Category: 2019

Kobo

💕Book Details:

Title: A Year of Second Chances.

Author: Kendra Smith.

Genre: Fiction & Literature/Women’s Fiction.

Length: 288 Pages

ISBN: 1789541875

ISBN-10: 1789541875

ISBN-13: 978-1789541878

ASIN: B07R3C27NP

Publisher: Aria.

Publication Date: June 20th 2019.

💕About the Author:

Kendra Smith has been a journalist, wife, mother, aerobics teacher, qualified diver and very bad cake baker. She started her career in Sydney selling advertising space but quickly made the leap to editorial – and went on to work on several women’s magazines in both Sydney and London. With dual Australian-British nationality, she currently lives in Surrey with her husband and three children.

You can learn more about Kendra and her work by using the following links:

kendrasmith.co.uk

Facebook

So that’s me, I’m afraid. Short and sweet today this one. I know you’ll all go grab a copy of this read especially because it’s currently only £2.45 for the ebook!! I know, right? Bargain! And because it’s Wednesday you’re allowed wine. Perfect combo! Perfect price! Winner!

As always thank you so much for joining me here today on TBGWP! You are all absolutely amazing.

Also huge thanks to Kendra herself and my fairy book mother of Aria, our Vicky for inviting me into the tour.

Love always, N 😘

2019, Book Tours, News, reviews

BT – Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay by Ali McNamara.

Posted on June 25, 2019June 25, 2019 by TheBookGeekWearsPajamas

Hiya you lot, you all ok?

Thank you as always for joining me here at TBGWP and giving me your support.

Today I am honoured to be co-hosting day number two on the wonderful Ali McNamara’s blog tour for her upcoming release, Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay.

🌈Blurb: The sun is shining on the golden castle on Rainbow Bay – and change is in the air!

Amelia is a single mother, doing her very best to look after her young son, Charlie – but money is tight and times are tough. When she first hears that she is the last descendent of the Chesterford family and that she has inherited a Real-Life Castle by the sea, Amelia can’t quite believe her ears. But it’s true!

She soon finds that owning a castle isn’t quite the ticket to sorting out her money problems that she’d first hoped: she can’t sell, because the terms of the ancient bequest state that any Chesterford who inherits the castle, must live there and work towards the upkeep and maintenance of the family home. So ever-practical Amelia decides to uproot her little family and move to this magnificent castle by the sea.

Living in a castle on the beautiful Northumberland coast is fun at first, but organising the day-to-day running is a lot more complicated than Amelia first imagined. Luckily she has help from the small band of eccentric and unconventional staff that are already employed there – and a mysterious unseen hand that often gives her a push in the right direction just when she needs it most. It’s only when she meets Tom, a furniture restorer who comes to the castle to help repair some antique furniture, that Amelia realises she might get the fairy-tale ending that she and Charlie truly deserve…

🌈My Thoughts: Ali always gives us more than a normal romance read and book ten does not differ.

Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay is a beautiful read. It’s exciting and funny and dramatic and over the top. Everything you want in escapism.

For me though the best thing about the read is the honesty and love that comes from it. The love between the characters and the constant reminder of equality and how much for granted we should not be taking anything in life.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5

Full review will be posted after publication day.

🌈Links to buy:

Kobo

WHSmith

🌈Book Details:

Title: Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay.

Author: Ali McNamara.

Genre: Romance.

Length: 384 Pages.

ISBN-10: 0751574325

ISBN-13: 978-0751574326

ASIN: B07M6LB85C

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 27th June 2019.

🌈About the Author:

Ali McNamara attributes her over-active and very vivid imagination to one thing – being an only child. Time spent dreaming up adventures when she was young has left her with a head bursting with stories waiting to be told.

When stories she wrote for fun on Ronan Keating’s website became so popular they were sold as a fundraising project for his cancer awareness charity, Ali realised that not only was writing something she enjoyed doing, but something others enjoyed reading too.

Ali lives in Cambridgeshire with her family and two Labradors. When she isn’t writing, she likes to travel, read, and people-watch, more often than not accompanied by a good cup of coffee. Her dogs and a love of exercise keep her sane!

You can find out more about Ali and her work by visiting her by using the links below.

www.alimcnamara.co.uk

Facebook

Instagram

So that’s me.

Thank you once again for joining me today and for your constant support.

Big thank you to Ali herself for being a boss in the Romance Genre and giving us ten wonderful books!

And as always huge thank you to the fabulous Clara over at LB for inviting me onto the tour and sending me out ARC’s.

