The hotel by the sea

The Hotel by the Sea

Pack your bags and get ready to fall in love with The Hotel by the Sea—your next romantic getaway awaits!

Rebecca needs to escape. After making a complete fool of herself watching the man she's secretly loved for years run off with someone else—she jumps at a temporary job at the family-run Quinta do Mar hotel. Sun, sea, and a fresh start sound perfect.

What she doesn't expect is Felipe Rebelo.

Charming, infuriatingly confident, and always ready with a flirty quip, Felipe seems to have life sorted. But beneath his carefree exterior lies a man carrying the weight of his entire family. The last thing he needs is another responsibility. Especially one who challenges him at every turn, makes him laugh, and is dangerously easy to fall for…

Escape to Portugal's stunning Algarve coast in this uplifting summer romance about finding yourself, choosing happiness, and discovering that love isn't about being needed—it's about being seen.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hotel-Sea-Charming-Family-Run-Portuguese-ebook/dp/B0FSBMPXZX/

https://www.amazon.com/Hotel-Sea-Charming-Family-Run-Portuguese-ebook/dp/B0FSBMPXZX/

A note from Julie Caplin

“My books are definitely not created by AI - apologies for the very human error that crept into the first few pages during the production process. I’m very sorry but as we’re all human, mistakes can happen. I’m sad but but there are worse things in life. “

About Julie Caplin

Jules Wake aka Julie Caplin is an internationally bestselling author with over 2 million sales over twenty five books including the highly successful Romantic Escape series which has been translated into over 24 languages. Her books have topped the charts in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Iceland, Italy, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

After reading English at university, Jules Wake worked in PR where she honed her fiction writing skills on press releases and swanned around Europe taking journalists on gastronomic press trips. These visits inspired the locations of many of her books. She’s now a full-time author and what better job is there than making stuff up! It certainly beats housework.

As an avid romance fan, she’s written in several genres including historical romantic fiction, contemporary women’s romance fiction and romantic comedy.

Follow Julie Caplin

https://www.facebook.com/JulieCaplinAuthor/

Instagram @juliecaplinauthor

My review

Having read this lovely, escapist book, I now have a new place at the top of my 'to visit' list. Julie Caplin brings Portugal to life as Rebecca starts a new job in a hotel there. I loved the family connections and with a dashing romantic hero to boot, what's not to love?

Of course, it's not all plain sailing as Rebecca has her own reasons for fleeing to Portugal but when she meets Felipe, she has a life changing decision to make.

Great characters, lovely descriptions of Portugal, a great escapist read.

 

Summer Ever After

 

Summer Ever After

Forty-year-old Faye Lawson is falling back in love with life at last. Finally divorced from her cheating husband, she has turned her back on the UK and has been living the Greek dream in Corfu managing a beautiful traditional boutique hotel.

For Kostas Petsas, twenty-something ex-professional basketball player, life as he has always known it is over. Having to take early-retirement because of injury, he’s at a loss as to what to do next. But when a piece of land in Corfu comes on the market, it seems this might be the perfect fit. There’s just a couple of things in the way… an area of natural beauty and… a little hotel on the beach.

Kostas has never met any woman like Faye before – she doesn’t behave around him how women usually do, and, when conflict starts to surface, it seems they can’t see eye-to-eye on anything. Or perhaps, when things get body-to-body, both of them begin to wonder if it can turn into heart-to-heart.

Escape to the beautiful island of Corfu with Mandy Baggot - queen of Greek summer romance!

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/SummerEverAfterSocial

 

Author Bio – 

Mandy Baggot is a bestselling romance writer who loves giving readers that happy-ever-after. From sunshine romantic comedies set in Greece, to cosy curl-up winter reads, she's bringing gorgeous heroes and strong heroines readers can relate to. Mandy splits her time between Salisbury, Wiltshire and Corfu, Greece and has a passion for books, food, racehorses and all things Greek!

 

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @MandyBaggotAuthor

Twitter: @MandyBaggot

Instagram: @MandyBaggot

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/MandyBaggotNews

Bookbub profile: @MandyBaggot

My review

Mandy Baggot has a knack for creating characters that the reader feels they have known all their life. This is true in the case of Faye, with whom I could immediately identify. The background characters are equally well drawn as is the stunning Corfiot location. If you add in a strong, romantic, Greek hero and a major conflict, there is very little missing; except that I should be reading it on a Greek beach instead of over a damp weekend in the UK.

