PAGE~TURNERS: May 2021

Sunday, May 30, 2021

GOING GREEK

MY THOUGHTS:

Are you ready for a staycation? Let Sue Roberts’ book Going Greek propel you to the Greek Isles. This fun light read, will have you packing your bags and jet setting to Greece.

When a work party goes terribly wrong, Samantha suddenly finds herself unemployed. After exhausting efforts to avoid the paparazzi, she decides to take up her sister’s offer and visit her in Greece. She feels the time away from London will do her some good. Sam travels to Greece and leaves her life in London behind. Sam is completely absorbed in the Greek island and is enjoying the beautiful countryside, and time with her sister and nieces. Sam meets Spyros, an attractive young local man who offers to show her around the island. Then Sam’s friend Aaron from London arrives in Greece. Sam finds herself in unfamiliar territory and forced to make a decision to stay in Greece with Spyros and enjoy the simple laid back life, or return to London with Aaron. Where does she fit in and which place is the best for her? This light summer read will have you feeling like you are experiencing Greece for yourself, as the description of the island is very detailed, you can almost smell the flowers.

This entertaining and engaging read was fun and the characters were so much fun to connect with. Thank you Sue Roberts for this fantastic read. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

GOING GREEK

Author: Sue Roberts
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: May 28, 2021
Pages: 258
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Sun, sea and a sizzling romance… the perfect holiday, right? Wrong.
After a work party gone disastrously wrong, Samantha suddenly finds herself jobless and jilted. So when her sister invites Sam to stay at her little whitewashed farmhouse on a Greek island, Sam leaps at the chance to escape. Before long, she’s trundling up the cobbled driveway, almost colliding with sexy neighbour Spyros.
It isn’t all sunshine and smiles though. For every afternoon spent lounging by the pool, cocktail in hand, there is a morning spent adjusting to life with boisterous six-year-old nieces. When Spyros invites Sam to explore the island with him she’s tempted, but with his carefree, live-for-the-moment attitude, he couldn’t be more different to Sam with her five-year plans and high-maintenance hair. One drink, as friends, couldn’t hurt though? Over glasses of fruity Greek wine and honey-sweet baklava, can he – and the other charming locals – help city girl Sam to appreciate the simple pleasures the Greek life has to offer?
Just as Sam is considering ditching her designer gear for good though, she runs in to an old flame from home, and suddenly her London life comes hurtling back. Can her smooth-talking ex convince Sam to return to the concrete jungle, or will the lessons she’s learned from her Greek escape persuade her to stay?

ABOUT SUE ROBERTS

Sue Roberts lives in Lancashire with her long term partner Derek and has had a lifelong love of writing, encouraged by winning a school writing competition at the age of 11.

She always assumed that ‘one day’ she would write a book, always having a busy household and a job, the idea remained firmly on the back burner but never forgotten.

The inspiration for her first novel came to her on a holiday to a Greek village. Her daughters had left home and suddenly the time had come to write that book!

Saturday, May 29, 2021

THE NEW ME

MY THOUGHTS:

Elizabeth Neep is a new to me author and I really enjoyed her writing style. The New Me was such a fun, light-hearted, read. Loved it!

Anna is a very busy bride to be, busy with her job as a realtor and planning her wedding. Marley is Anna’s best friend and made of honor. And then Anna receives a phone call from a very posh wedding venue. An opening comes available at the Hyde Hotel and that is Anna’s most favorite place to get married. But when Anna is stuck at work and can’t go see the venue, she calls on Marley to go see it for her. So, Marley does as Anna asks. She goes to the Hyde Hotel and meets with the manager. The hotel manager, Cameron, assumes that she is the blushing bride Anna, and Marley doesn’t correct him. As he is showing her around, he introduces Marley as Anna to some of the employees. Marley doesn’t seem to mind being Anna, because she thinks Anna has the perfect life, a successful career, a beautiful home, and is and soon to be married to the perfect guy. But Marley becomes smitten for Cameron, and he thinks she is someone else. How will Marley ever wiggle her way out of this mix-up without loosing her chance at true love? This light-hearted read is sure to put a smile on your face as it has all the feels.

