Blog Tour: The Highlander's Substitute Wife by Terri Brisbin*

 

'She's the best wife...

...he never wanted!

Ross MacMillan lifts his bride's veil...and discovers it's not the woman he'd agreed to marry but her beautiful younger sister, Ilysa MacDonnell! The new MacMillan chieftain must accept Ilysa as his wife, for retaining his clan's lands depends on her father's support. But why is she there? Are her aims to help him or her father? Drawing out Ilysa's secrets will kindle an alliance more powerful—and passionate!—than Ross ever imagined...'

This is the story of Ross and Ilysa, which is told over the course of 21 Chapters and a prologue. This is the first book in a new series called Highland Alliances. One of the great things about this book is that it really jumps straight into the story. 

The characters within this story are intriguing. Not only for who they are but also for the fact of their own fears and needs. Ilysa has something that she is insecure about and this makes her intriguing in the ways that she handles this. Also Ross is very much convinced he has one motive steering him forward but it delves deeper than that. 

One thing to note is that if you aren't use to reading historical romances than it may take you about a chapter or two to adjust to the way they talk. However once you are adjusted you will quickly discover how good this book is and easy to get stuck into it is. 

Now let me tell you about the Author Terri Brisbin, who is a mom, wife, grandmom and dental hygienist. She is an award-winning, USA today best-selling author who has sold more than 3 million copies of her historical and paranormal romance novels and novellas in more than 25 countries and 20 languages. Her current and upcoming historical and paranormal/fantasy romances will be prublished by Dragonblade, Harlequin Historicals and Oliver Heber books. 

Overall this is a very well written book that is easy for readers to get stuck into. It will leave readers excited to find out what happens in the next book. Especially as it seems the other books in the series are about Ross's Siblings. You can get your copy HERE

Until Next Time

Emma

XX

Blog Tour: Sasha's Redemption by Grayson Avery*

 

'This is a story about redemption and finding love in the unlikeliest of places. Sasha Sokolov is the woman every woman loves to hate. And if you've read any of the first three Sweet Water Circle books, chances are, you probably do, too. But doesn't everyone deserve a chance to right their wrongs and be happy?

After Sasha is fired from her high-powered advertising job for lying about her college education, it sets her life off on a downward spiral, leaving her single, broke, and with no place to live. As if things couldn't get any worse, Sasha's unraveling life attracts the interest of the most unlikeliest of groups, The Sweet Water Circle, Sasha's former work nemeses. Can this tight-knit group help Sasha turn her life around? And if they can, does Sasha even want their help? She might move to Skid Row just to spite them.

But sometimes, you don't get what you want. You get what you need. And if anybody needs the snarky wisdom of the Sweet Water Circle, it's Sasha. That being said, one thing she really doesn't need is to move in downstairs from a single dad with two young girls who excel at invading personal space. Or does she need them to learn what it's like to truly care for another person?

This is a story of one woman's battle between good and evil. Can Sasha redeem herself, find love, and for the first time in her life, be happy? Or will the strength of the villain inside her prevail?'

This is the fourth book in Grayson's Sweet Water Circle series, and I will admit that I am a big fan of this series. I loved the first three books. I was surprised when I found out Sasha was getting a book as she wasn't the Circles favourite person but everyone deserves their happily ever after. 

Sasha's story is told over the course of 46 Chapters, which when reading doesn't seem long enough. Mainly because you are enjoying the book so much. Throughout this book readers get to see a different side to Sasha, not only that we get to delve into her character and past to find out why she is the way she is.

 Now if you are new to the series, don't worry about missing anything if this is the first book you want to read. Grayson catches the reader up on Sasha as a character and her past with the circle. So whether you have read the series or not, you can read this book. It may make you go back and read the previous ones though. 

This book is very much easy to get stuck into, to the point that I wouldn't recommend reading while cooking something in your oven. Let's just say I learnt that the hard way and had a slightly crispier dinner than normal. That being said this book will suck you in and make you want to read it non stop. 

One thing I am loving about this series is that in every book you get the past characters from the previous books show up. This is brilliant as you get a sort of life update on these characters while watching the latest one go through their journey. 

Another warning to any potential readers, don't read this in public not because of anything bad but at parts I found myself giggling and laughing out loud. I was grateful that I was at home at the time. The book is filled with moments that will make readers laugh. 

Now let me tell you about the Author, Grayson Avery who wrote The Sweet Water Circle Series. A romantic comedy series that focuses on childhood friends in their 30s and 40s as the help each other navigate the stormy waters of dating, marriage, divorce and a whole lot of inappropriate, naughty and downright hysterical situations.

Overall I completely adored this book. From seeing Sasha's journey to the laugh out loud moments. Everything in this book appealed to me. It was emotional at times, causing me to reach for a tissue but it made me love it more. I personally can't wait for the next book in the series. You can get your copy HERE

Until Next Time

Emma

XX

Blog Tour: No Ex Before Marriage by Portia MacIntosh*

 

'While her friends join the "Wife Club" one by one, Poppy feels like that part of her life is done and dusted. Already married and divorced she's not desperate to go through all that again.   

But what if her divorce never actually went through...?

After a shock revelation Poppy not only discovers she is still married, but that Zac is about to have his second wedding!

Coming face to face with her (almost) ex-husband after six years apart is never going to be easy. And when Zac panics and tells his new wife-to-be that Poppy is family, things can't get much worse as she is welcomed with open arms as part of the wedding party!

As the memories flood back, can Poppy really leave the past where it is? And can she watch the first love of her life walk down the aisle to say 'I do' once again?'

This is the story of Poppy and Zac, which is told over the course of 44 Chapters. From the moment the book begins it will intrigue readers as Poppy introduces the characters of the book. Throughout this aspect the odd snippet of comedy will shine through leaving the reader giggling.

