Review: 'Love Them and Leave Them' by Sue Shepherd (2016)

On his way home, Ed makes a split-second decision that changes the lives of all those who love him. 
Six years on, Ed’s daughter, Jessie, is stuck in a job with no prospects, her dreams never fulfilled. It will take more than her unreliable boyfriend, Chris, and temperamental best friend, Coco, to give her the confidence to get her life back on track. 
But what if Ed had made another decision? It could all have been so different … 
Six years on, Ed’s daughter, Jessica, has a successful career, loving boyfriend, Nick, and a keen eye on her dream home. But when new clients, a temperamental Coco, and her unreliable boyfriend, Chris, walk into her life, Jessica’s perfect world soon starts to unravel.
Not too long ago I was contacted about a new Corazon book release, namely author Sue Shepherd's latest novel 'Love Them and Leave Them.' I've had the pleasure of reading Sue's debut novel, 'Doesn't Everyone Have a Secret?' last year and it was a book I really enjoyed (click here to read my review). This title promises to be quite an interesting read, especially since it deals with the idea of certain events and/or decisions changing our lives, and of those around us, entirely. While in reality we never actually get to see how things would have turned out if we had done something differently, in this novel we get to take a look at just that, which definitely had me curious and excited to give the book a try!
All of us make all kinds of decisions every day of our lives, but we hardly ever step back and think how these decisions influence us and the people around us. When Ed is on his way back home he is forced to make a split-second decision like that; a decision that will change everything for the rest of his life and his family. Ed's daughter Jessie is affected as well and as readers we are invited to see how things would have gone in parallel worlds, based on Ed's decision. But not everything depends on decisions made, some things are simply meant to be, no matter what, which also counts for Jessie and certain aspects of her life.
'Love Them and Leave Them' is quite an original novel and I personally haven't read anything like it before. As already explained in the blurb above, the book deals with the idea of parallel worlds, focusing on how exactly specific decisions can influence the course of our lives. The story mainly focuses on Jessie: in one 'world' she has had a hard blow to deal with when she was just a teenager, which has affected the rest of her life. She's now stuck in a job that's going nowhere and has a boyfriend, Chris, who is completely unreliable. In the other 'world', Jess' life is everything she hoped it would be: she's happy in love with boyfriend Nick and has the job she always dreamt of. But only one simple decision can change everything, and that's something Jessie is about to find out. 
I really liked Jess; it was no challenge to warm to her and the two different worlds intrigued me and I was curious to see what would eventually be the outcome. I liked how the stories were linked to one another in particular ways, but also completely different. Nick is a great secondary character, but I have to admit I missed a few other likeable characters, because the majority of them just weren't, such as Chris and Coco. Because of the fascinating storyline I couldn't help but expect some kind of wow-factor, something that would blow me away somehow, but that just didn't happen. Don't get me wrong, I still really enjoyed the book, I just think it could have had that bit extra that would have made it a fantastic read. On the whole, 'Love Them and Leave Them' is a thought-provoking and fascinating read that I enjoyed throughout; another entertaining read by author Sue Shepherd!

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: 'Her Australian Summer' by Jean McConnell (2016)

