Blog Tour: Lilian And The Irresistible Duke By Virginia Heath*

'A reunion in Rome…

Sparks an affair to remember!

Part of Secrets of a Victorian Household. Responsible widow Lilian Fairclough is persuaded to travel to Rome for a hard-earned break and to let down her hair! She’s surprised to be reunited with passionate, cynical Italian duke, Pietro Venturi. He reawakens her sensual side and intrigues her with glimpses of pain beneath his rakish surface. Enticed into a secret and temporary affair – what will happen once she returns home?'

This book is all about Lillian and Pietro, set in the gorgeous Italy it's a good book to read. The chemistry between Lillian and Pietro is delicious and it almost becomes a game of will they or won't they. One of the best things is that it isn't just chemistry between these main characters but also a friendship. As the story unfolds you watch as these sexually attracted characters try to ignore this chemistry and be friends.

Between the sexual chemistry and the amazing descriptions of Rome it becomes easy to get lost in the pages. You will soon find yourself easily devouring multiple chapters in one sitting. The descriptions of Rome are so good, that I want to time travel back so I can explore Rome in a horse and carriage.

Let me tell you a little bit about the Author Virginia Heath. When she was a little girl it took her ages to fall asleep, so she would make up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Despite that, it still takes her forever to fall asleep.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book, my very first by Virginia Heath but it will not be my last. This reader will definitely be picking up the rest of this series, so I can find out about the other characters that are mentioned in this book. It was well written and a delight to read, I can't wait to read more by Virginia Heath. You can grab a copy of this book HERE.

There is also a Giveaway connected to this blog tour where you have the chance to win 2x e-copy of Lilian and the Irresistible Duke. You can enter the giveaway HERE. However don't forget to read the Terms and Conditions: Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Until Next Time

Emma

xx

Blog Tour: Rags-To-Riches Wife By Catherine Tinley*

'Lady’s maid…

To wedded Lady?

Lady’s maid Jane Bailey’s life is turned upside down by the arrival of wealthy gentleman Robert Kendal. He’s come to take Jane to visit her long-lost, aristocratic grandfather. Travelling together, they succumb to a mutual attraction. Yet Jane knows a maid should not hope to love a gentleman, even if she’s suddenly wearing silk dresses and dining with the Family. Society decrees they cannot marry, but how long can Jane deny her heart?'

So this is the first Regency book I have read in a while and also the first book I have read by Catherine Tinley. I don't usually read Regency but after reading the blurb I wanted to give it a go. So the book has Thirty One Chapters, so it's a really good length and the chapters are a good length so they are not too short or too long. One thing I loved about the chapters was that they were split between Roberts point of view and Jane's with a very clear way of showing you when you were changing point of view.

When it comes to the scenery and places, Catherine is very descriptive to the point that you can almost visualize what the characters are seeing. This book was a nice and easy read. Throughout the book there was an underlining simmering tension that existed between the main characters Robert and Jane.

Let me tell you a little bit about the Author Catherine Tinley. She is an award winning author who writes witty, heartwarming, Regency love stories for Harlequin Mills & Boon. She has loved reading and writing since childhood, and has a particular fondness for love, romance and happy endings. After a carer encompassing speech & language therapy, NHS Management, maternity campaigning and being President of a Charity, she now works in Sure Start. She lives in Ireland with her husband, children and dog. She can be reached at www.catherinetinley.com, as well as www.facebook.com/CatherineTinleyWriter and @CatherineTinley on twitter.

Overall I immensely enjoyed this book, I loved the characters as well as the plot. Some of the best news I discovered at the beginning of this book is that it is actually a part of a series. This book was absolutely amazing and Catherine may have converted me to reading more from the Regency Genre, or at least more Catherine Tinley books. You can get your copy HERE.

There is also a Giveaway connected to this book where three winners will each receive a signed copy of Rags to Riches Wife, plus a mystery book by another romance writer.You can enter the giveaway HERE. However don't forget to read the Terms and Conditions: Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Until Next Time

Emma

xx

Review: Pushing Her Luck by B.R.Maycock*

'Holly Caulfield has won the Irish National Lottery and sets in motion a plan to save the village of Abbeyglen. But who would have thought that giving money away could be so difficult?

With a resident’s association that’s clamouring for more and more money, an old lady who’s decided that a dream cruise is in her grasp and a couple who may not want that dream wedding after all, Holly’s finding it hard to keep it together!

