Review & Give-away: 'Christmas at the Comfort Food Cafe' by Debbie Johnson!

The Comfort Food Cafe is perched on a windswept clifftop at what feels like the edge of the world, serving up the most delicious cream teas; beautifully baked breads, and carefully crafted cupcakes. For tourists and locals alike, the ramshackle cafe overlooking the beach is a beacon of laughter, companionship, and security – a place like no other; a place that offers friendship as a daily special, and where a hearty welcome is always on the menu.
I am actually re-posting this review today. I already got the chance to read this absolutely lovely festive read by Debbie Johson some time ago, but I was contacted by the publisher with the possibility to give away one copy of the book to a lucky UK reader, and I couldn't say no to that fabulous offer! 'Christmas at the Comfort Food Cafe' is actually the sequel to Debbie’s previous novel ‘Summer at the Comfort Food Café’ (click here to read my review), which is also a brilliant read. Below you can find my review and if you like what you read be sure to enter the give-away...!
Becca is not a Christmas fan; she hates the lights, the sparkle, the general jolliness… Definitely not her favourite time of year. However, she’s decided to not spend the holiday season by herself this year but visit her sister Laura and her kids instead. Laura rebuilt her life after the unexpected death of her beloved husband David and the Comfort Food Café played a big role in that. Now it’s Becca’s turn to be charmed by the café, the locals and the beautiful surroundings. Will this be enough to defrost Becca’s heart after everything that has happened in the past or is even the magic of the Comfort Food Café not enough to fix things this time around…?
‘Christmas at the Comfort Food Café’ is the sequel to Debbie Johnson’s lovely novel ‘Summer at the Comfort Food Café’, which was released earlier this year. The novella is written from the point of view of Becca, the younger sister of Laura, who played the leading role in the first part of this series, and takes us back to the lovely setting of the Comfort Food Café near the beach. While I highly recommend reading the first book first (especially since it is just a fantastic read), this novella can definitely also be read as a stand-alone because enough background information is provided to understand what is going on and who the different characters are. I loved Becca; even though she is a bit of a Scrooge, I could understand her dislike for Christmas and just really warmed to her as a character.
I’m a big fan of Debbie Johnson’s writing and I have to say this novella was just as enjoyable as her other works. There are great characters, an entertaining storyline, a lot of emotions (one page made me laugh out loud while the other made me tear up a bit), and some definite romantic sparks. With roughly 190 pages it is also a rather quick read, and just the ideal novella to pick up when you’re looking for a bit of Christmas magic to get you in a festive mood but also for anyone looking for a great read, really. I can’t help but shout from the rooftops when it comes to my love for Debbie Johnson; please tell us there is more to come for the Comfort Food Café…!

Rating:9,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Giveaway of 'Christmas at the Comfort Food Cafe'!
I'm incredibly excited to be able to make a reader very happy with a paperback copy of this lovely Debbie Johnson read! Just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter below; good luck to everyone! :)

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Review & Giveaway: 'A Country Practice - To Everything a Season' by Judith Colquhoun (2015)

