Tuesday 31 October 2017

Book Review - Squeeze Play by Aven Ellis - Blog Tour

Amazon UK
Title:  Squeeze Play
Author: Aven Ellis
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Author supplied copy
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: 25th October 2017
Rating: 4 Stars


Full of enthusiasm, recent graduate Hayley Carter is thrilled to be working for a non-profit organization in Washington, DC. Having spent a lot of her life in the background due to family circumstances, Hayley is eager to step up and be heard—and bring much needed change to her new organization. With romance on the shelf, it’s time to focus on herself and new career. Armed with a workbook to help her improve on a personal and professional level, Hayley is ready to become a better version of who she already is. 

But will a baseball player for the Washington Soaring Eagles challenge her thoughts on not only dating, but the person she thinks she needs to be?

Brody Jensen is the new catcher for the professional team in DC. Baseball is everything to Brody and has been his salvation while growing up. Brody wants to make the most of his full-time shot behind the plate. Which means no serious relationships. 

However, when a chance encounter leads him to Hayley, Brody finds himself wanting to know all about the beautiful blonde who has engaged him from the moment he spotted her. Together, they find themselves questioning the ideals they had set for not only relationships, but themselves, too.

When the cherry blossoms bloom in the nation's capital, Cupid puts a squeeze play on Hayley and Brody. Will they be brave enough to love themselves and each other? Will love be called out? Or will their relationship be safe at home?

If you can forgive a football phrase when reviewing a book featuring a baseball player, to me this really was a book of two halves.  The first half was fine, but I was struggling to connect to the characters a bit, so although I was enjoying what I was reading, I just know the author normally does better. 

And then in the second half, well last third (do any sports have thirds?) suddenly everything clicked into place, courtesy of one live sporting fixture where I may have started to understand baseball slightly and from then I was really really interested in Hayley and Brody's story. 

The story had me laughing from the first page and Hayley is  a great character, she is passionate about things she believes in, must have every single kitchen appliance known to mankind, and sometimes has no filter between her head and her mouth!  The initial meeting with Brody was a classic, and will be memorable for a long while. 

Amazingly for me with an Aven Ellis book though I did not bring Brody off the bench and promote him to full blown book boyfriend, I'm not sure why  exactly and even started searching the net for hot baseball guys to try to get a better feel, and ultimately, I'm sorry to say I was missing the central sport of the book being Ice-Hockey. Baseball just doesn't for me have quite the same feel to it...then again I do prefer my sport fast and furious, as opposed to more sedate. 

As I say though my feelings did start to change towards the end of the book, as I got to know not only Brody better but some of his team mates, and I suspect that once I'm more used to Baseball references and players that I will love the next books in the series.  Please note although I seem to be fixated on the sport - no knowledge or interest in sport is needed to enjoy this book, its in bite sized amounts and as Hayley knows nothing about Baseball at the start its really beginner level stuff. 

The book predominately focuses on their relationship, but also their families, and Hayley's work, where I found I was also laughing a lot at her bosses reactions towards anything social media! I found the work she was doing for the non-profit foundation really interesting. 

There are some beautifully romantic moments, I'm just sorry that Brody didn't capture my heart fully. 

Thank you to Aven Ellis for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 


About the Author

I live in the Dallas area with my family. I enjoy clipping out recipes I will never get around to trying, working out, and chatting with friends on social media. I’m a hockey nut (Go Stars!) and watch as much as humanly possible. I also love shopping and fashion and admit to being obsessed with whatever the Duchess of Cambridge is wearing. In addition to be obsessed with the Duchess, I’m equally obsessed with any show or cookbook featuring Gordon Ramsay.

Links

Website/Blog - http://avenellis.com/




Monday 30 October 2017

Book Review - Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at The Christmas Fair by Heidi Swain - Rachel Reads Randomly Book #75

Amazon UK
Title: Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at The Christmas Fair
Author: Heidi Swain
Format reviewed: Paperback
Source: Puchased
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: 5th October 2017
Rating: 5 Stars


The new Christmas bestseller from the author of Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market!

When Anna takes on the role of companion to the owner of Wynthorpe Hall, on the outskirts of Wynbridge, she has no idea that her life is set to change beyond all recognition.

A confirmed ‘bah humbug’ when it comes to Christmas, Anna is amazed to find herself quickly immersed in the eccentric household, and when youngest son Jamie unexpectedly arrives home it soon becomes obvious that her personal feelings are going all out to compromise her professional persona.

