Tizi’s Book Review

A dare with great consequences, but for whom?

Synopsis

May the best Viscount or Miss…

…win!

When her best friend and employer is injured, groom Roberta ‘Bobby’ Kingsley feels compelled to help him. She agrees to step into the saddle and compete in an endurance horse race to help secure his ancestral home. Yet the minute Bobby comes face to face with her opponent—arrogant yet infuriatingly charismatic Lawrence, Viscount Hayes—it’s clear that it won’t just be the competition that has her heart racing!

My review

Roberta ‘Bobby’ Kinsley may not have a lot, but being the groom for her best friend is more than enough. But when he gets injured, and there is no chance of forfeiting an all – or – nothing horse race, Bobby puts herself forward to take his place.
The opponent, Viscount Hayes, is reluctant to let a woman take part of the endurance race, but also sees an opportunity to easily take back that once was his family property…
Bobby and Lawrence start the race not realizing that despite they infuriate each other, there is something else lingering on the surface between them… 

There is a lot to be said about these kind of stories. Yes, you know what the outcome will be, but is that such  a big problem?
So even if I knew where the story would go to, it still held several surprises for me. 

For example, I truly liked Bobby’s strong character. She is one of the most loyal friends someone could have, but she also knows her own worth. She won’t accept a ‘no’ based on her gender. She is also a very confident woman, knowing that whenever it concerns horses, she is not inferior to other people. The opposite is true, as she is even better than most people!
But also when it comes to intimacy, she is not a gullible young woman who never had any passionate activities.
She knows her world, and is not afraid to stand up and get into literal fights.
Seeing her clash with people who think they know better, not only her best friend, but also her opponent, for sure put a smile on my face. Bobby will show them sure who the best is! 

While I liked her confidence, her determination of never getting married also saddened me a little bit. I understood her motivations, but I also wanted her to have her cake and eat it too!
While Bobby and Lawrence were like chalk and cheese, that was what they had in common, the fear of falling in love. 

Lawrence of course is a man who knows his literal worth, and acts on it too on several occasions. He knows what he wants and goes for it. And even when he thinks he has it all figured out, he doesn’t always realize the consequences of his choices for other people. 

Yet while racing, we see also this caring side of him, as there are several occasions where he is truly worried about Bobby. And like a real man, he sometimes intervenes even when it’s not necessary. And causing even more conflict with Bobby, adding more fun while reading for us! 

Getting to know his background made me feel sorry for him. Not only because h got burnt by love before, but also because that made determined to never fall into the ‘trap’ of marriage again. And while again I could see where he was coming from, it felt wrong for one bad experience to let him refuse the real thing. 

But Bobby and Lawrence fighting each other during the race, was exactly what both characters needed to see that love isn’t always a bad thing. Because love can make you change your mind and see the beauty of what it can bring. 

Being the same kind of tory, but at the same time being a total different one, made me truly enjoy and even laugh while I was reading. And isn’t that the purpose of reading, to enjoy how a story can take you away?

What happens when a snowstorm hits Sunshine Island?

Synopsis

Welcome to Sunshine Island – where the beaches are golden, the lifestyle is perfect and anything is possible.

It’s December and Jax Hudson doesn’t mind the cold. He’s still wearing shorts and walking barefoot on the beach. He’s looking forward to spending Christmas with his girlfriend until she unexpectantly calls time on their relationship.

Alone and feeling very sorry for himself, Jax accepts an invitation to a Christmas Eve party and bumps into Phoebe Bishop who is still mortified about kissing him in the summer.

As the first snow flurries delight the party guests, the festive joy soon turns to disaster when a snowstorm knocks out the island’s power. Panic ensues as people realise their Christmas plans may have to be cancelled.

Phoebe is reluctantly enlisted by Jax to help transport the partygoers to the comforts of their own homes. As Jax and Phoebe spend time together they realise they have more in common than either had imagined…

Could this be a Christmas full of magic, mistletoe and happy-ever-afters?

My review

Jax Hudson is a real kind and generous man yet also seen as a bit odd, as he always prefers to walk barefoot and in shorts, despite the weather conditions.
Even when his girlfriend breaks up with him, he understands her and wants to be friends anyway, especially as her little boy stole his heart too.
At a Christmas Eve party, he bumps into Phoebe Bishop again, Phoebe who still is mortified about her behaviour last summer.
But the party turns into a small disaster when snow begins to fall an the power falls out. Not everyone can drive back home, and with Christmas just a day away, many plans may have to be cancelled.
Jax and Phoebe help out the party goers as good as they can, and this is only the first occasion where they spend time together and realize that despite their differences they also have a lot in common… 

I absolutely loved returning to Sunshine Island and I was very eager to get to know Jax better and see what love would have in store for him. 

