Books and Holidays Guest Post by Jackie McKay

Today I would like to welcome my friend Jackie McKay with her Books and Holdays Guest Post.

Reading and a Holiday in the sun go together

I am one of those people who won’t pick a book up for ages but when I do I can’t stop reading, and I can get through loads of books within a week.  However, I always read on holiday, and deciding what books to take on holiday is as important to me as making up a music play list to take on holiday.  I have a kindle now (bog standard one but thinking of getting a Kindle Fire), which means I can choose my books while I’m researching my holiday destination.  

I have an eclectic choice in books.  From the Kite Runner (which is one of my favourite books) and The book Thief to books by Stephen King and James Herbert to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ramson Riggs. The latter was a strange story but very enjoyable.

I also tend to buy books after I have watched a film, because the books are always much better than the film.  I read Q&A (Slum Dog Millionaire) by Vikas Swarup on my last cruise in January 2014.  I also read Doctor Sleep by Stephen King which is the sequel to The Shining, despite being 37 years difference. The Shining is one of my favourite Stephen King books and Dr Sleep more than did The Shining justice and met my expectations.  I’m sure Dr Sleep will be made into a film and I will be there at the first showing.  I had read these two books by the middle of the cruise, but fortunately for me, the ship had a library so I managed to get another book which did me until the end of the cruise.

There is nothing better than getting yourself comfortable on your sun bed and reading.  After a while I put the book down and just lie in the sun and listen to my music.  Then I pick the book up again and start reading, and so it goes on until I’ve had enough sun and make my way back to the room (or cabin if I’m on a cruise), lie on the bed and continue to read.

I’m looking for books to take on holiday in June.  I’ve already downloaded Ghost Girl which featured on Jo's blog, and I might go for Unlucky 13, the new book from James Patterson and Inferno by Dan Brown.  I’ll keep looking and just download them to my Kindle when I’ve decided.  Then when I get back from my holiday in June I’ll start looking for books for my holiday in September.

............................

So it’s 17th May the hottest day of the year upto now, and I’ve been inspired to look for my kindle, (I always forget were I put it when I come Back from my holidays!!).  I managed to find it this time without much difficulty and it’s now on charge...It was as flat as a pancake.  I need to check Ghost Girl downloaded when I bought it over a month ago and I need to buy my other two books then I’m sorted for my cruise in June.

Its days like this when youre not at work, the sun is shining and it’s glorious day, that you just want to relax on a sunbed with a good read, and a cold drink.  Preferrably listening to the ocean and the hustle and bustle of everyone having fun on the beach or around the pool. 

Thank you Jackie for your wonderful guest post.

Jo xx

Capturing The Earls Love by Jane Lark

What They Say:

From Kindle bestselling Historical romance author, Jane Lark, comes a brand new FREE novella to accompany her breathtaking Marlow Intrigues series.

This novella tells the story of secondary characters from The Illicit Love of a Courtesan...

Rupert Stanforth, Earl of Morton, is exasperated by his sister's choice of friend. Meredith Divine clings, using Rowena's plain appearance as a foil for her auburn curls and fuller figure. He would break the friendship, but the more he complains, the more time the girls spend together. Ceasing his disagreement, he hopes the friendship will die, believing Meredith will take a wrong step soon...

Meredith clings to her only friend, Lady Rowena Stanforth, despite the disgusted looks thrown by Rowena's proud, judgmental brother. Lord Morton cannot abide Meredith because of her low standing, but Meredith's heart favours him . . . then in his single act of kindness, Meredith grasps an opportunity she cannot resist...

What I Say:

I would like to thank author Jane Lark for sending me a copy of this in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is my last review of Jane's books, I have loved this series and can't wait to read more from Jane.

This is a short story about Rupert, Edward and Robert Marlowe's cousin.  Rupert is not impressed with his sisters friend Meredith she irritates him and he thinks she is schemeing.

Meredith isn't schemeing she is shy and on the outside of the ton, Rowena is her friend and sheild as she is shy and nervous, but also totally in love with Rupert.  Devastated when she is told she is to marry her fathers business partner she tricks Rupert into marriage.

This is a nice quick read but I was also sad that it wasn't longer as I would like to have got to know both of them more.

I couldn't help but like Meredith an felt sorry for her as she tried to get Rupert to notice her.  Rupert is another brilliant Marlowe male.

A great quick read, that also goes with the other books.

