Book Review: The Little Café in Copenhagen

The Little Café in Copenhagen 
by Julie Caplin

Published: February 2018 by Harper Impulse
Format: ebook / paperback
ASIN: B06XWD4MTP
ISBN: 978-0008259747

Summary
Welcome to the little cafe in Copenhagen where the smell of cinnamon fills the air and the hot chocolate is as smooth as silk.

Publicist Kate Sinclair’s life in London is everything she thought she wanted: success, glamour and a charming boyfriend. Until that boyfriend goes behind her back and snatches a much sought-after promotion from her.Heartbroken and questioning everything, Kate needs to escape.

Leaving behind rush hour and late nights in the office for a city break in beautiful Copenhagen, Kate discovers how to live life ‘the Danish way’. From candles and cosy nights in to the easy smiles of tall, gorgeous Vikings and eating your body weight in pastries (ok, that’s just her), the city offers her a new perspective.

Can the secrets of hygge and happiness lead her to her own happily-ever-after?

Review
To the outsider Kate's life looks perfect. She works hard, loves her job and her boyfriend, but when he stabs her in the back and steals a promotion from her things start to change and she re-evaluates what's really important.

As always, Ms Caplin's characterisation is great. I loved getting to know the cast of characters and spending time with them. Kate's attempts to organise the journalists on the press trip was much like trying to herd cats, and just as funny. Ben, the hero, was gorgeous and I so wanted to spend time in cafe Varmé with the wise, all-knowing Eva.

I came away from this book with a warm, rosy feeling and finally understood what hygge is all about.  It felt like I had actually visited Copenhagen by the time I'd finished the book, and it is now right at the top of the list of places I want to go.

If you want to lose yourself in a fun, heartwarming read with some sexy sizzle, try this book. You won't be disappointed.

Rating
Loved this book and give it 5 stars. I can't wait to read Sophie's story in The Little Paris Patisserie.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Impulse for giving me the opportunity to read it.

T.G.I. Friday

via GIPHY

Book Review: Blueberry Muffins and Misfortune

Blueberry Muffins and Misfortune (Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery Book 12)
by Agatha Frost

Published: May 2018 by PinkTree Publishing Ltd
Format: ebook (Kindle Unlimited)
ASIN:  B07BPW7TYZ

Summary
When Barker's book launch is ruined by the sudden appearance of a decade-old skeleton, Julia finds herself with another cold case on her hands. It quickly becomes evident that the skeleton belongs to Mabel Crump, the former manager of the library, but with Mabel supposedly having fled Peridale for a new life in Spain ten years previously, how did she end up there, and more importantly, why?

With Mabel's family gathered in Peridale for the ninetieth birthday of her husband, Julia soon realises the Crump family are not all they seem. Did one of the Crumps kill Mabel, or did someone in Julia's family murder the former librarian? Between the skeleton, Barker's sudden rise to author fame, and an unexpected love rival, Julia must juggle the different sides of her life to piece together her most challenging case yet. With secrets and lies spanning back ten long years, can Julia crack the case before everything crumbles around her?

Book 12 in the Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery series! Can be read as a standalone but will be enjoyed more as part of the series. A light, cozy mystery read with a cat loving and cafe-owning amateur female sleuth, in a small village setting with quirky characters. Written in British English. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes!

Review
I could not put this book down. Read it in two sittings and absolutely loved being back in Peridale. This time there is a complication to Julia’s love life in the form of a beautiful love rival; a crisis of conscience over blueberry muffins and we meet the Crump family - who are certainly colourful and take dysfunctional to a whole new level.

Rating
Ms Frost gets better and better.  Another 5 star read.

Thank you Ms Frost for providing an Advance Review Copy. 

Book Review: Cupcakes and Casualties

Cupcakes and Casualties (Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery Book 11)
by Agatha Frost

Published: March 2018 by PinkTree Publishing Ltd
Format: ebook (Kindle Unlimited)
ASIN: B07B6BHQ53

Summary
The residents of Peridale don't like change, so when the famous actress, Candy Bennett, rolls into the village to demolish a historic cottage, things don't go as smoothly as she would have hoped. With the 'Peridale Preservation Society' protesting her plans to build a modern home on the land, things quickly turn sour. Days into the project, Candy's lead builder, Shane, is murdered and the task to solve the mystery once again falls into Julia's lap.

