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A Taste of Christmas Spirit by Susan Buchanan #BlogTour #BookReview #RachelsRandomResources @rararesources @Susan_Buchanan PLUS a GIVEAWAY!

28 Sep 2025 4 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: A Taste Of Christmas Spirit, Blog, Blog Post, Blog Tour, Blogger, Blogging, Book Review, Rachel's Random Resources, Susan Buchanan

I’m back with another great blog tour review for my friend, Susan Buchanan and her latest release, A Taste of Christmas Spirit.

The Blurb

The Sugar and Spice bakery sparkles with holiday spirit as Jacob serves up more mouthwatering festive treats, and Christmas spirit, Lara tries to sprinkle her magic over those who find the time of year difficult.

Ollie is at his wits’ end. A debt from years ago comes back to haunt him just as he and his girlfriend are buying their dream home.

Rose is dejected as her boyfriend has dumped her in their final year at university. She’s not looking forward to Christmas alone, nor her twenty-first birthday on Christmas Eve.

Sacha has recently moved to Winstanton following the failure of his business. He’s too embarrassed to confide in his family, but can he find the friendship he so desperately needs and begin to trust again?

Diana tries to find her new normal after the unexpected death of her husband earlier this year. All her plans for retirement have been thrown out the window and she feels lost. She needs a renewed sense of purpose and to find her place in the world.

Can Lara provide the answer to a joy-filled Christmas?

A story of hope, love, friendship, community, and of course, Christmas spirit.

For fans of Sarah Morgan, Philippa Ashley, Jenny Colgan and Cathy Bramley.

My Review

A Taste of Christmas Spirit by Susan Buchanan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Taste of Christmas Spirit is a lovely story in the lead-up to Christmas, focusing on several people in the small Scottish village of Winstanton, with The Sugar and Spice Cafe as the backdrop for many scenes.
We meet Ollie, Sacha, Rose, and Diana; four people very different in their own ways, with concerns that mar their enjoyment of the festive period, as they get to know one another and become involved in the local spirit of things.
Then there is Lara, the little Spirit of Christmas, who is trying to sprinkle her magic across people’s lives in her own way.
It was a lovely, cute story, and left me feeling warm and snuggly, ready for the festive period!
Now, I have read none of the other Christmas Spirit books; however, this in no way detracted from the story. In fact, it’s made me want to read them so I can learn more about some characters mentioned in this one.

About The Author

Susan Buchanan writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction, usually featuring travel, food, family, friendship and community.

She is the author of The Leap Year Proposal, The Christmas Spirit, Return of the Christmas Spirit, A Little Christmas Spirit, Just One Day – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn, The Dating Game and Sign of the Times.

As a freelance developmental editor, copyeditor and proofreader, if she’s not reading, editing or writing, she’s thinking about it.

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors and the Alliance of Independent Authors.

She lives near Glasgow with her husband, two children and a crazy Labrador.

When she’s not editing, writing, reading or caring for her two delightful cherubs, she likes going to the theatre, playing board games, watching quiz shows and eating out, and she has recently discovered a love of writing retreats.

Social Media Links –

Website – www.susanbuchananauthor.com

Instagram – authorSusanBuchanan

Facebook – www.facebook.com/susancbuchanauthor

Twitter – susan_buchanan

Threads – AuthorSusanBuchanan

Bluesky @susanbuchanan.bsky.social

Giveaway to Win a signed and dedicated paperback of A Taste of Christmas Spirit (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Gleam box below. The winner will be selected at random via Gleam 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.

https://gleam.io/lJuA1/win-a-signed-and-dedicated-paperback-of-a-taste-of-christmas-spirit-open-uk-only

Love, Lies and Family Ties by Florence Keeling #BookTour #Blog Tour @rararesources @KeelingFlorence

21 Sep 2025 Leave a comment

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blog Tour, Blogger, Blogging, Book Tour, Florence Keeling, Rachel's Random Resources, review

I am excited to be on the blog tour for Florence Keeling’s new novel, Love, Lies and Family Ties!

And I love to be able to support authors whom I have met with and interact with regularly. I was lucky enough to meet Florence at the MeetCute Festival in June!

