Tizi’s Book Review

You cannot fall in love while kept as prisoner, right?

Synopsis

An innocent maiden

And a legendary warrior

When captured and held prisoner in an enemy castle, Margery of Lyon is guarded by brooding mercenary Evrart, who’s been commanded to watch her—day and night. Margery’s determination to escape brings her closer to Evrart and the kind heart hidden beneath his granite-hard body. Now Margery is torn… Fleeing under the portcullis will mean leaving behind the man she’s falling for…

My review

Margery of Lyon has captured the attention of Ian of Warstone. His reputation is a cruel one, so Margery is surprised when he takes her along to his castle instead of killing her. Margery is now being kept as a prisoner, and is guarded by mercenary Evrart. While having no idea what Ian plans to do with her, she is trying to find a way to escape. However, slowly she learns that behind the fierce mask Evrart is showing, is a man who would do anything to keep his family safe.
So when the time comes, what is the right thing to do for Margery, run away, or stay with the man she is starting to fall in love with? 

A whole new chapter in the Lovers and Legends Saga! And again a story fitting perfectly with the other stories, yet being totally different!

We know Margery already a little bit from a previous book, but where there I had many questions for her behaviour, this story answered them all!
I found it refreshing, seeing how this story was taking place at the same time with ‘The Maiden And The Mercenary’, and how even at some points the storylines matched. 

Margery has not had the easiest of youth, and even had to make difficult decisions, to release her family of the burden she feels that she was.
Even if I somehow appreciated the sacrifice she made, I had the feeling that though her life, she has been passed on from man to man like an expandable object. And that is a feeling that no one should have, because we all matter.

However, when being kept prisoner, she is determined to get away, because living in just one room and living with the fear that each day may be the last, depending on the mood Ian is in, that’s no life. 

I found it both sweet and funny, seeing how Margery and Evrart interact. Evrart is not a man using many words, but somehow Margery understands what he is not saying, and is even pushing his buttons, almost forcing the words to come out of his mouth. 

As usual, and also a bit expected, there are many misunderstandings between our main characters, only making this story even better.
As a reader the feelings are very obvious, but for Margery and also Evrart it’s difficult to grasp what the other one is feeling or how deep those feelings are. 

I found this a beautiful, entertaining next chapter, answering many of my questions, giving me even more than I expected. I loved how this story fitted perfectly in what we already knew from the previous book, yet also managed to surprise me with new personas and their own specific and unique character traits.
The author managed to stay true to the greater picture, yet adding another wonderful layer to this series I hope more chapters will follow!

What will the Great War have in store for our Mersey Ladies?

Synopsis

1916 LIVERPOOL

Following the death of her father, Ruby Swift, and husband Archie finally move back into Ashland Hall.

As the Great War rages, fathers and sons take the King’s Shilling and head off to fight the unknown enemy, not knowing what horrors lie ahead. 

With Ned Kincaid in the Navy, Archie signs up to the volunteer constabulary and nurses Anna Cassidy and Ellie Harrington enlist to do their bit for King and Country. 

Soon the true casualties of war are being brought home in droves, Ruby converts Ashland Hall into an auxiliary hospital for wounded servicemen.

It’s not long before the true cost of war is brought closer to home and Anna and Ellie enlist in the British Military Nursing Corp and soon find themselves in the battlefields of France in search of the truth.

But they soon discover more than they bargained for…

My review

Ruby Swift and Archie can finally call themselves married after the death of Ruby’s father. And on top of it, now they can move back into Ashland Hall.
With The Great War raging on, both Ruby and Archie want to help however they can. So quickly Ashland Hall changes into a place for the wounded to receive the required help, with the assistance of Anna Cassidy and Ellie Harrington, living already under the care of Ruby and Archie, and now being nurses.
But the War has its casualties, and it’s not that very long before the cost becomes very personals for each one of this strong unit.

I was very happy to read this next chapter of the saga, because the previous part left me with a few unanswered questions.