Did one of the protestors kill the builder to make a statement, or was he murdered by someone from within his own team? With the preservation society, the actress, the architect, and the builders all keeping secrets, Julia soon has her hands full gathering evidence, but it's a familiar-looking new arrival in the village that commands her attention. Julia's life is torn apart when she learns of the stranger's true identity, but will she be able to focus on the challenging case before another body turns up? The only certainty is that Julia's life will never be the same again.

Review
A fun, enjoyable read that kept me guessing right up to the final reveal.

This was my first Peridale Cafe book, but that didn’t matter as it was explained who all the characters were and their relationships to each other.

Loved the characters and can’t wait to visit Peridale again.


Rating
I enjoyed spending time with Julia and the residents of  Peridale and give this book 5 stars.

Thank you Ms Frost for providing an Advance Review Copy. 

Book Review: No One Wants To Be Miss Havisham

No One Wants To Be Miss Havisham
by Brigid Coady

Published: May 2015 by Harper Impulse
Format: ebook
ISBN: 9780008119416

Summary
What the Dickens is going on?

Edie Dickens is a shark of a divorce lawyer. She doesn’t believe in love and she scoffs at happily ever afters, however she’s agreed to be maid of honour for her oldest friend, Mel in two weeks and she still has the hen night to endure. But she has even more to endure when she’s visited by Jessica Marley’s ghost and finds out she must change her ways or end up being damned to an eternity watching other people’s happiness. Edie is visited by the Ghosts of Weddings Past, Present and Future, every Friday night until the day of the wedding. Can she learn from her mistakes in time? And did the ghosts send the hunky new lawyer, Jack Twist, to distract her?

Review
This book is a little special as it recently won the Romantic Novelists' Association's Joan Hessayon Award, and as soon as I started reading it I could see why. It is a refreshing take on a classic story with a heroine you can't help but love despite her huge flaws.

Ms Coady writes with humour and warmth and her characters are a joy to spend time with. Don't get me wrong, at first you want to slap Edie for the way she behaves, but once you get a few glimpses of why she is like she is you are soon rooting for her.

I was hooked by this novel and found myself making excuses not to do the chores so I could read just one more chapter, then another ...

Rating
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish and give it 5 stars. Well done Brigid.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Impulse for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Book Review: The Torn Up Marriage

The Torn Up Marriage
by Caroline Roberts

Published: March 2015 by Harper Impulse
Formats: ebook & paperback

Summary
Why do we hurt the ones we love, and can there ever be a way back?

“The Torn Up Marriage” is about betrayal, complacency, love and loss, and that key instinct to protect your family. But what happens when you tear that family apart? Kate and Michael are about to find out as they cope with the crushing fallout of his affair, whilst trying to protect their two young children. This powerful and poignant novel captures the explosiveness of everyday life and what it is to be human; to make mistakes.

Set in the historic town of Alnwick, Northumberland, with its stunning backdrop of castles, moorland hills and coastline, this relationship story of love and family takes you in a rollercoaster ride of emotions along with Kate and Michael.

Michael’s mother’s battle with breast cancer shatters them all, yet shows them how precious life, love and family is. Can they find a way back and fight for their battered yet enduring love?
So, what would you do if it happened to you? Could you betray? Could you forgive?

Review
I enjoyed Ms Robert's writing style and soon became invested in all the characters. The story is full of emotion as the characters wonder how they got to where they are in their lives.

Kate becomes more and more dependent on alcohol and turns away from her friends after the shock of Michael leaving her. Gradually she starts to pull herself together and accepts that her marriage is over. I liked Kate. She had always appeared tough and in control to Michael, but he sees a different, vulnerable side to her

It is obvious that Kate and Michael still love each other but I wasn't sure, right up until the end, whether Kate would forgive him enough to give them another chance, and I won't spoil things by telling you whether she does.

Rating
I loved the raw emotion of this story and it kept me reading until late into the night. I give the Torn Up Marriage 5 stars out of 5.

Book Review: From Italy With Love

From Italy With Love
by Jules Wake

Published: May 2015 by Harper Impulse
Format: ebook
ASIN: B00SS459DS

Summary
'To my niece I leave the Ferrari GT250… On the proviso that she takes it across Europe to Maranello within the next three weeks. Only on successful completion of the journey to a prescribed route, will the car be hers…’

Home-loving Laurie thinks she’s happy – she has a safe, reliable boyfriend and working in her local library is what she thought she always wanted. That is until she inherits a vintage Ferrari from her eccentric Uncle Miles and the conditions of the inheritance are far from simple. To keep the car Laurie will have to drive across Europe with the gorgeous but unreliable Cameron Matthews as her guide… and Cam’s motives for helping are not all that altruistic.

