Publisher: Canelo
#BlogTour #BookReview Dreaming of Christmas by T.A. Williams @TAWilliamsBooks @canelo_co
categories: Book Review, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance, 8.5/10
Title: Dreaming of Christmas
Author: T.A. Williams
Published by: Canelo on Aug. 27, 2018
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction
Source: Canelo, NetGalley
Book Rating: 8.5/10
It's the dream Christmas: snow, mountains… and, er, an ex-boyfriend. But can Zoe still find love in the Alps?
Dumped on Christmas Eve by her long-term boyfriend, it's been a rough year for Zoe Lumsley. But then she gets an invitation she can't refuse: an all expenses paid skiing holiday with old university friends.
The bad news: her ex, Grant, will be there with his new girlfriend. But so will her former flatmate Billy, the organiser, and in the meantime he's done rather well for himself. As Christmas in the Alps approaches, it'll be great to see the old gang. Some more than others…
Perfect for readers of Tilly Tenant, Holly Martin and Philippa Ashley, this is the perfect magical Christmas getaway from the bestselling T.A. Williams.
Amusing, engaging, and delightfully entertaining!
In this latest novel, Dreaming of Christmas, Williams sweeps us away to a wintery paradise where the snow is falling, the accommodations are luxurious, the food is scrumptious, the skiing is magnificent, and love might actually be in the air.
The prose is atmospheric and well turned. The characters are unique, troubled, friendly, and multi-layered. And the story is a compelling tale full of exciting adventures, heartfelt moments, self-discovery, friendship, relationship woes, happiness, romance, and a whole lot of Christmas cheer!
Overall, Dreaming of Christmas is another charming, beautifully descriptive tale by Williams that's the perfect choice for any chilly afternoon spent in front of the fire with a steaming mug of hot chocolate!
This book is available now.
Thank you to T.A. Williams and Canelo for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.
About T.A. Williams
T.A. Williams lives in Devon with his Italian wife. He was born in England of a Scottish mother and Welsh father. After a degree in modern languages at Nottingham University, he lived and worked in Switzerland, France and Italy, before returning to run one of the best-known language schools in the UK. He's taught Arab princes, Brazilian beauty queens and Italian billionaires. He speaks a number of languages and has travelled extensively. He has eaten snake, still-alive fish, and alligator. A Spanish dog, a Russian bug and a Korean parasite have done their best to eat him in return. His hobby is long-distance cycling, but his passion is writing.
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#BlogTour #BookReview & #GuestPost Prosecco and Promises by A.L. Michael @ALMichael_ @canelo_co
categories: Blog Tour, Book Review, Women's Fiction, Guest Post, Contemporary Romance, 10/10
Title: Prosecco and Promises
Author: A.L. Michael
Series: Martini Club #2
Published by: Canelo on Feb. 12, 2018
Meet Mia: an unforgettable heroine learning the meaning of life and love on a beautiful Italian island. Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Lindsey Kelk and Lucy Vine.
Mia's dad has always been her idol. Now, she faces losing him and he is insisting that she leave England to visit her mother's family on the Italian island of Ischia.
Arriving on the island, Mia is embraced by the warm, crazy relatives she hardly knows. Despite her doubts about the trip, it is in Italy that Mia discovers connections to a part of her life that's been missing, and during the sun-soaked days and steamy nights Mia falls for handsome local Salvatore. But as the day of her departure draws nearer can she risk having her heart broken twice in one summer?
If you love Prosecco and Promises, why not read more about Mia's best friend Savvy in Cocktails and Dreams? Out now!
Uplifting, romantic, and genuinely heartfelt!
Prosecco and Promises is predominantly set on the island of Ischia in the Mediterranean and is the story of Mia, a young woman who heads to her mother's homeland and the relatives she barely knows when the impending loss of her beloved father turns her life upside down.
The prose is expressive and effortless. The characterization is well-developed with a wonderful cast of characters that are multilayered, strong, charming, and determined. And the character-driven plot interweaves the lives of multi-generational families as they learn to cope, survive, heal, respect, support, and love each other unconditionally.
