Saturday 29 July 2023

The secrets we keep

 

The Secrets We Keep (Cornish Coastal Romance Book 3) by [Jo Lambert]



After her father’s tragic death, abandoning thoughts of university, Hayley has supported her mother with the day to day running of the Estuary House Hotel in Kingswater. Now, she is ready to return to her studies, but before that there’s a summer to enjoy.

Hayley has no idea how much the two young men she is about to meet will influence her future. Adam Davenport, wealthy and entitled, arrives on his father’s luxury motor yacht, livening up the quiet town with his on-board parties. But it’s photographer Nick Pallister, staying at the hotel while working on an assignment for the Cornish Tourist Board, who captures her heart.

As the end of summer approaches, Nick unexpectedly checks out, taking steps to make sure he cannot be traced, leaving Hayley to face the fact she has merely been a summer fling. Days later, Adam takes a taxi into Truro and disappears. Despite an extensive police search, he is never found.

Six years later Hayley is settled and happy with a small daughter, Amelie. Nick Pallister’s unexpected arrival at the hotel, takes her by surprise, dredging up unwanted memories. Why did he leave so suddenly? And did it have anything to do with Adam’s disappearance? But there’s 
the danger Nick could have questions of his own, ones that might jeopardise the new life she has built for herself and her daughter.


About the author



Jo Lambert lives on the eastern edge of Bath with her husband, one small grey feline called Mollie and a green MGB GT. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors.  She has been writing since 2008. Her first five books, a set of linked romantic sagas following the lives of several families in West Somerset, was followed in 2015 by Summer Moved On, a contemporary romance set in South Devon. A sequel, Watercolours in th Rain followed in 2017, 
 In June 2018 Jo signed to Choc Lit and published A Cornish Affair, set in North Cornwall. .

When she isn't writing she reads and reviews. She also has an active blog.  Jo loves travel, red wine and rock music and she often takes the odd photograph or two.
Social Media Links – 
Twitter: @jolambertwriter
Instagram: jolambertwriter185

My Review

'The Secrets we keep' blends the best of romance and suspense. The reader is immediately immersed in Hayley's world as she helps run the family hotel in the coastal resort of Kingswater. When Nick checks in, he immediately grabs her attention but it seems hotel receptionist Scarlet also has her eye on him. When Adam arrives in town on his father luxury yacht, it is clear he has his eye on Hayley. The suspense is maintained as the reader wonders how these relationships will all pan out. However, just as Hayley and Nick realise their feelings, Nick unexpectedly checks out with no way of Hayley being able to contact him. Her sense of abandonment is palpable. There is another twist however as Adam simply disappears one day. It is not until six years later that the mystery is resolved and once again brings upheaval into Hayley's now settled life.

The author knows how to keep the reader enthralled with lifelike characters and an engrossing plot. This is a great summer page turner.

Saturday 1 July 2023

The French Chateau Dream







The French Chateau Dream

When wedding planner Hattie signs up for her dream job, organising her cousin’s wedding in France, it offers the perfect escape from a relationship that’s been going south for a while. 

Unfortunately when she arrives at the idyllic Chateau St Martin, not everyone is as enthusiastic about the forthcoming wedding, including Luc Bremont, son of the owner of the chateau.  

Luc has finally been given the chance to make his own champagne at the family vineyard and everything rests on making it a success, the last thing he wants is the distraction of a big wedding at the chateau. 

Will Hattie be able to build bridges between the inhabitants of the chateau in order to allow the wedding to go ahead? 

Author Bio – 



Julie caplin, formerly a PR director, swanned around Europe for many years taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various cities in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Copenhagen and Switzerland. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. 

These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for the highly successful Romantic Escapes series which have hit the best seller charts in Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic and have sold a million copies worldwide.

The first book in the nine strong series,The Little Café in Copenhagen, was shortlisted for a Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

 

Social Media Links – @JulieCaplin Twitter 

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

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


My Review

Another cracking success from Julie Caplin. What could be better than a glorious French chateau, a handsome winemaker and delicious french food? Be prepared to be transported, as Hatttie tries to establish her wedding business with all the odds against her. Handsome Frenchman Luc sees her as standing in the way of his ambition to start producing the chateau's wines again. This enemies to lovers trope is well worked and the reader will enjoy the journey. Delightfully moreish..