Both Jax and Phoebe are not brand new characters, as they already made appearances in the previous books of this series, but even if you haven’t read them, you can enjoy this one! 

Jax is in so many ways the perfect man, even if I would be frustrated just like his parents with his easy nature and no need for any shoes and even in winter he prefers to wear shorts.
But I can easily forgive him for the above as he is just a lovely person.
At the start of this book, he is in a relationship with Beth. It’s a rather new relationship and he understands that Beth wants to take things slowly. Only for that, Jax is scoring points! But seeing how close he is to Beth’s son, truly made my heart melt.
Whatever Jax does, he does it from the heart. And his affection for the kid isn’t one to score with Beth, but it’s an honest affection. 

He is even that gentle kind of person that understand that Beth isn’t ready to a relationship after losing her husband. It would be easy to get mad at her and break all contact and just stop caring, but that is not who Jax is. He wants to be friends with her, and he wants to be there for both Beth and Billy. 

It saddened me in one way that things didn’t work out for him and Beth, as there for sure was a lot of potential, but I also knew that Phoebe would be an even better match. 

What I liked about Phoebe is that her parents’ wealth didn’t turn her into a snob. Even the friendship with Fliss (which I still don’t understand), kept her being her kind self.
It was a bit funny to read how she still feels some shame about her out of character behaviour last summer.
And getting to know the real Phoebe, without the toxic presence of Fliss, was a real joy. 

At the party, it is the start of the bonding of the two main characters. First with a dance, then bringing the people back home when the power goes off, to sleeping together (just sleeping!) under the same table. 

While they both want to get to know each other better, they cannot stop having several kinds of misunderstandings and don’t appear to get on the same page. Yet they both are always there to help each other out. To see how they have a total different upbringing, but still have so much alike, shows us that the way you were raised doesn’t completely make you the person who you are. Because as we can see with Phoebe, and even Fliss, our hearts and mindset is what makes us *us*. 

There were several moments where I thought things would go terribly wrong, with even the appearance of someone we don’t really like, or even that it would be impossible to get things back fixed between Phoebe and Jax. But I was glad to read that my fears were ungrounded. 

I loved to read about these two great characters who deserve to find their own happiness and deserve this spotlight on the both of them. 

This was a lovely story, easy to read and to fall in love with. And while it is set on a dreamy place like Sunshine Island yet taking place during winter, it’s doesn’t take away the magic, but maybe even highlights it even more!
The author managed once again to write a wonderful, sweet story that takes you away on a marvellous journey with amazing characters!

It’s never too late to have fun on a cruise!

Synopsis

Three friends set sail on a luxury cruise… will they be able to catch a husband on the open seas?

Leaving behind the heartache, guilt and disappointment of their real lives, three friends decide that now they’re in their sixties, it’s time they finally did something for themselves!

Swapping Christmas turkeys and BBC reruns for crystal waters, white sandy beaches and smooth golden rum, Anne, Jane and Kath throw caution (and tradition) to the wind as they set sail on a luxury two-week Christmas cruise around the Caribbean.

Will the three friends find the comfort and joy they seek aboard the Diamond Star?

My review

Anne, Jane and Kath have been best friends for years. They have been by each other’s side when gods things happened but also bad things happened.
After their high school reunion, they decide that age is just a number and the world is still their oyster. So what is holding them back to book a luxury two  -week Christmas cruise around the Caribbean?
On the Diamond Star, the three women will have shared adventures but also separate ones. But one thing is for sure, this will be a trip neither one of them will ever forget! 

Before I opened the book, and just read the blurb, I thought this would be a sweet yet funny tale about three women in their sixties, ready to embark on an adventure together.
But I must say I was totally surprised by this book, and it was a good surprise! 

I liked it how the friendship between the three women was still so strong, after all these years. And while their lives took different directions, and their characters were very different, they still keep on finding each other.
Also in the romantic aspect they are completely different, as Anne is almost divorced, Kath is a widow and Jane never married. And it may seem that this are all different yet normal situations, I was a bit shocked towards the end when some truths came out. I did not see especially the big one coming it all! 

Jane was the character I sympathized the most. She felt like the most real of the friends, as she this insecurity and vulnerability about her that many people recognize. But seeing how slowly she got out of her shell was just great to read about.
And then the blooming friendship with Selwyn was the cherry on top of her cake! 

Anne could best be described as a strong character, not allowing anyone to tell her what she should do or not. Especially when she has set her eyes on Dicky, even when there are several red flags she just ignores.
But she is also a loyal friend, giving her friends a nudge in the back when needed. 

