Book Review | But I Smile Anyway...

Book and a Brew with Ritu – The Car Share by @LucyMitchAuth @BloodHoundBooks #NewRelease #BookReview

23 Apr 2024 5 Comments

by Ritu in Book & A Brew With Ritu, Reviews Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Book Review, Lucy Mitchell, New Release, The Car Share

One of my oldest blogging friends!

Today, I am thrilled to welcome back my dear friend and romance author, Lucy Mitchell, to my blog for a cuppa and a bit of a chat and update about all things writerly, especially her newest release, The Car Share.

Hello, and welcome back to But I Smile Anyway, Lucy!

Let’s get you set with a drink first. Tea, hot chocolate, or maybe a masala chai? I’m hesitating with the coffee, as I have seen the recent Insta storis with your daughter’s fantastic barista-style art and alas, I cannot offer that, however, the Tassimo does a mean Cappuccino or Latte if you want. 😊

I’ll have a cappuccino, thank you. ☕️

I’ve got all sorts of nibbles here. I know you’ve sampled the cakes before, but I also have some fresh pakoras here. A recently perfected recipe, if you fancy 😉

Maybe some pakoras, then cake? 🧁

I think we should start with a little update. The last time you were here with me, you were celebrating the release of I’ll Miss You This Christmas, your first book with your publisher, Bloodhound Books. I know your second with them, Instructions For Falling In Love, was also rereleased a few months ago. How’s it all been going?

It’s been a busy time. I am getting ready to launch The Car Share (23 April 2024), editing Book 4 – Second Chances at the Little Love Café (August 2024), and finishing writing a Christmas romance (possibly book 5). I also have new book ideas queuing in my mind. I love being an author, so I am very happy. Lots of lovely Lucy Mitchell books to look forward to!

And I must mention that great podcast you, Lucy K and Bettina had recorded. I listened to each of those episodes and loved them! When are the plans for the second series to come out?

We are starting to record a second podcast series of Love at First Write in May so watch this space. I’m already watching!

I know you have become a bit of a TikToker, too. I try my hand, but I can’t get in the swing of the regular posts! I love your little videos. What do you think gets the most attention – the review posts or the writer situation/advice type ones?

Notebook obsessions are my top-performing posts. I have tried all sorts but for some reason everyone likes a notebook addict type of TikTok. Well, are you even a writer if you don’t have a notebook obsession?

Any recommendations from your recent reads?

I have loved Bettina Hunt’s ‘Sing For Me’, Kim Nash’s ‘Finding Family at the Cornish Cove’ and ‘Knowing Me Knowing You’ by Jeevani Charika. Oh, I have read them all, and they are definitely worth a read. I just finished an arc of Jeevani’s The Winner Bakes it all which is also brilliant!

And how many stories have you got on the go, right now? I know you, it’s hard for you to concentrate on just one project!

I have multiple projects on the go, plus a secret project. Everyone should have a secret project on the go 😀 I find it hard to write more than one at a time, but a secret project? That sounds intriguing… 🤫🤔😉

I think we need to come round to the book of the moment. The Car Share. Lucy, I loved it! I feel honoured to have been an early reader, before lots of editing, and I was enamoured of the story from the off. Reading the polished version was fantastic. Where did you come up with the idea of romance during a car share? A bit of close proximity, there…

I have spent years commuting to and from work. I have done buses, trains, and cars in my time. Commuter friendships and conversations have always stuck in my mind. I love how much is overshared in a car on the way to and from work.

I have also spent the last two years taking my youngest teenager and her mates to college. Those car-share journeys have given me so much novel fodder. Teenagers keep things real; their love lives are chaotic, and their feedback on my music tastes and driving skills was brutal – haha! I’m at the beginning of this experience, as I often ferry my 16-year-old daughter and her friends around. The conversations can be enlightening, and yes, definitely plenty of fodder!

And football? I’m not a footy fan, but I think you weaved women’s enjoyment of the sport into the story well. Were you a wannabe Lioness growing up?

I was a tomboy growing up in the 80’s. I used to play football in the street with the boys, and I would have loved to play for a team. The lads would let me play as I looked like a boy, and I was fast up the wing. I was 11/12, and up until this point in my life, I had never heard of ‘deodorant.’ All I will say is that after I came in from a street football match, my mother took me aside and said, ‘I think it’s time for me to buy you some deodorant’ – lol! He he!

Sadly, I was encouraged to get into cross-country running instead in the 80’s. Bleurgh!

It did not have the same appeal, as back in the 80s, we had to do it in tiny gym knickers (not shorts), we wore spikes (weird-looking running shoes with screw-in spikes) and not nice-looking football boots, and there was not a ball or a net in sight.

The only similarities were the weather and mud! I remember those days… hiding in bushes so we could skip a lap or two. My gym knickers were a fetching maroon with a pink Airtex top – thanks, St M’s for the wonderful uniform! – and running and I did not gel well, at all!

