Retreat to the Spanish sun

 

Retreat to the Spanish Sun 

Jo Thomas 
Paperback Original | 23rd June 2022 | £7.99 | Penguin 
Ebook also available 

Jo Thomas' wonderful tales of escapism and foreign delights have captured the hearts of thousands of readers. 

‘Full of wonderful characters, sunshine, food and romance. A winning recipe!’ - Katie Fforde 

‘A fabulous read celebrating the good things in life – fun, friends, family and food’ – Jill Mansell 

Will a summer escape be the answer she’s looking for? 
Eliza has a full house! When her three children grew up and moved out, she downsized to a smaller property... but now they're all back. Every room in the house is taken and Eliza finds herself sharing her bed with her eldest daughter and her daughter's pug. Combined with the online course she's trying to finish, plus her job to fit in, there just isn't the peace and quiet that Eliza needs. 
So when an ad pops up on her laptop saying 'house-sitters wanted', Eliza can't resist the chance to escape. She ends up moving to a rural finca in southern Spain, looking after the owner's Iberico pigs, learning about secret gastronomic societies... and finding a new zest for life and love along the way. 

From the bestselling author of Escape to the French Farmhouse comes a deliciously feel-good new story... 
Praise for Jo Thomas: 
'Rich, warm and sunny. A story that stays with you long after the last page is turned' - Milly Johnson 
'Like the very best kind of holiday' - Lucy Diamond 

 
Jo Thomas worked for many years as a reporter and producer, first for BBC Radio 5, before moving on to Radio 4's Woman's Hour and Radio 2's The Steve Wright Show. 
Jo's debut novel, The Oyster Catcher, was a runaway bestseller and won both the RNA Joan Hessayon Award and the Festival of Romance Best eBook Award. Her recent book Escape to the French Farmhouse was a #1 bestselling eBook and in every one of her novels Jo loves to explore new countries and discover the food produced there, both of which she thoroughly enjoys researching. Jo lives in Pembrokeshire with her husband and three children, where cooking and gathering around the kitchen table are a hugely important and fun part of their family life. Jo is available for interviews, events and written pieces. 

For more information please contact Hayley Barnes, Publicity Manager, Transworld Publishers: HBarnes@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk | 020 8231 6730 

My Review

Jo Thomas has the ability to create characters who become the reader's best friend by the end of the book. From the start, I could relate to Eliza and although I loved her busy, chaotic life, I could totally understand her need for peace and quiet.

The descriptions of Spain and the finca are just as delicious as the Spansih food. The addition of a secret gastronomic society and the threat of underhand means to fulfil their aims means the element of suspense runs through the book. When the owner of the finca goes incommunicado the mystery deepens.

I loved the ex-pat characters at the local tapas bar too. The story is cleverly brought to a satisfying conclusion for all concerned.

I really enjoyed reading this book and the opportunity to escape to Spain for a while.It also got my gastronomic tastebuds tingling for tapas.

A wedding in Tuscany

 

A Wedding in Tuscany

The Parsons sisters are all loved up.

Sarah is living in Sydney with Josh and their cat, Domino, but is anxious about her fast-approaching fortieth birthday.

And Cat is still living in London with her flatmate, Jane, but is in a long-distance relationship with Jean-Luc, her childhood sweetheart and recently re-discovered love.

One of the sisters receives a surprise wedding proposal – it’s a yes! – and everyone heads off to Tuscany for a destination wedding.

Reunite with favourite characters from the Holiday Romance series in one of the most beautiful locations yet for love, laughter, wedding vows, and just a smidge of sisterly mayhem

Purchase Links - 

Amazon

·       UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wedding-Tuscany-perfect-available-pre-order-ebook/dp/B09PFJXRCW/

·       AU https://www.amazon.com.au/Wedding-Tuscany-perfect-available-pre-order-ebook/dp/B09PFJXRCW/

·       US  https://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Tuscany-perfect-available-pre-order-ebook/dp/B09PFJXRCW/

·       CA  https://www.amazon.ca/Wedding-Tuscany-perfect-available-pre-order-ebook/dp/B09PFJXRCW/

Waterstones:  https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-wedding-in-tuscany/sandy-barker/9780008536787

Foyles: https://www.foyles.co.uk/witem/fiction-poetry/a-wedding-in-tuscany-(the-holiday-romanc,sandy-barker-9780008536787

Google play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sandy_Barker_A_Wedding_in_Tuscany_The_Holiday_Roma?id=1hlXEAAAQBAJ

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-wedding-in-tuscany/id1608505780

 

Author Bio – Sandy Barker

Sandy is a writer, traveller and hopeful romantic with a lengthy bucket list, and many of her travel adventures have found homes in her novels. She’s also an avid reader, a film buff, a wine lover and a coffee snob. 

