BLOG TOUR: Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle (Coorie Castle Crafts Book 2) - Lilac Mills

 

Will she give everything up for love?

Freya Sinclair has it all. An exciting life in London, a successful career as a ceramicist and a handsome boyfriend. But when she receives a call that her elderly father is in hospital, she drops everything to support his recovery in Skye.

Back on the island, Freya finds a new lease on life – Coorie Castle’s craft centre is firing her creativity and she’s glad to be back with her dad again. Being so close to her schoolgirl crush, Mackenzie Burns, is an added bonus. The two share an instant connection and Freya misses her old life less and less.

But Freya has a boyfriend at home and now a dazzling job offer in New York. She must figure out what she truly wants, before anyone gets hurt.

A heartwarming, feel-good cosy romance perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Julie Shackman and Sue Moorcroft.

What did I think?

I am delighted to be back on the Isle of Skye in the second novel in the Coorie Castle Crafts series.  Don't worry if you haven't read the first book (Surprises on the Scottish Isle) as it can definitely be read as a standalone with a new main character's story to discover.

Freya returns to Skye to look after her father, although he's not happy about it at all (but I still loved him).  Returning to Skye is difficult for Freya as it reminds her of being on the island for her mother's funeral.  What isn't so difficult is leaving her annoying, self-centred boyfriend behind in London.  Being apart from Hadrian (even his name is annoying) makes her re-evaluate their relationship and this is helped along by Freya's attraction to Skye's most eligible bachelor Mackenzie Burns.

Oh I just loved Freya and the way that she has never forgotten her roots by weaving the colours of Skye into her pottery.  Freya is so talented that it's no wonder she is in demand and she has a difficult decision to make about her future after being offered a dream job in New York.

I enjoyed visiting Coorie Castle and the fabulous craft centre again and it was lovely to catch up with some of the characters I met in Surprises on the Scottish Isle.  I loved how they played a part in the story, delighting readers who have read the first book but without making any new readers feel as if they have missed out.

Filled with pulse-pounding romance and sprinkled with humour, Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle is an incredibly heartwarming and uplifting novel that transports readers to the picturesque Isle of Skye.  A highly recommended read.

I chose to read a digital ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Purchase link: https://books2read.com/SSOSI

About the author: 

Lilac Mills lives on a Welsh hillside with her very patient husband and incredibly sweet dog, where she grows veggies (if the slugs don't get them), bakes (badly) and loves making things out of glitter and glue (a mess, usually).

She's been an avid reader ever since she got her hands on a copy of Noddy Goes to Toytown when she was five, and she once tried to read everything in her local library starting with A and working her way through the alphabet.

She loves long hot summer days in the garden, and cold winter ones snuggled in front of the fire, but whatever the weather she's usually writing, or thinking about writing, with heartwarming romance and happy-ever-afters always on her mind.

Social Media Links – 

Website: https://www.lilacmills.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilacMills 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilacmillsauthor 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lilacmills 

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BLOG TOUR: Surprises on the Scottish Isle (Coorie Castle Crafts Book 1) - Lilac Mills

Will they get a second chance at first love?

When newly divorced Tara McTaigh spots an advert for a studio to let in Coorie Castle’s craft centre, she packs up her Edinburgh life and moves to the Isle of Skye, eager for a fresh start.

Little does she know that the castle’s estate manager, single dad Calan Fraser, is the man who broke her heart back at university. Thoroughly done with romance, Tara decides to ignore Cal and focus on building her business – creating dollhouses to commission. But Duncoorie is a small community, and the two keep bumping into each other… 

Just as she is starting to open her heart once more to Cal, a change in his life puts everything on the line. When a surprise storm threatens Tara's safety, will Cal realise in time that love is worth the risk?

An uplifting and feel-good crafty romance for fans of Holly Martin, Sue Moorcroft and Julie Shackman.

What did I think?

Oh I thoroughly enjoyed my virtual visit to the Isle of Skye in Lilac Mills' new book, Surprises on the Scottish Isle.  This heartwarming romance left a huge smile on my face and I wasn't sad to leave the characters as I had already noticed that this is the first book in a series so I'll be going back to the gorgeous Coorie Castle.

Cal broke Tara's heart when they split up; he was the love of her life so her marriage to Dougie McTaigh didn't really stand a chance.  Little does Tara know that she was also the love of Cal's life and he has never forgotten her, even naming the princess after her in his daughter's bedtime story.  So it's a surprise for both Cal and Tara when fate throws them together again in a place where they least expected to find each other.

