A Billionaire for Christmas by Jo Lyons ~Blog Tour

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date:  27th August 2025

Genre: Romance

Summary:

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?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Jo Lyons for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
So anyone that knows me knows i could happily read a Christmas book anytime of the year,so kicking off September with one seemed the perfect start to the month. And i really did enjoy this one, I found Jo Lyons writing style really lovely to read, it flowed so well and i found myself invested in the characters very quickly. There were multiple moments where i was cringing even as i chuckled at what was occurring to make me cringe in the first place and i have to say i loved that about it. Molly is one of those characters where your cheering for her to get what shes aiming for whilst you watch her do so between the fingers of the hand over your eyes, you could see some of the mishaps coming but that kind of made the run up more fun.
I really enjoyed watching how she handled each member of Levi's family, she had a different approach for each one and i think that just made me like her even more, she took the time to get to know them a little and find the best way to handle them. Now Levi i could happily have slapped a time or two with his attitude and how dismissive he was towards Molly at times, I may have, out loud, told her to slap him at one point (in my defence its really well written and at was 2am at that point). I read this in one sitting and stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it and it was worth the lack of sleep and i know ill be reading it again as we get closer to the festive season.

Krystina xx

 

Catch a Falling Star by Laura Carter ~Blog Tour

 Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 14th April 2025

Genre: Romance

Summary:

It’s never too late…

Lyra Clarkson has built a career capturing other people’s perfect moments. She loves her work as a wedding photographer – despite her family’s disapproval – but she’s never quite found her own path.

Guy Walker, former rock star turned wedding singer, has hit a new low. Desperately needing cash, he’s agreed to take any gig his manager can get him, even if this new form of entertainment isn’t just singing.

As Lyra and Guy’s paths cross – in the most bizarre way possible – an unexpected kiss will change everything. But was it simply a chance encounter or is fate bringing them back together?

Now forced into each other’s lives for the entire wedding season, the unlikely pair may just figure out together how to realise both their dreams…

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Laura Carter for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
Its a bit like cheating but i knew i was going to love this book from the moment that i read the blurb, that added with the fact that i already know that i love Laura Carters writing style meant this book was a winner for me.
I wasn't wrong, I've loved every single page of this book. I instantly loved Lyra, she was like all my university friends rolled into one and she was so easy to connect with that i was invested in her from the first page. 
I adored getting to know Guy through his chapters, he did frustrate the heck out of me though, his deciding that he wasn't good enough for Lyra was annoying. Don't get me wrong i did fall in love with him very quickly and i spent at least 75% of the book wanting to give him a hug and the other 25% yelling at him (out loud much to the confusion of my family) and i was rooting for them from that first moment they became reacquainted. I really disliked Lyra's family to start off with, the way they kept putting her down, and the fact that she just took it!, made me so angry at times. But i did enjoy seeing how their relationship changed throughout the book and i loved how their support came though at the end. I think the contrast in family dynamics between our two MC's was really well done and i liked seeing their different upbringings portrayed so brilliantly.
I've always loved Laura Carters writing style she makes characters that are so relatable that its easy to get drawn  into their lives and care for what is going on and their happiness. What i really loved about this book was that it wasn't just about the romance element, both MC's needed to work on what made them happy without each other as well. I loved that they both had a fulfilling relationship and career by the end of the book.
As usual Laura Carter has hit it out of the park with this book, and i cannot wait for her next book!

Krystina xx

Stuck in Paradise with you by Laura Crater ~Blog Tour

 Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 15th October 2024

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Summary:

It’s hard to stay professional when you’re stuck on a tiny island… with your ex

Carrie Briggs is on the cusp of a career breakthrough. About to be made partner at her accountancy firm, she’s been given one more hoop to jump through before it can be made official.

And she could think of worse clients to work with – because world-renowned billionaire Joe Hettich is flying her out to his private island in the Caribbean.

