When the memoirs of Casanova work as inspiration.

Synopsis

Ellie Murphy takes a contract teaching English at a school in Venice. There she meets the sexy, enigmatic Professor Piero Contarini, from an ancient Venetian family, and agrees to help him in his work curating a new edition of the memoirs of the famous seducer, Giacomo Casanova. Taking their task seriously, they start to enact his adventures with each other, ecstatically revealing their own kinks as they do so. But who is watching them from the shadowy alleyways of Venice?

My review

Ellie Murphy decides to accept a teaching job in Venice. Once there, she meets Professor Piero Contarini and she agrees to help his with curating a new edition of the memoirs of Casanova.
As the sexual attraction between them only grows, Casanova is their inspiration for going after their own kinks together.

Warning before reading this story: do not read this story on a hot summer day, because the temperature will only rise!

Venice is a city that has always been on many people’s bucket list. Ellie is living the dream, having found a teaching job there.
From the first moment it’s clear that she is a very sexual woman but is still looking for her perfect man. Yet she has one in her fantasy…

When she meets Piero for the first time, you know what will happen.
He is enigmatic yet manages to push Ellie to her sexual limits, without ever crossing the lines. He is just everything Ellie needs in a man. Not only sexually, but the way he treats her in ‘normal’ circumstances is just right.

The descriptions in this book are very explicit, thus remember the warning I gave before! Even if it’s very explicit, I loved how both Ellie and Piero are trying to follow Casanova’s footsteps, not only by doing what he did, but also using the same language. And this fact was not only surprising but also refreshing.

There was a moment when things would have been awkward reading, while Ellie and Piero are modelling a painting, yet the author managed to not cross the line and make it too perverse or weird.

It’s not only a hot story to read, but as Ellie has a feeling she is being followed, a moment of suspense.  I did not see that act coming yet it elevated this from ‘just’ a hot story to something more.

A steamy story with a few nice extras but without becoming only a story with tons of sexual encounters.

Finding your home when you least expect it.

Synopsis

A feel-good story of new beginnings set in a gorgeous country village, perfect for fans of Katie Fforde and Milly Johnson.

After losing her job in New York, Amber Green isn’t looking forward to visiting her godmother in the sleepy village of Cranbridge. With its empty lanes and rundown shops, it’s hardly a place to mend her lonely heart.

But when Amber discovers that Cranbridge Stores, owned by her godmother Cathy and son Josh, is under threat of financial ruin, she realises that her skills as a window dresser might just be able to help save the struggling shop.

When disaster strikes, Amber and Josh must unite to save both the shop and the village from flooding.

Can Cranbridge Stores become the heart of the village once more?

And as the village begins to come back to life, perhaps Amber will discover a reason to stay…

My review

Amber Green just lost her job in New York. To please her mother, she goes to visit her godmother in the village of Cranbridge, before going to visit her parents.
She doesn’t really want to stay that long, but she is surprised when she finds herself helping out the Cranridge Stores.
Her godmother Cathy and son Josh run that shop, but is under threat of financial ruin. So Amber’s skill as a window dresser come in handy to give the shop a second life.

Is Amber finding a place to call home after all? Or will she move on once the shop is all done?

If you think this is purely a love story, think again.

Amber is a girl who has seen the world. She worked in London and New York as a successful window dresser until she got fired because of savings. Yet she is very shy and lacking confidence.
And the fact that Amber is who she is, made this story really realistic and sweet to read.

It’s amazing how a place like Cranridge and its inhabitants can make Amber get out of her shell. Slowly she gets confident about herself and what she is trying to achieve with the shop. Initially she is not sure, yet when everybody is complimenting her, she realizes she is actually good at was she does and enjoys it.

I also had several laughs… just thinking about the bridge and even the tractor is making me smile all over again.

Reading this story made my day (or rather the days I spent reading it). It shows that even when you feel lost in the world, there are people around ready to welcome you in their community, they accept you just as you are and are ready to boost your confidence.

The interaction between Amber and Josh lifted my spirits. From going to polite strangers to bonding while redecorating the store was really sweet. The bickering between them was fun to read about, because I knew that in the end, Josh would be biting the dust!