Sandy lives in Melbourne Australia with her partner, Ben, who she met while travelling in Greece. Their real-life love story inspired Sandy’s debut novel One Summer in Santorini, the first in the Holiday Romance series with One More Chapter, an imprint of HarperCollins. 

The series continues in That Night in Paris and A Sunset in Sydney and there are two more to come in 2022. Her standalone novel The Christmas Swap celebrates her favourite time of the year, and next up is The Dating Game, a laugh-out-loud romcom set in the world of Reality TV.

 

Follow Sandy:

https://twitter.com/sandybarker

https://www.facebook.com/sandybarkerauthor

https://sandybarker.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sandybarkerauthor/

 My review

What a fabulous ending to the series. I loved how all the characters from the previous books come together for the wedding, uniting both sisters' stories.

A wedding, a beautiful location in Tuscany and scenery and food to die for - what's not to love? There is love and laughter. tears and disappointment and wedding disasters that threaten the big day. None of those compare to the most obnoxious wedding guest ever and yet throughout it all, love will triumph.

A delightful romantic story that will lift your heart.

The Spanish wedding disaster

 

The Spanish Wedding Disaster

Some people are romantics. Some aren’t. When Sophie and Maddie are summoned to a mysterious, top-secret meeting by their best friend Kate’s partner, and told that he’s planning to whisk Kate away for a surprise wedding in Gibraltar, it’s immediately clear that bubbly florist Sophie is a total romantic. And that freewheeling, purple-haired Maddie is not.

 

Soon, Maddie finds herself reluctantly organising venues, planners and ceremonies; trying not to think of her own memories of Andalucia, and those she’s lost touch with there. Meanwhile Sophie’s hoping this dreamy gesture might spur on her own boyfriend to similar plans . . . and absolutely not thinking at all about Kate’s gorgeous brother-in-law-to-be.

 

But Kate’s got no idea what’s going on. And as the stress piles up and the group jet off to the sunny south, it seems it’s not just Kate who might get a surprise in Spain – one that could change everything . . .

 

Purchase Link - http://smarturl.it/thespanishwedding

Author Bio –  

Karen King is a multi-published author of both adult and children’s books. She has had eleven romantic novels published, two psychological thrillers with another two in the process of publication, 120 children’s books, two young adult novels, and several short stories for women’s magazines. Her romantic novel The Cornish Hotel by the Sea became an international bestseller, reaching the top one hundred in the Kindle charts in both the UK and Australia. Karen is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors, the Crime Writers’ Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. Karen now lives in Spain where she loves to spend her non-writing time exploring the quaint local towns with her husband, Dave, when she isn’t sunbathing or swimming in the pool, that is.

 

Social Media Links – 

https://linktr.ee/KarenKing

 

Giveaway to Win 3 x signed copies of The Spanish Wedding Disaster (UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter 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.

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494505/?

My review

It sounds quite romantic to have your wedding planned as a total surprise by your best friends. However, when your boyfriend hasn't even proposed yet, it could end in total disaster.

I loved the interaction between the friends and the secrets they are forced to keep. The reader is really sucked into the lives of Kate, Maddie and Sophie and the Spanish/Gibraltar setting later is the book is an added bonus.

This book is a real summer treat and sure to bring out the romantic side of anyone.

 

Just One Day - Spring

 

Just One Day – Spring

Mum-of-three Louisa thought she only had her never-ending to-do list to worry about, but the arrival of a ghost from the recent past puts her in an untenable position. Can she navigate the difficult situation she’s in without their friendship becoming common knowledge or will it cause long-term damage to her marriage?

