Hello and welcome to something a little different. Today I am helping with a Palamedes PR feature. Over the next couple of weeks you will probably see various Book Bloggers sharing info and posts about Palamedes PR.
Palamedes PR is a long-established and award-winning name in the book marketing field and the recognised UK market leader.
Their specialist services include national and international press, TV and radio, and PR stunts.
Book bloggers are no longer considered ‘fringe media’ but important vehicles to promote new titles, authors and publishers. Unlike mainstream news and feature outlets, which reach a wide but less targeted audience, blogs are the go-to destination of choice for engaged consumers who return time and time again for expert reviews and advice.
According to Palamedes PR, the UK’s market-leading book marketing agency, bloggers can be instrumental in shaping the overall success of a new release and are an indispensable force in the public relations industry. Here, we speak to one of its publicists, Anthony Harvison, to find out why book blogs are reshaping the literary marketing and sales landscape, and how they are an increasingly important advocate for underrepresented voices and genres.
Q: How has the landscape of book marketing evolved with the rise of book blogging, and what role does it play in promoting books? Book blogging has become a powerful force in book marketing, offering a dynamic platform for readers to share their thoughts and recommendations. It plays a crucial role in creating buzz around books, reaching niche audiences, and influencing purchasing decisions.
Q: In what ways do book bloggers contribute to building a book’s online presence and visibility? Book bloggers contribute significantly to a book’s online presence by writing reviews, hosting blog tours, and participating in social media discussions. Their authentic and personal recommendations can enhance a book’s visibility and attract a diverse readership.
Q: How do book publicists identify and collaborate with book bloggers to promote specific titles? Book publicists often research and reach out to book bloggers whose content aligns with the target audience and genre of a particular book. Collaboration may involve sending review copies, organizing blog tours, or facilitating author interviews to generate interest among the blogger’s followers.
Q: Looking forward, do you see any emerging trends or changes in the relationship between book blogging and book marketing? As technology evolves, immersive experiences like virtual book clubs, interactive content, and multimedia reviews may gain prominence in book blogging. The relationship between book bloggers and marketing may deepen as influencers continue to shape literary conversations and bridge the gap between authors, publishers, and readers.
For more information about Palamedes PR and its book marketing services, go to http://www.palamedes.co.uk or call 0208 1036883
Check out the other stops in this promotional tour…
Many thanks for reading my post,a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx
I am delighted to share a promotional post today for Twinkl. This is an educational resources site for Early Years through to 18 years old. They are an unlimited downloads and resources site that provides support to Parents, Home Educators, Child Minders and have a huge range to discover.
One of my reviews is featured along with some wonderful Book Bloggers reviews, check out the other Warm Wintery Reads HERE
ABOUT TWINKLE
We’re here to ‘help those who teach’. It’s what brings us to work every day.
We’re proud to create educational resources that can be used at each step of a child’s learning journey.
Our teacher-created resources provide entire schemes of work, lesson planning and assessments right through to online educational games, augmented reality and so much more.
We have over 525,000 resources and new content gets added every day. You’ll find we’ve normally got what you need before you even know you want it.
We’re all inspired to support teachers and learners, around the world.
Everything we do supports the global teaching community and we’re committed to transforming people’s lives through education.
We support and work with educators across the world, including primary and secondary teachers, childminders, nursery workers, home educators and parents.
All Twinkl resources are teacher-made and can be used by anyone, anywhere – making learning accessible to all.
We also tailor resources to a number of curriculums, including the UK National Curriculums. You can find a full list of those we cover right here.
Laura Millington, Contents Executive contacted me to see if I would like to have one of my reviews to be featured in their Christmas Campaign.
The book Laura wanted to include was one I had reviewed and posted on my Blog, Lucy Makes a Wish by Anne Booth, a fabulous book for children aged 6+
This review was featured on Twinkl as part of their Christmas campaign –
If you would like to read my full review CLICK HERE
Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx
I am delighted to share something a little bit different today. The lovely Hayley at Midas PR got in touch about Awesome BooksUK, they promote sustainable reading by selling pre-loved books. As well as this they also promote literacy and so for each book you purchase one is donated to the National Literacy Trust.
I received a surprise book from Awesome books as well as some more info about them and their goals. I do have a special code for anyone who wants to order a book. You can either follow the link HERE or just type in Awesome Books UK. The code allows 20% off used books until 31st December 2021. At the checkout just enter the code MeAndMyBooks.