The rural community of Wandin Valley is divided over the arrival of seasonal workers for the harvest. While some welcome their help at a busy time of year, others feel they pose a threat to the small town. For many of them this will be a harvest like no other, and several lives will be changed forever before the season ends. 
When Molly throws herself into country life, she discovers that it can bring both danger and heartache. Meanwhile, Brendan continues to win over patients and staff at the hospital. 
Dr Simon Bowen befriends a spirited elderly patient. But what secrets is Emily Page hiding, and what plans does she have in mind for Simon? 
Will Dr Terence Elliott's interest in a young family help to save a life? 
As Vicky and Molly's friendship grows, Frank continues in his quest to win Shirley's heart. 
Meanwhile, a young widow and mother must face her demons. Can she learn to let go of the past and love again? And one of Terence's patients must decide whether to stand up to her overbearing father and make a life for herself.
Last year I received a review copy of author Judith Colquhoun’s novel ‘A Country Practice’ (click here to read my review), a new series based on the award-winning TV series ‘A Country Practice.’ I have to admit I was not familiar with the TV show before I was contacted about the new book series last year, but really enjoyed stepping into the world of Wandin Valley Bush Nursing Hospital and meeting the various characters, and I was curious to read more. So, when I got the chance to also read and review part 2, ‘To Everything a Season’, I straight away said yes. I looked forward to once again travel to Australia with Judith Colquhoun and discover what the characters had been up to since the end of book 1. Thanks to publisher Corazon Books I am able to host a giveaway today as well, so if you want to be in with a chance to win a copy of the first part of the ‘A Country Practice’ series, be sure to scroll down and enter the giveaway!   
‘A Country Practice: To Everything a Season’ takes its readers back to Wandin Valley Bush Nursing Hospital to catch up with some familiar faces that also made an appearance in the first part of the ‘A Country Practice’ series. Molly and her husband Brendan are still busy settling in in the farm house they bought. With Brendan working long hours as a nurse in the hospital, Molly is left to her own devices and tries her best to make farming life work for her. Doctor Simon Bowen befriends elderly lady Emily Page; a lovely woman who seems to be hiding a secret, while doctor Terence Elliott tries his best to help out a new family that has come to town to help with the season’s fruit picking. All villagers are dealing with everyday life in their small country town in their own way, showing that no matter the season, there’s always something going on in Wandin Valley...
Last year I got the chance to check out the first part of Judith Colquhoun’s ‘A Country Practice’ book series, based on the same-titled TV-show set in the early 1980s, and it was great to once again travel to Wandin Valley and catch up with all the familiar faces. It’s easy to warm to characters such as doctors Simon and Terence, local vet Vicky, and my personal favourite couple, Molly and Brendan. However, some new characters were also introduced such as Alex and his daughter-in-law Silvia, who have come to town to help with the fruit picking. There are numerous characters the book focuses on, continually switching from one storyline to another, which definitely held my attention and made me curious to keep on reading.   
As mentioned before, this book series is based on the award-winning TV-show ‘A Country Practice’, and I have to admit I felt like the book was also still written as a TV-show. The story is fast-paced and continually switches from one storyline and group of characters to another, just like a TV-drama. Unfortunately, the book also doesn’t provide too much in-depth detail and background stories on the characters, which I think is a real shame. I’d love to learn more about these characters and why they do and say specific things. I guess I’d love the book to read more like a novel than as a TV-show turned to paper. However, I still really enjoyed this second part of the series; it was an entertaining and fast-paced read, and I am already looking forward to visiting Wandin Valley again for the third time sometime soon, hopefully!  

Rating:7,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Giveaway of 'A Country Practice' - Book 1!
I'm incredibly excited to be able to make a reader very happy with an e-book copy of the first part of Judith Colquhoun's 'A Country Practice' book series! Just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter below; good luck to everyone! :)
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Guest post by Sophie King!

I'm really excited to have a special guest post from wonderful author Sophie King on the blog today! Scroll down to read Sophie's post 'Unusual Weddings', to learn a bit more about her latest release 'The Wedding Party' and be in with the chance to win a wedding gift experience voucher from Tinggly.com! 
UNUSUAL WEDDINGS by SOPHIE KING

The bride wore white. White thermals. The groom wore a hat. A bobble one. The guests were blue with cold. Which wasn’t surprising. Because the ‘registry office’ was on the top of a very high hill in Scotland.
Jill and Robbie are keen mountaineers. “We couldn’t imagine getting married inside,” said Jill. “It might have been a bit nippy, But it was a perfect day.”
Nowadays, weddings are getting more and more unusual as I found out when researching my latest novel THE WEDDING PARTY. In fact, getting married on a mountain is small fry compared with getting married in the basket of a hot air balloon. “We didn’t want a big wedding,” said Simon, who recently plighted his troth with Mandy. “But we couldn’t work out how to restrict the number of our guests. Then we saw an advert for hot air balloon weddings. It seemed the answer to our problems. There was only space for eight people – so we restricted it to close family.”
Well it’s one way of sorting out the guest list! Or you could go for a full strike like the couple who got married in a bowling alley recently. Talk about being knocked for six!
Perhaps you fancy a museum, instead, although personally I wouldn’t like a dinosaur looking over my shoulder. Frankly, I’d rather get married in a treehouse. See www.the-lodge-scotland.com. Or maybe in a castle in full Elizabethan dress like a friend of mine (who got divorced two years later).
But it’s not just the venue that makes an unusual wedding. It’s also the company. Recently, my second husband and I went to our first same-sex wedding reception. We were still there at midnight – no one wanted to leave because there were so many interesting people to talk to. The couple also gave a really moving speech about how much it meant to have the support of their families and friends.
Sometimes, unusual weddings happen without you meaning them to! When I got married for the second time, my husband and I decided to have our ceremony in a church without electricity in the Lake District. We wanted something simple and close to the earth. But we hadn’t reckoned on one of the worst storms of the decade! My husband’s had to discard his soaking wet wedding trousers and don jeans. And I wore a pair of pink Wellington boots underneath my halter-neck Amanda Wakeley designer dress! The yew tree outside the church, swayed so violently during the service, that it threatened to crash into the stained glass window. And the mud outside the church was so thick that my groom had to carry me to the car! It was certainly a day to remember.
But maybe the most unusual weddings are the ones that are usual. A simple ‘I do’ without any frills. I have some friends who got married in their work clothes and asked two strangers off the street to be their witnesses at the registration office. That was thirty four years ago. And they’re still going strong ...   
NOTE: Some of the names in this post have been changed!