Jamie, struggling to come to terms with life back in the Fens, makes a pact with Anna – she has to teach him to fall back in love with Wynthorpe Hall, while he helps her fall back in love with Christmas. But will it all prove too much for Anna, or can the family of Wynthorpe Hall warm her heart once and for all...?

Join Anna for a festive journey that is festooned with sleigh rides and silver bells and help her discover her happy ever after.

Wow...just wow...

..you want more words? Spectacular, hooked me in and wouldn't let me go.. 

.. joy to be back in Wynbridge with familiar faces, amongst a whole new story featuring the residents of Wynthorpe Hall.... 

...completely unexpected...well I mean I expected the book to be great as I love Heidi Swain's books, but I just wasn't expecting this story, it was fabulous.. 

...setting drew me in as did the warmth of the whole of the Connelly family, from Angus the loveable father figure who is a bit like a big cheeky elf at this time of year, to the assorted staff members who may have come for a job originally but now are part of the family...

...Jamie is the youngest son and is back. He and Anna decide to help each other. Jamies needs to fall in love with his home again, and Anna has been running from Christmas for many many years and wants to learn to at least cope with the season again...

...there are sleigh rides, a Christmas market, a Christmas Fair, wow the advent calendar was something special, lights and a whole lot of food. It was marvellous and at the heart of it were characters dealing with larger issues and you just wanted the best for them... 

.. apparently this book has temporarily stolen my ability to write reviews, but rest assured that writing was fabulous, drawing you in, the characters you will learn to love really fast, you will enjoy getting to know the hall and if you are a longstanding reader of the Heidi Swain, you will recognise a lot of the residents and other characters popping in and out of the story....

...highly recommend this to anyone, it is not just a story for Christmas but a story for life! 

Thank you to the overwhelming amount of you that voted for this book this week. I did have an inkling it may win at the start, and I'm so glad even if you have just made the decisions of what I'm taking on holiday even harder as this was practically in the suitcase already!  I think you may be able to tell I thoroughly enjoyed that and I can wait to see what wins this week. 

Rachel Reads Randomly - Vote #76


 
Thank you everyone for your input last time. The results of the last vote were:

3 Votes -  Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber 
7 Votes - Christmas Secrets in Snowflake Cove by Emily Harvale
21 Votes - Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair by Heidi Swain

Well that was an overwhelmingly decisive decision, and what a great one it was - I loved the book so much that my "review" is a set of thoughts that I hope make sense - or just go buy the book in short! 

It's official, its the run up to Christmas, give or take Halloween (tomorrow!), hence its time for us to do a few weeks of Christmas random reads, or until I run out of eligible books! This is purely as I only like reading them at this time of year, and never like having too many left over year to year! For the next couple of months, there will only be 3 choices each week due to the smaller pool to pick from. I have added in this year a few of the wintery sounding books too, just for a bit of variety!  

Below is my initial theory for this feature, and then a bit further, what you are all waiting for... This weeks's vote! Enjoy!

I am also awful at deciding what book to read next, as I often have about 10 titles or authors jumping into my brain at any time, shouting at me to read them, and I tend to worry I have made the wrong decision while reading a perfectly good book. I am hoping this will save me having to make at least 1 choice a week, while possibly providing a review to the site of a book you all either love or are curious about yourselves. 

So what I am proposing, is my lovely loyal readers of Rachel's Random Reads, select one book for me to read a week, and I will post the review the following week. 

This week's random numbers are...


And the books these numbers correspond to are...


So the 3 choices with my gut feeling responses are:



9 - Jenny Kane's Christmas Collection by Jenny Kane - This is a collection of Christmas Jenny Kane short stories that I bought last year. I have since read one of her full length books and really enjoyed it so would love to get stuck into this collection. 
14 - The Snow Rose by Lulu Taylor - An author I always tend to enjoy, I really do need to catch up on reading all of her wintery covered books! 
15 - Winter at the West Sands Guest House by Maggie Conway - This put up a decent showing a couple of weeks ago, but will it win this time?

This is an interesting looking selection, I suspect there could be an overwhelming winner again but equally I can also see it being a three way time! Honestly not sure what my gut desire from these three would be pulling me towards, luckily its not me that has to make the decision! Have fun! 

And authors, if its your book up on this feature, feel free to take part, vote for yourself, or stir up excitement amongst your fans! 

Pick your favourite or the one you most want me to review, or just the one you are curious about, and leave me a comment below, before midnight on Wednesday. 

