Cupidity by Holly Hepburn

Cupid is exhausted. Modern day matchmaking is tough – people are busy, their hearts are harder to hit and he’s had enough of wall-to-wall romance. And St Valentine has noticed…

Annelise is a Lost Cause. She runs a dating agency but her heart is colder than a penguin’s feet. She thinks love is about compatibility and has no time for passion.

Can Cupid prove to St Valentine that he hasn’t lost his touch by melting Annelise’s heart? Or is it curtains for Cupid?

From the moment I read the blurb for Cupidity I was excited to read this novella, after all the idea of Cupid falling out of love, would explain a lot (yes I know it’s fiction, but if my aunt asks you why I’m still single please play along)

Cupidity was everything the blurb promised and more.

Cupid is an instantly likeable character, who has become a bit disheartened with humanity, after couples meeting through Internet dating sites and speed dating, the romance has been taken from his job.
With St Valentine sensing that his employee is on a downward spiral he sends him to earth to work on a Lost Cause, but is Annelise at the top of the Lost Cause pile and has she hardened her heart forever?

I loved this story it was funny and romantic, with a wonderful ending that had me grinning from ear to ear.

I could see the story playing out in my head, it would make a great film and I do have to confess the description of Cupid had me thinking of a younger Justin Timberlake when he had those tight curls.

I am excited to see what Holly Hepburn has for us next, will it be another novella in the form of another St Valentines employee or will we be lucky enough to get a novel that’s just as funny and gripping.

An author to watch, Holly Hepburn!

5/5

Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher. Exclusive content and review!

I am very excited to be taking part in an amazing blog tour for the debut novel Billy and Me, written by Giovanna Fletcher.

As part of the tour you will find below EXCLUSIVE content just for I Heart Books and its readers as well as my review
All stops on the tour have EXCLUSIVE content so please do pay them a visit and discover more about Billy and Me

Exclusive to I Heart Books:

Short synopsis of the book

In a nutshell I would have to say that Billy and Me is about a girl who falls in love with a massive teen heartthrob, but like most books, there’s much more to it than that.
We meet Sophie May who lives in Rosefont Hill, deep in the Kent countryside, and works in the local teashop. To others her life might seem twee, however she’s content with her quaint village life – an existence that makes her feel safe and secure. Things change however when Billy Buskin, who’s about to begin filming nearby, stumbles upon Sophie at work and instantly becomes smitten.
After a hairy start the two become close, with Sophie eventually moving to London to be with him. But Billy’s world is vastly different from Rosefont Hill, plus it seems not everyone is pleased with his new relationship status.
Billy and Me is as much about Sophie letting go of the past and forgiving herself for the things out of her control, as it is about the supposed glitz and glamour of dating a celebrity. It’s about self-belief, following your dreams and remembering that you’re worthy to achieve anything you set your mind to.

Cupcake:

All stops on the tour were asked to describe the emotion they felt when looking at the Billy and Me cover. Giovanna then created a picture for every stop on the tour using the emotion given.
When I looked at the cover I found myself getting a sense of elation, like being on top of the world.
Here is the beautiful picture that was drawn for me:

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Review

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It’s taken me days to write this review, I’ve been typing, editing, re-reading and then typing some more.

The irony is it took me two days to read Billy and Me and a week to write the review, this is only because its hard to do a book justice when it’s taken over your mind and emotions, pulled at your heart strings and then left you feeling as though something’s been ripped away when you’ve turned the last page and realised there is no more to read.

Let me start by saying that Giovanna Fletcher has written what I am declaring to be the best debut novel I’ve ever read.

Within the wonderfully written pages of Billy and Me we meet Sophie May who lives in Rosefront Hill and spends her days working in the local teashop, when she isn’t there, she can be found spending time with her mum.
It’s whilst working at the teashop that Sophie meets movie heart throb Billy Buskin. As their friendship and romance blossoms, Sophie finds her life thrust into the limelight
Can she handle what the world is about to discover!

My favourite characters were Sophie and her boss Molly, their friendship was wholesome and pure and they both needed each other.
Molly helped to bring Sophie out of herself, she helped her with life’s struggles and was always there to offer a hug.
My least favourite has to be Paul, Billy’s manger, the man who seemed to think he had the right to know everything Billy does and says. He was always certain he knew what was best, at times I wished someone would throw a drink at him or trip him up, his nasty remarks felt so real.