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The Wedding Party by Sophie King

Sophie King’s popular romantic comedy is published in a brand new ebook edition. Shortlisted for Love Story of the Year by the Romantic Novelists’ Association in 2010.
’An absorbing, feel-good novel ‒ I really enjoyed it.’ Penny Vincenzi
When Monique and Geoff decide to tie the knot they soon discover that love second time around brings special challenges. And not just for them. There are ups and downs for family, friends, the wedding planner, and even the vicar as the big day approaches.
Geoff’s ex-wife can’t accept that he has moved on. Could a chance meeting help Helen come to the right decision about her future?
Their daughter, Becky, doesn’t approve of her dad’s bride-to-be. But as she juggles motherhood and a high-powered career, will she realise it’s her own marriage that needs most attention?
Janie was sacked from her last job as a wedding planner for being so disorganised. Is she really the right choice to help the happy couple get hitched without a hitch?
Mel swapped a job in advertising for a new life as a vicar. But can she keep her faith after an accident which turns her family’s world upside down?
Family and friends learn that the course of true love never did run smooth, and there really is no such thing as a stress-free wedding. But can they each still find their own happy ever after?

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WIN AN £80 WEDDING GIFT EXPERIENCE VOUCHER FROM TINGGLY.COM!
To celebrate the publication of "The Wedding Party", thanks to the lovely people at gift experience company Tinggly, we have a voucher worth £80 for any one experience worldwide from their Essential Collection. The ideal present for friends or family who are about to tie the knot!
To be in with a chance, simply email your answer to the following question to sophie@greatstorieswithheart.com by midnight BST on 10th August 2015.
Question: What is the name of Geoff's daughter in "The Wedding Party" by Sophie King?
See the full range at www.tinggly.com. Voucher must be used by 25/6/2017. Entry will be chosen at random. Emails and contents will not be shared with any third party and will be deleted after the competition. Competition run by Wyndham Media Ltd. Judges decision is final. Good luck!

Blog Tour: 'Lost' by Elle Field!

Arielle is back! OK, she’s not on her way to becoming the next Coco Chanel, her childhood dream, but she is one way step closer to running her very own shop with her business partner, Felicity.
She’s also planning her perfect romantic wedding to fiancé, Piers, and Arielle is starting to believe that she’s finally found her place in the world... Of course life is never that straightforward.
With a new-found foe interfering with her shop decisions, not to mention haughty wedding planners and loved ones facing personal struggles, will Arielle figure out what's important before all is lost?
Today I am really excited to be part of the blog tour for Elle Field's latest release 'Lost', which was published on the 7th of April 2015. 'Lost' is the sequel to Elle's debut chick lit novel 'Kept', which I read and reviewed last year (click here to read my review). Elle herself contacted me about the upcoming blog tour for 'Lost' and I straight away agreed to take part. Not just because Elle is a lovely person, but also because I really enjoyed her debut novel 'Kept' and looked forward to reading more about Arielle and the other characters and see what they are up to this time around!
Twenty-five-year old Arielle Lockley has finally managed to get to a point in her life where things seem to be going well on all fronts: together with her business partner Felicity she is busy finding a new location in London for their successful clothes shop, everything's going well with her family and friends, and she is planning her wedding to her lovely fiancé Piers. Everything just seems to have fallen into place and Arielle knows she has to embrace it for as long as it lasts. Which unfortunately isn't long. Arielle doesn't know what to do with the launch of the new store in London, Felicity is acting weird, and Piers seems to be under the weather just while they should be busy planning the details of their upcoming wedding... It doesn't take long before Arielle starts to feel quite lost, but what will it take for her to find her way back?
I'm really glad Elle Field decided to write a sequel to her debut novel 'Lost', because it was great to once again be back with main protagonist Arielle and her friends and family! Arielle went through a lot and really changed as a person in 'Kept', and it was great to see her doing her thing and trying to build up her and Felicity's business while also dealing with other things that are asking her attention, such as her upcoming wedding. Next to Arielle, there is a selection of great secondary characters, such as her fiance Piers, her business partner Felicity, and her friends Tabitha and Ob, who also all have their separate storylines with things they are dealing with.
Because there are many things happening in the novel, not just with Arielle but also with the other characters, I really enjoyed every second of reading this book and it managed to hold my attention from start to finish. I think I even enjoyed this book more than the first part of the series, it was just a really great read! The book ends with a big cliffhanger, and I already can't wait for the third part of the series, which will be released in 2016. I personally would recommend reading 'Kept' before picking up 'Lost', just so you know the background story and what happened to Arielle before this, but if you want to, this can also be read as a stand-alone. 'Lost' is a thoroughly enjoyable, fast-paced and fun chick lit read; the second part of a book series I'm quite excited about and I already can't wait for Elle Field's next release!

