RRR presents... The Secret Pianist by Andie Newton - REVIEW!

It's all in how you look at something.

Whether it be from the outside in or the inside out, with full disclosure or a million and one secrets, the truth of a matter is influenced by so many things and experiences, it's hard to guess with accuracy just what you're getting into without asking the questions begging to be asked. Such is the case of our sisters three in today's featured title via Rachel's Random Resources....

The Secret Pianist 

by

 Andie Newton

One More Chapter | HarperCollins 360

About the book...

Sisters. Traitors. Spies.

When a British RAF Whitley plane comes under fire over the French coast and is forced to drop their cargo, a spy messenger pigeon finds its way into unlikely hands…

The occupation has taken much from the Cotillard sisters, and as the Germans increase their forces in the seaside town of Boulogne-sur-Mer, Gabriella, Martine and Simone can’t escape the feeling that the walls are closing in.

Yet, just as they should be trying to stay under the radar, Martine’s discovery of a British messenger pigeon leads them down a new and dangerous path. Gaby would do anything to protect her sisters but when the pianist is forced to teach the step-daughter of a German Commandant, and the town accuses the Cotillards of becoming ‘Bad French’ and in allegiance with the enemy, she realizes they have to take the opportunity to fight back that has been handed to them.

Now, as the sisters’ secrets wing their way to an unknown contact in London, Gaby, Martine and Simone have to wonder – have they opened a lifeline, or sealed their fate?

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

Readers can’t get enough of USA Today bestselling author Andie Newton:

‘A brilliant tale of resistance, sisterhood and dangerous secrets. Andie Newton is a master storyteller!’ Sara Ackerman, USA Today bestselling author of The Codebreaker's Secret

‘If you believe every WW2 story has already been told, think again. This one is special.’ Paulette Kennedy, bestselling author of The Witch of Tin Mountain

Amazon US

Amazon CA

Amazon UK

One More Chapter: TwitterX | Instagram

HarperCollinsUK: Twitter | Instagram

HarperCollins360 US: TwitterX | Instagram

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I had read one of the author's previous works, A Child for the Reich, and was deeply moved my the tale told. This time was no different as the author worked her magic yet again on a time that was harsh, a time that was cruel, a time that we look back on as a lesson learned and never to be repeated, and yet behold within this same time a modicum of hope and resilience worth fighting for. 

This is the story about that fight. This is a story about family and what you'd do to protect them. This is a story about the evilness of mankind, yet also their ability to carry on in the darkest of nights. This is a story about putting it all on the line in the hopes of a better tomorrow, no matter how distant that new day may seem. Watching the sisters take their chances, waging their own little war against the danger that surrounds was captivating for all the right reasons, and inspiring for anyone hesitant to take a step towards what they fear in an effort to silence it. 

A great pick for Historical Fiction fans, and a must read for your reading lists this year!

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About the author...

Andie Newton is the USA Today bestselling author of A Child for the Reich, The Girls from the Beach, The Girl from Vichy, and The Girl I Left Behind. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her family. When she’s not writing gritty war stories about women, you can usually find her trail-running in the desert and stopping to pet every Yellow Lab or Golden Retriever that crosses her path. Andie is actively involved with the reading and writing community on social media. You can follow her on X (Twitter) @andienewton and Instagram, or check out her author page on Facebook.

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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the publisher for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so snag your copy at your favorite online retailer. 

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

RRR presents... THE CRUISE by Caroline James - REVIEW!

Ready to set sail on the high seas?  It's time to meet and greet today's second Rachel's Random Resources tour as we climb aboard The Diamond Star and chart a course for change!  That's right.  The ladies three that star in the story are out for change, and we're not simply talking about a makeover, but a life-over, or at least what the next chapter of theirs may look like.  Curious?  Pack your bags and prepare to board as we take a look at today's ebook of choice...

The Cruise

by

Caroline James

One More Chapter

About the book...

#THECRUISE

Three friends set sail on a luxury cruise… will they be able to catch a husband on the open seas?

Leaving behind the heartache, guilt and disappointment of their real lives, three friends decide that now they’re in their sixties, it’s time they finally did something for themselves!