When Laura inherits her Uncle Jim's seaside shop in Queensland, which sells coral and shells, she decides to spend her summer visiting Australia to see it for herself.
Arriving in the small town of Port Duncan she meets handsome farmer Nat, and charming property agent Kyle. As Laura gets to know the two men, she realises her stay in Australia might not be so simple as she'd first imagined.
Will Laura's Australian holiday bring real romance? And what secrets might the seemingly friendly people she gets to know be hiding from her? Only one thing is for certain, Laura's trip to the other side of the world is one she'll never forget.
Today I've got a review of a holiday romance novella, released by Corazon Books, to share with all of you; the perfect kind of quick read to get into a summer mood! Jean McConnell's 'Her Australian Summer' focuses on Laura, who travels down to Australia after inheriting her Uncle Jim's seaside shop. Laura isn't sure what she will find in Australia and whether she intends to stay there or go back home again after a short visit, but there quickly turns out to be more in Australia for her than she initially expected and she will need to make some important decisions.
Before picking up 'Her Australian Summer' I wasn't familiar with author Jean McConnell, and I think a novella is a great way to check out an author's writing before diving straight into a full-length novel. This is quite a short read, with roughly 62 pages in print, but definitely an enjoyable one that will make you long for a bit of sunshine and a summer holiday. I liked the protagonist, Laura, and was intrigued to see what her inheritance would bring her, especially since it involved her travelling all the way down to Australia, the other side of the world. 
The first few chapters of the novella were really good and I enjoyed how the author set the scene and introduced the various characters. However, I couldn't help but feel that as the end of the novella neared, the story suddenly became incredibly fast-paced and certain things happened without building up to them. I thought this was a shame, because the novella started off very promising. On the whole, though, 'Her Australian Summer' is an enjoyable holiday romance novella, perfect to read in just one or two sittings, especially if you're longing for a touch of summer!

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.

Review: 'Wonder Cruise' by Ursula Bloom (2016)

Ann Clements is thirty-five and single, and believes nothing exciting will ever happen to her. Then, she wins a large sum of money in a sweepstake and suddenly can dare to dream of a more adventurous life. She buys a ticket for a Mediterranean cruise, against the wishes of her stern brother, the Rev. Cuthbert, who has other ideas about how she should spend her windfall. 
Ann steps out of the shadows of her mundane life into the heat of the Mediterranean sun. Travelling to Gibraltar, Marseilles, Naples, Malta and Venice, Ann’s eyes are opened to people and experiences far removed from her sheltered existence in the offices at Henrietta Street, and Mrs. Puddock’s lodging house. As Ann blossoms, discovering love and passion for the very first time, the biggest question is, can there be any going back?
Today I've got a review of quite a surprising read to share with all of you! When I was contacted by Corazon Books about possibly reviewing one of their new releases, I straight away said 'yes' because so far I've read numerous great reads from this publisher. Ursula Bloom's 'Wonder Cruise', which is released today on April 15th, sounded like an interesting read, but when I looked up a bit more information on the novel I was pleasantly surprised. Ursula Bloom actually wrote this novel in the 1930s and has written over 500 books (I mean, wow, can you even imagine?!) during her lifetime, with 'The Duke of Windsor' being her most famous title. I was really excited to have the chance to check out Ursula's work and hoped I would end up really enjoying it, because that would mean no less than 499 other promising novels waiting for me...!
Ann Clements is a thirty-five-year old spinster; at least, Ann doesn't think there's anything exciting in life waiting for her, let alone a man to sweep her off her feet at her 'old' age. Her job as a secretary isn't all that, her flat in Kensington is alright, and her weekly lunches with her clergyman brother Cuthbert and his family definitely aren't the highlight of her life. So, when Ann unexpectedly wins 300 pounds, life suddenly seems much brighter. After a push in the right direction by her boss, Ann decides to go and do what she has always dreamt of doing and buys a ticket for a Mediterranean cruise. She can't wait to travel and visit some new places, and no one, including Ann herself, knows what her journey exactly has in store for her...
I honestly had no idea when I started reading this book that it was actually first published in 1934 and set in the 1930s. This definitely gave the book something special and I loved the authentic feel the story had, inviting us as readers to travel back in time and see how things were done back then. I love books set in different time periods, and 'Wonder Cruise' really portrays the life of a 1930s woman and what going on a cruise and travelling was actually like in those days. In a way, Ursula Bloom's writing reminded me a tiny bit of Jane Austen; perhaps because of the historic feel to the story and the division of descriptions and dialogue (definitely a lot more descriptive text than actual dialogue between characters).
The plotline at the centre of 'Wonder Cruise' isn't the most original or captivating one; it's quite basic, but enjoyable. I have to say I personally enjoyed the first half of the novel a lot more than the last half; it felt like there was more going on, and as the novel progressed the story just seemed to go places I was a bit surprised about (cryptic, but I don't want to give too much away!). I was hoping there would be a more convincing romance element there, and this is something I personally really missed. While I will definitely pick up another Ursula Bloom book when given the chance, this read wasn't entirely my cup of tea. An enjoyable trip back in time, and definitely something a bit different, but unfortunately not as entertaining as I had hoped it would be!

