Review: 'It Had to Be You' by Barbara Hannay & Nikki Logan (2016)

Molly Cooper’s Dream Date
Molly Cooper has travelled all the way to London to find her dream man! The trouble is, the sexy emails with hot millionaire Patrick Knight – the man she swapped houses with – are strangely addictive. But what do you do when you realise the one you really want is a world away…sleeping in your bed?

Shipwrecked with Mr Wrong
Conservationist Honor Brier loves working in her island paradise. It’s the perfect place to lick her wounds in peace…until arrogant playboy Rob Dalton is shipwrecked on its shores. Yet Rob’s passion for life is impossible to resist – and he’s infuriatingly attractive! Could Mr Wrong actually be oh-so-right?

Publisher Mills & Boon organised a Man of the Year competition a few months ago, with the winner appearing on the cover of a special Valentine's book with two short stories, titled 'It Had to Be You.' The winner of the competition was Courtney Hayles, a drama teacher from London, and you can see the final book cover on the left! I unexpectedly found a review copy of the book in my mailbox a few weeks ago (with a special thanks to the publisher!) and was really excited to check out the two romance stories inside, written by authors Barbara Hannay and Nikki Logan (both unfamiliar to me up until now)!

‘It Had to Be You’ consists of two separate romantic short stories, written by authors Barbara Hannay and Nikki Logan. ‘Molly Cooper’s Dream Date’ tells the story of Molly, who dreams of one day finding her own English gentleman like Hugh Grant. In order to get at least that bit closer to her dream, she decides to do a house swap, trading her home on Magnetic Island for a London-based house for a few months. Will Molly be able to find the love she’s been looking for by travelling to the other side of the world? ‘Shipwrecked with Mr. Wrong’ focuses on Honor Brier who has been through a lot in her life. She loves the solitariness her research on the island of Pulu Keeling brings her, so when this is suddenly disturbed by shipwrecked Rob Dalton, Honor isn’t pleased. Rob needs Honor’s help to be able to get back, but Honor just wants to be left alone...

Sometimes it’s great to sit down with a novella/short story, especially when you don’t have a lot of time or are just looking for a quick read. If this is the case, and you happen to be a fan of romance reads, don’t look further and be sure to pick up ‘It Had to Be You’. The book consists of two separate romantic stories with contrasting settings and captivating storylines. The first story, written by Barbara Hannay, focuses on Molly Cooper who travels to London, the other side of the world for her, for a house swap. I loved this story, which was mainly told in the form of e-mails and diary entries, and the characters at the core of it. 

The second story, written by Nikki Logan, is set on an almost deserted island where researcher Honor Brier spends her days. She enjoys the solitariness the island gives her, until she is joined by the handsome Rob Dalton, who ends up shipwrecked close to the island. I really enjoyed being introduced to these authors, who were both new to me, and thought both their stories were entertaining reads. If I have to pick one, I’d have to go with ‘Molly Cooper’s Dream Date’; I just loved this story from start to finish and would actually love it if this had been a full-length novel. However, both stories are great romance reads with lovely characters at their core and together they make a short story collection that’s definitely worth picking up!
Rating:8,5/10

  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.

Review: 'That's Paris' by various authors (2015)

Paris-the most romantic, beautiful and frustrating city in the world! If you've ever traveled to Paris, lived in the City of Light or dreamed of setting foot on its cobblestoned streets, you'll enjoy escaping into this collection of short stories about France's famed capital.
From culinary treats (and catastrophes) to swoon-worthy romantic encounters (and heartbreaking mishaps), this anthology takes you on a journey through one of the most famous cities in the world.
View this cosmopolitan metropolis through the chic eyes of Parisians, francophiles and travelers who fell in love with the city and haven't quite gotten around to leaving yet...
That's Paris: a glimpse into living, loving and surviving in the City of Light.
Over the past two years or so I've had the pleasure of reading and reviewing several of author Vicki Lesage's novels, such as 'Confessions of a Paris Party Girl' (click here to read my review) and 'Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer' (click here to read my review). What Vicki's works have in common is the scene setting: Paris, the city of light. If I'm completely honest I have to admit I am not a big fan of Paris. I don't know what it is exactly, but I never fell in love with the city as so many others do when they visit it. However, I do really like Vicki's writing and I often enjoy books set in Paris, so when Vicki contacted me about an anthology with short stories about Paris, I said yes. I really enjoy collections of short stories every now and again, so I looked forward to picking this up... and who knows, perhaps it would end up making me want to visit Paris again!
'That's Paris: Life, Love and Sarcasm in the City of Light' is a collection of short stories and essays about the capital city of France and to many the city of romance: Paris. Numerous authors, such as Vicki Lesage, Marie Vareille and Adria J. Cimino have contributed to this anthology by writing about the same place, but in various ways: whether it's the city itself, French food, thoughts about the city, or the Parisian atmosphere. Filled with both fiction and non-fiction, the collection will take you across the border and make it feel as if you're walking on the cobble stoned streets of the City of Light yourself.
Even though I am not the biggest fan of the famous City of Light myself, I still really enjoyed this anthology of both fiction and non-fiction stories and essays linked to Paris in one way or another. It's great to have a collection of short stories to pick up every now and again, because it's the ideal book to sit down with if you only have a short period of time to read, such as your lunch break or the bus ride home after a working day. 'That's Paris' has something for everyone since it includes a diverse collection of stories by different authors from all kinds of backgrounds.
The collection includes a few stories in French (with the English translation as well) and, as with every anthology, there were some pieces I really liked and some that didn't really do anything for me personally. Some of my favourites have to be Vicki Lesage's contributions, the short story by Vicki's mother Elle Marie about her daughter moving to Paris and how that influenced her life, Cheryl McAlister's story 'A Scoop of Henry', and Didier Quemener's 'Half Past Midnight'. For people who can't visit a particular place, what better way to get to know it than to read about it? 'That's Paris' is a fun and enjoyable collection of short stories, each of them inviting the reader to enjoy a different side of Paris. A wonderful read for those of you who long for a trip to this famous city!