Swapping Christmas turkeys and BBC reruns for crystal waters, white sandy beaches and smooth golden rum, Anne, Jane and Kath throw caution (and tradition) to the wind as they set sail on a luxury two-week Christmas cruise around the Caribbean.

Will the three friends find the comfort and joy they seek aboard the Diamond Star?

--->   SNAG YOUR COPY TODAY   <---   

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Having read her prior release, The Spa Break, I knew I was in for a treat.  The author gives us something you don't see a lot of...older characters taking the lead, and having the time of their lives...and makes it something that crosses generations.  It's relateable whether you're 19 or 99 and the antics they get up to are priceless at any age!  

I loved how close they all were, and the initial showdown at the reunion certainly proves that point from the word GO.  Can't say I've been to any reunions, but I can imagine being faced with those you didn't really hang with them on a whole new level while everyone is trying to one up each other...no thank you...or perhaps YES PLEASE with a group of friends such as these.  They are there for each other through thick and thin, and that's not to say they don't tell it like it is because they most certainly do, they've just been around the block before so they aren't thrown off their game nearly as often.  Each one of these ladies goes through a transformation in some way, the most notable, perhaps, being Jane.  I really felt her come into her own, and by doing so, she opened herself up for bigger, better, life enriching experiences, and connections.  Kath may be the one faring the worst health wise, but she's not out of the game just yet, and aims to prove as much.  She doesn't gain as much tangibly as the others, but there is something to be said for peace of mind and taking the reins on one's own life.  Anne was the one I worried about the most, seeing as Dicky set his sights on her , but she had a good head on her shoulders and true friends he could rely on...what more could you ask for?  We'd be remiss if we didn't mention Selwyn when he has a bigger purpose for his journey too, and plays such a big part in all their stories, albeit for the better.  He was quite the character, but in a charming way, and his easygoing, self confident vibes certainly have a transforming effect on those that surround.

All in all, it was a trip in the right direction with a course set for life, love, and friendship...all things that they achieved in spades!  Though it wasn't all smooth sailing, by book's end everything is set to rights, and a few characters may just surprise you with their 180s.  A great pick for Women's Fiction fans, and those who could use the reminder that the only one that can stop us from truly living is ourselves.

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About the author...

Best-selling author of women’s fiction, Caroline James, has owned and run businesses encompassing all aspects of the hospitality industry, a subject that often features in her novels. She is based in the UK but escapes whenever lockdown allows. A public speaker, which has included talks and lectures on cruise ships worldwide, Caroline is also a consultant and food writer. Caroline writes articles and runs writing workshops, is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association, the Society of Women’s Writer & Journalists and the Society of Authors. In her spare time, Caroline can be found walking with Fred, her Westie and in summer, wild water swimming. In winter, when not working, she relaxes with her head in a book and hand in a box of chocolates.

SITE  |  TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM

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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today and be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

RRR presents... The Collaborator’s Daughter by Eva Glyn - REVIEW!

Time to head back into history with another Historical Fiction novel, currently on tour with Rachel's Random Resources. It's a book that begs the reader to look a little closer because things are not always as they appear. Ready or not, here comes today's blog tour guest and ebook of choice...

The Collaborator’s Daughter 

by

Eva Glyn

One More Chapter 

About the book...

In 1944 in war-torn Dubrovnik Branko Milisic holds his newborn daughter Safranka and wishes her a better future. But while the Nazis are finally retreating, the arrival of the partisans brings new dangers for Branko, his wife Dragica and their baby… 

As older sister to two half-siblings, Fran has always known she has to fit in. But now, at sixty-five years old and finally free of caring responsibilities, for the first time in her life Fran is facing questions about who she is and where she comes from. 

All Fran knows about her real father is that he was a hero, and her mother had to flee Dubrovnik after the war. But when she travels to the city of her birth to uncover the truth, she is devastated to discover her father was executed by the partisans in 1944, accused of being a collaborator. But the past isn’t always what it seems… And neither is the future. 

AMAZON |  PUBLISHER 

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Quick question right out of the gate... do you prefer the US cover on the left, or the UK cover on the right? The brighter more brilliantly colored edition or the more neutral scenary as depicted in the second? Personally, I'm more drawn to the US edition with the added flair and imagery, but to each their own. They both work for the story within. 

