BLOG TOUR: The Art of Belonging - Eleanor Ray

Sometimes you need to open your heart to find where you truly belong . . .

When unexpected circumstances bring Grace's estranged daughter, Amelia, and granddaughter, Charlotte, to live in her home, complicated feelings start to emerge, revealing a messy and emotional past which drove this family apart.

It will take a school mystery, an exquisite miniature railway and some brave decisions to help them each find not only themselves, but also each other - and to appreciate what it truly means to belong together.

This uplifting novel will warm your heart and touch your soul, and remind you of all the reasons humans can be downright wonderful.

 

What did I think?

Having loved Eleanor Ray's debut novel, Everything is Beautiful, I couldn't wait to read her next novel and I absolutely adored it.  The Art of Belonging is everything I hoped it would be and more: beautiful, uplifting and filled with love.

Eleanor Ray has created three amazingly strong female characters that I immediately fell in love with.  Grace is starting to feel her age but she can manage very well on her own, thank you very much.  Grace's daughter Amelia knew her life wasn't perfect but she didn't expect to be moving back in with mum at this stage of her life.  Amelia's daughter Charlotte is delighted to be spending more time with her grandmother, even if it means she doesn't get to see her dad very much.  This is the story of their lives and I absolutely loved it.

I adored every single character in this gorgeous novel; the three main characters drive the story forwards but they are supported by a colourful and unforgettable cast of characters.  The writing is flawless and perfectly paced to allow the reader to savour every delicious word.

The Art of Belonging is a stunning novel that made me experience so many different emotions whilst reading it but it left me feeling incredibly uplifted and joyful.  An easy five stars from me and one I can't recommend highly enough.

I received an ARC to read and review for the Instagram tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: Winter People - Gráinne Murphy

The wild Atlantic coast of Ireland.

Three strangers.

One question: who are we without the people who love us?

Sis Cotter has lived her whole life in a small house by her beloved beach. Here, she grew up, reared her family, and buried her husband. Now her children are far away and, in three days, her house will be taken from her.

Next door, Lydia has withdrawn from her husband, her friends, her life. She watches the sea as her own private penance for a wrong she can never put right.

Peter’s best friend is dying, and his long-time foster mother is slowly forgetting who he is. Adrift without his two anchors, and struggling with the ethics of displacing people for a living, he looks for something to remind him of who he is and who he wants to be.

Winter People is a story of forgiveness, resilience, and the power of the sea to unlock what we are most afraid to say.

 

What did I think?

Winter People is a literary feast for the eyes; it's so beautifully written with calm, gentle and soothing prose that reminded me of small waves lapping the shore.  The cover itself perfectly encapsulates the keen sense of place that is evident throughout the novel and I could look at this gorgeous artwork for hours.

There are three characters: Sis, Lydia and Peter, and three parts to the book: Storm, Sea and Sky.  I loved the layout of the three parts that brought the coastal atmosphere to the front of my mind and the long chapters that allowed me to really get to know the characters.  Each character has their own demon to face and Gráinne Murphy explores this sensitively and exquisitely.

This novel may be described as a slow burn but that's the best way to fully appreciate the sublime writing.  The cover of the novel mentions three days, three strangers, one question but I have to say that I wouldn't have been able to tell you what the question was if it wasn't in the blurb.  I think perhaps it's there if you look for it but I was carried away with the rhythm of the prose and simply enjoyed the beautiful writing.

Beautifully written, Winter People is a wonderful literary novel that should be savoured rather than devoured.  Gráinne Murphy is an author to watch and Winter People has the feel of a classic novel that will be enjoyed for generations.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOG BLITZ: Forgive Me Not - Samantha Tonge

I'm sure you will join me in wishing Samantha Tonge a very happy publication day as her latest novel, Forgive Me Not, is released into the wild.  I am delighted to release my review as part of the Rachel's Random Resources publication day blog blitz.

Forgiveness can be hard to come by… An unputdownable new novel from bestseller Samantha Tonge

How far would you go to make amends?

When Emma fled her home at Foxglove Farm, she’d let down and hurt those who cared for her most. But now, two years later, she’s ready to face up to her past; she’s ready to go back.

But Emma’s unannounced return causes more problems than she could have foreseen. The people she knew and loved aren’t ready to forget, let alone forgive. And the one person she wants to reconnect with the most, her mother, can’t remember who she is.

Just as Emma starts to rebuild trust, an uncovered family secret and a shocking past crime threaten her newly forged future...

