Simona's Corner of Dreams: Lily Graham

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

Get swept away along the beautiful Cornish coast with two love stories, centuries apart in time but entwined at their hearts.

Victoria Langley’s world crumbles when her husband leaves, but she knows exactly where to go to mend her broken heart. The rugged shores of Cornwall will be her perfect sanctuary.

In the quaint, little village of Tregollan, nestled in the sea cliffs, Victoria is drawn to Seafall Cottage, covered in vines and gracefully falling apart. Inside she finds a diary full of secrets, from 1905.

Victoria is determined to unravel the diary’s mystery, but the residents of Tregollan are tight-lipped about Tilly Asprey, the cottage’s last owner. Just as she reaches a dead end, Victoria meets Adam Waters, the lawyer handling the cottage’s sale. He’s handsome, charming, and has a missing piece of the puzzle.

Tilly’s diary tells a devastating love story that mirrors Victoria’s own. Can Victoria learn from Tilly’s mistakes, and give herself a second chance at love? Or is history doomed to repeat itself?

An unputdownable and gorgeously romantic read about lost love and new beginnings set in the green hills and rocky cliffs of the breath-taking Cornish coast. Perfect for fans of Phillipa Ashley, Emma Burstall and Liz Fenwick.

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

After Victoria finds her marriage shattered to pieces, she buys a little cottage in Cornwall. It's a new start, a project and when she finds the diary of a woman called Tilly some mystery is added to the story.

Victoria is determined to solve it and tries to find out more about Tilly and her family. On the way she discovers a lot and also meets some new people, one of them being handsome Adam, who is even connected to the mystery and might have a missing puzzle of the story.

I loved the intrigue in this book and how the chapters alternated between the diary and present day. I have to say that I was more drawn to the relationship between Adam and Victoria, but still enjoyed the connection to the past. On top of Adam and Victoria developing feelings for each other, there were their ex partners, who didn't make the situation easier. Some misunderstandings and drama totally made their journey more interesting.

I loved the scenery in this book and Lily Graham captured it beautifully. I was a little disappointed by the ending, not because it was bad, just because I wanted more, wanted to find out more and read more about the characters.

This is definitely a very captivating read, full of great characters, connecting storylines and a wonderful setting.

Rating:

Lily Graham on Twitter: @lilygrahambooks Website: https://lilygraham.net Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

Welcome to my little Valentine's Day special. Some lovely romantic fiction author joined me today to answer some VD related questions. Here is part 1:

Heidi Swain

Hello Simona. Thank you so much for inviting me to take part in your fabulous, but tricky, Valentine’s Q and A. I hope you enjoy my answers.

1. Why do you write romantic fiction/women’s fiction?

I write romantic women’s fiction because I love telling stories about the kinds of lives I would love to lead. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not unhappy with my lot in life at all but Wynbridge, and the surrounding countryside, has a lot to

offer and not just in the hero department. I love looking at the relationships between women within a tightknit community doing jobs most of us can only dream of and readers seem to enjoy escaping in the pages just as much as I do.

2. Your favourite romantic fiction/women’s fiction book?

I’m sorry my love, but after lengthy consideration I’ve come to the conclusion that, for me, this question is simply impossible to answer. I’m a huge Milly Johnson and Trisha Ashley fan so I’m going to cheat and say any or all of their books! However, The Yorkshire Pudding Club from Milly and Wish Upon A Star from Trisha are probably my top two from their lists. So far.

3. Your favourite couple in a romantic fiction/women’s fiction book?

I pondered over this question for some time and keep coming back to the same couple, even though they don’t feature in what could be classed as ‘romantic/women’s fiction’ I’m afraid. The duo I have settled on is Pop and Ma Larkin, the dream team created by H E Bates in The Darling Buds of May. For me they are the epitome of what a romantic relationship should be.