Overall Prosecco and Promises is sweet and incredibly touching with a real undercurrent of heartbreak, loss, loneliness, and grief. And even though it had me in tears more than once, it also had me smiling, laughing and completely enthralled by all the big family antics and budding romances.
And now A.L. Michael with:
My Writing Routine
When I first started out, writing was a very different game – I was a pantser, no doubt, letting the story flow where it felt like. I still think that's really important, discovering the story as you write it. It's half the fun, where plot points and ideas just suddenly appear from thin air (when really, you'd been leading your mind there with breadcrumbs as you've been writing). The first draft is always you telling yourself the story, and there's something beautiful in that – your brain telling your hands or fingertips a tall tale.
My process has changed a little since then – I've got a 9-5 and I'm still writing at least two books a year. I can't poodle along like before. My ideas need to have a least a little structure, a few plot points to work towards, to keep me on track. When you're working towards deadlines, and you don't have too much time to write, knowing where you're going and making the most of that precious time is important.
When the story is evolving, I'll be writing notes on my phone, usually fragments of conversation that gives me an idea of who my characters are, without having to know what they're talking about. Usually, these don't get used. I'll start typing it up straight away, usually after writing a brief outline. And then it's onto the daily typing – I fit it in wherever I can. Writing this article now is instead of my lunchtime writing. I bring my laptop in almost every day and write for an hour. Usually I can get about 1500 words done. When I get home, I'll try and write some more after dinner, with the TV on in the background. Saturday mornings and Sunday mornings are when I get up early and snuggle into the sofa to grab a few hours, and those are probably my most productive times.
Being in the story, even when you can't be writing, is becoming more important. I've been creating playlists for my novels, and I listen to them on the way home from work, to prepare myself for the scene I'm going to write.
When you're in the story, everything suddenly starts to relate to it – it's like being in love. Everything you see, or read, or hear, starts to influence and connect to what you're writing. I've always been a one for stealing snippets of phrases I hear on the train, or things friends say, and so I take every experience that isn't writing as inspiration for writing.
The biggest excuse for anything is not having time. Not having time to see people, to write books, to workout. I refuse to let that stop me. Because time is what you make it. If you're scribbling notes on your morning commute – you're writing a book! If you're writing full time doing 20 minute springs – wahey, you've found your rhythm! We use and value our time differently, and it's true, I don't have kids or a huge amount of responsibility, so I'm using every minute I can, so that when I do have less time, I won't feel guilty.
I'll never forget at my first book launch I heard another writer say 'Well, I could have a book published if I had the time,' and it still makes me laugh to this day, because you have the time. We all have time. When it gets towards deadlines and I'm up until 1am editing and I don't go out at the weekends and I've had to tell people not to call me for a week – that's me having the time. It's like when people look at modern art and say 'my kid could have done that', my answer is always: 'but they didn't, did they? This person did.'
So that's my routine – snatched moments wherever I can, and whether you need structure or not, I would encourage you to snatch those moments too. They're precious, and finite, and when people ask you how you did it, you tell them you made the time.
Thank you to A.L. Michael and Canelo for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
About A.L. Michael
A.L. Michael is hurtling towards the end of her twenties a little too quickly. She is the author of 10 novels. Her most recent collection of books, The Martini Club Series, started with Cocktails and Dreams, to be followed by Prosecco and Promises, and Martinis and Memories. She likes to write about difficult women. Well, they say to write what you know. Andi works as a Content Writer, as well as a therapeutic facilitator. She has a bunch of degrees in stuff to do with writing, and wrote her MSc dissertation on the power of creative writing in eating disorder recovery. She truly believes stories can change your life.
#BookReview & #GuestPost If I Fall by Ella Harper @Ella__Harper @canelo_co
categories: Book Review, Women's Fiction, General Fiction, 8/10
Title: If I Fall
Author: Ella Harper
Published by: Canelo on Jan. 22, 2018
Genres: General Fiction, Women's Fiction
Four university friends, four devastating secrets.