This entertaining and engaging read was simply fun and amazing. The well developed characters, will soon be pulled into your circle of friends. Thank you Elizabeth Neep for this fantastic read. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

THE NEW ME

Author: Elizabeth Neep
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: May 27, 2021
Pages: 311
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What if you meet the love of your life, but he thinks you’re someone else?
Anna and Marley are best friends. So when Anna rings Marley, panicking because she has to miss a tour of an exclusive wedding venue, Marley agrees to go in her friend’s place.
After being totally ignored by the glamorous receptionist who can tell she doesn’t belong there, Marley meets handsome hotel manager Cameron. He assumes she’s Anna and instead of admitting that she’s not the blushing bride, but the unlucky-in-love single friend, Marley plays along to see what it’s like to be Anna for a day.
After all, Marley is unemployed, single and was woken up that morning by her flatmate playing the bagpipes. Anna has a high-flying career and is planning the perfect wedding. Why wouldn’t Marley want to be her?
Only she wasn’t counting on Cameron being so smart and funny. Or this spark between them that she can’t ignore. She hasn’t felt this way about a guy in forever. But he thinks she’s somebody better.
Marley needs a way out of this mix-up to get her shot at true love. But her fictional fiancé is now standing in her way and it’s harder than she thought to stop living someone else’s life…

ABOUT ELIZABETH NEEP

Elizabeth Neep was born in 1990 in Derbyshire and now lives in London Bridge. After studying Law at the University of Nottingham and the University of New South Wales, she worked in magazine journalism, most noticeably writing for Dazed and Confused and PETRIe. Elizabeth now works as a non-fiction Senior Commissioning Editor and writes and paints in her spare time.

Thursday, May 27, 2021

AMERICA’S WIFE

MY THOUGHTS:

America’s Wife is the second book in the America’s Daughter Trilogy. After reading the first book in the trilogy America’s Daughter I was over the moon excited to dive into this one, and I absolutely loved it.

It’s 1776 and Addie’s world has completely changed since her privileged life in Boston. The Revolutionary War rages on and Addie’s brothers and the love of her life, Silas, are in the middle of the fight. They are fighting to shape the country that they know and love. But when Silas doesn’t return from the Battle of Monmouth, Addie leaves the safety net of Washington’s camp and goes into the battlefield searching for him. When Addie receives word that Silas has been captured and is being held by the British, she makes it her mission to bring Silas home. But, then when Addie is searching for Silas she comes face to face with John Traverne, a man she can’t seem to forget, she soon finds herself in an impossible situation of love and war, having to choose between two men that hold a special place in her heart.

This extraordinary and engaging read was absolutely amazing. The well developed characters, and phenomenal storyline will have you flying through the pages. But, keep your Kleenex box nearby because you will surely need it. Thank you Celeste De Blasis for this fantastic read, I loved everything about this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

AMERICA’S WIFE

Author: Celeste De Blasis
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: May 26, 2021
Pages: 524
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1776. Addie’s world has changed beyond recognition. From her privileged position amongst Boston’s elite, she has embraced a dangerous new life with the American Revolutionary Army. While childhood sweetheart Silas risks all on the front lines, Addie waits anxiously for news. And when Silas does not return from the Battle of Monmouth, her worst fears come true.
Without thinking, Addie takes a horse and scours the now-calm battlefield for Silas, until word arrives that he has been captured by the British. And worse, by the troop of Scottish Highlanders led by the brooding general John Traverne. Addie hasn’t seen the powerfully built Loyalist soldier since she chose the Revolutionary cause over her own heart, and hearing his name sends butterflies to her stomach, even as she is filled with worry for Silas.
Disregarding her own safety, Addie leaves Washington’s camp and travels deep into enemy territory, determined to bring Silas home. But when she comes face to face with John Traverne once more, the feelings she has tried so hard to bury resurface and she must choose between the man she has pledged her life to, and the man whose dark eyes haunt her dreams. When Addie finally returns to her own camp, she carries a secret that could cost her everything she has fought for…

ABOUT CELESTE DE BLASIS

Millions of readers have fallen under the spell of the lush, enthralling and bestselling novels by Celeste De Blasis. Tales of adventure and romance set against the sweep of history—all are storytelling at its finest. After graduating from Pomona College, Celeste devoted her life to impeccable research and spellbinding writing. A native Californian, Celeste grew up on the historic Kemper Campbell Ranch in the Mojave Desert, where she lived until her death in 2001.