Rating:7/10

  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.

Blog Tour: 'The Ruby Ring' by Grace Macdonald!

After a whirlwind romance, Laura Marchmont marries the charming Charles Haywood. Leaving her old life behind, she struggles to fit into Charles’s world, and to be accepted by his young daughters from his first marriage. Laura also hides a terrible secret from her new husband, which casts a shadow over her life. Then, she discovers the story of a young girl who lived more than a century before. Laura is compelled to uncover the fate of Mary Rose. 
1886. When Mary Rose Marchmont’s widowed father remarries it signals the end of her childhood. A series of tragic events leads Mary Rose to be accused of a shocking crime, after which her life will never be the same again.
Corazon Books is releasing a new title today, namely 'The Ruby Ring' by Grace Macdonald, and I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of the book to read and review! Grace Macdonald is actually a pen name of fiction author Sophie King, whose other novels I've really enjoyed over the past few years. She has written some great chick lit/women's fiction titles, such as 'Do You Take This Man?' (click here to read my review), 'Love is a Secret' (click here to read my review), and 'After the Honeymoon' (under the pen name Janey Fraser; click here to read my review). 'The Ruby Ring' has an interesting historical aspect to its story, something which I looked forward to checking out!
Laura Marchmont was never sure whether she would be able to find real love, until she meets Charles Haywood. It's love at first sight between the two of them and they get married quite quickly, not wanting to waste any time. But Laura has some trouble dealing with the two daughters from Charles' previous marriage, while also dealing with a big secret from her past she knows she has to share with Charles. When she unexpectedly stumbles upon the story of a girl named Mary Rose Marchmont, who lived around the 1880s, Laura is immediately intrigued and as she unravels Mary Rose's story she discovers the two of them actually have quite a lot of common...
'The Ruby Ring' is a novel by women's fiction author Sophie King under the pen name of Grace Macdonald, and a book that's slightly different from most of Sophie's other work. It's a historical timeslip novel, focusing on two young female characters who are both struggling with keeping secrets. On the one hand we have Laura Marchmont in the modern day and age, and Mary Rose Marchmont in Victorian times. I was really curious to learn more about both Laura and Mary Rose, and loved the similarities between their two stories. The book consists of several collections of chapters set in different times and told from either Laura or Mary Rose's point of view. I was intrigued by both characters, even though I did personally slightly prefer Mary Rose's story.
Just like the author's other novels, the story is quite fast-paced and written in an easy and comfortable writing style. It is quite a long read with over 400 pages in print, and I did feel like it could have been a bit shorter, to make it a more compact read. I really admire the fact that the author decided to step out of her regular genre and added this historical aspect to her latest book. It's not my favourite one of her reads, but still definitely an enjoyable one! 'The Ruby Ring' is a captivating, interesting and well-told timeslip novel focusing on two women living in different times; another entertaining read by author Sophie King!

Rating:8/10

  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 & 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! :)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: 'A Country Practice' by Judith Colquhoun (including competition!)

