Release Day Spotlight and Review: The First Date by Zara Stoneley

The First Date by Zara Stoneley

Genre: Romcom / chicklit / contemporary women’s fiction

Publication Date: 24th April 2020

Publisher: One More Chapter / HarperCollins

Standalone Novel

Right place.
Right time.
Wrong guy …

After breaking up with her childhood sweetheart, clueless dater Rosie has found herself in a boyfriend-drought. So when she finally swipes right on a guy who seems interested, she can’t wait to meet up IRL.
Until she’s left standing alone. In a bar. Ghosted.
Enter Noah. Confident, funny … and a serial first dater. Offering to give Rosie a crash course in seduction, this could be just what she needs. Until her matchmaker turns out to be the best date she’s ever had – and Rosie wonders if she wants the fake dates to be the real ones after all …
A hilarious, heartwarming romantic comedy about what happens when the wrong guy turns up at the right time, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Debbie Johnson.

Amazon UK     Amazon US

It's another winning novel from Zara Stoneley!

Rosie Brown wants to start dating again after her long term boyfriend Robbie left her and moved to Wales. After plucking up courage, she arranges to meet Gabe Stevenson who she met on Tinder only….he stands her up! Sat alone at a bar, she's approached by Noah Adams. He's good looking, flirting up a charm but not her type. Besides he's a self-confessed expert at first dates and someone she needs to avoid. Somehow though as they get chatting, he's keen to assist in helping her improve her first date chances, but why?

Noah Adams sees a woman sat at a bar. Sat alone, he goes across to talk to her and for some reason, she's not reacting to his chat-up lines; it's a blow to his ego. As they talk, she tells him the first date after her long-term boyfriend left her has stood her up. Eager to pass on his dating wisdom, he hatches a plan to teach Rosie dating techniques but is there more to his desire to just help her?

Firstly, I really liked Rosie and Noah together as they work through the first-date lessons he's put together for her. It's clear they both like each other as they form a friendship based on trust. There's lots of fun banter flying between and it's easy to see they are comfortable with each other. It can be argued Noah is conscientiously moulding Rosie into a stereotypical male object of desire. However, I interpreted his lessons as a way of lifting Rosie's confidence and self-esteem, all the while, there's an undercurrent of combustible chemistry sparking between them. So it's only a matter of time before they react to their attraction to each other only, all roads to a "Happily Ever After" tend to be bumpy and theirs is covered in rocks!

Rosie has "daddy issues". Thankfully our heroine eventually finds closure to this unfortunate issue which has held her back for far too long. Interestingly, it comes from an unexpected source and I liked this little twist of fate. Noah too has to face up to his serial one-date-only issues, which he does and it's Rosie's action which triggers him to face up to what has been holding him back. It proves they are meant to be together and leads to a more than satisfying ending.

The author has successfully written another hilarious and heart-warming romantic comedy filled with adorable characters and entertaining dialogue and it's my favourite Zara Stoneley novel!

Lastly and not least, an honourable mention to Hugo; for simply just been himself!

***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley*** 

USA Today bestselling author Zara Stoneley writes funny, contemporary romances that will whisk you away from the humdrum of everyday life and make you laugh out loud.
Growing up she wanted to be James Bond or UK veterinary surgeon James Herriot - instead she dallied with a career in IT consultancy, ran a dog grooming business, and had a brief spell teaching (variety is the spice of life!) before finally writing a bestselling novel and realising that at heart she'd always been an author.

She enjoys torturing (in a nice way) her characters for your pleasure and writes about friendship, pesky pets, troublesome relatives, hopes, dreams, love and happy ever afters. Her aim is to make you laugh a lot, cry a little, and occasionally say 'ahhh'.

