Daughter of the Fens by Elena Collins~Blog Tour

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 2nd October 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary:

AD 61

Brittania is in the hands of the Romans but when the conquering army betray the dead King Prasutagus by defiling his daughters, his Queen, Boudicca, is determined to regain her land.

Iceni slave Brea remembers little of the time before the Romans, and has grown used to their louche and indulgent customs. She diligently goes about her duties looking after the artless Aurelia, wife-to-be of the handsome war hero Marcellus, but her longing for freedom and her desire to find her lost father, are never far from her mind.

Present Day

When Hanna returns to Norfolk from years working abroad, the strange dreams of her adolescence return: indistinct figures in tunics, mighty soldiers in armour, gladiators, temples, an Iceni warrior woman leading her people. Gradually Hanna’s dreams begin to slip into the present as visions in the famous mists rolling across the fens, and as shocks of recognition when a new face moves to her childhood home.

As Hanna realises that she has a connection with a tragedy that occurred many years before, so Brea has to understand that her fate is bound up with her Roman master. And as the drumbeat of rebellion gets ever closer Brea must make the fatal choice between love and loyalty while Hanna has to find a way to make peace with the past.

Review:

 Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Elena Collins and Boldwood Books for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
So far I haven't met one of Elena's books that I haven't loved and this one was no different. I love how she flips from modern day back into the past so easily and there's no clunky feel to it.
I really enjoyed the small glimpses of Brea's life that we each time and that it gradually gives us this fuller picture of her and her life and how it changes.I loved stepping back to that time period, Roman britian is a rich time for Elena to have picked and I'm really pleased she picked the Iceni tribe, it's one of those names that instantly gives you an image in your head when you hear the name.
I could barely put the book down it just kept me hooked the whole time, Elena's brilliant descriptions made me feel like I was stepping into the story and time period, I pretty much read it in a day(housework can wait right?) and I think that's been the case for all of Elena's books I've read.
Hanna's story was interesting and enjoyed seeing how her life flowed and how being connected to Brea kind of helped her find her path in life, it was really good to see her find her passion at the end of the book.
I always knew that I'd love this book and Elena Collins is always an auto-buy author for me so I'm now eagerly looking forward to her next book and where in time it will take me!

Krystina xx

His Head on a Platter by Alan Gold~Blog Tour(Excerpt)

 Publisher: Romaunce Books

Publication Date: 22nd September 2023

Genre: Historical

Summary:

Baroque Rome 1611

In a city where women are seen not heard, Artemisia Gentileschi dreams of becoming a great artist.

She grows up in a family of painters – all men and she knows she is more talented than her brothers, but she cannot choose her own future because she’s a woman. She’s clever, ambitious, resilient, and driven and wants to experience the world, but she knows her place and she belongs to her father and her future husband.

She goes from lesson to lesson, honing her craft and paints in private but she’s only allowed to paint the women who inspire her. When her mother died her father became very strict and followed the pope’s edicts about modesty, limiting the subjects she could paint.

When one of her father’s collaborators enters her life, Tassi, he becomes her tutor, a handsome dashing figure, who represents everything that a life of freedom might offer. Until the unthinkable happens and her torture begins.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Love Books Tours, Romaunce Books and Alan Gold for having me on this tour and sending me the book.Unfortunately, my copy of the book is currently somewhere in the post(i think my postman likes to torture me) so i haven't got to read this fabulous-sounding book just yet. But it does mean that i get to give you a little sneak peak of the book instead before giving my review a little bit later on when I've read the book.
Ive adored every Alan Gold book I've read so far this year, I've been lucky enough to be on the tour for two others, and i cant see myself loving this one any less.

Excerpt

Anger does not even begin to define the feelings coursing through my veins, causing me to lose the composure that defines the lady I am, nor delineates a limitless woman such as me. I am a woman who has achieved great success in a profoundly troubled life. To read of my life and accomplishments will be like listening to a performance of the buffoons and charlatans of the Commedia dell’Arte. But now that I am writing the story of my life, I am reliving events long buried because of the pain they caused me. Pain so powerful, so tortured, that I pray no other woman ever experiences it.

As I come to write this, the story of my life, I am 48 years of age. A matron. But I am unlike other matrons of my age. I do not sit by a fire, my shoulders wrapped in blankets, legs swathed in rugs, comforted by children and grandchildren who attend to my every need. No, I am robust, vigorous and forceful. How could I not be, having lived through the events which formed my life?

How intriguing does that sound! Now I really can't wait to get stuck into this book, keep an eye out for my review!