I look forward to seeing what I will be reading over the weekend, courtesy of you all. 

The explanation if you haven't seen the feature before. 

How is this going to work?

Every Monday, I am going to have a post like this, which is going to have some choices on it. I am planning on using random.org to select 7 random numbers, to coincide with my spreadsheet of unread books.  

I will from that produce a list of hopefully 5 books, I reserve the right to veto any books, and will give reasons for them, if it occurs.

I will take screenshots and post them, of the chosen books, and also give you my instinctive reactions to the choices (without checking blurbs or any other info about them, which could be interesting as there are probably many forgotten about books on my spreadsheet!). 

Your task is to post a comment on this post, with the book you would like me to read this week. At midnight on Wednesday I will take a tally of the votes and the book with the most, I will read and review for the following Monday, where you will also get a new choice post. 

In the event of a tie, I will chose which one appeals most, for the Monday review, and possibly try and read and review the other to appear when I can. 

I am hoping this will provide some variety to the books appearing, and will let me potentially read or discover some great authors that I have wanted to read but not got around to yet.

Sunday 29 October 2017

Book Review - Charlee and the Chocolate Shop by Jessica Redland

Amazon UK
Title: Charlee and the Chocolate Shop
Author: Jessica Redland
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Author supplied copy
Publisher: Little Bear Books
Publication Date: 1st October 2017
Rating: 5 Stars


Charlee and the Chocolate Shop is a heart-warming tale of family and friendship.

Master chocolatier, Charlee Chambers, has plenty to be excited about as Christmas approaches. She’s moved in with her boyfriend, Darren, and she’s about to open a chocolate shop, following in her late granddad’s footsteps. If only Darren would show more interest in helping her refurbish Charlee’s Chocolates ready for a December opening.

When water starts pouring through the shop ceiling, and Darren can’t be contacted to help, emergency plumber Matt comes to the rescue. From that moment on, Matt does more to support Charlee in achieving her dreams than Darren ever has, and she finds herself drawn to him. But Matt’s engaged and Charlee loves Darren … doesn’t she? And Darren loves her … or at least, she thinks he does, but he's been behaving a little strangely recently.

Then Charlee discovers that Darren has a secret. But so does Matt. And so, it seems, does the woman who abandoned her at birth ...

Warning! Have chocolate by your side as you read this. I'm regretting finishing this so late at night as I am suddenly craving Christmas chocolates like the one Charlee has in her chocolate shop, and just wishing I could reach between the pages, grab some and eat them. 

For this book really is a tale of two Christmases, and of Charlee, her best friend Jodie, boyfriend Darren, hot plumber Matt, a heart warming story about family, and a lot more besides.  

As a fan of Jessica Redland it was fantastic to be back in Whitsborough Bay and to see quite a few familiar faces from her previous books. If you haven't read them despite missing out, it own't matter for the purposes of this story, they are an added extra bonus for her regular readers. 

Half the book is set a year before the other, and it highlights just how much difference a year can make to your fortunes, hence the two Christmases. It is beautifully written, the descriptions are fantastic and I really do want to visit the chocolate shop and hear even more about being a master chocolatier. 

There are ups and downs, sections filled with emotion and then others that will make you smile, It truly is a gem of a book, and I'm already looking forward to meeting Carly from tee Cupcake shop who has been mentioned a few times during this story. 

Thank you to Jessica Redland for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Saturday 28 October 2017

Book Review - Christmas at the Gin Shack by Catherine Miller

Amazon UK
Title: Christmas at the Gin Shack
Author: Catherine Miller
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: HQ Digital
Publication Date: 13th October 2017
Rating: 5 Stars


Gingle bells, gingle bells, gingle all the way…

Olive Turner might have lived through eighty-four Christmases, but she’ll never get bored of her favourite time of year. And this one’s set to be extra-special. It’s the Gin Shack’s first Christmas – and there’s a gin-themed weekend and a cocktail competition on the cards!

But, beneath the dazzle of fairy lights and the delicious scent of mince-pies, Olive smells a rat. From trespassers in her beloved beach hut to a very unfunny joke played on her friends, it seems that someone is missing a dose of good cheer.

Olive knows she’s getting on a bit – but is she really imagining that someone in the little seaside town is out to steal Christmas? More importantly, can she create the perfect gin cocktail before Christmas Eve – in time to save the day?

If you are looking for a Christmas book with Gin, Cocktails, Christmas spirit, laugh out loud moments, octogenarian antics, and a loveable cast of characters, then look no further than Christmas at the Gin Shack. 