I love women’s football and I love the Lionesses – so inspiring!

One element I related to, was the fact that both your characters, Leah, and Mateo, had parents in a residential home. It can be a tireless, sometimes thankless, task ensuring your loved one is always visited, looked after, and happy, even though they may not always remember you. We have been through this with my grandma-in-law. Have you experienced this situation, yourself?

My husband’s grandparents were in residential homes, and we spent many years with our kids going to visit them. They were lovely places. Sad at times but nice residential homes with angel-like staff. I agree. It would be bittersweet visiting Grandma-in-law. The other residents loved when we took my kids, as it was a dementia and Alzhimers ward. Some thought they were their childhood friends were coming to play. I often remember my son getting the foam football out and there was a footy match in the lounge with half the players using Zimmer frames! Then, there were those lonely souls who were upset or crying. It tugged at my heartstrings.

And I’m sure my readers would love to know… is there an update on the cafe story, or is there something else you are working on?

Book 4 – Second Chances at the Little Love Café – August 2024. Oh, my goodness – you and your readers are going to love it! I have packed a lot of emotions and feelings into one tiny seaside café. I CANNOT wait!

The cups have run dry, time for more writing… Thanks for the chat and nibbles, Ritu 😊

You’re welcome, Lucy. It was a pleasure having you visit! And, I can’t wait for the other books, now, too! 😊

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Car Share, as well as an unedited version, so I have seen how this story has blossomed. Please find my review below, as well as the buy links and some more information about my fabulous guest, Lucy!

The Blurb

Embark on a heart warming romantic journey in this delightful comedy that proves it doesn’t matter where you’re going — it’s who you have beside you on the way…

After Lia’s old car breathes its last, the single mum must reluctantly take the bus to work… and face unwarranted attention from a troublesome teenager.

It’s all too much to take — she’s been depressed since her fiancé’s death and even quit her beloved women’s football team. But it’s Happy Car Sharers to the rescue after her friends get her set up on the app. Mateo, meanwhile, has recently moved to town, and his long walk to the train station is a literal pain due to an ankle injury.

Soon he and Lia are riding each morning with a charmingly bossy driver and a rotation of colorful fellow passengers. It’s not love at first sight. Technically it’s not even first they’ve seen each other before at the nursing home where both their fathers live and Mateo plays piano for the residents. But with each trip they get to know each other better . . . and the more they know, the more they find to like.

With both of them consumed by personal losses and pressing family responsibilities — and another man getting in the way — can romance lie on the road ahead for these commuting companions?

The Car Share is a humorous exploration of love, loss, and the unexpected detours that lead us to where we truly belong.

My Review

The Car Share by Lucy Mitchell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a massive fan of Lucy Mitchell’s writing and was thrilled to be asked to read an ARC of this beautiful story, essentially about two broken souls who have lost the meaning of their lives after traumatic events.
An extremely random meeting, forcing them together as co-passengers in a car share scheme, creates tension and misunderstanding, but ultimately, it results in a level of understanding, compassion, and support for both of them.
Lia is a character I had a lot of time for. She’s a single mum who tragically loses the love of her life. She loses track of her past passions, choosing to live her life through her memories and for her little daughter, Daisy. Having to say goodbye to one of her most precious possessions and links to her boyfriend, Lia joins a car-sharing app and finds herself sharing the vehicle with someone she already knows, kind of.
I loved Mateo, too. He’s a sensitive soul who has been taken advantage of. Battling with his own upset, alongside seeing his father deteriorate in front of his eyes, makes for a sad man who has forgotten all the unique talents he had that made him stand out.
This car share, driven by the unforgettable Stella, catalyses much change.
Stella is brilliant! Her interactions with her troublesome teens bring much-needed laughter into the car, as those in the passenger seats need something to draw them out of their funks.
Both main characters have passions that have been forgotten, but somehow, they are what brings them together.
Lucy has dealt with the sensitive issues of ageing and loss extremely sensitively and cultivated a beautiful romance that stems from forced proximity. Still, ultimately, that closeness is needed for them to understand one another and themselves truly.
Beautiful!!!

These are the buy links for #TheCarShare

amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CTHQMD6B

And here’s a little about Lucy.

I live in a house with two teenagers, an over-excited Labrador, a gang of unruly cats and a rugby-mad Welsh husband. On the morning of my 40th birthday, I decided to follow my dream of writing books. I’ve always enjoyed writing funny stuff and my mum still has the letters I used to write to her when I was at university and turned aspects of my student life into a comedy. When I am not writing, I am eating scampi & chips at my local pub, reading romance books or co-hosting the podcast – Love At First Write.

Follow Lucy:
linktr.ee/LucyMitchAuth

March 2024 Books #AmReading

31 Mar 2024 9 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Am Reading, Arc, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Book Review, Book Reviews, books, Goodreads, Netgalley, reading

March ending means we have passed a quarter of the year. I am not quite sure where the time is flying…

I guess the big question is, what did I read, and did I continue to get words down?