When a family member begins to suspect there’s more to her relationship with the new sous-chef than meets the eye, Louisa needs to think on her feet or she’ll dig herself into a deeper hole. But the cost of keeping her secret, not only from her husband, comes at a high price, one which tugs at her conscience.

With everyday niggles already causing a further rift between Louisa and husband Ronnie, will she manage to keep her family on track whilst her life spirals out of control? And when tragedy strikes, will Ronnie step up when she needs him most?

For fans of Fiona Gibson, Holly Martin and Jill Mansell.

Purchase Link - books2read.com/u/4XDkre

Author Bio – 

Susan Buchanan lives in Scotland with her husband, their two young children and a crazy Labrador called Benji. She has been reading since the age of four and had to get an adult library pass early as she had read the entire children’s section by the age of ten. 

Susan writes contemporary fiction, often set in Scotland, usually featuring travel, food or Christmas. When not working, writing, or caring for her two delightful cherubs, Susan loves reading (obviously), the theatre, quiz shows and eating out – not necessarily in that order!

 

Social Media Links – Website – www.susanbuchananauthor.com

Twitter – https://twitter.com/Susan_Buchanan

Facebook – www.facebook.com/susan.buchanan.author

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/AuthorSusanBuchanan/

 

Giveaway to Win Signed copies of Sign of the Times and Just One Day – Spring (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter 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.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494501/?

My Review

This book follows on directly from 'Just One day - Winter' and in order to appreciate it in full, it's really necessary to have read the first book in the series.

This book brings Laura's dilemma to a crux as she has to decide if she is going to risk her marriage to Ronnie. With temptation constantly waved under her nose, keeping her secret from the family becomes harder and harder.

I liked Laura's 'to do' list; mainly because it made it easy to identify with her. This is a feel-good read with a solid Scottish background and one that pretty much every mum will relate to.

Finding love on Sunshine Island

 

Finding Love on Sunshine Island

Welcome to the Sunshine Island - where the beaches are golden, the lifestyle is perfect and anything is possible.

Piper Le Brocq is happily single after the disastrous ending of her engagement eighteen months before. The only man in her life is Jax, her best friend and cousin, who spends his life teaching locals how to forage and taking tourists on boat trips around the island. Her days are filled with helping out at her mother's guest house and selling her glass mosaics at The Cabbage Patch emporium in Trinity.

Piper loves living on the Sunshine Island, where the neighbours look out for each other and visitors are welcome. So, when handsome guest Alex Cooper arrives at the guest house to check up on his grandfather, she welcomes him to the sunny island. And when he needs help after his grandfather is injured, she's quick to get involved.

Yet, the more she gets to know Alex the more mysterious he seems, and Alex isn't the only one keeping secrets from her.

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3Ce7ebq

Author Bio – 

Georgina Troy writes uplifting romantic escapes and sets her novels on the island of Jersey where she was born and has lived for most of her life. When she was writing her first novel she realised there were hundreds of places on the small that would make perfect romantic settings and when she discovered that no one else had at that time written a romance set on the island she decided to do it herself.

Social Media Links –  

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

Twitter  https://twitter.com/GeorginaTroy

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

Newsletter Sign Up:

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/georgina-troy

My review

What a superb start to a new series set on Jersey! I was immediately pulled into Piper's life as soon as I opened the book. The introduction of her cousin Jax as a sounding board was a nice touch, as I was crossing my fingers that Piper and Alex would get together.

The minor characters were interesting too; Alex's grandfather, the artisans at the Cabbage Patch as well as Piper's neighbours.

Once again, Georgina Troy has got me hooked and I can't wait for the next in the series.

 

Summer at the French cafe

 

Summer at the French Café

Sparkling sun, strolls in the gorgeous French countryside, that first sip of cool, crisp wine – Summer is Kat’s favourite season. And this year should be no exception…

As soon as Kat Jenson set foot in the idyllic French village of Kirchhoffen, she knew she’d found her home. Now she has a dreamy boyfriend, a delightful dog and the perfect job managing a bustling book café in the vibrant Parc Lemmel.

But when she learns her boyfriend isn’t all he seems, it’s the start of a difficult summer for Kat. Vindictive troublemakers, work woes and family heartache follow, and the clear blue sky that was her life suddenly seems full of clouds.