Although this book is a pure romcom, it also tackles some sensitive issues such as divorce and bereavement. However it manages to tackle these issues in a way that is sensitive but doesn't lose the overall light-heartedness of the book. This means that readers can still enjoy the book even though the issues are dealt with. 

Readers will easily be able to get stuck into this book, to the point that they will not notice the chapters go by. They will soon find themselves engrossed in the book and discover that they wish it was longer for no other reason than they want to keep reading. 

Now let me tell you a little bit more about the Author Portia MacIntosh, who is a bestselling romantic comedy author of 16 novels. This list includes titles such as It's Not You, It's Them and Honeymoon For One. Portia was previously a music journalist, she writes hilarious stories, drawing on her own real life experiences. 

Whether this is your first book by Portia or you are a long standing fan, you will adore this book. This has everything that a RomCom requires and so much more. I am glad that I haven't read everything Portia has written, as it give me something to look forward to. Check it out HERE

Until Next Time

Emma

xx

Review: Two for Roughing by Lasairiona McMaster*

 

'It’s a simple rule: don’t bang your teammates’ siblings.

Finn O’Brien didn’t just break the rule, he annihilated it. Falling in love with his best friend’s younger sister when they were teens was an accident. He fought it for years, hiding behind a list of one-night stands a mile long, anything to convince himself Molly Morrison wasn’t the woman for him.

But when they cross the line, there’s no going back. Finn is playing with fire.

Can he keep the two most important people in his life, or will he be forced to choose?'

So this is the third book in the Minnesota Snow Pirates series and focuses on Finn and Molly. There story is told over the course of 28 Chapters (+ Pro and Epi) and what a story this is. The minute you start the prologue you will be intrigued and addicted. Finn and Molly's story is the classic 'My brothers best friend' which I have to admit I enjoy immensely. Even if you don't enjoy this trope you will still enjoy this book. 

Finn is an interesting character in the sense that he has some mysterious in his past that readers will want to find out. He is also different from a lot of other male characters as he is willing to be vulnerable but only when it comes to Molly. Molly's character is a confident lady who knows what or who she wants. She can be guarded but as you get to know her you realise that when you get past the guarded edge, it is worth it. 

Throughout the book readers are given glimpses of how this all started with flashbacks to the past. Now these flashbacks are made obvious so readers don't get confused. One thing these flashbacks do is apart from giving readers history they give them even more reasons for fall in love with the main characters. 

As much as this book is about Molly and Finn, readers also get another look at the friendships that are ever present within this series. The friendships that are seen more in this book are Will and Finn as well as Cleo and Molly. As you read further into this book and see these friendships you realise that these are they type of friendships that we all strive for. Whether you spend time decorating cookies or sharing a joint love of a sport.

 

Overall this book, like the rest of the series made me eager for the fourth book. It is captivating and readers will easily find themselves reading 4 or more chapters in one sitting and not realising it until they have to stop. My advice with this book is read it when you are on a free day, just for the pure fact that you won't have to put it down. Because once you start this book you won't want to put it down!!  This book is out on January 13th and you can get your copy HERE

Until Next Time

Emma

XX

Review: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas

 

'Half-Fae, half-human Bryce Quinlan loves her life. Every night is a party and Bryce is going to savour all the pleasures Lunathion – also known as Crescent City – has to offer. But then a brutal murder shakes the very foundations of the city, and brings Bryce's world crashing down.

Two years later, Bryce still haunts the city's most notorious nightclubs – but seeking only oblivion now. Then the murderer attacks again. And when an infamous Fallen angel, Hunt Athalar, is assigned to watch her every footstep, Bryce knows she can't forget any longer.

As Bryce and Hunt fight to unravel the mystery, and their own dark pasts, the threads they tug ripple through the underbelly of the city, across warring continents, and down to the deepest levels of Hel, where things that have been sleeping for millennia are beginning to stir ...'

I am going to be honest I have not read any fantasy novels, since before the pandemic started, I had been focusing on romance novels. However this book has reignited my love of fantasy novels. I have previously read the first four books of Sarah's A Court of Thorne and Roses series, which I fell in love with. By the end of this book makes I was even more excited to read the rest of Sarah's library and have a dive back into the world of fantasy books. 

This is the first book is Sarah's new Crescent City series, and if this book is any indication of what we can expect for the rest of the series, then we are in a one amazing series. The moment I finished this book I knew I had to write about. About how it consumed me for five days, how it sucked me in and didn't let me go until I had finished the whole book. 

The book itself is about Bryce and Hunt, but Bryce is our main character this is really her story. It becomes their story at some point but really Bryce is our girl. Throughout the book the point of view switches from Bryce, to Hunt and even some of the other characters which really gives you a full picture as more is uncovered within this suspenseful book. 

This book will keep readers on the edge of their seats. As Bryce and Hunt try to solve this mystery, the book throws more twists at them than a maze. The main focus of the book is about solving the mystery, however there is an underlying Romance theme. Now the romantic scenes are enough to create tension between the characters and make readers fall in love with the chemistry but not enough to take away from the mystery that unravels throughout the book. 

This book will consume readers to the point that they won't put it down until they have finished every last page of this book. Not only that but this book will play with their emotions and send them on a roller coaster of feelings. It will leave readers with a 'book hangover' unable to think of anything apart from finishing the book.

Overall this is not a book that fantasy readers want to pass over. Change that this is not a book any reader should pass over, if you have never read fantasy try this one. You may not love the way it plays with your emotions when you read it but by the end you will be gasping for more.  I personally can't wait until the next book (House of Sky and Breath) comes out in February 2022. You can get this book here.

Until Next Time

Emma

XX