Between the epages, I found the story of a young girl turned woman, mother, and wife, finding herself yet again in the title role of Daughter. I don't simply mean being a daughter, but fidgeting discovering where she came from, what that history entailed, and how to ultimately affects her in the here and now. I would imagine, to some degree, that many children that grow up not knowing one parent or the other, develop a desire to dig into their roots, but what they uncover might now be what they were expecting.  Such is the case with Fran.

Fran is a lovely soul, kind hearted and caring, filled with love to share. The last two years her life was put on hold as she helped the one she called father in his final days, but it wasn't a hardship, rather a blessing. She was grounded in who she was, while unexpectedly preparing to find out who she might have been. The past that she digs into, the dark times and misunderstood motives revealed, work against her peace of mind,  coloring a memory not fully formed,  and placing a heaviness in her heart. How could she have come from this heritage? People that did bad deeds under the cover of obligation to their people and country? She couldn't justify it, and I'm glad she didn't simply stop there because things are not always as they seem, and it can take the dead a lot longer time to find the voice to speak. 

By book's end, it's had its chance to be heard, and Fran gains a new perspective on both her past and her future. It'll warm your heart after the dark times they lived through, while giving you hope that your never to old for a new beginning. 

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About the author...

Eva Glyn writes escapist relationship-driven fiction with a kernel of truth at its heart. She loves to travel and finds inspiration in beautiful places and the stories they hide. 

Her last holiday before lockdown was a trip to Croatia, and the country’s haunting histories and gorgeous scenery have proved fertile ground, driven by her friendship with a tour guide she met there. His wartime story provided the inspiration for The Olive Grove and his help in creating a realistic portrayal of Croatian life has proved invaluable. Her second novel set in the country, An Island of Secrets is a dual timeline looking back to World War 2, and although a contemporary romance featuring mature main characters her third, The Collaborator’s Daughter, has its roots in that conflict too. 

Eva lives in Cornwall, although she considers herself Welsh, and has been lucky enough to have been married to the love of her life for more than twenty-five years. She also writes as Jane Cable. 

Twitter @JaneCable 

Instagram @evaglynauthor 

Bookbub @EvaGlyn  

Facebook @EvaGlynAuthor  

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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you. as well as the ebook for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of tour for more bookish fun!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

WHAT'S THE BUZZ?: The Beekeeper's War by Deborah Carr - REVIEW!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

POST NUMBER 3 coming at you and the bookish fun does not stop!  Today, we're spreading a little pre book birthday BUZZ about a new title COMING SOON from One More Chapter / HarperCollins UK.  It's a Historical Fiction novel that will have you turning pages well into the night.  Seriously, it's THAT good!  You'll be invested in the characters from the start, create connections you never imagined, and will be following a lifetime as it unfolds with all its tragedy and beauty.  Ladies and gents, please keep your attention RIGHT HERE as we discover more about today's ebook of choice...

The Beekeeper's War

by

Deborah Carr

9780008534585

One More Chapter  |  HarperCollins UK

About the book...

Two wars

A secret that threatens to tear them apart

1916

At the onset of war, Nurse Pru le Cuirot left her home in Jersey to care for injured soldiers at Ashbury Manor, Dorset. She wanted to do her bit but she never expected to meet American pilot, Jack Garland, so unlike any man she has ever met.

When Jack is sent on a dangerous mission and vanishes, Pru is forced to make an agonising decision… one that will haunt them both forever.

1940

Another lifetime, but another war and Pru’s daughter Emma comes to Ashbury Manor. As Jersey falls to the Germans, Emma is fearful for her mother back home. And when she meets the mysterious beekeeper who lives in the grounds of the manor she finds herself caught up in a web of lies. As past and present collide, will the secrets of her mother’s life finally be resolved?

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This story held my heart in it's papery hands every step of the way.  I was pulled in by Pru's time in Ashbury Manor.  The heartache, the hardships, the trials, and tribulations, all of it built such an amazing story anchored in history but showing more than simply the battlefields.  It showed the battles BEHIND the lines.  The fights to save those that were trying to save "us".  Those courageous souls that took to the skies, seas, and land passages in an attempt to secure a better tomorrow.  THIS is their story...or at least a fictitious one that reads like it could have been recollected first hand.  

