Christmas at Tillingford Hall (Tillingford Hall book 2) - Flora Dunn

Charlotte Patcham’s dream job running the Bath Physick Garden has turned into a nightmare: the underfunded garden has become a target for vandals, and her career and her social life are succumbing to mildew.

So why does she hesitate to take the job of Head Gardener at Hampshire’s famous Tillingford Hall? Could it be because her lying, thieving, cheating ex, Sebastian Seaton-Smyth, has also returned to work there after he left Tillingford Hall in disgrace?

But when fate pushes Charlie towards Tillingford Hall can she learn to work alongside Seb so they can get everything ready for the public in time for the opening Christmas concert?

And could Steve Silver, the foxy tree surgeon, be the kind of steady man Charlie could take to spend Christmas with her parents, or might Charlie and Seb reignite their sparkle in time?

 

What did I think?

Christmas at Tillingford Hall is the second book in the Tillingford Hall series but it is the first one that I have read.  Whilst I would have benefited from reading the first book, it works perfectly well as a standalone.  I think even though events from the first book are mentioned, I would still like to read Summer at Tillingford Hall to discover Alice and Guy's story.

Charlotte is nursing a broken heart after discovering her boyfriend Seb has been cheating on her so the last thing she needs is to keep running into him every day.  Charlotte really values her friends though and she returns to Tillingford Hall to help Alice and Guy bring life back to the walled garden.  Unfortunately for Charlie, Seb has also returned to Tillingford Hall as Guy has forgiven him for what he did in the summer but Charlie can't do the same.

I loved Charlie and her enthusiasm for gardening.  I can totally understand that she wants nothing to do with Seb but as times goes on she learns more of his story and the ice around her heart starts to thaw.  I really didn't like Steve the tree surgeon though; he's the type of guy who calls his girlfriend 'Princess' because he can't remember her name.  Charlie likes the attention at first but there's a dark and dangerous side to Steve...

Although Christmas at Tillingford Hall is a Christmas story, there are some serious and powerful topics covered including abusive relationships, addiction and forgiveness.  Flora Dunn covers these issues with sensitivity and respect and it makes the characters more realistic and relatable.

Heartwarming, uplifting and entertaining, Christmas at Tillingford Hall is a fun and thought-provoking festive romcom.  Any reader would be delighted to find this under their tree.

I received a gifted paperback from the author and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Amazon

Weave Your Magic (Molland Sisters Book 1) - Caroline Hogg

Temperance Molland doesn’t want much. Just true love. Fed up with rubbish first dates, she drunkenly dreams up the perfect love story – unaware that combining moonlight, expired rum and her witchy DNA will start all kinds of trouble…

The next day Temperance wakes up to a stinking hangover and a worse premonition: something dangerous is headed to their village. When she runs into Abel Gulliver, she can’t believe her eyes: her childhood best friend, her first love, the boy who broke her heart 12 years ago. Whatever curse she's triggered has dragged Abel back home against his will and she’s going to have to keep him there until she figures it all out.

And it’s not enough to be plagued by visions of purple lightning and burning wildflowers, now property developers are after their cosy corner of the South Coast. With her sister Suse using magic to see off the fat cats, it’s up to Temperance to keep Abel safe. If only she could work out what was so terrible about their first kiss, all those years ago, that means he can’t look her in the eye. To her, it was spellbinding…

A gorgeous and spicy romantic comedy with a witchy twist, perfect for fans of Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Wood, The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling and the movie Practical Magic.

 

What did I think?

It was an absolute pleasure to read Weave Your Magic and, as it's the first book in the series, I am delighted that it's not the last we will hear from the Molland sisters.

Temperence and Susie run a second-hand shop in Devon and they have a magical gift that enables them to read the memories attached to clothes.  This is such a lovely idea but it also has a dark side as not all memories are happy.  Temperence knows all about that because she picked up her best friend's hoodie after their teenage kiss and experienced Abel's hurtful feelings.

Abel is definitely the one that got away for Temperence and now he's back.  The sexual chemistry between them sizzles off the page but Temperence knows how Abel really feels and his actions confirm that.   It's a brilliant will they/won't they hook and there's certainly magic (and a dangerous curse) in the air.

