Wednesday Wonder #6 - The Italian Wife by Kate Furnivall

 I always love Kate Furnivall's covers and her latest offering doesn't disappoint. 

How gorgeous is the cover of The Italian Wife? 

Kate is one of my go to authors when it comes to historical fiction & I'm very much looking forward to reading this one as the setting & time period really appeal to me.

Unfortunately the book isn't out in paperback until next June but for those who can't wait & have a Kindle then you can head over to Amazon & download it now. 

I certainly won't be waiting for the paperback to come out even if it means I won't be able to stroke the pretty cover. 

The Blurb

Italy, 1932 -- Mussolini's Italy is growing from strength to strength, but at what cost?

One bright autumn morning, architect Isabella Berotti sits at a café in the vibrant centre of Bellina, when a woman she's never met asks her to watch her ten-year-old daughter, just for a moment. Reluctantly, Isabella agrees -- and then watches in horror as the woman climbs to the top of the town's clock tower and steps over the edge.

This tragic encounter draws vivid memories to the surface, forcing Isabella to probe deeper into the secrets of her own past as she tries to protect the young girl from the authorities. Together with charismatic photographer Roberto Falco, Isabella is about to discover that secrets run deeper, and are more dangerous, than either of them could have possibly imagined . . .

From the glittering marble piazzas, to the picturesque hillside villages and winding streets of Rome, Kate Furnivall's epic new novel will take you on an breathtaking journey of intrigue, romance and betrayal.

Guest Post: Gerard Kelly Author of The Boy Who Loved Rain

Today on the blog Gerard Kelly talks about his debut novel 'The Boy Who Loved Rain'

Having published over 15 non-fiction books in 20 years, I am thrilled to announce the birth of my first novel. The Boy Who Loved Rain will be published by Lion fiction on November 21st. Available online and in bookshops… 

The first version of this novel was written ten years ago, an overblown end-of-the-world epic with angels, volcanoes and a melting earth. It was submitted to Lion and roundly rejected, for very good reasons. Writers, don’t forget to thank the publishers who sensibly reject you when you’re still living on planet Zarg.

The present novel came to life on the day (I can still remember the moment) when I started listening to my characters. Only two remain from that first War of The Worlds pastiche, but others grew up around them. I had never realised they would speak words their author hadn’t heard before, but they did. They started telling their own story, to me and to each other. My job was just to write down what they said.

The result is a book I’m extremely proud of. I’m sure it still has faults… I’ll leave you to find them for yourself, but I cry when I read it, and I think it is a genuine human story worthy of the telling.

Do let me know what you think…

The Blurb

Colom had the perfect childhood – the much-loved only child of a highly respected church pastor and parenting mentor. Yet he wakes screaming from recurring dreams in which his sister is drowning and he can’t save her.   
Gradually Colom withdraws from his family and friends – sullen and non-communicative one moment, angry and lashing out the next. Desperate to help their son, his mother Fiona turns to her husband for support. But David will not accept that outside help is needed.  

Then a close school friend of Colom’s hangs himself. And they find Colom’s own suicide pledge, hidden neatly away in his room.  

In panic, Fiona takes Colom and flees, turning to Miriam, an old friend, for guidance and seeking refuge with her in France. But Miriam has secrets of her own. What revelations will come to light under the blue skies of Portivy – and will they come in time to save Colom from self-destruction?  


In a style reminiscent of Jodi Picoult, Gerard Kelly’s beautifully written and searching debut novel explores the toxicity of secrets and lies, the nature of healing, the enduring strength of family ties, and the ever-present power of rain.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Gerard Kelly is a writer, preacher-poet, Mac lover and coffee drinker. He and his wife Chrissie have lived and worked in the UK, France and the Netherlands, and are popular speakers at conferences in Europe. In 1995, they founded Cafe-net, the European missions project that became The Bless Network in 2004. They currently live in Basse Normandy, France.   



Buy now from Amazon

Review: The Right Design by Isabella Anderson

**** 4 Stars

I'm very pleased to be reviewing Isabella's debut novel as part of her blog tour for The Right Design which is out now. I am very much a lover of the ocean & love being by the sea and for that very reason I am always drawn to covers that feature the beach & the ocean. So this is definitely a book that I would pick up when browsing a book store or a library.