Kath can be best described as a dark horse. Recently widowed, it seems that she still mourns the loss of her husband after a wonderful marriage. So reading about her worries about her memory, made me pity her, and add the way her own children act towards her, well I know for sure I still wouldn’t dare to talk to my mother like that!.
Yet it’s only in the second half of the book that we see a side of Kath that was so unexpected. And when we get to know some secrets, I felt sorry for her for what she had to endure, but I somehow also felt that she did what she had to do… 

With the addition of all the other guests on the cruise, and the excursions the women made, it felt like I was on the cruise with them. But beside the holiday – part, this is also a story that age truly is just a number, and that you shouldn’t allow that number to hold you back. Because no matter if you are in your twenties, thirties, forties or even sixties, you never know what Life and Fate still have in store for you.

A life – changing trip to Corfu…

Synopsis

Eve Collins is looking forward to the holidays.

Her job as a counsellor has been as taxing as it has been rewarding, and she can’t wait for some downtime on the Greek island of Corfu with best-friend, Gabby. But between Eve’s brother, Ben, unexpectedly joining and Gabby’s job at the animal rescue centre keeping her busy, Eve might have to start mucking in…

When Gianni arrives in the village of Episkepsi, it’s like a model has stepped straight off the pages of Vogue Italia… with an uptight personality to match. He may be super-sexy but there are obvious chips on those broad shoulders.

As Eve and Gianni get to know each other and both start to lean into the Greek customs and avrio mentality, an initial attraction starts to turn into something more. But with so much family drama in both their lives, neither of them were looking for a holiday romance…

My review

Eve Collins is truly looking forward to spend her holidays visiting her best friend Gabby on Corfu. Being a counsellor is a very rewarding but also tiring job, so she needs to unwind. But things don’t go as planned as suddenly her troublesome brother Ben also joins her. Ben has been through a rough time, and Eve feels that Ben will equally enjoy being away from everything and everyone.
And once in Corfu, Eve is dragged by Gabby into helping out and not only helping at the animal rescue centre.
It’s at one of these ‘helping out’ moments in a hotel that Eve meets Gianni, a handsome Italian man, but also with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Because Gianni discovered on the deathbed of his father a well – kept secret… and he needs answers that will hopefully come.
But will all their worries, will their mutual attraction have time to blossom into something more?  

I always love it when a book takes me to a place I haven’t seen before, and yet makes me feel like I am right there too along with the characters. As I have never been to Corfu, this book for sure made me ‘see’ and even enjoy the Greek way of life, with all the nice oddities of its inhabitants. 

Eve’s character was one that initially confused me a little bit. We can see how caring she is, and has a way to find see what is truly troubling the students that come to her sessions. And I liked that bit, as everyone knows that with Eve they can take their own time to open up, as she will never ‘force’ the truth out of you.
Together with the lengths she goes for her brother Ben, taking him to Corfu with her, and always keeping an eye on him, only was extra proof of her caring nature.
Seeing that patience and kindness in her, was in strong contrast with the way she behaves towards her mother.
Saying that that relationship is a strained one, would be an euphemism…  And while I could see her point, her behaviour was just over the top in my modest opinion. 

Once in Corfu, she is also immediately ready to help Gabby however Eve can, with the very admirable cause of the animal rescue centre, with its peculiar animal residents.
Gabby also has her spotlight moments in this book, together with Ben, but I kinda would have liked to read more about the both of them! 

Gianni is in Corfu for a while different reason. Not only has he just recently lost his father, but his father also told his a secret that devasted Gianni. And obviously his reaction was a natural one, as I wouldn’t even know how I would react if I received that kind of news.
Not only now is he in Corfu to find out more about it, but now he also has to worry about the family business that feels more foreign to him than ever… 

Can I just say on a small sidenote, that as an Italian, I truly understand the importance of a good coffee? It’s not just because you offer me a dark substance that you can just call it ‘coffee’! While you drink coffee you should taste all the different aromas, feel the injection of caffeine and enjoy the drink! 

Back to the story now!
Eve and Gianni meet each other on a hilarious way, yet we can all see how important they will turn out to be for each other.
While they have their own demons to find, they seem to find solace with each other. And while their worlds couldn’t be more different, yet they have also a lot in common.  

There are also other people in this book who deserve their little moment de gloire, as they may not have the biggest in this story, but for sure are an addition that makes this book eve better. And I am talking about Pan, but also the villagers that perhaps may seem like a cliché, but are also very recognizable for anyone who lives in a village!
Each and one of them added a layer of funniness and laughter in the chapters.  

