I loved every tiny bit of it!

Synopsis

Two weddings and a baby…but who will get their happy ever after?

Emily Prescott’s life isn’t going to plan. Her dreams of starting a family with fireman boyfriend Greg and opening upher own bakery in London feel like they will never come true. So when a wedding
invite arrives from her oldest friend, Beth Williams, Emily is thrilled. Not only will she get to return to her childhood home in Scotland, but best of all – Beth wants her to bake the wedding cake!

However, her excitement is cut short when she discovers that Greg has cheated on her. Devastated by his betrayal, Emily flees to Glendale Hall, Beth’s grand estate in the Highlands, and tries to distracts herself with helping with the wedding plans, but that’s not easy when Greg keeps hounding her to forgive him. Then she’s introduced to Glendale’s new young and handsome vicar Brodie, and things become even more complicated.

When Emily discovers that Greg’s betrayal runs deeper than she imagined, she finds herself with a whole host of decisions to make, especially when she discovers her long awaited dream is finally being fulfilled – at exactly at the wrong time…

Escape to Scotland and fall in love with this gorgeous and inspiring romance from the bestselling author of Coming Home to Glendale Hall! The perfect feel-good read for fans of Holly Martin, Heidi Swain, and Jill Mansell.

My review

Emily has a few dreams… she wants to open her own bakery, she wants to marry her boyfriend Greg and she wants a baby.
But instead of following her dreams, she works for a lovely lady in a bakery, her boyfriend is absolutely against marriage and having a baby seems to be harder than expected.

When she finds out that Greg has cheated on her, her world is turned upside down. Not being able to stay in London, she escapes to Glendale Hall. There she finds her friend Beth, whose wedding cake she was planned to bake anyway. So instead of going last minute there, she is going there sooner, to clear her mind and create the perfect wedding cake.

Being at Glendale Hall, she soon discovers the true meaning of being at home in a place, rediscovering friendships, finding new friends. But also finding out that her dream is finally coming true, but at the worst possible timing…

From the first chapter, I was hooked!
Emily is a woman who knows what she truly wants, but instead of chasing her dreams, she doesn’t want to disappoint people and is settling for less.
But when she flees to Glendale Hall, we see the better version of Emily. Being at Glendale Hall, being surrounded by people who love her unconditionally and have her back on matter what, gives Emily the chance of doing some deep digging about what she truly desires.

Emily is a in my opinion a strong woman, but when things don’t go as she planned, she gets stuck. It’s not only Greg cheating on her, but also her wish coming out at the worst possible time. And when she finds out that Greg is having more than just 1 secret, she is just devastated and indecisive what she should do next.

Luckily for her, she has a whole bunch of friends and family standing behind her, supporting every decision she is making. And when she decides to finally chase her ultimate dream, her amazing friends show again what unconditional love means!

I ADORED every chapter, every paragraph, every sentence, every word of it!
This whole book is submerged with love, kindness and friendship, all unconditionally given. And let’s be honest, what else do you need in the world?

Victoria manages to write a book that sweeps you away. Despite the problems Emily is having, making hard decisions for not only her best interest, she manages to find happiness in the kindness of a town.
If sometimes you find yourself stuck in a place, you have to find it in your heart to make a hard decision. And no matter how hard it may seem, if the decision will bring you closer to your heart’s true desire, it will be all worth it!

Only revenge is the solution!

Synopsis

A stolen life. A Faustian bargain. Prey becomes predator.

Azar Abed is out for revenge for the life Dr. Adrian Armond stole from her. No matter what the cost. Adrien Armond will stop at nothing to recover the massive fortune Azar Abed embezzled from him. Neither will walk away until the other is dead. Someone’s going to die, that is for certain.

Personal revenge gets caught up in a bio-terror plot to crash the world’s economy as darkness spirals into darkness and terror is the order of the day. Azar Abed and Adrien Armond are on a collision course that could have catastrophic consequences on a global scale.

Who will kill who first? Will it be enough? Can anyone stop the bio-terror plot to destroy the world’s economy that is already in motion? Does anyone have enough humanity left even to try?