Rating:8,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Author interview with Elle Field!

I'm really excited to have Elle Field visiting the blog today to tell us more about her exciting new release 'Lost', the second book in the Arielle Lockley series!

Can you tell us something about your new novel, ‘Lost’? Lost begins two months after the end of Kept, and Arielle is busy planning her shop launch in London. The trouble is, Arielle is finding out that managing a shop for someone else is far less stressful than owning a shop. Arielle has a lot on her plate, including planning her wedding, but she’s desperate to prove that she is more than the "kept" woman she used to be.
The book is a sequel to one of your other novels, ‘Kept.’ Why did you feel this story needed a sequel? I never planned on making a series of books about Arielle Lockley, but a lot of people asked me to write another book about Arielle when they had read Kept! I wanted to show that there is more to Arielle than the girl we first meet at the beginning of Kept and, like with anyone, we all develop and mature as we get older - Arielle is no exception to this!
Where did you get the inspiration for your novel? Is it in any way based on your own experiences? Real life and people you know can be great for inspiration but I always add a heavy fictional twist if I do borrow from real-life. Arielle has a few of my own traits, though I've definitely never been a "kept" woman!
Can you tell us a bit more about the main character, Arielle? Arielle had big dreams as a child and always wanted to be the next Coco Chanel; she never did anything to make that happen. After graduating she ended up falling into the role of being Piers' trophy girlfriend - amazing fun, until things went wrong. 
As she emerges out of the privileged world she lived in with Piers, she plucks up the courage to realise that she wants to make something of her life, even if failure is her most likely outcome. In Lost, she's not managed to get rid of all of her bad habits, but she's trying hard to prove that she's no longer a "kept" woman and show that she is a successful businesswoman.
There’s a great cast of supporting characters in the novel as well. Which character did you most enjoy writing? I am a big fan of Arielle’s childhood best friend, Obélix, so much so that his voice is the one that the prologue and epilogue is written in. He'll definitely be featuring a lot more in the follow-up to Lost.
Did you do any particular research for parts of the book? As Arielle is planning on opening a shop in London, I did lots of research into the retail rental market in London and I had great fun thinking up her dream shop. I also had to research what it would be like to plan a wedding , picking out dresses and venues for Arielle's big day to Piers. Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans? Are you perhaps already working on a next novel? I'm working on the next, and (probably) final book in the Arielle Lockley series. Found will be out later on in the year. I also want to finish writing The Dirtification of Tabitha-Rose, especially since Tabitha has a big part in Lost - part of her plotline in Lost came out of The Dirtification of Tabitha-Rose. I really love how my characters cross over and pop up in my other books.
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? Never give up. It might take you six months to get your novel published, or it might take you six years - perseverance is key!
What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others? I really loved 'The Martian' by Andy Weir. It’s really technical and cinematic – I had such vivid pictures in my head when I was reading it, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Which book could you not live without? I adore 'The Chronicles of Narnia' by C.S. Lewis – I have a gorgeous illustrated edition that I received as a child, and I still read it today. 
And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘Lost’ in just three words, which words would you pick? Change. Loss. Love.
Thanks so much, Elle!