In this story we see that not everything is how it seems, just like Eve’s story will show you. But also that, just like in Gianni’s tale, you are not just one kind of person. But you are *you* in your unique way. And even if a revelation turns your world upside down, even that most hurtful bit can turn into something beautiful with time.
I loved reading this book, but especially how towards the end every character has its own closure without having that overly soppy ending!

When the wedding you always dreamed of turns into anything but…

Synopsis

Save the date…!

Olivia can’t believe it when her boyfriend, Teddy, proposes out of the blue. She loves him (of course she does!) BUT it does seem sudden, especially when they don’t even live together yet…

There is only one place that Olivia has ever wanted to get married – a gorgeous venue on the Cornish coast, built by her grandfather. The problem is they only have one date available – and it’s only a few weeks away! Olivia isn’t so sure about rushing but Teddy jumps at the chance to be married within the month.

Thrown into a whirlwind of wedding planning, alarm bells start to ring for Olivia. Are they doing this for the right reasons? Why is Teddy in such a rush? And when he fails to help with any part of the preparations, Olivia must find help elsewhere, with unexpected results…

As the countdown begins, will the wedding go ahead? Or will Olivia find that her future happiness lies elsewhere…?

My review

Olivia is happily together with Teddy, but is shocked when he proposes out of the blue. Not because she doesn’t love him, but they haven’t been together for that long…
Even if it’s a bit quick, Olivia doesn’t hesitate to say yes.
Olivia has always wanted to get married at one specific place, the venue on the Cornish Coast, built by her grandfather. There is only one problem… the venue won’t be offered as a place to get married anymore. The only possibility is to take a spot that has been opened after a cancellation, only a few weeks away.
And to make Olivia doubt even more, also her brother and his fiancé want to marry at the same venue, so it would be a double wedding.
The more is being planned, the more Olivia starts to doubt if she is doing the right thing. Because the wedding will turn out differently than what she wanted, Teddy is more absent than present. And what’s the rush anyway? And then she finds someone in her corner in the form of Hugo… 

Portia MacIntosh is the kind of author who just *always* delivers. Whenever I start reading one of her books, I know I will enjoy it from start to finish. And this book was again exactly what I expected (which was a lot!). 

We can all see that Liv is the kind of woman who wants to do the right things, doesn’t wat to disappoint anyone and she doesn’t want to cause any scene, even if it means that she won’t get what she exactly wants.
And while it’s nice to be that kind of person, I also felt that it was her right to have the wedding of her dreams too, to have the dress she wants and not what everyone thinks she should wear.
I obviously liked Liv for her kind character, but her gullibility, her agreeing to everything she doesn’t want, made me not like – like her too, if I am making any sense…
Just because you haven’t planned your own wedding in details or are having a double wedding, it doesn’t mean that you cannot have an own opinion or have a vote too. 

Yet it’s clear that Liv is not a lovesick young woman, as she feels that things aren’t all that perfect, and she sees that Teddy isn’t all that devoted to the wedding as he should be. She feels that there is more to his proposal than he wants her to believe.
While reading, I just wanted to scream at Liv to trust her gut – feeling over all the things she was doubting… 

Teddy isn’t a bad guy necessarily, it’s just that he isn’t the right guy for Liv. And as a reader we can sense early on that his proposal comes from a direction that is not only based on love…  

It was nice to see how she found an ally in Hugo. And how well they matched! Even if nothing happens between them during the greatest part of the story, we can see how well they would be for each other. They have so much in common, think alike over so many things.
And Hugo is a great help! He is even prepared to play Liv’s fake – fiancé to help her out! 

But this story is not about Liv and Hugo, but it’s about Liv discovering which direction is the right one for her. And not only if marrying Teddy is the right thing to do, but also about her job and her dreams. Seeing Liv going through this search and discovery, with her family by her side – supporting her on their own ways – made this a truly enjoyable story.

Of course this author can tell a story with many hilarious moments in it, as I found myself often smiling or even laughing. I can say that I devoured this book as I just wanted to know what else was in story for Liv. I wanted to read how Liv finally decided to go with her guts, and follow her heart. Even if the end isn’t necessarily the exact ending I has in mind, it was a more realistic one, not one where everything has to happen very quickly just to tie all the loose ends. And that made me love this book even more, as in life and love it’s never just ‘the end’, but perhaps just the start of a new chapter or book…

A shop not only for sewing, but also for solving murders…

Synopsis

A quirky and funny series for fans of a good mystery and compelling characters. Can you solve the crime before our dressmaking duo? 

After losing her job at an exclusive London hotel, Penny Slipper is only too happy to help when her grandma asks her to take charge at the Cozy Craft sewing shop in charming rural Suffolk.