Krystina xx

Just A Fika by Beck Erixson~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Aegir Haven

Publication Date: 3rd October 2023

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Summary:

Family.

They're always meddling in your love life...

Even after they're dead.

Brooklynite-and genealogist-Ingrid Ekstrom accepts a surprise request from her typically estranged family: to become the live-in caretaker of their shared historic house in the sleepy Jersey Shore town of Aegir Haven. A fun-loving cousin is quick to introduce Ingrid to the local handyman and bluegrass musician. As he fixes up the place, Ingrid digs into the house's past and learns about the family she barely knows.

And then Mormor-her long-dead grandmother-shows up, acting as though not being in the spirit realm is perfectly normal.

Ingrid's always yearned for stronger family connections, and it's nice having Mormor around. Mormor tries to set her up with a young real estate attorney who's closer to her more thunderous, god-like personal standards than the musician with keen senses Ingrid is falling for. As lore and legends mingle with real life, she's torn. Mormor's fantastical family sagas can't actually be true, right?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Aegir Haven and Beck Erixson for having me on this tour and for sending me a copy of the book.
This book was just what I needed after a busy family-filled weekend. It picked me up and gave me a brilliant lift. I really loved the writing style and the pace, I think it's just what the story needed. Ingrid is a little standoffish and I guess some people might find her character hard to connect to but I really loved her from the off. I get her need to connect to family she knows little of and wanting to deep dive into that history and soak it all in. Having said that I think my favourite character might be Mormor... I just loved her attitude to the Medium, I've not laughed out loud like that for a while and it feels like she's making me laugh at almost every turn.
There are so many interesting characters in this book, and aside from one or two I've loved getting to know them all. I feel like we could have more books set in Aegir, and I'd love to read them if we did because I've enjoyed visiting this little coastal town.
If you love a little cosy romance with a few ghosts thrown in this will definitely be your cup of tea. And I recommend reading it with a spot of Fika too.

Krystina xx

You're Here For a Reason by Rebecca Kirk~Blog Tour(extract)

 Publisher: Bannister Publications Ltd

Publication Date: 23rd September 2023

Genre: Spiritual/Self Help

Review:
Something a little different for today's tour! My copy of the book hasn't quite made it into my hands yet(I think the postman is having a read before handing it over) so instead of a review, I'm going to post an extract of the book provided by Random Things Book Tours and Rebecca Kirk so you can all have a sneak peek of what's inside. But I will be reviewing as soon as I get my hands on the book, so look out for my review coming soon!
Extract

Practices for trusting your path

Here are some suggested practices for you to try, which can help you let go of attaching and grasping and begin to trust your path more.

1. Observe your thoughts and feelings

·        Begin by identifying the thoughts you are having about your next career move or those which underly any actions you might currently be taking, such as searching for new jobs.

·        Do you suspect that those thoughts come from a place of trust or from a place of fear? Is there a sense of flow and ease behind them? Or do you suspect you might be chasing or hustling in some way?

·        Now tune in to the feelings and the energy in your body when you think about your career path and any changes you are trying to make.

·        Is that energy light and spacious? Or does it feel heavy or burdened, perhaps with a knot in your stomach? Your body will always give you the clues you need.

·        Once you have observed any thoughts and feelings stemming from attachment and grasping, you then have a choice to instead call in trust.

2. Visualise letting go

• Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to connect within.

·        Set your intention around what you want to create, achieve or experience (you could start out with something smaller and more immediate than finding your purpose)

·        Imagine putting that intention and all that you hope it will bring you into a balloon. Fill the balloon with your deepest wishes and any associated positive emotions.

·        Tie the balloon with a piece of coloured string (whatever colour you feel drawn to).

·        Visualise the details on your hand as you loosen your grip on the string and then let the string go and the balloon be taken by the wind.

·        As it soars into the sky, trust that Divine Timing is at work and that the Universe where it will be received with love and support.

·        As it soars into the sky, trust that Divine Timing is at work and that the Universe will support you with your intention in a way which is for your highest good.

 
I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek at You're Here for a Reason, and look out for my full review coming soon!

Krystina xx

The Highlander's Unexpected Bride by Nicole Locke~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Mills & Boon

Publication Date: 28th September 2023

Genre: Historical Romance

Summary:

Is the wife the Highlander seeks

…already by his side?