'A Country Practice' follows the dramas, loves, secrets and dilemmas of the people in an Australian small country town. There is romance, humour and tragedy for the medical staff of the local hospital, and the rural community it serves. 
A desperate woman arrives at the Wandin Valley Bush Nursing Hospital in the final stages of labour. Can Dr Terence Elliott overcome his demons to save both mother and baby? 
Simon Bowen, the newest doctor in town, is frustrated at being seen as an outsider by the tight knit country people. Will he succeed in winning them around ‒ especially young vet Vicky Dean? 
Vicky’s mum, Sister Shirley Dean, is courted by widowed police sergeant Frank Gilroy. But is he the man for her? 
Young married couple, Brendan and Molly Jones arrive in Wandin Valley. Are they prepared for the realities of country life? 
Meanwhile, a teenager in love clashes with her father and a serious car accident reveals a surprising secret about two of the town’s residents. 
Based on the award-winning, international hit television serial 'A Country Practice', this new series of novels follows the lives and loves of the rural community of Wandin Valley, South-Eastern Australia. Set in the early 1980s it is a nostalgic look at country life, yet with all the same joys and problems we face today.
Today I am excited to be part of the blog tour for the first part of an exciting new book series from Corazon Books! 'A Country Practice' was an award-winning and international hit TV series years ago which focused on the community of Wandin Valley in New South Wales, Australia, in the 1980s. One of the writers of the show, Judith Colquhoun, decided to bring the series back to life but in a new form, namely as a collection of books and the first part of the book series, 'New Beginnings', is available now. You can not only read my review below, but there's also a competition to take part in so be sure to scroll down!
'A Country Practice: New Beginnings' is the first part of a book series set in the 1980s in the town of Wandin Valley in New South Wales, Australia. Like every other town, all the inhabitants have their own stories to tell and secrets to hide. There's new doctor Simon Bowen, who is trying to find his place at Wandin Valley Bush Nursing Hospital, while also trying to win over charming vet Vicky Dean. Brendan and Molly Jones have just moved into the area, living the dream of having their own farm house. However, Brendan has some crazy working hours as a nurse at the hospital and Molly starts to doubt their decision realising she's alone in a strange house most of the time. And when two of the town's inhabitants are involved in a serious car crash, things get even more exciting and surprising for the residents of Wandin Valley.
Before I received a review copy of Judith Colquhoun's 'A Country Practice: New Beginnings' I have to admit I didn't know anything about the TV series the book is based on. Luckily, this didn't form a problem because I was able to just dive into the story without any prior knowledge. The story is set in a town in Australia in the 1980s and focuses mainly on the town hospital. There are a lot of different characters who each have their own storyline and I personally really enjoyed the fast pace of the book and the switching between the different storylines. All characters had something interesting to share, resulting in an entertaining and enjoyable read. My personal favourites, though, are young vet Vicky Dean and married couple Molly and Brendan who have just moved to the area. I immediately warmed to these characters and can't wait to hopefully read more about them in the upcoming parts of the book series.
While the book is easy to get into and comfortable to read, I do think it shines through that the story is based on a TV show. Some scenes are described like made-for-TV situations and I definitely would have liked a bit more background information on the different characters; their histories, their personalities, etc. Even though I missed the detail in places, it was still a really enjoyable read and I am already curious about what will happen in the next part of the series! Overall, ‘A Country Practice’ is an enthralling, entertaining, fast-paced read that managed to hold my attention until the very last page; a promising start to this new series!

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.

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Competition!
The 'A Country Practice' series of novels set in sunny Australia are perfect for curling up with on a cold winter's day or evening! And to celebrate the release of the first two books in the series, Corazon Books is offering you the chance to win something else to keep you entertained on a cosy night in! One lucky UK-based winner will receive an Amazon Fire TV stick* - which lets you stream loads of TV programmes, films, games and music through your TV. To be in with a chance to win simply answer the following question, and send your answer to [acp@greatstorieswithheart.com] by midday UK time on December 11th 2015. The winner will be announced on December 14th at www.acountrypractice.info.
PLUS Please state the name of the blog where you read about the competition - all visitors' names from each blog on the tour will be put into a hat and the first name pulled out for each blog will win paperback copies of the first two 'A Country Practice' novels!
*This competition is organised and run by Wyndham Media Ltd. Judges decision is final. Amazon Fire TV Stick only available for UK residents. If the overall winner resides outside of the UK they will receive instead a bundle of Corazon Books paperbacks to the same value as the UK prize. Entrants details won't be kept or shared with third parties. Good luck!

