Blog Tour Book Review & Giveaway: The Lost Child, by Ann Troup

 Mandy Miller disappeared from Hallow’s End when she was just 3 years old. She was never found.

Thirty years on, Elaine Ellis is carrying her mother’s ashes back to Hallow’s End to scatter them in the place that she once called home. Elaine has never been there, but it’s the only place Jean talked about while she was growing up – so it seems as good a place as any.

As Elaine settles into her holiday cottage in the peaceful Devonshire village, she gets to know the locals; family she never knew she had, eccentric and old-fashioned gentry, and new friends where she would least expect them. But she is intrigued by the tale of the missing girl that the village still carries at its heart, and which somehow continues to overshadow them all. Little does she know how much more involved in the mystery she will become…

Book Review: We Are All Made of Stars, by Rowan Coleman

What if you had just one chance, one letter you could leave behind for the person you love? 
What would you write?

Stella Carey has good reason to only work nights at the hospice where she is a nurse. Married to a war veteran who has returned from Afghanistan brutally injured, Stella leaves the house each night as her husband Vincent, locks himself away, unable to sleep due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

During her nights at the hospice, Stella writes letters for her patients containing their final wishes, thoughts and feelings – from how to use a washing machine, to advice on how to be a good parent – and usually she delivers each letter to the recipient he or she has died.

That is until Stella writes one letter that she feels compelled to deliver in time to give her patient one final chance of redemption…

Book Review: Summer at Castle Stone, by Lynn Marie Hulsman

This summer, lose your heart in Ireland…

Shayla Sheridan’s a New York native born into big city luxury, but she’s never really fitted in with the “it” crowd. Desperate to make it as a writer and to finally step out from her famous father’s shadow, Shayla decides to take on a tricky assignment across the pond…

Swapping skyscrapers and heels for wellies and the heart of the Irish countryside, Shayla must go about ghost-writing a book of recipes by the notoriously reclusive and attractive head chef of Castle Stone, Tom O’Grady.

The only problem? He has no idea that she’s writing it.

Harper Impulse Fortnight: Guest Post, Giveaway & Excerpt, by Lisa Fox

Unfortunately, I had an absolute nightmare with my internet connection over the last few days, so no blog posts scheduled properly and my drafts were deleted. Therefore, while Harper Impulse Fortnight ended yesterday, I must apologise for the delay in introducing my last wonderful guest, Harper Impulse author, Lisa Fox.  (Check out Books With Bunny for more about Harper Impulse Fortnight, or the #HIfortnight hashtag on Twitter!)

Book Review: Just The Way You Are, by Lynsey James

Dear Ava,
How do you start writing a letter to someone, six years after breaking their heart?

Ava is unlucky in love as well as in life. The new office bitch has landed the dating column Ava wanted, and she can’t remember the last time she had a second date. It’s a good thing she has best friends Max and Gwen to pick up the pieces.

Deep down, Ava knows the reason why one date never turns into two – she’s in love with someone else. Someone she’s never even met.

It all started six years ago, with a letter from a secret admirer, Mr Writer…but then they suddenly stopped and Ava was heartbroken.

Now the letters have started again and Ava knows it could mean winning back the dating column at work. This time she’s determined to unmask Mr Writer…and find out once and for all if he’s Mr Right or Mr Very Definitely Wrong!

Book Review: Truly Madly Greekly, by Mandy Baggot

Sun, sea and a sexy stranger – a whole lot of fun just got a lot more complicated.  

Capable, confident and career-driven, Ellen had her dream job and a marriage proposal from boyfriend Ross. Life was good, her future set. Until it wasn’t and everything fell apart… 

Whisked off to the beautiful island of Corfu to plan her sister Lacey’s big, fat, Greek wedding, Ellen is hoping some time out will help clear her head and heal her heart. But letting go of her past is not going to be easy. 

With Lacey in full on Bridezilla mode, Ellen is soon distracted from her own problems. And when the all-inclusive treats on offer at hotel Blue Vue include one gorgeous, brooding Adonis – Yan – Ellen finds him difficult to resist. 

But Ellen isn’t looking for love or lust, or anything involving too much ouzo…or is she?

Harper Impulse Fortnight Guest Post: Writer’s Space by Lynn Marie Hulsman

As part of Harper Impulse Fortnight, I’m thrilled to host Lynn Marie Hulsman, Harper Impulse author, on the Book Nook today, talking about writer’s space. (Check out Books With Bunny for more about Harper Impulse Fortnight, or follow the #HIfortnight hashtag on Twitter!)

Monthly Wrap Up: April 2015

April was both a busy and quiet month for me. I feel like I was constantly on the go with barely a free moment, and yet when I look back, I honestly couldn’t tell you what I’ve been up to or what I’ve achieved! But my head feels like it’s ready to explode from how hectic the last few weeks have been. Most free time has probably been spent trying to catch up with family, especially with my gorgeous little bro in the mix now. I’m still pretty much in awe of him, I can’t get over how wonderful he is and I want to spend every moment I can with him.

Mr & I have also got a little bit addicted to Pretty Little Liars – something I’d started after recommendations from friends as something to have on in the background, particularly when home alone, but we were quickly sucked in and are now well in to Season 3, in less than two weeks of watching it!! We’d previously binge-watched all 7 series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so needed something to fill the void that had left in our hearts. (Although I like to watch Once More With Feeling about once a week still, and listen to the soundtrack most days just to hear Spike sing…*ahem*)

So overall, crazy-busy without much really happening!

Harper Impulse Fortnight

April 27th – May 10th is Harper Impulse fortnight. I’ll put my hands up and admit my involvement so far has been poor with only one post, but I have some lovely guest posts lined up for next week, so stay tuned, and don’t forget to check out the hashtag #HIfortnight on twitter to keep up to date with all the latest from the lovely authors and bloggers involved.

April in Books

April for me has been an awful month for reading, in the sense that I simply haven’t had anywhere near enough time to read. I feel like i’ve constantly been struggling to grab a few pages here and there, with no real time to sit back and enjoy a book. However, what I did read, was overall pretty damn awesome. A lovely splash of vintage from The Doris Day Vintage Film Club and The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance, and some fabulous summer reads in Truly Madly Greekly and Game of Scones. It was great getting into some holiday reads and feeling summery again (even if the weather hasn’t followed suit!)

    

Books Releases to Get Excited About in May

 

The Heir – May 5th 2015

How I Wonder What You Are – May 7th 2015

Just The Way You Are – May 8th 2015

We Are All Made Of Stars – May 21st 2015

Truly Madly Greekly – May 22nd 2015

Resistance is Futile – May 28th 2015

Books I Plan to Read in May 

If you read my March Wrap-up you may recall I planned to read a few of the books that have been sitting around my house forlornly for months on end. Unfortunately, this was not to be as I found myself struggling for time to read, so they are still staring at me from all corners of my home and judging me for not having the time to read them. Hopefully May will prove more relaxed, but we shall see. I’m not going to set my expectations too high incase the last month is anything to go by for this one, but here’s what I hope to manage:

     

What are you looking forward to this month?