I started the month with 5 NetGalley ARCs and around another 30K to write on book three…

I barely wrote anything. Life was hard this month, with a very busy work schedule.

I read not as much as I hoped.

And I ended up with eleven Netgalley ARCS still to read! I need to control this urge to say yes to everything!

Maybe, Perhaps, Possibly by Joanna Glen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Maybe, Perhaps, Possibly is a slow moving, but deep story about two unique individuals; Addie and Sol.
Both have been sheltered from a lot of reality by their families. Both have very different, strange family dynamics, and it takes their courage to step away from the expectations piled upon them to find one another.
I don’t quite know how to describe the story, but it takes a while, then digs deeper into your soul as you read, and become more and more immersed in the ‘puffin-esque’ (is that even a word!) of their developing relationship.
A beautiful story about two misfits, and how they end up fitting one another perfectly.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC.

Releasing 20th June, 2024

Finding Family at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another gorgeous read from Kim Nash, with book two in the Driftwood Series.
I always enjoy being able to revisit characters and settings in a good series, and this was no different, with the first book’s mc, Meredith, featuring within book two, but fear not! It can be read as a stand alone, too.
In Finding Family at the Cornish Cove, we get to know more about Gemma, the local cafe owner. She’s embarking on a huge change in her life, renovating the much loved cafe that her mother had started, many years ago. Having had a tumultuous few years in her own life, losing her beloved mother, then the breakdown of her marriage, this new direction is both exciting and scary.
Along the way, she meets Occy, a feisty teen, who has gaps in her own family, and Occy’s fireman father, Jude, who quite possibly could be something more, but the both of them are once bitten twice shy, and they embark upon a friendship that they both need, too.
I loved learning more about the community, and the characters I had met before, as well as delving into Gemma’s life more. Learning about her sister, Lucy, their close relationship, and how they navigated the loss of their mother, and how she impacted upon their life was beautiful.
The developing relationship between Gemma and Occy is also a joy to read. Kim has really delved into the complexities of modern family life, and shone a light on the impact of one person shouldering the responsibility of being a parent, and how that can affect people in different ways.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and can’t wait to delve into the third book, so I can visit Driftwood Bay, and imagine myself back in this beautiful Cornish village.

Making Memories at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not content with getting us all obsessed with lighthouses, now Kim Nash has turned our heads to dancing!
I have thoroughly enjoyed the last two books in the Cornish Cove series, and this third was a wonderful addition. In Makin Memories, we focus on Lydia, the mother of the first Cove main character, Meredith.
Lydia is a woman of a certain age. In her seventies, she has been divorced several times and finally wants to put herself first. She is sent a box of old belongings that starts a cascade of memories from when she fell pregnant with Mere, and feelings arise once it starts.
Lydia loved dancing competitively, though no one knew this. An opportunity to take part in a competition brings many thoughts back to the forefront of her mind, including how she could improve her relationship with her daughter and whether, at 71, she is too old for romance.
What a lovely story! Easy to read and such fun, with plenty of revisits to the characters from the first two books, but enough in them for you to read as a stand-alone.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Releasing 17th April, 2024

Silent Tears: A Female led Charity Anthology on the cultural struggles of women worldwide. by Faiqa Mansab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not just saying this because I feature, but I read the other stories within this anthology and, what an impact, showing strong and fearless women, dealing with everyday situations!
Some beautiful words, and I was struck, especially by certain lines within the story by Faiqa Mansab.
A brilliant read, for a most worthy cause.
Please, if you get a chance, order this book, as all proceeds go to charity.

𝟭𝟬𝟬% 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 via Anuera 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝘆𝗴𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝘇𝗮 (𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 1.2 Million ).

𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻, 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 , 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲.

“𝙎𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚, 𝙫𝙪𝙡𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙩.
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙖 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚, 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝.”

Order here: rb.gy/c2x57e

The Typo by Emily Kerr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have enjoyed some of Emily Kerr’s books already, so I was looking forward to reading The Typo.
A simple typo that could have been ignored ends up connecting two individuals who are unknown to one another.
Amy thinks she is a failed violinist, trudging along in her life as a marketing manager for an Edinburgh theatre that is possibly about to close.
An email that lands in her inbox because of a typo means she somehow ends up searching for the person who should have received it.
Cameron is on a boat in the Antarctic when he receives a message from a stranger who forwards an amazing opportunity to him.
I enjoyed the story and how the two strangers built a relationship via email despite not knowing one another.
Their being strangers ends up being a significant factor in their character development, as their closeness develops and they realise they aren’t being true to themselves or the other, which spurs them on to do different things with their lives that they have been too afraid to try and do.
Could there have been more romance?
Probably.
They didn’t finally meet until very late in the book, so we don’t get a chance to see their relationship develop in the same way that we see their friendship begin to blossom, but a cute ending.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Fiction for an ARC.