Blog Tour: 'Doesn't Everyone Have a Secret?' by Sue Sepherd (including competition!)

Doesn't Everyone Have a Secret? is a romantic comedy about three very different people, each with a secret, whose lives collide in unexpected ways. 

Steph is a harassed mum who's considering an affair with her children's sexy headmaster. Penny is trying to deal with a crush on her boss, OCD and a sad secret from her childhood. And Mike is a vicar who is being blackmailed for his secret, although it's not all that it seems! 

Meanwhile, all three are being watched over by their own guardian angels, who try to push them in the right direction and help move their lives along - but not always successfully ...

I'm really excited to be part of the blog tour for the recent paperback release of Sue Shepherd's novel 'Doesn't Everyone Have a Secret?'! The publisher of the book, Corazon Books, contacted me a few months ago about this exciting release and I straight away was intrigued by the sound of the novel. I love a good secret (just like most people) and 'Doesn't Everyone Have a Secret?' promised to be an enjoyable women's fiction read. I'm also really excited to have an exclusive competition to share with all of you to win a copy of the book, so be sure to scroll down and give it a go!

'Doesn't Everyone Have a Secret?' focuses on three different characters that all have one thing in common: they are trying to keep a big secret from the people around them. Steph Stubbs is a mother of two who unexpectedly falls for the new headmaster at her children's school. Steph can't help but love the excitement of another man being interested in her, and she seriously considers having an affair. Mike Bannerman is the local vicar and recently he has found a new woman in his life: Maggie. Maggie is really important to Mike and he's deciding how to break the news to his wife Jane and his mother. But when a blackmailer comes onto the scene, things start to get real tricky for Mike. Penny Littleton is struggling with a quite severe case of OCD. She tries to not let it control her life, but even her boss is telling her to do something about it. What nobody knows, however, is that Penny is dealing with a big secret from her past, which she can't share with anyone but which is slowly eating her up from the inside and preventing her from leading a normal and happy life. Will Steph, Mike and Penny be able to keep their secrets hidden or is it true that the truth always comes out in the end...?

I always really enjoy novels in which there are multiple main characters, each with their own storyline, which are then somehow linked to one another. This is one of the reasons why I looked forward to picking up this book and had my fingers crossed for an enjoyable read. 'Doesn't Everyone Have a Secret?' certainly is an enjoyable read; a romantic comedy about three different characters, each of them trying to deal with a secret that is taking over their lives. The characters in the book were realistic and they had interesting secrets. I particularly liked Penny and Mike, and it took me a bit longer to warm to Steph (this is probably due to the nature of her secret, but I don't want to give too much away). The different storylines managed to keep my attention until the end and the novel was well-paced.

One of the things I liked most about the novel was the idea of guardian angels that was incorporated in it. We all know that voice in our head that every now and and again advises or warns us; this voice is actually our guardian angel, and Sue Shepherd added a nice storyline about these guardian angels and how they go about their work. While the book has a good collection of characters and intriguing storylines, I did feel the author's writing was still a bit rough around the edges. However, this is a debut novel, and nonetheless a promising one. 'Doesn't Everyone Have a Secret?' is an enjoyable, quick-paced, fun women's fiction read about people and the secrets they hide; I'm curious to see what else Sue Shepherd will bring us in the future!
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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Competition (international)!
Would you like to win a paperback copy of 'Doesn't Everyone Have a Secret?'? Well, here's your chance! I have 1 copy of the book to give away and all you have to do is answer the following question about one of the characters in the novel:
What is Mike's job?
Please e-mail your answer to me (spoonfulofhappyendings [at] gmail) before Monday November 30th to be in with a chance. Good luck everyone! :)

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!