With cousin Izzy on hand as the expert dressmaker and Penny’s head for business, what can possibly go wrong?

But Penny’s in town for less than a day when the local librarian is poisoned and Penny fears she might even be accidentally responsible. Penny and Izzy are forced to turn detectives to uncover the true cause of death, while finishing a costume commission for their first customer.

Matters take a further deadly turn when a second body is discovered. 

Can Penny and Izzy unpick the mysteries of the past and sew the pieces of this puzzle together before it’s too late?

If you enjoy fast-paced mysteries, charming country towns and characters who you want to spend hours with then you’re going to love the Cozy Craft Mystery series.

Start your next murder mystery adventure today!

My review

Penny Slipper is happy that she can help her grandma with running the Cozy Craft Sewing shop in Suffolk, after she lost her job in a hotel in London.
The shop is obviously not making great business, and Penny is adamant to change that. Luckily for the sewing expertise she can count on her cousin Izzy.
However, quickly after Penny has arrived, the local librarian is poisoned and Penny fears that somehow she is responsible…
The two cousins work together to figure out who would ever want to kill the librarian and how it was done. But not without losing an eye on their own business and the first costume commission they have received. That is until a second body is discovered… 

As the start of a brand new series, this story was very promising. Obviously the mysteries are being solved by the end of the book, yet I remained a little bit unsatisfied as I didn’t feel I got to the bottom of the characters of Penny and Izzy yet.
But of course that’s why there are already new mysteries waiting for me to read! 

We all know the saying that there is always sunshine after the rain, and this for sure applied to Penny. Her grandma’s request couldn’t have come at a better moment, as Penny just lost her job. And even if her sewing skills are non – existing, we can clearly see how she knows how to run a business. 

It was very nice to see how Penny and Izzy were chalk and cheek. While Penny is more down – to earth, Izzy was more ‘floaty’. While Penny is more focused on the business, it was amazing to see how Izzy sees opportunities in everything and how she can use her imagination for juts everything. Even if sometimes her imagination goes a bit too far! 😊
And her sewing abilities are for sure something to be jealous of! 

Describing this book as a cozy mystery is absolutely to the point. Because murders are a serious business, of course, but there are so many aspects in this book that makes everything so much lighter.
I saw the commissioned dress right in front of me, I laughed reading about the pig and seeing how the cousins both try their best but at moments also clash or are not on the same page, those were for sure the best bits! 

But I could see also all the potential of the cousins as a kind of detectives. They both used they own set of skills while trying to figure out what was going on. And also here their uniqueness was very obvious. While Penny was more using logic and her brains, we see Izzy being more hands – on even if a bit curious. 

I truly enjoyed reading this first chapter of the series, and I cannot wait to get to know the cousins better, see how they will try to make the sewing shop work, get along together while being so different. And perhaps a bit macabre from my side, to see how they will manage to solve the next murder! A great start of a promising series!

When your life is a deadline…

Synopsis

A summer to remember…

Georgia Banks knows she’s living on borrowed time. So, when doctors tell her she’s got one last summer to make all her dreams come true, she’s determined to make every day count.

The one thing that’s never in doubt, is that she wants her best friend, Gabe, to be with her every step of the way. And so, Georgia draws up her not-a-bucket list with all the things she’s determined to tick off before she goes – number one of which is to spend one last summer by the sea.

Seabreeze Farm perched high on the cliffs above the English Channel is the perfect spot, and surrounded by the antics of its menagerie of rescued animals and the warmth of the friendship she’s offered there, Georgia starts to believe she can live out all her dreams before it’s too late.

And just when she thinks there’s nothing left to wish for, Georgia gets another chance at life. But taking it might mean losing the one person she cares about the most.

As she faces her biggest challenge yet, Georgia wonders if her last summer at Seabreeze Farm will mean the end of her biggest dream of all.

This book was previously published as One Last Summer at Channel View Farm

My review

Georgia Banks didn’t have an easy life as her disease restricted her in whatever she wanted to do. Now things have gone even worse as her doctors tells her that she should use this summer to make her dreams come true, as the clock seemingly is ticking even faster.
Number one on her not – a – bucket – list is spending her time by the sea. And when she has the chance to spend it at Seabreeze Farm, with her best friend Gabe, it’s like her dream came true.
Seabreeze Farm is a wonderful place that makes Georgia feel more at home and at peace she could ever imagine.
Yet when the impossible seems to be happening, Georgia realizes that with winning, she may lose the most important person in her life…  

No, just no Jo, you shall no longer write stories that will completely break my heart and then just fix it that!
Not cool, not… cool! 