I'm really sorry for what I'm about to do…
It's fifteen years since graduation, and Connie, Jonas, JJ and Layla have managed to remain close despite the odds. They've supported each other, but are some things too big for friendship?
Connie is desperate to maintain the veneer of perfect family life.
Jonas is feeling the pressure at work.
Layla's career is unravelling thanks to her ill mother
JJ's past is catching up with him.
When they stumble and fall, who will be there to catch them?
A truly powerful and unforgettable story of love, friendship, and real life, If I Fall is perfect for readers of Alice Peterson, Amanda Prowse and Lianne Moriarty.
Sobering, compelling, and incredibly intense!
If I Fall is a complex, character-driven novel that delves into how much friendships can define us and highlights how secrets, lies, and unspoken words can emotionally and psychologically impact them.
The writing is somber and raw. The characters are multifaceted, desperate, and broken. And the plot, using multiple perspectives, is an engaging, edgy tale about life, loss, love, heartbreak, deception, jealousy, abuse, friendship, and family.
If I Fall is truly a poignant novel that reminds us that life is unpredictable and full of ups and downs and true friends are those who are there not only in the good times, but more importantly during the hard ones.
And now Ella Harper with:
The Importance of Subplots
So. We all know what the main plot in the novel is. It's the story at the centre of the novel…the important, key issue or theme. That's the all singing, all dancing part of the story – the part we most want the reader to connect with and relate to. But by and large, there will also be a subplot – or subplots – running alongside.
The subplot is the secondary strand that supports the main story. It will usually (but doesn't have to) connect to the main plot and this could be in terms of the theme of the novel, or perhaps the timeline. The subplot could involve the main characters or supporting characters in the book and it will take up less action. It might, however, provide light relief for the tenseness of the main plot strand, adding humour perhaps. It might create a realistic feel to the main plot by showing contrast or providing colour and richness. It can also be used to develop a lesser character in the novel who may become significant later on and who could be woven into the main plot. The subplot should definitely reinforce the main plot – and much of the time, this is a device used to reveal relevant information to the reader that might not have been revealed elsewhere. Equally, a subplot might be used to crank up the tension in the main plot, bringing the protagonist to a different point.
Another useful aspect of the subplot is to bring in another viewpoint. Sometimes an author can use an entirely new voice or 'person' for the subplot…writing in the third person or the first person to differentiate and bring another layer into the novel. But the main thing is the ensure that the main plot is always at centre stage and only use your subplot when you want to change the pace or utilise it in the ways mentioned above.
I used a few subplots in my first Ella Harper novel Pieces of You. The main characters were essentially Luke and Lucy Harte, but with Luke in a coma for much of the novel, other characters had to come to the fore. So the feelings of Luke's sister Nell and his mother Patricia then came into play as subplots, which supported the main plot.
In If I Fall, each character was part of the main storyline, but also had their own subplot, which made it complex, but really fun to write. The characters interacted with one another, weaving in and out of each other's lives and stories until they merged into one and the subplots all kind of became the main plot. But the characters' subplots served to provide background and an insight into their lives that then became relevant to the main plot and hook of the novel which is…which one of them wants to commit suicide? And why? As I say, tricky to write, but my favourite so far, because of all the complex subplots!
Thank you to Ella Harper and Canelo for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
About Ella Harper
Ella Harper learned foreign languages, and imagined she might eventually get a glamorous job speaking French. After climbing her way up the banking ladder, Ella started idly mapping out the beginnings of a novel on an old laptop. When she realised her characters were more real to her than dividends and corporate actions ever could be, she left her job to become a writer.
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#BookReview Dreaming of Florence by T.A. Williams @TAWilliamsBooks @canelo_co
categories: Book Review, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance, 9/10
Title: Dreaming of Florence
Published by: Canelo on Jan. 8, 2018
Fresh pasta, red wine, fine art… and love? Find enchantment this year in the magical city of Florence
When Debbie Waterson's bicycle crashes into handsome doctor Pierluigi, she wonders if her luck has changed. Determinedly single after ending a long relationship, at last, a man worth bumping into!