4. Your favourite couple from your own books?

Jemma and Tom who own The Cherry Tree Café in Wynbridge are my own top two. Jemma has never been the main character in one of my books but both she and Tom feature in all of the Wynbridge tales. They are madly in love, great parents, loyal and hardworking with a great sense of what it means to be part of a community. They are the ‘together forever’ backbone of my writing and I’m very fond of them.

5. The favourite romantic moment in your books?

I think it would have to be that moment when The Spark is acknowledged and you know, both as an author and reader, that the couple in question are going to be together in the end. Sometimes The Spark happens early on, sometimes later, but there is that lightbulb moment and you just know that no matter how tough the journey gets, they’ll get there in the end.

I also love the endings of my books when all the threads are pulled together in the most romantic package I can conjure up.

6. Your favourite first kiss from your books?

Not exactly a ‘first kiss’, in the truest sense of the word, but I love that moment in Mince Pies and Mistletoe in the pub when Steve cheekily kisses Ruby and despite her very best efforts she simply can’t ignore the rekindled spark between them. So romantic.

7. Your favourite first kiss from another book?

I’ve immersed myself in the world of Harry Potter again recently and I’m going to digress from romance fiction here and say that (literally) magical first kiss between Hermione and Ron in the Deathly Hallows has to be my favourite kiss from another book. Goodness knows we waited long enough for it and although not particularly passionate or long lasting, JK Rowling delivered it with impeccable timing and finesse.

8. Your favourite memory of Valentine’s Day?

Now this is quite simply horrid to admit, especially for an author of fiction with a romantic premise, but my husband and I haven’t celebrated Valentine’s Day for decades. When we first met at sweet sixteen we used to exchange gifts and cards and go out to dinner and to the cinema all the time, but now more often than not we don’t even see other on the day and don’t do anything. I’m rather hopeful that this answer will be the catalyst for reinstating date night and not just for February 14hth! We tell each other we love each other every single day but the hearts and flowers have been consigned to the loft…for now.

Heidi Swain Author Bio:

Although passionate about writing from an early age, Heidi Swain gained a degree in Literature, flirted briefly with a newspaper career, married and had two children before she plucked up the courage to join a creative writing class and take her literary ambitions seriously.

A lover of Galaxy bars, vintage paraphernalia and the odd bottle of fizz, she now writes contemporary fiction and enjoys the company of a whole host of feisty female characters.

She joined the RNA New Writers’ Scheme in 2014 and is now a full member. The manuscript she submitted for critique, The Chery Tree Café, became her debut novel and was published by Books and The City, the digital imprint of Simon and Schuster in July 2015.

Her second novel, Summer at Skylark farm was published in June 2016 and her third, Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market was released in October 2016. She is currently writing her fourth book, Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage which will be published during July of 2017.

She lives in Norfolk with her wonderful family and a mischievous cat called Storm.

Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Heidi_Swain

Blog: http://www.heidiswain.blogspot.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterHeidiJoSwain?ref=hl

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heidi-Swain/e/B00YNN3LDI/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1483439180&sr=8-2-ent

Jennifer Joyce

1. Why do you write romantic fiction/women’s fiction?

I love fun, light fiction with a sprinkling of romance, which is what I aim for when writing my books. I also like exploring the dynamics of friendships and family relationships.

2. Your favourite romantic fiction/women’s fiction book?

Thirty Nothing by Lisa Jewell. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read it!

3. Your favourite couple in a romantic fiction/women’s fiction book?

Dig and Deen from Thirty Nothing. I’d love to go kite-flying with them.

4. Your favourite couple from your own books?

Ruth and the person she ends up with from A Beginner’s Guide To Salad (I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read it yet!)

5. The favourite romantic moment in your books?

I loved writing about Delilah’s first date with Adam in The Wedding Date as they go to a café that sells only sweet things. I really wanted to go there myself!

6. Your favourite first kiss from your books?

When Judy and Calvin have magically switched bodies in The Mince Pie Mix-Up and Calvin – in his wife’s female body – is afraid where the kiss will lead to, so he tells her he’s got a headache. It wasn’t romantic, but it made me laugh.