Sometimes simply saying sorry isn’t enough.

Perfect for readers of Ruth Hogan or Amanda Prowse, this is an extraordinary and unforgettable novel about running away from yourself – and finding a way back.

What did I think?

I have been meaning to read a Samantha Tonge book for a while now and what a superb book to start with.  I have to say that the cover is stunning; it's very hard to tear your eyes away from it but, believe me, it's even better inside.

You would be forgiven (despite the book title) for thinking that you are about to read some lighthearted, hearts and flowers chick lit from looking at the cover of Forgive Me Not, however, that couldn't be further from the truth.  Absolutely filled to the brim with heartrending emotion, I was surprised to find myself caring about every single character in the book and these feelings remained even after I had turned the last page.  Samantha Tonge writes with such intense feelings that you can't help but become emotionally invested in the story and, with such high quality writing, I was more than happy to invest my emotions in the bank of Samantha Tonge.

Emma is our intriguing and complex main character.  After leaving home under a cloud she returns to make amends, but the only welcome she receives is from the family's 3-legged dog, Dash.  The reader is immediately drawn into the web of intrigue about Emma's past as you wonder what she did that was so bad that her family, friends and even the whole village don't want to know her.  As the present day story plays out, the reader jumps on an emotional rollercoaster as we glimpse into Emma's past to fill in the blanks between then and now.  When a family secret emerges that threatens Emma's recovery, she learns that forgiveness is a lot harder to give than she first thought, especially when you must also forgive yourself.

Forgive Me Not is a tremendously engaging, emotional and uplifting book.  Emma's strength in adversity is both inspiring and heartbreaking as she carries so much weight on her shoulders and in her heart.  It would be easy to turn away at the first hurdle but Emma shows great sense of character when she perseveres to show everyone that she has changed.  They might not be able to forget what Emma has done but can they forgive her?

A deep and meaningful book that will definitely stay with you long after turning the final page.  In fact, the final page just took the wind out of my sails and I can certainly say that I was completely blown away by Forgive Me Not.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon
Buy from Kobo
Buy from Google
Buy from iBooks


About the author:

Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK and her passion, second to spending time with her husband and children, is writing. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has travelled widely.

When not writing she passes her days cycling, baking and drinking coffee. Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women’s magazines.

In 2013, she landed a publishing deal for romantic comedy fiction with HQDigital at HarperCollins and in 2014, her bestselling debut novel, Doubting Abbey, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category.

Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamTongeWriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaTongeAuthor

Website: http://samanthatonge.co.uk/

A Life Without You - Katie Marsh

Can you ever outrun the past?

It's Zoe's wedding day. She's about to marry Jamie, the love of her life. Then a phone call comes out of the blue, with the news that her mum Gina has been arrested. Zoe must make an impossible decision: should she leave her own wedding to help?

Zoe hasn't seen Gina for years, blaming her for the secret that she's been running from ever since she was sixteen. Now, Gina is back in her life, but she's very different to the mum Zoe remembers. Slowly but surely, Gina is losing her memory.

As she struggles to cope with Gina's illness, can Zoe face up to the terrible events of years ago and find her way back to the people she loves?

A Life Without You is a stirring and poignant novel about the power of the past - and the possibilities of the future.

What did I think?

As soon as I saw there was a new book out by Katie Marsh, I just knew I had to have it so I snapped one up from Amazon for my kindle.  I read and absolutely adored Katie's first book, My Everything, and didn't think it could be bettered - but I was wrong!  A Life Without You is impeccably written, it is completely flawless and I am sure it will be listed in many readers' top books of 2016 - it's definitely in mine!  Katie Marsh really knows how people tick and understands the complexity of the heart which make her novels stand head and shoulders above the rest.

What an unusual start to a book - it certainly grabbed my attention.  Zoe is embarking on the happiest day of her life as she prepares to marry Jamie.  Then she gets a phone call from her mum's friend asking her to come and help as her mum is in trouble with the police. Wearing her wedding dress, Zoe takes a trip to the police station instead of down the aisle.  Hold on a second you say, why wasn't her mum sitting in the church with the other members of Zoe's family?  Zoe hasn't spoken to her mum in years - what could have happened that was so bad for a mother to not even be invited to her daughter's wedding?  So begins the story of Gina and her daughter, golden girl Zoe, told through heartbreaking letters that Gina has written to Zoe on each birthday.

