#MiniBlogBlitz The Warrior’s Innocent Captive by Ella Matthews

It’s my turn on the Blog Blitz for The Warrior’s Innocent Captive by Ella Matthews.

About the Author

Ella Matthews lives and works in beautiful South Wales. When not thinking about handsome heroes she can be found walking along the coast with her husband and their two children (probably still thinking about heroes but at least pretending to be interested in everyone else).

Follow @ellamattauthor on Twitter, on Facebook, on Goodreads, on Amazon, Visit ellamatthews.co.uk, Buy The Warrior’s Innocent Captive

About the book

An impossible choice: His family or love – As steward to the Earl of Borwyn, Erik Ward had only admired sheltered noblewoman Linota Leofric from afar – until he has to escort her on a dangerous journey. When she’s kidnapped, he rescues the courageous beauty, revelling in finally having her in his arms. But Erik has a secret plan to reunite his family – now he’s forced to choose between that and his growing feelings for Linota…

Review

This is the third book, and the last as I understand it, in the House of Leofric series. I would suggest reading the others to get a better view of the interwoven storylines and characters.

Erik is a wee bit of an anti-hero or perhaps a bit of a bad boy? Then again he could just be a man who is forced to make certain choices to fulfill family loyalty, but that also means others view him as a man who thinks nothing of committing a betrayal.

It’s a historical romance with an emphasis on the love aspect, as opposed to a read that focuses on the historical element. It’s very much a story of torn loyalties and love that springs up in the most unexpected of places. An escapist read with plenty of burning desire, misunderstandings and ultimately one that leads to the right choice or not as in may be.

There was more character depth this time, which was a lot better than in the previous books. The author gave the reader much more back information on the ins and outs of the Leofrics. The emotional tug of war of guilt and blame opens up a whole different world of opportunities.

Buy The Warrior’s Innocent Captive at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : Mills & Boon Historical pub date 18 Mar. 2021. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour Rose’s Choice by Chrissie Bradshaw

Today it’s my turn on the BlogTour Rose’s Choice by Chrissie Bradshaw.

About the Author

Chrissie, 2016 winner of the Romantic Novelist’s Elizabeth Goudge writing trophy, is a seasoned tea drinker and a tenacious trainer of her welsh terrier, Oscar. She has always loved match-making a book to a reader. Writing the kind of book she loves to read takes this a step further.

She has written two contemporary sagas, A Jarful of Moondreams, a contemporary story about family relationships, secrets and how dreams can come true, and The Barn of Buried Dreams, a contemporary story about two sisters who are struggling after the death of their mother. Rose’s Choice is her first historical saga and is set where Chrissie lives in Northumberland. When she is not writing or reading, you will find Chrissie walking Oscar on the beautiful Northumbrian coastline, travelling or spending time with her family and friends.

Follow @ChrissieBeee on Twitter, on Amazon, on Facebook, on Instagram, Visit chrissiebradshaw.com, Buy Rose’s Choice

About the book

Rationing, bombing, disease and pit disasters are part of Rose Kelly’s World War 2 childhood. When the spirited coalminer’s daughter discovers a family secret, she makes a choice that overshadows her teenage years. Rose tries to make the most of post-war opportunities but family tragedy pulls her back to a life in the colliery rows. She relinquishes her bright future for domestic duties because her family comes first. Will family ties get in the way of her dreams?

Review

Rose lives the life of a working class girl. Families are always only one step away from death, disaster and being homeless. Her childhood is made tenfold difficult by wartime restrictions, fears and invisible diseases that kill those around her.

The Strangling Angel of Children – diphtheria. Given the pandemic we are going through at the moment this is a relevant walk through history and perhaps also because in a time where conspiracy theories are at the forefront this story should remind us how many lives have been saved by vaccinations.

Rose is torn between duty and personal achievements, which isn’t an easy place to be. Those feelings are difficult enough to deal with, but being privy to a secret is what ultimately determines her choices in life.

Although her dreams become something Rose has to put to the side in order to help her family it is also a completely normal thing in that era for working class people. Feeding family, clothing family and keeping a roof over their head – it is all more important than personal dreams and possible careers.

Bradshaw gives this historical read a Cookson vibe, but perhaps with more of a modern attitude. We will persevere, despite the sorrow and loss. It makes you wonder how much people can endure before they break, although one could argue that the those on the bottom rung are used to defying the odds.

It’s a story that has its heart-wrenching moments, but also uplifting ones and characters full of determination.

Buy Rose’s Choice (The Colliery Rows Book 1) at Amazon Uk. Publisher: Vallum Publishing,; pub date 17 July 2020. Buy at Amazon com.

#BlogTour The Girl with the Amber Comb by Linda Finlay

Today it’s a pleasure to take part in the BlogTour The Girl with the Amber Comb by Linda Finlay.

About the Author

Linda Finlay lives on the Devonshire coast and is author of seven novels. From lace making to growing Devon Violets, each one is based on a local craft which, in order to write authentically, she has learnt to do herself. However, it is people and their problems that make for good story writing and, with so much interesting material to work with, it is easy for Linda to let her imagination run as wild as the West Country landscape which has inspired her writing.

Follow Linda Finlay on Goodreads, on Amazon, Buy The Girl with the Amber Comb

About the book

Orphaned at birth, Eliza lives with her beloved Grandparents in a waterlogged Somerset cottage surrounded by willow beds where she ekes out a living making laundry baskets and eel traps. Although poor she is content, until childhood friend Clem, regales her with tales of his adventures along the river and she begins to wonder what life is like beyond the Droves.

When fate brings handsome, wealthy Theo to her workshop she is instantly attracted and a rosy future beyond the Droves beckons. Only things don’t go to plan and naive Eliza finds herself in Lavender House where she is expected to care for gentlemen in a way she never imagined. Forced to flee for her life, she ends up in a woollen mill run by a corrupt foreman, working for crumbs and pennies with only her grandmother’s comb in her pocket.

Now she knows what matters in life – but is it too late? And will she ever be able to return home to those who love her?

Review

Eliza is unaware that aside from the tragedy of her birth coinciding with the death of her mother that her grandparents have been keeping a big secret from her. The kind of secret that will shake her confidence and change the way she sees herself.

Not content with the attentions of a childhood friend she falls for a mysterious, handsome and wealthy young man, who wants to sweep her off her feet, despite the fact the two are worlds apart when it comes to social status.

Young love and a spur of the moment decision leads to heartbreak in more ways than one and Eliza finds herself in a precarious and dangerous position, and also the target of a cruel and ruthless man from her past.

It’s historical romance – a coming-of-age story as the main character discovers that beyond her own bubble is a world full of danger.

Finlay delivers the heartache of romance with a less dramatic approach. The main character has plenty of depth and the author takes the story into the world of workers rights, the exploitation of the innocent and the realisation that you should be grateful for what you have.

Sometimes the world of shiny and bright things is merely a well-prepared camouflage for a cruel dirty world. Perhaps the less glamorous and more down-to-earth world filled with loving people who support each other in times of hardship is one worth cherishing.

Buy The Girl with the Amber Comb at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: HQ: pub date 19 March 2020 – Paperback £7.99 – Available in eBook and audio. Buy at Amazon com.