#GUESTPOST DANIEL'S DAUGHTER by VICTORIA CORNWALL #PublicationDay @ChocLituk @VickieCornwall

Delighted to be able to share a guest post today from the lovely VICTORIA CORNWALL on publication day for DANIEL’S DAUGHTER! Go buy your copy now!! Links below!

Victoria Cornwall chats Cornish history and her new historical novel, Daniel’s Daughter

In each of the novels in my Cornish Tales series, I have tried to bring alive something of Cornwall, whether it is its smuggling history, the class divide on the grand estates, ancient traditions, myths and legends, or characters with the Cornish pragmatic sense of humour and wit. As a backdrop to each tale, I have used Cornwall’s unique landscape, whether it’s formed from nature’s beauty or its industrial past. In Daniel’s Daughter clay mining forms the backdrop to the events that play out and the hurdles the characters face as they strive for happiness.

Why clay I hear you ask? I must admit, clay would not inspire me to pick up an historical romance, so why should it for any other reader? Let me try to explain why I used this part of Cornwall’s history as a backdrop …

As a child growing up in Cornwall, I gave little thought to why one of our local cinemas was called White River. I also did not fully appreciate the history behind the triangular white hills and artificially bright turquoise lakes which I could see from my car window when I travelled to the south coast. They are all linked to the production of clay. It was only when I became an adult I discovered the significant role Cornwall played in the china clay industry … so significant that the clay produced was nicknamed ‘White Gold’. The industry expanded at an alarming rate and employed vast numbers of people. It would take a certain type of man to keep his business competitive in the cut-throat world that emerged. It would take a man like Talek Danning, the troubled hero in Daniel’s Daughter. However Talek’s world is a very different world to the one Grace Kellow, the heroine, grew up in, which is the untamed, natural beauty of Bodmin Moor. When Grace discovers the terrible family secret, she flees her home and finds herself in Talek’s world which is so alien to her. Each landscape reflects the main characters’ traits, one industrious, serious and cut-throat, the other wild, beautiful and open. These two opposite characters are brought together, and the story of their time together begins to unfold …

Today mid Cornwall is very different. Time has moved on and many of those peaks of clay spoil, nicknamed the Cornish Alps, have been camouflaged by re-sculpting and the growth of vegetation to attempt to blend the manmade hills into the landscape. However, if you look carefully you can still see them reaching for the sky, now silent witnesses to Cornwall’s industrial past.

Although this part of Cornwall’s history plays a significant role in the tale, Daniel’s Daughter is more about truth … discovering it, facing it, learning from it, accepting it. And it is also about the damage that can be done to trust and loyalty, when telling or hearing the truth becomes a problem.

Although there is still clay mining undertaken in Cornwall, it is now on a lesser scale. Today mid Cornwall is threaded with a network of paths, named the Clay Trails, where walkers, cyclists and horse riders can explore the manmade landscape, which now happily sits alongside the natural one (https://www.claytrails.co.uk/).

So if you ever find yourself in Cornwall, consider walking one of the many Clay Trail routes. I have walked some of them and it could be said that it is where Talek Danning’s character first made himself known to me. Did their characters live happily side by side as the two differing landscapes do today? You will just have to read Daniel’s Daughter to find out.

About the book:

Sometimes the truth is not easy to say and even harder to hear …

Cornwall, 1895

Grace Kellow is a young woman with a strong sense of who she is and where she comes from. As the daughter of a well-respected Cornish dairy owner Daniel Kellow, her existence in the village of Trehale is comfortable and peaceful.

But then handsome Talek Danning comes striding over Hel Tor, and soon after his arrival Grace is hit with a revelation that leaves her questioning her identity and her place in the Trehale community.In her hour of need, Talek and his sister Amelia offer Grace sanctuary but wherever Grace runs, her secret will follow …

About the author:

Victoria Cornwall grew up on a farm in Cornwall and can trace her Cornish roots as far back as the 18th century. It is this background and heritage which is the inspiration for her Cornish based novels.