Rating:8,0/10

  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.

Review: 'Our First Christmas' by Various Authors (2014)

Join four of your favorite authors for tales of Christmas romance to remember forever.
"Our First Christmas," Lisa Jackson Megan Johnson's marriage is over—or so she thinks. When her husband Chris lands in the hospital, fighting for his life, she remembers the unexpected joy of their first Christmas together.
"A Ranger for Christmas," Mary Burton The holidays bring painful memories for history professor Marissa Thompson. Agreeing to help Texas Ranger Lucas Cooper solve a case offers the perfect distraction. But as danger threatens, the joy of love has never been more tempting.
"A Southern Christmas," Mary Carter Reporter Danielle Bright is heading home for the holidays to write up a feature story about Christmas down south—and possibly win back her ex. But Sawyer, the sexy photographer along for the ride, is determined to jingle her bells.
"Christmas in Montana," Cathy Lamb Family is the ideal antidote to getting fired, but Laurel Kelly isn't prepared for the changes at home in Montana—or the fact that her college boyfriend Josh Reed now owns the family land. But a blue Christmas could be the perfect surprise for a holiday to remember.
I have to admit I was quite excited when I found a review copy of this festive short story collection with its stunning Christmas cover in my mailbox, thanks to the lovely people over at Sarah Hall Productions. 'Our First Christmas' includes four short stories, all set around Christmas time, by four different authors: Lisa Jackson, Mary Burton, Mary Carter, and Cathy Lamb. These are all authors I wasn't familiar with, so I looked forward to reading their stories, the chance to be introduced to their writing style, and getting into the Christmas spirit at the same time!
This short story collection includes four romantic Christmas tales by four different authors. Lisa Jackson's 'Our First Christmas' tells the story of Megan, who finds herself in the hospital with her husband one Christmas Eve, which makes her think back to how they got together, all those years ago. Mary Burton's 'A Ranger for Christmas' is an intriguing tale about Texas Ranger Lucas who needs the help of professor Marissa Thompson in cracking an old Aztec and Mayan code in order to stop a drug ring. In 'A Southern Christmas', Mary Carter introduces us to Danielle, who broke her boyfriend's heart two years ago when she turned down his proposal. She is now determined to travel back to her hometown and win him back. In Cathy Lamb's 'Christmas in Montana', Laurel is shocked when she discovers her ex-boyfriend Josh now owns the family home and land. She's willing to do anything to get the land back, but Josh has slightly different things in mind than Laurel does...
I thoroughly enjoyed this anthology of Christmas stories from start to finish; it really is a great read to get into the holiday spirit! I personally thought the stories were a great length (around 100 pages each), which gave enough time to get to know the characters and develop a fascinating plotline. All four stories were quite captivating, and I definitely wouldn't have minded if some of them had been full-length novels. The stories also complimented one another, providing the reader with on the one hand romance and fun and on the other hand intrigue and mystery.
I personally enjoyed Mary Carter's story 'A Southern Christmas' the most. I absolutely loved it; the characters were great, the plotline was fun and interesting, and I really enjoyed Mary's writing style. I can't wait to check out more of her books in the future. Lisa Jackson's story was really touching, and I loved the suspense of Mary Burton's story. Cathy Lamb's tale wasn't really my cup of tea, but I did enjoy some parts of it, such as Laurel's mother and aunt who have an apron business together. 'Our First Christmas' is a wondefully festive collection of Christmas stories; a great opportunity to get to know some new authors and the perfect read for a winter's day on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate!

Rating:9/10

  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.