Releasing May 3rd, 2024

Love Letters at the Borrow a Bookshop by Kiley Dunbar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I won’t share my full review here as lovely Kiley is popping over for a Book and a Brew around release date to chat about her newest book, so I will keep it for then!

Releasing April 25th 2024

Absolute 5-stars from me, but you will have to wait for my review, as I have the lovely Lucy on my Blog for a Book & a Brew soon, to chat about the book.

Releasing 23rd April, 2024

The Suite Life by Portia MacIntosh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is probably the second of Portia Macintosh’s books that I have read, and it was as easy and entertaining as the first.
Gigi is in a bit of a bind. She has a beautiful opportunity to visit Maui, where her sister is getting married in a proper destination wedding, complete with a venue and hotel that costs an arm and a leg, and possibly a lot more besides.
However, she will have to contend with her ex being there, with his new influencer girlfriend, as he is her brother-in-law’s best friend and best man. And she has no date of her own.
Instead of owning her single status, Gigi announces that she has a surprise plus-one joining her there and then finds herself in a bind as she tries to procure an impressive date with only a few days until she flies out.
Hilarity ensues as she suffers some horrendous dates, and then she opts to find someone in Maui.
While there, she gets an upgrade to her room, which is more than a kingsize bed. She finds herself in a suite suitable for a billionaire, with everyone waiting hand on foot for her and the undying adoration of far too many males around her.
She makes one friend, Donnie, who seems to be the only average person around, and the story develops as she continues her search for the perfect date.
There are some funny moments throughout the story, and it’s a quick, easy holiday read that made me want to go to Maui to see the gorgeous views and maybe experience some of that billionaire suite life!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Releasing 16th April, 2024

The Winner Bakes It All by Jeevani Charika
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another wonderful romance by Jeevani Charika, which has a dash of culture, and a sprinkle of health knowledge and a pinch of hate-to-love!
The Winner Bakes It All is a great example of rivalry to love, where our FMC, Elodie, is desperately trying to make her business venture a success. She’s a talented baker and cake decorator and has a small unit in the arcade of shops in her small town. An opportunity arises for expansion, and she is excited. Finally, wanting to be able to prove her family wrong, she waits to sign a new lease.
Then Mal happens.
Mal is a man bun-toting gym bro with a penchant for all things Keto. He’s appeared on the scene with a signed lease for the very space Elodie has been waiting for.
The story unfolds with a lot of negativity, and to top it off, a battle for an exclusive catering contract is thrown into the mix (-ing bowl? Sorry!)
I love cake, baking, and admiring those who can create amazing edible art through cake decorating. So, loving Elodie was going to be easy, wasn’t it? I felt for her as she strives to make those around her believe that her dream isn’t just a fad or a placeholder until something better or ‘proper’ comes along.
And Mal… what a sweetheart in muscly disguise! Here’s me, the antithesis of anything healthy. (I’m Sitting here eating a coconut and raspberry sponge for breakfast!) Yet, somehow, I found myself sympathising with a gym-bro, lol! Thanks, Jeevani!
I also learned something about the Ketogenic diet, referred to throughout the story. I have tried it as a weight loss aid, but I didn’t realise there were medical conditions that could be controlled, too!
An exciting cast of side characters, including Elodies’ right-hand man, Marty, her not-too-nice brother, Travis, Mal’s business partner and best friend, Jake, and a high-maintenance influencer, Saffron, added another layer of depth to the story.
Oh, and I didn’t like Leon!
If you love cake, healthy eating, and drama, this book is for you!
Oh, and I am now humming ABBA tunes. Thanks again, Jeevani!
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for an ARC.

Releasing 4th June, 2024

So, tell me what you have been reading, and what caught your eye from the above!

Book & A Brew with Ritu and Jenni Keer @JenniKeer At The Stroke Of Midnight #BookReview #BookAndABrew @BoldwoodBooks

12 Mar 2024 6 Comments

by Ritu in Book & A Brew With Ritu, Reviews Tags: At The Stroke Of Midnight, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Book & A Brew With Ritu, Book Review, Jenni Keer

Today, I am extremely excited to have a fantastic author, and relatively new writer friend of
mine, Jenni Keer, over to talk about her latest release, At the Stroke of Midnight.

Hello, and welcome to But I Smile Anyway, Jenni! Let’s get you set with a drink first.
I have the usual assortment of hot drinks available, or I could even make you up a masala
chai, if you feel adventurous.

Thanks for inviting me over, Ritu. (settles into a comfy chair ) I’m definitely up for trying a
masala chai. A vital part of being an author is being open to new experiences, as you never
know what will end up in your books… Oh, I agree!

And I have some fantastic Danish cookies here and a rather fabulous carrot cake. Or,
I just fried up some fresh pakoras if you fancied a savoury nibble.