Victoria is married and has two grown up children. She likes to read and write historical fiction with a strong background story, but at its heart is the unmistakable emotion, even pain, of loving someone.

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Buying links: 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2vHmaRt 

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3boRFPl 

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2QEuEjv

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#PublicationDayPost NEW YEAR NEW GUY by ANGELA BRITNELL #guestpost @ChocLituk @AngelaBritnell

An absolute delight for me today to be able to post this Blog Post on behalf of the lovely Angela Britnell and Choc Lit on PUBLICATION DAY!!   So sit back and enjoy a few words from Angela, a little bit more about the book and, most importantly!, links to be able to get your mitts on a copy of the wonderful NEW YEAR, NEW GUY!

New Year New Guy: A Brief Break from Cornwall!

This story is a break from my usual Cornwall/Nashville romances because the setting ventures over the border into Devon and the city of Plymouth, with a few side trips I don’t want to give away here! It was interesting to change things up and I hope my readers will forgive me and hopefully enjoy visiting some different places along the way. To those who don’t know there has always been a touch of rivalry between Cornwall and Devon, in fact older Cornish people will talk about crossing the Tamar River border as though they are travelling to another country. And don’t even get them all started on the proper way to eat a cream tea. Whether to put jam or cream on the scones first is the source of endless debates. I purposely avoided going anywhere near that particular minefield in the book but anyone who knows that I’m Cornish born and bred will guess where I fall on that particular question…

‘Out with the old life, in with the new,’ sums the book up perfectly. When we first meet Laura she’s standing in the rain at the Plymouth bus station waiting to collect Hunter who her sister Polly has invited as a surprise for her fiancé Johnny at their pre-wedding party. Although Laura is cynical about the idea of lifelong love after escaping from her own brief, bad marriage to an arrogant surgeon she agreed to take care of this unknown American for a few days to please her sister. The minute Hunter sets foot on English soil again for the first time in twenty years he knows he’s made a mistake and would bet his last dollar that his old friend won’t be pleased to have the past dragged up. For a multitude of reasons, many of them tied to the time he and Johnny spent at school together, he’s also determined to stay single and no prickly English nurse will change his mind. Or will she? Could Laura come around to the idea that love doesn’t have to mean losing her sense of self?

It was a challenge to touch on a few darker themes in this story without losing the sense of fun and romance I always strive to bring to my books but I hope I’ve managed it, only reviews and sales will confirm that. Sending Laura and Hunter’s story out into the world today means that it’s time to get busy on my summer release!

About the book:

Out with the old life, in with the new …

When Laura’s bride-to-be sister, Polly, organises a surprise reunion for her fiancé and his long lost American friend, Laura grudgingly agrees to help keep the secret. And when the plain-spoken, larger-than-life Hunter McQueen steps off the bus in her rainy Devon town and only just squeezes into her tiny car, it confirms that Laura has made a big mistake in going along with her sister’s crazy plan.

But could the tall, handsome man with the Nashville drawl be just what reserved Laura Williams needs to shake up her life and start something new?

PUBLISHED BY CHOC LIT

About the Author:

Angela grew up in Cornwall and returns frequently from her new home in Nashville, Tennessee to visit family and friends, drink tea and eat far too many Cornish pasties!

A lifelong love of reading turned into a passion for writing contemporary romance and her novels are usually set in the many places she’s visited or lived on her extensive travels. Thanks to over three decades of marriage to her wonderful American husband she’s a huge fan of transatlantic romance and always makes sure her characters get their own happy-ever-after.

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Romance Writers of America and the Music City Romance Writers.