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Monday, May 24, 2021

THE SECRETARY

MY THOUGHTS:

This fast-paced World War II novel is a must read for all historical fiction fans. The author quickly transports you to Berlin and sends you back in time, with the flip of a page.

Magda is The Secretary working in The Tower House during the Second World War, she is living a double life and is storing up and smuggling secrets out of her office. But, she is determined to keep the man whom she secretly loves safe. Fast forward forty years later when Nina, Magda’s granddaughter, is in Berlin with a fake passport in her hand, some bank notes and a piece of paper with a scribbled address of The Tower House. When Nina locates and enters The Tower House where her Grandmother Magda also walked those same hallways all those years ago, so many things are revealed to her. Nina is so much like her Grandmother, that it is almost as if you are reading about the same person. This story was so well written and researched, that it is not only a history lesson, but so descriptive that you forget your reading a book and feel you are watching an entertaining movie playing out in your minds eye.

This extraordinary and engaging read was absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed this time-slip novel and I cannot recommend it enough…absolutely, heart-stopping amazing. Thank you Catherine Hokin for this outstanding read, loved it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

THE SECRETARY

Author: Catherine Hokin
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: May 24, 2021
Pages: 354
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The Tower House. Down a secluded path, hidden by overgrown vines, the crumbling villa echoes with memories. Of the family who laughed and sang there, until the Nazis tore them from their home. And of the next woman to walk its empty rooms, whose courage in the face of evil could alter the course of history…
Germany 1940. As secretary to the leader of the SS, Magda spends her days sending party invitations to high-ranking Nazis, and her evenings distributing pamphlets for the resistance. But Magda is leading a dangerous double life, smuggling secrets out of the office. It’s a deadly game, and eventual exposure is a certainty, but Magda is driven by a need to keep the man she secretly loves safe as he fights against the Nazis…
Forty years later. Nina’s heart pounds as she steps into an uncertain future carrying a forged passport, a few bank notes, and a scribbled address for The Tower House taken from an intricate drawing she found hidden in her grandmother’s wardrobe. Separated from her family and betrayed by her country, Nina’s last hope is to trace her family’s history in the ruins of the past her grandmother ran from. But, when she finally finds the abandoned house, she opens the door to a forgotten story, and to secrets which will change everything: past, present, and future…

ABOUT CATHERINE HOKIN

Catherine Hokin is the author of two 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 life long addiction to very loud music.

Saturday, May 22, 2021

DUST

MY THOUGHTS:

This story was very captivating from the first page to the last. It is a well written contemplative story, that will leave you with lots of thoughts running through your head long after you close the book.

Allison Middleton is nineteen years old when she is proposed to by Westley Houser. She immediately accepts even though she doesn’t know much about his past, but soon finds out about his secret, a daughter that he has. Allison raises Westley’s daughter Michelle, as if she were her own. As their life together as a family unfolds, Allison struggles with the challenges that life throws at her. But through personal inner strength, they make it through the trials and tribulations of life. As Allison becomes a grandmother, she reminisces on all the steps her life has taken, and how different things may have been for her, had she made different choices. This story of reflection and the type of legacy you leave of your life, is one that will truly stay with you.

