Book Review: Dreaming of Verona

By Sara Steven

When Suzie is hired to accompany spoiled, abrasive Lady Alexandra Tedburn on an all-expenses paid holiday to Italy, she fears the trip will be a disaster.

But she soon discovers there’s more to Alex than shopping and tantrums, and she’s determined to help her realise her potential – against Alex’s authoritarian father’s wishes.

As they settle in Verona, Suzie can’t stop thinking about local artist Michael, who is still mourning the tragic death of his wife. With Suzie’s future uncertain, and Michael’s past holding him back, it seems there’s no hope for romance in the city of star-crossed lovers… or is there? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

When T.A. Williams writes something, the reader can only dream of becoming a character within the pages of it. The scenery alone becomes an instant must-do on a bucket list, and the places Suzie finds herself in while reading Dreaming of Verona was no exception! While it’s true that Suzie is the protagonist here, the places we’re taken to in a Williams novel becomes its very own larger-than-life character.

There is an unconventional feel to Suzie’s situation. In order for her to embark on a journey to Italy, she has to become Alexandra’s (Alex's) plus one. I really appreciated the unique story that propels Suzie forward into the unknown, and there were plenty of moments shared between Suzie and Alex that were funny and even shocking, making me laugh. They are definite opposites in personality which only adds to this unique friendship dynamic, in ways pushing each other beyond the limits of what they’re used to, driving the story into areas of discovery for both women.

The Suzie and Michael angle was a sweet one, yet along that road we’re introduced to other potential love interests that had me guessing as to who Suzie might end up with, if she ended up with anyone at all when it was all said and done. That was a surprising, uplifting message for not only Suzie, but for Alex, as well. That the status quo doesn’t have to define a person, that there is room to change and grow, on a person’s own terms. That really, Suzie doesn’t need Michael to define success in her life, and that ultimately, there was no rush.

It’s exciting to think that one or two small moments in life can completely change the course of life- and that is something that Suzie experiences, and it was hard not to feel that rush right along with her. A much-needed escape to a place full of beauty and anticipation, a world where there is a lot to look forward to, within a city which means “Truth.” Suzie finds her truth and then some, making this a five-star read from me!

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK
Amazon US

Author Bio:
I’m a man. And a pretty old man as well. I did languages at university a long time ago and then lived and worked in France and Switzerland before going to Italy for seven years as a teacher of English. My Italian wife and I then came back to the UK with our little daughter (now long-since grown up) where I ran a big English language school for many years. We now live in a sleepy little village in Devonshire. I’ve been writing almost all my life but it was only seven years ago that I finally managed to find a publisher who liked my work enough to offer me my first contract.

The fact that I am now writing romantic comedy is something I still find hard to explain. My early books were thrillers and historical novels. Maybe it’s because there are so many horrible things happening in the world today that I feel I need to do my best to provide something to cheer my readers up. My books provide escapism to some gorgeous locations and, as a writer, I obviously have to go there in person and check them out first. I love my job…

Visit T.A. Williams online:
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Reviews at Amazon--January 2020

We're posting some reviews at our Amazon accounts, as either they've been sitting in queue for a while and deserve their time in the sun, fall under our featuring policy, or they're new reads that we couldn't wait to post at the blog. You can check them out at the links below. Hope we can help you find your next favorite book!

Melissa A:

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Spotlight: For Love or Money

Lesley has always fancied herself as an amateur sleuth, a sort of modern day Miss Marple without the support stockings.

So when Al wants to hire her to investigate his elderly uncle's young fiancée, she jumps at the chance. It doesn't hurt that the job will involve posing as Al's girlfriend and joining his glitzy, star-studded family on holiday in Nice.

Stella still can't quite believe she's engaged to legendary actor Sir Peter Bradshaw. She accepted what she thought was a deathbed proposal. Now she has a living, breathing fiancé and a wedding to plan.

First, though, she has to get through a holiday in the South of France with Peter's extended family, who all seem convinced she's a gold-digger with her sights set on the family fortune.

As Lesley bonds with Stella over shopping trips and bottles of rosé, she thinks she has it all figured out. After all, it's no great mystery why a young woman would marry a fabulously wealthy seventy-two-year-old with a heart condition, is it? It's an old story.

And Al may be the nicest boyfriend she's ever had (even if he is fake), but Lesley believes in instant attraction and there's just no spark ... no matter how fit he looks in his swimming trunks. So there's no chance he's going to grow on her.