If you’d like to find out more of what Angela gets up to (warning this may include references to wine, chocolate and the hunky Aidan Turner) check out www.angelabritnellromance.com or follow her on www.facebook.com/angelabritnell and www.twitter.com/angelabritnell

Buying Links: 

Kindle UK: https://amzn.to/38N23zv 

Kindle US: https://amzn.to/38MJsUz 

Kobo: https://apple.co/2wCu7aT 

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2wCu7aT

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#BookReview IT STARTED WITH A GIGGLE by KIRSTY FERRY #publicationday @ChocLituk

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sometimes the best things start in the strangest ways …. with a giggle!
On a night out in Edinburgh, single mum Liza-Belle Graham finds herself revealing her hopes and dreams to a green-eyed stranger. Liza always wanted to run an “arty-crafty-booky” business, and she’s seen the perfect empty shop to make her dreams a reality. No harm in telling the stranger. It’s not like she’ll see him again …

But Scott McCreadie is no mystery man – he’s an interior designer looking for new premises. And who does Liza bump into when she arranges a viewing? None other than Scott trying to steal her perfect shop!
Is Liza’s arty-crafty-booky dream in jeopardy, or is a new dream about to begin?

PUBLISHED BY CHOC LIT

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Started-Giggle-wonderful-heart-warming-story-ebook/dp/B081Z43HXK/

Apple: https://books.apple.com/gb/book/it-started-with-a-giggle/id1489159621?mt=11&app=itunes&at=11lNBs 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/it-started-with-a-giggle

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kirsty_Ferry_It_Started_with_a_Giggle?id=b9jFDwAAQBAJ

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/it-started-with-a-giggle-kirsty-ferry/1135121910

Website: https://www.choc-lit.com/dd-product/it-started-with-a-giggle/

MY REVIEW

There’s romance, drama, fun and a cat that always steals the show – what more do you want from a book?!  It’s always wonderful to reconnect with characters from the Schubert series (Every Witch Way and A Christmas Secret ) and this time with get to follow the story of single mum Liza and Scott, who is Nessa’s brother. They meet when she’s on a rare night out and there’s a spark between them, but then that could be the booze that Liza has been drinking! She opens up to him about her plans for her future business as she hopes to open an ‘arty crafty bookstore’ (don’t we all?!).   He’s also on the lookout for new premises for his interior design business, and when they find themselves looking at the same place their ‘attraction’ soon becomes ‘irritation’!

When the owner of the building comes up with a compromise it’s fun to watch to see if it works out for the both of them, and with  Liza’s daughter Isa becoming firm friends with both Scott and Schubert, then maybe Liza can’t be too negative about Scott for too long.  He has a ‘sarky’ side but also shows himself to be very understanding and compassionate. Liza has been on her own for quite sometime now so is used to doing things her way and looking out for her daughter, so maybe someone new on the scene  is a little daunting for her.

I found this latest installment in the series to be just as much fun to read as the others. I loved seeing how Schubert made his presence felt as always, and the characters in his world were just as fun to follow. It was heartwarming, dramatic and I had all the feels as the story evolved with a rather dramatic and unexpected twist!

★★★★★

#BookReview The Cornish Cream Tea Bus by Cressida McLaughlin #publicationday #thecornishcreamteabus #bookblogger

ABOUT THE BOOK

Next stop, Cornwall! Hop on The Cornish Cream Tea Bus for a delicious, romantic adventure…

‘Captivating’ Heat Magazine ‘Beautiful… heartwarming’ Zara Stoneley ‘A wonderful ray of reading sunshine’ Heidi Swain

Baking fanatic, Charlie Quilter, is surprised when her late uncle bequeaths his vintage bus to her in his will. Keen to give the bus a new lease of life, Charlie thinks it will be the perfect mobile café for afternoon tea, and when her friend, Juliette, suggests Charlie comes to stay with her in the picturesque Cornish village of Porthgolow, she’s thrilled at the chance of a new start.
Charlie and her cute dog, Marmite, make new friends wherever their bus stops – except for the sexy but reclusive owner of the posh spa up on the hill, Daniel Harper, who isn’t very pleased that her bus is parked outside his lovely hotel.
Has Charlie’s Cornish dream developed a soggy bottom? Or can she convince Daniel that her bus could be the start of something wonderful for the little village – and for them?

published by HarperCollins

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon UK

MY REVIEW

This is the kind of book that just makes you want to run out, purchase a vintage bus and start your own baking business!! It’s made me want to do just that and it was a really enjoyable read that is the perfect slice of escapism!