But her hopes of career highs (and relaxing in the gorgeous sun in her spare time, of course!) are dashed when she meets the CFO of Joe’s company: Luke Chalmers, the man who broke her heart seven years ago when he chose his ex over her.

With a storm brewing in paradise – both in her heart and literally, on the island – she’s going to have to put her big girl pants on and get through this, before all those feelings have a chance to resurface…

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Laura Carter for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I loved this book. I mean I haven't read a book by Laura Carter that I haven't loved in all fairness so I kinda already knew that I was more than likely going to love this one too. As always the author's writing style is fantastic, it's able to draw you into the story so easily that you'll probably, like me, not want to put it down and easily finish it in a day. I really loved our two MC's Luke and Carrie they really lept off the page for me and I found myself getting so invested in them clearing up the misunderstanding that happened at the end of the relationship the first time and being able to start again, they were so clearly right for each other! Laura Carter has this brilliant ability to create such fantastic side characters that capture you, even if they don't appear in the book too often, like Callum. I loved Calllum and his friendship with Carrie, he was there for her no questions asked no matter the time and he's the kind of friend we all hope to have in our lives.
I really enjoyed the forced proximity aspect of this second-chance romance, I mean who wouldn't want to be on such a beautiful island! And I liked the added bit of peril that was added in order to make the characters realise what they had in front of them and what they could lose if they didn't take a chance.
Generally, I just loved this book and I can't wait to get my hands on Laura Carter's next book, whatever and whoever it's about.

Krystina xx

The Plot Twist by Victoria Walters ~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 19th June 2024

Genre: Romance

Summary:

One new boss, one ex-boyfriend, one big dilemma…

Stevie Phillips has just landed her dream job working for a publishing company and it seems like this is page one of her new, improved life.

But her first day throws more curveballs than she thinks she can handle: there’s been a takeover and the whole publicity team has been fired. And her new boss is the last face she expected to see.

Because Noah Anderson also happens to be her ex-boyfriend.

Thrown together on a campaign for a book the rest of the staff don’t want to touch with a barge-pole, Stevie resolves to make the best of a bad situation. This is her chance to prove herself, and she’s not going to let the man who broke her heart ruin it for her.

When Noah starts hinting that there was more to their break up then him just not loving her, Stevie’s resolution starts to wobble. Getting back with your ex is never a good idea, is it? Especially not when your ex is also your boss…

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Victoria Walters for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
Oh, I was so excited to be getting this book because I loved The Love Interest and as soon as I knew Stevie was getting her own book I knew I had to read it. Stevie was a brilliant character in that book so I knew when she had her own book to romp through she would shine even brighter and make me smile so much, and I wasn't wrong but what I hadn't expected was to love Noah as much as I did. At first when we meet him, how he behaves makes him someone we don't like and I'll be honest, we want to slap him because he hurt Stevie so much and was so callus towards her but as she and we get to know his reasons for his behaviour he not only grew on me a little but I really loved him by the end. I thought the whole process of them learning to work with each other and eventually getting back together was so brilliantly paced, it never felt rushed or sudden when something happened and it's one of the things I love about Victoria Walters's writing style, her ability to pace the books just right. Her writing style in general is one I love, I always feel I can step onto the page and join in the conversations between the characters because she makes them so realistic for me.
I love how much Stevie loves Love, her whole fight for romance as a viable genre for the publishing house to spend money on was brilliant, if I could have joined in the protest I would! She has a fight on her hands from the off when she takes on the publicity campaign and I think her whole way of tackling it was bang on and boy did she show any doubting colleagues up.
All in all, I've absolutely loved this book and I really cant wait to read whatever Victoria Walters writes next.

Krystina xx

The Love Algorithm by Camilla Isley~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Boldwood Books 

Publication Date: 26th April 2024

Genre: Romance

Summary:

At 28, with a Ph.D under her belt and a meteoric rise to head of Research and Development at Mercer Robotics, Reese feels her decision to put her career first has worked out pretty well for her. Sure, she doesn’t have many personal relationships to speak of, but she does love her team and they like her too.