Review & Guest Post: 'A Country Practice' by Judith Colquhoun (2015)

It’s 1981 and a desperate woman arrives at the Wandin Valley Bush Nursing Hospital in the final stages of labour. Can Dr Terence Elliott overcome his demons to save both mother and baby? 
Simon Bowen, the newest doctor in town, is frustrated at being seen as an outsider by the tight knit country folk. Will he succeed in winning them around ‒ especially young vet Vicky Dean? 
Vicky’s mum, Sister Shirley Dean, is courted by widowed police sergeant Frank Gilroy. But is he the man for her? 
Brendan and Molly Jones arrive in Wandin Valley. Are they prepared for the realities of country life? 
Meanwhile, a teenager in love clashes with her father and a serious car accident reveals a surprising secret about two of the town’s residents.
Today I have a review of the first part of an exciting new book series from Corazon Books to share with all of you! 'A Country Practice' was an award-winning and international hit TV series years ago which focused on the community of Wandin Valley in New South Wales, Australia, in the 1980s. One of the writers of the show, Judith Colquhoun, decided to bring the series back to life but in a new form, namely as a collection of books. The first part of the book series, 'New Beginnings', was released on the 12th of June and I was lucky enough to get a review copy. You can not only read my review below, but also a special guest post from Ian Skillicorn from Corazon Books to tell us a bit more about the original TV show on which the book is based!
'A Country Practice: New Beginnings' is the first part of a book series set in the 1980s in the town of Wandin Valley in New South Wales, Australia. Like every other town, all the inhabitants have their own stories to tell and secrets to hide. There's new doctor Simon Bowen, who is trying to find his place at Wandin Valley Bush Nursing Hospital, while also trying to win over charming vet Vicky Dean. Brendan and Molly Jones have just moved into the area, living the dream of having their own farm house. However, Brendan has some crazy working hours as a nurse at the hospital and Molly starts to doubt their decision realising she's alone in a strange house most of the time. And when two of the town's inhabitants are involved in a serious car crash, things get even more exciting and surprising for the residents of Wandin Valley.
Before I received a review copy of Judith Colquhoun's 'A Country Practice: New Beginnings' I have to admit I didn't know anything about the TV series the book is based on. Luckily, this didn't form a problem because I was able to just dive into the story without any prior knowledge. The story is set in a town in Australia in the 1980s and focuses mainly on the town hospital. There are a lot of different characters who each have their own storyline and I personally really enjoyed the fast pace of the book and the switching between the different storylines. All characters had something interesting to share, resulting in an entertaining and enjoyable read. My personal favourites, though, are young vet Vicky Dean and married couple Molly and Brendan who have just moved to the area. I immediately warmed to these characters and can't wait to hopefully read more about them in the upcoming parts of the book series.
While the book is easy to get into and comfortable to read, I do think it shines through that the story is based on a TV show. Some scenes are described like made-for-TV situations and I definitely would have liked a bit more background information on the different characters; their histories, their personalities, etc. Even though I missed the detail in places, it was still a really enjoyable read and I am already curious about what will happen in the next part of the series! Overall, ‘A Country Practice’ is an enthralling, entertaining, fast-paced read that managed to hold my attention until the very last page; a promising start to this new series!

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.

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Guest post by Ian Skillicorn
I'm really happy to have a special guest post to share with all of you today from Ian Skillicorn from Corazon Books in which he tells us a bit more about 'A Country Practice'!