But people have a way of surprising you, as she's about to discover ...

Purchase Links:
Apple * Barnes & Noble *  Kobo * Amazon

Clodagh Murphy lives in Dublin, Ireland and writes funny, sexy romantic comedies. She always dreamed of being a novelist, and after more jobs than she cares to (or can) remember, she now writes full-time. For more information about her books or to sign up to her newsletter, visit her website.

Social Media Links:
Facebook * Twitter * Instagram
Goodreads * Bookbub


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Say "hello" to Michelle Vernal

We're pleased to welcome Michelle Vernal to CLC today. Her latest novel, When We Say Goodbye, published this past fall and she's here to talk about it with us. It's only $1.99 for Kindle, so get your copy today!

Michelle Vernal loves a happy ending. She lives with her husband and their two boys in the beautiful and resilient city of Christchurch, New Zealand. She’s partial to a glass of wine, loves a cheese scone, and has recently taken up yoga—a sight to behold indeed. She writes books that she hopes make you feel you are curled up with your best friend having a cosy chat.

Visit Michelle online: 
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:
Can you love when all seems lost?

Ellie Perkins life was right on track until her boyfriend Sam suffers a near-fatal car accident, leaving him in a coma and all their future plans in limbo.

Desperately in need of something to fix, Ellie has to find a project and when her grandparents old house is put up for sale, she jumps at the chance. Because, like Ellie, the house is broken. And if she can fix the house, then surely, it's just a matter of time before she and Sam are back on their path to happily-ever-after...

In life, when the worst happens how do you pick up the pieces?

A heart-breaking story of love, loss and the path to forgiveness, perfect for fans of Faith Hogan and Amanda Prowse. To be read with tissues.

Purchase Links:
Amazon US * Amazon UK * Apple Books * Google Play * Kobo

What is a favorite compliment you received on your writing?
A reader told me the characters in my books become like friends to her, how lovely is that?

How are you similar to or different from Ellie?
Ellie and I both love second hand clothes! She can be a little backward in coming forward and we’ve both experienced raw grief because Ellie’s emotions were my own when I was the same age as her although our stories are different.

If When We Say Goodbye were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
I know it sounds a bit Me Before You but I love Emilia Clarke for Ellie, Richard Madden as Sam and Alex Pettyfer as Joel. I had fun holding the latter two mental auditions! Oh, and of course they’d all need to master the Kiwi accent.

What TV series are you currently binge watching?
The Crown.

If you could go back in time 10 years, what advice would you give yourself?
Be happy with yourself the way you are.

What is the last dream you can vividly remember?
Last night’s dream. I dreamed I was organising a Christmas do for work. The firm was the company I worked for nearly twenty years ago! No idea where that came from.

Thanks to Michelle for chatting with us and to Rachel's Random Resources for arranging the interview. 

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Book Review: A Wedding in December

By Sara Steven

In the snowy perfection of Aspen, the White family gathers for youngest daughter Rosie’s whirlwind Christmas wedding. First to arrive are the bride’s parents, Maggie and Nick. Their daughter’s marriage is a milestone they are determined to celebrate wholeheartedly, but they are hiding a huge secret of their own: they are on the brink of divorce. After living apart for the last six months, the last thing they need is to be trapped together in an irresistibly romantic winter wonderland.

Rosie’s older sister, Katie, is also dreading the wedding. Worried that impulsive, sweet-hearted Rosie is making a mistake, Katie is determined to save her sister from herself! If only the irritatingly good-looking best man, Jordan, would stop interfering with her plans…

Bride-to-be Rosie loves her fiancé but is having serious second thoughts. Except everyone has arrived—how can she tell them she’s not sure? As the big day gets closer, and emotions run even higher, this is one White family Christmas none of them will ever forget! (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

From page one, A Wedding in December had a unique storyline right from the get go. The fact that Maggie and Nick have to play nice in Aspen and pretend to be happily married, despite living apart for months, I wasn’t entirely sure how that scenario would play out for them, or for those around them. It’s this “can they pull it off?” vibe that makes the reader really wonder what sort of potential drama will ensue, and whether it will ruin Rosie’s wedding.

On top of that are excruciatingly painful moments that surface with Katie. While I appreciated her addition to this family, I had a really hard time with her as a character. It feels as if she is constantly trying to sabotage her sister, even if deep down, that is not her intent. She made me mad during quite a few scenarios, but that touch of chaos really added depth to this story, and even though she can be obnoxious, I’m glad that she was there. After discovering some of her own secrets that lead into why she is the way she is, it really helped in better understanding her motivation.