Then she gets to know the mysterious Noah, and her sun begins to shine brighter than ever. But Noah has problems of his own – ones that could scupper their new-found happiness. Together, can they overcome their many obstacles, and find love again?

The perfect summer read for fans of Trisha Ashley, Sarah Morgan and Carole Matthews.

Purchase Links 

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Summer-French-Caf%C3%A9-feel-good-fiction-ebook/dp/B09JBL9X3L/

Kobo https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/summer-at-the-french-cafe-1

Apple books https://books.apple.com/gb/book/summer-at-the-french-caf%C3%A9/id1598083256

Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/Summer-French-Caf%C3%A9-feel-good-fiction-ebook/dp/B09JBL9X3L/

Author Bio – 

Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author. She’s reached the coveted #1 spot on Amazon Kindle UK and Top 100 on Kindle US. She’s won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Novel of the Year, Readers’ Best Romantic Novel award and the Katie Fforde Bursary.

 

Her novels, short stories, serials, columns, writing ‘how to’ and courses have appeared around the world.

Social Media Links – 
Website [www.suemoorcroft.com]

Blog [http://suemoorcroft.wordpress.com]

Facebook profile [Sue.Moorcroft.3]

Facebook author page [https://www.facebook.com/SueMoorcroftAuthor

Twitter  [@suemoorcroft]

Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/suemoorcroftauthor/] @SueMoorcroftAuthor

LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/suemoorcroft]

Newsletter sign-up https://www.suemoorcroft.com/page_2.php?pgenme=eric&signup=2

Street Team https://www.suemoorcroft.com/page_15.php?pgenme=street-team&nav_group=all

My Review

This is such a delightful book, set in an equally delightful location of a French book cafe in a park. It's easy to see why Sue Moorcroft is a best-selling author; the characters are so real that they jump off the page. Add in difficult personal relationships that stop Kat and Noah from being together and you have a winner. The dog is just the icing on the cake!

Sizzling with summer fun, this book is a real treat.

The memory Keeper of Kyiv

 

The Memory Keeper of Kyiv

In the 1930s, Stalin’s activists marched through the Soviet Union, espousing the greatness of collective farming. It was the first step in creating a man-made famine that, in Ukraine, stole almost 4 million lives. Inspired by the history the world forgot, and the Russian government denies, Erin Litteken reimagines their story.

In 1929, Katya is 16 years old, surrounded by family and in love with the boy next door. When Stalin’s activists arrive in her village, it’s just a few, a little pressure to join the collective. But soon neighbors disappear, those who speak out are never seen again and every new day is uncertain.

Resistance has a price, and as desperate hunger grips the countryside, survival seems more a dream than a possibility. But, even in the darkest times, love beckons.

Seventy years later, a young widow discovers her grandmother’s journal, one that will reveal the long-buried secrets of her family’s haunted past.

This is a story of the resilience of the human spirit, the love that sees us through our darkest hours and the true horror of what happened during the Holodomor.

May we never forget, lest history repeat itself.

 

A share of proceeds will be donated to DEC's Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

 

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3MTkVBr

Author Bio – 

Erin Litteken is a debut novelist with a degree in history and a passion for research. At a young age, she was enthralled by stories of her family’s harrowing experiences in Ukraine before, during and after World War II. Her first historical fiction title, drawing on those experiences, will be published by Boldwood in June 2022.  She lives in Illinois, USA with her husband and children.

 

Social Media Links –  

Twitter https://twitter.com/ErinLitteken

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

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/erin-litteken

My review

I have read many books that relate the horror of war. The memory keeper of Kyiv, however, is one that will stay with me. The story, is of course, more relevant than ever in view of present-day events in Ukraine and 'lest we forget' has never been more apt. What the writer does, however, is take us on a journey that allows the reader to learn more about the reality of Communism and the horror its implementation had on ordinary people. 

The book is cleverly written, starting with a few of Stalin's activists arriving in the village until we see how easily power and greed corrupt until through fear of death and hunger, the villagers succumb to the new totalitarian regime. 

Throughout it all, human nature remains undaunted and love will find a way. The two stories, past and present, give a timely insight into both the good and evil of human nature and the ever-present danger of history repeating itself.

A powerful book that should be on every school curriculum.