There was a realness to the characters that meant that through the pages my emotions experienced a rollercoaster journey.
I was happy, angry, romanced by Billy and crying, well if I’m honest sobbing.

There is a part in the story that is written in such a way I don’t think I can put it in to words. I’m not telling you, who, what, where, when, why etc but I will tell you that in my life I’ve experienced this and to read the way it was described, felt to me as though the emotion in every word was from the authors heart, her journey and experience.
To feel that and tell it in such a beautiful way is to be commended, just thinking about it now makes me teary. Proof that Billy and Me really does tap into your emotions.

A tale of romance, friendship, over coming obstacles and self discovery, Billy and Me is a must read and Giovanna Fletcher is an author to watch if this debut is anything to go by!

5/5

I would like to thank Kate at Penguin books for inviting me to take part in the tour and sending me a copy of Billy and Me to review.

Billy and Me: Paperback

Billy and Me: Kindle

The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker: The Intimate Adventures of a Woman Who Can’t Say No by Suzanne Portnoy

What if you had the power to make all your fantasies come true?

 

Suzanne Portnoy is a woman on a mission. Freed from the restraints of marriage and monogamy, she’s no longer looking for Prince Charming. She’s looking for fun. And she intends to find it…

 

This is an erotic memoir with a difference.

First off I would like to congratulate Suzanne on having the ability to not just experiment with her sexual desires but to share with her readers her experiences in an honest way.

I found it to be an interesting read, one which I read in a day.

But honestly to me I felt as though at times Suzanne was highly judgemental , she doesn’t like being judged on her looks but that’s the first thing she does herself when meeting new people.

It’s an easy read and fans off spicier novels that 50 shades will enjoy it, it’s got something that keeps you turning the pages.

3/5

I would like to thank Charlotte at Black Lace for sending me a copy to review.

The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro

One letter will turn newly-married Grace Munroe’s life upside down:

‘Our firm is handling the estate of the deceased Mrs Eva D’Orsey and it is our duty to inform you that you are named as the chief beneficiary in her will. We request your presence at our offices at your earliest convenience, so that we may go through the details of your inheritance.’

There is only one problem. Grace has never heard of Eva D’Orsey.

So begins a journey which leads Grace through the streets of Paris and into the seductive world of perfumers and their muses. An abandoned perfume shop on the Left Bank will lead her to unravel the heartbreaking story of her mysterious benefactor, an extraordinary woman who bewitched high society in 1920s New York and Paris.

When Grace receives a letter from French lawyers informing her of an inheritance she is left intrigued, who is Eva and why has she mentioned Grace in her will.
Leaving London Grace goes in search of the truth, as she learns about Eva she starts to discover more about herself, causing her to look at her life as a trophy wife in a different way.

The story flits between 1950′s life with Grace and 1920′s life with Eva, as we learn who the women are we find ourselves on a journey of discovery.
After Grace’s initial meeting with the solicitors, she is still none the wiser as to who Eva is and why she has left Grace an inheritance.
So Grace goes in search of answers which lead her to a perfume shop and three fragrances, It’s time for Grace to discover who Eva was.

‘The Perfume Collector’ is a moving story, that enticed me within the first page. I found both Eva and Grace to be fascinating women and I loved how the story was told through smells.
There is an abundance of characters that come in and out of Eva’s life and although the majority of them aren’t pleasant they help to tell the story of who she was.

2013 is bringing us some amazing books and ‘The Perfume Collector’ is definitely up there, I cannot recommend it enough.

5/5

I would like to thank Jaime at Harper Collins for sending me a copy to review.

G I Bride by Iris Jones Simantel

Iris had escaped the Blitz but now lived in crippling poverty after the war – until a chance meeting changed her life. Aged just sixteen, she fell in love and married US soldier Bob Irvine. And soon after she set sail for a new life in America.

It was the 1950s, the land of hope, dreams and Doris Day movies. But Iris ended up in a cramped Chicago bungalow, shared with Bob’s parents. With a baby on the way and a husband turning daily into a stranger, Iris was wracked by homesickness.
Trapped and desperately lonely, she had to make a fresh start, in a country where hope and opportunity thrived.

In this dramatic sequel to the Sunday Times bestseller, Far From the East End, we follow young Iris Jones Simantel from London to New York, Chicago and Las Vegas in her struggle to find work, love and a sense of belonging in a foreign land.