These emotional and candid letters are placed at the end of each present day chapter, chapters filled to the brim with emotion as we see the effects of Gina's memory loss on herself and her family.  At a time when Gina really needs the support of her family, Zoe steps up to the mark by burying old grudges and sweeping aside feelings about her abandoned wedding to concentrate on looking after her mum.  With so much on her mind, it naturally starts to affect her work and she realises that she can't do it all on her own.  Time for hurt and resentment to be brushed aside and for people to show that they really care about Zoe.

Losing your memory must be such a devastating event and so difficult for friends and family to deal with.  It really hit home for me, as a book lover, when it was mentioned that Gina had a pile of books by her bed, but there was no point reading them as she would forget what she had read when she put the book down each night.  It must be so difficult to actually admit that you can no longer look after your loved one and have to look at other options available.  As Zoe struggled with feelings of betrayal and guilt, it was completely understandable and virtually palpable, but clear that she had to put those feelings to one side and do what was best for Gina.  

A Life Without You is a stunning and compassionate story of family, forgiveness and unconditional love.  It is a stark reminder that we shouldn't dwell on negative events in the past but concentrate on what is left of the future.  Katie Marsh has such emotive writing, evoking both laughter and tears, ensuring that A Life Without You is a book that will remain forever in my heart.  No words will ever do this book justice - you simply must read it for yourself.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Forgiveness: Effortless Inspiration for a Happier Life - Dani DiPirro

Packed with insightful quotes, thought-provoking reflections and empowering affirmations designed to make you think about forgiveness in new ways, this uplifting little book provides bite-sized inspiration for you to feel lighter, freer and more at peace in everyday life.

What did I think?

What a super little book, it's certainly small but mighty.  I've bought the odd self-help book in the past and got bored after a few pages, leaving them barely thumbed through.  I do, however, still have a bit of an addiction to this kind of book so I was really pleased to win a copy in a Goodreads Giveaway.  Forgiveness only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to read from cover to cover, depending on how much thought you give each quote or idea.  In just a few pages of Forgiveness, I was eagerly reading to see what pearl of wisdom or inspirational quote would be imparted next.  I was so taken with some of the quotes that I shared them immediately by reading them out to my family.

The book itself has beautiful purple pages throughout, which is not only my favourite colour but a colour I find very peaceful and spiritual.   Each little section starts with an inspirational quote, including many from literary favourites such as Anne Frank, Mark Twain, Virginia Woolf and Oscar Wilde.  The quote is followed by a little passage about forgiveness with some key words such as 'compassion', 'patience' and 'happiness' and then leaves us with a thought to ponder to help us achieve these feelings.

Forgiveness certainly made me think about life and how we sometimes make it difficult for ourselves.  We often love to wallow in misery and negativity, forgetting how much better we feel when we're happy, kind and loving.  This is definitely a book I will dip in and out of in the future, but more likely I will read the whole book over and over again.  Forgiveness is full of enlightenment and wisdom, I feel like a better person already after just reading it once.  I am so looking forward to how much better I will feel when I put it into practice.

Inspirational and thought-provoking, Forgiveness is a little gem of a book and the best self-help book I have ever read.  It may be small but it packs a mighty punch.

I'll leave you with the fabulous Oscar Wilde quote that is included in the book:

"Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much."

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Out of Practice (Breakup Doctor book 4) - Phoebe Fox

When your relationship is on life support, the Breakup Doctor is on call.

There’s no shortage of broken hearts in Breakup Doctor Brook Ogden’s successful breakup counseling practice—if love is a battlefield, then Brook is the cavalry. Luckily her own love life is in full recovery: after a long, tortuous road, she and Ben Garrett are finally headed down the aisle.

But when a local TV personality—and former frenemy—invites Brook onto her show, she’s blindsided live on the air when the interview turns into an act of long-delayed revenge meant to publicly humiliate her. Brook’s an expert at getting back on your feet when life knocks you down, but as the blows keep piling on—with a betrayal she never saw coming and a family crisis that threatens to pull the foundation out from under her—her confidence starts slinking away. With her clients dropping her faster than a one-night stand, suddenly the Breakup Doctor’s career is in critical care.

Brimming with both the sublime and ridiculous aspects of love—romantic and otherwise—Out of Practice is a funny and heartwarming tale about loss, grief, and failure that will resonate with all who have loved, lost…and dared to love again.

What did I think?

As you know, I don't like jumping into a series part way through, but I read Heart Conditions (Breakup Doctor book 3) last year and loved it so much that I didn't hesitate to add book 4 to my reading list.  All of my favourite characters are back: Brook and Ben, with their dogs Winston and Jake, and Sasha and Stu with their new baby, LJ.