Set against a backdrop of Washington, DC, ONE is a heart pounding-psychological thriller pitting greed against greed in a cat-and-mouse game where vengeance is the only prize. It can be read as a standalone, or as the conclusion to events begun in its predecessor, TWO. It concludes the Path of Deception and Betrayal series.

My review

After his trail, Adrien Armond is a free man. He is planning to build a new life with all the money he assembled with art forgery and trafficking in black – market organs.

But his plan falls into water when he finds out that Azar Abed is looking for revenge…
Azar  does not want to see Adrien dead, but want to cause total world chaos, which will only benefit herself….
Adrien and Azar are face to face, not giving an inch to each other. But who will be surviving this deadly game?
Will there be anyone able to stop all the madness? Or are Jackson and Mary trying to avoid the inevitable?

What a conclusion of this series! After reading Three and Two (which I recommend!) you know the apotheosis  will be on a global scale!
In first instance, you understand Azar her reasons for seeking revenge. But the actions she takes are over the top…

Somehow you would expect with everything she has witnessed with her father, she would have more sense, but unfortunately the apple does not fall far from the tree… Eventually money is the main reason for everyone.

Even Adrien, having dodged the bullet… During the story you might think he may have come to his senses, but the truth is, he still is and remains that a**hole we met in ‘Two’….

This thriller got me all wrapped up in the world of intrigues, conspiracies and backstabbing.
All the questions from the previous books got answered, but not without some twists and turns.
Luckily we have Jackson and Mary who are able to stand their ground in this world of crime. Their knowledge and gut feelings make sure that they are chasing Azar only being a small step behind. Mary as usual is always mistrusting everything and everyone, and her brain twisters that seem so bizarre, giving you the chance to take a breath of needed fresh air.

It got me all worked up, fearing for a terrible ending. Would it be possible to stop everything or are Jackson and Mary fighting a losing battle?

The end was not what I thought would be… it was something I never expected to be, teaching me again to not just trust anybody!

When I saw this cover, I fell immediately in love with it!!!

Synopsis

A gorgeous sun-filled new story from author of the Villa Limoncello series.

Welcome to The Cornish Confetti Agency!

When the grand finale of Lexie Harrington’s catwalk showends with a disastrous twist on the ‘ice bucket challenge’, she was expecting her highly-strung boss to fire her on the spot. What she wasn’t expecting was to bump into her fiancé cosied up with an attractive blonde in the restaurant opposite their apartment!

Desperate to escape her heartbreak, Lexie flees to her childhood home of St Ives to hold the fort at The Cornish Confetti Agency for her best friend Freya, leader of the yummy mummy network and firm believer in ‘happily ever afters’. Little did she know that delivering a Caribbean-themed wedding in sunny Cornwall would rival the fashion industry for drama, tantrums and mysterious goings on. 

Who is responsible for dousing the bridesmaid’s dress with tomato ketchup? Or hiding the bride’s beloved Jimmy Choos? Or attaching googly eyes to everything in sight?

The perfect Cornish wedding? Is there such a thing for The Cornish Confetti Agency?

About the author

Daisy James is a Yorkshire girl transplanted to the north east of England. She loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plotlines. When not scribbling away in her peppermint-and-green summerhouse (garden shed), she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something pink and fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea – china plates and teacups are a must.

Daisy would love to hear from readers via her Facebook page or you can follow her on Twitter @daisyjamesbooks or on Instagram @booksdaisyjames.

THE COVER

I don’t know about you, but this cover is just amazing!

Synopsis

Babushka hadn’t been in her homeland since she was a child. She went to the church with a suitcase, and the whole way, Babushka thought about how she would feel in Ukraine after so many years. She sang, and then she prayed. Amen. But Babushka was thinking of her trip instead of the Lord’s grace. After a long time pondering what to expect—if she would feel a sense of belonging—Babushka arrived in her homeland. Babushka had a lot of fun, but she felt like something was missing. She was homesick. “Babushka is Homesick” is a story about memories, family, and the true meaning of the word “home.”

“Babushka is Homesick” is the second children’s book in the Babushka Series. Everyone has their own stories, history, and the desire to belong. The first book, “Tell me a story, Babushka,” is a best-selling new release in Children’s Multicultural Literature on Amazon USA (Aug 2019), in which kids and adults will enjoy fun adventures and identify their own stories.