Iris Simantel is the acclaimed winner of the Saga Magazine ‘Life Story’ competition, beating several thousand entries to publish her first memoir Far From the East End. Iris grew up in Dagenham and South Oxhey (with an evacuation to Wales in between) before marrying her GI husband Bob and moving to Chicago. She now resides in Devon where she enjoys writing as a pastime.

The G I Bride tells the true story of Iris a young girl who falls in love with Bob an American soldier. When the couple get married, Iris gives up everything she knows to move to America to be with the man she feels is her one true love.
But is the dream as great when it becomes reality? Discover what happened when Iris left it all behind for a foreign land.

I enjoyed the descriptiveness of the story, you could feel the emotion behind every crisis or happy time the family had. I guess having lived through it all the author really did put everything she had on to paper and that really was felt.
It did take me some time to read and I found I only read a chapter at a time.

Books about true life aren’t really something that I read that often and for me I think that’s why I found this book hard going.
But I would recommend this to people who enjoy true life stories because although it’s not something I tend to read I did enjoy the story.

3/5

I would like to thank Penguin Books for sending me a copy to review.

SUNLOUNGER: SUMMER STARTS TODAY!

Back in January I told you about the anthology that Belinda Jones is set to bring this summer.

With over 30 talented authors sharing with us short stories about many wonderful destinations, this is set to be a summer sensation.

Not forgetting the fact that you also get to read a short story by the SUNLOUNGER short story prize winner.

With SUNLOUNGER being released on the 1st of July, why not get into holiday mode and visit the website launched today:

va-va-vacation

Full of wonderful holiday ideas, author info and behind the scenes pictures this really is a website that will make you feel as though your travelling the world.

As well as a fabulous competition to win a gorgeous suitcase full of goodies
Competition

The ladies at the SUNLOUNGER shoot looked amazing and I am in love with every outfit worn which isn’t going to please my bank since there are links to purchase the outfits on line.

And a fact that I am super excited to share with you, I am one of the very privileged judges who is having the great and difficult task of helping pick a winner.

Sunlounger Judges

The standards are high and the destinations devine, with team SUNLOUNGER the sun is set to shine!

Something for the WEEKEND!

You’ve read their interview now read the book.

This weekend the writing duo that is Pam and Lorraine (Ellie Campbell) are offering you the chance to download their latest novel “Looking for La La’ for free.

From tonight you will be able to load your kindle with the story thats described as ‘Thrilling,  gripping and unique’
Offer is until midnight Sunday (UK time)

Amazon.com

Amazon. co.uk

The Holiday Home by Fern Britton

Two sisters, one house, a lifetime of secrets.

Set on a Cornish cliff, Atlantic House has been the jewel in the Carew family crown for centuries.

Each year, the Carew sisters embark on the yearly trip down to Cornwall for the summer holidays, but they are as different and vinegar and honey.

Prudence, hard-nosed businesswoman and married to the meek and mild Francis, is about to get a shock reminder that you should never take anything for granted.Constance, homemaker and loving wife to philandering husband Greg, has always been out-manoeuvred by her manipulative sibling.
But now that Pru wants to get her hands on Atlantic House, Connie is not about to take things lying down.When an old face reappears on the scene, years of simmering resentments reach boiling point.

But little do the women know that a long-buried secret is about to bite them all on the bottom.
Can Constance and Pru put their feuding aside for the sake of everyone else, or will this family holiday push them all over the edge?

When Henry and Dorothy go to view Atlantic House in 1988, they instantly fall in love with it.
After purchasing the property and restoring it, it becomes the holiday home for the couple and their daughter’s Constance and Prudence.

As we are introduced to the sisters as children,  one thing stands out and that’s their competitiveness.

As the story jumps forward to the sisters as grown ups, their competitiveness remains.
Despite both being married with children when they are together their rivalry kicks in.

But can this holiday at Atlantic House change that and as secrets are revealed, will the sisters change for the better……

Fern Btitton brings us an easy read that’s filled with gripping twists and turns.
I wont mention any of what’s discovered because the intrigue will have you turning the pages.

The characters are so descriptive,  that you can instantly see them forming before you.
The characters that made this book for me were Abi and Jem (Constance and Prudence’ children), the bond these two had was wonderful to read about and they are so caring.

A lovely holiday read.

