Only For My Daughter - Emma Robinson

 I look at my lovely girl. The child I always promised to keep safe, the child I know I’d love no matter what. I look at her and in that moment, my heart breaks into pieces. Because right now, I am not sure I know her at all…

Julia’s daughter Grace is her whole world. To Julia, she’ll always be the little girl who would put her tiny hand in hers, who she could heal with the smallest kiss, who would trust her mother with everything.

But Grace has changed since becoming a teenager. She’s fallen out with her childhood best friend and has become quiet and distanced. Julia wants more than anything to find a way reach her only daughter. Even if some days it seems impossible, Julia knows her lovely, sunny girl is still in there.

Until today when Grace came home after school, covered in blood, and she’s refusing to speak, except to acknowledge that her former best friend is lying in a coma in hospital.

Julia is forced to ask herself: what could Grace be hiding? She can’t believe her little girl could have done something terrible. But her instincts tell her that Grace is keeping a secret. And if it’s what Julia fears it might be, she could lose her fragile, gentle daughter forever.

And – as another mother’s daughter fights for her life – Julia will have to ask herself, how far would she go as a mother to protect the child she loves with her whole heart?

This totally unmissable, heartbreaking, grab-your-tissues story is perfect for fans of Kate Hewitt, Diane Chamberlain and Jodi Picoult.

Author Bio:

Emma Robinson is the author of several women’s fiction novels. She also blogs about the funny side of parenting and has contributed to podcasts such as Funny Women. Whilst her early novels are humorous, her recent work focuses on emotional themes and these novels are both heart-breaking and life affirming. Emma enjoys writing stories which explore the power of family and friendship in the most challenging circumstances.

Emma currently lives in Essex with a husband, two children and a small black dog.

https://motherhoodforslackers.com/

https://www.instagram.com/emmarobinsonuk/

https://twitter.com/emmarobinsonuk

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B09RB6ZZH7social

My Review

I'm often not quite sure how to classify this kind of book. It's not quite a thriller, but also not quite not. The story is told from the point of view of two mothers, both of whom would do anything to protect their daughters. The girls were once best of friends, but something has happened to push them apart and now, things come to a violent and dangerous head.

This book deals with many of the issues that young women have to face, bullying, friendships slipping away and unwanted male attention. It's done in a sensitive way, but this is still a somewhat confronting book. It's easy to feel for both Samantha and Julia as they juggle their own emotions with keeping their daughters protected. I'm not sure that I could entirely relate to either of the women entirely, there are ways that I would have dealt with things differently, but it's hard not to empathise with their situations.

Only for my daughter is a gripping read and one that I would highly recommend. 

Her Thrilling Fling - Susie Warren

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Her Thrilling Fling
Susie Warren
(Love at the Office, #1)
Publication date: October 5th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

“I love this author, her writing is crisp, clear, flawless, and her story-telling is brilliant.” 5 STAR

A daring ultimatum – and an unlikely romance!
Perla Lyman is the glamorous force behind Lyman News, and insists on the truth being told. After surviving a bitter tell-all by an ex-boyfriend and hidden financial issues, the final blow is having a slanderous article posted to her news site–causing her reputation to shatter.

Powerful billionaire Lucas Braxton is darkly handsome and wildly successful, yet refuses any contact with the media. Especially someone as flashy and curious as Perla Lyman. But when his young, impulsive sister hacks into Lyman News, he is dragged into negotiating with the beautiful influencer.

When Lucas asks her not to press charges, she offers him an ultimatum. She’ll grant the favor if he’ll accompany her as her besotted date to various high-profile events and give an exclusive tell-all interview to Lyman News.

When their orchestrated romance puts them in close proximity, it proves impossible to resist their secret desire. Will their stark differences fuel their growing passion, or will they go their separate ways when their bargain ends?

*******
Her Thrilling Fling is the first book in the series Love at the Office. Each book is a stand-alone office romance and tells the story of one of the Lyman family members.