So when she’s called to the Big Boss’s office and told she will be looking after his son while he does a rotation in her lab, she’s not thrilled that her hard work and achievements have boiled down to being a glorified babysitter – especially to a billionaire playboy with zero experience of mechanical engineering.

But then tall, blond Thomas walks into her office, and Reese realizes this assignment is going to be even harder than she thought. Because the CEO’s son is not only extraordinarily gorgeous, chiseled, and charming… he’s also on course to become her new boss one day, and so extraordinarily out of bounds. As the pair get to know each other, can Reese hold her nerve and her beliefs, or will she fall victim to the billionaire charm?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Camilla Isley for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
So this is the first book by Camilla Isley I've read, but again I've had a friend recommending her books to me for ages and I so wish I'd listened sooner! This is a fantastically written book, I haven't smiled so much at a book in ages! I think I was going between smiling and giggling for the most part with an occasional laugh-out-loud moment ( mostly provided by K-2P) from the start of this book right through to the last page. The writing style flows so brilliantly and easily that I found myself finishing the book in a day, I got so caught up in the flirting and slow-burn romance of Reese and Thomas that I pretty much speed-read the whole thing only stopping to refresh my cup of tea!
Obviously, I loved the romance between Rese and Thomas, the little post-it notes back and forth were so damn cute! And I loved how Reese sort of gradually started joining in with the flirting, I genuinely loved the slow burn aspect to this book, when normally slow burn is not my favourite in romance but this is really well done.
The other relationship that has to be discussed is K-2P and Thomas, their bromance was fabulous! I loved how he became Thomas' wingman essentially and they had boys' weekends, it was just beautiful.  And the sass that K-2P has was just the best, I had so many laugh-out-loud moments because of him and I seriously want one of my own.
This may have been my first Camilla Isley book but it's definitely not going to be my last, I've got the rest of the True Love trilogy already downloaded on my Kindle.

Krystina xx

Fake It Til You Make It by Laura Carter~Blog Tour

Publisher: Boldwood Books 

Publication Date: 8th April 2024

Genre:Romantic Comedy

Summary:

Can a fake date fix everything?

On a day Abbey thought would be the best of her life – her boyfriend is surely going to propose tonight, right? – it all falls apart: he tells her he’s met someone else. And then to make things worse, she loses her job.

In an act of reimagination, she splurges her wedding savings on renting an apartment in a building she’s always dreamed of living in and kits out her wardrobe to match.

But when her family invites her ex – a close family friend – plus a date(!!) to her parents’ vow renewal, Abbey realizes her façade won’t be enough. There’s nothing for it but to fake one more thing… a romance.

Review:

Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Laura Carter for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
So I discovered Laura Carter's books last year and she quickly became an auto-buy author so there was no way I wasn't getting and loving this book when it came out.
As with all her books, I was instantly drawn into the situation Abbey was in and followed it with her til the end, mostly without coming up for air because her books are so hard to put down once you've started one. Our two MCs Abbey and Ted are just so easy to love, you really feel for their situations and you're just waiting for that moment when the Fake dating becomes real, sort of egging them for the sidelines.
Of course, we have plenty of miscommunication that ends up turning into downright lies, on both sides but you sit there tutting at them and telling them to just tell the other the truth because you've gotten so invested in their story. This is the beauty of Laura Carter's writing style, she makes you care for the characters like they are your friends and like you would for friends you just want them to have that fairytale happy ending(admittedly we know that's going to happen but still you get invested as if it might not) and equally she writes people you're going to dislike, such as Andrew.
In short, I loved this book from beginning to end and I'm probably going to reread it again before the year finishes.

Krystina xx

 

The Missing Maid by Holly Hepburn~Blog Tour

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 27th March 2024

Genre: Cosy Crime

Summary:

London, 1932.