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Giveaway!
The lovely Elle is also organising a fabulous giveaway of two sets of paperback copies of 'Kept' and 'Lost'! Be sure to enter the giveaway by following the instructions on the Rafflecopter below; good luck to everyone!
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Review, Interview, Giveaway: 'Finding Amy' by Phyllis A. Humphrey (2014)

When SABRINA GILMORE attends the funeral of her grandfather in England, she learns the family manor is in foreclosure. She also finds her inheritance is nothing but an old trunk containing, among other things, her childhood doll, Amy. However, Sabrina soon discovers the doll has hidden inside it a jeweled necklace. How did it come to be there, whose is it, and is it valuable? In the process of finding the answers to these questions, Sabrina meets a handsome man, HUGH PENDLETON, who makes a play for her, but also falls prey to a kidnaper and thief who has his own interest in the necklace. This is the exciting story of how Sabrina, a Chicago girl, confronts these problems while at the same time dealing with an Englishman who wants to marry her.
I love discovering new authors and today I have a review of the novel ‘Finding Amy’ which was written by, previously to me unknown, author Phyllis A. Humphrey to share with all of you! Phyllis herself contacted me at the end of 2014 about possibly reviewing her latest release ‘Finding Amy’, which was published by Criterion House last Spring. I did a bit of research and quickly discovered that Phyllis has actually written ten romance novels over the years, so I was quite surprised I hadn’t stumbled upon her work any sooner. Luckily, I received the chance to check out her work and I’m delighted to also share an author Q&A with Phyllis and an exclusive giveaway of one of her novels with all of you; just be sure to scroll down!
Sabrina Gilmore was born an American, but finds herself back in the UK for her grandfather’s funeral and the reading of his will. She once spent a summer at Gilmore Manor, the family country home, and now is her first time back in England since she was a little girl. To her surprise, Sabrina learns she has inherited an old trunk filled with children’s books, dress-up clothes and her old childhood doll named Amy, which she left behind all those years ago. However, inside the doll someone has hidden an expensive necklace and Sabrina has no idea who the necklace belongs to or who put it there. On her search to find the answers to these questions, Sabrina is helped by the handsome British Hugh Pendleton who seems to have fallen for her. But when Sabrina’s hotel room is burgled and she even gets kidnapped, things start to become very serious very quickly…
I have to admit I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of this novel when I started reading it. I personally wasn’t particularly drawn in by the cover and the blurb seemed to promise a mixture of both romance and mystery, but already gave quite a lot of information about the storyline away. However, as soon as I had read the first chapter I was intrigued by the main character Sabrina and I finished the novel in two sittings, constantly wondering what would happen next and who had put that necklace in Sabrina’s doll. The author’s writing style was fast-paced and pleasant to read and there were quite a few twists and turns that managed to hold my attention until the last page.
The storyline includes a good dose of romance between the main character Sabrina and easily likeable Hugh Pendleton, but also includes an intriguing mystery element which made the book feel a bit like a detective novel. I really enjoyed this combination of romance and mystery and it has made me curious about Phyllis A. Humphrey’s other novels. It was a bit of a shame that we didn’t really get to know the characters, particularly Sabrina and Hugh, on a deeper, more detailed, level. I would have loved to have read more about them, their backgrounds, and the things that made them the persons they are. Overall, though, ‘Finding Amy’ is a well-paced, fun, and intriguing read that had me captivated from start to finish. I’m really glad I got the opportunity to discover Phyllis A. Humphrey’s writing and already look forward to reading more of her works in the future!

Rating:8/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Author interview with Phyllis A. Humphrey!

Can you tell us something about your novel, ‘Finding Amy’? I think of FINDING AMY as "Romance and mystery in London and Paris."
Where did you get the inspiration for your novel? Is it in any way based
on your own personal experiences? I've been to both London and Paris several times and always hoped to set a novel in those great cities.
Can you tell us a bit more about the main character, Sabrina? Sabrina is a woman I think many of us would like to be: resourceful and smart, yet caring and with a sense of humor.
There’s a great cast of supporting characters in the novel as well. Which
character did you most enjoy writing? The hero's "man" Leonard, was fun to write about, because I'd never had one like him in a novel before.
Did you do any particular research for parts of the book? I did a little research about areas in London and used my book about Cockney accents and terms for a few minor characters.
Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans? Are you
perhaps already working on a next novel? Since I often put elements of suspense or mystery in my romances, I'd like to try straight mystery. In fact I just got a contract for such a book, titled EYEWITNESS, but don't have a publication date yet. If you and your readers want to be informed when this - or my next novel - is available, please send me your names and e-mail addresses. I promise I'll only send book information and won't give your addresses to anyone else. 
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? After many years of writing, and especially trying to get published, my most important advice is "Never give up." What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others? FOREVER MINE by Carolann Camillo is another romantic-suspense novel that I can heartily recommend.
Which book could you not live without? My favorite novel of all time is REBECCA by Daphne du Maurier. I reread it every few years. And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘Finding Amy’ in just
three words, which words would you pick? My three words would be: romantic, suspenseful, humorous.
Thanks so much, Phyllis!