The Islander’s Daughter

 

The Islander's Daughter

When Trisha receives a mysterious letter to her Liverpool home, it opens a decades’ old mystery, drawing her back into her family’s forgotten past, the horrors of war, and a small island off the coast of Greece…

Eighty years earlier, on the island of Milos, Dora is dreaming of a better life, free from the oppression of the occupying army and, closer to home, the brutal rule of her father, an infamous horse breeder.

Then a German cargo ship is bombed in the harbour, killing dozens of the men on board. The islanders trawl the waters for spoilage from the wreckage – finding among the debris a badly injured man, who may just hold the awful truth about what happened.

Dora soon finds this man under her care, and it changes her life forever, introducing her to the possibility of love and freedom for the first time… But Dora cannot know, as she nurses the stranger back to health, that her actions will have devastating consequences for her beloved island. Consequences that will last for generations…

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/islandersdaughter

Author Bio – 

Born on the Wirral, Patricia Wilson is the author of emotional, escapist historical fiction set in the Greek Islands, including the Sunday Times bestseller Villa of Secrets. She has had seven bestsellers, and her books have been published worldwide and in thirteen languages. She is dyslexic, and fell in love with writing thanks to modern technology.

Social Media Links 

Facebook: @PatriciaWilsonAuthor

Twitter: @pmwilson_author

Instagram: @pmwilson.author

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/PatriciaWilsonNews 

My review

I love history almost as much as I love Greece, so this book ticked two important boxes for me. Set on the island of Milos during the Occupation we learn about Dora's life at the hands of her father. She can either do her duty and marry the man her father has chosen for her or risk everything and follow her heart. Either choice will have severe repercussions, not just for Dora but for the inhabitants of the island.

This is not a dual timeline as such, since the contemporary action is only at the beginning and end of the book, which means the historical aspect is uninterrupted. I would, however, have liked to know more about Trisha, as to be honest, I was so engrossed in the historical story that by the end I had almost forgotten who she was.

An engaging read, perfect for lovers of history and of Greece.

The old girls’ island getaway

 

The Old Girls' Island Getaway

Two old friends. One sun-soaked adventure.

Dorothy and Gina may be separated by twenty years, but their friendship is timeless. At seventy-one and nearly ninety, life’s too short not to have a little fun – especially in Corfu.

When Dorothy is invited to visit an old friend at his villa, she insists Gina comes along. They’re looking forward to sunshine, sea breezes, and perhaps a dash of ouzo. But their plans are upended by an unexpected guest: glamorous actress Florence Quinn, who’s taken up residence in the pool house.

Florence may sparkle on the surface, but she’s hiding something – and someone – from her past. Determined to help, Dorothy and Gina embark on a quest across the island, only to find that Corfu holds more secrets, scandals, and surprises than they ever imagined.

A warm, witty, and adventurous tale of friendship, mischief, and unexpected discoveries.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/OldGirlsIslandGetaway

 

Author Bio –

Kate Galley is the author of uplifting golden years fiction, including The Second Chance Holiday Club. She lives with her family in Buckinghamshire and works part time as a mobile hairdresser.

Social Media Links

Facebook: @KateGalleyAuthor

Twitter: @KateGalley1

Instagram: @kategalley1

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/KateGalleyNews

Bookbub profile: @kategalley1

 

My Review

Absolutely delightful tale which I loved even more for having older characters. Great adventures occur with the arrival of Florence and the depiction of Corfu will have you breathing in the scent of wild herbs on a summer’s day. Lovely light-hearted read which was just the job during these difficult times.

The bookseller of Kathmandu

The Bookseller of Kathmandu

A sweeping tale of secrets and survival set against the mystical backdrop of Nepal, and the tropical heat of 1940s Malaya.

In the heart of bustling Kathmandu, Chloe Rai's quaint bookshop is a sanctuary for those seeking solace within the pages of timeworn stories. But when she discovers a collection of letters hidden within the crumbling walls of a forgotten Rana palace, her world begins to intertwine with a narrative from a different time and place.

Penned in the 1940s by a woman named Alice Lacey, the letters tell the story of the Malayan Emergency, a time of turmoil and conflict. As Alice's life becomes intertwined with that of Anil, a Gurkha officer, their bond is tested by the chaos and violence surrounding them. Chloe's discoveries not only reveal family secrets, but also mirror her own struggles in the present. As she delves deeper into Alice's story, she begins to understand the power of the past in shaping the present.

With a rich cultural backdrop and a poignant exploration of friendship, resilience, and truth, 'The Bookseller of Kathmandu' is a beautifully woven tale that showcases the enduring power of storytelling. Join Chloe on a journey through time as she uncovers the truth and learns to navigate the complexities of her own life.