With a new love interest and an ex-husband hot on her heels, it’s up to Holly to figure out what can truly make her happy.'

So I have to say this is one of the longest books I have read in a while, it has 63 Chapters and an epilogue but I must say do not let this put you off. This book is really good. I will admit I did find it hard at first to get into the book, for some reason I just couldn't get gripped. Though as the chapters went on I soon found myself gripped in Holly's story.  This book/ story is easy to read and you soon find yourself going from chapter 1 to chapter 4 in one sitting. The chapters are (I believe) on the small side but this just means that you soon find yourself flying through the book.  

Holly as a character has a very generous nature and is very selfless. Reading about her journey from winning the lottery to working out how to spend the money was thought provoking making me wonder what would I do?  The journey has its pitfalls, but it also has some very funny moments that will have you laughing. 

Let me tell you a little bit about the Author B R Maycock (Berni to all of us). When she isn't dreaming isn't dreaming up leads for romantic comedies you can find her ingesting books for her blog, in particular chick lit, romantic comedies and thrillers. You can also find her playing footie or watching Marvel, DC or Star Wars movies and cartoons. Berni lives in Co. Westmeath, Ireland with her brilliantly out there husband Keith and their four epic little men. Her debut  'It started with a Snub' and Christmas romantic comedy 'Snowday' are available now on Amazon. Berni has one goal and that's simply to make readers smile and/ or laugh. 

Overall I enjoyed this book immensely to the point that I felt a little bit lost after finishing it. Once I was gripped with this book I was in love with everything and the rest of the book flew by way too soon. However I cheered up when I got to the end and found out that this book is actually the first one in a series! The second book is out in May and I can't wait to read it. Check out Pushing Her Luck and get your copy here. Now I have a question for you guys, what would you do if you won the lottery?

Until Next Time

Emma

XX

Blog Tour: The Perfect Match By Zoe May*

'Can you ever find true love online?

Sophia Jones is an expert in all things online dating: the best sites, how to write a decent bio, which questions to ask and the right type of photos to use. The only thing she’s not so great at? Picking the guys…

After sitting through yet another dreadful date with a man who isn’t quite what she expected, Sophia is just about ready to give up on the whole dating scene. But her flatmate, Kate, persuades her to give it one more chance, only this time she must create a profile describing her ‘perfect’ man.

Yes, he must look like Robert Pattinson and needs to own a multi-million pound business, but there are a couple of other deal breakers, too! So, when a guy comes along who ticks every box, surely there’s got to be a catch?'

This book is made up of 26 awesome chapters. I mean it was the kind of book that from the first page I knew I was going to like this book and easily get sucked into its pages. I'm so glad that my first impression was correct. This book is well written which makes it easy for the reader to fly through the chapters. 

One thing that was brilliant about this book is that it doesn't only focus on the romantic relationship aspect, it also holds a focus on Sophia and her friends. I loved seeing these friendships with Lyn and Kate on the page. You see them develop and are told the backstory so you have the context to know how they came to be. 

When it comes to the romance this book has it in spades. There is a little bit of mystery in the romance aspect, i thought but it really added to the story. This book wasn't a cut and dried romance where you can see how it is going to end. This aspect made a book a refreshing change compared to other romances I have read. There are also some funny parts that are interlinked to the romance.

Now let me tell you a little bit about the Author Zoe May, who lives in southeast London writing romantic comedies. Since she was a teenager she dreamt of being a novelist. Before her debut novel (Perfect Match) came out, Zoe worked in journalism and copywriting. Zoe chose to write a novel about dating, after experiencing the London dating scene first hand and seeing its endless supply of weird and wonderful material. When she isn't writing you can find Zoe walking her dog, painting and reading. She adores animals, meaning that if she isn't taking a picture of a vegan meal you can find her tweeting about the dairy industry. Zoe is half Greek/ half Irish and can whip up a mean baklava. After spending several years working as a fashion copywriter, Zoe has an encyclopedia knowledge of handbags to the point that she could win Mastermind if it was her specialist subject. Zoe also has a thing for India, swimming, horror films, hip hop and Radiohead. 

My final thoughts on this book is that it is a very good book, that deserves a read. Not only is their romance but friendship and a mention of a book that is on this reviewer's to read list. You will have to read it to find out what that is. You can get your copy of Perfect Match HERE.

Until Next Time

Emma

XX