4 out of 5 stars

Jo x

Restraint by Randi Cooley Wilson

About Book 2 RESTRAINT:

Restraint (The Revelation Series, Volume Two) by Randi Cooley Wilson

Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Pages: 300

Publication Date: August, 2014

What They Say:

A FORBIDDEN LOVE WILL BECOME DEEPER.

A LOYALTY WILL BE TESTED.

AND ONLY DARKNESS WILL REMAIN.

One revelation changed everything, turning Eve Collin’s world upside down with grief and questions of identity and allegiance. Now as she flees enemies that refuse to give up, Eve must also face the mounting attraction between herself and her gargoyle protector. Will she ever truly be safe? How much will she sacrifice to survive and who will she become?

Restraint is an addictive pleasure a spellbinding continuation of Eve’s journey of self-discovery, love and sacrifice.

Readers captivated by Revelation will eagerly devour Restraint.

Restraint is volume two in The Revelation Series.

What I Say:

I would like to thank YAReads and author Randi Cooley Wilson for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I haven't mentioned a cover in awhile, I love this cover, it fits the book perfectly.

We catch up with Eve and Asher just after the end of book one, Eve is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her friend and her destiny.  

Eve and Asher also have to deal with their growing feelings for each other, this is complicated as Asher is Eve's protector and a relationship is forbidden.

Randi is weaving an intricate story around Eve's ascention and the forces that are trying to stop it. I was captivated by Eve and Asher in Revelation, this book literally drags you in and keeps you hooked.

Eve and Asher are a great couple and I really want things to work out for them.  

The St Michael family are great to, you don't get to know much about Keegan and McKenna, but you do about Callen, my book boyfriend, his comments made me giggle (I love his aprons and that he bakes at certain times......) and Abby becomes a good friend to Eve.  You also have Fi, a great new character.  

The one character I didn't like was Morgana and think that is the way Randi wants us to think.  I'm also not sure about Gage, deep down I think he really is a good guy and hope he makes the right decisions and becomes one of the good guys.

With Deacon and Lucifer on Eve and Ashers tail, the book takes you from Massachusetts, Wiltshire, Paris and London.  Not to mention the wonderfully described other realms of Randi's imagination.

This is a great second book and literally does leave you on a cliff edge.... Also a teaser for Redemption (book 3), I want to read this now!

I would also like to thank Randi for the acknowledgement for my little blog at the end of this book, you made me so happy Randi x

5 out of 5 stars

About the Author:

Randi was born and raised in Massachusetts where she attended Bridgewater State University and graduated with a degree in Communication Studies. After graduation she moved to California where she lived happily bathed in sunshine and warm weather for fifteen years.

Randi and her husband recently moved back to Massachusetts with their daughter where she was encouraged to begin writing again.

Revelation is her first novel and The Revelations Series is her first New Adult Paranormal Romance book series.

“I’ve had a love affair with books, writing and storytelling since childhood. It has been a dream of mine to introduce this world and these characters to you. I hope I’ve done them justice.”
Randi loves to hear from readers, you can reach out to her via Twitter: R_CooleyWilson and/or Facebook: authorrandicooleywilson

Twitter: R_CooleyWilson

Facebook:www.facebook.com/authorrandicooleywilson

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/RCooleyWilson

Excerpt:

"Sleep Over" - Asher and Eve, 

I’m brushing my teeth when Asher swaggers into the bathroom. He leans his hip against the counter and just watches me. It’s starting to freak me out. I squint at him before spitting.

     “Can I help you?”

     “Huh?” he asks.

     “You’re staring.” I tip my toothbrush at him.

     “Am I?” He tilts his head to the side and crosses his arms.

     I spit one last time and start my flossing routine and gargle my mouth rinse, all while Asher just stands there, observing me. Seriously, what’s he doing?

     “Curious about dental care?”

     “Curious about you,” he shoots back.

     “Okay.”

     He shrugs. “I like watching you do normal, everyday things.”

     I blink. “Did you get clocked in training today?”

     “No.” He slides his hands into the pockets of his pajama bottoms. “Want to have a sleep over?”

     “Sleepover?” I repeat, less than enthused.

      “Pajamas, pillow fights, gossip. You know, sleepover,” he clarifies, like I’m an idiot.

      I sigh. “You’re freaking me out. What the hell is going on?”

      He reaches for me and grabs the hem of my tank top, pulling me towards him. I stumble a bit and have to place my hands on his shoulders for balance as he tugs me closer. “I want you in my bed tonight. I was hoping you’d fall asleep in my arms.” His eyes lock onto mine.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22370204-restraint

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Restraint-Revelation-Randi-Cooley-Wilson/dp/1495429296/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406152797&sr=1-3-fkmr1&keywords=randy+cooley+wilson 

The Scandalous Love of a Duke by Jane Lark

What They Say:

Isolated by life and choice, John Harding, the Duke of Pembroke, sees an angel in a pale mauve dress across a ballroom and is drawn closer.