Love always, N 😘

2019, Book Tours, News, reviews

BT – Horizontal Collaboration by Navie & Carole Maurel.

Posted on June 23, 2019 by TheBookGeekWearsPajamas

2019, Book Tours, News, reviews

BT – A Modern Family by Helga Flatland.

Posted on June 19, 2019June 19, 2019 by TheBookGeekWearsPajamas

Hi everyone.

How are you all? I hope you’re all doing wonderful and if not, then I hope good and love will come your way soon.

Today I’m hosting on a book I can only describe as refreshing. It’s not my usual thing, but you know yourself sometimes we get an inkling about something and it pulls us into it. I’ll fully admit it to you all, I am a book snob. I judge books by their covers and I’m old enough and have been in this field for so long that I should really know better. You know what though? Like this one, I secretly love getting my eye wiped and being wrong.

Let’s go…

🔸Blurb: Liv, Ellen and Håkon, along with their partners and children, arrive in Rome to celebrate their father’s seventieth birthday, a quiet earthquake occurs: their parents have decided to divorce.

Shocked and disbelieving, the siblings try to come to terms with their parents’ decision as it echoes through the homes they have built for themselves, and forces them to reconstruct the shared narrative of their childhood and family history.

A bittersweet novel of regret, relationships and rare psychological insights, A Modern Family encourages us to look at the people closest to us a little more carefully, and ultimately reveals that it’s never too late for change…

🔸My Thoughts: I have to admit to you all here that I’m still not finished with the book. I know, I’m sorry. I’ve had sufficient time and I’m a pure let down. I’ve not been to good health wise though and you all know how that goes by now. I’ve had to use all the energy I could muster up when awake for my sons 17th birthday.

I can and will say though that I am thoroughly enjoying it. It’s magnificently written and has numerous emotions being thrown at you constantly. It’s fresh and honest and real. I love all that me. Already I know it’s going to be a book I recommend fully to you all.

I’ll post my review and link it over to this tour once it’s up. Sorry for any inconvenience.

🔸Links to buy:

Kobo

WHSmith

🔸Book Details:

Title: A Modern Family

Author: Helga Flatland

Genre: General, Modern & Contemporary Fiction

Length: 276 Pages.

ISBN-10: 1912374455

ISBN-13: 978-1912374458

ASIN: B07KGNBWF8

Publisher: Orenda Books

Publication Date: June 13th 2019

🔸About the Author:

Helga Flatland is already one of Norway’s most awarded and widely read authors. Born in Telemark, Norway, in 1984, she made her literary debut in 2010 with the novel Stay If You Can, Leave If You Must, for which she was awarded the Tarjei Vesaas’ First Book Prize.

She has written four novels and a children’s book and has won several other literary awards. Her fifth novel, A Modern Family, was published to wide acclaim in Norway in August 2017, and was a number-one bestseller. The rights have subsequently been sold across Europe and the novel has sold more than 100,000 copies.

You can learn more about Helen and her work and follow her on social media by using the following links:

Instagram

Once again I’ll apologise for being a let down and sincerely hope you can forgive me.

Thank you as always for joining me here on TBGWP and giving me your time and love. It’s never not appreciated. You all keep me sane and push me to try do more. Thank you to you all for that and to you all that check in on me and make sure I’m doing ok when I’m very quiet.

Thank you also to Helga herself and to our lovely Ann over at LCPD for inviting me onto the tour and giving me an ARC copy of A Modern Family.

I’ll see you all soon.

Love always, N 😘

2019, Book Tours, News, reviews

BT – Death and Other Happy Endings by Melanie Cantor.

Posted on June 13, 2019June 13, 2019 by TheBookGeekWearsPajamas

Hello, my fellow book geeks of the world. How are we all?

Guess what? I have something outstanding for you.

💌Blurb: Jennifer Cole has just been told that she has a terminal blood disease. She has three months to live — ninety days to say goodbye to friends and family and put her affairs in order. Trying to focus on the positives (at least she’ll never lose her teeth) Jennifer realises she has one overriding regret: the words she’s left unsaid.

Rather than pursuing a frantic bucket list, she chooses to stay put, and write letters to three significant people in her life: her overbearing, selfish sister, her jelly-spined, cheating ex-husband, and her charming, unreliable ex-boyfriend finally telling them the things she’s always wanted to say but never dared.

At first, Jennifer feels cleansed by her catharsis. Liberated, even. But once you start telling the truth, it’s hard to stop. And, as she soon discovers, the truth isn’t always as straightforward as it seems, and death has a way of surprising you ...