Welcome to Australia's Best-Loved Country Town For more than ten years, millions of viewers were glued to their TVs each week to see the latest episodes in the lives and loves of a small Australian country town. The action in A Country Practice centred on the Wandin Valley Bush Nursing Hospital, the doctors and nurses who worked there, and the local townsfolk. The programme was a hit because of its mixture of drama and comedy, and the likeable characters who became well-loved around the world. This was long before Neighbours and Home and Away had arrived on our screens and when, here in the UK, daytime telly consisted of a stream of popular Aussie soaps.
Like Doctors and Holby City/Casualty today, A Country Practice combined the ongoing stories of the regular characters with guest characters who would leave after their storyline was resolved. Regular cast members included Shane Withington and Georgie Parker (who now play John and Roo in Home and Away), and some of the guests were young actors who went on to international fame, such as Nicole Kidman, Simon Baker and Delta Goodrem. But it wasn't just the people on the show who became hugely popular. According to our Facebook page it seems one of the best-remembered stars was the wombat called Fatso!
Corazon Books has been publishing popular medical fiction for a while now, and I was delighted when the creator of A Country Practice gave us a licence to publish a series of novels based on the programme. Shortly afterwards, I was thrilled when one of the show's original scripwriters, Judith Colquhoun, agreed to write the novels. For the first novel, A Country Practice: New Beginnings, we've gone right back to the start of the story, to introduce readers to the inhabitants of Wandin Valley.
A Country Practice is set in the early 1980s in what now seems, in some respects, a gentler time – before the internet and mobile phones had taken over our lives. But the issues faced by the characters are just as relevant to us today: love and hate, family and friends, life and death, secrets and lies – it's all there!
When I was a schoolboy I would record A Country Practice (shown in the afternoons) during the day on our video recorder, and watch it in the evening while I did my homework. [Ahem] years later … it's a great privilege to be part of this new chapter in the life of an Australian television institution. I hope you'll enjoy your visit to Wandin Valley and meeting the engaging characters whose lives revolve around A Country Practice.
Thanks so much, Ian!

Review & Guest Post: 'Home Comforts' by Ali Chrisp (2015)

Jo Longford's life takes an unexpected turn when her bosses wrongly accuse her of stealing from a client. Suddenly, she needs to find a new job and a new home for herself and ten-year-old son, Tom. Not to mention their small menagerie of badly behaved pets. 
Her selfish mum isn't much help; obsessed with keeping up appearances, nothing her daughter does is ever good enough for her. But at least Jo can rely on best friend Val for support. They've been getting themselves into mischief since they were teenagers, and that includes an eventful school reunion and joining a cringeworthy dating agency. Some things never change! 
Life certainly doesn’t get any easier for Jo. Will she be able to fend off her sex-mad landlord – a retired businessman who struts around in Lycra and thinks he’s God’s gift to women? Are her new employer and quirky clients at the Handy Jobs Domiciliary Care Agency all they seem? 
And will Jo ever be able to sort out her chaotic love life when two equally unsuitable men gatecrash her world?
I've had the pleasure of being in contact with publisher Corazon Books for quite some time now and during that time I have had the chance to read and review several of their novels (most recently Sue Shepherd's 'Doesn't Everyone Have a Secret?', click here to read my review). On the 24th of May, their newest release 'Home Comforts' by Ali Chrisp hit the shelves and I'm excited to share my review of the book with you all today. Author Ali Chrisp won the Write Time Novel Award and 'Home Comforts' is her debut novel which is described as a heart-warming comedy. Based on my experiences with the publisher so far, I definitely looked forward to sitting down with this read and once again sharing my views on the book with my lovely readers!
Jo Longford is a working single mom which means life can be a bit tricky sometimes. Luckily, she has her great ten-year-old son Tom, her best friend Val and a steady job. Until Jo is unexpectedly fired when her bosses incorrectly accuse her of stealing from a client. Suddenly, Jo finds herself worrying about everything: she needs a new job, a new place for her and Tom and their pets to live, and how can she add some spice back into her love life? Jo is over the moon when she manages to find a temporary job and place to stay in one; she'd rather deal with her new sex-mad landlord than her mum who always has an opinion on everything she does. Jo is determined to start afresh, but this definitely comes with its own challenges...
I fell in love with the book cover of 'Home Comforts' the first time I saw it and I sincerely hoped the story inside would fit it. After having read the book, I understand why author Ali Chrisp won the Write Time Novel Award because her debut release is a fun and warm-hearted romantic comedy read which I really enjoyed. The story's main protagonist, Jo, is really likeable and I was immediately rooting for her. Her son Tom is such a cute and good kid, and I loved how the author introduced other interesting characters to the story as we went along, such as Jo's crazy but loveable best friend Val and the endearing elderly Jack who is taking care of his wife and whom Jo becomes quite close to. I really enjoyed that Jo's storyline included several elements which resulted in me not getting bored with the story at any time and I felt comfortable just reading on and on, curious to see what would eventually happen to all the characters.
Ali Chrisp's writing style flowed well and was easy to get back into each time I picked up the novel again to continue reading. The fact that this is her debut novel is quite promising and I am already curious to see what else she will treat us to in the upcoming years. If you're a chick lit/romantic comedy fan and looking for a read about friendship, family, and a touch of romance, then definitely don't hesitate to pick this one up. 'Home Comforts' is a really lovely, warm-hearted, fun read which I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish and a book I can definitely recommend!