( 20% off Used Books at awesomebooks.com Terms and Conditions:Offer valid online only from 15 November until 23:59 Friday 31st December 2021 BST. To qualify for this offer, add eligible products to your basket and enter promotion code MeAndMyBooks 20% discount will show in the basket on qualifying products. Only valid once per transaction. Offer valid on Used books. Offer subject to availability. No cash alternative. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other online promotion codes. Offer excludes delivery costs.)
Here is more about Awesome Books…
AwesomeBooks was born from a love for books: to not see books thrown away when they can still be read and their stories shared.
In 2003 co-founders Mubin and Taskeen found charity shops throwing away books they could not sell. Bin after bin was getting filled with books in perfectly good condition. Books represented empowerment and education, full of wonderful stories fuelling the imagination. Bookworms themselves, the 2 co-founders set about finding a solution.
After trying various ideas, AwesomeBooks started selling books online. This model proved successful, allowing more and more books to be diverted from landfills. Today, we are a global retailer, processing over 250,000 books every day, with nothing going to waste. Books are either resold, donated via our literacy programs or pulped and turned into something new.
AwesomeBooks continues to invest in more ways to collect books, so they don’t go to waste and get re-read. We have set up collection banks with many councils around the country for books that people no longer want. And we have also launched ‘Sellitback.com’, our website and app, which enables members of the public to send us books directly and get paid for them.
Of course, not every book is available in a used condition. And we know our customers love books! Since 2011 we have offered new books on AwesomeBooks too. In addition to the 5m used books we stock, customers can choose from over 20m new books!
We know that books have the power to educate and improve life outcomes. From an early stage, AwesomeBooks has supported education and literacy projects. Since 2005 we have funded reading programs in schools. In 2011 we started work with a foundation in Ghana that donates books to schools in the Ashante region. And in 2019 we formalised our program under our ‘Buy One-Give One’ scheme: for every book, a reader buys from AwesomeBooks.com, we will donate a book to someone who needs it.
Our journey has only just begun. AwesomeBooks is helping to drive a new model of retailing –selling books, creating ways to recover books and continuing to pass them on. We combine this environmental good with social good. So be part of the movement: buy different and join us as we keep looking for new ways to drive our circular model. Be Awesome.
AwesomeBooks works to stop books from being thrown away. We create ways to collect books that people no longer want, selling them to our customers around the world and donating them to literacy programs we work with.
It is our mission to champion a different model of retailing – circular economy retailing – positively contributing to sustainability and literacy, driven by a passion for books. So when you buy from AwesomeBooks.com , we help you make an impact with every book.
Our world is awesome. We are committed to preserving the environment for current and future generations and operate in a way that treats our planet with respect.
When businesses are formed, they should be inherently sustainable, not only financially but also environmentally. For every business, this takes a different form but for us, it means allowing people to enjoy books and other products as many times as possible without having to create new ones. Not only does this save resources, but it also means hundreds of thousands of items get a second chance instead of ending up in landfills. We don’t stop there.
We are aiming to be carbon neutral by the end of 2022. We have introduced carbon reporting to actively monitor our consumption of energy and water, as well as our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and waste. We have met our original pledge of reducing our own carbon footprint by 30% per book sold by 2020, but we want to do more. We have pledged to be carbon neutral by the end of 2022.
Everything is recycled. Nothing goes to landfills. We will find every book a home, but sometimes a book has been loved a bit too much and needs to retire from the bookshelf. So far, we have recycled over 132 million books – the equivalent to a million trees – to be made into new products, working with specialist recycling partners.
I RECEIVED…
I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes.
I do actually have a copy of this book and I still have it on my TBR so I am planning on popping a copy in our local Telephone Book Swap Book in the village.
The book is in good condition, the pages aren’t ripped, there is some creasing on the spine, but this was something I expected.
To buy this book new would cost me anywhere from £4-£9 depending on where I ordered it.
A preloved copy from Awesome books, with the 20% discount applied is £2.44, free delivery and you can pay by a card or use PayPal.
The Benefits of a preloved copy…
My preloved copy allowed me to save 0.0274 Tree(s)3.65Kg of CO2456 litre(s) of Water
I do think this is a great way of looking after the environment, reusing or recycling books and many of the books I own have come by way of the local Book Swap Telephone Box, charity shops and jumble sales.