I’m definitely a savoury girl, so pass the pakoras and leave me the plate! That said, there
is definitely a time and place for something sweet – usually when I’m stressed or tired.
(Which, as a mum, wife and author, is quite often.) My waistline can definitely relate to that!

I’ve read a couple of your books now, so far (and am intending on reading your
backlist when I get a chance!) and loved them. What or who inspired you to start
writing?

How kind! To cut a long story relatively short, I started reading for pleasure again when I became mum to a litter of boys. I had a three-year-old, 18 month old and newborn twins and it was my choice to be a full-time mum when they were little. It was a stressful time, as you can imagine, but books helped me to escape. I began to write short stories, encouraged by a friend and quickly realised that I was born to write novels. It only took me forty years to work this out – haha – although I do believe you need to live a life before you start writing about it. Funnily enough, I always believed I would get published, but had no idea if it would take me five years or fifty. (Spoiler alert – it took nine.)

It was twenty years for me, from start of writing, to publishing my first, and two years after that, I was approached by my publisher, so I can hard relate!

Both the books I have read are set in a more historical age. Is this your preferred genre?

My heart is definitely in the past. My first two books were contemporary romances, but I was probably influenced by the feel-good fiction I was reading then. When I got braver, I embraced my love of historical and haven’t looked back. That said, who knows what I might be tempted to write in the future. If a story begs to be told, I will write it. You’ll notice my books are all stand-alone and quite different.

I always ask this one, but do you have a special place where you write? An office, a writing nook? Or are you one of those writers who can grab their notebook or laptop and write pretty much anywhere?

I have a desk in the corridor between the downstairs shower room and the living room. This space also has a utility sink, is where my three cats congregate, and where my husband also has a small desk. But it is my base rather than my preferred writing space because it’s like Piccadilly Circus. We are a busy household of six adults, and if it’s not boys (they are still boys to me…) going backwards and forwards to the shower, then the cats are demanding doors to be opened for no reason (because they never go through the damn things), or my non-technical husband asking me how to use Word. ARGHHHH! I need head space to write so I am more often to be found in the bedroom, curled up in an armchair or, my absolute favourite place to write, in the garden. I don’t need silence, (in fact, I’m often listening to
music through headphones, which strangely helps me to focus), but I can’t write with interruptions. One shout of, “Mum, where’s my work shirt?” and I’ve lost the plot.

Do you have a favourite out of all your books written so far? Do you have any finished manuscripts that you think would never see the light of day?

My favourite(s) are always my most recent novels, which makes sense. They are foremost in my mind, and because I hope that my writing gets better with time, I like to think they are also my best work. I am particularly proud of No. 23 Burlington Square and At The Stroke of Midnight, but ask me in two years’ time, and my answer will have changed. And yes, there are at least four finished or nearly finished novels that will never be published, and I am fine with this. No writing is a waste of time. You always learn something from a disaster – even if it is how not to do it!!!

Let’s get back to your latest release, At The Stroke Of Midnight. I loved the Groundhog Day feel to the story. Was there something specific that sparked the idea for this novel?

It was the coming together of several things buzzing about my busy head. I’ve always liked the idea of a Groundhog Day novel and, having put my own spin on the Sliding Doors concept with Burlington Square, it felt like the right time to write this book. Agatha Christie is a huge influence, and I love the twenties as an era (before everything spiralled out of control in the thirties) so I took things from there.

If you had to relive a particular 24 hours in your life, which specific day would that be?

I recently talked with my marketing team about this, as we were thinking of questions that would engage readers after reading At The Stroke of Midnight, but I felt that everyone would want to go back to save the life of someone they loved or be with someone they had lost, and this focuses our attentions on bleak periods in our life. Instead, I like to look forward and think about what I might do if I had to live tomorrow over and over again for a limited time. I think I would visit as many museums, country houses, and interesting locations as I could access given time constraints. Then I would read all the books on my tbr and then watch every film and TV series that I never seem to have the time for. Bill Murray learned the piano, but that doesn’t appeal to me. I want to do all the research and then have it “good to go” in my head when I manage to reset the day. In between all this, I would eat the best food in the best restaurants and put it all on the credit card, so I wouldn’t have to pay and wouldn’t gain the weight! Haha. (helps herself to another pakora.)

Oh, I love this idea! I think, in some ways, I would want to relive my wedding day, as we had so many guests, being a typical Indian wedding, and spent so long organising it, it all went by in a flash. I’d try and spend time with different guests every time at the reception and truly relish being a princess for a day!

I read a few reviews, prior to our little chat. How does it feel to be compared to Agatha Christie?

As I’ve already indicated, I am a massive fan, so it is the best compliment ever!!!! She was an absolute genius and has been a great inspiration. I don’t write like her, and my voice is very different, but, boy, did she come up with the best twists IN THE HISTORY OF BOOK TWISTS. So, yeah, this has made me smile.