When Harriet White rebuffs the advances of her boss at the Baker Street Building Society, she finds herself demoted to a new position… a very unusual position. Deep in the postal department beneath the bank, she is tasked with working her way through a mountain of correspondence addressed to Baker Street’s most famous resident: Mr Sherlock Holmes.

Seemingly undeterred by the fact that Sherlock Holmes doesn’t exist, letter after letter arrives, beseeching him to help solve mysteries, and Harry diligently replies to each writer with the same response: Mr Holmes has retired from detective work and now lives in Sussex, keeping bees.

Until one entreaty catches her eye. It’s from a village around five miles from Harry’s family estate, about a young woman who went to London to work as a domestic, then disappeared soon afterwards in strange circumstances. Intrigued, Harry decides, just this once, to take matters into her own hands.

And so, the case of the missing maid is opened…

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Holly Hepburn for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
Now I've read some books by Holly Hepburn before and loved them but this was a new kind of book from her so while I knew the writing would be brilliant I was interested to see how she would do going from romance to cosy crime. And the answer to that is brilliantly. I can't believe this is her first cosy crime book she got the pacing spot on we had little points of worry for Harry's safety, brilliant Sherlock Holmes-inspired detective work from her and just a tiny hint of romance which I'm hoping we get more of in the next book.
I really loved Harry from the first point she stepped onto the page, She is such a strong-minded female character and you can't help but cheer her on when she stands up to creeps like her boss or shrugs off society's norms for a woman of her station to go do detective work and help someone of a lower station. She is an absolutely brilliantly written character and I'm so glad there are more books planned in this series because I'm really excited to see what she gets up to next and what the next intriguing letter for Mr.Holmes holds.
As I said Holly Hepburn's writing style is fantastic and love reading books by her because it's so easy to immerse yourself in them because of how she writes. I am so looking forward to book two and I hope it's hitting the shelves soon.

Krystina xx

 

The Other Gwyn Girl by Nicola Cornick~Blog Tour

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 7th March 2024

Genre:Historical Fiction

Summary:

1671 – London

The Civil War is over and Charles II, the ‘Merry Monarch’, is revelling in the throne of his murdered father and all the privileges and power that comes with it. Sharing the spoils is his favourite companion, the celebrated beauty, actress Nell Gwyn. Beloved of the English people, Nell has come a long way from selling oranges and a childhood in a brothel, but as her fortunes have turned, her sister Rose has taken a different path. Marriage to a feckless highwayman has left Rose in the grim Marshalsea prison and now she needs her sister’s mercy to help get her out. But Nell needs Rose too. A plot to steal the Crown Jewels has gone tragically wrong, and Nell’s future with her protector King is at risk. If Rose can’t solve the riddle of the jewels both Gwyn sisters will head straight to the Tower.

Present Day

Librarian and history enthusiast Jess Yates has hit rock bottom. With her ex behind bars for fraud, Jess needs to lay low – easier said than done with a celebrity sister. But Tavy has her uses. Her latest TV project involves renovating Fortune Hall, and she needs a house sitter while she’s jetting around the world. The opportunity is too good to miss, especially when Jess discovers that Fortune Hall has links to the infamous Nell Gwyn.

Slowly the house begins to reveal its mysteries, and secrets that have laid buried for centuries can no longer be ignored. Jess hears echoes from a tragic past and as she struggles to understand her sister, Jess feels ever closer to Rose Gwyn, the sister forgotten by history but who had the fate of her family in her hands.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Nicola Cornick for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.