Book Bargain: Short Story Collections by Victoria Connelly

I'm a big fan of Victoria Connelly's work. I read her wonderful novel 'A Weekend with Mr. Darcy' a few years ago and since then I've been in love with her way of storytelling. Recently I had the chance to read and review her latest release, 'A Summer to Remember', which was another amazing read (click here to read my review).
 If you are still looking for a great and relaxing summer read to take with you on holiday or to enjoy while you're staying at home, be sure to pick up Victoria's short story collections! The books just got beautiful brand new covers, each collection consists of at least 10 short stories and they are now available in e-book format for just £1.99!
Visit Victoria's website for more information or click on the links below!
One Perfect Week (and other short stories)
Postcard from Venice (and other short stories)
The Retreat (and other short stories)

Book Promotion: 'To Tell a Tale or Two...' by Kelly Florentia

Today I'm delighted to be a part of a book promotion for Kelly Florentia's collection of short stories, 'To Tell a Tale or Two...', organised by the lovely girls over at Gosling Girls Book Tours!

Blurb:

A collection of ten contemporary short stories about love, betrayal and family drama, all with a subtle twist! 

Ideal for fans of chick-lit, these ten minute reads will take you through the pain of infidelity to the heartache of letting go of someone you love, the lightheartedness of speed dating to the chill of an encounter with a ghost. 

Can Rebecca forgive her husband for a drunken one night stand? Find out in Band of Gold. How does Jan react when she comes face to face with her psychic lover after fifteen-years? All is revealed in Waiting for Daisy. And just how did Rob end up in a pool of blood at his wife's feet? A Passionate Crime discloses all. 

Enjoy these bite sized tales during a coffee break, with a glass of wine in the evening or as a quick bedtime read. 

Author Biography:

Kelly Florentia is an author of women's fiction. Her short stories have been published in women's magazines worldwide and anthologised by Accent Press in their charity range. Her eBook, To Tell a Tale or Two, featuring ten of her short stories, was published in February 2014 and is available for download via Amazon.

Kelly is currently working on her second novel, a contemporary romantic drama with a supernatural swirl. Her first novel is awaiting publication.

Kelly lives in London with her husband. Hobbies include reading, jogging, cycling, Facebooking, Tweeting and yoga. Oh, and the odd game of Candy Crush Saga.

Links:

You can buy 'To Tell a Tale or Two...' from Amazon.

You can also find Kelly Florentia on Facebook, Twitter (@kellyflorentia), Goodreads and her personal website! 

Trailer:

Review: 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' by Various Authors (2014)

24 short stories about romance.
From wedding days to special anniversaries, steamy one-night encounters to everlasting loves. Truly, Madly, Deeply takes you on an unforgettable romantic adventure where love is really all you need.
This collection brings together all new specifically selected stories from star authors from the Romantic Novelists' Association including international bestsellers Katie Fforde, Carole Matthews, Adele Parks and Miranda Dickinson, and many, many more and is edited by Sue Moorcroft.
I can’t really give a specific reason, but somehow I’ve never really been a big fan of short stories. I was always of the opinion that a tale consisting of just a few pages would never manage to grab me, would not provide me with the chance to get to know a character, and if it would actually be really good, I’d just be disappointed that it was a short story and not an entire novel. However, when I first heard of the release of ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’, a collection of short stories by some amazing authors, published by Mills & Boon, I immediately knew I wanted a copy (thanks so much to Cherish PR for providing me with a review copy!) and would grab the chance to give short stories another chance. And I’m really glad I did!
‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ is a collection of various short stories that all focus on the same key element: romance. From love at first sight to one-night-stands to wedding anniversaries, different kinds of love and romance are all placed in the spotlight in this second anthology of the Romantic Novelists’ Association. The book is packed with fabulous authors like Carole Matthews, Chrissie Manby, Miranda Dickinson, Fiona Harper, Kate Harrison and Adele Parks. 
This compilation of short stories is quite fittingly described as ‘the ultimate romantic treat’ and I couldn’t agree more. I honestly loved this so much more than I thought I would; I think I unexpectedly even developed a new and growing love for short stories! One of the main things I loved about this book is that it was so easy to just pick it up whenever and read a quick story. For example during the commercial break while watching television, while waiting for the train to come, during your lunch break at work... Each of the stories in the book is about love and romance, which is a topic I personally can’t get enough of, but every single author managed to do something different with it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all these different stories about different aspects of love, with captivating characters at their core and set in various places and time periods.  
I was amazed by the fact that some of the stories really managed to grab my attention and I couldn’t get them out of my head for a few hours afterwards, even though they were just a few pages long. I guess it’s true you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but you also shouldn’t judge a story by the number of pages! I honestly think every single one of the stories in this anthology was enjoyable, but if I have to pick a few personal favourites I’d have to go for ‘Love on Wheels’ by Miranda Dickinson, ‘A Real Prince’ by Fiona Harper and Sophie Pembroke’s ‘The Fairytale Way.’ Overall, ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ is a thoroughly enjoyable, easy-to-pick-up, romance-filled collection of stories which especially chick lit lovers do not want to miss! (Oh, and a tip: if you get the e-book version, you get 11 bonus stories!)
Rating:

  9/10

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