Follow her Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ZaraStoneley to find out more about her home life in a Cheshire village with her family, a (very) lively cockapoo called Harry, and a bossy (and slightly evil) cat called Saffron. Zara’s bestselling novels have been translated into several languages and sold around the world. They include 'Four Christmases and a Secret', 'Bridesmaids', 'No One Cancels Christmas', 'The Wedding Date', 'The Holiday Swap', 'Summer with the Country Village Vet', 'Blackberry Picking at Jasmine Cottage' and the popular Tippermere series - 'Stable Mates', 'Country Affairs' and 'Country Rivals'.

Website - http://www.zarastoneley.com

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/zara-stoneley?follow=true

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZaraStoneley

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

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

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B007WK307G

New Release Spotlight & Review: That Night in Paris by Sandy Barker

That Night in Paris by Sandy Barker 

​Genre: Contemporary romance (romcom)

Publication Date: 15th April 2020

Publisher: One More Chapter (HarperCollins)

Standalone Novel

Note to self: don’t sleep with your flatmate after a curry and two bottles of wine… especially if he’s secretly in love with you and wants you to meet his mum.

​

Cat Parsons is on the run. She doesn’t do relationships. After ten years of singlehood even the hint of the ‘L’ word is enough to get Cat packing her bags and booking herself onto a two-week holiday.

​

A European bus tour feels like a stroke of genius to dodge awkward conversations at home. But little does Cat realise that the first stop will be Paris, the city of love itself.

​

Joined by new friends, Cat has got two weeks, eight countries and a hell of a lot of wine ahead of her. As they discover hidden treasures and the camaraderie of life on the road, will Cat find a new way of looking at love?

Amazon US     Amazon UK

Travel and romance are a perfect combination for me as I settled into this coach tour themed novel visiting popular tourist spots.

Catherine "Cat" Parsons had a drunken one night stand with her flatmate, Alex and now wants to escape. So, Cat books a last-minute tour with Ventureseek to put some space between them. It's two weeks away and she hopes by the time she gets back, there's no awkwardness. Little does she know, this adventure will make her see life and love from a whole new perspective.

The author has written a fun novel highlighting the pros and cons of embarking on a coach tour with strangers. Cat's fellow travellers are an eclectic bunch and like her have a reason to be on such a trip. Their antics on the whistle-stop tour of Europe make than her "bus besties" and while I can relate to some of their mishaps, it becomes tiresome after a while. So, for me, the saving grace is Jean-Luc Caron!

The chance meeting with Frenchman, Jean-Luc is kismet, he's Cat's pen-pal from when they were teenagers after meeting in Australia when he was an exchange student. They've had no contact since they were nineteen years old, but it's clear both still have an affection for one another. He's the knight in shining armour, but I don't believe Cat is the right woman for him.

It's not often I don't "take" to a leading character, but Cat is one I struggled with. As a thirty-five-year-old woman, I found her behaviour and language to be very immature. She's certainly not someone I'd expect to teach high school students. Her reasons for trying to keep a relationship with Jean-Luc casual after taking their tentative relationship to a new level are selfish especially when she realises his feelings still run deep. Thankfully, she sees sense in the end. I also remember such women like Cat do exist in the real world because I do know someone like her.

Some of the tour-stops triggered memories from the times I've visited them; Paris, Antibes, Florence and Rome. I laughed when the group each bought a gelato when looking at the Leaning Tower of Pisa because that's what I did at my then three-year-old's insistence. For those who haven't travelled to any of the places mentioned, the author paints inviting welcomes for your bucket list.

For me, That Night In Paris is a roller-coaster of a novel with highs and lows but overall, it's a fun and flirty read with some hilarity along the way. It's a wonderful distraction and a chance to escape from the real world in these troubled times.

***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***

I’m a writer and traveller with a lengthy bucket list and cheeky sense of humour, and many of my travel adventures have found their way into my books. I’m also an avid reader, a film buff, a wine lover, and a coffee snob, though my writing is mostly fuelled by copious mugs of strong, milky tea (no sugar).