The synopsis immediately grabbed me as I needed to know that when Carrie's life obviously seemed so perfect what devastating decision did she make that would change the course of her life.

The Blurb

Interior designer Carrie Newman could not have envisioned a more perfect life for herself. She had a great job doing what she loved, wonderful friends, and a close relationship with her sister and brother-in-law. Add in an amazing man who she’d hoped would soon become her husband, and her life was perfect. Until one devastating decision ruins her relationship and changes the course of her life.

Determined to make a new start, Carrie leaves Texas and heads to Palm Beach to pick up the pieces of her shattered and broken life. The last thing she expects is to find herself attracted to her first client at her new job--Brad Larson, who has proven himself time and time again to be caddish.

But there’s something beneath the surface of Brad’s arrogant exterior that keeps her craving more of him--something almost sweet that Carrie can’t seem to resist.

Is Carrie ready to take another chance on romance? And will this new design of her life prove to be the right one?

My Thoughts

Carrie is an interior design and everything is going really well for her. She has a good job, an almost perfect boyfriend and everything seems to be going very much in the right direction for her. She sees only a positive future and is secretly expecting a proposal from her boyfriend, Roger on their sixth anniversary. Unfortunately things aren't quite as rosy as she thinks they are and she ends up fleeing her home & job in Texas and moving to Palm Beach, Florida where she begins working for another  design company.

Once in Palm Beach she swears off men deciding to concentrate on her new job & herself so she is more than a little surprised when she finds herself attracted to her first client who is a known ladies man, Brad Larson. He's good looking, rich, single and she is having to help him design his home but it's a home that he is going to sell on once it is finished. However as with any good romance novel the path of true love is never going to run smoothly.

This was a typical romance novel, it was sweet with no real surprises thrown in but for me the character of Carrie was written in a way that made me want to follow her story & find out what happened to her. I found her to be very engaging & your are rooting for her to make the right decisions in her life. What happens to her is something that I am sure many women have experienced and her response might seem a little extreme & impulsive in that she pretty much moves to the other side of the country but for her it is ultimately the right decision.

I loved the secondary characters. Carrie has a wonderful relationship with her sister Sara & her brother-in-law Sean, there is great interaction between her and her work colleagues and her new boss is the ultimate matchmaker. 

At first I didn't take to Brad, he came across as a little too arrogant and I honestly thought that there was going to be more a story for Carrie with the hot bartender Oliver. Slowly however Brad grew on me when I got to see what was going on below the surface and that his attraction to Carrie was the real deal.

For me this was a perfect holiday beach read or a book that will whisk you off somewhere warm on a cold, dreary day. My only criticism is that I thought it was too short. There were certain points in the story where I felt that Isabella could have expanded and drawn out a little bit & that is not something that I say very often. Normally I am critical of authors drawing things out too much but there was certainly some scope for it with The Right Design. Overall this was a sweet, sexy romance and a wonderful debut novel.

Please visit CLP Blog Tours for all the tour stops!

Author Bio: Isabella grew up with a book in her hand, and to this day nothing has changed. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and has been featured on several blogs. While Isabella doesn't blog a lot, she focuses her time on featuring other writers, along with writing and editing. Isabella Louise Anderson created Chick Lit Goddess to share the love of the following genres: Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Romance, and Romantic Comedies! She loves featuring authors and their books. She lives in Dallas with her husband and cat. She enjoys spicy Mexican food and drinking margaritas, and can be found spending time with family and friends, cheering on the Texas Rangers, and reading. Isabella's short story, Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, was featured in Simon & Fig's Christmas anthology, Merry & Bright, in November 2013. The Right Design is her first novel. 