The Ashbury's were kind enough to open their home to the war efforts, but it wasn't just a self-sacrificing gesture...they had experienced loss themselves, and were hoping against home that tragedy didn't visit them again.  When Monty arrives at the manor, he makes quite an impression on both the staff and readers.  He's a man of the upper class, and as such was offered privileges others were not...but he declined.  He was serving his country with his fellow countrymen, and knew the bigger picture he was a part of.  His number number one visitor, outside of his parents and the dedicated nursing staff, was Jack Garland.  The American pilot was a head turner, but his head only turned for one...as well as his heart, despite all the barriers he places between them.  I get his motivation...war is not the best time make long term plans...but the heart wants what the heart wants, and some time is better than no time.  What's the old saying?  Better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all?

This is definitely illustrative of the love story at the center of everything.  Pru and Jack never had a chance to really explore what was between them, and the tragic events that followed were heartbreaking, as were the decisions made afterward.  When certain things come to light down the line, I must say, Pru's true character is revealed.  She is so much stronger, so much kinder, so much more than what we at first see, and what she gives herself credit for...but, the thing is, the time they DID have was MAGICAL.  It was enough to build memories that would last a lifetime, and a love that would never die.  Through all the dark days and sadness, there was HOPE.  There was LOVE.  There was a chance at a new tomorrow, whether everyone was there to spend it in the sun or simply there in spirit.  It goes to show just how much a part of us those we love become, and how we pass on the best of ourselves to the next generation when we live with love.

So embrace the day, and remember the past so we can learn for the future how to bring about a better tomorrow.  Historical Fiction fans...take note!

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About the author...

USA Today bestseller Deborah Carr lives on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands with her husband and three rescue dogs. She became interested in books set in WW1 when researching her great-grandfather's time as a cavalryman in the 17th 21st Lancers.  She is one third of the Blonde Plotters writing group and was Deputy Editor on the online review site, Novelicious.com for seven years.

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Special thanks to Sara at One More Chapter for access to the ebook for review and bringing this title to my attention!  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, fell free to click through the links provided above.  This title is set to release TOMORROW (July 21, 2022), so mark your calendar and get ready to grab your copy post haste!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

#OMCReadalong starring THE LAST CHARM by Ella Allbright!

Hi there!

Welcome back to your bookish home away from home, Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're SO EXCITED to bring you some FABULOUS news!  HarperCollins Publishers UK division ONE MORE CHAPTER is hosting it's FIRST EVER One More Chapter Readalong (hence the #OMCReadalong tag...which you should definitely search for on social media!)!  The inaugural title they've chosen celebrates its BOOK BIRTHDAY today and the story itself will break your heart.  No really...my heart was broken and mended several times over as I was reading this one because yeah...although it's a readalong, it didn't say we couldn't start already...or umm, you know, finish it ahead of the ACTUAL read.  *ahem*  Hey, don't judge me...you know you would have too!  😏

Anyway...let's shine that spotlight on the title of choice...

The Last Charm

by

Ella Allbright

A moving and heartwarming love story perfect for fans of Me Before You and One Day in December…

Leila’s charm bracelet tells a story of love, a story of loss, a story of hope. This is the story of her … and the story of Jake.

When Leila Jones loses her precious charm bracelet and a stranger finds it, she has to tell the story of how she got the charms to prove she’s the owner. Each and every one is a precious memory of her life with Jake.

So Leila starts at the beginning, recounting the charms and experiences that have led her to the present. A present she never could have expected when she met Jake nearly twenty years ago…

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**  MARK YOUR CALENDAR  **

TWO (of several!) LIVE EVENTS

Friday 21st August 1pm BST - Facebook live with author Ella Allbright

Thursday 27th August 7pm BST - Instagram live with Ella and some brilliant blogger guests.




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Keep your eyes peeled and your virtual ear tuned to both #TheLastCharm and #OMCReadalong hash tags throughout social media as more events pop up, additional experiences are shared, and this great big book birthday week celebration gets started!

