A Year and a Day by Isabelle Broom

Today I am thrilled to be taking part in the blog tour for A Year and a Day by Isabelle Broom.

This book is a perfect winter read to get you in the festive spirit on the run up to Christmas.

For Megan, a winter escape to Prague with her friend Ollie is a chance to find some inspiration for her upcoming photography exhibition. But she's determined to keep their friendship from becoming anything more. Because if Megan lets Ollie find out about her past, she risks losing everything - and she won't let that happen again . . . 

 For Hope, the trip is a surprise treat from Charlie, her new partner. But she's struggling to enjoy the beauty of the city when she knows how angry her daughter is back home. And that it's all her fault . . . 

 For Sophie, the city has always been a magical place. This time she can't stop counting down the moments until her boyfriend Robin joins her. But in historic Prague you can never escape the past . .

I was won over earlier in the year by My Map of You by Isabelle Broom so when I saw that she was releasing a festive read with a breathtakingly gorgeous cover I couldn’t wait to start.

This book is set in Prague which is not somewhere that has ever really appealed to me but Isabelle Broom captures the true beauty of Prague and has brought the Old Town to life teasing me with all the deviously good food, plentiful wine and iconic historical sights. I don’t think I have ever googled the location of a book so much whilst reading a book and by a quart of the way through I was already pricing up a getaway to see the beauty that this author has dangled before me.

To add to an idyllic setting we are also introduced to a wonderful set of engaging characters Hope and Charlie are enjoying a romantic break, Sophie is returning to where she first met fiancé Robin who she is waiting to join her later in her trip, whilst friends Megan and Ollie are soaking in the sights for their jobs as a teacher and a photographer but can the magical and festive surroundings work its magic on the pair?

I am an avid reader but my favourite time of year to read is around Christmas wrapped up with a hot chocolate and a festive read but over the last few years I have struggled to find a book that really captures the festivity that ticks all the boxes and yet finally I have found it all in this book (other than poor Father Christmas he must have been busy!) This book has all the feels, the cosy festive setting, the romance, the delicious food and drink and the quaint little Christmas market stalls.

This storyline will pull you in from the first chapter and not let you go. The characters strike up a friendship which brings the storyline together as they reveal events from their past as well as the difficulty and apprehension in moving forward.

This is an utterly perfect wintry read that will leave a lasting impression on me and I wouldn’t be surprised if this hits the top spot on my Christmas 2016 book list this year.

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A Christmas Kiss by Vicky Pattison

Amber Raey is working all the hours God sends as assistant to one of the country's top fashion designers, and her boss is a complete nightmare. But Amber has big plans for her future so, for the time being, she just has to grin and bear it. And then opportunity comes knocking and suddenly she's on the fast track to the top.

Amber adores her new life, especially as she's falling in love for the first time too. But soon the glossy exterior starts to slip and Amber begins to wonder if she's made the right decision entering this world. Then a face from her past reappears and she finds herself in real trouble. With Christmas fast approaching, Amber is drifting further away from her loved ones. 
Can she get her life back on track before it's too late for a merry Christmas?

With such a pretty festive cover it was impossible not to stop everything and dive in to A Christmas Kiss by Vicky Pattison. I really enjoyed All that Glitters earlier in the year so I was looking forward to starting this one.

Amber Raey has always had big dreams to become a great fashion designer and she was hoping that working as an assistant to Diana would give her a chance to break into the industry but she seems to be slaving away still at menial tasks and she is no closer to her dream. When a chance meeting with fashion designer Allesandro arises she is about to get a chance to shine and make it to the top.

Amber soon finds out that life in the spot light is not all rosy when it attracts fame hungry people who put spanners in the works but can Amber keep her feet on the ground and also make a success of the career she longs to hold on to?

This is such a fast paced exciting read that has Vicky Pattison’s voice sounding out through the pages! Full of glitz and glam and the troubles of being in the spot light this is something that Vicky Pattison knows all too well and she has poured this into this storyline.

Amber is an extremely talented and determined character who has such a loving family to support her as well as encouraging friends too.

There is a lot of humour as well as some deeper moments that will pull at the heart strings as Amber experiences many highs and lows along her journey making mistakes along the way and desperately wanting to right the wrongs she has made.

My one little gripe is this book lacked the festivity I was hoping for after seeing such a promising cover and title, in truth this is a book that could be read all year around even on your next Summer holiday.

This was another entertaining and witty easy read that has a sweet splash of romance for you to enjoy.

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Midwinter by Fiona Melrose

Father and Son, Landyn and Vale Midwinter, are Suffolk farmers, living together on land their family has worked for generations. But they are haunted there by a past they have long refused to confront: the death of Cecelia, beloved wife and mother, when Vale was just a child. Both men have carried her loss, unspoken. Until now.