Cam isn’t particularly thrilled about escorting his late pal Miles’ dull mouse of a niece on this wild goose chase but all he has to do is get Laurie safely to Italy and he’s sure the Ferrari is his.

But Uncle Miles had a few tricks up his sleeve and the route he’s planned takes Cam and Laurie on a road trip they’ll never forget. From sampling the delights of the Loire Valley to the breathtaking beauty of Lake Garda, this is one journey that has more twists and turns than either of them could ever have imagined…

Review
This book hooked me from the first chapter and I settled down in my favourite chair knowing I was in for an enjoyable read. By the end of the story I felt as though I had been on a whistle-stop drive through France and Italy and was completely in love with the Ferrari.

Cam has to be one of my favourite heroes. He is super good-looking, sexy and has a wicked sense of humour, unlike Robert, Laurie's serious boyfriend. I loved seeing Laurie change as the journey progressed and the way she tried things she would never have done before taking on Uncle Miles' challenge.

Miss Wake's forte is her characterisation and I couldn't stop wondering about Laurie and Cam long after I had finished the book.

If you want a fun, holiday read to make you smile, I heartily recommend this book.

Rating
I thoroughly enjoyed Laurie and Cam's story and give this book 5 out of 5.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Impulse for giving me the opportunity to read it.

Book Review: Wolf Moon

Wolf Moon
by J.R. Burnett

Published: 2014 by J.R. Burnett
Format: ebook
ISBN-13: 9781310206313
ASIN: B00J1QC1YC

Summary
As head of the midwest division of Occult Animal Control, Alex Ford doesn't know the meaning of a boring day at work. From exposing dragon fighting rings to trapping pesky unicorns...there's never a dull moment.

As a snow storm rolls into Tulsa, Alex discovers the mangled remains of a Shifter--the likes of which hasn't been seen in the city for nearly two years. Racing against the full moon, Alex must try to save the wolves from themselves. Can he put aside all of his prejudices to protect those he has hated and can his fourlegged partner do the same?

Wolf Moon is a novelette of approximately 11,580 words and is part of the Furred, Feathered, and Fanged series.

Review

I normally read romance, but thought that I would give something a little different a try.

I really enjoyed Wolf Moon and liked the concept of animal control for paranormal creatures. Loved the engaging characters and was drawn into the story by the author's 'voice'. I felt like I was there along with Alex and his companions and could feel the tension building as the story progressed.

Even though this is a novelette it didn't feel like the story was rushed or cut short. Can't wait for the next story in the Furred, Feathered and Fanged series to find out what happens next to Alex and his team.

Rating

If you want a well written, quick read and are into paranormal or urban fantasy, then I can recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5.

Five more things I learned at the RNA Conference: self-publishing

On the Saturday afternoon of the conference, Ian Skillicorn gave an excellent talk on epublishing. This was one of the most useful sessions of the weekend and I picked up lots of tips.

• Photographic covers are more popular for contemporary romance.

• Use keywords in the book's subtitle.
This will help your book get found on Amazon. You should also put your metadata into your Word file (click on file > properties) before it's converted.

• Have a pricing strategy.
Make a list of similar books to yours, where they are in the sales rank and check their prices - what happens to their rank when the price changes.

• If using Microsoft Word, format your ebook using Word's styles function.
Use a 'Heading' style for chapter headers - this makes it easier when you come to compose your table of contents.

• Your marketing strategy needs to be in place before publication, but don't put links up to your book until it is available.

Thank you to Ian Skillicorn of Corazon Books for his talk on publishing and marketing ebooks.

Five things I learned at the RNA Conference: self-publishing

Last weekend, along with 250 fellow writers, I attended the Romantic Novelists' Association's annual conference. It was a brilliant weekend held at Harper Adams University, near Telford. The food was plentiful and the drinks even more so, but believe it or not as well as all the partying and socialising I did actually learn something (no sniggering at the back).

Over the next few blog posts I'll be looking back at my sketchy notes and picking out some of the things I found particularly useful.