Of course, I can only imagine how terrible the War has been. Yet I admired the courage and determination not only Ruby, but also Archie, Anna and Ellie showed. Each one of them wanted to do their bit to help out for those in need.
We already knew what a kind heart Ruby has, but she also managed to pass that desire to help to those around her.

After what Anna has been through, I felt very proud of the young woman she has become. She loves being a nurse, and is absolutely in love with Ned, who is in the Navy. Even if she fears what will happen to him, she is proud of him. and she still has the hope to find her beloved brother again.

When reading a story taking place during the War, you know that there will be some sadder moments. and some events were really heart – breaking, seeing what was in store of some characters we started to love.
But not only the War is cause for the sad moments, also loving the wrong person can change the wonderful future someone has ahead into a future full of despair.

The author managed to write a captivating sequel, showing us that even the consequences of the War, there are people with kind hearts, full of hope, looking for a way to help those in need.
I loved reading how our characters instead of falling into despair, found a way to find even more strength after tragedies.
And that somehow these fictional characters can be seen as an inspiration, that good actions do have rewarding consequences.

A glimpse in the lives of very different people.

Synopsis

An aspiring magician who gets a sinister pleasure playing all kinds of tricks on those around him. Two strangers running into each after 20 years and wondering what they’ve missed. A long-suffering husband who decides it’s time he started making big decisions. An unhappy child at Christmas struggling to deal with his new surroundings before a wonderfully surprising encounter. All this and more within the seven stories of Always Never, Rarely Sometimes, where a wide range of characters are forced to challenge long-held beliefs and powerful memories, accompanied by a sprinkling of magic. Always Never, Rarely Sometimes is the third book from Alexander Raphael, following on from his short story The Summer of Madness and his set of conceptual short stories Illusions, Delusions.

My review

Seven short stories, of people very different from each other, in different places in their lives. Seven short stories to realize as a reader that we never know what happens behind the curtains, or just allowing us to be part of a short period in someone’s life.
Stories that will surprise you, make you smile, give you hope, but also teaches you that sometimes Karma is a B*tch and that some things cannot go without consequences. 

I have to admit, there were a few stories I preferred more compared to other ones. But not because the other ones weren’t written as good, but because I just like stories that end well, or stories that give you hope. 

There were several characters I just didn’t like, and when you get to these stories, you’ll get me. But it also shows the reader that a book shouldn’t be always be about good people doing good stuff. Sometimes it has to be about the ‘villain’ not understanding when to stop, a button pushed too much and having to face the consequences of your actions.

Each story has its charm, and even if the characters weren’t all my cup of tea, I enjoyed reading those too!
There are however a few stories that were sweet, hopeful and heart – warming, even if the start wasn’t always that happy for these characters.
The lives of some characters took a turn for the better and it just made me smile, seeing how one event can make it possible to change a whole life course. 

I found it entertaining to see how apparently random chosen moments could give the reader a better insight of how people interact and what is going on in someone’s mind.
The author managed to put so much in such short space yet never disappointed in leaving too many open endings or leaving the reader with many questions!

It was fund reading each story and somehow I left with a sense of wanting to read more and see what other stories this author would be able to pull out of his magic hat!

When the worst thing that could happen to you is the start of a new chapter

Synopsis

Meet Katie: she’s about to marry the most wonderful man in the world. The planning is done, the checklist is checked. The future is set.

Having spent her twenties and thirties enjoying life with good friends, and building a career she loves, it’s taken Katie until her forties to contemplate settling down. And she couldn’t be more delighted she waited.

So, why is her perfect groom standing gawping at her, wearing mismatched socks and sweating buckets? This can’t bode well.

With her special day in tatters, Katie has a decision to make. Does she snatch back the reigns of her old life, and tighten her grip even more? Or should she take a chance on change? Will she find the key to happiness at a Pilates class in a smelly old hall? Or is the curve ball heading her way too huge to handle?

If you like British humour and a flawed protagonist on an emotional journey, you’ll enjoy reading Amanda Paull’s latest novel, Colouring Outside the Lines – a heart-warming tale of shattered dreams, self-discovery and finding true love where you least expect it.