The wheat-blonde hair escaping her dull dove-grey bonnet caresses her neck and lures his eyes to the spot he'd most like to kiss.

Then as if she senses his gaze the stranger turns and looks at him…

“A rush of pain and longing spilled from Katherine's heart into her limbs. It was so long since she'd seen John but her reaction was the same as it had been more than half-a-dozen years before. She loved him, secretly, without hope, but a chasm of years and status stood between them.”

THE SCANDALOUS LOVE OF A DUKE is book three in Jane Lark's Kindle best-selling Regency romance series.

What I Say:

I would like to thank author Jane Lark for sending me a copy of this in exchange for a fair and honest review.

We now catch up with the Marlow family years later, John Harding, the eldest stepson of Edward has moved away from his family, having never really felt part of the family.  Convinced it was something within him, after it is instilled in him, to never show emotion, weakness and keep his distance by his Grandfather.  John really does not want to take on his role of the Duke of Pembroke when his Grandfather dies.  

John then meets his childhood friend Phillip and his sister Katherine, instantly attracted to Katherine but knowing because of his position they cannot be together.  

This is a gripping story of John and Katherine, with John suffering from nightmares from his past.  There is also a shadow around them that threatens to destroy everything, John unwilling to trust anyone, must learn to trust, Katherine, his family and friends.

Another rollercoaster of drama and emotions.  John you want to hate but you really do feel sorry for him as you know his past from previous books.  Katherine you can’t help but like she is a nice sweet person and John comes to realize this.

Again with this book I couldn’t put it down and read it in one night, I really can’t wait to read the last book and read what Jane writes next.

5 out of 5 stars

The Passionate Love of a Rake by Jane Lark

What They Say:

The only woman who had power over notorious rake Robert Marlow was now walking away from him, again.

He'd heard Sutton had died, and known Jane was free, but he'd always thought his desire would only be for revenge, not her. Yet here he was, unable to deny what he felt for her…what he’d never felt for any other woman before…

What I Say:

I would like to thank Jane Lark for sending me a copy of this in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I am now totally addicted to these books, the hero’s as in Roberts case are great characters.  I have got to say that he is one of my favourite characters in all of these books he is definitely a rake but a rake with a great sense of humour.

In this book we get to find out more about Robert and why he left England all those years ago, leaving his brother Edward to cope with a whole host of things.

We also meet Jane the only woman that Robert has ever loved, unfortunately Jane had married someone else and broke Robert’s heart.  As we discover though the marriage was not as cut and dried as Robert had believed.   Jane is captured in a situation she has no control of and at every turn Robert doesn’t want to believe the best in her.

With both Robert and Jane pulling together but also pulling apart the book has loads of twists and turns.  As I said before Robert is the most gorgeous of rakes and Jane is sweet but also has an inner strength.

Again the author paints a picture of the aristocratic society and its manipulations, the good and the bad.

I will be at a loss when I have read them all, I certainly won’t be able to wait until Jane writes her next book.

5 out of 5 stars

The Illicit Love of a Courtesan by Jane Lark

What They Say:

Trapped under the reign of a cruel keeper, Ellen Harding longs to be free. Under his oppression, her soul and conscience have died while her body lives on, fulfilling his dissolute desires. She is empty—a vessel—deaf to the voice of morality and blind to shame.

When her eyes are drawn to a beautiful man for no other reason than his looks, she imagines what it would be like to escape her chains for a night by giving her body to him.

But Edward Marlow is kind and gentle when he touches her, and her subconscious whispers, this man could be her salvation. Yet how can he help her when she has secrets which prevent her freedom?

Edward is restless, lonely, and a little angry with his lot in life—it is his only excuse for being drawn to another man’s mistress. The woman’s dark hair and pale eyes are striking, and he cannot take his gaze off her while she watches him over the top of a fan with an illicit intent in her eyes.

Once he’s known her, he cannot forget her, and once he’s seen the evidence of her supposed benefactor’s brutality, he wants to help her. But how can he when she will not run any more than she will speak of her past?

When a desperate Ellen finally relents and shocks Edward from his sleep, he doesn’t hesitate, he helps her flee. He just doesn’t know he’s running headlong into the secrets of her past.