The Blurb

A heartwarming, feel good romantic comedy. ‘I absolutely adored this book. It gave me all the feels! A charming read full of warmth and heart.’ ***** Kim the Bookworm

Bea Winters is in desperate need of a fresh start. Being bullied at work is not her idea of fun and she longs to follow her dream of becoming a published author. When an advert appears in her local paper to work in a publishing house in the sleepy village of Bloomsdale, it sounds too good to be true.
She strikes up an instant friendship with gorgeous aspiring author, Eddie Richards and her dashing millionaire boss Scott Summers. But all isn’t as it seems in the sleepy village of Bloomsdale.
How does the local clairvoyant know her name? Who does the little black dog that keeps appearing belong to and why does she keep bumping into the mysterious Charlie?
As she starts to unravel the truth, it seems that everyone in Bea’s life is keeping secrets.
An uplifting romantic comedy that will warm your heart – perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Milly Johnson and Carole Matthews.

My Review

Love, Lies and Family Ties by Florence Keeling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. In fact, I spent the day lying on the sofa, lapping it up!
Bea is in a bit of a rut. She is in a job where progression doesn’t appear to be a possibility, and her home life isn’t much to write home about. Her dream of becoming an author looks destined to stay just that.
A chance opportunity prompts her to uproot from the Midlands and resettle in Yorkshire, where she ends up working for a publisher and living on a boat.
Bea meets many people who have interesting connections to one another, and although she is still not in her ideal situation, she finds inspiration and writes.
I don’t want to give lots away, but it’s safe to say that there are so many secrets and subtle lies that tie her to a place she had never really known existed before coming to live there.
And there is someone for her, there, but who is it, exactly?
I love that Bea’s past creeps up on her and how the twists and turns slowly reveal themselves, making for a fantastic read!

Purchase Link – https://amzn.eu/d/40GUHk8

About the Author

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.

Social Media Links – @KeelingFlorence

Tweets by KeelingFlorence

The Irish Midwife by Seána Tinley #BookTour #Blog Tour @rararesources @CatherineTinley #Hodder&Stoughton

10 Sep 2025 2 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blog Tour, Blogger, Blogging, Book Tour, Rachel's Random Resources, Seána Tinley, The Irish Midwife

I am thrilled to be able to shout out about this book today, written by the incredibly talented and wonderful Seána Tinley, also the Chair of the Romantic Novelists Association! It is The Irish Midwife, and the first in a new series. I was lucky enough to get a copy, which the lovely Seána signed for me at the recent RNA Summer Fling Event in Birmingham!

The Blurb

Can she finally put herself first, in order to find love?

Peggy Cassidy is a milly, working in the Belfast linen mills to just about get by. But Peggy also has another job – a secret one. She works as a handywoman – an illegal midwife, tending to the women of her community in their time of need.

When Peggy is offered the chance to leave Belfast to receive formal midwifery training in Dublin, it sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever.

But amongst her middle-class colleagues, Peggy must keep the truth about her past secret at all times. If the realities of her life in Belfast are revealed, she could lose everything she has worked for.

And when she meets a well-to-do doctor down in Dublin, she must make a decision: should she protect her family and her history? Or can she let herself fall in love?

The first book in a heartwarming new historical romance series, for fans of Dilly Court, Anna Jacobs, Rosie Goodwin and Call the Midwife.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/IrishMidwife

My Review

The Irish Midwife by Seána Tinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have always loved stories from the war years and thereabouts, so this was a no-brainer read for me.
I’ve never visited Ireland before, but I feel an affinity for it. I think many Indians do, as the Irish have many similarities to us in so many ways… plus, my uncle, who is a doctor, lives in Belfast. But I digress… on with the review!
Peggy is a young woman training to be a handywoman under the guidance of her very experienced aunt. Unfortunately, being a handywoman, which is akin to being an unqualified midwife, and much more, is illegal. Through a tragic twist of fate, Peggy’s aunt passes away, leaving her with a small inheritance. Her aunt’s wish is that she uses the funds to train as a proper midwife.
Peggy is from what many may call the wrong side of just about everything: a working-class family, known as a milly, as she works part-time in the mills, living in a small two-up, two-down with her large family, including her Catholic faith, and as a trainee handywoman.
But she finds herself at the prestigious Rotunda in Dublin to complete that training, and finds herself face to face with a handsome trainee doctor, who seems to have a hand in a tragic part of her past.
Dan Sheridan, or Daniel as his mother insists on calling him, is determined to do good as a medical man, like his own father, yet cannot get the midwifery student, Peggy, out of his head.
The details of childbirth, complications and celebrations, were so real, and sensitively written, and the settings were described with a depth that I could immerse myself completely in the story.
Both the main characters, Peggy and Dan, as well as the others, were written to perfection, giving the reader a genuine sense of emotion as they read the story, willing it to go one way and getting emotional when it doesn’t quite unfold as planned.
A beautifully written story, and I cannot wait to read the next one!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC.

