Blog Tour: Warwick’s Mermaid by Ellie Gray

Posted on July 30, 2021 by heatherosborneauthor under Blog Tour, Contemporary Romance, Goddess Fish Promotions

Title: Warwick’s Mermaid

Author: Ellie Gray

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Having escaped an abusive relationship, Chloe MacGregor is determined to put the past behind her. The little cottage high up on the cliffs overlooking the beautiful North Yorkshire town of Whitby is her safe haven, somewhere she is free to be herself.

When the arrival of her new neighbor and boss, Luke Warwick, threatens her peaceful, sheltered life, Chloe is forced to confront her past and to re-evaluate who she really is. Falling in love with Luke is not part of her plan but, to her surprise, Luke is falling for her too. The only thing preventing their happy ever after is Chloe herself. Will she ever truly learn to leave the past where it belongs?

Review:

A quick read, I did enjoy Warwick’s Mermaid. I prefer characters with flaws in my romance, and even though there was an attraction between Luke and Chloe, her own past did make for a slow burn in terms of their relationship. The setting was absolutely gorgeous and made me want to go visit North Yorkshire, just to see the beach area. I would certainly look for other books by this author.

Excerpt:

Luke relaxed back in his chair, his body angled towards Chloe, one arm resting casually on the table, the other along the back of his chair. In stark contrast, she was sitting bolt upright, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, and his gaze narrowed thoughtfully as he watched her battling with some emotion. He had been taken by surprise when he saw her walk into the room with Lucie, recognising her instantly as the girl he had been captivated by on the beach below his cliff-top cottage. He remembered how her auburn curls, tumbling down to the base of her spine, had shone brightly in the sunlight as she collected shells along the shore, oblivious to his gaze. And now here she was again; except tonight she was tense and uneasy, whereas on the beach she had seemed relaxed, carefree, and somehow ethereal.

“Red or white?”

She looked up in surprise and Luke smiled faintly, gesturing to the wine bottles sitting on the table.

“Do you drink red or white?”

“Oh, er…white, please.” She briefly met his gaze before adding, “Can’t stand red.”

As he reached forward to pour her a glass, she snapped around to face him. “This isn’t a blind date, is it?”

He favoured her with a curious glance, taking his time with pouring himself a glass of water before settling back into his seat. “I’ve just moved to the area. A friend suggested the ball and put me in touch with Clive, and I couldn’t think of a good reason why not. He mentioned Lucie would be bringing a friend, but in answer to your question, no, I didn’t understand it to be a blind date.”

Chloe nodded and sipped at her wine, clearly unconvinced.

“I gather Lucie has persuaded you here under false pretences?” Aware that this was somehow a big deal for her, he frowned and leant forward. “Look, forget Lucie’s intentions, blind date or otherwise. Even if I hadn’t been invited as part of the group, you would still be sitting next to a stranger. Why don’t we start again as two people who happen to meet up at a ball, safe in the knowledge that, after this evening, we don’t have to see each other ever again if we don’t want to?”

“Luke Warwick.” He reached out his hand, holding her gaze.

After a brief hesitation, she took it, the tension visibly leaving her body as she smiled at him in relief. “Chloe MacGregor.”

About the Author:

I love to write heartwarming, contemporary romance, and romantic suspense novels, with characters I really want my readers to engage with. I live in the beautiful East Riding of Yorkshire in the UK and, although I work full-time in the public sector, my favourite pastime, when not writing, is wandering around old stately homes and castles, or sitting at a pavement café in the sun and watching the world go by – always on the lookout for something that might spark the idea for my next novel.

I enjoy engaging with both readers and other authors, and am a proud member of the Romantic Novelist Association. Feel free to contact me and chat about all things romance through my social media pages, which you can find at the bottom of this page.

Buy Links:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Warwicks-Mermaid-Ellie-Gray-ebook/dp/B096MS49HX

https://www.amazon.com/Warwicks-Mermaid-Ellie-Gray-ebook/dp/B096MS49HX

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warwicks-mermaid-ellie-gray/1126986525

Social Media Links:

https://elliegrayauthor.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliegrayauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/elliegray58

Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/elliegray71/

Giveaway:

Ellie Gray will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Book Spotlight: Eat Your Heart Out by Shirley Goldberg

Posted on June 21, 2021 by heatherosborneauthor under Book Blast, Contemporary Romance, Goddess Fish Promotions, Women's Fiction

Title: Eat Your Heart Out

Author: Shirley Goldberg

Genre: Romantic Women’s Fiction

Blurb:

When a tyrant in stilettos replaces her beloved boss, and her ex snags her coveted job, teacher Dana Narvana discovers there are worse things than getting dumped on Facebook. Time for the BFF advice squad, starting with Dana’s staunchest ally, Alex—hunky colleague, quipster, and cooking pal extraordinaire. But when the after-hours smooching goes nowhere, she wonders why this grown man won’t make up his mind.

