I am participating in the blog tour for the fantastic book, The Mercy Step, by Marcia Hutchinson.
The Blurb
December 1962 in Bradford, and the precocious Mercy makes her reluctant entrance into the world, torn from the warm embrace of her mother’s womb and thrust into a life that feels far too big for her small body. Mercy craves her mother’s attention, which she must share with the Church and her many siblings, while dodging the fists and temper of her abusive father. Quick-witted and wise beyond her years, Mercy feels like an outsider in her family, with everyone else seemingly happy to ignore the precarious house of cards they live in. But Mercy is nothing if not resilient, finding hope and escapism in books and learning, as well as her faithful toy, Dolly. She is determined to overcome her upbringing and save her family – no matter what it takes.
The Mercy Step is a story written from the viewpoint of a young child born in the UK to a couple who are a part of the Windrush Generation that immigrated here from Jamaica. From the off, we are with Mercy, as she leaves her mother’s womb, and beyond. Mercy is an astute child, held back in so many ways by her family’s thinking. She is a product of immigrants but growing up in this Western workd where there are opportunities beyond the scope of her parents. It is an emotional ride, I have to say. On one side, she has an abusive parent, and on the other, a parent who only wants the best for her ‘pikney’ but who cannot separate her Jamaican/church thinking from the world she is now living in. It is tenderly told, tugging at the heartstrings. TW for some child abuse and SA.
About The Author
Marcia Hutchinson was born to Windrush generation Jamaican parents in the UK in 1962. She was the first pupil from her comprehensive school to go to Oxford, where she gained an MA in Law. She worked as a lawyer before founding the educational publishing company Primary Colours, which she ran until 2014. She was awarded an MBE in 2011 for services to Cultural Diversity. Moving to Manchester in 2012, she became a community activist and was eventually elected as a Labour Councillor in 2021. She is now a full-time writer and an active member of the Black Writers’ Guild. She is the co-author with Kate Griffin (under the pseudonym Lila Cain) of the historical fiction novel The Blackbirds of St Giles, which will be published by Simon and Schuster in 2025. The Mercy Step is her literary debut as a solo writer.
I am thrilled to be on the Cover Reveal Blog Stop for my lovely writer friend, Florence Keeling! Check out this gorgeous cover for The Word Is Love.
The Blurb
Lucky in life but unlucky in love, Lucy Greenfield owns a successful carriage business along with her best friend Max, and they have never been busier since their shire horses gained fame from their roles in the hit movie A Little in Love.
Too busy for romance, Lucy is surprisingly swept off her feet when Spencer arrives seeking help with his horse, and something more from Lucy. As quickly as Lucy falls, she wonders if all is not as it seems. Max can prove it, but that means he will have to express his true feelings for Lucy.
Relationships are strained as secrets unravel, and Lucy needs to solve the riddle of words to best describe how she feels… For her best friend.
Together, they must overcome what’s keeping them apart before it’s too late, if they are going to realise that the word they are searching for is love.
I was born in Coventry but now live in Nuneaton. I married the love of my life over 20 years ago and we have two almost grown up children. We share our lives with two mad dogs as well.
Writing is a great passion of mine, that one day I hope to be able to turn into a career but until that day comes, I will continue working in accounts and payroll.
I’ve been online friends with Ola for a good few years, and it is my genuine pleasure to showcase her latest book, The Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association, as a part of the blog tour.
The Blurb
Friendships – fantastic. Family – getting better. Career – promotion on the cards.
Romance – *seriously delayed*
Sade Sodipo is ready to meet ‘the one’ and finally fulfil the Nigerian Dream. So far God hasn’t performed that little miracle quite yet, but it’ll happen this year for sure. Especially if her mother, two best friends, younger sister and all those in the unofficial Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association have anything to say about it.
She might love her job, have great friends and even own her own home, but according to the meddling aunties, this is why she’s still single at 50.
What if her prayers for the perfect man have got lost? Or maybe Sade’s happy-ever-after is right on time…
I love stories steeped in cultures that are fighting to keep themselves heard while in another country, so this UK-based story with a Nigerian cast of characters was right up my street! Sade Sodipo is a successful career woman with her own house, unmarried, and, shock, horror, fifty years of age! This is a sticking point for her mother, the various aunties of the church, and pretty much anyone in her Nigerian circle. The story is based on Sade’s own ingrained religious and cultural beliefs, which include saving herself for ‘The One’ and true love leading to marriage and children. However, with her age against her and her health not cooperating, this is looking increasingly unlikely. Is it a romance? Well, yes, romance 100% plays a part in this story, as Sade meets someone, but it is more about her accepting herself, as she is, and realising that maybe she needs to think a bit more about the expectations she (and the community) has put upon herself. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter, for an ARC.
Purchase Links
About The Author
Ola Awonubi is an award-winning author, creative writing tutor, and speaker, known for her compelling storytelling that bridges cultures and histories. Born in London to Nigerian parents, she spent part of her childhood in Nigeria before returning to the UK, where she pursued her passion for writing.
At the age of 40, Ola rekindled her dream of becoming a writer and earned an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East London. Her talent quickly gained recognition—her short story The Pink House won first prize in the National Words of Colour competition (2008), and The Go-Slow Journey secured first prize in the fiction category of Queen Mary Wasafiri’s New Writing Prize (2009). She was also honored with the Best Author CA Award (2019).
Ola has authored eight books, including Love’s Persuasion, Love Me Unconditionally, and the anthology Naija Love Stories. Her historical fiction novel, A Nurse’s Tale, published by One More Chapter Books (HarperCollins) in July 2023, became a bestseller in Canada, earning a spot on The Globe and Mail’s historical fiction chart. It was also recognized by the Brown Girl Collective as a favorite historical fiction book of 2024.