I really loved this book; it's funny, magical and filled with danger.  My eyes were glued to the page from start to finish and I couldn't read fast enough to find out how it would all end but I also didn't want the book to finish as I was loving it so much.  What a great dilemma to have when reading!

Weave Your Magic is a fabulous magical romcom novel from Caroline Hogg.  I can't wait to read more and will definitely be adding Find Your Magic to my TBR. 

I received a digital ARC from the author and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Amazon

BLOG TOUR: Artificial Artifacts - John Fennec

A visionary debut collection exploring the rise of artificial intelligence and adapted technologies and their ethical and social impacts on the human experience.

From a small rural American town subjected to horrors brought by an elaborate deep-fake hoax, to Black Mirror-esque fables about technology dependency, age extension, and psychological invasions, Artificial Artifacts invites readers on a journey where the boundaries between human and machine blur, and the consequences of our creations become chillingly profound.

As enigmatic tech mogul Peter Byrell's story unfolds, so does the tapestry of our digital age, leaving us to ponder: in a world where truth is malleable and consciousness is encoded, what does it truly mean to be human? 

What did I think?

I don't usually read short stories but this collection of futuristic stories was just too difficult to resist and I am so pleased that I read Artificial Artifacts as it is unlike anything I have ever read before.

There are 11 stories in the book and they are all very easy to read (so don't worry if you're not up to date with technology).  Some of the stories do have a business theme but I think they are easy to follow.

I think everyone will have a favourite story in this collection and it's actually the first one that has remained with me as I particularly enjoyed the reverse timeline.  It's very clever and I was completely riveted.

Artificial Artifacts is incredibly thought-provoking and scarily realistic.  John Fennec portrays a future that is quite easy to imagine and it gave me 1984 vibes; I wonder if I'll pick it up in 10 or 20 years time to see how much has come true.  Watch this space!

I received a gifted hardback for the Love Books Tours Bookstagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

John Fennec is a debut author and seasoned professional investor, whose insights into technology and life sciences significantly inform his writing. His recent work in artificial intelligence revealed its vast potential as well as haunting implications, inspiring him to fulfil his lifelong dream of authorship. With support of a family of scientists and colleagues in tech, John crafts stories grounded in realism, which he terms ‘the art of the plausible’. John wants you to know that he writes the old-fashioned way, unassisted by A.I. generated content. Residing in London with his supportive wife and three children, John balances his professional pursuits with a rewarding family life.

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BLOG TOUR: Strange Eden (The Strange Eden Series Book 1) - Gina Giordano

Everything familiar to Eliza has been ripped away. Even worse, the cruel deed was done by her own hands.

Nassau, Bahamas, 1791…

Eliza Sharpe, recently wed to a mysterious and brooding soldier, departs for the West Indies with him to begin their new life. Once there, she realizes their marital arrangement is ill-fated and that she has made a disastrous choice. Charles, the man she finds herself bound to, is nothing short of a monster.

On their very first night in New Providence, her innocence is irrevocably shattered. The walls of her new home hide a dark family secret, and Eliza realizes that the freedom she sought within marriage is a worse cage than the constraints she faced before.

Eliza struggles with her new existence, her exposure to Charles’ explosive temper, the brutality of slavery, and her isolation as she tries to grow accustomed to life on distant shores. The only source of comfort she finds is swimming in the startlingly clear ocean, an activity Charles expressly forbids.

As she attempts to flee her deteriorating situation, an unexpected encounter with a beguiling stranger named Jean offers a promise of escape. Despite the dark rumors that swirl around her recent acquaintance and his mysterious past, he captures Eliza’s interest, and ultimately, her heart―with deadly consequences.

On an island where nothing is as it appears, Eliza is confronted with the harsh realities of living on the fringe of empire, of womanhood, and the overt corruption that festers in the governor’s mansion on the hill. Will she ever be able to secure her freedom―and possibly even find redemption in love?

 

What did I think?

Wow!  What a fantastic book this is!  Strange Eden in the first book in the Strange Eden series and it has more than whetted my appetite to continue the story.  No review I write will do it justice so if you only read this far make sure to click the purchase link below as you definitely won't regret it. 

I knew I was going to like Eliza from the start as she is a book lover and I am smiling just thinking of how much she values her books; I have to say that I would have done exactly the same in her position.  The character that didn't endear themselves to me was her new husband Charles.  Charles and Eliza set sail to the Caribbean to start their new married life and, without giving anything away, it's not as idyllic as she hoped.