I have had a good browse around the site and there are many genres in fiction and non-fiction. Some of the more recent titles are only available as New copies, but there are many, many others that are used.
Don’t forget the code – MeAndMyBooks 🙂
Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx
I am delighted to take part in a cover reveal for the first new book due to being published by Embla Books. Rachel Ryan’s Resolutions by Laura Starkey looks wonderful and I am looking forward to reading my own copy very soon.
Before I share the cover, how about I share the Synopsis…
In January, Rachel Ryan’s New Year’s Resolutions are fairly predictable. Exercise more, put money into savings before spaffing it all on clothes, remember the ridiculous rule that potatoes don’t count towards your 5-a-day…
Before long, though, the year ahead of her is very much not going to plan. When the creative agency Rachel works for is taken over, one of the new suits in the office is very familiar. And very handsome. Surely it can’t be… Jack Harper. The man she has spent years trying to forget. Not only is Rachel now working with him, she has regular sightings of the gorgeous woman Jack cheated on her with – who happens to be plastered to the side of every London bus.
Thank goodness for Tom, who is always there to listen (and pour wine). But when work stirs up her most painful memories, her best friend makes a major announcement and Jack dials up the charm, Rachel starts to question everything.
As life throws her a world of crazy, will Rachel have to make some very different resolutions?
Perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary and Ruth Jones.
This book is due for publication on 16th September and is available to pre-order HERE
Now
Are
You
Ready?
Here’s the cover for…
Rachel Ryan’s Resolutions by Laura Starkey
Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx
I have a promomotional post today for Coming Home to Heritage Cove by Helen J Rolfe. It should have been a book review but my organisational skills have let me down as I didn’t write this one in my diary! My huge apologies to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources and also to Helen. So a promo post today with a review by the end of the week.
Let me show you what this book is all about…
Welcome to Heritage Cove, the little village by the sea brimming with character, community and friendship, and the perfect place to fall in love this summer…
Melissa rushes back to Heritage Cove when Barney, the man who’s been like a father figure to her since she was a little girl, ends up in hospital. After an absence of five years, her return isn’t going to be easy, especially when she bumps into Harvey, the love of her life and the man she’s never been able to forget.
For reasons he couldn’t explain at the time, Harvey changed his mind about going with Melissa to start afresh as they’d planned, and life moved on for the both of them. But with Melissa back in the village and determined to stick around to help Barney, they can’t avoid each other forever. Melissa knows she let so many people down by staying away for so long, but she and Harvey blame each other for what happened and neither of them is willing to admit to being in the wrong.
When Barney insists on cancelling the Wedding Dress Ball, the charity fundraiser he holds every year in the stunning barn on his property, Melissa and Harvey realise they’re going to have to pull together. Otherwise the man they once knew might be gone forever. And when they unearth a secret Barney has never shared with anyone, they go in search of answers to not only ensure the ball runs this summer, but to bring back the Barney they know and love.
Back in the cove after all this time, Melissa gets to see the life she left behind and it’s time to deal with what it was that drove her away in the first place.
Beneath the summer sunshine in Heritage Cove, the sea sparkles, the heat rises and new love, reconciliations and the answers to an old love story could bring changes for everyone.
Helen J Rolfe writes romantic fiction and contemporary women’s fiction and enjoys weaving stories about family, friendship, secrets, and community.
Location is a big part of the adventure in Helen’s books and she enjoys setting stories in different cities and countries where she thinks her readers might like to escape to.
Helen J Rolfe also writes for Orion Books under the name Helen Rolfe.
Born and raised in the UK, Helen graduated from University with a business degree and began working in I.T. This job took her over to Australia and it was there that she finally turned to what she loved and studied writing and journalism. She spent a while freelancing for women’s health and fitness magazines, volunteered with the PR department of a children’s hospital where she wrote articles and media releases, and eventually began writing fiction in 2011. And now, she thinks she may just have found her dream job.
Helen currently lives in Hertfordshire, UK, with her husband and their children.
I am delighted to share an extract with you all today for A Thoughtful Woman by K.T. Findlay. Let me show you the synopsis and then I’ll share the extract…
They say revenge is a dish best served cold, but where’s the fun in that? Artist Sally Mellors has planned the perfect revenge, but with two secret agents on her tail, and her best friends running the police investigation, getting away with murder is going to be tricky…
Everybody loves Sally. She’s a funny, generous, warm hearted friend, without a nasty bone in her body. Isn’t she?