About The Author

Seána Tinley is an Irish author of saga historical romance. She also writes regency romance as Catherine Tinley.

After a career encompassing speech and language therapy, Sure Start, being president of a charity, and managing a maternity service, she now works as NI Country Director for a leading UK charity.

Seána was appointed as chair of the Romantic Novelists’ Association in August 2024.

Social Media Links – https://lnk.bio/seanatinley

The Word Is Love by Florence Keeling #BookTour #Blog Tour @rararesources @KeelingFlorence

08 Sep 2025 2 Comments

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blog Tour, Blogger, Blogging, Book Tour, Florence Keeling, Rachel's Random Resources, review

I am excited to be on the blog tour for Florence Keeling’s rebooted 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.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH2J3M55

My Review

The Word Is Love by Florence Keeling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, I loved this book! The word definitely is LOVE!
I was excited to travel back to Weddington to read more about Lucy and her horses and, of course, about how love falls into her life.
There were a great number of twists to the plot, but all helped it make it a book I didn’t want to put down!
Lucy and Max have pretty much grown up together, working in Lucy’s family business after her father passed away.
He’s that older brother figure…
And you have Lucy’s mum who wants her girl to settle down with the right kind of monied chap who will ensure her girl won’t ever want for anything.
Put it this way, you sure have to kiss or date a few frogs before finding your Prince Charming, and Lucy managed to find a real toad!
It was a great read, and I’d love to know if there is more coming from the Weddington Crew!

About the Author

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.

Social Media Links – @KeelingFlorence

Tweets by KeelingFlorence

A Billionaire for Christmas by Jo Lyons #BookTour #Blog Tour @J0Lyons @rararesources @BoldwoodBooks

01 Sep 2025 1 Comment

by Ritu in Reviews Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blog Tour, Blogger, Blogging, Boldwood Books, Book Tour, Jo Lyons, Rachel's Random Resources

Another wonderful blog tour stop this time for Jo Lyons and her fabulous festive novel, A Billionaire for Christmas.

The Blurb

When talented chef Molly’s best friend and business partner, Ava, passes away, she leaves Molly their beloved restaurant – and a wild, impossible bucket list to complete. But thanks to a legal mix-up, Molly’s inheritance is at risk unless she ticks off every outrageous item before the Christmas Eve deadline: just twelve days away.

Determined to honour Ava’s wishes and desperate to save her dream, Molly searches for a billionaire willing to share Champagne with her in a hot tub – one of the more extravagant challenges on the bucket list. She’s in a luxurious ski resort in the French Alps so it might just be doable. But then she meets Levi. A devastatingly handsome billionaire, yes, but infuriatingly resistant to getting involved!

As the snow falls and sparks fly, Molly is entangled in a series of increasingly embarrassing escapades. With time running out, can she pull off the impossible – and maybe even find love along the way?

Hot enough to melt the Alpine snow, this romantic comedy is perfect for fans of Portia MacIntosh, Olivia Spring and Sophie Kinsella.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/BillionaireChristmas

My Review

A Billionaire for Christmas by Jo Lyons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Molly is still grieving her best friend and business partner, though it has been nearly a year. She is reminded of a clause in the will affecting her inheritance of their restaurant, which includes fulfilling the rest of Ava’s Bucket List.
There are some choice items on there, including costumes, nakedness, silliness and finding a billionaire!
Luckily enough, Molly is working at a ski resort to top up her income while her inheritance is in probate, and it is the kind of resort where you are likely to find yourself a few billionaires!
And meet one she does. She only goes and gets snowed in with him, along with his family, and misunderstandings and hilarity ensue.
Along with the sexual tension that builds between two people who are attracted to one another, but who cannot show their actual feelings.
I loved all the characters and their own brief stories that accompanied them.
Reading about Molly’s attempts to get these bucket list capers ticked off in 12 days made me giggle!
Thank you, Jo Lyons, for a great little read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC

About The Author

Jo Lyons is the bestselling author of six novels and was shortlisted for the prestigious Comedy Women in Print Awards in 2021. She spent years working abroad in sunny destinations like Turkey, Spain and the south of France at a vineyard (trying her best not to drink them out of business). Jo writes uplifting, laugh-out-loud, warm-hearted romantic comedies, including Girls Just Want to Have Sun.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: @JoLyons

Twitter: @J0Lyons

Instagram: @hinnywhowrites

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JoLyonsNews

Bookbub profile: @joannalyons