My review

Katie never really felt any butterflies in her stomach, or saw sparks fly around when kissing someone. But she does know that she truly loves Connor, and is ready to start their lives together.
Yes, there is a small age difference, and while Connor has ‘romance’ written all over the place and Katie absolutely doesn’t, but when you love each other truly, all those differences don’t matter.
However, when on the wedding day Katie is ready to say ‘I Do’, Connor appears to have second thoughts, and the perfect wedding is suddenly off…
Now Katie has to decide what to do… will she go back to her old life, keeping people at distance and taking no chances? Or is this her opportunity to dare to take that leap of faith?

I found this an utterly entertaining story! Of course, the start isn’t a happy one because Katie finds herself being dumped practically at the altar.
And to be honest, I didn’t understand why Connor was acting that way. He knew how Katie was, and everyone has a own vision of how to act romantically.
So what if Katie didn’t understand why someone would swoon over the ending of Bridget Jones Diary? Each person is different and is allowed to feel the way they feel.

But of course, if Connor would go through with the wedding, we wouldn’t have been able to read this beautiful story about how Katie is rediscovering herself, and thanks with the help of her friend is daring to step out of her comfort zone.

Katie is easy to like, even if sometimes she is in a dark place. But her feeling down, made me feel like I truly understood her. She isn’t this perfect character without doubts, fearless for some new adventures.
No, she is wary of even going to just a class of Pilates, doesn’t easily accept new people and just the idea of doing something adventurous…

In so many aspects, Katie is recognizable, with all her fears and doubts. Even the relationship with her parents and brother isn’t a perfect one, no matter how much she loves them.
And her love for her parents is putting her in protective mode, even from her own brother.

It was not only fun to read how Katie is picking up the pieces after her non – wedding, but it somehow also made me realize that a change or taking a chance can be amazing. And yes, you may fall flat on your face in some cases, but most of the times, you discover a whole different side of yourself that is easy to like.

Yes, there is some romance in this story, and I found it wonderful how it was a bit different than what I expected to be. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t like it! The author managed to give it a beautiful twist, but showing us that love is love, and that’s what matters.
But this book is in my opinion about finding yourself, not being afraid and daring to colour outside the lines!

I know I am repeating myself, but for just one last time: I found this a beautiful story, with a strong message, and I love reading every bit of it!

Every parent’s worst nightmare…

Synopsis

You thought she was safe. You were wrong…

Alex knows her daughter would never wander off in a strange place. So when her three-year-old vanishes from an idyllic beach wedding, Alex immediately believes the worst.

The hunt for Lottie quickly becomes a world-wide search, but it’s not long before suspicion falls on her mother. Why wasn’t she watching Lottie? 

Alex knows she’s not perfect, but she loves her child. And with all eyes on her, Alex fears they’ll never uncover the truth unless she takes matters into her own hands.

Who took Lottie Martini? And will she ever come home?

My review

Even if Alex’ daughter is only three years old, she can surely stand her ground! But Alex also knows that Lottie would never wander off with a stranger, in a place she doesn’t know.
However, when Lottie disappears from the beach wedding they were attending, Alex knows that her worst nightmare has become reality.
The search for Lottie quickly evolves to a world –wide search, but when there seems to be no trace to follow at all, everyone starts to doubt Alex and she even becomes a suspect. Is Alex really that devoting mother? There are secrets of her past putting her on a bad light, and everyone accuses her of putting her career before her own child.
But Alex truly loves Lottie and will not rest until Lottie is back safe in her arms, even if that means to take matters in own hands….

Okay, having a daughter that disappeared is a terrible thing to happen to any parent. But then finding yourself as a suspect, can it just get any worse?
In Alex’ case, the answer is ‘yes’…

I found it nearly impossible to put this book away, it was so gripping, playing with my mind and terrible to be just reading it, I can hardly imagine what parents in such situations have to endure!
The story shows us also how quickly public opinions can change.
We see people going from being sympathetic to taking a more accusing tone. And realizing how quickly something becomes ‘old news’ for the public, is a terrifying thought, when you think about the parents that are still left with so many unanswered questions.