An amazing story about finding yourself, believing in yourself, finding people who honestly like you without an extra agenda, and a community looking out for each other. What’s not to like?

When changes can be better – or worse…

Synopsis

Kate Miller has it all; a glittering career, a wonderful home life and a promotion in the bag. She knows the rules for success, and nothing will stop her from getting to where she wants to be.

Ellie Stephens, on the other hand, can’t catch a break; she’s trapped in a vicious circle of dead-end jobs and red-flag relationships until she’s paired with Kate in their company’s brand-new mentoring scheme.

Ellie just can’t seem to get to grips with Kate’s ruthless recipe for success no matter how hard she tries, leaving her wondering if she’s the problem. Two new men in her life, affable-but-mysterious Freddie and Kate’s drop-dead gorgeous ex Liam try to help her muddle through and figure out how to get ahead.

Meanwhile, Kate’s perfect life is unravelling and where once everything she touched turned to gold, it’s suddenly falling apart. Her work nemesis is throwing obstacles in her way at every turn, her home life is in tatters and her first love is suddenly back in her life. Kate is more confused than ever; is it time to break those rules?

My review

Kate Miller is a successful woman. She has an amazing career, ready for that promotion, at home she has a lovely family, all thanks to her rules.
Ellie on the other hand, is not going anywhere in her life. She keeps going back to her ex – boyfriend whenever he calls, and her career exists of jobs with no future. But at the moment she is lucky to have a job at the same place where Kate works.

When their company is now focusing on being real mentors, Kate sees this as an opportunity to make Ellie as successful as herself. But this means Ellie has to change everything… yet her potential is finally coming out!
But when Kate realises her family is falling apart and even at work not everything is going smoothly, she is more confused than ever. Are the rules she applies really the key to happiness?

From the very start I truly liked Ellie, even if I don’t always agree with her decisions. She’s the girl next door, sweet, caring and just overall nice. Even too nice sometimes. Yet she is also a bit shy, afraid to stand up for herself.
I see so many of me in Ellie…
And when she gets the opportunity to step up the ladder, I was happy for her.

Kate on the other hand, was a harder nut to crack. With her, I saw she totally focused on her career. Of course, nothing to say bad about it, but it’s the way she sometimes handle things, I had my doubts about it.
And even if she didn’t see it herself, I could see that her husband was not happy and I was not totally surprised when he took that specific decision. For Kate is was a total shock, and that was a moment I wanted to slap her! 😁

Also the relation between Kate and Ellie is not easy. Kate does what she thinks is the best way, yet the way she expresses herself, hurts Ellie. And I felt so sorry for Ellie, because she does not deserve to be treated that way!
But luckily Ellie can count on her friends, old ones and even new ones. Freddie is one of the new ones, and they keep on bumping each other at the weirdest places!
And when she meets Liam, well, the attraction is definitely there! Only problem, he is Kate’s ex!

Even if Kate seems this hard business woman, there were moments I pitied Kate… having your world crushing around and realizing that you have no friends, well it’s a hard pill to digest… big is her surprise when she gets comfort from the person she least expected it!

Slowly the women are changing. Ellie is becoming more assertive and dares to stand up for herself. And Kate realizes when she was in the wrong and she realizes what she truly wants. And no matter how hard it is for her, she will dig deep to obtain her true desire. And yet she has her heart at the right place, as it will show further along in the story.

This story surprised me. I didn’t expect to enjoy it so much! There is not just the story of Ellie or Kate. It’s about being just you is enough, but also standing up for yourself. Do not just go with the flow, but stand up for injustice, because it can be a hard world out there…
And sometimes a change for the worst is only the beginning of the change for the best! And real friends can be found at the least expected places!

The story of a lifetime.

Synopsis

Rationing, bombing, disease and pit disasters are part of Rose Kelly’s World War 2 childhood. When the spirited coalminer’s daughter discovers a family secret, she makes a choice that overshadows her teenage years. Rose tries to make the most of post-war opportunities but family tragedy pulls her back to a life in the colliery rows. She relinquishes her bright future for domestic duties because her family comes first. Will family ties get in the way of her dreams?