If you enjoy captivating storytelling, then you won't want to miss 'The Bookseller of Kathmandu.' And if you loved 'The Fortune Teller of Kathmandu,' then you will be enthralled by Chloe and Alice's intertwined stories...

 

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/booksellerkathmandu

 

Author Bio –

Ann Bennett is a British author of historical fiction. Her first book, Bamboo Heart: A Daughter's Quest, was inspired by researching her father's experience as a prisoner of war on the Thai-Burma Railway and by her own journey to uncover his story. It won the Asian Books Blog prize for fiction published in Asia in 2015, and was shortlisted for the best fiction title in the Singapore Book Awards 2016.

That initial inspiration led her to write more books about WWII in Southeast Asia - Bamboo Island: The Planter's Wife, A Daughter's Promise, Bamboo Road: The Homecoming, The Tea Planter's Club, The Amulet, and The Fortune Teller of Kathmandu. Along with The Lotus House, published in October 2024, they make up the Echoes of Empire Collection.

Ann is also the author of The Oriental Lake Collection - The Lake Pavilion and The Lake Palace, both set in British India during the 1930s and WWII, and The Lake Pagoda and The Lake Villa, set in French Indochina.

The Runaway Sisters, USA Today bestselling The Orphan House, The Child Without a Home and The Forgotten Children are set in Europe during the same era and are published by Bookouture. Her latest book, The Stolen Sisters, published on 29th November 2024 is the follow-up to The Orphan List (published by Bookouture in August this year) and is set in Poland and Germany during WWII.

A former lawyer, Ann is married with three grown up sons and a granddaughter and lives in Surrey, UK. For more details, please visit her website www.annbennettauthor

Social Media Links –

https://www.facebook.com/annbennettauthor

https://x.com/annbennett71

https://www.instagram.com/annbennettauthor/

www.annbennettauthor.com

Giveaway to Win a Paperback copy of Fortune Teller of Kathmandu (Open to UK and Europe only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK and Europe 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.

https://gleam.io/spDXQ/win-a-paperback-copy-of-fortune-teller-of-kathmandu-open-to-uk-and-europe-only

My Review

This book is wonderfully researched and moves from present day Nepal to 1940s Malaya and post colonial India. The transitions are smooth and the reader is equally invested in both Alice's story as well as  Chloe's. when a relative of her Nepalese husband offers Chloe his father's library of books for her bookshop, she is determined to find out more about Alice and her relationship with Anil. There are many parallels between the two stories as they come together beautifully at the end. The descriptions are well drawn and invite the reader to put Nepal on their bucket list.

 

Old girls go Greek

                                                                   Old Girls Go Greek

At 64, Meg Foster is ready to paint outside the lines

Newly divorced from overbearing husband Malcom and with only reruns of Bergerac and an irascible black cat called Ivan for company, Meg decides it’s time to add a little colour back into her life. So when she spots a flyer for a local art class at the Lower Begley community centre, she grabs a brush — despite her only painting experience being a half-hearted coat of magnolia in the downstairs loo.

Surrounded by a motley crew of charming amateur artists, Meg slowly begins to rediscover her spark with the help of the other old girls…and the only male in the group Derek. And when someone suggests a painting holiday to sun-soaked Santorini, Meg doesn’t hesitate to sign up. Whitewashed walls, turquoise seas and possibly even a Grecian god or two? Yes please!

As the sun sets over the Aegean, Meg starts to realise that life — like art — is all about perspective. Could this trip be more than just a wash of watercolour fun? Could friendship, freedom and a second-chance romance be just a sketch away?

Full of heart, humour and hues of every shade, relax with another joyful story from Maddie Please celebrating the power of reinvention, female friendship, and living boldly — no matter your age.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/OldGirlsGoGreekBook

 

Author Bio –

Maddie Please is the author of bestselling joyous tales of older women. She has had a career as a dentist and now lives in rural Herefordshire where she enjoys box sets, red wine and Christmas.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @maddieplease

Twitter: @MaddiePlease1

Instagram: @maddieplease1

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/MaddiePleaseNews

Bookbub profile: @MaddiePlease

My Review

How refreshing to read about older women rediscovering themselves and having the time of their lives. What's not to love about this book? Firstly, it's set in my beloved Greece, on Santorini; secondly it involves an art group  and thirdly there are some great characters.

The descriptions of the scenery and food immediately took me back and watching Meg believe in herself and find romance is heart-warming.

I thoroughly enjoyed this light-hearted book from start to finish. I only hope there are more in the series.