Review: The Upper Crush

 

 

He wasn’t banking on someone else taking the reins…

 

Lady Estelle Foxbrooke is done cleaning up the mess left by her wild parents. She’s got a plan: take the reins and save the family estate her way. But then she’s saddled with a business partner she’s hated all her life. He’s her twin brother’s worst enemy and looms in her path like a six-foot-four hurdle.

After a catastrophic business failure, rich and successful James Hunter-Savage has watched his dream life in London crash and burn. Forced to ditch the city for the Somerset countryside, he’s now living with his parents and expected to work with the infuriatingly attractive Estelle. She’s sharper than a whip, pushes all his buttons, and seems determined to break him.

As Estelle and James jockey for position, their explosive personalities combust into passion, sending Estelle’s plans to the edge of ruin. With James’s flimsy reputation in tatters, and the biggest event on the Foxbrooke calendar on the brink of collapse, will they realise their love is worth fighting for? Or are their hearts and hard work heading for the ultimate fall?

The Upper Crush is a laugh-out-loud, enemies-to-lovers, steamy, standalone, smalltown romantic comedy with a fiery country girl giving a cocky city boy a run for his money. No cheating or cliffhanger, but snort-laughs, swoons and a deliciously happy ending guaranteed in this sparkling and sizzling romcom!

Review

In Upper Crush, privilege hides panic and awkwardness. James is figuring out how to be human. He neeeds a job and a woman who carn help him navigate more than a glass of wine at a Country Club. Funny, sassy Estelle is something he’s known for a long time would do him good (in all the ways). Estelle is also thinking about all the things they could do together, but James is the sworn enemy of her brother after a school days spat over a woman. But working together on a music festival lets all the sparks ignite. Their carnal attraction gives way to a positive working relationship and, eventually, to love.

The humor and characters are on point. I loved the banter. The author does a great job with quippy dialogue. The tension was well-built even though there wasn’t much explanation for why they are so drawn to each other.  For less spicy readers, this is probably not for you. It’s a strong R rating for sex and language. The sex is explicit and carnal with no time wasted on bonding. It’s a good example of a modern romance, but not for all readers.

Purchase Links

https://eviealexanderbooks.com/collections/the-upper-crush

https://books2read.com/TheUpperCrush

 

Author Bio –

Evie Alexander is an award-winning author of sexy romantic comedies with a very British sense of humour.

 

Imaginative, passionate and frequently called ‘bonkers’ by her friends, Evie’s interests include reading, eating, swearing, saving the world, and dreaming about people who only exist between the pages of her books.

 

Evie lives in the West country of the UK with her family, where she pens her steamy stories from the Smut Hut.

 

Social Media Links –

https://www.instagram.com/eviealexanderauthor/

https://www.facebook.com/eviealexanderauthor/

https://www.twitter.com/evie_author/

https://eviealexanderauthor.com/the-upper-crush/

https://eviealexanderbooks.com/

 

Book Promo: The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou

THEY HAVE TOLD SO MANY LIES ABOUT ME.

London, 1954. Zina Pavlou, a Cypriot grandmother, waits quietly in the custody of the Metropolitan police. She can't speak their language, but she understands what their wary looks mean: she has been accused of the brutal murder of her daughter-in-law.

Eva Georgiou, Greek interpreter for the Met, knows how it feels to be voiceless as an immigrant woman. While she works as Zina’s translator, her obsession with the case deepens, and so too does her bond with the accused murderer.

Zina can’t speak for herself. She can’t clear her own name. All she can do is wait for the world to decide...

IS SHE A VICTIM? OR IS SHE A KILLER?

A compelling historical crime novel set in the Greek diaspora of 1950s London – that's inspired by a true story – The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou is perfect for fans of Erin Kelly, Sara Collins, and Jessie Burton.