My review

Growing up during World War 2 is not an easy thing to do. Yet Rose Kelly makes the best of it, even if she doesn’t comprehend everything.
Slowly she goes from childhood through her teenage years and becoming a young woman.
When she discovers a family secret, she reluctantly keeps it hidden, but the consequences when the secret is out, is not what she expected…

I truly enjoyed this story. The evolution of Rose was a rollercoaster. She goes from this little girl, not afraid to speak up, to this young woman determined to make something of her life, no matter how many lemons life threw her…

As a young girl, she faces several tragedies, yet she remains her cheery self. Despite being the daughter of a coalminer, she manages to have a good education and she finds out what kind of work she wants to do.
But when her family needs her, she has no single doubt in her mind to do the right thing. This shows us how no matter how big her own dreams are, how important her family is for her.

I started this book on a lazy day, expecting to read just a few chapters, but all the characters the storylines were so capturing, I found myself suddenly submerged in the book.
Everything Rose goes through, left me longing to know how it all would end, no matter what was going on, from taking her exams, trying to be a good help to her family, finding the love of her life, and even great losses.

A story showing the joys and also tragedies of a family in post – war, but yet so applicable even in these times.
Not a book to be put easily away!

Problems of the world in space

Synopsis

It’s the year 2100. Earth is dying. A young woman, Elsie, has risked everything to get her newborn son, Will, aboard ‘The Mayflower’ – a spaceship that will transport a select number of people to a new planet they can call home. Elsie’s luck takes a turn when she discovers the captain of ‘The Mayflower’ is an old friend. He allows her to board with her son, giving them a place on the luxurious Floor One, where they live amongst the most honoured of ‘The Mayflower’s’ passengers.

Thirteen years later, and Will is ready to start school at Space Academy, an institute specialising in subjects such as Alien Studies, Technology, and Rocket Control. While a pupil there, Will starts to uncover secrets about his father’s death, becoming wrapped in a mystery that he and his friends must solve if they are to have any hope of saving humanity from the threat that lies in wait.

Lose yourself in this brilliantly addictive novel as it takes you on a journey through the stars. But be warned – you might be surprised by what you find.

My review

In 2100 the Earth is dying. Only a select group is having a way out: flying with spaceship “The Mayflower” to another planet.
Elsie does whatever she can to get on the ship together with her baby Will. Luckily the captain is an old friend and some strings are pulled.

When Will is ready to start school thirteen years later at Space Academy, he makes new friends, even with people he wouldn’t expect to befriend with.
But he also uncovers secrets about his father. And on top there are other mysterious things going on.

Can Will and the friends find out the whole truth?

When you start reading this book, keep your mind open. There are several things in it, that will make you frown if you forget to keep an open mind.

This story takes place in space, after the Earth is totally lost. It’s a bit frightening, reading how our home is a lost cause and people are forced to start a home on a whole other planet.
Yet this story makes it obvious that the problems that existed on Earth are not just gone because the Earth is gone.
Money and power make people always selfish. And those who have both will always look down on people who have less.
And popular kids will always bully the other ones.
So in fact, no much will change…

Will shows that he is one of the good guys, he doesn’t care on what Floor you are staying or how wealthy your parents are. He is an example of how people should always be.

The things he uncovers with his friends learn us that not only humans are a threat to our existence, but also aliens can be deceiving (keep that mind open!).

Despite being a bit farfetched for me (my mind wasn’t open), the intrigues and mysteries kept me going.
I wanted to know what truth the friends would find, and how they would save themselves from a hazardous situation!

This story is ideal for the young adults among us!

Today it’s time for a cover reveal!

Synopsis

The 1970s. Zany fashions brought the Decade That Taste Forgot. Change is in the air. Decimal currency; the Common Market; widespread strikes; the Winter of Discontent; IRA bombings; the sale of Council houses and quickie divorces make their mark on the whole country including the community of the Banjo. The eight households who live in Cromwell Close experience births, deaths, marriages, shocks and surprises but as the 70s become the 80s and beyond Dagenham undergoes great transformation. The once close-knit Community is changing.