I loved this book from the first page, it drew me into Rose's story and I just had to know more about her! I'll be honest I didn't realise Nell Gwyn had a sister so this was a brilliant book for bringing a little know about woman from history into the light. I really loved skipping back and forth between the 17th century and the modern period, I loved Jess and Rose equally and seeing the parallels between their relationships with their more famous younger siblings was an interesting way to forge that connection between them. I really liked that they had that romance element for both of them and seeing them have their happy ever after of sorts brought a smile to my face, I think they both really deserved to have it. Oh, and the theft of the crow jewels element was brilliant! I so wished the book hadn't ended where it did i wanted to know if Jess finds them!
 It was my first book by Nicola Cornick and it definitely won't be my last because I now realise that bringing little-known women from history to our knowledge is what she does, I want to read the rest of her back catalogue.

Krystina xx

 

Chasing a Highland Dream by Lisa Hobman~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 28th February 2024

Genre: Romance

Summary:

Since having to drop out of her design degree, Bella Douglas has been unlucky in just about everything life has thrown at her.

She’s lost more jobs than she cares to remember and to top it off she’s still single, despite her Granny Isla’s best attempts to set her up with every eligible bachelor in the Scottish Highlands.

Currently PA to her best friend, aka, Lady Olivia MacBain, at Drumblair Castle, Bella is yet to find a role that sets her soul on fire. But when disaster strikes for Olivia, Bella steps into the breach to rescue her bestfriend from a fate worse than a bad interior designer.

When Bella and her Granny find themselves homeless, they relocate to the castle where a handsome new neighbour brings mystery, intrigue and a spark of romance.

Is Bella finally on the track to find true happiness? Or do more catastrophes lie ahead? And does true love hide where you least expect it?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Lisa Hobman for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I instantly loved this book. I got drawn straight into the story and I have to say I absolutely loved Bella, she's the kind of MC that you can connect with easily and that's exactly what I found myself doing. And Granny Isla is fabulous, she's the kind of Granny I think I'd like to be when I'm older, never too serious and always there with love and fun for her grandchildren. I really loved the relationship she and Bella have, it kind of made me miss my Grandma if I'm honest, I think I had a smile on my face during any scene where those two were together.
Now onto the romance, I have to admit, to begin with, much like Bella, I didn't really like Harris but I think I also didn't like him because Granny Isla was trying to push him and Bella together and I was annoyed on Bella's behalf so I was rooting for her and Aiden to begin with. Aiden seemed like the better choice, until words came out of his mouth, once he started talking more to Bella I started to dislike him so much! But I loved the slow-burn friends-to-lovers path that Bella and Harris took and it made me do a giddy little dance when they finally got together.
I think Lisa Hobman is a brilliant writer because I so easily connected with her characters and became so invested in the story that I couldn't put the book down until I knew the ending. I'm definitely going to go read book one in the series and I can't wait for book three in October!

Krystina xx

The Love Interest by Victoria Walters ~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 12th February 2024

Genre: Romance

Summary:

No man can be as good as the one in your imagination...

Librarian Liv Thomas has always dreamed of writing a romance novel. But she’s stuck when it comes to creating a romantic hero – sadly – lacking anyone in real life to base him on.

When her brother suggests his best friend stay in their shared flat for a few weeks, she can’t believe her bad luck. Aiden Rivers is irritating and pushes all her buttons. Worst of all, he’s gorgeous, has a sexy accent and reminds her of her all-time favourite character Mr Darcy.

Liv finds herself unexpectedly inspired and the leading man in her novel begins to bear an uncanny resemblance to Aiden. He can never find out though: she’d never live it down. Because Aiden can only ever be her love interest in the pages of her book – and definitely not in real life… right?!

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Victoria Walters for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I really loved reading this book, it was the perfect book to pick up on the run-up to Valentine's Day. It's got two of my favourite troupes in it the enemies to lovers and the brothers best friend/ little sister and I love it when I get them both together, don't ask me why because I can't tell you but I just do. I loved Liv, her style was epic I could never pull anything she put on off but the outfits all sounded amazing and I just really liked her, she just sounded like a really nice person to be around. I loved getting glimpses into her book and watching her hidden feelings for Aiden come out in it and her gradually figure out that she did really fancy him. Aiden was a perfect leading man, I so enjoyed watching the ways he tried to show Liv he actually liked her before they actually talked about it, they were so sweet if sometimes irritating to her.