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International giveaway!
I'm incredibly excited to be able to make 1 reader very happy with an Phyllis A. Humphrey e-book of choice! You can pick one of the following titles:
    FREE FALL.  Can a woman who's afraid of heights fall in love with a skydiver?
    THE ITALIAN JOB.  A love story in Rome, Florence & Venice with complications.
    STRANGER IN PARADISE.  This Paradise is Hawaii, and the Hero and Heroine have a misunderstanding to solve before the Happy Ever After. 
 Just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter below; good luck to everyone! :)
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Review, Interview & Giveaway: 'Love on the Lido Deck' by Barbara Oliverio (2014)

Sharp-witted, always-organized Keira Graham has traded in her high tech career as a systems analyst for the whirlwind world of event planning. As she builds up her fledging business, she learns that her widowed mother has news of her own – she has a serious gentleman caller! Is Keira ready for mom’s new romance?
When she gets a game-changing opportunity to organize a major event on a luxury Caribbean cruise, Keira turns to best pal chef Alexandria D'Agostino to help recruit famous chefs who will offer classes for foodies looking for fun in the sun as they gain cooking know-how. The cruise becomes a rollicking adventure for Keira, her sassy assistant Juliet, the entire D'Agostino clan, Keira's mother and other surprise guests. And has Keira meet her match in charismatic Cruise Director Brennan McCallister, who could have something more than keeping everything shipshape on his mind?
In 2013 I got the chance to read and review author Barbara Oliverio's debut novel 'Love on the Back Burner', a fun read which I ended up really enjoying (click here to read my review). Last year, I was contacted by Barbara again, this time regarding her second novel, 'Love on the Lido Deck.' I straight away liked the sound of this romantic comedy set on a cruise ship and I was lucky enough to receive a review copy (thanks, Barbara!). I looked forward to once again sitting down with one of Barbara's works, in the hope I would enjoy it as much as her debut novel!
Keira Graham used to work as a system analyst but then decided to follow her heart and her passion, resulting in her own event planning business. She is offered the chance to take on her biggest job yet, namely organising a cooking workshop programme on a big Caribbean Cruise. Next to the fact that Keira can take her best friend and well-known chef Alexandria D'Agostino with her, she's also invited to bring her own family and the D'Agostino's to enjoy the cruise. As soon as the group sets foot on the cruise ship, the adventures begin; from Keira trying to find peace with her mother's new boyfriend while trying to deal with all the chefs and their workshops, to her continuously bumping into the slightly annoying but handsome cruise director Brennan McCallister... 
Luckily I was not disappointed by Barbara Oliverio's second book, as 'Love on the Lido Deck' is just as fun and entertaining as her debut novel! I loved the setting of the book; I hadn't read any novels set on a cruise ship before and it was the perfect location for this particular cast of characters and their adventures. In the author's debut novel we were introduced to heroine Alexandria D'Agostino, and in this book the focus lies on her best friend Keira. It was great to get to know some new characters, but it was also wonderful to read more about the D'Agostino family whom it is difficult to not warm to. While this novel can definitely be read as a stand-alone, I do think it adds something if you already know some of the characters and their background stories. 
Next to plenty of main and secondary characters, there are also various storylines to keep the reader interested at all times. I love it when many different storylines are explored and brought together in a novel, and this was definitely the case for this book. Lots of topics are touched upon in a light-hearted way, such as family, friendship and of course a touch of romance as well. A nice little extra is the collection of delicious recipes at the back of the book which I look forward to trying out sometime. Overall, Barbara Oliverio has again delivered a fun, easy-going and thoroughly enjoyable romantic comedy; I can't wait to see what she comes up with next! Rating:

8/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Author interview with Barbara Oliverio!