Oh if only I could have reached into the book, I would have been arrested for literary homicide as Charles is abhorrent.  Eliza is stronger than she realises though and she has a good moral compass which is why she struggles with the slavery on the island.  The class divide is shocking and disturbing as people are treated like possessions and of course where there is power there is treachery so Eliza may be fighting a battle she can never win.

Strange Eden is a relatively chunky book at 517 pages but I could have read more (and indeed I will as I'll be reading book two very soon).  Gina Giordano's writing is vivid and evocative as her beautiful words paint a colourful picture of the island and the characters.

Atmospheric, captivating and moving, Strange Eden is an enthralling saga that swept me away to an island that is certainly not paradise.  It's an impressive debut novel and a fantastic start to what I'm sure will be a compelling series.  Unputdownable and unmissable - an easy five stars and a very highly recommended read.

I received a gifted paperback for the Zooloos Book Tours blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Purchase link:

https://mybook.to/strangeeden-zbt

About the author:

Gina Giordano always had an insatiable curiosity and a penchant for history. Born in New York City, she is a writer, artist, and a conjurer of the past. She holds a BA in history and a master’s degree in historical fiction from New York University, and has traveled to over sixty-five countries across the globe. When she is not climbing ancient ruins or exploring forgotten palaces, she enjoys swimming with sharks in remote pristine waters. Her debut novel, Strange Eden, was longlisted for the 2023 Bath Novel Award.

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The Green Feathers (Mike Kingdom Thrillers book 5) - David Jarvis

When a butterfly flaps its wings in the Caribbean, it causes storms in Europe.

The British King and Prime Minister have arrived in Georgetown, Guyana, along with the leaders of the other fifty-five countries in the Commonwealth, for its biennial meeting. Two shots ring out causing panic on the steps of the Mahaica Convention Centre.

The previous month, Tina Persad, an MI6 agent with Caribbean experience, had been sent to find out whether rumoured threats to the meeting were real or not. Then days before it was due to start, she had disappeared without trace.

Michaela 'Mike' Kingdom, a CIA analyst in London, may have been the last person to see her alive when they had a drink together in The Green Feathers. With Tina missing, Mike makes it her mission to find her friend, despite warnings not to get involved.

The butterfly may have already flapped its wings, but can Mike find Tina before the Heavens open?

 

What did I think?

The Green Feathers is book 5 in the Mike Kingdom Thrillers series but it's the first one that I have read and I am HOOKED!!!  I was a little concerned about jumping into such a well-established series at such a late point but I needn't have worried as I couldn't put it down.

The first thing that surprised me is that Mike is female (it's short for Michaela) and she is such an intriguing and fiery character; she's like a stick of dynamite and you really don't want to light her fuse!  I really want to read more of her back story so I will definitely be adding the earlier books to my TBR tower.

The prologue is an absolutely brilliant hook and the shooting is mentioned in the blurb so it's not a spoiler to say that I couldn't read fast enough to discover who had got shot.  Like a boxer on the ropes, the hooks just keep on coming when Mike's friend Tina goes missing.  What did Tina discover and why don't the security services want Mike to look for her?

I'm surprised I didn't get blisters on my fingers I was turning the pages so fast.  The Green Feathers has all the adjectives that thriller readers devour: it's intriguing, gripping, thrilling, fast-paced, compelling, tense and suspenseful to name but a few.  I'm so pleased that I wasn't put off about starting the series so late and I will definitely be reading the earlier books and looking out for future instalments.

The Green Feathers is an outstanding spy thriller that has a razor-sharp plot, a blisteringly fast pace and is exquisitely written by David Jarvis.  An easy five stars and a very highly recommended read.

I received a gifted paperback from the author that I chose to read; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Hobeck Books

Amazon

BLOG TOUR: One by One - Sam Frances

Ten years since she was pushed. Now someone is back for the rest... 

With tensions between the police and public at an all-time high, a music festival during a heatwave is the last thing DS Alice Washington needs. When she learns that the headline act is infamous rock band The Dolls, appearing for the first time since the lead singer Ris was pushed to her death. 