A real compliment!

Another one of my standard questions… what is next on the horizon? Anything you can share with my readers about what is coming next from you?

I have written my autumn book and it is a witchy one, with a twist on one of my favourite tropes; marriage of convenience. I don’t have a confirmed title, and it is in my editor’s capable hands, so I am busy with the one after that. Honestly, I don’t know how I hold all of this in my tiny head… but, just to tease, I have been looking at the sinking of the Titanic and done some WW1 research.

Now that sounds intriguing! I’ll be queuing for a copy!

Thank you so much for popping over for a visit, Jenni!

Thank you so much for having me, Ritu. (hands back empty plate ) The pleasure was all
mine.
You are most welcome, and it would be wonderful if you fancied a return visit. 😊

Another wonderful teaser there from Jenni, and I can’t wait to read these next ones!

The Blurb

It’s 1923 and in a decade that promises excitement and liberation, Pearl Glenham and her father are invited to a mysterious country house party on the Dorset coast, by a total stranger.

Her father claims not to have any prior association with Highcliffe House, but upon arrival, it is apparent that he has a shared history with several of the guests, although he won’t admit it. Belatedly discovering that her father was blackmailed into attending, Pearl’s worries are compounded when their host fails to arrive…

Intimidated by everyone at the party, she escapes to the nearby cove and stumbles upon a mysterious mercury clock hidden in a cave. This strange encounter sets in motion a series of events that will culminate in an horrific house fire, claiming the lives of all the guests, including Pearl herself.

But then Pearl wakes up back in the cave, seemingly destined never to live past midnight. She can repeat the day. But can she change its outcome?

Buy Link: mybook.to/strokemidnightsocial

Buy Links: mybook.to/burlingtonsqsocial

My Review

At the Stroke of Midnight by Jenni Keer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another amazingly told story by Jenni Keer is about a young woman swept up in a web of secrets spun by her father and others.
Set in the 1920s, we meet Pearl Glenham, a simple woman who asks for nothing. She and her father are invited to a dinner party somewhere she has never heard of- apparently, neither has her father.
Things start to become strange after they arrive, and she suspects she is not being told the truth. Then, a chance accident leads to her reliving the same 24 hours again and again as she tries her hardest to work out what is really going on.
An intriguing cast of characters, and an amazing storyline. I was hooked!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

About the Author

Jenni Keer is a history graduate who embarked on a career in contract flooring before falling
in love and moving to the Suffolk countryside. Her lifelong passion for reading became a
passion for writing and she had two contemporary romance novels published in 2019. She
has now embraced her love of the past to write twisty, turny historicals, and The Legacy of
Halesham Hall was shortlisted for the Romantic Historical Novel of the Year in 2023. Her
latest release, No 23 Burlington Square, is a historical sliding doors tale set in 1927 and was
published last October.
Living with four grown up children and three cats (but just the one husband) she is
frustrated by their inability to appreciate that when she’s staring into space, she’s actually
working, and that watching television counts as research. Much younger in her head than
she is on paper, she adores any excuse for fancy-dress and is part of a disco formation dance
team.
At The Stroke of Midnight is out 12 th March.

The Bad Weather Friend by Dean Koontz @deankoontz #BlogTour #BookReview @fmcmassociates

30 Jan 2024 2 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blog Tour, Blogger, Blogging, Book Review, Dean Koontz, The Bad Weather Friend

Today, I am on the blog tour for Dean Koonts’z new release, The Bad Weather Friend.

The Blurb

Benny is nice – too nice – so much so that they feel compelled to destroy him.

But he has a friend who is going to scare the hell out of them …

Benny Catspaw’s perpetually sunny disposition is tested when he loses his job, his reputation, his fiancée, and his favourite chair. But he’s not paranoid. Someone is out to get him. He just doesn’t know who or why. Then Benny receives an inheritance from an uncle he’s never heard of: a giant crate and a video message. All will be well in time.

How strange – though it’s a blessing, his uncle promises. Stranger yet is what’s inside the crate. He’s a seven-foot-tall self-described ‘bad weather friend’ named Spike whose mission is to help people who are just too good for this world. Spike will take care of it. He’ll find Benny’s enemies. He’ll deal with them. This might be satisfying if Spike wasn’t such a menacing presence with terrifying techniques of intimidation.

In the company of Spike and a fascinating young waitress-cum-PI-in-training named Harper, Benny plunges into a perilous high-speed adventure, the likes of which never would have crossed the mind of a decent guy like him.