With the onset of a mauling winter, something between them snaps.

While Vale makes increasingly desperate decisions, Landyn retreats, finding solace in the land, his animals - and a vixen who haunts the farm and seems to bring with her both comfort and protection.

Midwinter is a beautifully written sensitive debut by Fiona Melrose. At the heart of the storyline is a deep raw grief that has divided father and son Landyn and Vale. After the tragic death of Cecelia the pair are both dealing with grief in their own way whilst Vale is like a boiling kettle waiting to bubble over, Landyn puts his heart into his pup and the mysterious vixen that arrives on the farm. 

My heart went out to both of the men as there emotions could be felt through the pages but I found Landyn touched my heart more so as not only was he struggling with the death of his wife he also has to watch his son hurting with his own grief and yet he was so powerless to help him as he seemed to make everything worse so he was dancing around warily on eggshells.

The storyline is told from both Vale and Landyn's points of view so we hear how they are both feeling not only about themselves but how they feel about each other too. The storyline also moves back and forth in time revealing the events of Cecelia's death and this gave way to some understanding on how Vale felt and the reason why.

Although the opening chapter was tense and eventful the remainder of the book is a very gentle read that flows at a delicate pace full of grief,depression, forgiveness, hope and friendship. The vixens appearance also brought a mysterious sense of calm to the storyline and Landyn found such comfort in her too. 

I was desperate for Landyn and Vale to break down the big divide between them so they could comfort each other and with every chapter my hope began to fade as Vale was in a very dark place and didn't seem to know how to get out again.

This was a poignant debut and I can not wait to see what else this author has in store for us as her writing is just so enchanting.

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It's a Wonderful Life Blog Tour

Today it is my stop on the It's a Wonderful Life blog Tour and I am delighted to be able to share an extract from Julia William's latest release.

Daniel got in late from work to find Beth cooking and the kids, as usual, in their rooms. Sometimes it felt as if they’d already left home and it was just him and Beth in the house. For all the notice the kids took of them, they might as well be invisible. Still, it was always good to come home, to Beth, to their shared life. He was lucky to have such a family, lucky to have a four-bedroomed detached house, lucky to have a garden. He could never have imagined this happening to him when he was growing up, in the small flat he and his Mum had shared in south London.

            ‘Good day?’ Beth asked, giving him a welcoming hug. He pulled her to him, breathed her in. She was every bit as gorgeous to him now as she had been that first day he’d met her at teacher training, when she’d walked into the lecture hall and smiled at him. He’d taken one look at the pretty arty girl with the long curling hair, and known that he was smitten. All these years later and he still was.

            ‘Busy,’ said Daniel. ‘How did the meeting go?’

            ‘It was dire,’ said Beth. ‘That girl. Ugh. I’m more confused than ever. I feel this bloody book is going to be the death of me.’

            ‘I’m sure it’s not as bad as all that,’ said Daniel. Beth always fretted when she was in the middle of a book, but she pulled it off every time. It was a constant source of astonishment to him as to how she did it. He was so proud of her.

            ‘It really is,’ said Beth. ‘Oh, and you’ll never guess who the new Art Director is.’

            ‘Who?’

            ‘Do you remember me telling you about a guy called Jack Stevens?’

            ‘The guy from college?’ Daniel had faint memories of Beth mentioning  a friend from art school called Jack years ago. Apparently he had always encouraged her when they were students, which had given her the confidence to do what she was doing now. For some reason they’d drifted apart after college; she was always a bit vague as to why.

            ‘The very same,’ said Beth. ‘Small world, huh?’

            ‘Isn’t it?’ Daniel said. ‘How was he?’

            ‘Just the same,’ said Beth. She seemed a bit preoccupied. ‘At least I know he’s on my side.’

OUT NOW!

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Blood Lines by Angela Marsons

A victim killed with a single, precise stab to the heart appears at first glance to be a robbery gone wrong. A caring mother and social worker lost to a senseless act of violence. But for Detective Kim Stone, something doesn’t add up. 

When a local drug addict is found murdered with an identical wound, Kim knows instinctively that she is dealing with the same killer. But with nothing to link the two victims except the cold, calculated nature of their death, this could be her most difficult case yet. 

Desperate to catch the twisted individual, Kim’s focus on the case is threatened when she receives a chilling letter from Dr Alex Thorne, the sociopath who Kim put behind bars. And this time, Alex is determined to hit where it hurts most, bringing Kim face-to-face with the woman responsible for the death of Kim’s little brother – her own mother. 