This folktale is ideal for ages 4-11 and perfect for teachers.

About the author

About Carola Schmidt

Pediatric Oncology Pharmacist & award-winning author. Author of children’s multicultural literature, such as Babushka Series, and children’s books about cancer, such as Chubby’s Tale: The true story of a teddy bear who beat cancer, and Bald is Beautiful: A letter for a fabulous girl. Springer Nature author with several scientific books published on pediatric oncology.

And now… THE COVER!!!

More than expected!

Synopsis

Verona is the City of Love. But will Suzie find romance there or, like Romeo and Juliet, will it all end in tears?

When Suzie is hired to accompany spoiled, abrasive Lady Alexandra Tedburn on an all-expenses paid holiday to Italy, she fears the trip will be a disaster.

But she soon discovers there’s more to Alex than shopping and tantrums, and she’s determined to help her realise her potential – against Alex’s authoritarian father’s wishes.

As they settle in Verona, Suzie can’t stop thinking about local artist Michael, who is still mourning the tragic death of his wife. With Suzie’s future uncertain, and Michael’s past
holding him back, it seems there’s no hope for romance in the city of
star-crossed lovers… or is there?

A gorgeously uplifting and moving story, Dreaming of Verona is the perfect read for fans of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant and Jenny Oliver.

My review

Suzie gets the opportunity to go on a holiday to the city of her dreams, when she’s hired to accompany Lady Alexandra Tedburn.
Despite what she thinks, Alex is a grown – up woman, but her father wants someone to chaperone her.

Soon Suzie discovers that there is more to Alex than initially thought. They spend a lot of time together in Venice and nearby, and a close friendship is born.
Suzie tries to persuade Alex to follow her dream to study arts and come clean about her feelings.

While discovering the area, Suzie meets plenty of people. She meets Alex’ love interest, she makes new friends, and meets Michael, a local artist with a sad history.
They bond quickly, but is Michael ready to put the past behind him?

For me, this book was not a love story between 2 people but so much more. First of all, it’s about Suzie and her love for Verona and Shakespeare. She is trying to find her place in the world, and even if she feels at home in Verona, is this the place where her future lays?
But it’s also the story about Alex, how first impressions can be wrong. How you have to learn to chase your dreams, and be ready to let go of your world of wealth.

Mainly it’s a story about friendship. Suzie and Alex have more in common than thought. Because of their differences they realize they can depend on an honest opinion and persuasion of not just giving up.
The attraction between Suzie and Michael is in my opinion a minor storyline. But it’s so nice to read about! How someone cannot feel ready for a new relationship, and there is understanding and acceptance of being ‘just friends’.

What made me truly love it, was how Suzie adored all the places she went to. Of course everyone has read about the places, but reading how Suzie finally gets to see the places herself and how they exceed her expectations, made me dream of those places too!
Almost all the places in the book are places I visited myself at least once, so the attraction is understandable.

As I have seen, this author has written other books while ‘Dreaming of’, so now I MUST read those stories too!

Is the grass always greener?

Synopsis

When David meets old school-friend, Erin again he falls head over heels in love. He leaves his wife and their sixteen-year-old daughter to marry Erin. But, in a small village people have long memories and they move south for a fresh beginning. Erin’s behaviour starts to change in a very strange way and David wonders if she is punishing him for something he’s done?

My review

David left his wife and 16 years old daughter when he fell head over heels in love with Erin 2 years ago. He and Erin were old school friends but Erin moved to Australia.
And when by sheer coincidence they meet again so many years later, the attraction is just too big to ignore. And eventually they even got married.
Their marriage is a happy one, with the usual but not insurmountable issues. They take a next step in life, when David has the chance to go after a promotion nearby London.

After the move, Erin behaves suddenly very strange and out of character. David even becomes afraid of his own wife. But what caused this change in Erin? Did David do something wrong and he isn’t aware of it?

When we first get to know David and Erin, they are this happy couple, but also a bit struggling living a small town where everyone knows that David left his wife for Erin. Being in a small town, everyone blames Erin for wrecking a perfectly happy family.