Author Links: 

Author Website
Author Facebook “Like” page 
GoodReads 
Pinterest 
Twitter 

Chick Lit Goddess Links: 
Website
Chick Lit Goddess “Like” page
Twitter

Purchase links:

Amazon (Kindle and paperback)
Amazon - Canada
Amazon - UK
Barnes & Noble

Q & As with Emma Jones Author of The Reckoning

A while ago I was able to reveal the cover of Emma Jones latest novel The Reckoning. The book is out now & Emma is taking over my blog today to share some Q & As 

The Book Blurb

As Lauren wakes after her 21st party she's not sure if she's hungover or dreaming but then she remembers.

The necklace.
The flashback.
The bond.
Daniel.

The consequences are great & details unknown. After a visit to the vampire council things settle down until vivid worrying dreams start to disrupt Lauren's sleep & life. 

The national news is filled with big cat killings but Lauren knows the truth& is being dragged into dark souls & black magic. Someone dangerous is getting into her head & her involvement with the council tests her relationships. 

How will Lauren cope? Is there a happy ending? Will blood be shed?

*********************************************************

If you would like to purchase The Reckoning the link is here & the first chapter is available to read on my blog

  

If you would to say Hi or comment on anything you can also find me on Twitter & Facebook and I'd absolutely love to hear from you   

A Few Q & A's 

What inspired you to base your novels on vampires?

I've always loved the vampire genre (long before Twilight came on the scene). I love the films Blade, Lost Boys and Interview with a Vampire. Currently I love the series Vampire Diaries although the Katherine storyline is getting on my nerves and The Originals.


What have you found the toughest aspect of self-publishing your book?

Without doubt the publicity. Naturally I'm not very good at blowing my own trumpet and do not know anyone in the industry. I've had to make contacts entirely from scratch.

What have you enjoyed the most since the launch of your debut novel?

I've enjoyed the sense of achievement and meeting some like minded bookish people on Twitter.


As a reader, do you prefer ebooks or print books?

Ebooks. Since having my Kindle I haven't bought a paperback. I do miss the feel of a real book but the storage is always a problem and obviously they can be bulky if travelling. I do still have a browse in Waterstones or WHSmith to see what's in the charts. For children I think print books are important. My children have loads of books and I think it is vital for learning to read and stimulating their little imaginations.

Coming Soon: Isabella Louise Anderson Is On Tour

Isabella Louise Anderson will be on tour November 10-17 with her novel The Right Design


My stop is on Thursday 13th November check back then for my review

The Blurb

Interior designer Carrie Newman could not have envisioned a more perfect life for herself. She had a great job doing what she loved, wonderful friends, and a close relationship with her sister and brother-in-law. Add in an amazing man who she’d hoped would soon become her husband, and her life was perfect. Until one devastating decision ruins her relationship and changes the course of her life.

Determined to make a new start, Carrie leaves Texas and heads to Palm Beach to pick up the pieces of her shattered and broken life. The last thing she expects is to find herself attracted to her first client at her new job--Brad Larson, who has proven himself time and time again to be caddish.

But there’s something beneath the surface of Brad’s arrogant exterior that keeps her craving more of him--something almost sweet that Carrie can’t seem to resist.

Is Carrie ready to take another chance on romance? And will this new design of her life prove to be the right one?

Please visit CLP Blog Tours for all the tour stops!

Author Bio: Isabella grew up with a book in her hand, and to this day nothing has changed. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and has been featured on several blogs. While Isabella doesn't blog a lot, she focuses her time on featuring other writers, along with writing and editing. Isabella Louise Anderson created Chick Lit Goddess to share the love of the following genres: Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Romance, and Romantic Comedies! She loves featuring authors and their books. She lives in Dallas with her husband and cat. She enjoys spicy Mexican food and drinking margaritas, and can be found spending time with family and friends, cheering on the Texas Rangers, and reading. Isabella's short story, Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, was featured in Simon & Fig's Christmas anthology, Merry & Bright, in November 2013. The Right Design is her first novel. 


Author Links: 

Author Website
Author Facebook “Like” page 
GoodReads 
Pinterest 
Twitter 

Chick Lit Goddess Links: 
Website
Chick Lit Goddess “Like” page
Twitter

Purchase links:

Amazon (Kindle and paperback)
Amazon - Canada
Amazon - UK
Barnes & Noble