Please join me on the blog tour for Onwards and Upwards by Celia Anderson
Ingrid is desperate to sell up and move on. Recently widowed, she no longer needs the large house or the treasures (and tat) collected by her late husband, Tommy, an auctioneer. Then there’s the debt he left her with, too.
So, she jumps at the chance to downsize and move to Willowbrook on a temporary lease. She’ll open a pop-up shop for just one year – to dispose of Tommy’s accumulated goods – and then move on. No getting embroiled in village life.
But Ingrid hasn’t reckoned on Willowbrook’s extrovert local ladies (known as the Saga Louts). Or handsome local craftsman Joel, with whom there’s a definite attraction. They all want to help set up ‘The Treasure Trove’.
Surprisingly, it turns out Ingrid can also help them.
Will she ever achieve the fresh start and simpler life she craved? Or will Ingrid discover a wonderful new way to move onwards and upwards?
Fans of Milly Johnson, Maddy Please or Judy Leigh will love Celia Anderson’s uplifting and romantic stories.
Ingrid is recently widowed and having found that her gregarious, life and soul of the party husband had left her with as much debt as memories, embarks upon a task to sell off some of the accumulated junk from her married life, so she can downsize and live a simple life. She takes on a temporary let of her aunt’s shop in order to accomplish this, and though she initially thinks she is alone, an entire village is there to help her. I loved the Saga Louts, a group of older, independent women, each widowed, and trying to live their best lives. They take Ingrid under their wings and assist her with the shop set up, and I have to say I loved Winnie! Josh, divorced carpenter with a teenage daughter also ends up helping, after being her removal driver, and finds that he has more reasons for volunteering to assist the lovely Ingrid. Along with the above, there were so many great characters. There was a real eclectic mix of people, giving the book a wonderfully inclusive feel. Ingrid may have had her doubts and problems, but she works out ways to overcome them with her new friends and faces up to age-old demons along the way. She even finds time to help some of those new friends with their own conundrums. I really enjoyed reading this. A lovely feel-good story with an eclectic mix of characters supporting. Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
Author Bio –
Celia Anderson is a top ten bestselling author of women’s fiction. Previously published by Harper Collins, she is now turning her hand to uplifting golden years fiction for Boldwood.
Please join me on the blog tour for The Year of What If by Phaedra Patrick
Can the future be rewritten?
On the verge of her second marriage, Carla Carter knows she’s finally found the one. She and her fiancé, Tom, met through Logical Love, a dating agency she founded for the pragmatically minded, and she’s confident that, together, they will dispel an old family curse claiming Carter women are unlucky in love.
But Carla’s highly superstitious family insists she visit a fortune teller before her big day, and the tarot cards reveal that a different man holds the key to Carla’s happiness – someone she met while travelling during a gap year, twenty-one years ago. This startling information spurs Carla to trace and revisit the ex-boyfriends she met during that time before she walks down the aisle.
From Barcelona to Amsterdam, Turkey to Paris, will Carla find her perfect match? And can a face from her past help Carla rewrite her entire family history, forever?
Aren’t we all guilty of a little ‘what if?’ in our lives? This new Phaedra Patrick story hits the nail on the head with the concept. Carla is once bitten, twice shy. Married and divorced, she is convinced that romance and her won’t meet, especially since the females in her family are cursed never to have a fulfilling relationship. However, she decides she doesn’t believe in curses and finds herself a wonderful partner, through her own matchmaking company, Logical Love, where questionnaire answers match potentials with a compatibility percentage. Almost on the eve of her wedding, her family ladies take her on a hen do, involving some mystical shenanigans which lead Carla to question her past and embark upon a journey of (re)discovery, travelling destinations she visited in Europe as a young woman, and meeting old flames… A great concept, and many secrets unfold as Carla meets old faces anew, and begins to question her own feelings on love and how you meet ‘the one’.
Phaedra Patrick is the bestselling author of several novels, including The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, which has been translated into twenty-five languages worldwide. Her second novel, Rise and Shine Benedict Stone, was made into a Hallmark movie. An award-winning short story writer, she previously studied art and marketing and has worked as a stained glass artist, film festival organizer and communications manager. Phaedra lives in Saddleworth, UK, with her family.
Please join me on the blog tour for The Paris Chapter by Victoria Walters
Can the city of love mend a broken heart?
Romance author Tessa Elliot has writer’s block, and worse – she isn’t sure she still believes in love. To heal her broken heart, she decides to go on the romantic break in Paris she’d booked before her world fell apart.
But when she arrives at the Airbnb, Tessa is stunned to find someone is already there. Her ex’s best friend Ethan has made himself at home, being told that the place would be empty.
As it’s Paris Fashion Week, and with no other options, they agree to share the apartment. Neither will be in the place much after all, with Ethan taking a cookery course and Tessa on a hard deadline to finish her novel.
But sharing close nights in a one bed apartment, there’s an undeniable pull towards one another.