Out of Practice takes on a more serious tone as Brook and her family learn to cope with the loss of her dad.  Add to the fact that Brook has not set a wedding date so Ben isn't sure whether she actually wants to marry him, and then Brook's professional world tumbles down around her after she is humiliated on TV.  Just when you think things can't get any worse, Madison, an ex-client of Brook's publishes an exposé in a newspaper that tears Brook's confidence to shreds.  So it's no surprise to find Brook's mind in a whirl as she struggles to cope with everything that's going on.

Family is a big theme in Out of Practice as Brook's family support her (when she lets them) and they all worry about her mom who seems to be forgetting things.  Is it part of her grieving process or something more sinister like Alzheimer's?  Brook's brother, Stu, thinks he has to be the strong one now that he's the man of the house, but nobody stops to think how he is coping without his dad.  We all deal with grief very differently and I think grief comes hand in hand with guilt as we think of things we did wrong and could have done better but won't ever get the chance to make it right.  Phoebe Fox has written a beautiful sentence in Out of Practice that I want to share with you here.  It completely captures the feeling of being cast adrift and losing direction when we lose somebody we love.

"We'd always thought my mom was the trunk of our family tree, but when my dad passed away we realized he'd been the roots that anchored her."

Out of Practice is a soul-searching, thought-provoking read, taking chicklit to the next level.  I lived and breathed Brook's journey with her and felt every bump in the road through Phoebe Fox's vibrant and emotive writing.  I feel as if Brook has grown up in Out of Practice as she finally works out what she wants out of life.  I had my fingers crossed that she would get her happy ending, and does she?  You'll just have to read it for yourself to find out.

I chose to read an ARC of Out of Practice and this is my honest opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Books in The Breakup Doctor Chick Lit Series:

•THE BREAKUP DOCTOR (#1)
•BEDSIDE MANNERS (#2) 
•HEART CONDITIONS (#3) 
•OUT OF PRACTICE (#4)

The Last Days of Summer - Vanessa Ronan

She can forgive. They can't forget.

After ten years in the Huntsville State Penitentiary, Jasper Curtis returns home to live with his sister and her two daughters. Lizzie does not know who she's letting into her home: the brother she grew up loving or the monster he became.

Teenage Katie distrusts this strange man in their home but eleven-year-old Joanne is just intrigued by her new uncle.

Jasper says he's all done with trouble, but in a forgotten prairie town that knows no forgiveness, it does not take long for trouble to arrive at their door ...

What did I think?

After a few pages in I thought I would struggle with this book as there were no chapters - how would I ever know when to stop reading? Well Vanessa Ronan has thought of that, the answer is simple - you won't stop reading!  Although the story drew me in, I did find the writing a bit disjointed at times - I like to feel the rhythm of a book and this felt like a staccato - the shortest sentences ever are in this book, even sentences comprising one word.  Once I got used to it, I did settle in but it was a bit of a bugbear at first.  I've never really been a fan of poetry and maybe if I had been I would have found it easier to cope with the teeny sentences.

There is so much tension bubbling under the surface that the lack of chapters (have I mentioned that?) make just one more page an easy bargain to make.  I started off wondering what Jasper had done and what he was in prison for, but that actually quickly went out of my head.  Jasper made it quite clear that he was guilty of the crime he committed and it is the threat of the townspeople coming out for revenge that takes centre stage.

You can feel the turmoil of his family as his sister, Lizzie, sees no alternative but to welcome Jasper into her home.  Lizzie has two young daughters and as her youngest, Joanne, gets closer to Jasper I did wonder how safe she really was in his care.  On the flip side, it was lovely to see the innocence and trusting nature of children, before they realise the world is big and bad.

There is no doubt that Jasper is a damaged man.  He may have paid for his crimes but he doesn't appear to have repented and I feared that, given the opportunity, he would do the same thing over again.  For me, the reaction of the townspeople was portrayed flawlessly as the mob grew in support and strength, even enlisting the support of Jasper's own niece, Katie.  You could feel Katie's inner struggle as she fights between the mistrust she has for her Uncle and her fear that she has put her mother and sister in danger.

Really quite dark and disturbing at times, The Last Days of Summer leaves the reader questioning how they would react in the same situation.  Blood is thicker than water but can you really forgive and forget?

I received this book from the publisher, Penguin, in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon