Category Archives: #review

#amwriting, #review, contemporary romance, It Happened in Gastown, Novels, sweet romance, sweet romance mystery, Writing

Readers’ Favorite 5-star review for It Happened in Gastown!

January 27, 2023 Melanie 2 Comments

I’m very excited this morning to share this wonderful Readers’ Favorite 5-star review for It Happened in Gastown with the world! At least the world who visits my blog. What am I saying? I’ll be shouting it from the rooftops everywhere.

Readers' Favorite

Here’s the review.

In It Happened in Gastown by Melanie Robertson King, the author has taken romance, drama, intrigue, and unpredictability and written a story that catches the reader’s attention from the unusual start to the unexpected ending, one which is most intriguing and leaves the reader pondering and wondering in the best possible way. It Happened in Gastown introduces the main characters of Constables Hilary Dunbar and Luka Stephanopoulos, Xena, her German Shepherd, Taylor Simpson, Doctor Singh, Sun Huang, Robert MacDonald, Eric, and Zack Daniels. These characters make up a story that starts as a drama to be investigated and then leads the reader into a romance that may or not may survive. They then meet inhumane people who sit in judgment without knowing the full circumstances of what Hilary and Eric are going through.

Melanie Robertson King is an author I have not heard of before but I will be looking out for more of her books. King has written a story that would encourage any young adult venturing into the world of reading romances combined with intrigue and adventure. This would allow the young reader to advance to other books as well. This story can be enjoyed by all young adults, no matter their gender. It Happened in Gastown is hard to put down until the very last page is read. I really enjoyed reading this book and will be reading more of King’s writing. Thank you to the author for a delightful and enjoyable story.

See why I’m so happy?

You can purchase It Happened in Gastown here and see what made it so special that this reviewer at Readers’ Favorite gave it 5-stars.

#amwriting, #review, A Shadow in the Past, Novels, romance, Scotland, time-slip romance, time-travel

5-star review for A Shadow in the Past!

September 4, 2022 Melanie 2 Comments

I’m so excited! My novel, A Shadow in the Past, has received another 5-star review!

5-star review

But before I share the review, let me tell you what the book is about.

Blurb

When a contemporary teen is transported back in time to the Victorian era, she becomes A Shadow in the Past…

Nineteen-year-old Sarah Shand finds herself in Victorian Era Aberdeenshire, Scotland and has no idea how she got there. Her last memory is of being at the stone circle on the family farm in the year 2010.

Despite having difficulty coming to terms with her situation, Sarah quickly learns she must keep her true identity a secret. Still, she feels stifled by the Victorians’ confining social practices, including arranged marriages between wealthy and influential families, and confronts them head only to suffer the consequences.

When Sarah realizes she has fallen in love with the handsome Laird of Weetshill, she faces an agonizing decision. Does she try to find her way back to 2010 or remain in the past with the man she loves?

Review – this one comes from amazon.co.uk

For lovers of Time Slip Novels set in Scotland

I was very much reminded of OUTLANDER as I read Ms King’s novel. (No bad thing, by the way). I’m a sucker for time-slip novels and wasn’t disappointed as I followed Sarah through the stone circle on her family farm to Victorian Era Aberdeenshire, Scotland where she quickly learns to keep her true identity a secret. As someone who visits Scotland frequently, I was impressed by the extensive research the author had undertaken and found everything about the novel totally accurate and convincing. Sarah soon falls in love with the handsome Laird of Weetshill and we are left wondering how she is going to solve the dilemma of staying in the past with the man she loves or returning to the present and her family. I won’t write a spoiler. All I will say is that I am glad there’s a sequel –

Isn’t it fantastic???

You can buy A Shadow in the Past from these fine retailers.

#review, Authors, Christian fiction, Dystopian, Good Hope Publishing, Maressa Mortimer, Novels, YA fiction

Beyond the Hills by Maressa Mortimer

June 29, 2021 Melanie 3 Comments

Beyond the Hills by Maressa Mortimer Blog Tour and Review #BEYONDTHEHILLS @vicarioush.ome

What happens when you go Beyond the Hills?

BLURB

Macia Durus, daughter of the well-known Brutus Durus AMP, works hard to achieve a life of honour and prestige in her beloved Elabi. When a so-called “friend” challenges her priorities, Macia’s confusion threatens her carefully constructed plans. And her decision to investigate a forbidden book could have serious consequences for Macia as well as her family, turning their lives upside down.

Beyond the Hills

MY REVIEW

I had to step out of my comfort zone for Beyond the Hills, since it is a Christian/Dystopian type of book. That being said, the book was well-written and left you thinking. What if? Could you live in a strictly controlled society where emotions are frowned upon and faith of any kind was taboo? In some ways, things aren’t all that different in today’s society.

Written for a target audience of young adults, it’s a good read for any age.

LINK TO BUY BOOK

amazon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Beyond the Hills
I grew up in the Netherlands and moved to England soon after finishing my teaching training college. Married to Pastor Richard Mortimer we live in a Cotswold village with our four children. I’m a homeschool mum, enjoying the time spent with the family, travelling, reading, and turning life into stories. I want to use my stories to show practical Christian living in a fallen world.