Unknown to her friends, Sally’s discovered another side to herself, cool headed and relentless, as she hunts down the three men who killed her husband. But Sally’s not the only one with an interest in the trio. Unknown to her, two agents have arrived in town, urgently hunting a missing man and his diary, which could blow their organisation apart. Their best leads are the very men that Sally’s hunting, and she’s getting in the way…
The inspiration behind A Thoughtful Woman. The justice system is an intriguing beast. We expect it to be fair, which is why we allow it to resolve our disputes instead of simply taking revenge ourselves, but watch an individual case play out in court and it can seem more like a high stakes game between lawyers than the pursuit of absolute truth. And if you think it’s a game, do you still accept the result if you lose? Is that still justice? At what point will a perfectly normal, perfectly decent person snap, and what happens when they do? Is it possible to plunge into the darkness of revenge and remain the normal, decent happy person you were before you started? Sally Mellors is about to find out.
K.T Findaly chose this particular extract because “it’s a nice stand alone vignette that doesn’t give away any spoilers, but is actually a crucial moment in the story. In this extract, the police are trying to track down a dominatrix linked to murder victim Andrew Holmes. Detective Inspector Peregrin McEwan is pursuing a lead” Here is the Extract…
They were sitting together in Holmes’s office on Friday morning because Jenny had phoned him first thing, to tell him she’d found a locked personal diary in Holmes’s office safe. Peregrin took just thirty seconds to open the pretty lock strap with a paperclip, taking care not to damage it.
‘Yuk.’ said Jenny. ‘He might as well not have bothered having a lock at all!’
Peregrin laughed. ‘More for show than anything else these things.’
He opened the book and began to read. After just a minute his raised eyebrows and gaping mouth caused Jenny to ask him what on earth was in it. ‘I have to say,’ he said slowly, ‘that if this had been my diary, and I was writing this kind of thing in it, I’d have bought myself a much better lock!’
‘But why? What’s it about? Come on, I found it!’ demanded Jenny, trying to read over his shoulder.
Peregrin closed the book. ‘Just how much do you know about Mr Holmes’s personal life?’
‘Not a huge amount. Lives in the best house in Ornamental Estate, has a live-in manservant called Algy, likes his cars, likes single malt Scotch whisky and goes to the theatre a lot. That’s about it.’
‘So you don’t know anything about his romantic life?’ asked Peregrin, ignoring her use of the present tense.
‘I wasn’t even aware that he had one. He never talked about having an interest in a woman, or going out to dinner with one, or anything like that.’
Peregrin tapped the diary. ‘This book is a hell of a lot more personal than any of that! It basically documents his sex life on a weekly basis. Mind you, sometimes it was so exciting he just writes an exclamation mark!’
Jenny put her hand up to her mouth but couldn’t hide her smile. ‘Golly! It would have been funny if I’d read that!’
Peregrin smiled fixedly back. ‘Or you might have been seeing a doctor to fix your jaw after it dropped through your desk! I’m afraid I’ll have to take it away. Sorry about that.’
‘Oh well, I suppose that’s why I called you.’ said Jenny wistfully.
Near the back of the book, amongst the empty pages, Peregrin found a phone number. Not wanting to use the phone at the lawyers, he went to the Dalton police station and dialled it from there.
‘Good morning. This is Miss Helen speaking.’ The voice was warm, matter of fact and confident.
‘Good morning Miss Helen. My name is Detective Inspector Peregrin McEwan. I’m calling you because I’ve just found your telephone number in the diary of a man who seems to have been one of your clients.’
——————–
Peregrin returned to the MIR, and was instantly handed a list of professional ladies in Miss Helen’s line of work.
‘You might want to work your way through this little lot Perry.’ grinned Goodwin. ‘I’m sure they’ll give you something for your memoirs!’
Peregrin flicked quickly down the list until he came to Miss Helen.
‘I think I’ll start with this one if you don’t mind sir. I already have an appointment to see her at 1:15 this afternoon.’
‘Oooooeeeerrr!’ said Susan. ‘Aren’t you full of surprises?’
‘Ha ha ha.’ he replied. ‘Christ. It’s just like being back at school! As a matter of fact, I picked up Holmes’s diary from Jenny Wills this morning. It’s got Miss Helen’s name in it.’
Susan and Tony continued to laugh.
‘I’m sure I don’t know what you two are laughing at. You’re coming with me!’