Will Tessa be able open her heart, and her laptop, ever again?
A gorgeous romance set in the city of love, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Christina Lauren
I’ve read a couple of Victoria Walters books and this one was an entertaining read, as were the others. In The Paris Chapter, we follow romance author Tessa to Paris. She’s been betrayed and in her quest to find peace with her relationship status, and the belief in romance again, she uses a break that had been booked for her and her now ex-boyfriend, Joe. However, she arrives to find that her cheating ex is even more of a git as he had passed on the break to his best friend. Tessa is stuck in Paris during the height of Paris Fashion Week in a one-bedroom apartment with a rather hunky chef named Ethan. I have to say I really enjoyed the close proximity nature of this story; we all know what we wanted to happen. There is a decent enough steam factor within the story too – Phew! One thing – I did not like Joe and couldn’t bring myself to believe that Tessa would even try to possibly rekindle anything with that wally. Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
Victoria Walters is the author of both cosy crime and romantic novels, including the bestselling Glendale Hall series. She has been chosen for WHSmith Fresh Talent, shortlisted for two RNA novels and was picked as an Amazon Rising Star. Previously published by Hera, she is now writing romantic comedies for Boldwood
Today, I am incredibly excited to have a fantastic author and interweb friend of mine, Gillian Harvey, over for the second time, this time to talk about her latest release, Midnight in Paris
Hello, and welcome to But I Smile Anyway, Gillian! Let’s get you set with a drink, first.
What would you like to drink? All the hot beverages are available to you, as well as my trusty masala tea!
A coffee please, Ritu.
And what would you like to eat? I’ve been making fairy cakes and cookies, but also fried up some fresh pakoras, too!
I’ll try a bit of everything!‘Midnight in Paris’ has one foot in France and the other in the UK (Cambridge), which has created a nice balance. My next is set in a small French village, but I’m working on something set firmly in the UK as well! So a bit of both.
So lovely to have you back here, Gillian! And a change for you since we last spoke. You’ve moved back to the UK – How is that going for you with your writing?
We loved our time in France, but it felt like the right time to move back to the UK. We’ve landed in a lovely seaside town in Norfolk, and it’s been a great experience so far (albeit exhausting)! The writing is going great – I’m feeling really creative and the words are flowing! Sounds lovely, and yay for the words!
Last time, we spoke about how much France had inspired your writing recently. Will that country always feature in your novels, or will we get more UK-based stories, or even based in far-flung destinations?
Midnight in Paris’ has one foot in France and the other in the UK (Cambridge), which has created a nice balance. My next is set in a small French village, but I’m working on something set firmly in the UK as well! So a bit of both.Exciting for us readers!
I know I asked this last time, but obviously, you have uprooted yourself since then, so do you now have your writing room/area in your new place? Or are you visiting cafes, perching for hours, consuming coffee, and typing away?
Right now, we’re in rented accommodation while we look for a forever home. It’s a lovely house, but a little on the small side – especially as my kids keep insisting on growing at an alarming rate! This means, right now, my desk is in my bedroom which isn’t ideal. Especially as I seem to create chaos around my work area. But I’m hoping within the next year I’ll have my own office to work in, fingers crossed. As for cafes, no. I love going to them, but I’d be too shy to work in one! Too many people asking me what I’m up to (at least, in my imagination)!Oh, I do hope so, for your sake, and you are right. These kids don’t half grow fast!
Are you planning to go to any author/book-related events this year? I am attending the MeetCute festival in June!
One of the things I really looked forward to about moving to the UK is the fact that I’ll be more able to travel to book festivals – I had serious FOMO looking at author pics on Instagram after some of the bigger events. But right now, I haven’t got anything in the diary. I think that moving has been so tumultuous I’m still catching my breath. But I’m determined to get out and about more this year – and may well see you in June.Oh, I do hope so, it would be awesome to see you!
It’s time to talk about the book in question, Midnight In Paris. Oh my goodness, this was an emotional read! Where did the inspiration for this story come from?
Often my stories come to me as a ‘snapshot’ of a moment. This story built from the idea of the bridge and all it signifies in the story and went from there. Paris is also quite special to me – my husband and I went to Paris for a trip away when we were first seeing each other. It was a real budget event, using coupons from the paper! We went again for our honeymoon in rather more lavish style. Although our room had room service, we actually kept ordering tea and biscuits – so I suppose you can take the Brit out of Britain… but some things are hardwired.I have to agree, my tea is so important, too, but then again, I am Indian, living in Britain, with Kenyan influence, so Tea was always going to be a thing, lol!
Were you intending to write a tear-jerker?
I knew that there would be an emotional element in the book due to the bridge scene, but I think the eventual book went a little deeper than expected. I wanted to write really meaningful characters that the reader connected with, so I hope that’s been the case! I haven’t been through anything like the characters in this book, but I have had an emotional year with the move and other ups and downs, and I think sometimes that channels into a book. Basically, it was a therapy session! I’m really proud of this story.And so you should be! It was beautifully written!