Love at the Office Series

Meet the Lyman Family: Albert and Victoria Lyman sold their family’s newspaper business a decade ago and relocated their family to Florida. Within the year, they launched a popular tabloid and the family went from barely making ends meet to fabulously wealthy. Their four children grow up juxtaposed between their previous life running a newspaper in New Jersey and a glamorous life near the beach. The Lymans embody all the strengths of a large, close-knit, loving family. They pull together in times of stress, openly show love and appreciation, and go the extra mile for each other when needed!
In the years that follow, each sibling embarks on their journey to find success and love.

Book 1: Her Thrilling Fling (fake relationship)
Book 2: His Boundless Fascination (second chance romance)
Book 3: Her Charming Entanglement (revenge plot)

More books coming soon!

Her Thrilling Fling is on sale for just 99c for the duration of this blog tour! 

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:

Susie Warren is an up-and-coming author of smart, sexy contemporary romance. Her novels feature swoon-worthy heroes and determined, sassy heroines. Her stories take the reader on a heartfelt, emotional journey about discovering true love with plenty of plot twists, passionate moments, witty dialog, fiercely loyal family members and ultimately, a satisfying happily-ever-after. Each novel is part of a series with a large, tight-knit family expressing affection, showing endless support, and overcoming difficult circumstances together. Each novel can be read as a stand-alone romance or as part of the larger series.

Growing up in upstate New York with five brothers, endless responsibilities, and a large, extended family nourished her gift for storytelling. Fast forward a dozen years, she met her own larger-than-life hero in Chemistry class and after graduating college, they married and had three daring, creative children. In the intervening years, her passion for writing was mostly satisfied by writing advertising copy, technical briefs, and working for non-profits. As her oldest daughter graduated college, Susie took the creative leap and began writing full-time. She now has nearly a dozen published novels and the ideas for countless more.

Sign up for her newsletter for a chance to read her next book early and receive information on discounted prices and free books!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Newsletter

My Review

Her thrilling fling is a fake relationship romance. I do enjoy this kind of romance, but finding a reason for them that works is often hard. In this case, Pearla gets Lucas to be her pretend lover for a number of dates after his sister causes some difficulties at the newspaper Pearla owns and runs. Wanting to protect his sister, then the very private Lucas, is willing to spend time with journalist Pearla.

We hear a lot about how Lucas and Pearla are opposites and in some ways this is true. Lucas is money-driven and very private, while for Pearla her job is about what she does rather than what she can make from it. Even so this couple do seem to work well together and their relationship doesn't seem forced or unnatural.

I wasn't completely drawn into this world, possibly my problem rather than the book itself. It just didn't leave me desperate to find out what was going to happen next. Might just have been my frame of mind though. It was an interesting read and I'm sure that lots of people will really love it.

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StrangeLove - T.L Bradford

 

StrangeLove
T.L. Bradford
Publication date: April 18th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

Archer

The year began great for me.

Became the starting quarterback for an NFL team – check.
Secured a multi-million-dollar contract – check.
Moved to LA and lived the glamorous life – check.

What could possibly cause me any issues?
Oh yeah, one more thing. I’m gay.

I was outed a couple of years ago to my former team and my family, but it hasn’t been made public knowledge yet. Well, that is, until now. I’ll be known as the first LGBTQ+ active player in the league’s history. And if I stick to the conditions of my contract, it won’t be a problem. The thing is, I’m not really a guy known for playing by the rules.

Most people think of my personality as the three B’s: bold, brash, and blunt. My mouth has gotten me into more predicaments than I can count. Even my best friends have told me I’m stubborn as a mule and have the delicacy of a bull in a china shop. This presents a big problem for me because I have my eyes set on winning over the guy who stole my heart years ago, only he doesn’t know it yet.

Getting his attention is going to be challenging. It’s a good thing I’m tenacious.
Unfortunately, it’s not great timing and could get me into a whole mess of trouble.
Why does falling for a guy need to be anyone’s business but mine?