Alex Bethany’s new lifestyle gives him the confidence to try online dating. What he craves is a family of his own until a life-altering surprise rocks his world. He knows he’s sending Dana mixed messages. Alex panics when he thinks he’s blown his chance with his special person. From appetizers to the main course will these two cooking buddies make it to dessert?
Funny and bittersweet, Dana and Alex’s story will have you rooting for them.

Excerpt:

“So, this is what it’s like being on a date with you.” Dana hesitated—caught herself. “This isn’t a date, is it?

Her voice flattened and she took a sip of wine. “Oh, I’m not belittling your gesture, bringing me to this fine establishment. But it isn’t a date because you’re seeing that woman, aren’t you? The one you asked me for advice about.”

Alex fidgeted. Idiot. Asking Dana how to recognize the signs a woman was interested––what had he been thinking? What could be more awkward? This. This was definitely up there on the list of more awkward moments.

“You’ve always been straight with me,” she said, holding the wine glass in midair.

That little flash of skin whenever she raises her arm. He picked up his wine glass. At this rate, he’d have to order a second bottle, simply to block his mind from going where it shouldn’t.

“Alex, do it again, be straight.”

He leaned in, took the glass from her hand and put it on the table. “Come closer,” he said. “I want to whisper sweet somethings in your ear.”

She bent toward him, a puzzled but amused expression percolating, her face glowing in the subtle lighting.

“Yes?” Her voice throaty, challenging.

“This is a date,” he said and tilted his head, brushed her lips with his, pulled back slightly, and did it again.

About the Author:

Shirley Goldberg is a writer, novelist, and former ESL and French teacher who’s lived in Paris, Crete, and Casablanca. She writes about men and women of a certain age starting over. Her website http://midagedating.com offers a humorous look at living single. Her books FINISH THIS and dating in mid life, and her friends like to guess which stories are true. Eat Your Heart Out is the second book in the series Starting Over. Middle Ageish, the first, is available now. Her characters believe you should never leave home without your sense of humor and Shirley agrees.

Contact Links:

Website/blog: http://midagedating.com

https://www.facebook.com/midagedating

https://twitter.com/mylifeasadate

https://www.instagram.com/shirleygoldbergauthor/

Other(s): https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3916624.Shirley_Goldberg

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/3531427862?list=following

GIVEAWAY! Shirley Goldberg will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Blog Tour: A Reckless Heart by Jennifer Wilck

Posted on April 27, 2021 by heatherosborneauthor under Blog Tour, Contemporary Romance, Goddess Fish Promotions, review

Title: A Reckless Heart

Author: Jennifer Wilck

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Meg Thurgood, former society girl, took the blame for her friend and paid a steep price. Now all she wants is solitude and a chance to rebuild her life. She thinks she’s found that in an isolated house she rents from a mysterious stranger.

Simon McAlter has hidden in his house on the coast of Maine since a fire left him scarred. A successful landscape architect who conducts his business and teaches his classes remotely, he’s lost his inspiration and is trying to pretend he’s not lonely.

Simon’s new neighbor is more than he bargained for. When he learns Meg’s secret, will he retreat into the shadows or will he learn to see past the surface and trust in Meg’s love?

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Reckless-Heart-Scarred-Hearts-Book-ebook/dp/B08X429BMX/

Excerpt:

“Let’s watch a horror movie.” Meg flopped on the couch and wiggled into the soft cushions. 

There was a beat of silence before Simon turned away from her and poked at the logs in the fireplace, sending sparks up the chimney. “I’m not a big fan of horror movies.”

She liked horror movies because the monsters were obviously fake. You didn’t have to dig deep, to wonder about anything. It was black and white. Meg’s heart constricted. She hadn’t thought about it from Simon’s perspective. Did he consider himself a monster? Could this amazing man see himself in those movies? Her throat thickened. She wanted to run away and cry. But he’d think she ran from him. With a deep breath, she sorted through the list of her favorites in her mind and threw away several until she thought of the perfect one.

“How about Dracula?” Her voice rasped past the emotion, but she forged ahead. “The old one. It’s totally cheesy, which makes it funny. ‘I vant to suck your blood!’ ” she said with a fake accent.

“Do you?” he asked.

Returning the poker to the rack, he walked toward her, and held out his arm, wrist up. She took it in her hand. His skin was warm beneath her fingers, his pulse steady, and the hair on the other side of his arm was wiry. She stroked her thumb along the inside of his wrist. His breath stuttered. She wondered what he’d do if she kissed him. Desire flooded through her. Never mind him, what would she do?

“Next time,” she said. She was brave, but maybe not that brave, at least not yet.

Slowly, he lowered his arm to his side, but remained close enough his knees brushed hers. His skin was flushed, his eyes ablaze. Heat pulsed between them. After a moment, he stepped away, as if he wasn’t brave enough either. “Do you want popcorn?”