I really liked this story and I recommend this great read. It was amazing to me how relatable the characters were in this story. Thank you Eva Marie Everson for such a fantastic read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

DUST

Author: Eva Marie Emerson
Publisher: Firefly Southern Fiction
Publication Date: March 23, 2021
Pages: 481
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Can an ordinary life leave an extraordinary legacy?
In 1977, when nineteen-year-old Allison Middleton receives a proposal of marriage from Westley Houser, she eagerly accepts, having no idea the secret Westley carries—a secret that will change Allison’s life forever. But Allison rises to the challenge of raising Westley’s toddling daughter as though she were her own.
Over the course of their lifetime together, Allison, Westley, and Michelle form the strong bond of family. As Allison struggles with infertility and finding her way during a time of great change for women, others—some she knows and others whom she never meets—brush and weave against the fabric of her life, leaving her with more questions than answers.
From teen bride to grandmother, Allison’s life chronicles the ups and downs of an ordinary woman’s life to examine the value of what we all leave behind.

ABOUT EVA MARIE EVERSON

Eva Marie Everson is a multiple-award winning author and speaker who hails from the picturesque Southern town of Sylvania, Georgia. She is president of Word Weavers International, director of Florida Christian Writers Conference, Managing Editor at Firefly Southern Fiction, and enjoys coaching new authors through her company, Pen in Hand. She is an avid photographer who enjoys turning her photos into inspiring memes for you to share (with proper attribution). Eva Marie and her husband make their home in Central Florida. They are the parents of three fabulous children who have blessed them with the world’s greatest grandchildren.

A LETTER TO THE LAST HOUSE BEFORE THE SEA

MY THOUGHTS:

This is the second installment of the Heaven’s Cove Series. It was such a fast-paced and enjoyable read, I couldn’t put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author quickly propels you to the edge of the sea to Heaven’s Cove.

Lettie Starcross wanders aimlessly through the cobblestone streets of Heaven’s Cove. After her Great Aunt Iris passes away, Lettie feels so lost. Lettie felt as if Aunt Iris was the only person her life that understood her and the only person in her family that she could connect with. So, when Aunt Iris leaves a letter with a key for Lettie the mystery begins. Lettie feels as if her life has purpose knowing that she has to find out what the key unlocks. But, when Lettie meets Corey, a local fisherman, the sparks fly between them, and once again Lettie finds herself in unfamiliar territory. Lettie is torn between Corey, her family and finding what Aunt Iris wanted her to know. Heaven’s Cove, is definitely a place to visit and once you are there, it’s not a place you will want to leave anytime soon. This is a story of family, love, romance and the beauty of a small town.

I really enjoyed the story of Corey’s Grandmother and also loved the dog Buster. So many great people in this story. I enjoyed this heartwarming, lovely book very much, and the reminder of never knowing what life will throw at you. I was so engrossed with the story and meeting all the residence of the town. This unputdownable read had me flying through the pages, not wanting it to end. I loved every page of this story. Thank you Liz Eeles for this fantastic read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

A LETTER TO THE LAST HOUSE BEFORE THE SEA

Author: Liz Eeles
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: May 19, 2021
Pages: 317
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High on the clifftops, Lettie takes a deep breath of salty air and opens the letter. There is no signature, and the old-fashioned handwriting is faint against the yellowed paper. The message, and the tiny gold key inside, will turn her life upside down…
Lettie Starcross makes her way along the cobbled streets of Heaven’s Cove, clutching a little key and searching for answers about her kind, twinkly-eyed Great Aunt Iris, whom she misses terribly. With no job back home, and no-one in her family understanding how adrift she feels, Lettie wonders if her aunt was lonely just like her – is that why she fled this pretty seaside village years ago and never returned?
Staying at Driftwood House where Iris lived, now a cosy B&B, Lettie can almost hear Iris’s laughter on the breeze. And when she locks eyes with brooding fisherman Corey as he’s singing a haunting sea shanty in the local tavern, the sparks that fly between them are a welcome distraction from her grief.
But everything changes when Lettie meets Corey’s grandmother. Hearing the name ‘Iris Starcross’, her wrinkled face turns pale. Then she tells Lettie a devastating secret: seventy years ago, a choice Iris made tore apart this tight-knit community.
Heartbroken, Lettie questions if she ever really understood her beloved aunt – and if Corey knew about this shocking rift all along. So when her sister calls begging her to come home, Lettie is torn. If she stays to find what the key unlocks, can she discover the truth about what Iris did – and fight for her own fresh start? Or will she be the next Starcross woman to run from Heaven’s Cove forever?