Kai

The past couple of years were a whirlwind of activity. My career took off after my guest shot appearance in Americana. I appeared in a few indie features and finally got a shot at my first major motion picture release. The work came as a great distraction from my personal life, which took a further nosedive after I found out the guy I was falling for had already fallen for someone else.

Why should I be surprised? He was another in a string of failed relationship attempts. I swore I wouldn’t get involved with anyone else, choosing to stay focused on my career instead. That is, until the force of nature known as Archer McMillan came storming into my life.

To be the pursued instead of the pursuer was not in the cards. To top it off, he’s everything I’m not. Yet, there’s something to be said for a guy who can make you laugh when it’s the last thing you want to be doing. I’ll admit he’s got a playful and determined spirit. Archer also has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I’ve ever known. Not the mention the cute way he… Hold on. What am I doing? We cannot be a thing. Nope. Not gonna happen. Ever. Right?

**

Follow Kai and Archer as they cross the lines as friends, partners-in-crime, and confidants, to discover a love beyond boundaries that needs no definition.

(StrangeLove is a funny, heartwarming, slow-burn love story. It contains a cast of fully developed characters that encounter romance, laughter, and life lessons. It contains adult language, mature themes, and is best enjoyed by those over the age of 18. It can be read as a standalone; however, if you would like to know the backstories of some characters, check out the prior books in the series.)

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Author Bio:

T.L. always hated math, so it was a good thing she had a way with words. Since she was a shy and quirky kid; words were her best friends. She would imagine entire worlds in her head and talk to herself endlessly. Her mother wondered if she was speaking with ghosts for a while.

Her older sister was a voracious reader of trashy romance novels and would pass them down to her after she had finished them. T.L. was the only 10-year-old kid sitting in class reading “The Stud” by Jackie Collins during reading time. Oddly enough, she never got called out on it.

As she grew older, her tastes evolved, but one thing held fast; her undying attachment to love stories. One day out of the blue, she decided to write the love stories she always wanted to read instead of searching for her story. Since then, writing has been a dream fulfilled for her and she could not be happier.

She enjoys writing about love, regardless of gender and is a proud supporter of the LGBTQ community.

T.L. calls the Pacific Northwest her home and enjoys the quiet rural life of her little oceanside home with her playful/crazy husband and their giant dog Noah.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub

My Review

StrangeLove is actually the third book in the Young Americans series. While I haven't read the previous books, this one works as a standalone. I gather that the same characters do appear in all of the books, but I don't think that I was missing much by not having read the first. This story was particularly about this couple, which the previous two books weren't.

Kai and Archer are opposites, but there is something that draws them to one another. Archer, an American Football player is a macho mans-man, while Kai is a dancer. When they get together though, it soon becomes clear that for whatever reason they just work.

I did enjoy this romance. Kai and Archer were sweet together, although I didn't entirely buy all of the reasons that they had for avoiding their relationship in the first place seemed a little stretched at points, but there were some real obstacles that they had to overcome. Some of the other characters are a little mean to Archer, his 'friends' early on in the book and later Kai's family, I didn't really enjoy that aspect if I'm honest. He doesn't let it get him down though. 

For me, the book was a little bit long. I felt that the whole story could have been told in one book. While we're not left on a cliffhanger here, there really is a great deal still for this couple to work through and work out. I just think that everything could have been wrapped up a little sooner without too much difficulty, by shortening some other aspects.

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Garden of Secrets - Suzanne Kelman

 1940, England: A heart-breaking, unforgettable and powerful story about love, wartime secrets, and betrayal. Perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen’s The Victory Garden and Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale.

When Anya is sent to rural England to work as a spy, she’s glad to escape a terrifying situation at home in war-torn Russia. But as she settles into life as a land girl, she fears she’s made a terrible mistake.

With her life at risk every day, she can only turn to her fellow informer, Nikolai, who she finds herself impossibly drawn to. They both desperately want to join the fight against the Nazis and when they are told Russia has switched allegiance, they start to believe their love might stand a chance.