7. Favourite first kiss from another book?

Dig and Deen again, because I always want them to get together SO BADLY.

8. Your favourite memory of Valentine’s Day?

I once celebrated Valentine’s Day early. My oldest daughter was due a few days before Valentine’s Day, so we knew we’d be sleep deprived and busy feeding/changing nappies/mopping up sick (which isn’t very romantic) on the actual day, so we brought it forward and had our own Valentine’s Day before everybody else!

About the author:

Jennifer Joyce is a writer of romantic comedies who lives in Manchester with her husband and their two daughters. Her latest novel, The Little Teashop of Broken Hearts is out now. You can find out more about Jennifer and her books on:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jenniferjoycewrites

Twitter: www.twitter.com/writer_jenn

Blog: www.jenniferjoycewrites.co.uk

Lily Graham

1. Why do you write romantic fiction/women’s fiction?

I think love is one of the powerful, transformative forces a human being can experience, and it’s what elevates the human condition more than anything else. I love exploring these effects in fiction – love in all of it’s forms – how it can heal, destroy, transcend time – and what we will do for it. Then there’s the other love too – for what we do, what inspires us, gets us out of bed in the morning – I like weaving these elements together.

2. Your favourite romantic fiction/women’s fiction book?

For many years it was To Hear a Nightingale Sing by Charlotte Bingham – as a young adult I read it over and over again. It’s still such a beautiful, heart-breaking love story.

3. Your favourite couple in a romantic fiction/women’s fiction book?

It’s so hard to pick one. But I think Rose and Jaimie in Lazy Ways to Make a Living are one of my favourites.

4. Your favourite couple from your own books?

Ivy and Stuart in A Cornish Christmas.

5. The favourite romantic moment in your books?

When Tom and Ria see each other at the gala event in The Summer Escape. It’s a really beautiful, warm night, fairy lights, lanterns …

6. Your favourite first kiss from your books?

Ivy and Stuart’s kiss on New Year’s Eve, there’s a jazz band, they’re all beautifully dressed and everywhere there are twinkly lights.

7. Your favourite memory of Valentine’s Day?

We hadn’t made any specific Valentines plans, but I came home to find that my husband had made a beautiful, romantic dinner and set the table and was grinning like a school boy – it was irresistible. He is so practical most of the time, and is not the most romantic person generally, so when he does things like this it’s just so unexpected and beautiful.

Aven Ellis

1. Why do you write romantic fiction/women’s fiction?

I believe in love. That it can bring out the best in people. There’s nothing else I’d even consider writing.

2. Your favourite romantic fiction/women’s fiction book?

I really don’t have just one. I love the romantic books written by Holly Martin. I also love Maeve Binchy.

3. Your favourite couple in a romantic fiction/women’s fiction book?

Gabe and Pip in Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky by Holly Martin. They were magic to me.

4. Your favourite couple from your own books?

I’m in love with Collins and Luca in my upcoming release, Save the Date, Chicago On Ice #3.

5. The favourite romantic moment in your books?

When Matt comes back for Holly in On Thin Ice, Dallas Demons #4

6. Your favourite first kiss from your books?

Lexi and Niko in Breakout, Dallas Demons #3

7. Favourite first kiss from another book?

Kit and Stevie’s first kiss in On Glass Lake by Maeve Binchy.

8. Your favourite memory of Valentine’s Day?

Believe it or not, I loved Valentine’s Day parties in elementary school. I really got into decorating my box for Valentines. ;-)

About the author

I live in the Dallas area with my family. I enjoy clipping out recipes I will never get around to trying, working out, and chatting with friends on social media. I’m a hockey nut (Go Stars!) and watch as much as humanly possible. I also love shopping and fashion and admit to being obsessed with whatever the Duchess of Cambridge is wearing. In addition to be obsessed with the Duchess, I’m equally obsessed with any show or cookbook featuring Gordon Ramsay.