It was an open-and-shut case: Ris's best friend was witnessed committing the crime by hundreds of people. But when The Dolls start receiving death threats, Alice is forced to reexamine the events leading up to Ris's murder. Was it really just teenage jealousy, or is there something more sinister beneath the surface? 

As the threats escalate, Alice must race to uncover the truth before someone else gets hurt. Because while Ris's killer has been behind bars for ten years, it's clear someone is still out for blood. 

 

What did I think?

One by One is the second book in the DS Alice Washington series but it can definitely be read as a standalone as it was my introduction to the series and I loved it.  Sam Frances is from my local area and there's a good helping of Geordie humour (as well as a Geordie character) throughout the book.  

I knew I was going to love this book before I even finished the first sentence of chapter one and I wasn't wrong.  Sam Frances' writing is so witty and insightful that I frequently laughed out loud and often said: "that's so true".  There's a scene with a banana (it's not what you think) that made me almost choke I was laughing so much.  I was delighted to spot a most excellent Bill & Ted reference too and I want to read it again to see what else I might have missed.  It's unusual to have so much humour in a crime novel and it really makes this book stand out in such a popular genre.

The crime part of the plot is riveting as the mystery is twofold: what really happened to the lead singer of rock band The Dolls 10 years ago and who is after the rest of the band at their reunion gig.  Needless to say, I didn't guess either answer correctly and it's one occasion where I'm more than happy to be wrong.

Gripping, unpredictable and wonderfully witty, One by One is an absolute belter of a crime novel.  I will definitely be ordering the first book in the series and I've already got my hands out like Oliver Twist pleading for more.  Unmissable and unputdownable; an easy five stars that just doesn't seem quite enough when a book is as exceptional as this.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Sam Frances is a British crime thriller author from Tyne and Wear. She writes stories that combine her love of sardonic characters with her background in policing and lives in London with her partner and their wolf pack of pets. 

When not writing (or daydreaming about writing or listening to writing podcasts), she can usually be found no more than 9-10 metres from a block of cheese, either in deep conversation with one of her cats, or playing a musical instrument poorly. 

Find Sam on IG: @samfranwriter | X: @SamFranWriter 

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The Hunger of the Dragon (The Forbidden Runes Series Book 1) - R.M. Schultz

Divine remnants are hoarded, stolen, and killed for.

These items grant powerful magics to those with the strength to wield them.

The war of the gods has passed, leaving Midgard without direction, but vengeance and the battle for control has just begun.

A berserker of the Raven must protect her magical items from those bent on stealing them while a Wolf warrior renounces her clan to pursue the impossible—harnessing the magics of the Dragon. A thief of the Wolf is led astray and will never regain what is taken from him. They protect their own, claim what they can, and rise to power in waves of glory.

But when a mysterious new clan emerges seeking to conquer all, the Ravens and Wolves must safeguard their divine remains or destroy each other.

The resulting war will determine the fate of each clan as they succumb to the hunger of the Dragon and the forbidden runes.

 

What did I think?

It took me a while to get into The Hunger of the Dragon as I'm quite new to fantasy and there are a lot of Norse names of people in various clans to remember.  There is a map at the start and a glossary of Norse words at the back that contains a cast of characters so it's well worth referring to this as you go along. 

The story is told from three different points of view: Märren (a grieving mother who is searching for a dragon scale), Caëtin (a shapeshifting raven and adopted daughter of the jarl) and Belfedrn (a wolf warrior and Märren's cousin).  I liked all characters but I really felt for Märren who lost her daughter and is understandably struggling with her mental health.

Whilst I liked the multiple points of view, I found it a little difficult to follow at times and I was just getting used to the characters in the chapter by the time it ended.  I think anyone used to reading fantasy would cope better than I did.  I loved reading about the various clans and their particular magic skills. 

Filled with Norse mythology and battling clans, The Hunger of the Dragon is like a cross between Vikings and Game of Thrones, so if you love this type of story then it's definitely worth a read.

I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon

BLOG TOUR: Christmas at the Home Farm Vets (Hartfell Village Book 2) - Suzanne Snow

Ten years ago, Erin had her heart broken by fellow vet student Oli. Now, she's his landlord.

All Erin wants is independence and security. All Oli does is travel the world after locuming at practices for a few months. So when he comes back into Erin's life, she knows it's temporary, no matter the lingering looks he gives her.