Tony blanched, but Susan rubbed her hands together. ‘Oh goodie! Perhaps I’ll get some tips on how to keep you lot in line!’
Peregrine looked at her firmly, but that just made Susan laugh all the harder.
Well, I don’t know about you but I am definitely intrigued and rather amused by this extract 😯😂❤ and it has made me quite sad that I didn’t have the time to read it for the Blog Tour!
K.T. Findlay lives on a small farm where he dovetails his writing with fighting the blackberry and convincing the quadbike that killing its rider isn’t a vital part of its job description.
I am delighted to join in with Zoe in her fabulous Author Take Over, a fabulous idea that allows us readers to showcase some of the wonderful Authors out there. Over the past few days Zoe has been sharing reviews and posts for Amanda James and you can check out the posts on her blog at – Zooloo’s Book Diary.
Yesterday I listed three books that I have read you can read that post HERE.
So to continue with Mandy’s book. I read The Cornish Retribution
A snippet of my review… Samantha (Sam) is recently widowed and struggling to deal with various things. She decides to attend an school reunion and meets up with Penny and Dan. They haven’t seen each other for many years and when Penny and Dan decide to visit. They find Sam isn’t quite as financially secure as she thought she would be and so a business partnership is arranged though not everyone is quite so keen …
One thing I have discovered with this author, no actually there are two things… one is the ability to keep me dangling as she weaves her story and the other is the spectacular setting descriptions.
As the characters were gradually introduced I did wonder how the connections would be made, they came across as nice, normal people…but what is normal? By the end of the book I had been manipulated into various beliefs and thoughts that had me chopping and changing as I read. I have to say the baddie was one that made my skin crawl as I discovered who they were and why they were doing the things they did. You will certainly work out your favourites.
Next up was The Feud
Here is part of my review… There is such an underlying sense of malice throughout this story, it gives it such a suspenseful edge. Using the feud as the basis for the story, then adding and expanding on it makes it such a compelling read. The malice gradually increases as the story progresses and it made me wonder how far a person would actually go.
I loved the way this author took the feud to various extremes. She uses family members and friends like chess pieces and has a fabulous way of moving and manipulating them into place. I found friends were manipulated, the truth was distorted and twisted in this old vendetta. On Matt’s arrival in the village sparks off the revenge and family honour and it is just the tip of the iceberg as revenge turns in vengeance.
The I read Dark Deception
And yes part of my review… What starts as a basic story about a married couple gradually turns into something far deeper, each chapter seems to add more intrigue and the suspense is slowly and surely ramped up.
I did have a couple of theories as I was reading, I will admit one of those theories turned out to be right. But the journey to whittle my theories down to the right one was fabulous. Even when I proved right there was more to come, more twists and turns than one of our Cornish lanes!
This is such a brilliant read and I think the author has definitely created a fabulous psychological thriller. The storylines are wonderfully interwoven with the characters involved. Even when I thought I had a handle on the story the author deftly sidestepped me and had me avidly turning pages to discover what was going to happen next.
Now this is also another favourite one. I did mention that The Calico Cat was my favourite, but this one was as well. But they are two very different reads, so I am having two favourites, just because I can 😁
Now there is a further book to add to my list, but I’m not sharing or showing you anything abut it as it has not yet been released. I have read it and it is fabulous and dark and twisty and I loved it. You will have to wait until the beginning of May xx
Amanda has written since she was a child, but never imagined that her words would be published, given that she left school with no real qualifications of note apart from an A* in how to be a nuisance in class. Nevertheless, she returned to education when her daughter was five and eventually became a history teacher. Then in 2010, after many twists and turns, the dream of becoming a writer came true when her first short story was published. Amanda has written many short stories and has six novels currently published.
Amanda grew up in Sheffield but now has realised her lifelong dream of living in Cornwall and her writing is inspired every day by the dramatic coastline near her home. She has sketched out many stories in her head while walking the cliff paths. Three of her mystery/suspense novels are set there, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, Summer in Tintagel and the Behind the Lie. Rip Current is also set in Cornwall and will be published by Bloodhound Books in April 2018.
Amanda, known to many as Mandy, spends far more time than is good for her on social media and has turned procrastination to a fine art. She can also usually be found playing on the beach with her family, or walking the cliff paths planning her next book.
I am delighted to join in with Zoe in her fabulous Author Take Over, a fabulous idea that allows us readers to showcase some of the wonderful Authors out there. Over the past few days Zoe has been sharing reviews and posts for Amanda James and you can check out the posts on her blog at – Zooloo’s Book Diary.