Back from battle, Hamilton of Clan Graham makes a bet with his brother: to find a wife by summer’s end! The Scottish warrior enlists his childhood friend Beileag to help him woo the perfect woman. But, like he has, Beileag has changed whilst he’s been away―and she intrigues him as never before… His focus should be on winning a bride. So why is Beileag all he can think about?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Mills & Boon and Nicole Locke for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
Now if you've been following my blog for a while you'll know I love romance, and historical romances are one of my favourite kinds to read. I love stepping back in time and watching a romance unfold somewhere so different to now, you often get really romantic gestures that you'd never see now and I love that escapism.
Now whilst I have read many a Mills &Boon romance in my time I've not read one by Nicole Locke before and I really loved her style of writing, I'm definitely going to check out more from her for my next romance hit!
I loved the Friends to Lovers journey that we watched Hamilton and Beileag go on and the background romance of Cameron and Anna was just so lovely to get glimpses of in between our main romance, I know I'll be heading off to read their story next.
I really felt for poor Beileag every time her mother sniped at her and essentially chipped away at her confidence in herself, I don't know how her mother thought that being cruel would help her leave and find happiness, how do you find love when you keep getting told you height makes you unwanted! But I loved how Hamilton brought her out of her shell and they had that back-and-forth banter with each other.
In short, I loved reading this, I sat and devoured it in one sitting and I'm pretty sure ill head back to it again when i need another dose of historical romance.

Krystina xx

Just Like Mother by Anne Heltzel~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Verve Books

Publication Date: 26th September 2023

Genre: Horror

Summary:

For the past two decades, Maeve has worked hard to build a normal life in New York City, where she keeps everything - and everyone - at a safe distance. When Andrea suddenly reappears, Maeve regains the only true friend she's ever had. Soon she's spending more time at Andrea's remote Catskills estate than in her own cramped apartment. Maeve doesn't even mind that her cousin's wealthy work friends clearly disapprove of her single lifestyle. After all, Andrea has made her fortune in the fertility industry - baby fever comes with the territory. What worries Maeve is that the more she immerses herself in Andrea's world, the more her long-buried memories flood to the surface. But confronting the terrors of her childhood may be the only way for Maeve to transcend the nightmare still to come...

Review:
Firstly thank you to Verve Books and Anne Heltzel for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
The cover for this book is suitably creepy to fit with its horror tag, but personally, i didn't feel like it was a horror read. Don't get me wrong this is most definitely a well-written book and Anne Heltzel's use of language is brilliant throughout but I didn't get the horror vibe. I found it an easy-to-read book, I whizzed through it but i also clocked what was going to happen by chapter 4 and honestly, I kept reading to see how right I was. I missed any of the twists that normally come with a thriller. Now it could be that I'm unintentionally comparing it to another thriller with a motherhood cult at its centre that had me second-guessing myself at all turns and had such a twist that I exclaimed out loud at it and therefore Just Like Mother comes out lacking in comparison. 
I enjoyed the character development though and Maeve's piecing it all together, and I quite liked the flashbacks to their childhood. It was interesting to see their dynamic as children and how, despite the gap they had of not knowing each other, they easily fell back into that dynamic.
Despite not getting the horror vibe from this book I would happily read something by Anne Heltzel again, she has a really good writing style that I found easy to read.

Krystina xx

Highland Reaper by Shauna Richmond (Audiobook) ~Blog Tour

Publisher: Independently published

Publication Date: 24th June 2022

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Summary:

Their secret is out and Tristan soon discovers that his worst fears have come to life. There is a substantial price on his head and the men coming for him target his only weakness...Catherine.

The Raghnalls land in Oakwood and Tristan quickly learns that he is not the only person desperate to save his lover.

What happens when the hunter becomes the hunted?

Can the Norsemen be trusted?

How on earth are they going to survive?

Review:

 Firstly thank you to Hygge Book Tours and Shauna Richmond for having me on this tour and sending me the book.
Now once again I had the audiobook for this one, and unfortunately, once again I did not get on with the narrator. We had a different narrator than we did for book one, so I had hoped I would like the narrator more but alas this was not the case. We had another male narrator but this time he spoke with a very clipped queen's English followed by trying to do a Scottish and Irish accent with little success and it just really put me off. So much so that when I then read the first few chapters again via ebook it put me off the book entirely.
I really enjoyed book one in the series and was really looking forward to diving into book two for this tour but unfortunately, the book fell flat of my expectations. I'm not sure if it's because I really got on badly with the narrator and that then coloured my opinion (I found it difficult to get the bad accents out of my head when reading the rest of the book) or if the book fell into second-book syndrome.
The same banter was there with Tristan and Catherine that I enjoyed in book one and the same connection that they have that I loved in book one was still there but for me, in this book, it didn't hit the same.
I do enjoy Shauna's writing so I think I may skip over to another one of her series and come back to this again when I have the narrator's voice out of my head and see if my opinion changes.

Krystina xx