The Bad Weather Friend, by Dean Koontz, published by Thomas & Mercer, 1^st February 2024; Hardcover, Kindle eBook, Audiobook

My Review

The Bad Weather Friend by Dean Koontz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maybe I am one of a few, but I haven’t read any of Dean Koontz’s books, so this was a first in itself for me.
We have Benny, a really ‘nice’ guy, who suddenly finds his comfortable life crumbling around him, from his job going south to his fiancee ditching him because he isn’t now a viable option, seeing as he’s seen as persona non grata in the real estate world, through no fault of his own.
Ever the optimist, he tries to remain positive, then is sent an intriguing note about an inheritance from a family member he didn’t even know existed. An intriguing crate arrives, and the contents are even more intriguing: a seven-foot being called Spike.
Spike is an intriguing character. Sometimes, I think we all need a ‘Spike’!
Other interesting characters joining Benny on his journey include a new love interest, Harper, and some boys from his past who hold meaning for him.
It took me a little while to get into the swing of the story. Benny is a genuinely good person. The story twists and turns as we go back and forth as we are sent to various times in Benny’s past, then back to the present. But once I got in the swing of it, I was more and more hooked. It’s a great read with plenty of suspense!

About the Author

Dean Koontz is the author of many #1 bestsellers. His books have sold over five hundred million copies in thirty-eight languages, and The Times has called him a “literary juggler.” He lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, and their golden retriever, Elsa. www.DeanKoontz.com

PRAISE FOR AFTER DEATH

Most Anticipated Books for July – Gizmodo

“Riveting” – Audiofile Magzine

“Fans will be thoroughly engrossed” – SciFi Now

PRAISE FOR THE HOUSE AT THE END OF THE WORLD

Most Anticipated Books for 2023 – The Washington Post

“Readers should expect a twist or two in this one.” – The Real Book Spy

“THE HOUSE AT THE END OF THE WORLD really begins to soar and never comes down to earth again.” – Bookreporter.com

PRAISE FOR THE BIG DARK SKY

“A nonstop actioner with cosmic overtones”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Another A-plus thriller from a writer on a serious winning streak.”

—Booklist, (starred review)

“Koontz delivers another masterpiece in suspense infused with the creeping sense of horror he does so well. THE BIG DARK SKY is one to read with all the lights on and doors securely locked.”

—Authorlink

PRAISE FOR QUICKSILVER

“Sit back and enjoy what turns out to be quite a ride.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Positively twitching with suspense. Another sure-fire hit from a thriller master.”

—Booklist (starred review)

Book & A Brew with Ritu and Nina Kaye @NinaKayeAuthor Stand Up Guy #BookReview #BookAndABrew #BlogTour

23 Jan 2024 8 Comments

by Ritu in Book & A Brew With Ritu, Reviews Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Book & A Brew With Ritu, Book Review, Emma Jackson, Witch You weren't Here

Today, I am so happy to have a lovely writer friend, Nina Kaye, visit my blog to talk about writing and her newest release, Stand Up Guy!

Hello, and welcome to But I Smile Anyway, Nina! Let’s get you set with a drink, first. Tea,
coffee, hot chocolate, or maybe a masala chai?

Hot chocolate, please.

If we’re going masala tea, I can offer you some homemade samosas, or a fresh batch of shortbread
cookies baked by my daughter this morning.

Ooh, the cookies, please!

Shortbread, it is then! Right, let’s get comfortable.

So, could you tell me a bit about your journey to becoming a published author, Nina?

Of course. I’ve spent most of my life as a ‘frustrated creative’ – someone who wanted to follow a
more creative path but who fell into a ‘safe’ career. I dreamt of being an author from a young age,
when I was devouring the likes of The Babysitter’s Club and Point Horror. At 17 years old, I even
flirted with writing outside the classroom when supposedly studying for my exams.
Fast forward nearly 20 years, and it was a life-changing illness that got me on the path to becoming a
serious writer. In 2014, my body essentially ‘broke’, and I spent months rehabilitating from a raft of
confusing and debilitating neurological symptoms. During this time, I turned to writing to support
my cognitive and physical rehabilitation, and the silver lining to this is that it led to me
achieving my dream of being a published author.

I’ve read all your books, Nina, and loved every one! Do you have a favourite out of the
books you have published so far?

I would say the one that’s closest to my heart is Take A Moment because it was inspired by my own
experience of living with long-term illness. It has the most personal meaning for me. From an
enjoyment perspective, I think Stand Up Guy is probably now my favourite. I got so invested in writing
the love story between Lea and Shep, and Shep (being a stand-up comedian) was such a fun
character to bring to life.

Do you have a special place where you create and write? Somewhere away from
the craziness of family?

Not really. I sometimes used to write in coffee shops, but now I do all my writing at home. I’m
quite good at filtering out background noise and distractions once I’m in the zone with writing or
editing, so I don’t need to take myself away to do it.

Romance is a genre close to my heart. What pulled you towards writing romance?