About the Author

Elaine Spires is a novelist, playwright, screenwriter and actress. Extensive travelling and a background in education and tourism perfected Elaine’s keen eye for the quirky characteristics of people, captivating the humorous observations she now affectionately shares with the readers of her novels. Elaine has written two books of short stories, two novellas and seven novels, four of which form the Singles Series – Singles’ Holiday, Singles and Spice, Single All The Way and Singles At Sea.  Her latest book, Singles, Set and Match is the fifth and final book in the series.  Her play Stanley Grimshaw Has Left The Building is being staged at the Bridewell Theatre, London in May 2019.  Her short film Only the Lonely, co-written with Veronique Christie and featuring Anna Calder Marshall is currently being in shown in film festivals worldwide and she is currently working on a full length feature film script. Only the Lonely won the Groucho Club Short Film Festival 2019. Elaine recently returned to UK after living in Antigua W.I. She lives in East London.

THE COVER!!!

When coming home is not how you expected…

Synopsis

Weeks after boarding a train to Paris in pursuit of her writing dreams, aspiring novelist Maisie Clark is right back where she started: on the idyllic shores of Port Hewer in Cornwall, luggage in hand and heart filled with anticipation for what lies ahead. Except that nothing seems the same as Maisie left it, from her place among the staff at the hotel Penmarrow to her budding romance with groundskeeper Sidney Daniels, who isn’t quite ready to overlook the painful consequences of her sudden departure.

Losing Sidney would be unbearable, but Maisie can’t help fearing it might be true if the rift between them proves too deep to heal. She knows her feelings for him are unchanged, but whether he feels the same remains to be seen—particularly since she stopped him from expressing them in the first place. And to make matters worse, her position at the Penmarrow has been filled by another, there’s nowhere for her to live in the village, and her savings are finally dwindling to a pathetic number – with her book still unpublished after her startling discovery about the author helping guide her towards success.

But one thing which hasn’t changed is the drama and excitement at the hotel Penmarrow, where the staff is awaiting inspection from the dreaded owner Ms. Claypool. Stirring up trouble in the meantime is the owner’s special guest ‘Mad Ludwig’, an eccentric architect whose demands are definitely driving everyone on the staff a little crazy. And then there’s the hotel’s mysterious new desk manager, whose behavior ignites Maisie’s suspicions and causes her to become entangled in yet another form of intrigue—one that could unwittingly jeopardize the future of the Penmarrow and everyone who works there, unless Maisie can find a way to undo the harm.

With everything that matters to her most at stake this time, Maisie faces her biggest challenges yet…and her deepest question of the heart as she confronts the reason she returned to Cornwall and the Penmarrow in the first place.

My review

After her adventure, Maisie Clark is heading back to Cornwall. Yet a lot of things have changed while she was away…
She has no job at the Hotel Penmarrow anymore, and Sidney is even more distant even if her feelings for him are the same.

Meanwhile the staff of the hotel are anxious for the inspection of the owner. And how ill the staff manage to keep eccentric architect Ludwig satisfied? And what is going on with the new desk manager?
It’s not an easy coming home for Maisie, but is there still a chance for her?

I was so happy that Maisie was going back to the place that felt home for her. When her latest adventure wasn’t exactly what she expected, I wanted her to find her happiness again in Cornwall, with Sidney.

But when she finally got home, the welcoming back she received, made me sad. Instead of everybody being happy to see her again, it was like she was one of the guests in the hotel, and not someone they bonded with in time.

Also Sidney’s reaction was not what I expected… I just wanted Maisie to be happy again, yet it was not on the agenda for her.
Somehow I understood Sidney’s reaction, it’s not easy to see the woman you are having a connection with, going away.
But anyway, she opened her heart for him, and then being rather cold, well, it was harsh…

Maisie wouldn’t be the Maisie we all love if she would just give up. Slowly she finds a way to come closer again to Sidney by totally opening up. And she shows she truly loves him, by accepting not knowing everything about him yet.

