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The Fascination by Essie Fox #Review #Giveaway

   Today be prepared for a dark, Victorian gothic novel! The Fascination by Essie Fox is published on June 22nd by Orenda . For the chance to win a print copy of The Fascination see the foot of this post for details. Victorian England. A world of rural fairgrounds and glamorous London theatres. A world of dark secrets and deadly obsessions… Twin sisters Keziah and Tilly Lovell are identical in every way, except that Tilly hasn't grown a single inch since she was five. Coerced into promoting their father's quack elixir as they tour the country fairgrounds, at the age of fifteen the girls are sold to a mysterious Italian known as ‘Captain’. Theo is an orphan, raised by his grandfather, Lord Seabrook, a man who has a dark interest in anatomical freaks and other curiosities … particularly the human kind. Resenting his grandson for his mother’s death in childbirth, when Seabrook remarries and a new heir is produced, Theo is forced to leave home without a penny to his

The Promise of Summer by Bella Osborne #Review

 

Bella Osborne's latest romcom, The Promise of Summer,  is published today and I am thrilled to be featuring it on my blog today. 

 
Ruby’s life is about to change for ever…

After years of dating losers, cheats and one guy who did something unrepeatable to her kettle, Ruby has all but given up on romance. But then a stranger sits next to her on a train to London and explains his plan to propose to the woman of his dreams. Maybe true love does exist after all?

When the man accidentally leaves the engagement ring behind, Ruby is determined to save the day. But she hasn't counted on fellow passenger Curtis stepping in and insisting he should be the one to track the stranger down.  

As summer closes in, the unlikely pair make a promise to reunite the ring with its owner. But can they find their own happy ever after along the way?


 My Thoughts

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read.  Ruby is such a lovely character. Tired of her attempts to find love, she is looking to move on to another stage in her life. What is clear is that she is looking for love and family. She is a mixture of down to earth common sense and then at other times, utter gullibility. Her desire for love leads her to shut her eyes to what you the reader can see all along. The absolute triumph for me is the character of Curtis who has his own perspective on life. Despite his apparent inability to empathise with others and his total lack of social awareness, he is intelligent and totally without malice. You see that he is kind and caring. He just needs to be nudged in the right direction...

    I also enjoyed the side-story of Kim, the owner of the florist shop where Ruby works. They have a genuine friendship and she too has a heart of gold. There were some hilarious moments in the story. I loved Ruby's visits to the local care home. This is an uplifting read full of wit and humour. The darker parts of the characters' lives were not shied away from but added to the heart of the story.

In short: A warm, witty, brilliant summer read!


About the Author

 

Bella has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full length novel. Since then she’s written seven best selling romantic comedies and she’s been shortlisted three times for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

Bella's stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She lives in The Midlands, UK with her husband, daughter and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. When not writing Bella is usually eating custard creams and planning holidays.

For more about Bella, visit her website at www.bellaosborne.com follow her on Twitter - @osborne_bella or Facebook or Instagram

Book links: Amazon UK   |  Kobo  |  Universal Amazon link

Thanks to Bella Osborne, Avon and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

                                                       Follow the rest of the tour!
 

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