Review:

A heartwarming romance of two people trying to rebuild their shattered pasts, A Reckless Heart will appeal to contemporary romance readers everywhere. I particularly enjoyed the small town beach setting and the gradual transformation of both characters into trusting each other and themselves. Although Meg was the clear main character, and we got small glimpses into her life before Simon, I would have liked there to be more depth to both her and Simon. It felt like key parts of their past lives were missing and only briefly touched on. I would have liked to see them have a final heart-to-heart, just to get all of those emotions out. However, that did not take away from my enjoyment of the novel. I would certainly read more by this author in the future.

About the Author:

Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.

In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.

She writes contemporary romance, many of which feature Jewish characters in non-religious settings (#ownvoices). She’s published with The Wild Rose Press, as well as indie, and all her books are available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Author Links:

Website: http://www.jenniferwilck.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Wilck-201342863240160/

Newsletter: https://www.jenniferwilck.com/contact.html#newsletter

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JWilck

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjenniferwilck/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-wilck

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Blog Tour: A Song for Another Day by Maria Imbalzano

Posted on December 8, 2020 by heatherosborneauthor under Blog Tour, Contemporary Romance, review

Title: A Song for Another Day

Author: Maria Imbalzano

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb: Gigi Jenson, an up-and-coming Broadway star, finds herself in Willow Springs, Vermont, for the summer as director of their first annual community revue. This sleepy town is worlds away from her vibrant and beloved New York City, but the experience she’ll gain will be invaluable to her career.

Jason Simmons has lived in Willow Springs his entire life. Working several jobs while writing music, he yearns for a contract to record his songs. The one chance he had to make it in Nashville he blew due to stage fright.

When Jason volunteers to help Gigi with the revue, sparks ignite but their dreams are taking them in different directions. Will their love for each other ever guide them to the same path?

Review:

A Song for Another Day is what I would class as a mildly steam contemporary romance. I really liked Jason’s character, as it was nice to read a non-alpha male, who has some notable flaws. Gigi was fun and I related to her desire to act and dance as opposed to following her parents into entertainment law.

I have a few more points to make, but they would spoiler some parts of the novel, so I’ve made them over on Goodreads, where I can hide the review. Again, they didn’t really ruin my enjoyment of the novel, but they were points I did find lacking.

Excerpt:

“Are you ready to run screaming back to the city?”

Jason’s voice curled around her from the left, and she turned to see him planted on a bench beneath an old oak tree, his long jeans-clad legs stretched before him, arms snaked over the wooden back, as if to hold him up. He was too attractive for her own good.

She strode over to him. “So you think I’m a lightweight? That I can’t handle a hundred forty-nine participants in a community revue?”

The lazy grin on his mouth did funny things to her insides, and she couldn’t contain her growing smile.

“Once you shed your glossy outer layer, you’ll fit in better. People will warm up to you.”

She lost the smile. “People here don’t like me?”

“I didn’t say that. I just heard some comments around town today that they were looking for this revue to be fun. But the city woman in charge was all business, focusing on commitments and rules.”

She straightened her spine and clenched her jaw. “How can we have a successful revue if the townspeople don’t hear from me that their commitment to rehearsals is key, especially since we’re throwing them together to do something they’ve never done before?”

His eyes sparkled with amusement. “I’m just suggesting that you tone it down a notch. Make it fun. Exciting. The participants are already committed.” He unfolded his long, lean body from the bench and stood. “And get rid of the suit and heels.”

He ambled away, heading toward Main Street.

And here she’d been thinking Jason might be as attracted to her as she was to him.

Clearly, she needed to stop thinking.

About the Author:

Maria Imbalzano is a retired matrimonial lawyer who now writes full time. Instead of drafting motions, legal memoranda, and briefs, although fascinating, she now spends her days creating memorable characters and taking them on their emotional journeys through her contemporary romance novels.

In addition to writing fiction, Maria is on the Friends of Thomas Edison State University Foundation Committee and is still involved with Dress for Success Central Jersey, having been a founding Board member. She also serves on the finance committee for The Present Day Club. She has received the distinguished Family of Edison Award for her work with The Thomas Edison State University Foundation, the Iron Mike Professional Achievement Award from Trenton Catholic Academy and was inducted into the Italian American National Hall of Fame.

Her novel, “Unchained Memories,” won the Wisconsin Romance Writers Write Touch Readers’ Award and the ACRA Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence Award. “Sworn to Forget,” the first of the four-book Sworn Sisters Series was a finalist for the illustrious RONE award as well as the Book Buyers Best Award.

Visit Maria at http://www.mariaimbalzano.com

https://www.facebook.com/mariaimbalzanoauthor

https://twitter.com/MariaImbalzano

Giveaway!

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