New Publication Spotlight & Review: Rome For The Summer by Lynne Shelby

Rome For The Summer by Lynne Shelby

Kate Harper has always loved the painting that has hung in her parents' dining room for years, never suspecting that it is worth a fortune. When her art dealer boyfriend cheats her family out of the proceeds of the painting's sale, she is left devastated and alone.

Kate discovers that two hundred years ago, the girl in the painting, Charlotte Browne, ran off to Rome with the artist who painted her portrait, but her eventual fate is unknown.

Hoping to uncover the mystery of what happened to Charlotte, Kate seizes the chance of a summer job in Rome, where she strikes up a friendship with artist Jamie Taylor. As they explore the city and start to piece together the surprising secrets of Charlotte's life, Kate finds herself wondering if a summer in Rome can mend a broken heart...

This is so much more than I anticipated and I loved it!

Kate Harper seizes the opportunity to spend the summer in Rome working at the English House. It’s somewhere to escape to after she parted ways from her boyfriend, Gabe. It’s also a place she hopes to find out more about the woman in a painting she loved… the one which was recently sold by her family. Once settled, she meets the artist in residence, Jamie. Together, they research the painting, which leads them to unexpected discoveries… and love.

The duel timeline is an unexpected but delightful surprise as Kate and Jamie find out about Charlotte Browne, the woman in the painting. As the pair investigate, they become closer, but with neither of them not wanting to be involved in a relationship, friendship is all they share. Therefore, there’s lots of sexual tension bubbling under the surface, as they try to deny their feelings for each other.

I’m always happy to read a slow-burn romance, and this novel is perfectly balanced with the historical aspects and the contemporary setting. The secondary characters add depth to the story both in connection to the painting and as a side plot. Thanks to the skill of the writing, it all comes together, creating a captivating page-turner.

I’ve visited Rome previously and enjoyed revisiting it through the eyes of the author. I’m not a fan of art; however, the narrative offers so much enticing detail. I’d like to revisit the Italian city again, to see it through different eyes.

If you like reading novels set in faraway lands, this is perfect for anyone looking to escape for a few hours, in your favourite cosy spot.

***arc generously received courtesy of Headline Accent via NetGalley***

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Lynne Shelby writes contemporary women's fiction and romance. Her debut novel, French Kissing (re-released in e-book as Meet Me In Paris) won the Accent Press and Woman magazine Writing Competition, and her fifth novel, Love On Location, was shortlisted for a Romantic Novelists’ Association Award – the Jane Wenham-Jones Award for Romantic Comedy. When not writing or reading, Lynne can usually be found at the theatre or exploring a foreign city with her writer's notebook, camera and sketchbook in hand. She lives in London with her husband and has three adult children who live nearby.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LynneShelbyWriter

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LynneShelby5

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Website: www.lynneshelby.com

New Book Release Spotlight & Review: The Summer of Taking Chances by Lynne Shelby

The Summer of Taking Chances by Lynne Shelby

Would you take the second chance you’ve always dreamed of?

It’s been ten years since Emma Stevens last laid eyes on Jake Murray. When he left the small seaside village of South Quay to chase the limelight, Emma’s dreams left with him.

Now Emma is content living a quiet and uneventful life in South Quay. It’s far from the life she imagined, but at least her job at the local hotel has helped heal her broken heart.

But when Jake returns home for the summer to escape the spotlight, Emma’s feelings quickly come flooding back. There’s clearly a connection between them, but Jake has damaged her heart once already – will she ever be able to give him a second chance?

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 Every now and again I find a novel which helps to awake a memory from my past. The Summer Of Taking Chances took me back over thirty-five years to a time in my youth when I, like Emma Stevens dreamed of going to drama school Unlike Emma, I never pursued my dream, however, reading this novel triggered so many memories for me and reminded me of a special time in my life. It was an unexpected reaction, but one which will, thanks to this book will stay for me a while. 

When Jake Murray walks into the Armada Inn, his presence sends a ripple of curiosity around the small community of South Quay. It's been ten years since he'd left the small seaside town to go to drama school and now he was a household name and subject of many tabloid articles. For Emma Stevens, it ignites the heartache she felt ten years ago when he broke her heart. 

The chemistry between Jake Murray and Emma Stevens is palpable as the reunited pair quickly fall back into a compatible friendship despite the tainted history between them. It soon becomes clear, old feelings are resurfacing, only Jake's leaving at the end of summer and Emma has spent the last ten years feeling settled and content, after giving up her theatrical ambitions. Besides, she doesn't want to risk heartbreak again. 

Emma has built a comfortable life for herself, working as an event planner at a local hotel. However, the reasons for giving up her dream are not what they seem. Interestingly, Jake calls her out after she blames him for what happened ten years ago when her ambitions were ruined. He makes her take responsibility for her actions. It's a catalyst for her to change the course of her future by deciding whom and what are important in her life.

Similarly, Emma cuts through Jake's arrogant remarks, calling him out when he oversteps his mark. Her influence also helps to reignite his passion for theatre work, after, becoming jaded with the tedium of working on a T.V. film set. Equally, Jake's blunt honesty, even when it shocks is refreshing and highlights he's far from perfect. For me, he's the perfect leading man because who doesn't love a flawed character? 

A beautifully written second chance romance. The focus is Emma and Jake, but there's also love in the air for other members of the South Quay Players too. Additionally, there's plenty of theatrical drama within the small knit community resulting in a heart-warming display of unity. The ending is heartfelt and leaves a fuzzy feel-good warmth against the picturesque seaside backdrop. 

Overall, a lovely combination of theatre-land, small-town drama and satisfying romances between people meant to be together. 

***arc generously received courtesy of Headline Accent via NetGalley***

Lynne Shelby writes contemporary women’s fiction/romance. Her debut novel, French Kissing, was published when it won a national writing competition. She has worked at a variety of jobs from stable girl to child actors’ chaperone to legal administrator, but now writes full time. When not writing or reading, Lynne can usually be found at the theatre watching a musical, or exploring a foreign city – Paris, New York, Rome, Copenhagen, Seattle, Athens – writer's notebook, camera and sketchbook in hand. She lives in London with her husband, and has three adult children who live nearby.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LynneShelbyWriter

Twitter: @LynneB1

Instagram: lynneshelbywriter

Website: www.lynneshelby.com