AUTHOR WEBSITE

http://www.vicarioushome.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA LINK

INSTAGRAM/FACEBOOK @vicarioush.ome

Beyond the Hills

#review, Authors, Jill Treseder, Novels, s Books, saga

THE SATURDAY LETTERS by Jill Treseder #saga #review

December 6, 2017 Melanie Leave a comment

The Saturday Letters

by

Jill Treseder

Genre: Family saga

Release Date: November 2017

Publisher: S Books

18+: Scenes of a sexual nature

When Henrietta finds herself excluded from seeing her grandchildren, she decides to write to them to explain their Afro-Caribbean origins in slavery.

She tells the story of her childhood in Bermuda, of marrying a British soldier, bringing up six children in Gibraltar and moving to England on her husband’s retirement from the army. Writing the letters reveals unexpected and challenging truths about herself and her family, which give her food for reflection.

Do her grandchildren ever receive the letters? And if so, how true a picture of their grandmother and family do they paint?

EXTRACT

First things first. I introduce myself. I am your great-grandmother. Your grandmother, Ada, is my daughter. As you know, of course, you visit her every Saturday afternoon with your parents. I live in the house just up the hill from hers. Not the one joined on to your grandmother’s house, but the next one.

I should say, I did live there. Because, if my plan works out, you will be opening these letters as a young man, aged twenty-one years, and I will no longer be on this earth.

BUY LINKS

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2Brvy93

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2ixYCrG

REVIEW

Imagine living within sight of your family but being cut off from them at the same time. In this poignant novella, Henrietta is faces this dilemma every day.

I loved the letters she wrote to her descendants with the hope of reuniting with them. I loved the expressions she used from her childhood in Bermuda in her correspondence. “cheese…” was a particular favourite (confirm from the glossary at the beginning of the story).

I almost got sea-sick myself as I travelled across the ocean to Gibraltar. I’ve never been but could picture it well from the author’s description. I looked up a photograph after reading the book and it was exactly like I’d envisioned.

Do the intended recipients ever see the Saturday letters? To find out, you’ll have to read the book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jill Treseder was born in Hampshire and lived all her childhood in sight of the sea on the Solent and in Devon, Cornwall and West Wales. She now lives with her husband in Devon overlooking the River Dart.

After graduating from Bristol with a degree in German, Jill followed careers in social work, management development and social research, obtaining a PhD from the School of Management at the University of Bath along the way.

Since 2006 she has focused on writing fiction.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jill.treseder

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jill_Treseder

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7919007.Jill_Treseder

Blog: http://www.jilltresederwriter.com

Author: http://www.jilltresederwriter.com

Publisher: http://sbooks.co.uk

#review, book review, Janey Travis, Novels, romantic comedy, Thornhill Print

#review ~ I NEED A DOCTOR by Janey Travis #giveaway

August 26, 2016 Melanie 2 Comments

#review

I Need a Doctor

by

Janey Travis

#review

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release Date: 15^th July 2016

Publisher: Thornhill Print

Beauty and fame… a blessing or a curse?

Story synopsis: Loveless fashion model Nola Nichols thinks being beautiful is a curse; that is until she is cursed and her looks begin to fade just a week before the most important photo shoot of her career. In her attempts to get un-cursed, she finds herself taking part in a rather unconventional funeral, reveals one or two unrests in her own past, and falls madly in love with a doctor. Erm… that would be a witch doctor, right…?

#review

BUY LINKS

What the Readers say:

“Just the right sprinkling of romance and humour.” Brook Cottage Books

“A very enjoyable and clever plot. Different, fresh and enjoyable.” Jenny in Neverland

“I couldn’t help but like Nola even though at times she is a proper diva.” Comet Babe’s Books

“I love all the quirky characters in the story and just the pure madness and fun of it all!” Books4U

“A nice balance of humour, sweet romance, morals and a spooky side!” The Little Reader Library

“A Five Star Read – I really enjoyed the light-hearted tone.” Love Reading Love Books

Doctor Word Cloud bw Jpeg

REVIEW

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I had read this book before when it was three separate novellas written under the author’s own name, Janice Horton. Now it’s back and bigger than better than before with the new title, I Need a Doctor, and her nom de plume, Janey Travis.

I Need a Doctor is a great read with larger than life characters. Even though Nola, whose real name is Nora, is selfish you can’t help but sympathize with her. After all, she believes a voodoo spell has been cast on her.

In an effort to have the spell removed, he takes part in a strange funeral ceremony with the son of the woman, Louis, who allegedly cast the spell on her.

Hilarity ensues when the rest of Louis’s voodoo practising family gets involved.

Voodoo spells, mayhem and mystery are all skilfully woven into the plot which keeps you turning the pages.

5 stars

I loved it!

ABOUT JANEY TRAVIS

JANEY TRAVIS

Janey Travis is currently travelling around the world chasing the sun while blogging, tweeting, writing fun-to-read novels and travel magazine features. Look out for her new light-hearted romantic comedy novel I Need a Doctor. You can catch up with her on Twitter: @janey_travis on Facebook: janeytravisbooks.

Janey also writes bestselling romantic adventure fiction as Janice Horton. Find out more at www.janicehorton.co.uk

Author Links:

Janey Travis on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/janeytravisbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/janey_travis

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30623638-i-need-a-doctor