💌My Thoughts: Do I hear you all asking for a summer read?

Well then, here you go! I honestly don’t think you will find a better one.

A controversial, thought provoking, extremely moving, witty and beautifully inspiring read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5/5

💌Links to buy:

Kobo

WHSmith

💌Book Details:

Title: Death and Other Happy Endings.

Author: Melanie Cantor

Genre: Fiction & Literature

Length: 320 Pages

ISBN-10: 1787631389

ISBN-13: 978-1787631380

ASIN: B07HR6RHJL

Publisher: Bantam Press/Transworld Digital

Publication Date: June 13th 2019

💌About the Author:

Melanie Cantor was a celebrity agent and publicist for over thirty years. Her clients included Ulrika Jonsson, Melinda Messenger and Melanie Sykes.

In 2004, she hosted a makeover show on Channel 4 called Making Space and in 2017 having just turned 60 she was scouted on Kings Cross station, subsequently appearing as a ‘real model’ in the most recent Dove campaign.

She turned her hand to writing in 2008. Death and other Happy Endings is her first published novel.

You can learn more about Melanie by using the following links:

Instagram

Short, quick and easy one for you my loves. An impressive one though, for sure. I can’t wait to hear what you all think about the book.

Thank you as always for your support and time. I promise it means more than you’ll ever know.

Huge thank you to Anne over @LCDP and Melanie herself for inviting me onto the Death and Other Happy Endings tour. I know you’ll all go wish Melanie a happy publication day and then buy a copy of her book because you’re all dead kind like that.

Love always, N 😘

2019, Book Tours, News, reviews

BT – 10 Things To Do Before You Leave School by Bernard O’Keeffe.

Posted on May 23, 2019May 23, 2019 by TheBookGeekWearsPajamas

Hiya you lot, you all ok?

Today I’m last host and finishing off on a fantastic tour for an even more fantastic book.

Of course I have an extract for you, oh how I love an extract 😂 and the normal TBGWP book deets.

Let’s go….

🔵Blurb: Ruby has had a difficult year to say the least. Just before she started Sixth Form, her father died from a heart attack. In the months that followed Ruby became so depressed that she attempted suicide. She missed a lot of school, but now she’s about to go back and she’s worried. Is she well enough to get through her final year? Will the depression return? Should she apply to university? The night before term begins, Ruby finds something that makes the prospect even more daunting: an envelope addressed to her in her father’s handwriting. Inside is a list: ‘Ten Things I Hope You Do Before You Leave School’. It makes no sense. She can’t understand why he’d want her to do these things, let alone whether she’ll be able to do them.

As Ruby navigates her way through UCAS, parties, boyfriends and A-Levels, she decides to give the list her best shot, but her efforts lead her into strange situations and to surprising discoveries.

Will Ruby survive her last year at school? Can she do the ten things on The List? Will doing them make any difference?

🔵Extract:

🔵My Thoughts: I’m sitting here in tears. I do not know what to say, which is huge thing because as you all know by now I NEVER shut up!

First of all, I need to say this. As a mother with a child currently in sixth form. Who for years has agonisingly battled with mental health. However, was extremely lucky and strong enough to be able to spin it around and use it as a complete advantage to better himself. This book scares me, but it absolutely brings home everything a parent of this age would want to know and understand. It is heartbreaking.

O’Keeffe has honestly given us something truly humbling here. A raw, ferociously honest read full of poignancy and humour. He has meticulously researched his cause and has put it into a wonderful book. A fantastic and rare plot with endearing characters which free flows just right. It’s honest and a very now book! It shows the real world of child/teen/young adult mental health and how much pressures are put on children every single day. Which is an incredible thing to bring light too. Also, not forgetting the loss of a loved one, especially a parent. Grief is very important to try understand whether it be child or adult.

I am so sorry! I am just chatting pure shit here aren’t I? Sorry! 🤦🏻‍♀️

I’ll finish this absolutely AMAZING review 👀

by saying this is an engaging, thought provoking absolute pleasure of a book. Being able to be with Ruby as she goes through the list and tries so hard to find her feet is an absolute pleasure. It deserves a huge platform where Ruby and her voice are heard and more people can engage and learn. I applaud O’Keefe greatly and could not recommend this book to you more. In fact, I think if you have a teenager who does read that they should have a copy ASAP. You also need a copy. Yeah you there reading this.

Superb!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5/5

🔵Links to buy:

Kobo

🔵Book Details:

Title: 10 Things To Do Before You Leave School.

Author: Bernard O’Keefe.

Genre: Children’s Fiction/YA & Teen.