​Website:  https://sandybarker.com/

https://www.facebook.com/sandybarkerauthor

https://twitter.com/sandybarker

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

New Release Spotlight & Review: The New Guy by Kathryn Freeman

The New Guy by Kathryn Freeman

Sam Huxton doesn’t do one-night stands, especially not with men she’s just met! But the hot guy at the bar was hard to resist and their one night together is one she’ll never forget.

But one night is all they share – no names, no numbers, just some much needed fun…

Until the same guy walks into Sam’s life the next day as her new employee.  Sam never mixes business with pleasure and makes it clear an office fling with Ryan is off-limits.  But after-hours…one thing can lead to another. Can Sam trust her heart and her business with the new guy?

Amazon UK          Amazon US

A rom-com with a one-night stand and new employee! It's my introduction to a new for me author too. 

Sam Huxton has a shock when she returns to her office and meets the new guy, Ryan Black. Employed on her behalf by a trusted employee and friend, his job is to fix a problem within a new phone app they're developing at her company Privacy Solutions. Therefore it's a shock for everyone when they realise Sam had a one-night stand during her time away and it was with the new guy! It's awkward, but they agree to keep their distance from each other. That's until they can't bear to be apart.

What lacked for me is Sam's ability to come across as a convincing CEO at Privacy Solutions. I can understand her wanting to build a company with an enticing working environment, but the fact she's too close and friendly with all the staff took away the edge she should have had when making tough decisions. I liked Ryan Black because he's an underdog, looking to improve his current situation. He's flawed, but has good intentions… if only he could keep his temper under control. As a pair, the protagonists are mismatched but somehow manage to meander their way out of tricky situations. There's plenty to humorous dialogue and sizzling chemistry but not enough to convince me they are the real deal.

The highlights are the exchanges between Ryan and Lucas Baker. They're two very different men but find a common link to forge a friendship built on trust and respect. You'd not ordinarily expect to find this pair within the same company so it's admirable they look past their differences and focus on what's important.

The story finishes with a happy ending for Sam and Ryan although, if this couple lived in the real world, I don't feel confident their relationship would last a lifetime.

Overall, it's a soundly written novel full of details and paced to keep a reader invested within the narrative. The story didn't hit the spot for me, however, I enjoyed Ms Freeman's writing style and will definitely pick up and read another of her novels.

***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***

A former pharmacist, I’m now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero.

With a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

Website:  http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KathrynFreeman1

Release Day Spotlight & Review: After You Fell by J.S. Lark

After You Fell by J.S. Lark

Creepy, disturbing and genuinely thrilling, this is one page-turner you won’t be able to forget!

As one life ends
Louise’s Lovett’s death was a tragedy.  But questions still swirl about exactly what happened to Louise that day.  Did she fall…or was she pushed?

A new life starts
Helen Matthews’ donor heart saves her life.  But as her new heart beats inside her, Helen feels the pull of its previous owner–despite what everyone is telling her, Helen is certain she has one final message to pass on.

And a dark obsession begins
As the lives of Helen and Louise become ever more entangled, Helen’s obsession gets increasingly out of control.  And the fragile new life she has built begins to fall apart…

Amazon UK     Amazon US 

Helen Matthews is given a new lease of life. This sickly woman who has been ill as long as she can remember receives a donor heart, allowing her to finally make plans and have hope for the future. She believes she can communicate with the dead, so it's important to her to find out about the person who's heart beats inside her…

The death of a woman, falling from a car park. How did it happen? Is it a suicide, an accident or was the poor victim pushed?

The author keeps the pace as we count the days since the tragic death of Louise Lovett followed by the inquest and the conclusion. Each day adds another layer of fixation, lies and deceit as Helen makes plans based on her belief. She's surrounded by sound, caring people but she manages to pull the wool over their eyes to make her dreams become a reality. Only, is it possible to have an ability to have contact with the dead, psychic ability or is it simply her bipolar disorder?