Links

Website/Blog - http://avenellis.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/@AvenEllis

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AvenEllis1

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7265661.Aven_Ellis

Amazon Page - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aven-Ellis/e/B00GHUYO90/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1455968038&sr=1-1

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/avenellis/

Cressida McLaughlin

1. Why do you write romantic fiction/women’s fiction?

For me, there’s nothing better than a love story. Of course there are many different types of love, so it’s a very wide remit, but when it comes to my writing, as
well as the books I enjoy reading, romantic love stories are the most satisfying. They encompass so many different emotions, and can make you feel on top of the world or break your heart. Who doesn’t love a will-they-won’t-they scenario, and a happy ever after?

2. Your favourite romantic fiction/women’s fiction book?

This is such a hard question! I am choosing The Unfinished Symphony of You and Me by Lucy Robinson. I was so swept up in it, I laughed and I sobbed, I identified with the heroine Sally and drooled over Julian, the hero. The ending was beautiful, satisfying perfection.

3. Your favourite couple in a romantic fiction/women’s fiction book?

I adore Laura and Nick in A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans. They’re so down to earth, she’s hilarious and insecure, but so warm hearted, and he’s completely dreamy, but has his own secrets and worries. The circumstances they meet in make their relationship especially difficult, and they both get things wrong and misunderstand each other. They’re beautifully flawed, and I love them.

4. Your favourite couple from your own books?

This always changes depending on which book I’m writing, and I don’t want to give anything away about The Once in a Blue Moon Guesthouse, so I’m going to pick Summer and Mason from The Canal Boat Café. Summer is trying to rescue her mum’s floating café even though, at the beginning, her heart isn’t fully in it, and Mason, all dark curls and easy warmth, gives her something else to focus on. I love the journey they go on to find each other, and I like to imagine them in Willowbeck - with the café and The Sandpiper, Archie and Latte causing mischief around them – and wonder what they’re doing now.

5. The favourite romantic moment in your books?

I love the scene in The Canal Boat Café where Mason and Summer lie on the roof of his canal boat and look up at the stars. I’m not sure I can think of anything more romantic than that; the peace and quiet, the river, the night sky and stars above, the warmth, comfort and anticipation of lying side by side like that, in the dark.

6. Your favourite first kiss from your books?

The kiss at the end of A Christmas Tail, between Cat and Joe, when he appears in the hall, covered in snow, and she gives him a dodgy performance of a Christmas song, is my favourite so far. It makes me go a bit tingly thinking about it.

7. Favourite first kiss from another book?

I recently finished New York, Actually by Sarah Morgan, and there was so much tension and build-up between Molly and Daniel, so many ‘almosts,’ that their first kiss, when it came, was wonderful – sensuous and romantic.

8. Your favourite memory of Valentine’s Day?

I’ve never done anything wildly romantic or outlandish, and I wasn’t ever one to get lots of cards on Valentine’s Day, but I love the whole idea of sending anonymous cards – romance and mystery, what could be better? – so I used to make cards for my crushes when I was in school. I love doing that!

When I was twelve, a boy took me to see Jurassic Park at the cinema. It doesn’t sound particularly romantic, but I love that film so much (I’d already seen it once by then) so it was a brilliant date for me.

Now, my husband David and I will usually stay in and have a romantic meal, which is very different from a trip to the top of the Eiffel tower or the Empire State building, but it suits us perfectly. I’m hopeless with heights, for a start!

Twitter: @cressmclaughlin

Open for Business (The Once in a Blue Moon Guesthouse, Book 1)

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Thursday, 2 November 2017

Christmas at Hope Cottage - by Lily Graham

Thursday, 27 April 2017

The Cornish Escape – by Lily Graham

Tuesday, 14 February 2017

Valentine's Day Special with Heidi Swain, Jennifer Joyce, Lily Graham, Aven Ellis and Cressida McLaughlin

Links