Length: 275 Pages.

ISBN-10: 1913036707

ISBN-13: 978-1913036706

ASIN: B07PMSJPW3

Publisher: Acorn Independent Press.

Publication Date: 05/03/2019.

🔵About the Author:

After graduating from Oxford, Bernard O’Keeffe worked in advertising before training as a teacher. He taught for many years, first in a North London comprehensive, then at Radley College, where he was Head of English, and most recently at St Paul’s School in London, where he was Head of Sixth Form.

He has reviewed fiction for Literary Review and The Oxford Times and, as an editor of The English Review, has written over a hundred articles for A Level students on subjects ranging from Nick Hornby and Roddy Doyle to Jane Austen and Shakespeare. In 2013 he published his first novel, ‘No Regrets’.

You can learn more about Bernard and his work, or get in touch by using the links below:

Author website

That’s it, tour finished! Thank you of course to you lot for joining me and giving me your constant support. And of course to Bernard himself and Anne over at LCDP for inviting me into the tour.

N😘

Today’s post is dedicated to my beautiful friend Carly who passed away in March. Today would have been her 40th Birthday.

Happy Birthday Carly ❤️

LADIES, PLEASE GO FOR YOUR SMEARS!

2019, Book Tours, News, reviews

BT – Secrets of Santorini by Patricia Wilson.

Posted on May 20, 2019May 20, 2019 by TheBookGeekWearsPajamas

Hello lovely book geeks of the world.

It’s Monday, I know you all can’t be bothered, so I’ll jump in quickly on my hosted day today on bestselling author Patricia Wilson’s upcoming summer sensation Secrets of Santorini book tour.

🔸🔹Blurb: Sent away to a convent school in Dublin at the age of five, Irini McGuire has always had a strained and distant relationship with her mother, Bridget, a celebrated archaeologist who lives on the paradise island of Santorini. So, when Irini receives news that Bridget has been injured at a dig and is in a coma, she knows it is finally time to return to the island of her birth.

Reading through her mother’s notes at her bedside, Irini starts to realise how little she knows about Bridget’s life. Now, driven by rumours that her mother’s injury was no accident, Irini must uncover the dark secrets behind her family’s separation.

Will she discover the truth about her parents and her past before it is too late?

🔸🔹My Thoughts: Ok so I must say that I have I’ve never read anything by Patricia Wilson before. I know, I know, I’m a disgrace. Not only is she a bestseller she is Scouse! Letting the side down I know.

Usually this type of book is not my go to read at all. I don’t know why, but something about Secrets of Santorini immediately pulled me in and had me wanting to give it a go.

Anyway, I did.

I’m here.

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I’m seriously impressed

In the sense of writing, plot, characters Secrets of Santorini is just beautiful.

Wilson writes with such depth, emotion and clarity that you completely lose yourself to the power of her words and the beautiful island of Santorini.

For me slow to get into, but worth the time invested into it. I also do not have any interest in Greek mythology either. However, it was meticulously researched and was very easy to follow for someone with no knowledge on this.

With Santorini being the go to place of the moment this is definitely a book to take with you to get more into the mood or one if you’re missing the place from your holiday there. Or last Greek holiday. Or of you’re poor like me, use it as complete escapism whilst making use of some of the sun we’ve been having here in the UK.

Just beautiful!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

3.5/5

🔸🔹Links to buy:

Kobo

Waterstones – Pre-Order.

WHSmith – Pre-Order.

Book Depository – Pre-Order.

🔸🔹Book Details:

Title: Secrets of Santorini.

Author: Patricia Wilson.

Genre: General Fiction/Fiction & Literature/Historical Fiction/Mystery

Length: 496 Pages.

ISBN-10: 1785768972.

ISBN-13: 978-1785768972.

ASIN: B07JHFX5R4

Publisher: Zaffre

Publication Date:

ebook: May 16th 2019.

Paperback: July 11th 2019.

🔸🔹About the Author:

Patricia Wilson was born in Liverpool, has lived on Crete and is now settled on Rhodes. She was first inspired to write when she unearthed a rusted machine gun in her garden – one used in the events that unfolded during World War II on the island of Crete. The now elderly women involved in those events told Patricia their story, and her celebrated debut Island of Secrets (150k copies sold) was the result. Villa of Secrets (60k copies sold) was inspired by documents found in a secret room in a police station in Rhodes detailing the fate of the Jews on the island in 1944. Secrets of Santorini is inspired by frescoes found on Santorini.

You can learn more about Patricia and her work by using the following links:

Author website

Facebook