Blog Tour: A Home at Honeysuckle Farm by Christie Barlow

I'm delighted to be part of the blog tour today for Christie Barlow's new novel, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm, published by HarperImpulse on 6th April 2018. Click here for your copy!

The Blurb

A family secret

One shocking argument and ten-year-old Alice Parker’s world was turned upside down. Her peaceful life at Honeysuckle Farm in the quiet rural village of Brook Bridge swapped for the bustling metropolis of New York City. Alice’s life was changed forever…

A second chance

Now, thirteen years later, Alice’s American dream is over. With her life in tatters, there is only one place Alice wants to be… home at Honeysuckle Farm. So, when Alice learns her beloved Grandie is ill, she knows this is her last chance to heal the family rift.

A forever home?

But secrets still swirl in Brook Bridge, and Alice is no closer to discovering the truth. And for some reason her new friendship with local heartthrob Sam Reid seems to be making the locals tense.

Sick of the lies Alice knows it’s time to lay the past to rest once and for all. But could the truth ruin her hopes of ever calling Honeysuckle Farm home again?

My Review

I love Christie Barlow's books. They are light-hearted without being fluffy, featuring strong women who don't take any nonsense from anyone, and who inspire those whose lives they enter, and of course, there is always at least one gorgeous man ready to win our heroine's heart (and our own!).

Alice Parker is no exception. Having stayed in New York to please her mother, she is drawn back to her childhood home of Honeysuckle Farm when she hears her beloved Grandie is ill. Estranged from him as a young child for reasons unknown, Alice is desperate to reconnect with her grandfather.

She is welcomed back into the village, which has a real sense of community - until it comes to Sam Reid. His family has been ostracised for years; but no one will tell Alice why. She ignores the animosity towards Sam, as she finds herself more and more attracted to him.

Unearthing old memories and secrets, Alice realises she is exposing old wounds, but sometimes these wounds have to be debrided in order to heal properly. Although Alice arrived full of embarrassment at her failure to succeed in New York, she finds she does have a lot to offer here at her true home. 

Honeysuckle Farm is full of warmth and emotion, and the author brings her characters to life in such a wonderful way, I felt as if I knew them all personally. I'd quite like to live there myself!

About the Author

Christie Barlow is the author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother, Kitty's Countryside Dream, Lizzie's Christmas Escape, Evie's Year of Taking Chances, The Cosy Canal Boat Dream and A Home at Honeysuckle Farm. Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to prove a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA & Australia. 

Christie is an ambassador for @ZuriProject raising money/awareness and engaging with impoverished people in Uganda through organisations to improve their well-being as well as Literary Editor for www.mamalifemagazine.co.uk bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the book world. 

She loves to hear from her readers and you can get in touch via her website www.christiebarlow.com Twitter @ChristieJBarlow and Facebook page Christie Barlow author

Follow Christie on the rest of the blog tour!

Book Review: Strictly My Husband by Tracy Bloom

Today I'm excited to be joining the Strictly My Husband Promo Party in association with Brook Cottage Books! And you know how I like to party.

So get your sequins on and shimmy and salsa your way through my review...

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Blurb:

Laura loves it when Tom takes her for a late night tango around the kitchen after their friends have gone home and they’re avoiding the washing up. She can’t dance but who cares when no one is watching?

All that changes when Tom arrives on the doorstep with Carly, a professional dancer, and announces he’s offered her the spare room to rent while she performs in a show that Tom is directing.

An outraged Laura doesn’t feel like dancing with Tom anymore but Carly does. It only takes two to tango, and given Tom’s history who knows where it could end? Will Laura be the one left watching from the sidelines whilst Carly waltzes off with her husband’s heart?

Couples who dance together stay together – or do they?

My Review:

Strictly My Husband is a glitter ball of a read which doesn't miss a step, with loads of chuckles which keep you laughing. 

I found the main character rather annoying, although we all know the jealous type! To be fair, I think I'd be pretty pissed off if my husband invited someone to stay without consulting with me. But Laura's jealousy seems to take her over. After all, it takes two to Tango...

Carly is talented and beautiful, everything Laura feels she's not, but I didn't find much depth to the character; she was just a bit too sickly sweet. She did seem to fawn over Laura's husband Tom, but I think I expected a bit more to happen with this character.

There was also a couple in an unhappy marriage, with neither partner appearing to admit to their problems. Hannah is tired of Jerry's constant ogling and spending; he thinks she is a killjoy.  I found their issues were resolved in quite a sweet way, if a little too nice for real life

My favourite character is Amy, Tom's acerbic assistant. She has the courage to say what everyone else is thinking - she's great.

The story has a good pace to it, and is full of natural flowing dialogue. It's told from several of the characters POV, which gives some insight into their thoughts and feelings. This shows how differently people can perceive a situation to great effect - seeing Tom's version of events vs Laura's is often hilarious.

This book is pure light-hearted escapism.

You can buy Strictly My Husband here (other retailers are available...)

Tracy Bloom – The Low Down

Tracy Bloom was born quite a while ago, is average to short in height, buys clothes based on their ability to hide stuff rather than show stuff, has chemically enhanced hair and wishes she had kept her braces in longer as a teenager. But apart from that she is really happy to try and describe herself! 

Tracy has always liked to say it how it is in her writing, right from when she began her first novel NO-ONE EVER HAS SEX ON A TUESDAY nearly ten years ago. Her insight and wit has led her to be a number one bestseller, published in over a dozen countries and twice winner of the Love Stories Awards for Best Author Published Romance.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tracybloomwrites

Twitter: @TracyBBloom

Goodreads Author Page: www.goodreads.com/TracyBl

Website: www.tracybloom.com