Blog tour for A Stranger in Paris by Karen Webb

 I apologise for being a couple of days late with this one.

The first in a three-part memoir exposing the darker side of French culture, a brilliantly funny and poignant study of French life that begins when a young graduate makes a spontaneous decision to follow the man she loves to Paris. He is, however, nowhere to be found ... Now a penniless singleton she must work in order to survive. With only a smattering of French she begins a new life. 'A Stranger in Paris' follows Karen in her formative years as she searches for friends, family, and love. A portrayal of French life from the inside by a narrator who has seen the various echelons of French society from rich to poor, from the capital city to the rural South West.

Whilst I know this book isn't an autobiography to me it read more like a true life account rather than fiction. 

The author moves from Aberystwyth (a place I know fairly well as it was a favourite holiday spot as a child as we lived in Mid Wales) for the bright lights of the most romantic city in the world - Paris. Totally out of her depth the book follows her from one seeming disaster to another - some of which do tend to stretch the imagination.

  The book is well written and funny - hard to believe this is the author first novel an I will be awaiting the next installment.

About the Author

Born in Cheshire, Karen graduated with an English Literature degree from Aberystwyth University, moving to Paris in 1989 for what was intended to be a six-week course in French. She stayed on first working as an English Language teacher for schools and then setting up her own training centre teaching English in companies across the city. In 2005 she moved with her two children to the South West of France where she spent the next couple of years renovating dilapidated French farmhouses. Since then she has qualified as a real estate agent, gained an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and began a programme of literary retreats in France, inviting authors and publishers from all over the world to come and teach to aspiring writers. 'A Stranger in Paris' is her first book, and the first in a three-part memoir covering her life in France, and integration into French culture.

Blog Tour for Autumn Leaves at Mill Grange by Jenny Kane

 

About the book

 

'I am a big fan of Jenny Kane' Katie Fforde.

 

At Mill Grange, the work – and the fun – never stops! As autumn brings coolness and colour, change is in the air for all at the manor...

Sam Philips' time in the forces changed him forever. Supported by his friends, Sam is keen to help make beautiful Mill Grange a safe retreat for injured army personnel... but his crippling claustrophobia means Sam is living in a tent on the grounds! Enlisting the help of charming village stalwarts Bert and Mabel Hastings, Tina Martins is determined to find a way to help him conquer his fears. But why does she feel like he is keeping a secret?

After discovering evidence of a Roman fortlet on the manor's grounds, Thea Thomas is thrilled at the chance to return to her archaeological roots and lead the excavation. She spent the summer with handsome celebrity archaeologist Shaun Cowlson – but now he's off filming his Landscape Treasures show in Cornwall, and Thea can't help but miss his company. Especially as someone else is vying for his attention...

Welcome back to Mill Grange and the beautiful village of Upwich, full of larger-than-life characters you can't help but adore.

 What I Thought:

I was delighted to be invited to join the blog tour for Jenny's new book - and to become acquainted with the characters at Mill Grange. 

This is the second book in the series but I feel it works just as well as a standalone book. Glad to see Mabel and Bert are still at Mill Grange and provide plenty of amusing episodes. Without giving too much away Mill Grange has been sold and has  new lease of live as a retreat for injured servicemen. The story follows the new owner Sam and his girlfriend and Thea is still at the property. The story runs a bit like a more romantic Time Team - and made me not want to put kindle down.

This was a beautiful follow up and I am hoping that there might be a 3rd book in the pipeline. Fingers crossed.

 

About the author

 

Jenny Kane is the bestselling author of several romantic fiction series. Her first novel, Another Cup of Coffee (Accent Press), was a Kindle bestseller. The final novel in this series, Another Glass of Champagne, was released in June 2016. Jenny Kane’s Cornish romance, A Cornish Escape, hit No.1 in the Amazon Romance, Contemporary Fiction, and Women’s Fiction charts, and was followed by a sequel, Abi’s Neighbour, Jenny’s seventh novel.