Her upcoming romantic comedy, The Marriage Monitoring Aunties’ Association, is set for release in Summer 2025, as part of a two-book deal. She is also working on a Jane Austen adaptation set in Lagos, currently under consideration by publishers and agents.
Beyond her writing, Ola is a creative writing tutor and speaker, sharing her expertise at prestigious events such as the Black British Book Festival, Meet-Cute Romance Festival, and London Festival of Writing. She will also be speaking at The London Writers Festival, Jericho Writers Conference, inspiring aspiring authors with her insights on storytelling, publishing, and book marketing.
Ola’s work has been featured in Afreada, Brittle Paper, Story Time, Woven Tale Press, and NaijaStories.com, with over 15 short stories published across various literary platforms.
Through her Substack newsletter, “The Resilient Writer,” she provides actionable writing guidance, digital resources, and industry insights, helping fellow creatives refine their craft and build their author brands.
Giveaway to Win a Paperback copy of The Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association (Open to UK only)
*Terms and Conditions –UK 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.
I am always excited to have my friend, Gillian Harvey, on the blog to celebrate another of her wonderful books! This time we have The Village Cafe in the Loire!
The Blurb
High-flyer Becky Thorne cannot believe what she’s being told. She doesn’t need to be signed off for burnout! Life has been a bit chaotic lately, that’s all. As if dealing with her enviable job and permanent meddling from her mother aren’t enough, she’s also inherited a café in the Loire from an estranged great-aunt, complete with sitting tenant who refuses to budge.
But nobody stands in Becky’s way! Ignoring her best friend Amber’s advice, she decides to storm over to France and sort the tenant out. Then she can finally get the café sold and jump back on the career ladder.
What she doesn’t count on is the tenant being Pascale, who is six feet of tall, dark, handsome and extremely grumpy about her plans for change. Not to mention the village and the secrets it holds about her past.
Becky’s path to success is all planned out. But the Loire has a magic she might not be able to resist…
Sometimes I think Gillian Harvey is going to turn me into a Francophile, with all the gorgeous French setting books she writes, and this is one of those that makes me want to jump on the Eurostar, begin drinking coffee, and don a beret! Becky is the protagonist, a thirty-something career woman who is on the brink of brilliant success; however, an inheritance looks set to derail all her plans. She finds herself signed off from work, and ends up in a small village in the Loire, at the behest of her late great aunt, with a cafe for which she has no training, other than drinking coffee, and to pop the cherry on top, there is a lodger who it seems is resistant to leaving the building, even though all she wants to do is sell it. Of course, that hunky, troublesome lodger named Pascale gives her another thing to think about. Becky has few friends, Amber being her best friend, and her mother is there to guide her in life. But she sometimes cannot see beyond her own problems, often ignoring the SOS signs from those around her. The storyline is one of self-discovery, and we see Becky begin to question all she has thought about her future before, and also to begin to look beyond herself, considering others, with a little romance along the way. There is, of course, a little twist in the tale, too, to keep readers on their toes!
Gillian Harvey is an author and freelance writer who lives in Norfolk. Her novels, including the bestselling A Year at the French Farmhouse and The Riviera House Swap, are often set in France, where she lived for 14 years.
I am thrilled to be able to review another wonderful story by the fantastic Nina Kaye, a continuation of her last self-published book, Lucky Number. This time we are treated to Another Lucky Number.
The Blurb
A dream opportunity, but will it be lost in paradise?
Lottery winner Emma is off to The Bahamas with friends Cat and Amber. She plans to relax on the pristine white beaches before returning home to find a new career and continue her fledging romance with new love interest, James. That is until sexy Sebastien, who puts the ‘hot’ into ‘hotelier’, offers Emma the career opportunity of a lifetime at his chain of resorts. But there’s a catch: the interview has to take place in three days, while she’s there on holiday.
Emma needs some proper downtime, but an opportunity like this is too good to pass up. Afraid that she’s punching above her weight, she enlists the help of her friends to get her interview ready, while still making the most of her tropical surroundings. But after a series of gaffs, a crisis of confidence, and with James unexpectedly turning up, Emma’s dream job looks like it’s about to swim out of her reach.
Can Emma rise to the challenge and come out successful? And will her budding relationship with James survive the experience?
I loved Lucky Number and was excited to receive the second instalment in the series, Another Lucky Number, which allowed us to continue the story of Emma as she adjusts to her life after a significant lottery win. Emma is on a high-end luxury holiday with her friends, Cat and Amber, having handed in her notice at her job and with the possibility of a fledgling romance starting back home. So much can happen in the few days ahead that could have a tremendous impact on Emma’s life from now on. I loved her character arc. She went from a woman who found it hard to stand up for herself to, with a lot of support from those around her, a stronger one who had a clearer idea about where her life was going. Emma has a cast of characters around her that make the story even more interesting. Amber is like that reality check friend with a heart, somewhere! And Emma’s best friend, Cat, is like the Ying to Amber’s Yang, offering grounding and emotional support where needed. Then there is the ‘sexy hotelier! Sebastien and the wholesome James who vie for Emma’s attention. Some choice hotel guests add an extra layer of tension to the story, but ultimately, it’s a feel-good tale and a perfect beach read. And the location! The Bahamas is on my bucket list, and now I want to go more! Although this is part of a series, I think it could work well as a standalone.
About the Author
Nina Kaye is a contemporary romance author who writes warm, witty and uplifting reads with a deeper edge. She lives in Edinburgh with her husband and much-adored side-kick, James. In addition to writing, Nina enjoys swimming, gin and karaoke (preferably all enjoyed together in a sunny, seaside destination). Nina has previously published The Gin Lover’s Guide to Dating and has also been a contender for the RNA Joan Hessayson Award.
But I Smile Anyway... 