Alex has made mistakes, that is for sure. But let’s be honest, who of us hasn’t? But is making mistakes a reason to be spit out by everyone? Which parent hasn’t left their child alone for even a few minutes?
And what happened in the past with Alex and Lottie, haven’t we read similar stories in the news with a more disastrous ending while here it all ended well?

It’s always easy to point finger in a direction, when you are not involved. But when someone becomes a parent, they don’t give you a guide line… it’s a process of trial and error.

I admired so much Alex’ determination of not giving up the search. Even years later, Alex does whatever she can to find her Lottie. She won’t allow anyone to put her continuous search at risk.

During my read, I doubted just every character in the book. From the friends, to the one night stand, to the sister.

The author wrote this thriller in such a way that the reader is never 100% sure if someone is guilty or innocent.
And without spoiling anything, let me tell you, the ending was not something I saw coming. And I can assure you that often I can tell beforehand who the culprit is!

The story gave me goose bumps all the time, wishing for a quick resolution, and one with a happy ending.

But it also showed us that there are horrible people around, closer to you than imagined. For so many people this fictional book is a reality without a final resolution. But this book also shows us that hope is the last to die…

A retreat with the opposite of what wanted…

Synopsis

You won’t find happiness without breaking a few eggs …
Miriam Ryan was the MD of a successful events and catering company, but these days even the thought of chopping an onion sends her stress levels sky rocketing. A retreat to the Welsh village of her childhood holidays seems to offer the escape she’s craving – just peace, quiet, no people, a generous supply of ready meals … did she mention no people?
Enter a cheery pub landlord, a lovesick letting agent, a grumpy astronomer with a fridge raiding habit – not to mention a surprise supper club that requires the chopping of many onions – and Miriam realises her escape has turned into exactly what she was trying to get away from, but could that be just the thing she needs to allow a little bit of summer happiness into her life?

My review

After selling het events and catering company, Miriam Ryan wants to get away and be left alone. With the help of her PA, she has found the perfect getaway: she is returning to the Welsh village where she spend her childhood holidays.
But what she thought would be a retreat for several months in peace, quiet, far away from preparing food, turns out to be the total opposite.
Before she knows, she is surrounded by people demanding her to be fed, an astronomer eager to raid her fridge and more people of the community requiring her attention.
So even if chopping onions was something she absolutely didn’t want to do, maybe this holiday will turn out to be exactly what she needed, onions included…

I can only imagine how difficult it is to sell your own company. But when we get to know Miriam even better, and we get to know what she had to do to make sure her business was somehow safe, made me understand her anxieties even better.

Lately Miriam had to process a lot of things happening to her. Losing her mother, being betrayed by the man she loved, it’s more than normal she just wanted to escape everything and everyone.
I have to admit, I had some malicious pleasure in reading how the peace Miriam needed, was disrupted by the most different people knocking on her door.

But before you start thinking I’m an evil woman, I felt so much sympathy for Miriam too… we all need sometimes to be on our own, to digest everything we have been through.
I found it sweet to see how she finds herself surrounded by people, but people with her best interest at mind.
Yes, Miriam finds herself doing things she swore she wouldn’t be doing, but she sees that her new friends are not pushing her beyond and are eager to help her.

The thing that surprised me the most about this book, is that the author managed to write on a respectfully manner, what Miriam is going through. Writing about anxiety and even panic attacks, can be dangerous, because mental health is something very actual and a very serious matter.
But what Miriam is going through is described so well, making the reading understand perfectly what is going on in her mind.

I found this a beautiful story to read, because it showed us the need of a kind of broken woman, wanting to be alone, how realization dawns that being alone is not the solution. I was admired by her strength and determination of not simple giving up.
And I was happy for her when during this particular and peculiar summer, she found happiness in a place she never expected!

A book club everyone would want to be a member of! Me included!!!

Synopsis

Welcome to the Beach Reads Book Club…where love is just a page away…

When Lottie Watt is unceremoniously booted out of her uptight book club for not following the rules, she decides to throw the rulebook out the window and start her own club – one where conversation, gin and cake take precedent over actually having read the book!