What I Say:

We catch up with Ellen or first meet her depending on how you have read these books, she is now back in London and the mistress of Lord Gainsborough.

Ellen though has changed from the lovely young girl in The Lost Love of Soldier and is just surviving the best way that she knows how until she meets Edward.  They are instantly attracted to one and other. Could it be possible for Ellen to find love again after losing Paul in the war?

Little does Edward know how much under Lord Gainsborough’s control Ellen is under, they start a dangerous liaison that will endanger them both and others.

I love how this story weaves in and out, with other people becoming involved.  Ellen underneath is still the lovely girl of prequel and Edward is handsome gentleman and Ellen’s knight in shinning armour.

This is a throughly beautiful love story and all through I was hoping things would work our for Ellen and Edward.

This is again a thoroughly enjoyable romp through 19th Centuary England with 2 great characters and their family and friends.

5 out of 5 stars

The Lost Love of a Soldier by Jane Lark

What They Say:

Young, naïve and innocent, Lady Ellen Pembroke falls for a young army officer. Paul has such an easy enchanting smile and his blue eyes glow, vibrancy and warmth emanating from him. She is in love.

Captain Paul Harding, finds his attention captured by the beautiful young daughter of the Duke of Pembroke at a house party in the summer. Finding Ellen is like finding treasure on a battle torn field. His sanity clings to her; something beautiful to remind him that all in the world is not ugly. She’s someone to fight for and someone to survive for when he is called to arms in the battle of Waterloo…

What I Say:

When we first meet Ellen she is waiting to here from Captain Paul Harding, they are planning to run away together as Ellen's father has refused them permission to marry.

Ellen is really easy to like as is Paul, even if they both are a little niave, Ellen only 16 and Paul 21.  They cling to each other and the love they share.

Jane takes you in to a world long ago where you could run off to Scotland and be married straight away.  Where fathers ruled their homes and allowed no one to disobey them.

Once Paul and Ellen are married you know they really do love each other but both of them never really expected how hard life would be.

Paul is a little more realistic having been to war, but Ellen being niave makes some decisions that have drastic consequences for her life.

I know this is Jane's latest book but I am really glad I read it before the others in the Marlowe Intrigue Series.

4 out of 5 Stars

About The Author

Jane is a writer of authentic, passionate and emotional Historical and New Adult Romance, and a Kindle top 25 bestselling author.

She began her first historical novel at sixteen, but a life full of adversity derailed her as she lives with the restrictions of AnkylosingSpondylitis.

When she finally completed a novel it was because she was determined not to reach forty still saying, I want to write.

Now Jane is writing a Regency series and contemporary, new adult, stories and she is thrilled to be giving her characters life in others' imaginations at last.

You might think that Jane was inspired to write by Jane Austen, especially as she lives near Bath in the United Kingdom, but you would be wrong. Jane's favourite author is Anya Seton, and thebook which drew her into the bliss of falling into historical imagination was 'Katherine' a story crafted from reality.

Jane has drawn on this inspiration to discover other real-life love stories, reading memoirs and letters to capture elements of the past, and she uses them to create more realistic plots.

'Basically I love history and I am sucker for a love story. I love the feeling of falling in love; it's wonderful being able to do it time and time again in fiction.'

Jane is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development in the United Kingdom, and uses this specialist understanding of people to bring her characters to life.

Connect with the Author

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Website

Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes and Noble

Blitz Endgame Earth: Storm's Quest by Scarlet Owen

Endgame Earth: Storm’s Quest by Scarlet Owen

Published July 9th, 2014

Published by Createspace

202 Pages

Genre: YA fantasy/alternate reality story

What They Say:

Note:  ENDGAME EARTH: STORM’S QUEST will be free on Amazon from 7/30 through 8/3. Go download your copy! 

ENDGAME EARTH: STORM’S QUEST

Two continents.  One with humans.  One with dinosaurs.  Who will win the battle of the planet?

For Lincoln Kreft everything is at stake.  His sister is sick.  On an over-populated planet the only way to get access to healthcare is to become a Trialist – one of 100 people who visit the dinosaur continent each year in search of new resources.  Few return.

Stormchaser Knux doesn’t have a family to care about.  She’s been on her own for the last five years.  But she does have a conscience.  Having her life saved by one of the plesiosaurs living in the nearby loch gives her a new perspective on the propaganda about dinosaurs.  She doesn’t believe they are all ferocious beasts.  But can she prove it?

Staying alive on the dinosaur continent becomes their top priority.