Special thanks to Claire at One More Chapter for the invite and ecopy for review.  (THANKS!)  This title hits virtual shelves today, so join in the excitement or skip the lines and grab your copy today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

 

RRR presents... Manhattan Millionaire's Cinderella by Sun Chara - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Well, it looks like we're spending quite a bit of quality time with Rachel's Random Resources here recently what with spotlights, and excerpts, and...oh, would you look at that...a review!  That's right.  RRR is back on the site and today we're bringing you a stop along their current tour for author Sun Chara.  It features her first published work that kick-started her writing career, so needless to say, it's available now should you be looking for your next read...and let's face it, when AREN'T we looking for your next read?  😉  Ladies and gents, let's cut to the chase.  Today's ebook of choice is on deck...

Manhattan Millionaire's Cinderella

by

Sun Chara

9780007555321

HarperImpulse

About the book...

Will their wedding night be a one-night stand or a merger for keeps?

Global real estate mogul, Cade Sloan should've listened to his own advice: trust no one, and never a woman…especially not his 24-hour bride gone AWOL with his millions. Nina, mousy secretary turned sexy vixen, will repay every penny with interest…

When Cade gears up for a takeover, there's sweet hell to pay. Nina owes her husband a wedding night and he’s hell bent on collecting… his way, his time, his pleasure.

CLICK HERE to grab your copy today!

Need another angle? Check out the BOOK TRAILER!

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Once upon a time, there was a fair maiden hidden away behind her sturdy clothes and office desk, just waiting for her prince to find her some day...or not.  So, okay, here's the REAL DEAL....our Cinderella of sorts comes off as a mousey assistant, but is a business woman, vixen, and sleuth wrapped into one nice package...or at least, that's what seems to have Cade tied up in knots.  True, he's suppose to serve as her Prince Charming in this tale, but while charming he can be (and yeah, from the sound of things, pretty easy on the eyes), he's no prince in the manner department, when dealing with one and one negotiations, nor when faced with more womanly wiles than he expected.  Thing is, he's preoccupied with a hacker thief siphoning away his company's fortune which if he isn't able to stem the flow of funds, won't be much of a fortune anymore.  But what happens when the well thought out plan, the meeting of the minds for a mutually satisfactory outcome, breaks down and decides to no longer play fair?  After all, it's only business...there's no room for matters of the heart...right?

It's a bit Cinderella mixed with the whole "$1M for a night with your wife" minus the initial marriage. Our leading man (Cabe) is certainly not one to take things lying down, but our leading lady (Nina) isn't the shrinking violet she at first appears to be...points which I've already mentioned.  Much could have been solved so simply if full disclosure was utilized, but then we wouldn't have had the bit of cloak and dagger fun, now would we?  Though individually, I got where they were coming from and even the off color was they treated each other, it wasn't quite enough to morph my like of the story to love.  There was too much unfinished business and random plot turns that while not completely off the page, still left me scratching my head as to how/why it was being introduced.

In the end, I'm not saying I want to be godmother to the book's children, but I wouldn't mind being an acquaintance.  The characters were an interesting lot as was their sordid histories, and while I wasn't completely caught up in the happenings as they unfolded, it wasn't enough to push me away from the screen.

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~~~ GIVEAWAY ~~~

Win Pierced fashion glitter earrings PLUS an ebook copy of Manhattan Millionaire’s Cinderella!
(Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for dispatch or delivery of the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the author...

Sun Chara, an Amazon top 100 bestseller, writes sexy, hip ‘n fun contemporary romance for HarperImpulse. JABBIC winner, Manhattan Millionaire's Cinderella launched her writing career, spinning the 'global millionaires’ series'. She makes her home in southern California, and has appeared on stage/film to rave reviews in How the Other Half Loves, General Hospital, and McGee and Me. With a Masters Degree in Education, and membership in SAG/AFTRA and Romance Writers of America, she enjoys sipping Frappuccinos topped with whipped cream/sprinkles, and dancing on the beach…making everyday a celebration!

FACEBOOK|  TWITTER

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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer and grab your copy today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!