Purchase Link - https://geni.us/TUAOZPRRR

Author Bio – 

Eleni Kyriacou is an award-winning editor and journalist. Her writing has appeared in the Guardian, the Observer, Grazia, and Red, among others. She’s the daughter of Greek Cypriot immigrant parents, and her debut novel, She Came To Stay, was published in 2020. Her latest novel, The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou, is inspired by the true-crime story of the penultimate woman to be executed in Britain. Follow her on and www.elenikwriter.com.

 

Social Media Links – 

AUTHOR Social Handles

Twitter: @EleniKWriter

Facebook: Elenikwriter

Website: www.elenikwriter.com

 

Aries/Head of Zeus Social Handles

Twitter: @AriesFiction

Facebook: Aries Fiction

Instagram: @headofzeus

TikTok: @headofzeus

Website: http://www.headofzeus.com

 

Blog Tour Hashtag

#UnspeakableActsOfZinaP

Book Review: The Maiden of Florence

 

The Maiden of Florence

'My defloration was talked about in all the courts of Europe. The Prince boasted of his prowess, even as preparations were being made for his wedding, as boldly as if he had ridden across that causeway with bloodstained sheet tied to his lance.'

1584, Italy: Twenty-year-old Giulia expects she will live and die incarcerated as a silk weaver within the walls of her Florentine orphanage, where she has never so much as glimpsed her own face. This all changes with the visit of the Medici family's most trusted advisor, promising her a generous dowry and a husband if she agrees to a small sacrifice that will bring honour and glory to her native city. 

Vincenzo Gonzaga, libertine heir to the dukedom of Mantua, wants to marry the Grand-Duke of Tuscany's eldest daughter, but the rumours around his unconsummated first marriage must be silenced first. Eager for a dynastic alliance that will be a bulwark against the threat of Protestant heresy beyond the Alps, the Pope and his cardinals turn a blind eye to a mortal sin. 
A powerful #MeToo story of the Renaissance, based on true events.

Review

This thoroughly captivating novel about the politicization of female bodies has earned each bit of praise I’ve read about it. With instantly captivating prose, the plot unfolds effortlessly. I cried. I raged. I laughed. I flew through the pages. 

The history is intense and unknown (at least for an American reader). I did have to journey online to check details and keep myself oriented. I recommend you keep notes. You’ll be glad for the effort since the story is so intoxicating as long as you can keep the players straight. 

The book falls in line easily with The Other Boleyn Girl and works of Phillipa Gregory. However, there’s so much that’s good here that I think it makes a great introduction to more obscure eras in historical fiction. 

Purchase Links 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maiden-Florence-Katherine-Mezzacappa/dp/1914148509/

https://www.amazon.com/Maiden-Florence-Katherine-Mezzacappa/dp/1914148509/

Author Bio – 

Katherine Mezzacappa is an Irish writer of mainly historical fiction, currently living in Italy. She has published several novels under pen names with publishers Bonnier Zaffre and eXtasy. She works as a manuscript assessor for The Literary Consultancy. Katherine reviews for Historical Novel Society’s quarterly journal and is one of the organisers of the Society’s 2022 UK conference. In her spare timeshe volunteers with a used book charity of which she is a founder member.

Social Media Links – Twitter: https://twitter.com/katmezzacappa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katherinemezzacappafiction/

https://katherinemezzacappa.ie/

 

Giveaway to Win a vintage postcard, early 1900s, of the babies from the façade of the Innocenti orphanage. (Open INT)

*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 Rachel’s Random Resources reserves 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 organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494586/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="33c69494586" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_scyacmsu">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>

<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>

OR if you don’t like html or are on WordPress. 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494586/?

Book Revew: Shadow of the Witch

 

Shadow of the Witch

London, 1677. A house with a dark secret. A lawyer in pursuit of magick. A witch, dead for fifty years.