I really felt for both characters as they attempted to find their way back to each other despite all of the hurdles that were placed in their way.  Tara doesn't want her heart broken again and Cal has made a promise to his daughter that he will never have a girlfriend but it is clear that they are both meant to be together.

Surprises on the Scottish Isle is a completely charming story with an idyllic setting and I absolutely loved it.  The dollhouses that Tara makes sounded exquisite as Lilac Mills paints such a vivid picture with her wonderful words.  I am delighted that there is another book in the series due out in the summer and I can't wait to visit Coorie Castle and the Isle of Skye again.

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

My rating:

Purchase Link - https://geni.us/SOTSI

About the author:

Lilac Mills lives on a Welsh hillside with her very patient husband and incredibly sweet dog, where she grows veggies (if the slugs don't get them), bakes (badly) and loves making things out of glitter and glue (a mess, usually).

She's been an avid reader ever since she got her hands on a copy of Noddy Goes to Toytown when she was five, and she once tried to read everything in her local library starting with A and working her way through the alphabet.

She loves long hot summer days in the garden, and cold winter ones snuggled in front of the fire, but whatever the weather she's usually writing, or thinking about writing, with heartwarming romance and happy-ever-afters always on her mind.

Social Media Links – 

Website: https://www.lilacmills.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilacMills 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilacmillsauthor 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lilacmills 

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BLOG TOUR: Christmas Secrets at Villa Limoncello (Tuscan Dreams Book 3) - Daisy James

I was delighted to be offered a spot on the Christmas Secrets at Villa Limoncello blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources as I love supporting local North East authors.  There are no local landmarks to look out for in Daisy's books as she whisks us away to foreign climes so read on to find out all about my virtual trip to Italy.

Escape to Villa Limoncello... where dreams come true in the most unexpected ways.

With Christmas around the corner, Izzie Jenkins is ready to kickstart the new ‘Snowflakes and Christmas Cakes’ course at Villa Limoncello with chef and business partner, Luca Castelotti.

However, secrets are stirring with their latest guests and when nasty accidents keep befalling the group it looks like Izzie will have to turn detective once more to protect the Villa’s fledgling reputation. On top of all this, Izzie’s been offered the job of a lifetime – back home in Cornwall. Will she be coming home for Christmas, or will Tuscany work its magic to keep her at Villa Limoncello with Luca?

What did I think?

Firstly I have to say that I haven't read the first two books in the Tuscan Dreams series, but now I definitely want to.  Having enjoyed it immensely, I can most definitely say that you can read Christmas Secrets at Villa Limoncello as a standalone as Daisy James covers enough of Izzie's back story in this instalment.  What it did for me though, is made me want to find out more about Izzie and Luca.  I usually don't like jumping in mid-series but I might not have found the Tuscan Dreams series otherwise; reading book 3 has definitely made me more intrigued to go back to the start of the story.

Daisy James has an uncanny knack of bringing her locations to life in her books with sights, sounds and smells.  There is plenty of opportunity to get the reader's senses buzzing with Izzie running a fabulously named 'Snowflakes and Christmas Cakes' course at Villa Limoncello.  I think I had a few smell and taste hallucinations while reading this book; I could certainly not get the smell of lemons and the taste of limoncello out of my mind, that's for sure.

Izzie's guests are a community choir from York who have come to Tuscany to rehearse for a singing competition.  With such a colourful array of guests, there are quite a few secrets and whispering in corners as passions run high and tempers fray.  Izzie tries to keep everyone's spirits up but she has enough to contend with as she tries to work out how villa owner, Luca, feels about her.  Izzie has been offered a job back home in Cornwall, which holds both happy and sad memories for her, but she really wants to stay in Italy.  If only she could pin Luca down and talk to him; it seems like they are passing like ships in the night but Izzie might be setting sail for the horizon if Luca doesn't open up to her.

I was a bit worried about reading a Christmas book in October but it's not overly festive at all, which is great!  With gorgeous blue skies and the glorious scent of lemons, it got me in the mood for limoncello rather than egg nog.  You always get a bit more than you bargained for in a Daisy James book as she does like to add a bit of mystery, intrigue and skullduggery to her romantic fiction.  You just never know what to expect and that's what makes the book such a good read.  