With Christmas approaching, the vet practice is busier than ever, and Erin is surprised at how well she and Oli work together to help the animals of Hartfell. From sharing meals in her cramped cottage to meandering the village fayre, the wall Erin has built around her heart begins to crumble.

But Oli's contract is coming to an end and he's shown no sign of wanting to stay. Has she set herself up for another heartbreak from the only man she's ever loved? Or will she realise that being independent sometimes means relying on others, and security comes with taking risks?

Be whisked away this Christmas to the Yorkshire Dales, for fans of Sue Moorcroft, Trisha Ashley and Heidi Swain.

 

What did I think?

Awwww this book is as beautiful inside as out.  Christmas at the Home Farm Vets is the second book in the Hartfell Village series but it can definitely be read as a standalone as I haven't read the first book but I absolutely loved this one.

Erin is a vet in Hartfell and she has volunteered to house a locum vet for a couple of weeks.  After a last minute change of personnel, the locum turns out to be Oli who was on Erin's course at Cambridge and ended up breaking her heart.  Erin can't back out now and it's all water under the bridge now...isn't it?

To say Erin and Oli have unfinished business is an understatement; the chemistry between them almost fizzes off the page and I had everything crossed that one of them would finally take a leap and declare their feelings.  WIth so many misunderstandings and crossed wires both in the past and present, it's no wonder that neither of them know how the other one feels.  The signs are all there and actions really do speak louder than words.

Captivating, romantic and uplifting, Christmas at the Home Farm Vets is the perfect book to warm your heart over the chilly festive period and I really can't recommend it highly enough.  An easy and well-deserved five stars!

I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours Bookstagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK,Bookshop.org

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: No Oil Painting - Genevieve Marenghi

A respectable septuagenarian steals a valuable painting and later tries to return it, with a little help from her friends.

Bored National Trust volunteer, Maureen, steals an obscure still life as a giant up-yours to all those who’ve discounted her. The novice fine art thief is rumbled by some fellow room guides, but snitches get stitches, camaraderie wins out and instead of grassing her up, they decide to help.

Often written off as an insipid old fart, Maureen has a darker side, challenging ingrained ideas of how senior citizens should behave. Her new set of friends make her feel alive again. No longer quite so invisible, can this unlikely pensioner gang return the now infamous painting without being caught by the Feds?

I wrote this after hearing a radio interview in which an art detective revealed how a stolen Titian was dumped at a bus stop outside Richmond station. In a red, white and blue plastic bag! I just couldn’t shake such a compelling image. I volunteered at Ham House for many years, and my passion for this Jacobean gem, together with the volunteers’ indomitable spirit, gave birth to my unlikely anti-hero.

With over five million members, the National Trust is a huge British institution. Yet, next to nothing has been written about it in terms of contemporary fiction. Until now.

While No Oil Painting explores themes of insignificance and loneliness in older age, particularly for women, it is mainly intended to entertain and offer a small haven in dark, uncertain times.

What did I think?

No Oil Painting is a fun and heartfelt book that is very entertaining.  I loved the floor plans at the start of the book; it felt like I was actually visiting Ham House and it inspired me to look it up online to make it a more interactive reading experience.

I really liked Maureen and it's heartbreaking how invisible she is to others.  It's good to have an older protagonist for a change and I think Genevieve Marenghi has highlighted an important issue of feeling lonely and worthless as you get older; just because your hair goes grey, it doesn't mean you should fade out of existence.  I really empathised with Maureen, especially when she hears people talking about her as that is never a pleasant experience.

Maureen has a plan to alleviate her boredom as a National Trust volunteer; she will steal her favourite artwork while Ham House is being used as a film set.  When the theft gets discovered quicker than she expected, Maureen finds out that she isn't as invisible as she thought.

Atmospheric, entertaining and authentic, No Oil Painting is a really fun read that reminded me a little of a Carry-On caper mixed with the Scooby Gang but with real issues in a real setting.  Even the painting that Maureen steals is really hanging on the wall in Ham House.  I enjoyed this one and think it's well worth a read.

I received a gifted paperback for the Rachel's Random Resources blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Purchase links:

UK Kindle

UK Paperback

US Kindle

US Paperback

About the author:

With a BA in English and Philosophy, Genevieve worked for eleven years at the Weekend FT, where she helped create and launch How To Spend It magazine.