Israel Cutler, dealer in second-hand goods, discovers the journals of Doctor Winter. Detailing the doctor’s relationship with a hanged witch, he recognises an opportunity. Seeking out a lawyer he knows with an interest in the occult, Cutler tries to sell the journals, but soon finds himself involved in a terrifying ritual—one that could bring black witch Lizzie Pickin back from the dead. Again.

Forced into a dangerous partnership, the witch leads Cutler on a trail of murder and revenge.

In this horror series set in London, Shadow of the Witch is book #2 in the Black Witch Saga.

 

Review

This was an intriguing work of horror. It’s written in 3rd person present, common in this genre, which helped with the sense of urgency. The plot is fairly obvious but really well done. I didn’t find it too gory (as horror can be) and there were some really good moments that kept me on my toes. I read the stories out of order, so there were some details that I probably didn’t understand. However, I didn’t feel like it ruined my enjoyment of this story. 

Purchase Links

AMAZON https://geni.us/r4kqMtb

SMASHWORDS https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1480253

 

Author Bio – 

Colin Garrow grew up in a former mining town in Northumberland. He has worked in a plethora of professions including taxi driver, antiques dealer, drama facilitator, theatre director and fish processor, and has occasionally masqueraded as a pirate. 

His short stories have appeared in several literary mags, including SN Review, Flash Fiction Magazine, Word Bohemia, Every Day Fiction, The Grind, A3 Review, 1,000 Words, Inkapture and Scribble Magazine. He currently lives in a humble cottage in Northeast Scotland where he writes novels, stories, poems and the occasional song.

He also makes rather nice vegan cakes.

 

Social Media Links – 

Twitter https://twitter.com/colingarrow

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/colinngarrow/

Website https://colingarrow.co.uk/ 

Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/colin-garrow

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/colingarrowthewriter

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@colingarrowauthor

Book Review: Floored

 

FLOORED is a charming romantic comedy guaranteed to give you a lift.

 

Hannah and Drew work in the same office.

Hannah and Drew use the same elevator.

Hannah and Drew aren’t looking for love.

They haven’t even met.

Yet something is happening…

Amiable TV production accountant Drew has turned his back on love after the death of his fiancée, an incident which cemented his longstanding elevatophobia. When Drew moves towns and jobs for a fresh start, he hears a voice in the office lift telling him to “be careful”.

Is it his fevered imagination, the ghost of his fiancée, or someone playing a cruel prank? Quickly, he becomes desperate, foolish… and unexpectedly smitten.

Sweet and sassy Hannah wouldn’t mind finding love, but keeps choosing the wrong boyfriends. Her innate social anxiety, deepened by bad experiences with a preying boss, is a huge barrier to dating anyone new.

Yet, to expose her boss’ antics, she needs to be lucky as well as smart. However, talking to a sweet but hapless co-worker isn’t the answer… is it? After all, she could never imagine meeting him in person.

When Drew discovers the adorable girl behind the voice, a relationship blossoms alongside a shared determination to bring justice to their workplace, risking everything.

Will their daring plan succeed or will it jeopardize the happiness they’ve found with each other?

 

This wonderful, laugh-out-loud, will-they-won’t-they romcom is perfect for those who loved Beth O’Leary’s "The Flatshare", Laura Jane Williams’ "Our Stop", or Sally Thorne’s "The Hating Game".

Praise for Floored:

“This book of yours is fantastic! It's so well written, witty, funny, and the story kept me wanting to know more every single minute. I absolutely love the dynamics of Drew and Hannah's relationship... and all the other character dynamics too. It's such a well thought-out plot and I love how everything falls into place at the end.” - Editor

“I've just finished reading Floored and absolutely loved it. I loved the relationship between Drew and Hannah as they both overcame their (realistic) problems. The comedy throughout was fantastic, I don't think there was a second that I didn't have a smile on my face when reading. It's a great romance, with lots of extra strands to it to keep the reader entertained and excited.”- Reader

 

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CRLG9WPK

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRLG9WPK

Author Bio – 

I’m an incurable romantic at heart, and a sucker for great humour. I’ve been writing for many years, and all the stories contain either love, or humour, or both – I simply can’t keep these elements out of my work.