I think it was the influence of reading so many romance novels in my twenties. I hoovered up books
by Sophie Kinsella, Chrissie Manby, Lucy Robinson and others. They were so relatable and easy to
read, and I just loved the rollercoaster ride the main characters took on their path to their happy
ever after. With these books, I didn’t just find a genre I loved to read. I found one I wanted to write –
and not just for the love stories. As those of us who read and write romance know, there is so much
more to the genre. I also love creating the friendships and the banter that goes with them, the
humour and the more poignant life-defining moments. It’s a genre that sadly doesn’t get the credit it
deserves.

Let’s get back to your latest release, Stand Up Guy. I love stand-up comedy but have never been
to a festival like the Edinburgh one you based this story on. Have you been to many?

No, I haven’t, and to be honest, living on the doorstep of the Edinburgh festival, I haven’t felt the
need to. I have been to quite a number of stand-up comedy shows without the festival, though. A
couple that come to mind would be when my husband and I sat within spitting distance (quite
literally!!) of Nish Kumar, and we also met and got our picture taken with Dave Gorman. I love his
PowerPoint approach to comedy. He’s hilarious.

I really felt for Lea, who is finding life tough, with no close friends around her and a
failed relationship. Even so, inviting a stranger to live with her was quite extreme! Where did you
come up with that idea? Would you/have you ever…?

Ha ha, no, I haven’t! And you’re right, it was quite extreme and a bit of a risk, as Lea herself realised.
But that’s what’s great about fiction. You can stretch the boundaries of reality to build intrigue and a
sense of fun and provide escapism. I’m not really sure how I came up with the idea. I knew I wanted
to write a story set during the Edinburgh festival and I expect it was a light bulb moment that came
from my decision to make the ‘hero’ a stand-up comedian.

Who is your favourite stand-up comedian?
Ooh, that’s a difficult one! I don’t know if I can pick just one. Kevin Bridges is right up there, so
maybe he’s my number one. The fact that he’s Scottish and not that much younger than me means I
can relate to many of the jokes he makes, especially the ones about growing up in Scotland in the
nineties. I also love Russell Howard, Sarah Millican, Romesh Ranganathan, Nish Kumar, Sarah Pascoe,
Dave Gorman and Russell Kane. I could go on but I’ll spare you from that, and you did only ask for
one… 😉

I love to be nosy and ask this. What is next for Nina Kaye? Any sequels or new projects you can
tell us about?
I do have a new project underway, which I can’t say too much about right now, but I can confirm
that it is more Edinburgh-based romance and this time it’s a series. Well, it is for now. We’ll see
where it lands. I’m also working on a non-fiction project related to my long-term health condition,
which I hope will see the light of day within the next couple of years.

Oh, I love a series! That sounds so exciting! Nina, thank you for being here, today for such a lovely chat!

Thank you so much for having me today. 😊

The Blurb

Dumped by Instagram post. Not a whiff of a social life. Can it get any worse?

After a string of failed relationships – romantic and platonic – Lea’s had enough of watching life happen without her. When she bumps into Shep, a comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in need of accommodation, it feels like destiny. And voilá – Lea now has a lodger and some company.

The two get on like a flat on fire, and Lea can’t resist falling for outgoing Shep. But she knows it’s a mistake that will cost her heart – he’s just another guy passing through, after all. And with Shep’s stand up routine edging him closer to his big break, there’s no way he’ll stick around.

Love is no laughing matter as the Fringe draws to a close. Can Lea find the confidence to step up and confess her feelings to Shep? Will he want to stay?

A feel-good, heartwarming romance for anyone desperate to break out of their shell and find their true self. Perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary, Laura Jane Williams and Miranda Dickinson.

Buy Links:

Amazon UK

Amazon.com

My Review

Stand Up Guy by Nina Kaye
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have hoovered up all of Nina Kaye’s books so far, and Stand Up Guy was no different.
Lea, the MC, has been dumped rather unceremoniously, and she is finding life hard with no other close friends around her.
It happens to be the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she lives, and a chance encounter with another person who looks down on their luck changes the projection of her life.
Shep is a comedian, trying his luck doing free shows to build his experience. But he has no support from his own family, and thanks to an emergency at his accommodation, it looks like this chance might be scuppered too.
Lea offers her spare room to the relative stranger and the developments over a short period cause all sorts of havoc in her life.
I loved this whole story. Lea is a sorry character at the beginning, but you see her develop into a great character as she increases her circle.
The side characters are great too, and bring another layer to the story.
The romance that develops is a brilliant ‘will they/ they?’ story, and I was totally on board.
A wonderful read and highly recommended.
Many thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources, NetGalley and Canelo for an ARC.

About the Author

Nina Kaye is a contemporary romance author living in Edinburgh. She is the author of three other books for Canelo – Take a Moment, One Night in Edinburgh, and Just Like That. She has previously been a contender for the RNA Joan Hessayson Award.

You can find out news about Nina by following her on social media.

https://twitter.com/canelo_co
https://www.instagram.com/canelo_co/
https://www.facebook.com/canelobooks
https://www.tiktok.com/@canelo_books