 

 

Buy links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3aCV8KZ

Google Play: https://bit.ly/34d3b0e

Kobo:  https://bit.ly/3h9YEz0

iBooks: https://apple.co/3aIgbw0

 

 

Follow Jenny:

 

Twitter: @JennyKaneAuthor

Facebook: @JennyKaneRomance

 

Follow Aria

 

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Blog Tour for A Perfec Paris Christmas by Mandy Baggot.

 

About the book:

United in grief. Pushed apart by tragedy.

 

Keeley Andrews knows more than anyone that you only live once. So when she receives an invitation to spend two weeks in Paris, all expenses paid, she jumps at the chance.

Ethan Bouchard has had the worst eighteen months of his life. He's ready to give up on everything, including his hotel chain. So when he meets Keeley, it simply isn't the right time.

As Keeley and Ethan continue to bump into each other on the romantic Parisian streets, they can't help but wonder whether this is fate telling them to let go of the past and leap into the future...

Head to Paris this Christmas and fall in love under the lights of the Eiffel Tower with best-selling author, Mandy Baggot.

 What did I think: 

It is never too early to start reading festive books in my opinion.

I love Mandy Baggot books - they are like little rays of sunshine and this one is no exception. Although saying that this one does have a slightly deeper side to it - but it brings together everything that the festive season should be.

A cast of wonderfully drawn characters and as someone who has never been to Paris it really really makes me want to visit even more.

This book drew me in right from the very start.

Christmas starts right here.

About the author:

Mandy Baggot is an international bestselling and award-winning romance writer. The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK's Festival of Romance, her romantic comedy novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016. Mandy's books have so far been translated into German, Italian, Czech and Hungarian. Mandy loves the Greek island of Corfu, white wine, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1's Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor. Mandy is a member of the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.

Follow Mandy:   

Facebook: @mandybaggotauthor

Twitter: @mandybaggot

 

Pre-order links:

 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2MpVrh4

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3072QtL

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3gOPHvv

iBooks: https://apple.co/2D35zuK

 

 

Follow Aria

 

Website: www.ariafiction.com

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Hidden by Annabel Chown

 

Annabel lies awake in the early hours after a night partying. She’s not worrying about how to get rid of an unsuitable man in her bed, but what to do about the hard lump she’s found on her left breast. An absorbing story of what happens when life swerves in unimaginable directions.

At the age of thirty-one – a successful architect and a single Londoner – Annabel is diagnosed with breast cancer. Overnight, her quest for love turns into a fight for life, and more.

Plunged into a world of treatment, which she keeps hidden from all but those closest to her, she learns a new way of living in London, a city whose moods and seasons reflect her own.

Hidden is a memoir of great courage and determination, told with wry humour and an architect’s eye. The story of how Annabel rebuilds her future will bring hope to anyone who has been forced to radically change direction in life.

What did I think:

This was no an easy read but one I am so glad I did.

Annabels life is going swimmingly - then out of the blue she is stopped in  her tracks when she finds a lump in her breast. This could happen to any of us, at any time. But Annabel was only 31 - with her whole life in front of her but which has now changed forever. A frank and sometimes brutal account of her journey -  she talks about her feelings towards her cancer and how she navigates her way through treatment along with her friends and family. I firmly believe this is a book every woman should read. It is raw and honest. It is inspirational. Very insightful.

About the author:

Annabel Chown was born in London and read Architecture at Cambridge University. She worked as an architect for leading London practices and taught architectural design at Kingston University, then at thirty-one she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She started making notes while going through treatment and discovered a passion for writing.

'Hidden', her memoir about having cancer while young and single, emerged from this. Her writing about breast cancer has been published in 'The Daily Telegraph' and 'Red' magazine. Annabel is also a yoga teacher. She loves cities, particularly London, and food.

You can read more, including blog posts, at annabelchown.com

Instagram: @annabelchown