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

Publication Day Review: Cinder-Nanny by Sariah Wilson

 A fun and entertaining retelling of the classic fairy-tale, Cinderella.

Diana Parker applies and gets hired as a nanny for a wealthy family living in Colorado, despite not having any of the required qualifications and experience for the temporary job. Not, that it is a problem for her, as she is used to ad-libbing her way through life. Besides, she needs the money to help pay for her sister’s medical expenses. When she arrives in Aspen, she bumps into Griffin, a tall and handsome British Earl…

This is a delightful and sweet romance set against a stunning backdrop. Both protagonists are likeable, relatable, and endearing. I found the characters, Milo and Sophie a bit too precocious, but otherwise their parts blended in well within the narrative, and are funny.

There is a serious side, as we learn and understand the backgrounds both Diana and Griffin come from. For Diana, it makes for some uncomfortable reading; however, there is no doubt about why she acts the way she does. Her heart is in the right place, and her actions, albeit fake, are for a noble cause.

As with any good tale, there are twists and turns, but ultimately it all leads to a happy and satisfying ending.

***arc generously received courtesy of Montlake Romance via NetGalley***

(from Goodreads)

What could come between a nanny and an earl in a fairy-tale love story? A reality check—in an endearing and witty romance by Sariah Wilson, the bestselling author of Roommaid.

With her sister’s medical bills mounting, Diana Parker can’t say no to a high-paying opportunity like this: accompany a wealthy couple to Aspen and nanny their precocious five-year-old son for three months. Necessary qualifications? She must know how to ski and teach math, speak fluent French, excel at social graces, and hold a master’s degree in childhood development. Who’ll be the wiser that Diana’s only skill is packing for Colorado?

So far, so good—having a con woman for a mother has turned out to be a benefit, even if Diana has complicated feelings about telling lies. But she’s doing this for her sister. And the perks—like a ticket to a lavish charity fundraiser, a new gown, and a Prince Charming–adjacent earl named Griffin Windsor—are pretty irresistible. Diana can’t deny the Cinderella vibe.

Wary of gold diggers and scandal, England’s most eligible bachelor is nevertheless falling for Diana, and sweeping the not-quite princess off her feet.

The warmer their relationship becomes, the slipperier the slopes are for Diana. Sooner or later, she’ll have to come clean. When that happens, does an honest-to-goodness happy ending stand a chance?

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