But will dinosaurs really be their biggest threat – particularly when one friend will betray another?

About the Author:

Scarlet Owen is a pseudonym of Scarlet Wilson, a romance author for Harlequin Mills and Boon, Tule Publishing and Entangled Publishing.  She lives on the West Coast of Scotland with her fiancé her two sons.  The ‘Owen” surname is a tribute to Dr Richard Owen,the man who first gave us the name dinosaurs.  This is Scarlet’s first YA novel.  Jurassic Park meets Hunger Games.  Enjoy!

Website: http://www.scarlet-wilson.com/

 Purchase Links:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Amazon Canada

Amazon Aus

Giveaway: A paperback copy of the book open Internationally 

 Embed: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Books and Holidays Guest Post by Stephanie Rothwell

Today I would like to welcome Stephanie Rothwell with her books and holidays post.

Books have been a vital part of my summer holiday for years. The first thing I would do after checking in at the airport wasn't to hit the nearest bar but to head for the bookshop and browse all the airport exclusive novels. I'd buy up to four of them and along with the 10 or so in my suitcase I would be set up for the two weeks sunbathing on a beach. 

Nowadays I have a kindle  which takes away the worry of a luggage weight allowance, but I still head for the airport exclusives.  I find though, that some of the books are released earlier on the kindle plus I receive arc copies from some publishers.

I like to read books that are set in places I have visited. I spent a weekend in Belfast recently and bought a book by Adrian McKinty. It's the first in a series which hopefully I will enjoy as a novel and also retracing my steps around Belfast recognising places I had visited.

Last summer we went to New York, one of the people we went with is a shopping addict and she just couldn't get her head around the fact that the only shop I was interested in visiting was The Mysterious Bookshop in TriBeCa. The shop was amazing, floor to ceiling shelves cram packed with crime fiction. You needed a ladder to get to the top couple of shelves. I would go back just to visit that alone!  I bought two, both if which were available here but I just had to!

I usually read crime fiction but I do like to read different genres when I'm on holiday. Family sagas are always good. My last different holiday read was 'Confessions of a Fashionista' by Angela Clarke which was very good. 

For me my holiday time is an ideal time to read something out of my comfort zone.

Thanks for you post Stephanie!

Jo xx

Find Stephanie on Twitter @sjroth

Cover Reveal Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista by Aven Ellis

Today I have the honour of bringing you Aven Ellis's latest Cover, I'm so excited about this gorgeous cover.

What They Say:

Recent college graduate Avery Andrews is ready to begin a new life in the big city. She’s landed an apartment in Chicago’s famed Lincoln Park neighborhood–and has her eye on the cute commodities trader just a floor above.

If Premier Airlines knew about her fear of flying, they never would have hired her to be their marketing assistant—but it’s not like Avery wants a lifelong career. Right now she simply wants a job to pay her bills…and fund a few little shopping excursions, too.

Her new lifestyle comes with a price tag, as Avery is not only faced with paying a ridiculous rent but finds she’s perceived as one of the vacant, husband-hunting fashionistas who live in the area. Avery resents this stereotype—so she doesn’t want a lifelong career, and she loves fashions she can’t afford, but that doesn’t mean she is empty-headed and spoiled, does it?

When an opportunity to participate in a documentary at work arises, Avery finds a two-fold solution to her problems. She’ll earn extra money for it, and the documentary will show her as a serious career woman, enabling her to shed that husband-hunting fashionista label for good.

When the camera is on, Avery attempts to be a motivated professional woman. But when she is challenged by Deacon Ryan, the videographer assigned to cover her story, Avery finds herself wanting things she was never supposed to want—like a lasting career—and Deacon. And Avery might just gain more from the experience than a perfect career image and extra cash to put in her Tory Burch wallet…

About The Author

Aven Ellis has been writing fiction since she was sixteen. Shestudied communications at a large Midwestern university, and after graduation, Aven worked as a reporter for a community newspaper, followed by a stint at a public relations agency.

But writing about city council meetings and restaurant franchises was not as much fun as writing for young women trying to figure out their careers and potential boyfriends. SoAven got herself a job in television that allowed her to write at night.  Connectivity is Aven’s debut novel; Waiting ForPrince Harry and Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista(New Adult romantic comedy) will be published this year.

Aven lives in Dallas with her family. When she is not writing,Aven enjoys shopping, cooking, connecting with friends on social media, and watching any show that features Gordon Ramsay.

Social media links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvenEllis1

Website: http://www.avenellis.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AvenEllis

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7265661.Aven_Ellis