Despite not being a Gin drinker, I could taste the variou Christmas Gin based cocktails the gang were coming up with in an effort to win a cocktail competition. I really wanted to try the chocolate orange one, and some of the decorative touches on the others were fantastic. 

This is an excellent sequel and it didn't even feel like I had been away from the Gin Shack. Within pages of starting this book it was like I was back with old friends and family and there were enough subtle hints at the story from the first book that I believe it would work as a standalone too. 

Olive is 84 years young, and shows no signs of slowing down, in fact she goes to every effort to make sure she speeds right up. There is after all The Gin Shack to help run, her beach hut, a potential new nemesis for the Gin Shack, still the fame of being part of the Oakley West Trio, and that before she comes up with all manner of ways to make the most of Christmas to their advantage. 

Richard who I struggled to like in the first book, has turned the corner and is a much nicer man nowadays, and spends a lot more time at the beach with his mum, and he has great ideas for the future. It is in part due to these ideas that I'm hoping there will be a third book in this series, as I need more from all of these characters. 

It's a warm hearted, uplifting, enjoyably entertaining story that was a joy to read. It spread festive cheer as well as plenty of action, good times, rivalries, one nasty man, and a surprising change of heart for one character.  I absolutely love spending time at The Gin Shack, which due to the age of the main character is such a refreshing change from most of the other books I read. 

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Friday 27 October 2017

Book Review - A Cosy Candlelit Christmas by Tilly Tennant - Blog Tour

Amazon UK
Title:  A Cosy Candlelit Christmas
Author: Tilly Tennant
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: 26th October 2017
Rating: 5 Stars


All singleton Isla wants for Christmas is to be left in peace, but a surprise trip to the Alps means there’s a chance for romance in every snowflake that falls…

It’s the week before Christmas and Isla McCoy has just received an unexpected gift: a letter announcing she is due a life-changing inheritance, but only if she’s willing to make amends with the father who abandoned her. 

She has absolutely no intention of forgiving him, but who could resist an all-expenses-paid trip to the French resort of St Martin-de-Belleville? 

There she meets smooth-talking Justin and nerdy glaciologist Sebastian; two very different men, with two very different agendas. Torn between her head and her heart, Isla finds herself utterly lost in a winter wonderland of her own feelings. 

Surrounded by twinkling candles and roaring log-fires, Isla’s resolve finally begins to melt. But will she learn how to reconnect, not only with a whole new family, but with herself and her heart?

Cosy, sweet book that I adored, from the moment Isla set foot in St Martin-de-Belleville  I was in love with the small French skiing resort in the Alps. 

Before starting this book I had been a bit worries, as having  A Very Vintage Christmas I knew some background in Isla and her trip to France and was scared this would repeat everything I knew but with not much new information.  Well I was WRONG! It was a completely new feeling story, in fact we barely see Dodie from book 1 at all, so it can be read as a standalone too.  It is Isla's story, from her point of view and we see everything that she gets up to. 

This is a story about whether Isla can start to build a relationship with her father, despite her mother still hating him over 20 years later. It's story where Isla has the change of a rather nice inheritance that comes with all manner of conditions. It is a story that contains two men both who turn Isla's head although I did have my own favourite between them. 

In fact Sebastian has a rather cool job, he's a glaciologist, which I a term I had never heard before but is explained in the story. He is also slightly geeky but has a heart of gold.  Whereas Justin, just felt a bit on the slimy side, like you couldn't quite trust him but not really sure why. 

Besides the characters, its definitely the setting that is the start of this book, I was simply enchanted by St Martin-de-Belleville. I love the idea of a small ski resort that is picturesque, with its independent shops, stunning scenery, and believe it or not for a book with this setting, not a single winter sport! Just goes to show you could visit a small resort like this and not be bored, even if you don't ski. 

Despite the freezing cold temperatures outside in the resort, Tilly Tennant's writing will leave you feeling warm inside, as you read this book, and work out just which characters can actually be trusted.  Although I didn't think it was the most Christmassy book I've read this year, it certainly a wintery and cosy story, and it does feature Christmas. It could easily be read at any time, although perhaps in front of a fire with a warm cup of cocoa would be ideal! 

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I've read honestly and voluntarily. 