4/5

I would like to thank Jaime at Harper Collins for sending me a copy to review.

The Edge of Never by J. A. Redmerski

The hottest New Adult novel that everyone’s talking about – and you’re already dying to read – a NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL and USA TODAY bestseller

Twenty-year-old Camryn has always felt different from everyone else around her – not content to be tied down by life’s conventions, she’s always known that she wants a life less ordinary. But when tragedy forces her to abandon her plans, she vows never to let her walls down again – and never to fall in love.

But one night in the hottest club in town, her world is turned upside down. Desperate to escape, Camryn packs up the bare necessities and boards the next Greyhound bus leaving town, to find the true self she knows is out there. What she finds instead is a young man who is more like her than she knows. Andrew Parrish needs to find himself too, and is battling his own dark secrets…

Zig-zagging across the country together, Camryn finds herself doing things she never imagined, as Andrew shows her what it’s like to live by your own rules and what it feels like to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. Before she knows it, he’s become the centre of her world. But as the electric love and lust between them intensifies, a dark shadow is looming. Will Andrew’s secret push them together – or tear them apart?

Meet Camryn, she has had a hard life and as we turn the first few pages of ‘The Edge of Never’ we discover she isn’t quite sure of herself or what to do.

The first few chapters show Camryn in her hometown and update us on her troubled past.
When Camryn decides to embark on a road trip, that’s when the story really starts and the addiction to this story begins.

Whilst on the road, Camryn meets Andrew and we see her character start to blossom as she comes out of her shell, we also pay privy to their conversations and views on each other.
We follow Camryn as she embarks on her journey of self discovery and meets a variety of people along the way.

Camryn and Andrew are wonderful characters, together they give us some fantastic scenes as well as share with us their hopes and dreams.

I loved how the characters evolve as they get more into their road trip and meet new people along the way.

The story takes us on a roller-coaster ride that has your emotions in turmoil at times.
You experience their passion, sorrow and excitement throughout the journey.

Forget Alton Towers this summer, let J.A. Redmerski take you on your best ride yet.

5/5

I would like to thank Amy at Harper Collins for providing me with an e-copy to review.

The Sea Sisters by Lucy Clarke

Two sisters, one life-changing journey…

There are some currents in the relationship between sisters that run so dark and so deep, it’s better for the people swimming on the surface never to know what’s beneath . . .

Katie’s carefully structured world is shattered by the news that her headstrong younger sister, Mia, has been found dead in Bali – and the police claim it was suicide.

With only the entries of Mia’s travel journal as her guide, Katie retraces the last few months of her sister’s life, and – page by page, country by country – begins to uncover the mystery surrounding her death.

What she discovers changes everything. But will her search for the truth push their sisterly bond – and Katie – to breaking point?

The Sea Sisters is a compelling story of the enduring connection between sisters.

The Sea Sisters reaffirms the connection that runs as strong as the blood through our veins when it comes to family.

Katie and Mia, seem world’s apart. Katie is settled in London with a great job and a wedding to plan for.
Mia is flighty and in need of her reason for life, so hoping that travelling will help her decide who she is and what she wants from life she sets off on an adventure around the world with best friend Flynn.

But late one night, Katie is woken by the police. Mia has been found dead and the conclusion is she took her own life.

As the news sinks in Katie is sure that Mia would never have resorted to something so final. So along with Mia’s backpack and journal, Katie embarks on a journey around the world in search of the truth, what really happened in the 6 months since Katie saw Mia last………..

I found this to be a heart warming and touching story.
Katie and Mia were close as children, a connection that had grown stronger with the fact that their dad was no longer on the scene. but as they grew older their differences started to show as did the gap between them.
It moved me to discover how much Katie learnt about Mia from her journal and in a way the journal taught Katy about herself as well.

Both the girls were wonderfully written characters but Mia was for me the character that stood out in the book, her longing to discover who she was, and where her life was going, is something that I sympathise with.

And the ending was a perfect ending, it wasn’t like anything I was expecting but it made the story so much more poignant.

Lucy Clarke writes in such a descriptive manner that I felt every knock back the sisters had in life, it’s a story that makes you view life differently.
You may not feel as though you belong in life but to someone your being is their reason,

5/5

I would like to thank Jaime at Harper Collins for sending me a review copy.

The Sea Sisters – Trailer

The Sea Sisters – Paperback AMAZON

The Sea Sisters – KINDLE