My favorite character is Jordan. What you get is what you see, and he doesn’t pull punches or try to sugarcoat his feelings or how he views the world. It was such a great contrast to Katie’s borderline neurotic behavior, providing a nice “opposites attract” scenario for those two. He’s also the voice of reason, pinpointing character flaws that at times are subtle, but they are there, just the same. I imagine his own flaw is that he doesn’t have much of a filter, a much-needed addition for a family who tries their hardest to keep what’s going on in their private lives under wraps.

Amidst the craziness that can stem from wedding preparations on top of chaos within a family, we discover that Rosie has a lot of growing up to do, and even when she attempts to do so, there are people all around her who don’t know how to allow her to do it. It felt real- much like what we’d hear or witness in a friend’s life or in our own lives. It’s hard to see our loved ones as someone other than who we’ve always known them to be, and while everyone within A Wedding in December changes in some way, I think Rosie had the biggest leaps and bounds out of everyone. Overall, this was a sweet read with plenty of challenges and hurdles along the way, which made it all the more appealing.

Thanks to Harlequin for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Sarah Morgan:

Spotlight: My One Month Marriage

Today we are featuring My One Month Marriage by Shari Low. It is currently less than $3.00 for Kindle, and free for Kindle Unlimited!

“I just need to know...which one of you slept with my husband?”

You know that "till death do us part" bit in the wedding vows? Well, Zoe Danton believed it. One month after she said “I do”, the man she loved is gone, given his marching orders after Zoe discovered a devastating secret.

As teenagers facing a crushing loss, Zoe made a pact with her three sisters to stick together no matter what. Now she’s discovered that one of them may have been the reason her husband betrayed her. She’s lost her happy-ever-after, but has she lost a sister too?

"Great fun from start to finish." ~Jenny Colgan

"There are only two words for Shari Low: utterly hilarious. I laughed like a drain." ~Carmen Reid

Purchase links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

Shari Low is the #1 bestselling author of over 20 novels, including One Day In Winter and With Or Without You and a collection of parenthood memories called Because Mummy Said So. She lives near Glasgow and My One Month Marriage is her first title for Boldwood Books.

Visit Shari online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram


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Book Review: A Reason to Grieve

By Sara Steven

Tom and Emma drift through life, both burdened with a heavy sense of grief. Both have suffered devastating loss and have closed themselves off to the possibility of happiness. Then, at a funeral, their eyes meet and they feel something neither expected.

Supported by their quirky friends and a ‘right to the point’ pensioner, will they overcome their fears and find the solution to the pain within each other, or will they give up and go their separate ways? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

It’s not every day that the primary characters in a novel meet up by way of a funeral-a funeral for someone that neither of them know. Yet that’s how Tom and Emma find one another, an unconventional romance that added buoyancy to what could have been dark, a great balancing act that made for an interesting and unique experience.

Tom and Emma are emotionally stunted, but not by choice. The grief experienced in life has contributed to their lack of emotion, contributing to a few comical moments where they place themselves in situations in order to ultimately feel something. I was right there with them, leaning in, wondering if I’d get to witness a release. Having similar personalities seems to be what has initially attracted the two to one another, yet the road is rough when neither one wants to give, or show themselves for who they really are. A matter of protection.

The romance spreads slowly over the pages, and I liked that gradual progression. It only added to the honesty of who Tom and Emma are separately, and together. There is no rush, and it was timed wonderfully with the rest of the action occurring around them, and there is a lot. But there is more of that balance, so it never feels heavy or one-sided. It flowed well.

The foundation for A Reason to Grieve are the friendships both Tom and Emma share, adding a nice multi-dimensional layer to their story. An anchor that prevents them from floating away, particularly with all the deep-seeded issues they both face. It’s in the exchanges with their friends and the way they reach out to others that really helps the reader see what kind of characters they are, even when they try to hide it. A Reason to Grieve is a definite five-star read!

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK
Amazon US

With Thud

Mick Williams moved from Stoke-On-Trent, England to Kentucky, USA. Then, after almost a decade, he moved back.
In between reading, writing and listening to good music he still watches proper football and, for his sins, follows his local team Port Vale. He does also still cheer for the Indianapolis Colts.
He was adopted by two cats, Crash and Thud, and resides with his patient wife in Staffordshire.

Visit Mick at his website and on Facebook.



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