Monday 21 February 2022

New Publication Review: A Sunrise Over Bali by Sandy Barker

A Sunrise Over Bali by Sandy Barker

Home is where the heart is . . .
 
When 
Jaelee Tan leaves her high-flying PR job in Miami for a sabbatical in Bali, the last thing she expects is for it to become permanent. But when her boss demands the trip be cut short, Jae does the only thing she can think of and quits on the spot.
 
With two months in Bali, a new group of friends and the gorgeous scenery and beaches, Jae is determined to make the most of her new-found freedom. And when she locks eyes with hunky Scot, Alistair, Jae wonders if she’ll lose her heart to more than just a Balinese sunrise.
 
Escape to Bali in this uplifting novel full of friendship, laughter and romance, perfect for fans of Mandy Baggot, Julie Caplin and Holly Martin.

Join readers everywhere and prepare to fall for the most romantic escape of 2022…


Amazon UK           Amazon AU           Amazon US           Amazon CA 

Waterstones          Foyles          Google play          iBooks

Romance and a far-off destination...A Sunrise Over Bali is a perfect combination for me.

Thirty-five-year-old Jaelee Tan has crammed into and achieved much in her life and is now a Junior Vice President of the second largest PR agency in Florida. Hard work and determination, fuelled by Tina Tan have reaped their rewards as she owns a South Beach Condo and far too many pairs of designer shoes. Yet, despite her success, Jae is lonely and unhappy with her life.
When at her best friend's 40th birthday party she spots her ex and his new wife, it highlights how miserable she is. At a time in her life when it's smarter to handle issues head-on, she does the total opposite by running away, as she flies to Bali for a two-month sabbatical, in the hope she can turn her life around…

As a heroine, Jae doesn't instantly warm to readers. With a mother who has always been a force to reckon with, it's no surprise, her only daughter has achieved much in her life. Jaelee is tough and ambitious but also, uninformed with the world that surrounds her as she views and judges others with a critical eye. However, all it takes is a change of scenery and new acquaintances to change her attitude and to see the world and other people from a whole new perspective.

Ms. Barker fills the pages with beautiful words to match the stunning Balinese backdrop as the heroine settles into her temporary accommodation. It's a steep learning curve for her, but it isn't long before she meets fellow residents at UROP (You Are Our People) and begins to see that her life is full of opportunities to grasp. The supporting cast of characters is a delightful bunch of people… the kind you would want to be friends with. This and the engaging narrative creates an escapist adventure for anyone looking for a distraction from their everyday life.

As I dived into this novel, the lyrics from the late great John Denver sprung to mind, as the suppressed feelings of my wanderlust surfaced. I dreamed of packing my suitcase and laptop… "to leave on a jet plane", and head off to paradise to indulge in some meaningful 'me time'. The reality, however, means I've remained where I am but with a longing to visit a new destination, sold to me through the author's vivid descriptions.

For those who have read, That Night in Paris, (like myself), you'll get an opportunity to catch up with Cal again. If you haven't, don't worry, as both books are stand-alone. Either way, 
both books won't disappoint.

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



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.

https://twitter.com/sandybarker

https://www.facebook.com/sandybarkerauthor

https://sandybarker.com/

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

New Publication Spotlight & Review: A Laird for the Governess by Catherine Tinley


A Laird for the Governess by Catherine Tinley


A penniless governess


And the dour Laird of Ardmore

Lydia Farnham must travel to a remote Scottish island to work for widower Alasdair MacDonald, who doesn’t trust her or her unconventional teaching methods! Yet as his daughter flourishes, so, too, does the intense connection between Lydia and Alasdair. Only she should know better than to fall for the handsome laird when it could leave her without a job, or a home…


A beautiful story set against a stunning Hebridean backdrop.

After her employer labels her a Jezebel, forcing her to leave her job and accommodation, Lydia Farnham is homeless, jobless, and penniless… Her only option is to take a job in Scotland. Reluctantly, she accepts the position and, travels to a remote island in the Outer Hebrides hoping this job will last long enough for her to get back on her feet. However, once she's settled at Ardmore, she realises she may have finally found a place to call 'home'.

Widower, Alasdair MacDonald needs a governess for his daughter, Mairead who is both sickly and strong-willed. When the new, English governess arrives, he is instantly attracted to her but wary about her ability to educate his daughter and her commitment to stay. Despite his reservations, his daughter thrives under her pupillage and adapts well to live on the island, offering him the hope that he may have found a woman to fulfil his dreams and desires.

It's a familiar trope, yet Ms. Tinley has written an enticing narrative that creates a delightful love story built on hard-earned trust. Both protagonists have issues from the past, and I enjoyed how the two worked together to erase presumptive views of each other. Both are attractive people but have insecurities. Mairead and the other supporting characters bring the rugged island setting to life and I enjoyed the inclusion of Gaelic words and phrases introduced within the dialogue, as Lydia embraces life in the remote location and works hard to integrate within the close-knit community and learn the language.

Overall, A Laird for the Governess is the first book in the Lairds of the Isles series, which will hopefully promise, more surprising and intriguing tales to come.

***arc generously received courtesy of Harlequin Historical*** 

https://books2read.com/lairdgoverness


Catherine Tinley
 is an award winning author of historical romance. She writes witty, heartwarming Regency love stories for Harlequin Mills & Boon. Her first book, Waltzing with the Earl, won the Rita Award for Best Historical Romance 2018, while Rags-to-Riches Wife won the RoNA Award for Best Historical Romance 2021 as well as the 2021 HOLT Medallion for Best Historical Romance.

She has loved reading and writing since childhood, and has a particular fondness for love, romance, and happy endings. After a career encompassing speech & language therapy, Sure Start, maternity campaigning and being President of a charity, she now manages a maternity hospital. She lives in Ireland with her husband, children, cats, and dog and can be reached at catherinetinley.com, on facebook, twitter, and instagram.

https://linktr.ee/CTinley

Giveaway to Win Two signed copies of A Laird for the Governess (1 x UK/Ireland Winner, 1 INT Winner)

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