This part of the series was not about writing a book, or a big adventure. But more about realizing where your true home is. And that even if sometimes it seems that things have changed for the worse, there is no reason for giving up. And you have to dare to be totally honest. Sometimes all love needs is an extra nudge in the right direction.

Yet we are not there yet at all! I cannot wait to read how the story will end!

When the future you imagined just disappears in the blink of an eye.

Synopsis

Living on the streets is terrifying and exhausting. Grace’s only comforts are a steady stream of vodka, and a strange little boy who’s following her around.

At nineteen, Grace has already had a child and endured an abusive marriage. But she’s also had her baby abducted by her vengeful husband and been framed as a neglectful mother. Even her own parents doubted her version of the story. So she did the only thing that made sense to her—run away.

The streets are unforgiving. Winter is drawing in. And Grace isn’t prepared for the harsh realities of survival. At her very bleakest, a Good Samaritan swoops into her life and rescues her. With a roof over her head and food in her stomach, she longs to see her baby again.

But nothing ever comes for free.

My review

Grace is a young girl ready to start working on her future. After finishing high school, she wants to go to the university and make something of her life.
When she finds herself pregnant, all her dreams are put away and she finds herself married with the father of her baby girl.

But married life is not how she imagined… Her husband is abusing her, and when she finds the courage to go away, he abducts the child and accuses Grace of being a neglectful mother.
Having no one on her side, she sees no other option than running away…
But life on the streets isn’t an easy life… and she finds herself doing things she never imagined…

This story should come with a real warning… it’s not a happy story at all. And when you think it can’t be any worse, well think again…

I’ve read many sad stories, but I think Grace is one of the characters I pitied the most. Maybe she is a bit gullible, but can you blame her?
Grace is an example how one bad decision can turn your world upside down.  She does her utterly best, but when you have to fight against everyone, I understand how she got in a downward spiral and couldn’t find a way out.

Yet I also admired her. She finds the courage to fight her demons several times again. She knows who she is and will not stand being dragged through the mud anymore.

A story of how domestic abuse can not only lower your self – esteem, but can also put you in a lonely corner. Yet also about breaking the downward spiral and finding yourself again and fighting for your happiness and family.

What’s more in store for the Byrne sisters?

Synopsis

Sitting alongside the beach and just up from the gently lapping waves, sat a perfect cottage. She had found where she was going to live. Her own little cockleshell cove.

Ever since the Byrne sisters – Ariana, Aster, Clem, Paddy and Nic – discovered they were heiresses to the vast Hiverton fortune, their lives have never been the same. No longer living in poverty in London, they now own an estate in Norfolk, a castle in Scotland and a picturesque village in Cornwall.

When sensitive Paddy, the baby of the family despite her successful career as a model, swaps the catwalks of Paris Fashion Week for the cobbled lanes of Tregisky on the beautiful Cornish coast, it’s time for her to stand on her own two feet.

Soon, she’s settled in her new home of Cockleshell Cottage overlooking the wild surf, the seals her closest companions.

And when she meets ex-soldier Hal, she’s instantly smitten. Funny, considerate, and not to mention drop dead gorgeous, he’s perfect in every way apart from one – he’s engaged. But after a misunderstanding brings the two together in ways they couldn’t have imagined, it seems like they might just change each other’s lives.

Will Paddy fall in love with more than just the glorious blue skies of Cornwall? Or are there storm clouds gathering ahead?

Escape to the Cornish coast this summer with this completely uplifting romcom – perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Phillipa Ashley and Milly Johnson

My review

Paddy Byrne is tired of modelling around the world. She needs some time alone to figure out what she really wants from life. And what better way to do that than going to the Cornish Coast?
So she settles down in her new home of Cockleshell Cottage.

When she meets Hal, an ex – soldier, they instant like each other. They would be a perfect match, if only he wouldn’t be already engaged…

How much can I enjoy a book? The answer to that question is: if it’s a book like this one, A LOT!!!

In first instance I was happy to read about the Byrne – sisters all over again. And when Paddy her story starts, I started reading and I had to be forced to put the book away.