But no one can ever know their secret history, and being together puts them in the gravest danger. So they devise a plan. If they’re ever separated, they will find their way back to each other. They just have to follow a series of secret coded messages. Clues no one else could possibly understand. Starting with a small key, left in the place that has become most precious to them: the secret garden.

Now, England: When Laura agrees to restore a beautiful garden in the grounds of an English stately home she sees the opportunity for a new start, away from heartbreak. But when she finds a box buried under the weeping willow tree, she is spellbound by its contents – a key and a cryptic note. As she begins to piece together the fragments of a love story that stretches across wartime Europe, Laura doesn’t realise it, but she is embarking on an unforgettable journey. One which will change her own life forever.

Author Bio:

Suzanne Kelman is a 2015 Academy of Motion Pictures Nicholl Finalist, Multi-Award-Winning Screenwriter and a Film Producer. As well as working in film she is also an International Amazon Bestselling Fiction Author of the Southlea Bay Series – The Rejected Writers’ Book Club, Rejected Writers Take the Stage and The Rejected Writers’ Christmas Wedding. Born in the United Kingdom, she now resides in Washington State.

https://www.suzannekelmanauthor.com/

https://www.facebook.com/suzkelman

https://www.instagram.com/suzkelman/

https://twitter.com/suzkelman

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B09RGD1VMWsocial

Audio:

UK: zpr.io/ZHdEfdPFKNie
US: zpr.io/hyTY6z7Us5Jd

Listen to a sample here:

https://soundcloud.com/bookouture/garden-of-secrets-by-suzanne-kelman-narrated-by-alison-campbell

My Review

I've read quite a few books set during or just after the second world war recently, this one is a little different. Set mostly in England, it tells the story of a pair of Russian spies who first come over to the country when Russia is still on the side of the Nazis. Neither of them is particularly passionate about their cause but they have their own reasons for having left their homeland on this dangerous mission.

At the same time, we have the modern-day story of Laura, who has recently separated from her boyfriend. She also carries the scars, mentally at least, of an accident that happened when she was just a child. As she starts to renovate the walled garden at a stately home, she uncovers a seventy-five-year-old mystery.

I enjoyed both of the stories in this book, both the modern-day one and the spy story from during the war. There is a certain bittersweet ending to the older story and while I could see where it was going, I did hope that it might not quite play out the way that it did. While I enjoyed the modern-day story, I was a little disappointed with how incredibly passive the main female character was. At one point, she simply stands by mutely, not speaking up about the way that she feels or what's happening. While things do resolve themselves eventually, I am a little over these doormat women, who seem to think being quiet is a virtue. Give me some fire!

This was a good read overall and one that I enjoyed. 

The Pilots Girl - Catherine Hokin

 ‘Smile, nod, and don’t breathe a word of what happens here. Or I’ll put you on the next train to Auschwitz myself.’

Four years later. Hanni Winter shivers in her thin coat as she hurries through the empty Berlin streets to her job. Despite the freezing winter and poverty all around, her cheeks flush when she meets the man she is photographing today, charismatic Tony Miller, the American pilot risking his life to bring food and provisions to the starving people of the city. But her rush of joy turns to ash as she sees the man behind him…

It’s been years since Hanni fled her terrible past, but seeing Reiner Foss now brings back harrowing memories of the man they called The Showman, and of the concentration camp he commanded. The last time she tried to expose him, Hanni almost died, can she dare to try again? Or should she seize the chance she sees in Tony’s sparkling eyes to leave the horrors of the war behind?

Hanni is no longer the frightened child she was when the Nazis devastated her life beyond repair. She vows to avenge every person who suffered at Reiner’s hands. But does her attraction to Tony leave her vulnerable? Can Hanni protect her loved ones from her past, or will the cost of fighting her demons ultimately prove more than she can pay?

A devastating novel about finding the strength to survive when all hope seems lost. Fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and The Tattooist of Auschwitz grab your tissues and dive into this heartbreaking story.