I have read a few of Mandy’s books and the first I read was Behind The Lie.
Here is a snippet of my review…
Well what a book, I do admit to falling for the synopsis, and it did it’s job and did not disappoint. We meet Holly and Simon West, husband and wife and expecting twins. But they only take their daughter Iona home, their son, who was to be called Ruan, didn’t survive. Holly has had a troubled past, and when she starts to think and then believe Ruan is actually alive her husband and her best friend Demi start to believe her past is not quite her past and believe she is suffering from depression, well some people try to be supportive.
There are a quite a few characters in the story that have known Holly and Simon before they were married, and they have different opinions that are expressed throughout, this gives a really good background to the characters and the dynamics between them. The plot was good, but I do admit to being correct on a few thoughts as I was reading, but to be perfectly honest that really didn’t matter as I was more interested in how Holly dealt with the situations as they arose. It was Holly on her journey that was intriguing me as well as my being a witness as she transformed from a self doubting, beholden to her husband type of woman, to a strong, resilient woman who is willing to put her family first regardless of the risk. There were also a few things I didn’t expect and and a couple of great twists. It was all told at a good pace that kept me frantically reading until the last page.
After I had finished this book I knew I would be back to read more, so the next one was Another Mother…
Her is part of my review…
Lu is your average almost 30 something, dead-end job and a bit of a loner, she is also adopted. After the recent death of her adoptive mother she decides this is the thing she needs to give her the push to actually find her birth mother. When contact is made, Lu makes the decision to make the visit to meet her mother in Cornwall. Things seem to go well and a tentative relationship is struck between mother and daughter. As they get to know each other a little more the cracks start to show.
This starts off more like a contemporary fiction and then slowly it morphs into an absolutely amazing psychological story…this story changes, it steps up a gear and the depth the plot is revealed. Here I think the author has done a great job of building up the thought of something not being quite right and when the twist finally shows itself bloody hell was I shocked, really didn’t see it coming and caught me completely unawares.
By this time I was hooked on this author and the next book I read was The Calico Cat…
Now this is my favourite book (so far..) and here is what I thought… Oh this is a book that I adored and so very different to the couple of other books I have previously read by this author. Set in beautiful Cornwall I got to meet Charlotte, or Lottie as she prefers to be called, and learn of her story. She tells of her family life from a teenager to present day. There have been changes, teen rebellion but also of a dramatic change in her family that still has a hold over her and her feelings. Lottie is not quiet or timid, she is quite vocal in her beliefs and extremely principled with a very matter of fact way in her conversation and thoughts, with an interesting way of voicing her opinion. I would say she is the sort of person that would be very easy to misunderstand, but that is the way she is and it is quite refreshing.
This is a gentle amble around the Cornish coastline and also Lotties life, it mixes elements of the dramatic landscape and personal heartache with hope and moving forward, with new starts and beginnings. The plot and story of how Lottie and those in her life has been done in a wonderful way that gradually drew me in. I wanted to know more about her and why she reacts the way she does, it held my attention and I loved being immersed in her world for the few hours it took me to read it.
I have read a few more of Mandy’s books and come back tomorrow and I will share the rest that I have read.
Amanda has written since she was a child, but never imagined that her words would be published, given that she left school with no real qualifications of note apart from an A* in how to be a nuisance in class. Nevertheless, she returned to education when her daughter was five and eventually became a history teacher. Then in 2010, after many twists and turns, the dream of becoming a writer came true when her first short story was published. Amanda has written many short stories and has six novels currently published.
Amanda grew up in Sheffield but now has realised her lifelong dream of living in Cornwall and her writing is inspired every day by the dramatic coastline near her home. She has sketched out many stories in her head while walking the cliff paths. Three of her mystery/suspense novels are set there, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, Summer in Tintagel and the Behind the Lie. Rip Current is also set in Cornwall and will be published by Bloodhound Books in April 2018.
Amanda, known to many as Mandy, spends far more time than is good for her on social media and has turned procrastination to a fine art. She can also usually be found playing on the beach with her family, or walking the cliff paths planning her next book.
I am delighted to be taking in a Cover Reveal to day for a gorgeous sounding book, it is Winters’ Gift by Florence Keeling.
Let me show you what it is all about…
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.