I loved the little side story romance of her brother Dan and his boyfriend Theo, they were so cute together and I loved how their ending went( no spoilers from me) 
I really don't want to say much more about the story because I don't want to do any spoilers but one of my favourite scenes was near the end and let's just say any Mr Darcey fans will love it.

I found this such a lovely easy book to read it flowed so well and Victoria Walter's writing style is perfect for this kind of romance, i can't wait to read more by her so I'm eagerly awaiting her next book.

Krystina xx

Coffee and Cake at Wildflower Lock by Hannah Lynn~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 22nd January 2024

Genre:Romance

Summary:

Home is where the coffee is...

Daisy May is embarking on a new chapter of her life as a permanent resident at the idyllic Wildflower Lock. Determined to seize this second chance she's been granted, Daisy is putting her all into making her new business venture a success. As her friendship with Theo grows ever stronger, her happily ever after seems within reach.

However, life isn't always smooth sailing. When a string of unfortunate mishaps and an unruly stag party leaves Daisy’s finances in dire straits, she starts to question her decision to launch a coffee shop. But just when she's nearly lost hope, the mysterious and generous Christian enters her life. Astute and eager to assist Daisy, he proposes a solution that could be the answer to all her problems... or will it be the beginning of even more challenges.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Hannah Lynn for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
So this is the second book at the Wildflower Lock, I haven't read the first one but I didn't find that was an issue, I got a pretty good rundown of need-to-know information from it within the first four chapters. This is a really easy-to-read book, it's written well and pretty quick to read, I just about read it in a day bar 4 chapters. Hannah Lynn really made it easy to picture Daisy and her boat, which sounds beautiful by the way, in fact, she described all the characters so vividly that I could close my eyes and see them and whatever situation they were in. Both of Daisy's love interests were charming, Theo seemed like a genuinely nice bloke but I have to say I was suspicious of Christian. He seemed to have all the solutions for Daisy's problems but I didn't understand why he was helping her, someone he barely knew, plus he threw his money around a lot and something just felt off about him.
I loved the idea of the canal boat cafe, it sounds exactly like the kind of place I'd gravitate towards if I were walking down the canal and saw it.
But if I'm honest I didn't like Daisy, I regularly found her irritating with regard to the two men she went back and forth between them constantly flip-flopping and while I get that is the major plot of the book I just didn't like it.
Having said that Hannah Lynn's writing style is enjoyable so I think ill try one of her other books at some point this year.

Krystina xx

The Secrets of Crestwell Hall by Alexandra Walsh~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Boldwood Books 

Publication Date: 24th January 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary:

‘A king adorns the throne… He has no subtlety, no grace but he does not deserve to die in the way that has been planned and this is why we shall stop them, our men, our kin and save us all.’

1605

Bess Throckmorton is well used to cunning plots and intrigues. With her husband Sir Walter Raleigh imprisoned in the Tower of London, and she and her family in a constant battle to outwit Robert Cecil, the most powerful man in the country who is determined to ruin her, Bess decides to retreat to her beloved home, Crestwell Hall. But there she is shocked to hear talk of a new plot to murder the king. So, unbeknownst to their menfolk, the wives of the plotters begin to work together to try to stop the impending disaster.

Present Day

Isabella Lacey and her daughter, Emily, are excited to be starting a new life at her aunt’s home, Crestwell Hall in Wiltshire. During renovations, Isabella discovers an ancient bible that once belonged to Bess Throckmorton, and to her astonishment finds that it doubled as a diary. As Isabella reads Bess’s story, a new version of the Gunpowder Plot begins to emerge - told by the women.