Rather quickly in the book, despite my initial dislike for the situation, I realized that David and Erin truly love each other. Erin knows that David has more in his sleeve than he even realizes, and pushes him in taking decisions he initially is not sure in taking. Erin does this with the best intentions, because she loves him so much.

The whole situation goes for the worse after they move. Erin suddenly becomes more aggressive towards David. The reader knows what is the cause, but the situation quickly gets of out hand. But how far will everything deteriorate?

In a way, you understand Erin her feelings, but her actions are over the top. And when it evens goes as far as domestic abuse, all the sympathy you had for her, disappear.
And when she starts doing things behind David’s back, even the understanding is gone.

The further you go in the story, the more sympathy you feel for David. He has nobody he can rely on, being in a new place. But I had some relief when he quickly builds a friendship with Jessie and Jakub, and despite everything that happened in the past, he can still rely on his ex – wife.

This is a thriller which made me wonder how it all would end, and what consequences everybody would carry. And also a reminder that sometimes the life we had wasn’t so bad at all…

Hot hot hot!

Synopsis

Sometimes digging up the dirt

Means getting deliciously dirty…

I always work for the good guys. My job was simple: get the dirt on Coco Lauren, a princess of a socialite who talks—and plays—dirty. But I kissed her. I tasted her. Uncovered the tantalising woman beneath the polished façade. And she undid me in every way. Now I’m the bad guy. But how do I tell Coco the truth…when coming clean means losing her?

My review

Ash is a private investigator hired to find dirt on Coco Lauren, a member of the family of Duchess Lauren. And not hired by just anyone, but her own brother!
Ash thinks it will be an easy job, just find the dirt, pass it on and cash the money.

But when he sees her in an exclusive “whatever happens inside stays inside” sex club, he cannot resists her any longer.
After their first encounter, Ash cannot put her out of his mind, he wants more of her, wants to know all her secrets and protect her from the cruel world outside.
But how will Coco react when she finds out he’s the real bad wolf?

Rachael did it again, writing an amazing hot story that will keep you going!
But this book I liked even more than her other ones, because for once, it’s Coco who dictates everything!
It’s so refreshing seeing a man put on his knees by a woman and not the other way around!

Coco is seemingly a strong woman, knowing how she has appear in public, as is required from a woman with her allures. But behind the façade, there is a fragile woman, trying to cope with the imminent loss of her beloved grandmother. The only way she can forget about her pain, is passing time in the club.
But after meeting Ash, she finds herself tangled in lust, but also having the desire to trust Ash and allow herself to love him.

Ash is known for being the best private investigator in the area, but his instinct to protect Coco is too overwhelming!

Both Coco and Ash have issues to completely trust someone, as their trust and love have been betrayed in the past.
When they are together, they are able to put everything behind them, and share thoughts and memories they wouldn’t share with anyone.

This story was a steamy story, but also a story about opening up, learning to trust and rely on somebody. And that when you love someone, you would move heaven and Earth to make him or her happy!

When the attraction is just too big…

Synopsis

A reunion in Rome…Sparks an affair to remember!

Responsible widow Lilian Fairclough is persuaded to travel to Rome for a hard-earned break and to let down her hair! She’s surprised to be reunited with passionate, cynical Italian duke, Pietro Venturi. He reawakens her sensual side and intrigues her with glimpses of pain beneath his rakish surface. Enticed into a secret and temporary affair – what will happen once she returns home?

My review

Widowed Lilian Fairclough travels to Rome, as a gift from her now adult children. She feels as she is not needed anymore, as all her children are settled down. She also thinks that as the love of her life is gone, she is not entitled for another love.
But in Rome she meets Pietro Venturi again. A couple of months ago, something happened between them, but Lilian never thought to see him again…

In Rome their attraction is too hard to resist, but there is not only the attraction, but they have a mutual interest in art, making them bond even more.

It was nice to read about someone who already had her love of her life. In most books, it all ends when the 2 of them get together and they both live happily ever after.
But what happens when the other half dies and you are left alone?

Lilian feels she has no right to love again, because she had her love already. And I think this is a feeling many people have. Are you entitled to have another great love when you already had your share?