Charlie inherits a vintage bus from her late uncle, and she wants to honour him by restoring the bus to its’ former glory but finding a way that she can use it to start her own business.  And her business is baking so she comes up with a plan to start a mobile cafe – sounds perfect to me!!

She ends up taking the bus to Cornwall to stay with a friend and to start some trial runs of how it could all work – everyone she meets is receptive to the idea apart from the owner of the local exclusive Spa, Daniel, who isn’t too keen on an old bus being parked in sight of his business so the relationship between him and Charlie doesn’t get off to the greatest start! 

But with her determination the business starts well, and maybe even Daniel can be persuaded that it’s good for the tourists visiting his spa too!  She knows how to use social media to create a buzz about her bus and it’s lovely to see how well the old and new sit alongside one another. It’s not all plain sailing though and she wonders who is out to cause trouble for her when things start going wrong.

I loved the different personalities within the pages of this book and the thought of all those cream teas on the bus just made me crave a scone or three!! The use of the bus was such a lovely idea and the character of Charlie was a joy to spend time with – very driven and focused on making the most of the opportunity given to her.  Very inspiring!!  A lovely read!!

★★★★

#BookReview A Secret Rose by Kirsty Ferry #publicationday

ABOUT THE BOOK

A fabulous new story from Kirsty Ferry set in Cornwall. Perfect summer reading! 

“Wherever you go, I will follow …” 
Merryn Burton is excited to travel down to Cornwall to start her first big job for the London art dealers she works for. But as soon as she arrives at Pencradoc, a beautiful old mansion, she realises this will be no ordinary commission. 

Not only is Pencradoc filled with fascinating, and possibly valuable artwork, it is also owned by the Penhaligon brothers – and Merryn’s instant connection with Kit Penhaligon could be another reason why her trip suddenly becomes a whole lot more interesting. 

But the longer Merryn stays at Pencradoc the more obvious it is that the house has a secret, and a long-forgotten Rose might just hold the key … 

Published by Choc Lit

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon UK

Kobo

Apple Books

Google Play

Nook

MY REVIEW

An old mansion in Cornwall  full of secrets – a dual timeline – romance – family history… yes, yes, yes!!  Hopefully this is the start of another lovely series to be set in this idyllic setting.

 It’s fair to say I loved spending time in the company of Merryn Burton as she travels to Cornwall and the Pencradoc home recently inherited by the Penhaligon brothers and they are eager to have the art collection appraised by her, and the moment she arrives the deja-vu feelings start and she feels an incredible connection with both the house and Kit Penhaligon – it’s as if they already know one another.

I really do love the dual timelines that Kirsty seems to write with ease – the now timeline works so seamlessly with the jaunts back to the past and the characters of Alys , Jago and Zennor also have an intriguing and thrilling story to tell – can lessons be learnt from the past or will history be repeating itself once more?

There’s so much to be uncovered at Pencradoc that Merryn finds herself unable to leave and move on and it was so atmospheric and easy to follow that I didn’t want to leave either!  Loved the sibling rivalry, the ghosts, the drama and the love stories – it made for the perfect mix for a fabulous read!

★★★★★

#BookReview Magnolia House by Angela Barton @ChocLituk

About the book

Highly recommended read 

When you open up your home and your heart … 
Rowan Forrester has it all – the happy marriage, the adorable dog, the good friends, the promising business and even the dream home after she and her husband Tom win a stunning but slightly dilapidated Georgian townhouse in London at auction. 