The first lecture I attended was by Talli Roland and Nick Spalding about their experiences with self-publishing.

Photo courtesy of Harper Adams University

• Publish your novel first, THEN have your marketing push. Have your marketing plan in place but don't start promoting your book until readers can click on a link to buy it.

• Make sure you have the license to your book's cover image and fonts.
I knew about the image, but had wrongly assumed it was okay to use free fonts. Check the license of each font you want to use.

• Write an exciting blurb.
So many of the books I see on Amazon, both traditionally published and self-pubbed have no description. How can a reader make a decision to buy it if they don't know what it's about?

• Design an eye-catching cover that works as a thumbnail and in black and white.

• Get your book professionally edited!

Thank you Talli Roland and Nick Spalding for the talk on their reasons behind choosing independent publishing.

On Friday I'll be looking at what I learned from Ian Skillicorn's talk on marketing and self-publishing your ebook.

7/7

Book Review: Flight to Coorah Creek

Flight to Coorah Creek
by Janet Gover

Published: March 2014 by Choc Lit
Format: Paperback & ebook
ISBN-13: 9781781890974

Summary
What happens when you can fly, but you just can’t hide?

Only Jessica Pearson knows the truth when the press portrays her as the woman who betrayed her lover to escape prosecution. But will her new job flying an outback air ambulance help her sleep at night or atone for a lost life?

Doctor Adam Gilmore touches the lives of his patients, but his own scars mean he can never let a woman touch his heart.

Runaway Ellen Parkes wants to build a safe future for her two children. Without a man—not even one as gentle as Jack North.

In Coorah Creek, a town on the edge of nowhere, you're judged by what you do, not what people say about you. But when the harshest judge is the one you see in the mirror, there's nowhere left to hide.

Review
This story was like revisiting my favourite Aussie medical soap. I used to love Flying Doctors and enjoyed this book just as much. Ms Gover's descriptions of the outback landscape and the realities of carving out a living in the harsh surroundings, draw you into the story straight away. Add a mixture of interesting and engaging characters and you have an enjoyable read that will keep you turning the pages.

I warmed to Jess, the heroine, straight away. The story opens with her at Sydney airport, terrified of anyone noticing her - which makes you have to read on to find out why. She is running as far away from her past as she can get and ends up in Coorah Creek working alongside the equally troubled Dr Adam Gilmore.

It made a refreshing change to have a heroine who is self-sufficient and exceptionally good at her job.

In this story, you get not one romance but two. As well as Jess and Adam's growing relationship, there is the 'will they, won't they' question about whether Ellen and Jack, two of the secondary characters, will get together.

Rating
All in all, an excellent holiday read. I give this book 5 out of 5.

Thank you Choc Lit for giving me the opportunity to read it.

Sunshine and bluebells

Enjoying the bank holiday sunshine with a walk in the beautiful bluebell woods near Ashridge.

I hope your weekend was as enjoyable.

Book Recommendations

When you've finished a book that you really enjoyed and you want to read something similar, it can be hard to find what you're looking for.

If you're in the UK, your library may have access to Who else Writes Like, but if you can't wait to get to your local library and want a recommendation now, my friend and writing buddy Jules Wake, has made this brilliant infographic.

I've found it really useful in finding new authors. Thanks Jules.

VS Naipaul’s Advice for Writers

I found this useful advice for beginner writers on the India Uncut blog and thought I'd share it here.

VS Naipaul's Rules for Beginners

1.  Do not write long sentences. A sentence should not have more than ten or twelve words.

2.  Each sentence should make a clear statement. It should add to the statement that went before. A good paragraph is a series of clear, linked statements.

3.  Do not use big words. If your computer tells you that your average word is more than five letters long, there is something wrong. The use of small words compels you to think about what you are writing. Even difficult ideas can be broken down into small words.

4.  Never use words whose meaning you are not sure of. If you break this rule you should look for other work.

5.  The beginner should avoid using adjectives, except those of colour, size and number. Use as few adverbs as possible.

6.  Avoid the abstract. Always go for the concrete.

7.  Every day, for six months at least, practice writing in this way. Small words; short, clear, concrete sentences. It may be awkward, but it’s training you in the use of language. It may even be getting rid of the bad language habits you picked up at the university. You may go beyond these rules after you have thoroughly understood and mastered them.