Inspired to visit Florence, she soon runs headlong into that old foe: reality. But is Pierluigi the man of her dreams? Then there's her booze obsessed boss, his forbidding secretary and her noisy inconsiderate neighbours. But could her luck be about to change? Will she find love after all?
Absorbing, enchanting and beautifully written!
Dreaming of Florence is a charming, romantic story about taking chances, overcoming challenges, developing new relationships, finding happiness, and falling in love.
The prose is light and incredibly atmospheric. The story is warm, engaging and full of tender moments, dramatic events, humorous hijinks, betrayals, acts of kindness, self-discovery, and friendship. And the characterization is spot on with a cast of characters that are fresh, endearing, and quirky, and a setting, the City of Lilies, that is a character itself with its Renaissance architecture, lush landscape, and must-see monuments.
Overall, Dreaming of Florence is another sophisticated, sweet, entertaining tale by Williams that once again highlights his phenomenal ability to bring a city to life through his remarkable knowledge and passion for its food, culture, and history.
#BlogTour & #BookReview Marked for Death by Matt Hilton @MHiltonauthor @canelo_co
categories: Blog Tour, Book Review, Mystery/Thriller, 9/10
Title: Marked for Death
Author: Matt Hilton
Series: Joe Hunter #12
Published by: Canelo on Jul. 17, 2017
Genres: Mystery/Thriller
Joe Hunter has been Marked for Death in his most explosive outing to date.
It should be a routine job. Joe Hunter and his associates are hired to provide security for an elite event in Miami. Wear a tux, stay professional, job done.
But things go wrong.
Hunter is drawn into what appears to be a domestic altercation. When he crosses the mysterious Mikhail however, he soon finds something altogether more sinister…
Before long this chance encounter has serious repercussions for Hunter and his friends. Good people are being killed. On the run, in the line of fire, the clock is ticking.
From the bars of Miami beach to car chases and super-yacht grenade battles, bestseller Matt Hilton dials up the intensity in this rip-roaring, set-piece filled thriller perfect for fans of Lee Child, David Baldacci and Stephen Leather.
Suspenseful, gripping, and exceptionally fast-paced!
This is an adrenaline-pumping thrill ride that immerses you in the dark, gritty underworld of gun smuggling and sex trafficking and reminds us that evil often exists closer than you think.
The writing is well done and well paced. The characters are tenacious, tough, smart, dangerous and protective. And the plot is a riveting tale of murder, revenge, corruption, power, hatred, manipulation, abuse, survival and terror.
Overall, I have to say that Hilton has written another winner with this latest outing in the Joe Hunter series. It's exciting, highly entertaining and bursting with so much tension, action and adventure that it's impossible not to be completely captivated and enthralled from start to finish.
Thank you to Matt Hilton and Canelo for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
About Matt Hilton
Matt Hilton quit his career as a police officer to pursue his love of writing cinematic action thrillers. He is the author of the high-octane Joe Hunter thriller series. His first book, Dead Men's Dust, was shortlisted for the International Thriller Writers' Debut Book of 2009 Award, and was a Sunday Times bestseller, also being named as a 'thriller of the year 2009' by The Daily Telegraph.
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#BlogTour & #BookReview Summer at Conwenna Cove by Darcie Boleyn @DarcieBoleyn @canelo_co
categories: Blog Tour, Book Review, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance, 8/10
Title: Summer at Conwenna Cove
Author: Darcie Boleyn
Series: Conwenna Cove #1
Published by: Canelo on May 15, 2017
Eve has a glittering career, a loving husband and a future. But a terrible twist of fate means she loses it all, and with nowhere left to turn she flees to her Aunt Mary's home in Cornwall. The last thing on her mind is romance – until she meets Jack.
Jack has seen the worst things people can do to each other and realised he is better off alone. He settles in Conwenna Cove, and saves his affections for the rescue dogs he cares for. But when Eve arrives in the village he can't deny his attraction to her.
Eve and Jack are both scared to trust, but when they come together it's impossible for either to ignore their feelings. Can they put their fears aside and learn to love again?