From the very start my heart went out to Georgia. I cannot even try to imagine how it feels to be living on borrowed time, having a restricted life where you cannot do what you want, or even have to pay attention to what you want to eat.
And while it would have been easy to throw pity – parties all around, I liked it how Georgia didn’t want to hear of anyone feeling sorry for her. She doesn’t want anything out of pity.
Yet her determination for not accepting that, is also a stubborn streak of her, making her not see that the people around her don’t pity her, but just want to see her happy. 

I could also understand her when she said that she doesn’t want anyone to die, or risk their lives, in order for her to live. While transplants are a wonderful thing, especially in Georgia’s case, it’s always at the cost of someone else.
Yet it was wonderful to see how many people are were willingly to let themselves get tested even if it would only buy limited time for Georgia.  

This is also a story about friendship. And Gabe for sure is the most wonderful friend someone could have. He would do just anything for Georgia, and not because her being ill. But just because they are so close as friends.
He also understands her like no one can, knowing when to make even macabre jokes to lighten the mood. 

As a reader it was a bit frustrating to read how these two best friends, sharing everything, weren’t sharing the most important thing, their real feelings. Because while it was understandable in one way, not wanting to risk their amazing friendship, yet on the other hand it was just so ‘aaaargh’ reading how they were not just seeing how amazing things would be… 

Without giving too much away of the whole amazing story, when things would appear to be going the way I wanted, I was extremely happy, but when it went to go downhill again, I got just angry, because that is not how things were supposed to go! And why hang on to what you believe instead of listening to those around you??? 

Of course, returning to Seabreeze Farm was truly wonderful. Seeing our old friends again, and seeing how their kind hearts only became even bigger, was the perfect antidote on a rainy day!
Ellie and her family and friends are just so welcoming and accepting and kind, even I want to go and visit the place! 

Even if I had to wipe away a few tears, I truly loved this heart – warming, inspiring story. It shows us in one way how fragile life can be, but also how strong and generous people can be. While I loved reading about Georgia and Gabe, it also made me think about how someone with just a small gesture can make a difference for someone else.

After finishing this marvellous book, it didn’t take me a lot of time to register myself as a donor, hoping that (hopefully not very soon although, for my own sake!) when my time has come, I can change someone else’s life too…
This is the kind of book that makes you smile, makes you cry, but also makes you count your blessings and makes you think about how you can make a difference too!

To relive the past for real, what will it hold for the present and future?

Synopsis

He travelled through time to capture her heart. 

The amulet was still in the palm of his hand. Was it some sort of conduit to the past? The image of the anguished woman in his vision was seared into his mind. Perhaps it could help him find her?

Ivar Thoresson is desperate for adventure. As an archaeologist specialising in Viking times, he wants nothing more than to travel back to the ninth century as his loved ones have done, to learn everything he can about the era which fascinates him. And whilst his adopted family have always made him feel loved, the chance to meet a true ancestor, the warrior Thorald, is a temptation he cannot resist.

But while Ivar is preparing to go, he uncovers an amulet which shows him a vision of an arresting woman with red-gold hair. Clearly in distress, she is pleading for help. Convinced of the power of the charm and its message, Ivar’s journey takes on a new purpose. He steps back in time determined to follow his destiny – and find the woman who has called to his heart.

My review

Ever since his siblings Linnae and Madison Berger were able to travel back in time, it’s been Ivar’s big dream to also find an amulet that would be able to bring him back in the real Vikings time.
While his adopted family gave him all the love and care, he wants to meet a real ancestor, the warrior Thorald.
When after a long search, he is finally successful, he is more than ready to travel back in time, but now with an extra purpose. Because since finding the amulet, he is having visions of a beautiful woman with red – gold hair, needing his help… 

Okay… time – travelling is a difficult concept to grasp, as I always think of one hundred thousand problems I would have…
And we all know that time – travelling is something not real (until further notice of course…). 

I haven’t read the complete series, but I didn’t feel that it was necessary to enjoy Ivar’s adventure. And whenever there was the need to know something that happened previously, the author made sure we had a small recap. 

Somehow I could understand Ivar’s need to travel back. While he had all he could ask for from his foster parents, he wanted to meet at least one real ancestor. There was absolutely no distinction of how he was treated compared to his siblings, yet I could see how Ivar would still feel as the ‘odd one out’.
And having his sisters being able to travel time, while he hadn’t managed yet, only made him feel more different than he already did before.
When he was finally able to travel back, I hoped he would find all the answers he was looking for and that he would find some peace.   

I found it a little bit funny reading how the clan of Vikings weren’t all that surprised when Ivar arrived, or how easily they accepted his rather lame excuse of appearing out of nowhere. Obviously, them knowing that time – travelling is possible, helps 😊. 

I liked it how no matter how much Ivar thought he was prepared, the reality was different of how he thought it would be. It makes sense that there is a big difference in a real fight compared to how Ivar trained. 

But what made me like this story even more, was reading how Ivar went from a determined bachelor to a protective Viking. It was great to see how this man, never looking for love, finds himself enthralled by a woman he doesn’t know and has only seen in his visions before.
And then to see how Ellisif has exactly the same feelings, despite her determination to never marry again after a disastrous wedding before and her new forced prospects… 

Reading their romance blossoming, showed somehow that it doesn’t matter who you are or where (or even when) you’re coming from, you can always find your match.
Both Ivar and Ellisif are strong characters, in their own ways. Ivar shows an admirable protectiveness but also sense of right and wrong. And Ellisif is tired of men underestimating her and her capabilities. But she is also a curious woman, she doesn’t fear the unknown. 

It was also a bit funny to see how the characters are trying to adapt in a world they do not know, and sometimes even failing at it. Ivar fearing for nits or Ellisif seeing a shower or a bus for the first time, it for sure made me laugh! 

It’s clearly that this author made her homework and tried to stick to the facts as much as possible. Of course, for the sake of this book, some liberties were taken, to make it all work out for the characters we started to care for.
And while in the previous books the ending was somewhat the same, I liked it how the tables were turned a bit, and the opposite happened of what we would think (not in a bad way, don’t worry!). This little detail made me like this book even more! 

Overall I truly enjoyed reading this book, making me wonder what era I would travel to if it were possible. But I also enjoyed somehow living the Viking times through this book, while sitting still comfortably in the advantages of our own era!

Another investigation for our beloved Private Investigator

Synopsis

A brand-new cozy crime series set in gorgeous Tuscany…It’s murder in paradise!

A glamourous film star…

Life as a private investigator in the suburbs of Florence isn’t always as glamourous as Dan Armstrong imagined it to be, until he is asked to investigate a recent spate of violent attacks on a Hollywood movie set in Florence. The star of the show, movie-star royalty Selena Gardner, fears her life is in imminent danger…

Foul play on set…

As Dan investigates, he discovers secrets and scandals are rife within the cast and crew. But with no actual murder, Dan believes these attacks could simply be warnings to someone…until the first body is found.

A dangerous killer on the loose.

Now Dan and his trusty sidekick Oscar are in a race against time to catch the murderer. But the more Dan uncovers, the more the killer strikes and Dan finds himself caught in the line of fire too! Is this one case Dan and Oscar will regret?

A gripping new murder mystery series by bestselling author T.A. Williams, perfect for fans of Lee Strauss and Beth Byers.

My review

Dan Armstrong is now completely settled down in Tuscany with his loyal canine companion Oscar. He enjoys his life as a private investigation, even if that means to find proof of a cheating husband. Glamourous his life is not, until his skills are required to investigate a series of violent attacks on a movie set in Florence.
Suddenly he finds himself wandering around in tights on sets, meeting a famous actress and even having a small cameo in the movie that is being shot. However, his job prevails and he and Oscar are looking for the culprit. A culprit that started with just some treats but is now turning deadly serious as there are actual victims at the scene… 

Oooh just what a lovely reencounter with Dan and Oscar! I am following this series from the start and with each stories I just like each character more and more, and fall deeper in love with the setting! 

While I liked the previous parts too, I may think that perhaps this one may be my favourite (for now). Why?
Well, because somehow we see a lighter version of Dan. We see a Dan who is happy with the choice of moving to Tuscany, who is at ease with his current life. Of course he regrets the errors he made in the past, resulting in the end of his marriage, but now he is at peace with how things are. 

There is also a funnier side we see in Dan, by choice or not. And I have to admit, I had the most laughs at moments that Dan involuntarily was being funny. I could truly imagine him being all dressed up to the part, just to blend easier in on set. But also when he says things with the right intention but with the o so wrong words, risking to make things blow up before they even started. And that was also a great addition, having a possible love interest for Dan, while this never happened in the previous books. 

But obviously, this is a cozy mystery, so the focus for Dan is to discover who is posing a threat for the people involved in the latest movie being shot in Florence.
And the author manages again to make me think in one direction to then suddenly change complete direction.
Together with Dan, I was trying to figure out who would ever have any reason to have a grudge against the movie being made.
Not knowing who the real victim or target was, added even more to the mystery but also added more joy for me to read. Was the clumsy PA the target? Or was she the culprit? Or what about the director? Or the male main protagonist with a background? So many possibilities in either direction! I love it! 