The Beach Reads Book Club soon finds a home for its meetings at Books by the Bay, a charming bookshop and café owned by gorgeous, brooding Matthew Steele, and as the book club picks heat up, so too does the attraction between Matt and Lottie.

If there’s anything Lottie has learned from the romances she’s been reading, it’s that the greatest loves are the ones hardest earned.

A love letter to chicklit, romance, romcoms, whatever you want to call them!

My review

When Lottie Watt is not following the strict rules of a book club she is in, she is being kicked out. for her, a book club is not only about reading the book, but also a time for likeminded persons to gather around and enjoy a conversation. The book itself isn’t the most important, but the people in the book club are. And a book club means reading all kind of genres, and not only the heavier stuff.
So that’s why Lottie start her own book club, The Beach Reads Book Club, where just everyone is welcome.
Place for their gathering is charming bookshop Books by the Bay, with its own café. And owner Matthew Steele is surely an extra advantage to look at! The attraction between Lottie and Matt is becoming impossible to ignore, but with the past changing them into the people they are now, will that make them hold back? Or is their love worth the fight?

I just love this author and her books, what more can I say???

Also this book made me forget everything around me, made me want to jump into the book and be part of this marvellous, funny book club!

The book club Lottie has been excluded from, isn’t the kind of book club I want to be a member of myself! Of course, I know that the purpose of a book club is to talk about the book, but having to talk about it all the time, without getting to know the other members, because the book is all that matters…
So I was happy when Lottie started her own book club, allowing all kind of people in taking part. Old, young, man, woman,… it doesn’t matter as long. Even if you just wat to listen while drinking gin and eating cake, that’s all fine!

Lottie is a force of nature, she knows what she wants, and she just goes for it. She wants the meetings to be held at the bookshop? Not a problem…
She wants more days for her meetings? Not a problem!
She is also a kind and warm woman. She sees the struggles members are having, and uses her ‘power’ so that people open up and share what is troubling them. And on her own way, Lottie finds each time a fitting solution!

Matt is often her victim, as his attraction towards her makes it impossible to say ‘no’ to her. Oh Matt… he made my heart beat faster…
He is not the typical guy you would expect in a book. What he has been through in the past only made me feel more for him. And his past changed him into this brooding and even insecure man, afraid of showing his real feelings…

I found this again a wonderful story to read, not only because of Lottie and Matt and their developing relationship, but also because it shows us that no matter how different you are from each other, friendships can be built. Every one of us is unique in our own way, but no matter how crazy, silly, quiet, shy you are, the right people accept you as you are. And once you are in this amazing book club, you are not only member of a book club, but you are part of a family.

Another great achievement from this author! I cannot wait to read what amazing story she is able to put down into words again!

I surely cannot wait to read this one!

Synopsis

The first kiss wrecked their friendship. Could a second chance lead to love?

English teacher Bella isn’t having much luck with her love life. No matter who she dates, no one seems to measure up to Mike: the ex-bestie she shared a drunken kiss with ten years ago, which led to the end of their friendship…

When Bella comes face-to-face with Mike at their university reunion, sparks fly. He’s smart, funny and even hotter than before, and despite trying to fight her feelings, Bella still can’t get him out of her head.

But after what happened the last time she stepped out of the friend zone, Bella isn’t in a hurry to be rejected all over again.

Should Bella risk more heartache by telling Mike how she really feels? Could the attraction be mutual? Or is it finally time to put her past behind her and say goodbye to a second chance at love, forever?

My Ten-Year Crush is a fun, sexy, friends-to-lovers romcom about second chances and stepping out of your comfort zone. Ideal for fans of Beth O’Leary, Mhairi McFarlane and Lindsey Kelk.

Pre-order now and join Bella on her rollercoaster romantic adventures!