When Emily’s life is suddenly in terrible danger, Isabella understands the relentless fear felt by Bess, hundreds of years ago. And as the fateful date of 5th November draws ever closer, Bess and the plotters’ wives beg their husbands to stop before a chain of events is set into action that can only end one way…

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Alexandra Walsh for having me on the tour and sending me the book.
Firstly I have to comment on the cover, it's beautiful! It drew me in before I'd even read the blurb. But I was intrigued by this book from the moment it mentioned the gunpowder plot, It is a part of history that I only know the basics about and having it as a key element of the plot really sounded interesting, especially hearing it from the female point of view.
I loved the fact that in both timelines we have a strong set of women who support each other and help one another with whatever they need without really questioning it too much. Issy has The Coven, I love that her aunt named them that by the way it made me smile every time it was said, and they instantly are there by her side as soon as they even hear in her voice that she's struggling. I loved getting a bit more of Bess's story and then flipping back to Issy and waiting for her to gradually uncover that bit of the story for herself it was very clever the way that Alexandra Walsh flips between the two at the points she chooses to, and how we get to piece together and fill in gaps in the history with Issy. I think the pace of the story is just right, it moved with enough speed that I just kept telling myself that I'd read just one more chapter before sleeping/cleaning etc and I'd find myself 4 chapters later caught up in what was happening. I really enjoyed the writing style of it too and I definitely think I need to go read more by the author, she's brought the period and the characters right off the page for me, it's been a fantastic read.

Krystina xx

Just Do It by Maxine Morrey~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 18th January 2024

Genre:Romance

Summary:

Lizzie Rose knows what she likes and likes what she knows.

Her role at the London Museum is more than a job, it’s her safe place and her passion. So when Lizzie is passed over for a chance in a lifetime opportunity in favour of her ex-boyfriend and fellow Egypt nerd Friedrich Klein, her heartbreak over their relationship pales into insignificance compared to her sadness at losing the project.

Best friend Colette thinks an evening of cocktails is just the medicine for a broken heart, and meeting dashing, charming, but very much ‘not her type’ Finn Bryson at the bar puts a smile on Lizzie’s face too. But Lizzie isn’t used to spending time outside of her comfortable world of academia and doesn’t believe in mixing business with pleasure. So when Finn’s job brings him to the museum, she’s determined to put an end to any notion of romance between them.

But what if Lizzie’s comfort zone isn’t that comfortable any more? Is it time for Lizzie to take the chance on love that fate keeps bringing her way - even if it means changing the habits of a lifetime?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Maxine Morrey for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I really enjoyed this book, I know I say that a lot but I really did! I read it in about a day and that's mostly because I just didn't want to put it down and stop reading it. As a self-confessed Egypt Nerd, I have to admit that was a big part of why I picked the book, I've not read many romances with an Archaeologist as the FMC and I just loved that idea. And I did really love Lizzie, from the archaeology nerdiness to the inability to keep a desk tidy (honestly feel like I'm channelling Lizzie most days) i really connected with her and I loved how she grew throughout the book and how her outlook on life changed slowly, often in romance books that change is way too swift for me but this was done at such a good pace. Another thing done at a good pace was Lizzie and Finn's relationship, i enjoyed watching it develop and grow, heck I even enjoyed yelling at them for being utterly stupid at times, because what is a romance if the two MC's don't mess up their relationship at some point!
The characters were really well created, I loved Finn and his easygoing nature but equally, I absolutely hated Friedrich and his entire way of acting made me want to hit him because we've all met someone like him who treats us like a stepping stone so Maxine's way of writing was just so spot on.
I've completely and utterly loved reading this and I'm definitely going to head off to find some more books by Maxine because I've so enjoyed her writing style.

Krystina xx

The Island Cottage by Jane Lovering~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 9th January 2024

Genre: Romance

Summary:

When Brid Harcus is sent to the Orkney Islands, in the far reaches of Scotland, she has high hopes for her trip being short, straightforward and lucrative.