Author Bio:

Tilly Tennant was born in Dorset, the oldest of four children, but now lives in Staffordshire with a family of her own. After years of dismal and disastrous jobs, including paper plate stacking, shop girl, newspaper promotions and waitressing (she never could carry a bowl of soup without spilling a bit), she decided to indulge her passion for the written word by embarking on a degree in English and creative writing. She wrote a novel in 2007 during her first summer break at university and has not stopped writing since. She also works as a freelance fiction editor, and considers herself very lucky that this enables her to read many wonderful books before the rest of the world gets them.

Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn was her debut novel; published in 2014 it was an Amazon bestseller in both the UK and Australia. In 2016 she signed to the hugely successful Bookouture and is currently working on her tenth Tilly Tennant novel. She also writes as Sharon Sant, where she explores the darker side of life, and Poppy Galbraith, where things get a little crazier. Find out more about Tilly and how to join her mailing list for news and exclusives at www.tillytennant.com


Author Social Media Links:




Thursday 26 October 2017

Book Review - Christmas at the Lucky Parrot Garden Centre by Beth Good & Viki Meadows

Amazon UK
Title: Christmas at the Lucky Parrot Garden Centre
Author: Beth Good & Viki Meadows
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Author supplied copy
Publisher: Thimblerig Books
Publication Date: 17th October 2017
Rating: 4 Stars


Christmas is coming to the Lucky Parrot Garden Centre near Whitby. And along with those first flakes of snow comes a tall, dark, and highly tempting stranger ... 

Hannah is a sensible, hard-working Yorkshire lass, and her heart is set on a career in landscape gardening. Not on falling in love, not even with a man as drop-dead gorgeous as Daniel Elliott. He's a film producer, for goodness sake, more used to Hollywood parties than stomping about in muddy wellies.

But as the evenings draw in and the snow thickens, can Hannah resist the warmth and sparkle of this very unusual man? And if she can't, what's to say Daniel won't disappear every bit as mysteriously as he arrived?

What a charming novella that I thoroughly enjoyed.  To start with I was wondering what on earth I was letting myself in for, when Hannah had some rather odd suspicions about the man she has seen at her neighbours house. 

Hannah it turns out is very good at jumping to conclusions as well as getting herself into funny but embarrassing situations, which are great fun for the reader.  I loved the setting of the Lucky Parrot Garden Centre, and would love to hear more about the other worker there. Then again I also want the next book in this series to be a straight sequel so I can see what happens to Hannah next. 

A special mention has to go to the animals in the book, an eclectic mix which are so so funny. It is not often that you have hens, a parrot, a snake and a cat all in the same book, and in some combinations in the same place at the same time. 

There is clear chemistry between Daniel and Hannah which I enjoyed reading about, and their Christmas day also made me laugh. 

Overall this is a light hearted, funny Christmas novella, from an author I always enjoy and a debut writer that I think does add a slightly different feel to the book and I can't wait to see what is next from them. 

Thank you to Beth Good for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Wednesday 25 October 2017

Guest Post - Equal Rights, The Warrior Queen And The Romans by Eva Jordan - Blog Tour

I love history and yet, as a girl growing up in the 1970’s most of my history lessons seemed to filled with the ‘great men’ of history. And while it’s true women’s liberation was a hot topic during my childhood, second-wave feminists inspiring both women and men to think differently about a woman’s role in society, whether it be in politics, academia, in the media or private households, the history of the world, in general, appeared to be made up of men. And, as I grew into a young woman, despite a gradual shift in attitude and opportunities for women, it was still men, on the whole, who were the movers and the shakers of the world, the decision makers about women’s physical and cultural lives, with the emphasis still very much on domesticity. However, history is littered with women who have influenced and challenged the assumption that a woman’s place is in the home, and many of them were great writers of course, including Aphra Behn, George Elliot, the Bronte sisters, Jane Austin, Virginia Woolf, Doris Lessing and Angela Carter to name but a mere few. So, when, during research for my second novel, All The Colours In Between, I found myself in need of an inspirational, strong woman, someone who 21 year-old Cassie (one of the main protagonists) could look up to and draw strength from (you’ll need to read the book to find out why!), did I plump for one of my literary heroines? The answer is no. Instead I found myself drawn to a certain ‘great woman’ of history, one of a very few introduced to me, fleetingly, during my childhood, namely Boadicea, or as she is recently referred to, Boudicca.