Pre-order Links

Publication Date: 30th September

About the author

Olivia Spring is a British, London-based writer of contemporary women’s fiction, sexy chick lit and romantic comedy. Her uplifting debut novel The Middle-Aged Virgin, which was released in July 2018, deals with being newly single in your thirties and beyond, dating, relationships, love, sex and living life to the full.

In addition to The Middle-Aged Virgin, Olivia has published five novels: The Middle-Aged Virgin in Italy, Love Offline, Losing My Inhibitions, Only When It’s Love and the sequel When’s The Wedding?

Olivia’s seventh novel, My Ten-Year Crush, will be published in September 2021.

When she’s not writing, Olivia can be found enjoying cupcakes and cocktails and of course, seeking inspiration for her next book!

Social Media Links – 

https://twitter.com/ospringauthor

https://www.facebook.com/ospringauthor/

https://www.instagram.com/ospringauthor/

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THE COVER!

How to pick up the pieces after a devastating tragedy?

Synopsis

Flora has always adored her brother Billy. Born just eighteen months apart, their childhood was spent like two peas in a pod – no one could separate them. Now, as adults, they remain the best of friends. And as Flora is immersed in family life, Billy is always there to lend a hand. 

But, in just one day, everything changes.

In just one day, Flora’s life falls apart.

In just one day, Flora has to learn how to live again.

From the nostalgia of seaside Britain to the breath-taking beauty of Venice, in tears and laughter, join Helen McGinn for this emotional, uplifting and joyful story about love in all its guises. But above all, this is an unforgettable story of one little girl and the brother she adores.

My review

Flora and her brother are not only siblings, but also best friends. Being born just eighteen months apart, they found themselves always in the same situation in life.
And even if Flora’s mother makes her feel like a failure sometimes, Billy is always there to make Flora feel better.
But then one decision from a stranger turns everyone’s world upside down.
And Flora has try to pick up the pieces again, and trying to live again, even if her heart got teared apart.
And with the help of her family, beloved husband and good friends, slowly she starts to see to beauty of life again.

This surely was a heart – breaking story!
Flora and Billy are the kind of siblings everyone wants to have, they are so close and there isn’t a thing they wouldn’t do for each other.

Even if Flora’s life didn’t go as planned, she couldn’t wish for a better one! She adores her husband and children, her friends always got her back.
And even when a minor hitch lures around the corner, both Flora and her husband Johnny are able to turn the negative into something positive.

I have to say, I had thought that the tragedy would happen earlier in the book. But as it happened almost halfway, if gave us as a reader a better understanding of the dynamics, and we would see very clear how close Flora and Billy are.
And when it does happen, it puts just everything in perspective…Some news that sounded devastating before, now is just not that important no more, because the loss is just too big to bare…

The pain Flora is feeling, is very realistic. I am also very close with my brother, and I just cannot imagine what it would mean if I had to endure the same thing Flora went through.
This story shows us that each person grieves on their own way, and there isn’t a timetable to tell you when it’s time to feel something else.
Some people feel the need to do something, while others just want to be left alone. The author managed to write beautifully how grief takes different forms, without ridiculing it, or insinuate that one way of grief is the right one and the other one is the wrong one.

But she also managed to write about how it is possible to overcome the most hurtful loss. Of course it takes time, and the pain will always be there, but for your sake and your family, who still need you, you have to start to live again.

Flora is lucky to have her Johnny by her side, taking her to Venice, which she once also visited with Billy when they were younger. And it was both heart – breaking as heart – warming to see how Flora relived moments she shared with Billy, and see her learning how she has to cherish the lovely moments she had with Billy.

I also have to admit, reading about the mother of the culprit was not something I expected. But it shows us also that in these tragedies, there is always more than just one victim and that all parties and those involved, have to learn to live with the consequences of one decision…

This story is about loss, grief and pain, but it’s also about hope for the future. I went through a whole rollercoaster of emotion, I was laughing, crying, feel the grief almost myself and yet I admired the main characters as they saw the silver lining again in the small things of life.

The author managed to write a gripping story about losing someone who matters the world to you, but learning that taking baby steps in your grief makes it possible to move on with your life, carrying that person always in your heart…