Tag Archive | Book review

Review: Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace (Book 2) by Julie Stock

Starting Over at the Vineyard in Alsace: An uplifting, feel-good romance (Domaine des Montagnes Book 2) by [Julie Stock]

Back of the Book:

She’s proud, independent and about to be a single mum. Since his wife died, he’s become fiercely protective. Can they take another chance on love?

After being abandoned by her partner when she falls pregnant, Lottie Schell goes home to live on The Vineyard in Alsace determined to raise her child and to provide for them both without having to depend on anyone else.

Thierry Bernard is still dealing with his grief and guilt following the death of his wife two years earlier. He needs to move on from the tragedy of his past and to accept the truth of what happened.

When circumstances force Lottie and Thierry closer together and their attraction deepens, they both find it hard to compromise – and they’re both wary about trusting someone new with their heart.

Can Lottie and Thierry move on from their pasts, find a new beginning together and start over?

Escape to The Vineyard in Alsace with this romantic read set in springtime in the heart of this picturesque French wine region.

***

My Review:

This is a beautifully written book. As in the first in this series, the descriptions catapulted me right into the incredible scenery and made me feel as if I was there. I also love the use of French it brought out the authenticity of the story. The characters are wonderful and I found myself hoping for the best for everyone. I honestly couldn’t put this down and cannot wait for the next. This is a 5 star read and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Aquintillion Reads for the opportunity to read and review this lovely book.

Buy this on Amazon

Review: The Vineyard in Alsace by Julie Stock

Mar21

Back of the book:

Is there really such a thing as a second chance at love?

Fran Schell has only just become engaged when she finds her fiancé in bed with another woman. She knows this is the push she needs to break free of him and to leave London. She applies for her dream job on a vineyard in Alsace, in France, not far from her family home, determined to concentrate on her work.

Didier Le Roy can hardly believe it when he sees that the only person to apply for the job on his vineyard is the same woman he once loved but let go because of his stupid pride. Now estranged from his wife, he longs for a second chance with Fran if only she will forgive him for not following her to London.

Working so closely together, Fran soon starts to fall in love with Didier all over again. Didier knows that it is now time for him to move on with his divorce if he and Fran are ever to have a future together. Can Fran and Didier make their second chance at love work despite all the obstacles in their way?

Amazon

My Review:

This book was incredibly written. The characters were so well written you couldn’t help but feel every emotion, but the scenery! Oh my!! This story put me right in France! Almost instantly! I could practically smell the flowers and the wine 🙂 I highly recommend this book it is a 5 star read all the way with an ending that will make your heart sing!!

Of Magpies and Men by Ode Ray – Review

Feb6

Back of the Book:

Can any good come of longings that a person can never satisfy? If so, good for whom?

Two corpses wash ashore in a picturesque Italian village, the violence that put them there is bound to a long-held secret and two strangers living worlds apart with seemingly nothing in common.
Benedict Grant a wealthy Londoner, leading a lonely life.
Marie Boulanger a nurse and single mum, struggling to make ends meet in Marseille.
However, a mother’s illicit revelation will set in motion a chain of events that will reshape their identities, stir poignant family affairs and delve into the by-products of lawless decisions.

With this domestic thriller, discover a captivating and moving story of impossible yearnings, weaving mystery and drama peppered with humour. A tale that will stay with you long after its final page and a twist you won’t see coming.

*****

My Review:

This book hooked me in from the moment I started reading. The characters are so well written and the scenery is so magnificently detailed.

It’s a hauntingly beautiful story that I literally could not put down as I had to see what was coming next.

I’m not going to give anything away on this one – you seriously have to read it!

5 giant ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Get your copy today at Amazon

Snow Dust and Boneshine by Grendolyn Peach Soleil

Jan29

I adored this book. It was so captivating from the moment I began reading to when I finished. I read it in 2 sittings only because I had to go to work in between or I wouldn’t have put it down.

Snow Dust and Boneshine by Grendolyn Peach Soleil was incredible. The only reason why I didn’t mind it ending was because of the promise there may be a book 2.

It follows the life of Fawna a little girl with some great powers up until adulthood. There’s romance, intrigue and lots of magic. Its very well written, so much so, I could feel the cold bitter wind as I read about it. The characters are beautifully written and I could see it playing out as a movie as I read.

I highly recommend picking this one up. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ all the way in this one.

Thank you aquintillion reads for allowing me to review this book.

Amazon

Review: Lost in Translation by Audrey Davis

Jan14

Hi Everyone! Happy New Year!!!

I have to share with you one of the first books I have read in 2021! It was so good I couldn’t put it down!

Lost In Translation: A romantic comedy about starting over… by [Audrey Davis]

Back of the book:

Charlotte Egerton and family are off to Switzerland, after husband Dom bags a big-time job promotion.

But Charlotte isn’t exactly yodelling with delight at the prospect. Not since a chance discovery cast a shadow over her ten-year marriage. And navigating twisty Swiss rodas and getting to grips with French only adds to her woes…

Following a bumpy encounter with an arrogant German, Charlotte is far from convinced the expat life is for her.

With doubts about Dom — and concerns for her best friend, Ruth — plaguing her mind, will Charlotte embrace the Swiss way of life, or are some mountains just too hard to conquer?

Embark on a journey filled with laughter, tears and lessons in love. Sometimes you just have to seize the day…

****

Review:

My thoughts on this book is that it was fantastic!! I couldn’t put it down. I had to keep reading to find out what Dom was really up to! The imagery in this story is second to none. I always knew Switzerland was beautiful but while reading Lost in Translation I could see the snow capped mountains and feel the chilly air without ever having been there.

I highly recommend reading this! It will whisk you away to a beautiful country with a woman who must figure out what is happening in her life and how she deals with it (just a hint…Charlotte is awesome in how she handles things!)