I'm really excited to welcome Barbara Oliverio to the blog today to answer some questions about her lovely new novel 'Love on the Lido Deck', her future plans and her own favourite reads!
Can you tell us something about your new novel, ‘Love on the Lido Deck’? Keira Graham is looking for a career break in her first big project as an event planner on a foodie-themed cruise. As a complication, she learns that her widowed mother has a questionable new beau. This sets the stage for mom and the new beau, along with Keira’s best friend and family, to join the cruise where sapphire eyed cruise director Brennan McAllister is on deck for shipboard romance and revelry. 
Where did you get the inspiration for your novel? Is it in any way based on your own personal experiences? 'Love on the Lido Deck' is the follow-up to my debut novel 'Love on the Back Burner' and follows the best friend of the protagonist of that novel on her own adventures. The idea came to me after going on several cruises and learning about the idea of specialty cruises. I thought it would be fun to have a character involved in a cruise dedicated to foodies.
Can you tell us a bit more about the main protagonist, Keira?  She is somewhat of a perfectionist and is accustomed to being in control of any situation. She was matched with melodramatic Alexandria (star of the first novel) as roommates in college, and through the years they have been two halves of the same coin through many adventures. 
There’s a great cast of supporting characters in the novel as well. Which character did you most enjoy writing?  I found Keira’s mother, who has developed a relationship with a (slightly) younger man, joyful to write. I wanted to show that this type of relationship can be based on love and respect and not something less wholesome.
Did you do any particular research for this book?  My husband and I took a fantastic cruise on the largest cruise ship in the world, where I was able to interview some of the crew, and in addition, I tested and retested all the recipes in the book.
Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans? Are you perhaps already working on a next novel?  I am in the middle of a new story that I am loving! The protaganist is having a travel adventure, and the supporting characters in this one are so much fun to write.
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?  My number one tip is always this: READ, READ, READ. The more you read, the better your own writing will be. The other thing I always say is WRITE, WRITE, WRITE. Contrary to what you see in the movies – the muse generally doesn’t miraculously strike in the middle of the night. You need to exercise that writing muscle!
What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others?  I just finished 'All the Light We Cannot See', by Anthony Doerr, on the plane home from vacation. Loved it!!
Which book could you not live without?  Well, I have to cheat here a bit. The Bible is very important to me for a lot of reasons as I think it should be to everyone. So I think that one is a “gimme”, and also say I would give away almost every book on my shelves except my Jane Austen anthology. I’ll read something out of that at least once a year.
And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘Love on the Lido Deck’ in just three words, which words would you pick? Uplifting. Romantic. Laugh-out-Loud. Thanks to the amazing Barbara, I can give away 2 e-book copies of her lovely novels to one lucky winner! This giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY (end date is the 24th of January 2015), so be sure to follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter giveaway below! Good luck to everyone! :)

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Blog Tour: 'Party Girl' by Rachel Hollis

Today I'm incredibly excited to be part of the blog tour for Rachel Hollis' amazing debut novel 'Party Girl'! Earlier this year I already got the chance to read and review the book and I ended up absolutely loving it (click here to read my review). It's a wonderful book with a captivating storyline, brilliant characters and a lovely touch of romance. 

  As part of the blog tour, I have 3 very exciting things to share with all of you today! First of all, an excerpt from the novel, which will hopefully convince you of wanting to pick up this book as soon as possible!