I’m inspired by the big and small screen as well as books, and have a soft spot for Richard Curtis’ romcoms, timeless TV comedy like The Good Life and Blackadder, less well-known feelgood films and romances (Always, Forget Paris, Roxanne), and books which make me laugh (Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, The Rosie Project).

I have a soft spot for stories with strong women and nerdy or hapless guys.

Fundamentally, I try to write the books I like to read. I hope to distil humour, romance – and sometimes pathos or bittersweet vibes – into my novels.

Outside of writing, I enjoy photography, great scenery, a nice peaceful train ride, delicious coffee and cake, and catching up with old friends. I’m also something of a geek, fascinated by maths, science and even fonts!

Chrissie Harrison is a pen name.

Social Media Links – 

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorChrissieHarrison

https://www.instagram.com/authorchrissieharrison/

https://www.tiktok.com/@authorchrissieharrison  

https://www.youtube.com/@AuthorChrissieHarrison

https://www.chrissieharrison.co.uk

 

Giveaway to Win 1 x hardcopy of Floored (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK 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 Rachel’s Random Resources reserves 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 organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

 

<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494584/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="33c69494584" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_ybl14y9d">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>

<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>

OR if you don’t like html or are on WordPress. 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494584/?

 

Review: Lost Solace

 

Lost Solace

They’re called the Lost Ships … but sometimes they come back.

And when they do the crews are missing, while the ships have been strangely altered, rumoured to be full of horrors.

Opal Imbiana has been seeking something her whole life. It’s a secret so precious she’s willing to risk her life recovering it from a recently discovered Lost Ship, in a lonely nebula far from colonised space.

She’s just one woman, entering an alien and lethal environment. But with the aid of an amazing AI companion and experimental armoured suit, Opal might just stand a chance.

This blast of a book kickstarted the much-loved Lost Solace series, about an unlikely friendship between two women who keep hope alive in the darkest of times.

Review

In Lost Solace, Karl Drinkwater brings us an intriguing future world where humanity has blurred all the lines. AI can be so real that it’s mastered humor and cruelty. Humans feel like pampered royalty who only think they’re in charge. Both groups are well-written enough that you hope they find self-actualization. 

I was highly impressed by the writing and the rapid way in which I was drawn into the world. The pages flew by with enough intrigue that I was eager to finish the novel. The characters were so compelling and the ending really lived up to the promise of the premise. Highly recommended for lovers of comfortable science fiction like 2001 and Aliens. 

Purchase Links 

https://karldrinkwater.myshopify.com

https://books2read.com/karldrinkwater

Author Bio – 

Karl Drinkwater is an author with a silly name and a thousand-mile stare. He writes dystopian space opera, dark suspense and diverse social fiction. If you want compelling stories and characters worth caring about, then you’re in the right place. Welcome!

Karl lives in Scotland and owns two kilts. He has degrees in librarianship, literature and classics, but also studied astronomy and philosophy. Dolly the cat helps him finish books by sleeping on his lap so he can’t leave the desk. When he isn’t writing he loves music, nature, games and vegan cake.

Go to karldrinkwater.uk to view all his books grouped by genre.

As well as crafting his own fictional worlds, Karl has supported other writers for years with his creative writing workshops, editorial services, articles on writing and publishing, and mentoring of new authors. He’s also judged writing competitions such as the international Bram Stoker Awards, which act as a snapshot of quality contemporary fiction.

DON’T MISS OUT!

Enter your email at karldrinkwater.substack.com to be notified about his new books. Fans mean a lot to him, and replies to the newsletter go straight to his inbox, where every email is read. There is also an option for paid subscribers to support his work: in exchange you receive additional posts and complimentary books.

Social Media Links – 

Newsletter (and Substack) https://karldrinkwater.substack.com/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5766025.Karl_Drinkwater