‘I absolutely adored this book. It gave me all the feels! A charming read full of warmth and heart.’ ***** Kim the Bookworm
Now how amazing does that synopsis sound ❤ Here are some links so you can get your order in – Amazon UK or US
Florence Keeling adopted for her pen-name her Great Grandmother’s name, chosen because of the shared birthday of April Fool’s Day. She is married with two teenage chidren. Born and raised in Coventry, England she now lives just outside in Nuneaton. Reflected Destinies is her first novel.
Florence Keeling also writes for children under the name of Lily Mae Walters.
Today I am joining in with Zoe at Zooloo’s Book Diary as she has a fabulous “Author Take Over” feature where she puts an Author and their books in the spotlight. Zoe’s current Author Take Over is with Kim Nash and I am delighted to join in to shout about Kim’s books, they are amzingly brilliant reads.
My mum is also a fan of Kim’s books and she says that “Kim’s writing feels honest and has a good realistic feel”. This was something my Mum mentioned a while ago, it just goes to show that I do listen to what she says, and this little inclusion will come as a surprise to her 😉😁 xx
When I first saw that Kim was releasing a book I immediately signed up for the Blog Tour. I was sent a digital copy of the book and read it that afternoon, yep the whole book in one sitting and I knew I had found an author who I was going to immediately add to my list of must read authors. This list is one that I have where any new books by these authors come available I will read without even glancing at the synopsis. Yes Kim made that list with her first book!
The first book is Amazing Grace, and Amazing is just what it is. Here is the synopsis…
She’s taking her life back, one step at a time…
Grace thought she had it all. Living in the beautiful village of Little Ollington, along with head teacher husband Mark and gorgeous son, Archie, she devoted herself to being the perfect mum and the perfect wife, her little family giving her everything she ever wanted.
Until that fateful day when she walked in on Mark kissing his secretary – and her perfect life fell apart.
Now she’s a single mum to Archie, trying to find her way in life and keep things together for his sake. Saturday nights consist of a Chinese takeaway eaten in front of the TV clad in greying pyjamas, and she can’t remember the last time she had a kiss from anyone aside from her dog, Becks…
Grace’s life needs a shake up – fast. So when gorgeous gardener Vinnie turns up on her doorstep, his twinkling eyes suggesting that he might be interested in more than just her conifers, she might just have found the answer to her prayers. But as Grace falls deeper for Vinnie, ten-year-old Archie fears that his mum finding love means she’ll never reconcile with the dad he loves.
So when ex-husband Mark begs her for another chance, telling her he’s changed from the man that broke her heart, Grace finds herself with an impossible dilemma. Should she take back Mark and reunite the family that Archie loves? Or risk it all for a new chance of happiness?
Here is my full review for this wonderful book…
Oh My Goodness this book is superb and my poor emotions have gone through the wringer, crying and laughing to myself one moment to anger within the turn of a page. This author has a story that is so very realistic and one that can be related to.
Grace has gradually got stuck in a rut after the breakdown of her marriage. Her son Archie spends the odd evening and weekend at his Dad’s house. During these times loneliness creeps in for Grace, weight goes on, clothes are black and shapeless…then the intervention by her friend Monica.
It seems that things after this intervention tart to fall into place, or is it because Grace starts to feel confident? A phone call to landscape gardener Vinnie sees a spark of interest flicker back to life in Grace again. Mark, her ex, however, is not going to make things easy.
The characters in this book are just brilliant, the dilemmas are very real and the scenarios they find themselves in are also ones that I found it very easy to relate to. The uncertainties of new relationships combined with the guilt of old add tension.
There are so many thought-provoking moments in this book. They start from the dedication at the very beginning of the book, yep even before I even got to the start of the story I knew I was going to like this book. In fact, I didn’t just like it, I bloody loved it, every single word.
I did mention emotions, anger yes that was there and also a surprising little comment from a young boy, and there are some very special moments in italics, these you will discover for yourself. But these had me reaching for the tissues time and again.
It was one of those books that just wrapped me up immediately and held me in its embrace. It is a stunning, beautifully written story about Grace and life, she discovers she needs to love herself more, occasionally put herself first, to take a chance on life, start to live and to stand up for herself.
This is a book I would absolutely and most definitely recommend.
Even if she’s lost most of her friends because of spending all her time at work, and can’t remember when she last had fun, it’s worth it.
Until she’s suddenly made redundant. Now she’s 37, jobless, and after the breakup with the former love of her life, unhappily single.