I'll take rule #1 as more of a guideline, but I especially like rules #2 and #4.

Happy New Year

“For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice.” — T.S. Eliot

Book Review: Lost to the Desert Warrior

Lost to the Desert Warrior
by Sarah Morgan

Published: August 2013 by Harlequin Mills & Boon
Format: Paperback & ebook
ISBN-13: 9780373131778

Summary

"Walking into the lion's den unprotected, Princess?" For Layla, princess of Tazkhan, her arranged marriage means one thing - a lifetime of cruelty and captivity. Such an unendurable prospect drives her to throw herself at the mercy of Sheikh Raz Al Zahki - her family's greatest enemy!

Raz demands one thing in return for the safe haven Layla is seeking - this brooding desert king wants to make her his queen! Her freedom might be secured, but now her heart is at risk, for soon she's lost to the scorching heat of their marriage bed. However, it will take more than fire to thaw her guarded husband.

Review
Sheikh stories are not normally my thing and I haven't read one for years (in fact I'm not sure that I've ever read one), but the blurb for Ms Morgan's book piqued my interest and I decided to give it a go. I'm so glad that I did because I fell in love with Raz and enjoyed this book from its exciting start to the satisfying happy ending.

Layla is incredibly brave and a worthy heroine for Raz. She is determined in a quiet, non-feisty kind of way and applies logic to help her work out how to handle a situation. Raz is a born protector - both of his family and also his country. Together they are perfect for each other.

We see Layla's sister, Yasmin, and Raz's brother, Salem, briefly. She is lost in the desert and Salem is despatched to find her. Can't wait to read their story!

Rating
A great story which I thoroughly enjoyed. I give this book 5 out of 5.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read it.

RNA Conference: my first ever editor pitch

Back home now safe and sound after an excellent weekend in sun-soaked Sheffield at the Romantic Novelists' Association Annual Conference.

I had booked a 1 to 1 slot with a Mills & Boon editor beforehand, but as the dreaded hour grew closer I was more and more panicked by what I'd done.

On the morning of my pitch I felt more nervous than when visiting the dentist. I couldn't eat any breakfast (now that's really nervous for me). I'd rehearsed my pitch until I was word perfect. I knew my theme and I knew my character arcs. But all that angst was for naught. Pippa Roscoe, Acting Assistant Editor for Mills and Boon Modern, was delightful and immediately put me at my ease. My pitch was unnecessary and she plunged straight into telling me what she thought about my 1st chapter and synopsis.

The good news is my chapter wasn't awful and I wasn't publicly humiliated and thrown out of the conference. So thank you Pippa for being so kind and it was lovely to meet you.

Book Review: One Night with the Enemy

One Night with the Enemy
by Abby Green

Published: August 2012 by Harlequin Mills & Boon
Format: Paperback & ebook
ISBN-13: 9780263891010

Summary

In Argentina’s breathtaking vineyards … Nicolás de Rojas and Madalena Vasquez had a stolen affair amongst the Mendozan vineyards – until Maddie discovered a devastating secret about Nic, and left without another word. He will have her once again! Now Maddie is back, having inherited her family’s struggling vineyard, and she’s at Nic’s mercy – right where he wants her. He’s one of Argentina’s most successful vintners, and Maddie desperately needs Nic’s help. But will she agree to his condition? One exquisite night with him … to finish what they started eight years ago …

Review
One of my favourite stories of all time is Romeo and Juliet, and this novel gives a modern twist to Shakespeare's play.

The de Rojas and Vasquez families have been feuding for so long that no one is quite sure how it all started. Eight years previously, Nic and Maddie's relationship was forbidden and the consequences of it left them both badly hurt. Now Maddie has returned home to Argentina to try and rescue the family vineyard that has been neglected by her late father. But Nic will do everything he can to get rid of her and get her out of his life before she can hurt him again like she did all those years before.

I really enjoyed this story and Ms Green wrings out every ounce of emotion throughout the book. Plus she throws in some interesting little details about wine making (my field of expertise is more on the drinking side).

Rating
I couldn't put this book down once I'd started it. I can see why it was M&B's Book of the Month and give it 5 out of 5.

Beautiful Book Cover

My lovely friend, Jules, has just received the photo shot of her new book cover. Isn't it gorgeous?

Talk to me will be published by Choc Lit next year and I can't wait to read it. Well done Jules!