As the body count increases, Kim and her team unravel a web of dark secrets, bringing them closer to the killer. But one of their own could be in mortal danger. Only this time, Kim might not be strong enough to save them…

I just can’t get enough of the Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons, as soon as a new one is released whatever book I am reading has to be put down so I can jump straight into the next instalment.

Blood Lines is the latest book in the series and this time we revisit the twisted sociopath Dr Alex Thorne who is determined to wreak havoc and finally break Kim Stone. Meanwhile bodies are being investigated when they all show identical stab wounds but they need to find out what connects the victims to have a chance of finding the killer.

This is another gripping and tense read and having the evil and manipulating Alex back gave the storyline the same head fuck feel, as this woman is such an unlikeable, unpredictable and sinister character. I am pleased that this was just a sub plot as I can only take so much of this unbearable woman but I think it worked well having this plot weaved around the main storyline.

Once again the author has us over analysing everything trying to piece little clues together to try and solve the case before the professionals do! Kim Stone is still as frosty as ever and I am so pleased that her character isn’t softening along the way.

Play Dead and Silent Scream still remain my favourites but this is still addictive read that you do not want to miss. I hope it is not too long until we meet up with Kim Stone again.

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The Liberation by Kate Furnivall

The Liberation is set in Italy in 1945 as British and American troops attempt to bring order to the devastated country and Italy’s population fights to survive. Caterina Lombardi is desperate – her father is dead, her mother has disappeared and her brother is being drawn towards danger. One morning, among the ruins of the bombed Naples streets, Caterina is forced to go to extreme lengths to protect her own life and in doing so forges a future in which she must clear her father's name. An Allied Army officer accuses him of treason and Caterina discovers a plot against her family. Who can she trust and who is the real enemy now? And will the secrets of the past be her downfall?

I had never come across books by Kate Furnivall so when an ARC of The Liberation arrived through the post I was looking forward to reading a book by a new author and having the high praise by Dinah Jefferies on the cover, who is an author I really admire I had high hopes for this book.

When Caterina Lombardi is questioned by Army office Major Par about her Fathers involvement in stolen valuable items she is  determined to clear her father’s name but she soon discovers that her life is in danger along with her Nonna and little brother.  Desperate to protect her remaining family Caterina embarks on a dangerous journey to get to the truth but who can she really trust?

The storyline is set in Italy back in 1945 and thanks to the author vivid writing style Sorrento and Naples is brought to life showing the effects of the devastation that these places had faced the beauty still shines through as well as the hardship that the people were living through whilst their country recovers and finds its feet after invasion.

Caterina was a courageous young woman who was prepared to go to any length to protect what was left of her family. She is a character you can’t help but admire as she is wise beyond her years taking things with both hands and  embarking on a journey that she may not return from.

There was a charming little romance weaved through the storyline but it didn’t over shadow the main plot it just brought a little light to the deep and dangerous plot. I loved that the book kept me guessing the whole way through, I had little suspicions here and there but I wasn’t even close so I was in suspense the whole way through.

This was such a powerful and enthralling read that I couldn’t put down. I will definitely be picking up some of Kate Furnivall’s previous books next time I am in town.

Kindle                   Paperback

Instructions for a Second-Hand Heart by Tamsyn Murray

Jonny has a faulty heart and his time is running out. Niamh has just lost her twin brother in a tragic accident. As their fates collide, soon Jonny is on the mend - but desperate to know more about his donor. When he tracks down Niamh, he only intends to find out about her brother, the first owner of his heart. He doesn't plan on falling in love...

Instructions for a Second-hand Heart pulled me in and tugged at the heart strings and I haven’t had that in a YA book since reading Fault in Our Stars by John Green.

Johnny has missed out on a normal childhood so far due to a heart condition that has left him spending a lot of time in hospital. Niamh is trying to come to terms with the death of her brother Leo. Johnny and Niamh’s paths cross not quite by accident and before long Johnny finds that what he started out to find soon turned out to be something more than he was searching for.

The chapters alternate between both Johnny and Niamh’s perspectives and both are going through a very challenging time in their life on top of the normal struggles teenagers are going through at their age. I loved each of the characters equally and by the end of the book I was desperate to follow their story further.

The friendship between Johnny and Em is a beautiful one, they have a great connection and they bring each other up on a low day and also bring a comedic feel to the storyline at times with their shared jokes. I would have loved to have seen more of Em in the book as she was a character who really captured my heart.

This is a storyline that will bring a lump to your throat and maybe even a tear to your eye. It is an emotional read but one that is also full of hope and also brings awareness to the importance of organ donations which is something I think we should all be aware of from a younger age. I really enjoyed this book and it had a quick pace too so I read it in one sitting and I am sure many more people will find they are unable to put it down too.

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