It took a few chapters to get into the narrative but once hooked, I couldn't let go before until the final words are read. The pace is slow as the narrative builds and definitely adds to the suspense. It's captivating in a creepy way. It's a chilling tale of how someone can manipulate situations for their own gains. The obsessive actions of a woman had me guessing as to how this all would end...I was confident I had sussed it all out until the end when I'm proved wrong...bravo Ms Lark. 

As a début psychological thriller, it's one to make you sit up and take notice. It's twisty, disturbing and will leave you floored. 

***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***

Jane is a coffee, chocolate and red wine lover, and a late-night writer of compelling, passionate, and emotionally charged fiction. 

Jane's books may contain love, hate, violence, death, passion, a little swearing, and an ending you are never going to forget.

https://www.facebook.com/JS-Lark-2288653328057315

http://www.janelark.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/JaneLark

New Release Spotlight & Review: Notting Hill in the Snow by Jules Wake

Notting Hill in the Snow by Jules Wake

It's mayhem in Bethlehem…unless they can work together!

Viola Smith plays the viola in an orchestra (yes really!), but this year she's been asked to stretch her musical talents to organising Notting Hill's local nativity.
Nate Williams isn't looking forward to Christmas but as his small daughter, Grace, has the starring role in the show, he's forced to stop being a Grinch and volunteer with Viola.

With the sparks between them hotter than the chestnuts roasting in Portobello market, Nate and Viola can't deny their feelings. And as the snow starts to fall over London, they find themselves trapped together in more ways than one…

Amazon UK      Amazon US  

First off, this book made me cry...there, I've said it. Have tissues ready and you're fully prepared for when your emotions are toiled with!

Viola playing Viola Smith is commuting to her job at The London Metropolitan Opera Company when a stranger asks if she is okay, after an incident on the Tube. Coincidentally this rather good looking guy is also heading in the same direction. After going their separate ways, they meet again, triggering an attraction neither can ignore despite his complicated personal circumstances.

I liked both Viola and Nate. Viola has an abundance of enthusiasm and a general love of life. Additionally, she empathetic to those she's close to. Nate is an estranged husband trying his best to juggle a demanding career and care for his daughter. With familial pressure, he's pulled into voluntary work he has little time for. He's not perfect and he knows it, which made him more attractive and relatable. Together, they complement each other but it's arguable whether the pair should have got involved romantically. However, I believe Viola's presence in Grace's life helped Nate to face up to his marital crisis and finally put his and his daughter's well-being back on track, even though it's heartbreaking for everyone involved.

I've mentioned before about not liking children in romance novels but I admit, the little people really stole the show, not only in the nativity play they performed in but throughout the narrative. Grace is the stand-out child as Nate's daughter but some of her school friends equally tugged at my heartstrings even though their contribution is small.

This is a Christmas story which will stay long beyond the festive season. Wonderful warm fuzzy moments within the story are interlaced with difficulties many are living with daily. Such as dealing with family disputes and finding solutions as a compromise. Viola and Nate's story highlights how this time of year accentuates issues and problems in the same way kind gestures and seasonal activities are amplified. Yet the overall effect is one of hope, compassion and sacrifice.

Snuggle up with cocoa and a warm blanket and be prepared to sample a charming insight into a Notting Hill Christmas in the snow. You won't regret it.

***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***

Jules Wake announced at the age of ten that she planned to be a writer. Along the way she was diverted by the glamorous world of PR and worked on many luxury brands and not so luxury brands. This proved fabulous training for writing novels as it provided her with the opportunity to hone her writing and creative skills penning copy on a vast range of subjects from pig farming and watches, sunglasses and skincare through to beer and stationery.

She writes best-selling warm-hearted contemporary fiction for One More Chapter as Jules Wake and under her pen name Julie Caplin, she writes the Romantic Escapes series.

Between them, the two Js have written twelve novels, Notting Hill in the Snow being the latest.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juleswake.co.uk/

Twitter: @Juleswake

Instagram: juleswakeauthor