She volunteered for years as a National Trust guide at Ham House. This became the setting for her debut art heist novel, No Oil Painting, which was listed for the inaugural Women’s Prize Trust and Curtis Brown Discoveries, and was published by Burton Mayers Books on 10th October 2025.

Her writing uses dark humour to probe the difference between our perception of people and their true selves. The gulf between what is said and what is meant. She considers people watching an essential skill for any writer; overheard snippets of conversation or a bonkers exchange at a bus stop are like gold nuggets. She’s been known to follow people to catch the end of a juicy conversation or argument. Women aged over fifty are essentially invisible anyhow and she views this as a kind of superpower.

Unlike her protagonist Maureen, she hasn’t used this to commit art theft. Yet.

Social Media Links – 

Instagram

Threads

Giveaway

Giveaway to Win National Trust chocolate, and a Ham House towel and fridge magnet (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Win National Trust chocolate, and a Ham House towel and fridge magnet (Open to UK Only)

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BLOG TOUR: The Return of Frankie Whittle - Caroline England

Once you enter, will they ever let you leave?

Frankie Whittle has it all: a career in the City, a gorgeous husband and a baby on the way. It's the perfect life, but it's built on sand. In one terrifying night, everything she has worked so hard for unravels.

She needs a fresh start. When she discovers the very place she was born has been converted into a beautiful gated community, it feels like serendipity. After all she's been through, has she found her dream home?

They say you should never go back, that the past is a foreign country, filled with devastating secrets. How far will those around her go to keep their secrets safe? 

What did I think?

The Return of Frankie Whittle is a dark, disturbing and creepy novel that kept me riveted to the page from start to finish.  I do love Caroline England books; if you expect the unexpected you will not be disappointed.

I wasn't that keen on Frankie Whittle at the very start of the book but I was really worried for her as the story progresses.  She returns to her northern home town in a vulnerable state and it puts a strain on her marriage with her husband remaining in London.  Frankie wants to put what happened behind her and put down roots in Manchester and the security of a gated community is just too difficult to resist.

The whole idea of a gated community gives me the creeps as it seems very cult-like and that's before I was introduced to the suspiciously perfect characters that Caroline England has created.  Everyone is just too happy and friendly as they draw Frankie into the fold and I couldn't help but wonder what their motives were and what they were inevitably hiding.  

I have never guessed the twists in a Caroline England book and I'm not about to start now as her imagination knows no bounds.  There are moments where I couldn't understand why Frankie did one thing or another but a lot of that is down to her own state of mind.  The tension is palpable and I could almost hear a soundtrack of ominous music in my head whilst I was reading.

Dark, tense and gripping, The Return of Frankie Whittle is another fabulous page turner from Caroline England.  With so many shocks and surprises in store for the reader, it's difficult to put down and impossible to predict.  A highly recommended read for thriller fans.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the Love Books Tours Bookstagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Waterstones

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: Sassy Godmother’s Pearls of Wisdom: 50 inspiring ways to navigate your life - Susie Hall

Who needs an agony aunt when you can have a Sassy Godmother?

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed?

Feel like your life could use a little more balance?

Sassy Godmother’s Pearls of Wisdom is a simple and powerful set of guidelines designed to help you step back from your busy life so you can restore some well needed balance and perspective. Whether at home, at work, in love and in life, Sassy’s stories, examples and timeless wisdom will give you an indispensable guide for building your confidence, increasing your happiness and creating equilibrium.

Sassy shares the ups and downs of her 30-year journey of personal, professional and spiritual growth. She has wisdom to reveal and is determined to pass on what she’s learned. By following these simple mantras and engaging in the exercises and tools you’ll begin a journey of self-discovery, reflection and personal growth from which you’ll never look back.

 

What did I think?

As someone who often feels overwhelmed, it feels like Sassy Godmother’s Pearls of Wisdom was written with me in mind and I have certainly got more than I expected out of it.

The chapters, or pearls, are concise and written in a lighthearted way that engages and entertains the reader as well as offering tips to help you improve your own life.  I found it very easy to read and I loved the way that Susie Hall adds a good dose of humour to her writing.  I felt more like I was interacting with the author rather than simply reading a self-help book.

