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Coming Home to Maple Lodge by Alison Sherlock #Review

  I am delighted to feature the first in Alison Sherlock's new series set in the Corswolds. Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge was published by Boldwood Books on June 20th. A family and hotel in desperate need of help… Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jackson family for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success and, following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads. With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson. Cash strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple Tree Lodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However, Lily’s vision for a cosy, country Cotswolds hotel is the com...

A Scottish Island Summer by Julie Shackman #Review #ScottishEscapesBook8

 

This is a true escape to the Isle of Skye! A Scottish Summer Summer by Julie Shackman was published on January 30th by One More Chapter.You can read my reviews of others in the Scottish Escapes series here   A Secret Scottish Escape. |  A Scottish Highland Surprise   |  The Cottage in the Highlands | A Scottish Country Escape  |  The Bookshop by the Loch A Scottish Highland Hideaway


When ambitious city girl, Darcie Freeman is sent to the Isle of Skye to conduct research for a travel guide, she’s horrified. The prospect of having to travel to a remote island in the Scottish Highlands leaves her wondering what she’ll do.

Step in Logan Burns. Gorgeous and adventurous, he lives and breathes the island, and along with his sister Iona, who owns a rather haphazard PR company, they’re going to show Darcie everything she needs to know about Skye.

As Darcie swaps her designer shoes for her walking boots and her faux fur jacket for her raincoat, will she learn there’s more to life than the picture-perfect presence she shares on social media, or will it be the case that Skye is the limit…


 My Thoughts

The Isle of Skye is ever-present in the story and the colours and light of the environment adds to the atmosphere, as well as being intrinsic to the story. Darcie arrives on the island with all her city preoccupations and you see her respond to what she sees as she travels around the island. Darcie seems like the complete opposite of Logan when she meets him. He avoids social media and looks down on it as a rather shallow way of life, you sense. 

    Darcie's actions which are all fuelled by her ambitions to compete with other social media influencers, put her at the mercy of others' self -interest. She can be impulsive and envious and speak before she thinks. However, you feel that beneath this veneer, there are different priorities. Some of her actions have been part of her desire to protect herself from heartbreak. She has put on a veneer of ice to stop people getting close. Several of the people Darcie meets on the island can see beneath her act. The mystery at the centre of the story adds interest and shows you how Darcie has reassessed her future and how she wants to live her life. 

In short: escapist romance with a mystery to uncover 

About the Author

Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance.

As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags.

She is married, has two sons and adopted a Romanian rescue puppy, Cooper.

A Scottish Island Summer is Julie's twelfth novel.

 

You can follow Julie here:  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  InstagramWebsite

Book links: Amazon UK  |  Amazon US 


Thanks to Julie Shackman, One More Chapter and Rachel of Random Things Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

Check out the rest of the tour!


 

 

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