The story touches on trying to start a family. Is this something you wrote with any personal experience? I know how hard that can be, having done the same with my latest novel.
Yes, my husband and I were told we’d never be able to conceive naturally. It took two rounds of IVF before I had my daughter, then another for my sons. Then we had two unexpected pregnancies afterwards – I guess doctors don’t always get it right. That’s a whole novel in itself…Tell me about it! I have PCOS and spoke to a friend who was diagnosed as a young girl. She was told she would never have children, and when it came to marriage, she stated this fact to whoever her suitor was, as she didn’t want any comeback, then she she was happily married, settled and devoid of any inclination to have a family, she ended up with four kids! It gave me some hope!
And, finally, please let us know what we can expect from you next!
I’m just working on a novel right now. It’s set in France and really focuses on the importance of friendship. I’m hoping to create an emotive experience for the reader, while injecting some upbeat, humorous moments too. I’m also working on a side-project that I’m really excited about. But it’s all very hush-hush for now. 😊 oo
Ooohhh! Secret side project! Now I am even more intrigued, lol!
Thank you so much for popping over for a visit, Gillian!
Thanks for having me, Ritu!
The Blurb
Ten years. Two people. One last visit…
Sophie and Tom first visited Paris together as students. During their weekend away in the world’s most romantic city, falling in love – with the place, and each other – was simply inevitable.
They resolved to return every summer and kept their word, until something happened that changed their world forever.
Five years on, Sophie’s travelling to Paris alone to meet Tom again in their special place, on the Pont du Carrousel at midnight.
Because life has torn them apart. And now Sophie has something to tell Tom. Something that will change everything…
The most heartbreaking, uplifting and powerful novel you’ll read all year. Perfect for fans of David Nicholls, Kristin Hannah and The Notebook.
Oh my goodness, Gillian Havey! What are you doing to me? I’ve always loved the author’s books, especially the stories set in France, but this was something else. Not as light hearted, but as much of a good read as the others, if not more. The emotional rollercoaster I went on as I read was unbelievable. Tom and Sophie have a place in Paris that has become their place, and they have visited it over the years. This last visit is so poignant, and its reason is heart-wrenching. I shall give nothing away, but I was in bits. It is a more serious tale, detailing hard-hitting issues, but in a nuanced, sensitive way. A true page-turner of a book, I loved it. I think it’s my favourite so far!
Freelance writer and author Gillian Harvey lives in France with husband, Ray and their five children. She regularly pens articles and short stories for UK magazines including Woman’s Weekly and People’s Friend. She also writes opinion pieces and has been published in Independent, Guardian, Metro.
Gillian started her career in the teaching profession working at secondary school level. After moving to France in 2009, she started freelance writing for publications in the UK, France and the US.
Gillian has written a monthly column in Writing Magazine since 2020. She has previously been columnist for Prima Baby and Living France magazines.
Gillian’s first novel ‘Everything is Fine’ was published worldwide with Orion in May 2020. Her second, ‘Perfect on Paper’ was published in UK May 2021. She has since moved to Boldwood Books where she published the best-selling ‘A Year at the French Farmhouse’ and, most recently ‘One French Summer.’
Please join me on the blog tour for Best Mistake Ever by Christy McKellan
Some mistakes are worth making
Beatrice Donovan would do anything for her identical twin sister. Including stepping into her hotel management job temporarily and pretending to be her – she’s desperate. What could go wrong? A lot apparently! Because her sister Delilah has hugely understated her role – the hotel is at risk of closure and she’s promised she can turn it around. Now Bea has to find a way to fly under the radar, get the job done before anyone notices their switch up.
Sounds easy, all Bea has to do is avoid her temporary new boss Jonah. However, that’s a lot harder than she thought. Not only does he have impossibly high standards, he’s also out of this world gorgeous, an ex-rockstar with a chip on his shoulder and he’s watching her like a hawk! So Bea uses her charm to keep him focussed on the job and not her. But by trying to put up boundaries and keep things professional, Bea finds herself seeing the real man beneath the grumpy façade . Yet with so much at stake, she knows she shouldn’t fall for her sisters boss…but then again, it may just be the best unintentional mistake she’s ever made!
Bea has a twin sister, Dee. They couldn’t be more different in personality. However, they are identical, aside from one having long hair and the other short. Bea is determined, focused and reliable. Dee is artistic, scatty and disorganised. An unfortunate incident causes Dee to ask Bea to swap places with her for a few days at her new job, as she can’t go in with an injury, and Bea, being her caring sister, can’t say no. So she’s in an industry she knows nothing about, hospitality, with a cranky ‘boss’ who is also very good-looking… I really enjoyed this story with the unexpected romantic twists and the grumpy sunshine nature of the romance.
Author Bio –
Christy McKellen is the author of provocative and sexy romance novels that have sold over half a million copies worldwide.
But I Smile Anyway... 