Summer at Conwenna Cove is an emotional and heart-warming holiday read about being brave enough to take a chance on love
Humorous, engaging and picturesque!
This is a captivating, lighthearted story that reminds us that we should work to live and not live to work and sometimes we should stop and smell the roses.
The prose is refined and vividly descriptive. The setting is the idyllic Cornwall with its sandy beaches and rugged coast. And the main characters including the stressed, workaholic Eve; the reluctant, gentle Jack; and the adorable, sweet Gabe are wounded, vulnerable, lonely and in desperate need of some unconditional love.
This is, ultimately, a story about life, love, loss, family, heartbreak, healing, self discovery and happiness and overall it is a wonderful story with a delightful cast of characters, majestic scenery, a touch of greyhound rescue awareness and last but definitely not least scrumptious, comforting treats, including my favourite the mouth-watering lemon drizzle cake. This truly is a warm, charming read from start to finish and perfect for a summer day.
Thank you to Canelo and Darcie Boleyn for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. It was an honour and a pleasure.
#BookReview & #BlogTour Dreaming of Venice by T.A. Williams @TAWilliamsBooks @canelo_co
Title: Dreaming of Venice
Published by: Canelo on Apr. 24, 2017
Find love, friendship and prosecco – in the magical city of Venice
Life is tough for Penny. A dead end job in a London café, a boyfriend in Australia (what could go wrong?) and an art career going nowhere. But then Penny is approached with an extraordinary proposition.
It isn't going to be easy but, if she can pull it off, she will turn her life around and at long last see the fulfilment of her dream – to visit Venice. And, just maybe, find true happiness with the handsome man of her dreams.
But can dreams come true?
Lighthearted, humorous and magically romantic!
This is a charming story that highlights that no matter how challenging life might seem at times things always seem to work out and reminds us that sometimes dreams do come true.
The characters are sweet, supportive, dependable and quirky. The prose is expressive and polished. And the plot is an enchanting mix of drama, emotion, entertaining mishaps, loss, love; as well as an insightful view into the City of Venice, including the food, the culture, the architecture, the history and the art.
Whenever you pick up a novel by Williams you always know it's going to be a warm, passionate, fascinating novel about an idyllic place in the world that you can't help but want to see, visit and experience once you've finished it and this book is no exception.
#BookReview & #BlogTour Chasing Shadows by T.A. Williams @TAWilliamsBooks @canelo_co
categories: Blog Tour, Book Review, Contemporary Romance, Historical Fiction, 8.5/10
Title: Chasing Shadows
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Historical Fiction
Amy had it all – money, brains and beauty. And then the accident happened.
The Present Day: Left blind and without her family, Amy feels she needs to get away. On a trip along the Camino, she is accompanied by the mysterious and troubled Luke. Having been set up to help Amy by a mutual friend, Luke finds he is also running from his past…
1314: A Templar Knight, Luc, is also running. He meets the wife of a former comrade, now blinded in a terrifying attack: Aimee. Taking her under his wing, they must journey together through a dangerous world.
As they travel through the stunning scenery of Northern Spain, this couple, so very like Luke and Amy, emerge from the shadows of time carrying a treasure of inestimable value.
Heartwarming, clever and incredibly intriguing!
In this latest novel by Williams he diverts from his usual genre of contemporary romance with a touch of history and instead gives us an historical time-slip piece full of mystery, facts, friendship, relationship dynamics, and of course a little love.
The writing is vividly described, well researched, and remarkably eloquent. The characters in both time periods are troubled, strong and endearing. And the plot is a captivating, sometimes dangerous journey from the beautiful countryside of the South of France, over the rugged mountainous Somport Pass, to the Galicia region of Spain and the tomb of St. James.
T. A. Williams wrote one of my favourite books last year, What Happens at the Beach…, and once again he has written a novel that shows his extraordinary talent as a writer and his passion for history in a tale that sweeps you away to another time and place and leaves you yearning to travel.
Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Indigo, Kobo,
Thank you to Canelo and T. A. Williams for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.