Pietro is a handsome duke, but is not at all inclined to settle down. Slowly he opens up to Lilian, and you get to understand why he is who he is now. But he’s also a kind friend, showing Lilian around in Rome, and share the same thoughts.

I really enjoyed this book, as both characters are real adults. They are not just some light headed persons just falling in love, and have the world at their feet.
Both Lilian and Pietro had their share of bad luck (if we can call it like that) which made them into the persons they are now.

And for me, being sometimes a pain in the a** when it comes to Italy, I truly enjoyed it when the grammar was correct. When somebody spoke in Italian, not only was it written correctly, but the construction of the sentence was correct.

And it was amazing imagining the places I know so well through Victorian glasses! I knew where I was in Rome and I saw myself walking with Lilian and Pietro!

Gold – digger or no gold – digger?

Synopsis

Lesley has always fancied herself as an amateur sleuth, a sort of modern day Miss Marple without the support stockings.

So when Al wants to hire her to investigate his elderly uncle’s young fiancée, she jumps at the chance. It doesn’t hurt that the job will involve posing as Al’s girlfriend and joining his glitzy, star-studded family on holiday in Nice.

Stella still can’t quite believe she’s engaged to legendary actor Sir Peter Bradshaw. She accepted what she thought was a deathbed proposal. Now she has a living, breathing fiancé and a wedding to plan.

First, though, she has to get through a holiday in the South of France with Peter’s extended family, who all seem convinced she’s a gold-digger with her sights set on the family fortune.

As Lesley bonds with Stella over shopping trips and bottles of rosé, she thinks she has it all figured out. After all, it’s no great mystery why a young woman would marry a fabulously wealthy seventy-two-year-old with a heart condition, is it? It’s an old story.

And Al may be the nicest boyfriend she’s ever had (even if he is fake), but Lesley believes in instant attraction and there’s just no spark … no matter how fit he looks in his swimming trunks. So there’s no chance he’s going to grow on her.

But people have a way of surprising you, as she’s about to discover …

My review

Lesley and Al meet at a Dinner Date, but from her side there is no spark, even if Al wants to have an actual date with her.
As she believes that the attraction has to be instant, she quickly dismisses Al, making it clear that there is nothing between them.

When after a while Al reappears, it’s not because he’s a stalker, but because he wants to hire her as a private detective, as that’s what Lesley told what her profession was.
For her it’s a dream coming true, because not only she will finally be able to be real detective, but she also gets to investigate Al’s Uncle’s fiancée. This because his uncle is not only an elder, but also famous and rich actor Peter Bradshaw.
Together with Al, they decide to pose as a couple and go together to Nice where the whole Bradshaw family will enjoy a holiday.

Slowly Lesley and Stella (being the Fiancée) befriend each other, but also between Lesley and Al seems to be growing something.
Will Lesley find out the truth everyone is so certain of? And what about her feelings for Al?

I truly enjoyed reading this story!
Reading about Lesley made me really laugh, as she has so strict ideas about falling in love, which are in truth so absurd!
Al gave me initially the creeps, but when he returns in the story, he’s just this great guy just wanting the best for his family.

Lesly her doubts about Al are typical for someone who is looking for love, but also afraid to give her heart away. Will her heart be broken?
Things only get more complicated for Lesley when it seems that Al his ex is still around… is it really over between the 2 of them?

From the start you get the idea that Stella is truly a gold – digger, but when we get to know her better, there is this sense of not understanding.
Stella has a deep secret, she wants to prevent to come out. But Peter’s family will do what they can to expose her. And even his sons won’t be afraid of playing dirty to prevent their father from being played by a gold – digger.

It seems a story where you know what the result will be, the only question is when.
But don’t get fooled, as I was left flabbergasted as I didn’t see that one coming at all! (NO SPOILERS!!!).

This book is categorized as a romantic comedy, but in my opinion, it was more than just a comedy…
It isn’t afraid to talk about negative aspects in life and its consequences.
But it also talks about a heavy subject being more and more accepted by society, with the exception of several people with blinders on…
But the author managed to write about this so respectfully that my esteem just grew bigger than before!