Enter Maddy’s childhood friend, Beth, the owner of Growlers, the doggy daycare centre at Giddywell Grange, on a mission to make Maddy see there’s more to life than work.
Soon, Maddy is swapping spreadsheets for volunteer duty at the library, daily Starbucks for cups of tea with elderly neighbours, and her Prada handbag for doggy poo bags… And with Beth’s gorgeous brother, Alex, back from the States, Maddy starts to think that Giddywell Grange might just be her happy place.
But when her old life – and her old boyfriend – comes calling, will Maddy go back to the job she loved so much? Or will she discover that the key to happiness lies in making others happy?
Here’s my review for Kim’s second fabulous book…
The synopsis gives a wonderful idea as to what the book is about. I met maddy as she is nervously waiting for her meeting where she is expecting to be promoted. This is something that Maddy feels she deserves due to all the hard work she has being doing over the years in PR. Work has been her life she has missed family and friends important events and not seen them as much as she should have done because she has been too busy with her work. So from anticipated nervous excitement she is suddenly dropped into a devastated place where she feels she is now surplus to requirements.
I immediately felt my heart go out to Maddy and I quickly found myself caught up with the story within a matter of a few paragraphs. This is the second book by this author and yet again she has absolutely and completely had me hooked and wrapped up within her writing.
I love how quickly the author shows the extreme emotions with Maddy, from enthusiasm to dejected in just a few words. It is this empathy that she brings out in the reader that shows how well she engages with this reader. I think this is why she is going to be a writer whose future books I will always buy without giving it a second thought. I know this is only the second book she has written but I am already a huge fan.
So, from starting the book I spent a few delightful hours devouring the story, I learned about Maddy, her Mum and her best friend Beth. I love how the once best friends had drifted due to Maddy’s work, but instantly connected when Maddy decides to come home again. I must say I also love the characters of Uncle Tom and Alex. They, along with Mum and Beth are full of advice and support as Maddy tries to find her feet and are on hand with loads of love and hugs with the occasional kick up the backside for good measure.
I loved watching the transformation in Maddy from a highflying PR career woman to one who pick up poo as she helps in Beth’s Dog Kennels. The author got the balance so right as it would have been so easy to stray into that feeling of “how the mighty have fallen”, but instead of that she created a character who is warm, helpful and supportive, as I said she got the balance right! The author has created little situations where Maddy is not expected to take part, but she when she surprises people and does these little tasks, it makes for humorous reading.
Life is not straight forward for Maddy and even though she has taken a step back from the PR world, she still has her eye out for another job while helping Beth out. I loved that nothing was straight forward and I wasn’t sure how things were eventually going to pan out and I discovered some nice little surprises along the way!
The author has once again created a story that completely wrapped me up for the few hours that I sat and read. I loved watching the characters develop through the story and how they react and interact with each other. The feeling of warmth, love and family at Giddywell Grange is fabulous and sounds a wonderful place that I would quite happily love to live in.
This is a story about searching your soul and doing what is right and best for yourself. Maddy is fortunate to have a great cast behind her as she learns and discovers things about herself, what makes her happy and I loved watching her discover that there is more to life than a high flying stressful career.
This is a wonderful heartwarming story the I would absolutely Recommend because it is just fabulous. And left me wanting to read more by this author.
So here’s a bit more about this wonderful Author…
Kim Nash is an author of feel-good, heart-warming, romantic comedies. She lives in Staffordshire with son Ollie and English Setter Roni, is Head of Publicity for Bookouture and is a book blogger.
Kim won the Romantic Novelists Association’s Media Star of the Year in 2016, which she still can’t quite believe. She is now quite delighted to be a member of the RNA. When she’s not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog, reading, standing on the sidelines of a football pitch cheering on Ollie and binge watching box sets on the TV. She’s also quite partial to a spa day and a gin and tonic (not at the same time!) Kim also runs a book club in Cannock, Staffs.
Amazing Grace was her debut novel with Hera Books and came out in April 2019.Escape to Giddywell Grange is Kim’s second novel and was published on September 18th 2019.
Metal Sculptor based in Long Bennington, Lincolnshire, using recycled materials to create sculptures for your garden or indoor decoration. Sculpture's can be viewed & safely collected, delivery may also be available. Contact for details.
0.0274 Tree(s)
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456 litre(s) of Water 
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Yvonne - Me and My Books 