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.

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Guest post by Ali Chrisp!
I have the lovely Ali Chrisp on the blog today to share a special post about Father's Day with all of us!

ON FATHER’S DAY – WISHING YOU WERE HERE
  On 21 June it will be Father’s Day and I will be celebrating it with my husband and son. We don’t make a big fuss – just a card and present and something special to eat. The day will also be tinged with sadness because it will be over ten years since my own dad passed away. I always describe him as a gentleman and a gentle man who loved his wife, three children and three grandchildren.    When my mum died after ten years of suffering from dementia, Dad was totally lost. He was of the generation when men were the breadwinners and did the DIY, driving and gardening; wives did the cooking, shopping and housework. When Mum’s health deteriorated he had to learn to cook basic meals and I remember him ringing me at work when the office was totally silent and I had to tell him how to make sardines on toast for the umpteenth time. These phone calls were made even more tortuous as he was very hard of hearing and kept telling me to spell certain words for him.  It certainly entertained my colleagues! 
  As my brother lives in America, my sister and I used to take it in turns to do Dad’s weekly shopping and we still laugh when we recall him reading the shopping list out over the phone and always giving us some mystery item that he’d seen advertised on TV or had always wanted to try. We used to waste so much time trying to find those things in the supermarket.
  He was certainly not free of health problems himself, having suffered from a stroke, heart problems, emphysema and chronic back pain.  He rarely complained and even bought a mobility scooter which he used to take into the local supermarket, terrorising the customers and running over their feet. When I got married, we decided that it would be too stressful for Dad to give the traditional ‘father of the bride’ speech so my brother offered to do it instead.  After putting himself through the ordeal, my brother couldn’t believe it when Dad stood up and gave an impromptu speech which included a very long joke that ended with, ‘and sod your Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band’. It absolutely stole the show.
  Dad wasn’t a great fan of socialising and often couldn’t remember his work colleagues’ names if we bumped into them in town. He was also nearly as gaffe-prone as Prince Phillip, saying embarrassing things like, ‘what’s the girl with the blue national health specs called?’ when being introduced to the child’s father. 
  Proving that he was determined to live life to the full, he went to visit my brother in Texas and joined them on a cruise around the Cayman Islands.  On his first night back home, however, he had a fall and broke his leg. What should have been a short stay in hospital quickly escalated into pneumonia, followed by a fatal heart attack two weeks later.  I have an enduring image of him holding my hand and trying to kiss it through his oxygen mask.
  So this Father’s Day I will be remembering my lovely, brave Dad and celebrating all of the happy times we had together. If you’re reading these words and you’re finding your parents annoying or challenging at the moment, all I can say is make the most of them - they won’t be around forever.

Thanks so much for sharing this special post with us today, Ali!