I am a little disappointed that there is no contents page or index.  It's a book I would like to refer to again (and indeed it suggests doing so) but without a guide to which page the pearl is on, it's not that easy to find what you're looking for.

Inspiring, powerful and life-affirming, Sassy Godmother’s Pearls of Wisdom is a superb book to have on your bookshelf as you navigate your way through life.

 

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the Literally PR Online Book Review Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: A Christmas Caroline - K.L. Crear

Caroline’s got frugality down to a fine art. She can make a tin of soup stretch for days, considers “reduced to clear” her love language, and thinks Christmas is just a daft excuse for people to throw their money away on tinsel trimmed tat. 

 

But Christmas Eve night takes a turn when her best mate, Marlene, drops in for a chat. Lovely, right? Except Marlene’s been dead for seven years and she’s got a message for Caroline, she will be visited by three spirits and if she doesn’t pay attention, her future’s looking bleaker than the contents of her fridge freezer. 

 

Caroline’s convinced she’s having a hallucination. Ghosts? Surely not! But as the night goes on, she starts to wonder if she might just learn something worth more than her latest discount voucher. And for someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing, this might be the wake-up call she didn’t see coming. 

 

Move over Ebenezer! This modern, laugh-out-loud retelling of the Dickens classic has a new Scrooge in town. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella. 

What did I think?

A Christmas Caroline is a fun festive read and it's a fresh, modern twist on a Christmas Classic.  I really enjoyed it and at just 161 pages it's short enough to read again every festive season.

I thought I was frugal but Caroline makes me look frivolous!  Her penny pinching is hilarious and I laughed out loud so many times as I was reading.  On the flip side of the coin though, it made me think of people who really don't have two pennies to rub together and how difficult it must be to worry about where your next meal is coming from nevermind paying any bills.

I loved the retelling of A Christmas Carol and the quirky characters that K.L. Crear has imagined in place of Scrooge, Marley et al.  With the same thought-provoking messages running through the prose, it's a fun and faithful nod to the original book.

Hilarious, entertaining and evocative, I defy anyone not to laugh when reading A Christmas Caroline.  I like to read the Dickens' classic over the festive period but I'm going to add A Christmas Caroline to my festive repeat reading list.  It's a real Christmas Cracker and not to be missed.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog blitz and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

Karen (K.L. Crear) is an author, over-sharer, and walking cautionary tale. Think: a sweary teenager trapped in the body of a menopausal woman who can’t sneeze without risking a wardrobe malfunction. You’re welcome.

Once upon a time, she worked in banking, the Civil Service, and property management, or as she likes to call it, The Beige Trilogy. She spent decades being respectable (ish), responsible (occasionally), and quietly losing the will to live. Then one day she found herself broke, baffled, and built entirely out of biscuit crumbs and unresolved trauma. So she did what any sensible woman would do, she wrote it all down and flogged it in paperback.

Karen has battled cancer twice, and her coping strategy was to laugh at wildly inappropriate moments and shout “F*ck off!” at inspirational quotes. Spoiler: it worked. Her sense of humour is deeply questionable, but it’s kept her just about sane through grief, illness, love, lies, and the time she gave herself food poisoning with a dodgy prawn ring from Iceland.

After years of procrastination (and one too many vinos), she finally swapped Pinot for a pen. She now writes jaw-dropping memoirs and hilarious women’s fiction about women who’ve had enough, snapped slightly, and are thriving in spite of it all, usually with a glass in hand, some top mates, and a solid alibi.

Her hobbies include eating anything wrapped in pastry, shouting at the Real Housewives (“She’s definitely had something done - she’s melting!”), and threatening to adopt an axolotl because they look so absurdly cheerful. She once turned down hugging a sloth in Mexico, it dangles upside down, pees on itself, and honestly felt like a warning from the future.

Karen lives in a sleepy Northern town with her long-suffering husband (he’s partially deaf, which helps) and their cat Pickle, who looks permanently disgusted with their life choices and the ongoing Dreamies rationing.

A portion of every book sale goes to Women’s Aid, Great Ormond Street, the Epilepsy Society, and Macmillan. because she knows what it’s like to need help. The world’s a shitshow, but we can all make a little difference in our own way.

Social Media Links

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Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/K-L-Crear/author/B0BTZ22HBD

Website: https://www.klcrear.com

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