Her mother has inherited a cottage from her Great Aunt Jennet which has been unlived in and unloved for decades, and the time has come to make it habitable and saleable. Easy, right?

But Midness Cottage has other ideas. For one thing it’s rather more ‘fixer upper’ than Country Living, with a resident goose and her goslings who have made themselves at home. And Brid definitely hadn’t planned for the strongly-held local belief that the cottage is meant to be the home of the Orkney Witch, and whomever lives in it must fulfil this role. Not the best message for the estate agent brochure and of course Brid doesn’t believe in magic, let alone have healing powers.

But Orkney does have healing powers. Its beauty and peace are enchanting, its people welcoming, and Brid’s handsome new friend Magnus is rather charming too. When her life back in York starts calling her home, will Brid sell up and ship out? Or did the last Orkney Witch cast a spell and leave a legacy of love if only Brid believed in magic…

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Jane Lovering for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
This was such an easy book to dive into, I loved stepping onto Orkney. It's a place I've always wanted to go because of all that history, and this book has made me want to go even more! I loved all the visits to the historical sites that Brid and Magnus did and it kind of helped solidify the setting as Orkney rather than just any other Scottish island. All of the characters were so solid in this book, even the ones that weren't physically there(I'm looking at you there Jennet) felt like someone you could bump into just wandering around town. I loved getting to watch Brid learn to be the Orkney Witch, even if it wasn't by choice, and I especially loved how she learnt the witchyness (which I won't say how because I don't want any spoilers for you all) it was a very clever twist to it. I found Magnus so easy to fall for, I could easily see why Brid found him so charming.
Another thing I loved (aside from Magnus) was the humour throughout the book, I had quite a few chuckles at Brid's quips at the townsfolk when they decided she was the Orkney Witch, and to be honest her quips in general, she's defiantly full of spirit and more than capable of fighting her corner.
I absolutely loved reading this and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by Jane Lovering in the future.

Krystina xx

A Story To Strangle For by E.V Hunter~Blog Tour

 Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 6th January 2024

Genre: Cosy Mystery

Summary:

A failing hotel…

With its reputation in tatters, Alexi Ellis is determined to save her beloved Hopgood Hall from any more bad press. A writing course for wannabe journalists shouldn't cause too many issues and will hopefully take the heat off Hopgood Hall….

A shocking death…

But disaster strikes when one of the group is found dead in a local pub. What’s worse Alexi was the last person to see the victim alive, which makes her suspect number one.

A case too close to home?

Alexi is sure she is being set up, but who would go to such deadly lengths? With her reputation and liberty on the line, this is a case Alexi, Jack and Cosmo can’t afford to leave unsolved!

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and E.V Hunter for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
I loved my last E.V Hunter book so much that when I saw this one I had to read it. I've loved being back at Hopgood Hall and meeting all the familiar characters again, Cosmo is one of my favourites I love that he's so protective of Alexi and so spot on with his dislike of certain people. Don't get me wrong I really love seeing everything from Alexi and Jack's points of view but I had so many chuckles at Cosmo's behaviour, he's the star really. 
I've loved the writing style of both books I've read, I found it so easy to get drawn into the story and engrossed in it, I swear I don't normally ignore people when they talk but this book was so all-encompassing when I was reading that I just didn't notice them. It's been such an enjoyable style to read.
I loved seeing more of Alexi and Jack's relationship in this one, I've only read two of the four books so I didn't see how it started but I got some more filler information in this book and I liked how it rounded out what I knew about them. There were so many different options for the murderer and I loved that I was never quite sure who did it until we were near the end, While I like trying to figure out ahead of time who did it, it's always best when I'm left guessing.
All in all, I've loved discovering this series of books and while I hope for Alexi's sake there aren't too many more murders at Hopgood Hall, I'm secretly hoping that this is a long series because it's just the right kind of cosy mystery for me.

Krystina xx