With an amazing setting, I knew beforehand that this author would be definitely scoring with me. Once again I felt like I was literally walking alongside Dan and Oscar, enjoying the fresh air, the aroma’s and the sights of Florence.
Oscar obviously deserves again all the possible treats, as while he may seem the laziest and most spoiled dog in the world, yet once again he shows his worth when it truly matters! 

This was again a great story from an amazing author, who knows how to captivate his audience with a great story filled with intrigue, mystery, friendship, laughter and even sweetness in it! T. A. Williams is showing again where his talent lays and I cannot wait to read his next tale!

Life and dreams aren’t just a game to play…

Synopsis

An irresistible story of love, friendship and the power of Games Night, perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Christie Barlow.

When Emily loses her job, house and boyfriend all within a matter of days, she’s determined to turn a negative into a positive and follow her dream of running a small cafe in the gorgeous Yorkshire village of Essendale.

But she quickly finds she’s bitten off more than she can chew when the ‘popular’ cafe she takes over turns out to secretly be a failing business. Emily desperately needs a way to turn things around, and help comes from the unlikeliest of places when she meets local board game-obsessed GP Ludek. But when a major chain coffee shop opens on the high street, Emily is forced to question if she’ll ever be able to compete.

Has she risked everything on something destined to fail? Or can a playful twist, a homely welcome, and a sprinkle of love make Emily’s cafe the destination she’s always dreamed of?

‘A heart-warming romance perfect for curling up with. I absolutely loved it’ – Kitty Wilson

My review

Emily never thought to lose everything so quickly, as she loses her job, her house and her boyfriend in just a few days.
So while staying with her best friend, she decides to finally turn her dream of opening a café into reality.
But the place she took over is not at all the great business she thought it was, on the contrary…
Now Emily has to think of a way to make her café a successful story. And when she meets the local GP Ludek, who is also a game-fanatic, she starts to see the benefits of having a Board Game Café.
However, when a famous chain coffee shop opens on the high street of Essendale, Emily starts to wonder if her dream was better left to what is was, a dream.
Even if her little café brought her slowly but so much happiness, laughter, joy and even a little bit of love… 

Well, if this was the debut romance of this author, she has very high future expectations to fulfil!
I fell so much in love with this story, with Emily, the ‘clients’ and even some of the games (even if I am not such a gamer, and knew half of the games!) 

Emily is such a vibrant, cheerful woman. And even if she loses everything in the matter of days, she won’t just sit down and wallow around. Of course, in first instance she does right that, but then she starts to see so many possibilities, chances that now she can just grab.
And I loved how her dream of having a café was actually a shared dream she had with her mother. That made my heart string even a little bit more!  

There was just one thing that bothered me little bit in this book, but at the same moment it is also the thing that made this lovely tale possible.
And that thing, or rather person, is Kate…
I understand that she is Emily’s best friend, and it is admirable that she lets Emily stay at her place. Yet at moments I found her behaviour so frustrating… She is so determined to find love that she tries everything, but at the same time she was looking for her perfect man, she was also being very prejudiced. She is at first instance only looking at how someone looks like, and if he isn’t good looking, she quickly dismisses him.
And also how she ruins the grand opening, well, I don’t know if I would want such a person to be my best friend… 

But on the other hand Kate being Kate is also the reason that Emily meets Ludek and that Emily mans up and goes after her dream. So I am ready to forgive Kate’s behaviour as it made so much possible in this book. 

This book warmed my heart on so many different levels… how Emily is following her dream, how she quickly has her steady clients, but also how she starts to enjoy playing board games. Her opening the café brings her so many new opportunities, she meets new people, etc.
But also the way she is looking after people she cares about. She is truly worried about her father, and does her best to get him out of the house more.
And also when Ludek finds himself in the hospital, despite a misunderstanding, Emily rushes to the place even if it holds so many sad memories for her. 

The story is filled with positivism, even when not so great things are happening. Foe example how things are still on a pleasant level with her ex, while it would be so easy to begrudge him. And how Emily finds a whole community helping her with her café and supporting her. Those bits were the best part to read! 

And yes, there is absolutely romance in this book, and while I absolutely adored Ludek, the romance didn’t have the complete spotlight.
Because the spotlight was totally on Emily, finding not only her happiness or see her dream become reality, but her finding something that is completely *her*, no matter what others may think.
Seeing Emily in her element was so wonderful to read about! 

I think that this author is for sure someone to keep our eyes on, as I truly believe that she will treat us with more marvellous stories in the future about amazing, wonderful people who are impossible not to love!