Paddy is a model, and now also heiress of the Hiverton fortune. Yet she remained her humble self. Even modelling did not make her forget who she truly is. She is so down-to-earth and trying to make every one of her family happy.
Yet the sad part is that she is so unsure… she didn’t finish her education, making her a bit otherworldly. She does not have the average knowledge and this makes her more receptive for people with les good intentions…

But her kindness, her readiness to help out wherever she can, makes up for her “shortcoming”. And even when the one time she thinks of herself, and she has to pay the consequences, she does not choose the easy way out. She makes a decision, and stick to it.

And Hal is also every woman’s dream, putting his engagement aside. He is a nice guy, and despite his personal troubles, he makes the best of everything. He is having his own struggles yet he is there to help the community and Paddy.

Despite many misunderstandings, there is a real spark between Paddy and Hal.

It may seem like an easy book, and somehow it is. Yet somehow the author managed to write a real captivating story. The location, each character and every event elevate this story even to a higher level.

I truly enjoyed it, reading about Paddy and also getting to know the sisters a little bit better. Can’t wait to see what adventures the other sisters are awaiting!

Finding yourself at the other side of the world.

Synopsis

Rachel Watson has it all worked out. By 30, she’s ticked off most of the goals on her Life List. She’s a homeowner, a partner at her law firm, she has a gorgeous boyfriend, lots of hobbies and loads of good friends. The only thing that’s missing is a ring on her finger.

According to her Life List, Rachel should be getting hitched around now, so when her boyfriend, Paul, plans a romantic date, Rachel’s pretty confident he’s going to propose. Except Paul has other ideas. He’s jetting off to India to find himself.

Distraught, Rachel doesn’t know what to do. Not one to easily admit defeat, she embarks on a mission to win him back.

Flying solo to India is definitely not on Rachel’s Life List, but could her trip teach her some unexpected lessons about love, life and herself? Could she realise that perhaps her Life List wasn’t exactly what she wanted, after all?

My review

Rachel Watson is ready to thick off the next goal on her Life List: getting married. Especially when her boyfriend Paul has planned a romantic date. All the signs are there: the restaurant of their first date, she saw him at a jewellery store.

Yet at the actual date, it becomes rather quickly that Paul is not at the same level with Rachel. Instead of proposing, he just announces that he needs to find himself again and that he is going to a retreat in India.

After the initial shock, Rachel decides to fly also to India and win Paul back. But is it really all that easy?

Again a book from this author I just devoured!

Somehow I could relate with Rachel, with her Life List. Did we not have all a plan in our head, and wanting to follow it? Yet life has other plans and we have no other choice than dealing with what is happening at that moment.

When Rachel has all her hopes of getting engaged and the date becomes a total disaster, yes I had to laugh a little bit because of the absurdity of it all. And yet I felt so sorry for her… all her hopes and dreams just poof, gone!

But if there is one thing we can say about Rachel, is that she is determined! She does not just give up, but flies all over the world. Speaking about dedication!
Flying to India is not that obvious. Of course India is a totally different world compared to ours. So the culture shock is big!

And seeing Rachel struggling with adapting a modest life, well it’s not easy. Modest because going to a retreat is all about going back to basics. So how can a woman like Rachel, and ok, like all of us, manage in a place where make – up and expensive clothes are not very welcome. Also sleeping in a three house with no actual bed, well, I didn’t envy Rachel at all!

When she finds Paul, the reunion is not how she planned at all. Suddenly she finds herself alone in a different country… luckily she makes quickly new friends, including Seb and Meera.
Being there she makes the best of her vacation, and slowly we see this woman making a change.

Rachel starts to see the importance of being just you, and thinking about material things. Even if Rachel does not understand the joy of meditating (I hear you girl!) she somehow finds herself again and starts to make the right priorities in life again. No worries, she doesn’t become suddenly a hippie, but she understands what’s important and what not. And she even finds a new purpose!

I had so many laughs while reading, especially during the workshops! Yet the message arrived loud and clearly…
Life cannot be planned, and sticking to your plan even if it’s not with the right man, is not the answer to everything.
You always have to stay true to yourself and the right people will accept you as you are.

If you’re looking for a laugh, with romance but also about self – discovery, you should read this amazing book! And I cannot wait for the next part!