Definitely 5 stars for this one!

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You can buy it here:

Amazon Canada

Amazon US

Have you read this? If so what were your thoughts? I’d love to talk to people about this one 🙂

We will talk soon!!

Review: A Christmas Rescue by Kirsty McManus and Diane Michaels

Dec19

Back of the book description:

A romantic comedy about discovering the magic of Christmas from best-selling authors Kirsty McManus and Diane Michaels

Self-proclaimed Christmas superfan Hannah Walker loves her Michigan hometown, a year-round shrine to the holiday. And this year looks to be extra special since Brett, her long-distance boyfriend, is permanently back in town.

A proposal would make the season even brighter, but with Brett clinging to his bachelor lifestyle, Hannah heads to Australia to care for—and spy on—an injured grandmother she hardly knows.

The frail relative she expects turns out to be a free spirit with an active social life and little desire for anyone’s help. Now Hannah is stuck on the opposite side of the world, spending the holidays where it never snows. With her relationship in free fall and a deadline looming at an increasingly suffocating job, it looks like Christmas might be completely ruined.

Until she meets Xavier, the bronzed surfer god who runs the animal rescue shelter next door. Could helping him and connecting with her grandmother and new friends lead Hannah to realize the perfectly planned life she thought she wanted might not be the one she needs?

********

Let’s just say Xavier is my new favourite book boyfriend!

In a Christmas rescue we meet Hannah. She is a Christmas lover that lives in Michigan with her parents. What she expects for Christmas is a proposal from her long time boyfriend Brett. What she gets is sent off to Australia to spy on … I mean … look after her grandmother where she meets handsome, down to earth Xavier.

This was a joy to read. The characters made the story unputdownable. The setting was beautifully captured, I felt like I was there (until I stepped outside and was quickly brought back to reality 😂😂).

I would give this 5/5 jingle bells 🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔

But it here: Amazon.com

Valentine Act 1 by Elliott Morreau – Book Review

Nov15

Blurb:

Welcome to Coalfields. A Town where everyone fits in. From murderers to rapists to paedophiles. And you. Yes, you. What? You think you’re so much different from them? That’s what Jack and Lia thought too. After all, what do two high school lovebirds have in common with a place like that? Nothing. Until one of them commits murder. But even then, who am I to Judge? After all, I’m merely an observer in the stars—a spectator. God. So out of all the people in the world, why observe the life of two teenagers? Because it’s simple: They’re special. One is the greatest high school quarterback in North America who’s slept with as many girls as the hairs on his head. The other? A child-like teenager who was abused by her now-dead father. But it wasn’t the murder of Lia’s father, or the fact that Jack had fallen head over heals for a virgin, that interested me. It was because of the fateful day that Lia looked me dead in the eyes. A mere mortal, looked upon me, God. It was then, for the first time I felt fear. In the reflection of her eyes—the dark figure. A manifestation. An It.Something I hadn’t created. And with his cherry red lips, It smiled back.

***

Valentine Act 1 pulled me in from the moment I started reading. It had interesting characters and a unique storyline. I don’t normally like books in the horror section but this one was well written and easy to read.

If there was one thing I didn’t like was the way the characters spoke about and portrayed women. It was a bit much at times especially when one character told Jack (the main character) to beat his girlfriend. Thankfully Jack does not do that.

However, it was extremely well written. It easily jumped from character to character and at times played out like a movie.

I can’t wait for Act 2 so I can find out what happens next.

Thanks to @aquintillionreads for allowing me to join your team and read this book.

Review Alert: Quentin Tarantino

Oct6

Happy Day All!

I wrote a review for the new book about Quentin Tarantino. If you’re like me and like his movies but knew nothing about the filmmaker then this is a must-read book.

Check out my review on Gothamology.com

http://www.gothamology.com/entertainment/quentin-tarantino-the-iconic-filmmaker-and-his-work-review/

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Review of Its a Wonderful Undead Life by R.E Mullins

Jun5

5 * Review of It’s a Wonderful Undead Life by R.E Mullins

Cailey wanted Christmas to be over and done with. She had lost her mother when she was young, her marriage had recently broken up and then on Christmas Eve she receives news from her bank that she was worth more dead than alive.

In her attempt to get through Christmas she drinks herself into oblivion then goes for a walk by the river. Cailey’s Christmas goes from bad to worse when she runs into a tall, blonde stranger on a bridge by the river. Before she knows what is happening, the stranger depletes her of the majority of her blood and leaves her for dead.

Gabriel Blautsauger finds Cailey on the bridge and tries to find a way to keep her alive. Gabe is a very handsome, elegant vampire who finds himself instantly connected to Cailey.

The story flows seamlessly from scene to scene and all of the characters have a unique and distinct voice. The passion between Cailey and Gabe leap off the page and can be felt as if you were there in the room with them. The secondary characters Michaela, Metta, Rafe (Gabe’s siblings) and Morgan (Cailey’s best friend) were funny and entertaining … especially Rafe and Morgan but I will let you read into that storyline on your own.

It’s a wonderful undead life is a fantastic read that grabs you from the first line right until the last paragraph. Unfortunately while I was reading this book I was pulled away on family matters and wasn’t able to get back to it for quite sometime. While I wasn’t able to read it I found myself thinking about it and wondering what was going to happen next. When I was finally able to focus my attention back towards the book I couldn’t put it down again.

There were many twists and unexpected turns in this book and I enjoyed it so much, I quite honestly cannot wait to read the next instalment in the series.

If you are looking for a great read I highly recommend picking up a copy.

🙂

If you would like to read this great book you can buy it here:
Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Book Strand

Wild Rose Publishing

R.E Mullins can be found

Facebook

And on Twitter @REMullins