  Back in the lobby of the SSE building I juggle the coffee tray and hit the button for the elevator. I step in and as the doors slide together I shove the entirety of the remaining muffin into my mouth in an attempt to finish it before I reach the top floor. No one has expressly forbidden it, but I’m pretty sure carbs aren’t allowed inside this building.
  I have just started chewing the gorging mouthful when a hand flies between the closing elevator doors. The doors slide back open and standing just outside of them is…
  Jesus, in his human form.
  Ok, not Jesus. Not Jesus, but easily the hottest man I have ever seen in my life! Did I just call Jesus a hottie? I did, I think I did and I’m for sure going to burn in hell. I guess I just meant that this guy is so beautiful he’s got to be some kind of deity. He’s well over six feet tall and has perfectly tousled dark blonde hair and the lightest blue eyes I’ve ever seen. His skin is sun-browned surfer perfection and he’s rocking this sort of scruffy five o’clock shadow and lips that no one of the male species deserves to have.   He’s wearing a perfectly cut light gray suit, a crisp white button down and no tie. He doesn’t necessarily look old but he feels very grown up. He fairly oozes confidence and money… and I’m sure his suit probably cost more than my car. The guy takes a step inside and resumes typing into the phone in his hands. I see him open another email on his screen and start reading, completely unaware of my presence. It’s only after he starts typing a response that I realize I have a mouthful of muffin that I’ve stopped chewing and I’m just staring at him like a deranged chipmunk.   Kill Me!
  I duck my head and do one massive swallow.
  Big Mistake.   Like all late-in-the-day pastries this one is totally dried out and it absolutely refuses to go down my throat! My eyes dart to him to make sure he’s not looking at me.
  Of course he’s looking at me!
  My eyes are bugging out and I’m trying not to spill the coffees.
  I start choking and coughing like a moron but I swear, I’m doing my best to asphyxiate as demurely as possible!   No go.
  There’s dreamy guy looking all pulled together and gorgeous and here’s me being all Cough-Spastic Breath-Wheeze-Cough-Cough-Death Rattle… This is it. I’m going to choke to death in an elevator dressed like I’m on my way to a hooker’s funeral and this blonde male model is going to watch me die!! All of the sudden he steps in front of me looking concerned.
  “Are you ok?”
  Even as I’m coughing bits of bran muffin into my hand I can’t help but stare up at his mouth. His teeth are perfect. I wonder if he ever had braces. He doesn’t wait for my response, since clearly I’m in no position to give him one. He just takes the coffee tray from me with one hand and starts pounding me on the back way too hard. My coughing fades slightly and he reaches to grab a drink at random.
  “Here, drink this.” He hands me the coffee.
  I shake my head, my voice coming out squeaky. “Not mine.”
  He looks at me like I’m an idiot, “I’m sure whoever it belongs to won’t mind.”
  I clear my throat about fourteen more times and then try and speak again.
  “She’d mind.” I choke out “I doubt she’d use the liquid in it to put me out if I was on fire.” I reach out to take the tray back.
  The model looks at me skeptically, but he relinquishes the tray. “If you say so.”
  I nod stupidly and I take one giant sideways step to give myself some space. He watches me for a beat and then turns around to face the elevator doors again. Through the speaker in the ceiling Lionel Richie is reminding me that he’s easy like Sunday morning… it’s the perfect awkward song for this horrendously awkward moment. God, can’t this thing move any faster? I look up to see the progress of the elevator car… three more floors to go.
  Right then is when I realize that he hasn’t hit the button for a different floor. Which means he’s also going to the top floor, and SSE is the only office up there. Which means he’s headed there too. Ugh!
  Finally, blessedly, the doors open up and I don’t even look at my companion or the rude receptionist. I just make a B-line past the partition and head for my chair. I’ve never been so desperate to sit in a hidden corner in my life! Only, as I’m walking, I realize the model is following me. I don’t hear him speak with the receptionist or anyone else, and no one acknowledges him as he trails behind me, so clearly him being in this space isn’t unusual.
  Oh please Lord and Baby Jesus do not let him be…
  “Brody Ashton, you’ve kept me waiting.” Selah purrs from the doorframe of her office. She’s reapplied her lip-gloss; I can see the shine all the way from here. Also that flirty voice is back, and I know without question, this is the “Brody” from her phone call earlier.
  I continue walking, but for the smallest moment I squeeze my eyes shut as if it might erase this car wreck that is my life.
  Just keep moving forward. Keep smiling. Nothing to see here people. I walk towards Selah since she’s standing directly in front of me and clearly sees that I’ve got her coffee in my hand. When I’m a few feet away she nods her head towards the office.   “Put it on my desk, Brinkley,” she says, looking past me.
  I walk past her and set the drink down on the desk. All the while I’m wondering if maybe I should have just let the bran muffin take me when it had the chance. I turn from the desk, tray in hand, and keep my eyes trained on my shoes. When I get to the door, Selah is in my way and I have no choice but to look up at her and Brody. Light blue eyes consider me for a second before looking away.   “We seem to be in the way here,” he says, pulling her to the side to let me pass.
  “I didn’t even think of getting you something B; I can send her back if you want,” Selah tells him.
  She doesn’t even look at me when she asks, just continues to stare at him smiling her glossy fake smile.
  “No, I’m good. Thank you though. Are you ready?”
  I don’t wait to hear what she says; I’m already back in the small office handing out the other coffees and thinking very seriously about how much alcohol I might need to drink to forget the last hour of my life.  

  Secondly, in the holiday spirit, Rachel Hollis has an amazing recipe for Chocolate Coconut Cream Pie to share with all of us (click here); the pictures look amazing, so I will definitely give this one a try during the holiday season, yum!
 

  And last but certainly not least, there's a chance to win this amazing Party Girl gift bag! Just follow the Rafflecopter below; good luck to everyone! :)
  a Rafflecopter giveaway