and beaches.





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Thursday, February 29, 2024

My Review for The Perfect Parents by J.A. Baker

February 29, 2024  , , , , , ,  No comments

Full of twists and turns, and a million and one loop-the-loops, The Perfect Parents is a rollercoaster of a book with so many plot angles I didn’t see coming - and just a few that I did!

This was such a good read, and I devoured it in only a couple of days. There is so much I want to say, so much I want to tell you about, but that would just spoil it, so you will just have to trust me and read it yourself.

Written primarily from two viewpoints, that of Flo and Jess - two of the Hemsworth children, the story alternates from one to the other with the odd curveball thrown in every now and again. There are lots of secrets, and lots of hushed whispers and gossip throughout the village, but is there anyone at all that knows the whole truth? Maybe, or maybe not?

If you like a good thriller, that will keep you turning the pages and get your brain cells working overtime that I would recommend you go out and buy yourself a copy of The Perfect Parent.

Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review The Perfect Parents by J.A. Baker.



About the Book

Jackson and Lydia Hemsworth are pillars of the community, feted for having the perfect marriage and three wonderful children – Florence, Jessica and Ezra.

But appearances can be deceptive.

Because behind closed doors Jackson Hemsworth rules his family with cruelty and control. His marriage is a sham; his children for years have cowed in fear.

Until the day that Jackson and Lydia throw themselves off Newport Bridge in a joint suicide pact – the final cruel blow by Jackson to control his wife and torture his adult children.

As the Hemsworth siblings return to their family home, they must try to make sense of their parents’ last act. But there are many dark secrets waiting to be unearthed at Armett House.

Like, why are the townsfolk so suddenly hostile towards them? And who are the strangers who arrive at Armett House unannounced? And why has their mother’s body still not been found?

In the aftermath of their parents’ death, it becomes clear that something terrible is about to be exposed about the Hemsworths’ perfect parents.

A secret they may all wish had stayed hidden…


About Judith

Twice longlisted for The Guardian's Not the Booker Prize, J.A. BAKER was born and brought up in North East England and has had a love of language for as long as she can remember.

When she isn't writing, she enjoys reading many genres of books but especially enjoys psychological thrillers.

She has four grown-up children, three grandchildren and lives in a village near Darlington with her husband and Border Collie, Theo, who is quite possibly the naughtiest dog in the world.





















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Monday, February 26, 2024

My Review for A Wartime Welcome From the Foyles Bookshop Girls by Elaine Roberts

February 26, 2024  , , , , , ,  No comments


I began reading this book without knowing it was the fourth in a series.  I don't think it matters though and I think they can all be read as a standalone.  Will I be reading the others? Absolutely! I loved it and the fact that Foyles bookshop is a real place, with seven shops throughout the UK is just brilliant. 

I loved Ellen and the friends she made at Foyles but I hated some of the characters she met working at the newspaper office. The author did a great job of helping us hate the villains and love Ellen and her friends and family. 

Even though it's wartime, these types of books always make me feel like curling up with a cuppa and immersing myself into the character's lives for a few hours. With a bit of mystery, lots of friendship and some great writing, I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review A Wartime Welcome From the Foyles Bookshop Girls by Elaine Roberts.



About the Book

London, 1918: the world is being torn apart by war, but for the girls of London’s Foyles bookshop, where there is friendship, there is hope… Perfect for fans of Rosie Clarke and Elaine Everest. 

Ellen Beckford and her sister Mary are living under their father’s shadow. Before their beloved mother died, they had dreamed of bright futures, but torn apart by grief, Harold Beckford barely lets his daughters out of his sight. Then Harold is injured during a break-in at his office at London’s docklands, and can no longer work. And with prices rising and food scarce, Ellen has no choice but to defy her father’s rules and seek employment. She finds a position at London’s renowned Foyles bookshop, and the other shop girls quickly take her under their wing. 

But there are dark times ahead. Ellen’s father is accused of gathering intelligence from the docklands for the enemy, and the police seem determined to see him shot for spying. With the help of her new friends, can Ellen clear her father’s name and save her family from destitution?


About Elaine

Elaine's dream was always to write for a living. She completed her first novel when she was in her twenties and received the first of many very nice rejections. Life then got in the way, until circumstances made her re-evaluate her life and pick up her dream again in 2010.

​Elaine joined a creative writing class, The Write Place, in 2012. Shortly afterwards, her first short story was published and she was thrilled when many more followed. Elaine finally started to believe in herself.

​As a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and The Society of Women Writers & Journalists, Elaine attends many conferences, workshops, seminars and wonderful parties. Meeting other writers gives her encouragement, finding that most face similar problems.

​Elaine has a patient husband, Dave, and five children who have flown the nest. Home is in Dartford, Kent and is always busy with children, grandchildren, grand dogs and cats visiting. Without her wonderful family, Elaine says that she knows the dream would never have been realised.




















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