On-going debate as to the correct pronunciation of her name still continues. I personally prefer Boadicea so from hereon in will refer to her as such. And no, just for the record, in case anyone is wondering, I haven’t switched genre to write about historical fiction for my second novel. Like my debut, my second novel is also a work of contemporary fiction, I just happened to come across, and was reminded of, Boadicea, in my search for inspirational women of history. Boadicea demonstrated strength of character and endurance at a time of great adversity, both for herself and her daughters, as well as the people of her kingdom. History teaches us that all did not end well for Boadicea but she did not take her humiliation lying down. And, more importantly, she reminds us that once upon a time, before the Roman invasion of Britain, women were part of a social structure that encouraged equal rights, which she fought bravely to try and hold on to and is why I find her so compelling.

Not much is known of Boadicea’s early life and her birth date is not recorded but general consensus suggests she was born into a royal house as a member of the Iceni tribe, based in the area now known as Norfolk. Manda Scott’s modern novel’s based on Boadicea’s life suggest it likely she was brought up in a largely peaceful environment where both sexes would have taken similar rolls in the running of the lives of the Iceni tribe, including mastering the skills necessary to defend themselves. This way of life was then threatened after the Roman invasion of Britain around 43CE. Boadicea, married to Prasutagus, King of the Iceni, found ownership of their land and wealth threatened. A deal was struck and Prastuagus was allowed to remain in control of his land and money, but only with the status of ‘Client King.’ However, Prasutagus drew up a will leaving half of everything to his wife Boadicea, and their daughters, and the other half to the Roman Emperor. This did not sit well with the Romans because women in Roman society had no rights of ownership or inheritance.  After the death of Prastuagus in 60CE the Romans refused to honour his will and Boadicea’s attempts to claim her rights were viciously denied. She was whipped, her estates confiscated, and her two daughters raped. The Romans may have left us with a rich legacy of innovation and invention including straight roads, sewers and sanitation, hot baths and bound books, but they also destroyed a social structure that had been so important to the women of the tribes of Britain, namely equality.


During Victorian times a memorial of Boadicea was commissioned and still stands today. Somewhat overshadowed by the London Eye on the opposite bank of the Thames, she can be found on the north-east corner of Westminster Bridge. Next time you are visiting London why not take a look at the statue of the ‘Warrior Queen.’ Driving her carriage, arms aloft, defiantly holding a spear, her daughters standing behind her, she certainly looks formidable. A reminder that there was a time in bygone history when men and women in Britain had equal rights to property, power and inheritance which leaves me wondering what recent historical relations between British men and women would have been like had we inherited the sexual politics of the Celtic tribes rather than those preferred by the Romans.                   

ALL THE COLOURS IN BETWEEN
 BY EVA JORDAN


Release Date: 19th October 2017
Publisher:  Urbane Publications
Genre:  Contemporary fiction, women's fiction

It's not a life, it's an adventure!

Lizzie is fast approaching 50. Her once angst ridden teenage daughters, now grown and in their twenties, have flown the nest, Cassie to London and Maisy to Australia. And, although Connor, Lizzie's sulky, surly teenage son, is now on his own tormented passage to adulthood, his quest to get there, for the most part, is a far quieter journey than that of his sisters. The hard years, Lizzie believes, are behind her. Only, things are never quite as black and white as they seem... A visit to her daughter in London leaves Lizzie troubled. And that is just the start. Add to that an unexpected visitor, a disturbing phone call, a son acting suspiciously, a run in with her ex husband plus a new man in her life who quite simply takes her breath away; Lizzie quickly realises life is something that happens while plans are being made. Gritty but tender, thought provoking but light-hearted, dark but brilliantly funny, this is a story of contemporary family life in all its 21st century glory. A story of mothers and sons, of fathers and daughters, of brothers and sisters, and friends. A tale of love and loss, of friendships and betrayals, and coming of age. Nobody said it would be easy and as Lizzie knows only too well, life is never straightforward when you see all the colours in between.

BUY LINKS


ABOUT EVA JORDAN

Eva Jordan, born in Kent but living most of her life in a small Cambridgeshire town, describes herself as a lover of words, books, travel and chocolate. She is also partial to the odd glass or two of wine. Providing her with some of the inspiration for her novels, Eva is both a mum and step mum to four grown-up children. Her career has been varied including working within the library service and at a women's refuge. She writes a monthly column for a local magazine and currently works as a volunteer for a charity based organisation that teaches adults to read. However, storytelling through the art of writing is her passion. All The Colours In Between is Eva's second novel.

If you want to know more you can find Eva at all the usual places. She loves to hear from readers and reviewers so please feel free to contact her.



GIVEAWAY
2 x signed paperbacks and 2 kindle ebooks of All The Colours In Between (UK only)   


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