But in the blink of an eye, Rowan’s picture-perfect life comes crashing down around her and she is faced with the prospect of having to start again. 

To make ends meet she begins a search for housemates, and in doing so opens the door to new friends and new beginnings. But could she be opening the door to new heartbreak too?

Published by Choc Lit

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

iTunes

Kobo

Google Play

MY REVIEW

I found this to be a really inspiring read! It is a story that features some very sad and dark times, but also shows how people can come out the other side, especially with the help of some supportive family members and friends, and that is what the main character Rowan finds when she is faced with the devastating loss of her husband, just after they’d bought the house of their dreams, Magnolia House, to renovate.

Her whole life is changed by these tragic events but after taking time out to process the news and deal with her grief, she begins to find light at the end of the tunnel and by renting out rooms in the house she also meets some wonderful new friends who become family to her.

Alongside the story of Rowan, we also get to follow Libby and her story. She is the sister in law of Rowan, so is distraught by the loss her brother, and is also trying to deal with issues she has with shopping and spending money she doesn’t really have.  Her husband is desperate to help her but she thinks she can menage on her own and keeps it all a secret – but secrets can take their toll as she soon finds out.

I loved how darker subject were dealt with in this story alongside the lighter moments, as it really reflected real life! It’s not all rainbows and puppies!  The author has created some really enjoyable characters in this book, Ace being one of my favourites with his humour and attitude to life!                   

Rowan has to deal with some unexpected twists in her journey, and is also torn by her feelings towards a new man – is it too soon to find love again?  A fabulous read and I hope we get to hear more from these characters in the future as I’d love to revisit some of them as their lives move on!!

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#BookReview The Marked Lord by Sharon Ibbotson #PublicationDay

About the book

Like forbidden fruit, forbidden love is more sweet…

It’s 1803 and widowed aristocrat Sophy De Browarec must flee France after being exposed as an undercover British agent. Fearing for her life, she returns to Cornwall to seek help from the only living link to her past, Fitzwilliam ‘Fitz’ Ravensbourne. 

Lord Ravensbourne has suffered his own share of misfortune and it’s left its mark in more ways than one. He has become a near recluse at the Ravensbourne Estate, but still reluctantly accepts Sophy into his home. 
Sophy and Fitz’s relationship is strained and her return could bring danger to Ravensbourne – but there is something that prevents Fitz from casting her out, something almost forbidden…

Published by Choc Lit

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Kobo

ITunes

Google Play

MY REVIEW

I found this to be a totally absorbing regency romance, with an element of The Beauty and the Beast thrown in for good measure!

Sophy has never had an easy life, and when she finds herself having to flee France where she has made her home for many years, she can only think of one place to go home to – and that is to return to the Ravensbourne Estate.  She grew up here after losing her mother, and was taken in by the family and Fitz is her only real ‘family’ now, even though his father never married her mother as she died before their impending wedding.

Her first impression of Fitz as a child was one of horror, as he had suffered a badly burned face years earlier.  The cruelty of people throughout his life had left Fitz to become almost a recluse, so to hear from Sophy again isn’t what he was expecting and he resents having to look after his ‘stepsister’.

He has so many unanswered questions when she returns but times have made her very reluctant to trust people, especially when her past is revealed and what had caused her to flee France in the first place.  But as they spend time together their bond strengthens and as he’s due to be married to an unsuitable woman, Sophy finds herself getting more involved in his life and sees past the scars that used to scare her and makes her ashamed of her reaction.

I loved the whole setting of this story and the different aspects of Sophy and her personality.  For someone who was acting as a spy, she often comes across as very insecure and unsure of her place in the world, but when she returns ‘home’ she feels more assured. Fitz is another wonderful character as he’s bound by duty, but deeply hurt by people and their reaction to him, even after all these years.

A confident and scintillating debut! I really look forward to more from this author in the future!

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