Author Bio:

Catherine Hokin is the author of several World War Two inspired novels set in Berlin, her favourite city. Following a History degree at Manchester University she worked in teaching, marketing and politics, while waiting for a chance to do what she really wanted, which was to write full time. Her short stories have been published by iScot, Writers Forum and Myslexia magazines and she was the winner of the 2019 Fiction 500 Short Story Competition. She is a lover of strong female leads and a quest.

Catherine now lives in Glasgow with her American husband. She has two grown-up children – one of whom lives, very conveniently, in Berlin – and a lifelong addiction to very loud music.

https://www.catherinehokin.com/

https://www.facebook.com/cathokin/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

https://www.instagram.com/cathokinauthor/

https://twitter.com/cathokin

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B09QT63TQRsocial

My Review

I loved the first book in this series, The Commandant's Daughter so I was really excited to read The Pilot's Girl when I got the chance. I'm pleased to report that my anticipation was not misplaced and I really enjoyed this second book too.

We join Hanni and Freddy a year or so after the events of the first book. Hanni is still working for the police as a photographer when she is able and she is still looking over her shoulder with fear that her father may at any moment move against her and bring her world crashing down. Freddy is of course, still coming to terms with all that he lost during the war and how he lives on with his family all gone. The two of them are still very much in love, but unable to act on that or take things further. Thrown into this is another murder, this one praying on seemingly unconnected people, strangling them and leaving them as though laid out peacefully. Together Hanni and Freddy must try and work out who is behind all of this death and put an end to it.

I love historical murder mysteries, particularly if, like this one there is a romantic element, especially one that just simmers beneath the surface. The story here is gripping and post-war Berlin is not something I've given a great deal of thought to. Following the lives of the people who inhabit it though, in the pages of this book, you can't help but be drawn into their world. 

I loved this book and found both the murder mystery and the elements of the story that had more to do with our characters' ongoing struggles and hopes gripping. A fantastic read. 

The Killer's Family - Miranda Smith

 We should never have kept our father’s secret.

Before, my sisters and I were close. Now, a year after our father’s funeral, we barely speak to each other. Molly won’t accept the truth. Rachel can’t forgive him. And I spend all my time digging through his life, trying to understand.

Then we hear the news. A woman has been found by the docks, her wedding ring stolen. The reporter says it appears the local serial killer has returned…

But I know that can’t be right, because I know who the killer was.

Henry Martin. Our father.

Someone is sending us a message. Someone knows we lied.

Now my sisters and I must work together to find out who is targeting us. How do they know what we’ve hidden? What do they want? And what other secrets lie buried in the past, putting us all in danger?

A brilliantly twisty suspense thriller that will have you flying through the pages and gasping at the twist. Fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn and Ruth Ware will love The Killer’s Family.

Author Bio:

Miranda Smith writes psychological and domestic suspense. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Before completing her first novel, she worked as a newspaper staff writer and a secondary English teacher. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three young children.

https://mirandasmithwriter.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MirandaSmithAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/mirandasmithwriter/

https://twitter.com/msmithbooks

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B09PNCZLXWsocial

Audio:

UK: zpr.io/qPEadvnqDRpW
US: zpr.io/7vStXMteEU2s

Listen to a sample here:

https://soundcloud.com/bookouture/the-killers-family-by-miranda-smith-narrated-by-lauryn-allmannick

My Review

I loved the idea of this book. So many stories are told either from the point of view of the victim or whoever it is trying to get to the bottom of things, sometimes from the murderer themselves. This time though, we have the family of the murderer. A family who never knew what was going on.
I really enjoyed seeing the story unfold through their eyes. Both as they tried to come to terms with what their family member has done, but also because the same story seems to be playing out again now.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this book. I honestly thought I'd got it all figured out and that I wasn't going to be fooled. I was wrong. I didn't see it coming at all, which I actually really enjoyed. (Especially as I'd been feeling so smug about it all.)
This was a gripping read and one that I got through really quickly, mostly because I really didn't want to put it down.
If you're looking for a read that will keep you on the edge of your seat with something a little different then you won't go far wrong here.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.