ABOUT LIZ EELES

Liz began her writing career as a journalist and press officer before deciding that she’d rather have the freedom of making things up as a novelist.
Being short-listed in the Corvus ‘Love at First Write’ competition and the Novelicious search for a new women’s fiction star gave Liz the push she needed to keep putting pen to paper …. and ‘Annie’s Holiday by the Sea’ (her first published novel) is the result.
Liz lives on the South Coast with her family and, when she’s not writing, likes to spend time walking by the sea, and trying to meditate. Her ambition is to be serene one day …. she’s still got a long way to go.
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Friday, May 21, 2021

THE ORCHARD HOUSE

MY THOUGHTS:

Little Women is my absolute, hands down most favorite novel ever. So I knew The Orchard House was going to be a huge hit for me. I thoroughly enjoyed this time slip novel.

The relationship between the two best friends Taylor and Victoria was very heartwarming and I equally liked the friendship between Louisa and Johanna. Johanna takes a job in Concord helping Louisa’s aging parents. Shortly after arriving at Orchard House Johanna meets Nathan Bancroft. Johanna falls in love with him and accepts his proposal, brushing aside Louisa’s warnings of him. The story of the happenings in their lives was believable and completely realistic. This is a story of the past, present and future generations, the importance of friendship and family and the need for forgiveness.

I loved the dual timeline, and the way the author merged them together was so amazing. The flow ness of the stories was both enthralling and entertaining. The characters were well developed and the way the author transports you to not only 1865 but makes you feel like you are actually in Concord, Massachusetts. Well done Heidi Chiavaroli, this book was an extraordinary read and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

THE ORCHARD HOUSE

Author: Heidi Chiavaroli
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Publication Date: February 9, 2021
Pages: 410
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Two women, one living in present day Massachusetts and another in Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House soon after the Civil War, overcome their own personal demons and search for a place to belong.
2001
Abandoned by her own family, Taylor is determined not to mess up her chance at joining the home of her best friend, Victoria Bennett. But despite attending summer camp at Louisa May Alcott’s historic Orchard House with Victoria and sharing dreams of becoming famous authors, Taylor struggles to fit in. As she enters college and begins dating, it feels like Taylor is finally finding her place and some stability . . . until Victoria’s betrayal changes everything.
1865
While Louisa May Alcott is off traveling the world, Johanna Suhre accepts a job tending Louisa’s aging parents and their home in Concord. Soon after arriving at Orchard House, Johanna meets Nathan Bancroft and, ignoring Louisa’s words of caution, falls in love and accepts Nathan’s proposal. But before long, Johanna experiences her husband’s dark side, and she can’t hide the bruises that appear.
2019
After receiving news of Lorraine Bennett’s cancer diagnosis, Taylor knows she must return home to see her adoptive mother again. Now a successful author, Taylor is determined to spend little time in Concord. Yet she becomes drawn into the story of a woman who lived there centuries before. And through her story, Taylor may just find forgiveness and a place to belong.

ABOUT HEIDI CHIAVAROLI

Heidi Chiavaroli (pronounced shev-uh-roli…sort of like Chevrolet and ravioli mushed together!) wrote her first story in third grade, titled I’d Cross the Desert for Milk. It wasn’t until years later that she revisited writing, using her two small boys’ nap times to pursue what she thought at the time was a foolish dream. Despite a long road to publication, she hasn’t stopped writing since!

Heidi writes women’s fiction, combining her love of history and literature to write split time stories. Her debut novel, Freedom’s Ring, was a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist, a Romantic Times Top Pick and a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut. Heidi loves exploring places that whisper of historical secrets, especially with her family. She loves running, hiking, baking, and dates with her high-school sweetheart and husband of seventeen years. Her latest dual timeline novel, The Orchard House, is inspired by the lesser-known events in Louisa May Alcott’s life. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.

Heidi is represented by the Natasha Kern Literary Agency.