Christmas Secrets at Villa Limoncello was the perfect book to be reading as the temperature dropped in October; it warmed my heart, left me with a smile on my face and an unmistakable thirst for limoncello.  Speaking of which, I also have to say that Daisy James includes several recipes at the end of the book, including a recipe to make your own limoncello - I almost dropped my kindle in excitement!!  I have to try this although I'm sure I'll have difficulty leaving it for 30 days without having sneaky little tasters.

You don't need a passport to escape to Tuscany this winter, pick up a copy of Christmas Secrets at Villa Limoncello and let Daisy James transport you to Italy from the comfort of your favourite chair with her fabulous sparkly (and mouthwatering) new book.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Purchase Links

Amazon UK 

Amazon US

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 @daisyjamesstories.

Social Media Links

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/daisyjamesbooks/

Twitter @daisyjamesbooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daisyjamesstories/

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Simply Modern Patchwork Bags - Janet Goddard

Everyone loves a bag! Why have one when you can have ten? Different bags are needed for various activities in our day to day lives - shopping, working, relaxing, socialising, for home or holiday and my aim has been to put together a book showcasing ten different patterns; each one for a different purpose. There is a bag for every occasion.

Simply modern patchwork means fresh, bright fabric choices with simple, stunning patchwork designs. This has been coupled with stylish, practical bag designs. I have chosen fabrics and bag designs that I love and I hope that you will too.

Patchwork involves using two or more fabrics with a number of shaped pieces. Some of the bag patterns in this book use a selection of fabrics and it is the use of two, three or four fabrics and sometimes more which make the patchwork. Some bags feature squares, triangles or rectangles in a variety of patterns and the patchwork then is a real focal point in the bag.

What did I think?

I was delighted to receive this book from the publisher to review; it is filled with inspiring photographs of some lovely bags and pouches, and has excellent instructions throughout. There are 10 projects; five easy and five more advanced but each project is listed step-by-step with illustrations for any tricky parts. I love the handy hints that give ideas for changes to the bags or to tips to enhance the finished item. Each project is shown as a full page photograph so you can see exactly what the finished item will look like.

I haven't had time to make anything yet, but the instructions are so incredibly detailed that I don't think I will encounter any problems at all. All you need is a sewing machine, a cutter, some fabric and a little bit of imagination. Although not to worry if you are stuck for ideas as the author puts fabrics together that I would never have thought of, so there is lots of inspiration inside the book. This truly is a book for beginners and experienced seamstresses alike. Now what shall I make first?

I received this book from the publisher, Search Press, via #ReviewItFriday in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

The Cherry Tree Cafe - Heidi Swain

Synopsis:

Cupcakes, crafting and love at The Cherry Tree Cafe...

Lizzie Dixon's life feels as though it's fallen apart. Instead of the marriage proposal she was hoping for from her boyfriend, she is unceremoniously dumped, and her job is about to go the same way. So, there's only one option: to go back home to the village she grew up in and to try to start again.

Her best friend Jemma is delighted Lizzie has come back home. She has just bought a little cafe and needs help in getting it ready for the grand opening. And Lizzie's sewing skills are just what she needs.

With a new venture and a new home, things are looking much brighter for Lizzie. But can she get over her broken heart, and will an old flame reignite a love from long ago...?

What did I think?

This was a really lovely read.  After Lizzie's break-up with Giles she moves back home and I was immediately drawn into life in Wynbridge.  It really did feel like a perfect little village where everybody knows everybody's business but, apart from the odd exception, not in a malicious kind of way.

I really enjoyed reading about Lizzie's ideas for her crafting cafe and her interactions with Ben, her old high school crush!  It was really quite cute that they were almost still acting like teenagers around each other, each one frightened to speak about their feelings. There's a really clever twist involving Ben's own heartbreak and the reasons he keeps running away, that I won't spoil here - you'll just have to read it for yourself.

When Jay, a reporter, covers the story of the crafting cafe I could feel him trying to worm his way into Lizzie's affections.  I admit, I succumbed to stereotype and felt he was a bit of a snake but he was an interesting character nonetheless.

There's a nice bit of humour in the book, in the form of Lizzie's Mum.  I immediately thought she was a bit of a Mrs. Bucket, and it was hilarious when she got carried away thinking that she had something to brag about at the coffee mornings.  Lizzie's god-daughter, Jemma's daughter Ella, is also a really funny character.  She tells it like it is!  She's a little minx at overhearing things and repeating them later, which is very true to life!

This was a lovely summer read with the tears and laughter of real life and I'll certainly be looking out for more books by this author.

I received this e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

Buy from Amazon