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#TuesdayTeaser ”Echoes of the Past” #Review #Bookish #Booktwt #ReadersFavorite

Reviewed by Anugraha Prem for Readers’ Favorite

In Echoes of The Past: Fermosa Bay Book 1 by Iris Blobel, Connor Walsh, a business lawyer brought up in London, returns to Fermosa Bay, a small coastal town in Australia to visit his long-estranged father who is terminally ill. Connor has little recollection of his earlier life at Fermosa Bay but gets reacquainted with his childhood best friends Emily, Ethan, and Neil. Emily had always loved Connor and he falls for her the moment he sees her again. As the days go by, Connor’s love for Emily as well as his fondness for Fermosa Bay grows deeper and deeper. He reflects on how different his life could have been there. On the one hand, he has his affluent lifestyle in London, and on the other, he has this newfound life at Fermosa Bay where he feels a sense of belonging and is complete. Which one should he choose?

While reading Echoes of The Past, I felt as if I was on vacation. The whole setting of Fermosa Bay was so calming. Iris Blobel has brought out the alluring charm of the place beautifully. Every interaction between Connor and Jack, as well as those between him and his friends, was heartwarming. The book revived a yearning in me for the sort of community that was depicted in Fermosa Bay. The love, affection, and care that each of them had for the other were captivating. I loved seeing how Connor and Emily navigated their way through the love and devotion they were feeling for each other. The tenderness and warmth with which they handled their relationship were also endearing, which made for an engaging read.

Blurb:

When Connor Walsh, a business lawyer in London, receives news that his estranged father is terminally ill, he returns to Fermosa Bay, a little coastal town in Australia. With the memories of his childhood years tucked away in the back of his mind, he finds his father and kindergarten friends rallying around to remind him of the past. But he’s unprepared for the growing attraction he feels for Emily, and it doesn’t take long for Connor to feel regret that his life could have been so much different.

Emily Bradshaw has waited for over twenty years to see Connor again. And although he can’t remember her, let alone their first kiss, her childhood crush is still in full swing. Eager to pick up where they left off as children, she’s determined to enjoy the short time he is in Fermosa Bay, accepting her heart will break when he returns to his life in London.

Will the echoes of the past lure him into staying in Fermosa Bay?

Get your copy today!

#SnippetSunday “So many questions about his past.” #booktwt #bookish #ReadersOfTwitter

HAPPY NEW YEAR ♥

I’ll continue today with a snippet from ECHOES OF THE PAST, Book 1 in the Fermosa Bay Series. ENJOY ♥

ENJOY ♥

@iris_blobel #booktok #kindleunlimitedromance #fyp #fallinlove #regretnothing #smalltownromancebook #readerscommunity #romancenovels #bookstagram ♬ Only Time – Enya

Today’s Snippet

She held her hand out. “Hi, Connor. You don’t look anything like you did twenty years ago.”

He blinked away his confusion, slowly taking her hand. “Thanks. And you are?”

“I’m offended,” she replied with a soft laugh. “I’m Emily Bradshaw.” With an exaggerated sigh, she added, “The man who gave me my first kiss can’t remember me.”

As she shook her head, her curly red hair bounced around her face. Her green eyes were gleaming with good humour.

“Sorry, Emily. I’m—” He had no idea what he was. Speechless. Frustrated. Memory gone. Probably all of the above. “I’m still jetlagged. Apologies. Come on in.”

Emily walked past him, down the hall, and towards the stairs.

“Look, Emily. In regard to the…ehrm, the jetlag, want to give me a hint what you’re doing here?”

She spun around, her mouth curving into a smile again. “I’m your dad’s nurse.”

Giving a slow nod, he said, “Right. That makes sense.” He held her gaze, absolutely mesmerised by her. It appeared he’d had good taste already as a child. He definitely had to find out about that kiss.

Get your copy of “IN THE SHADOWS OF A LIE” here ♥

#MFRWHooks ”Thanks for getting me into trouble again.” #BookReview #TuesdayTeaser #ReadersFavorite

Hi everyone – One of my first books has received a nice review from READERS FAVORITE which will be today’s Hook. More of the book next week.
Enjoy ♥♥

@iris_blobel IN THE SHADOWS OF A LIE 🥰 #lovelife #regretnothing #readerscommunity #fyp #foryourepage #readersoftiktok #booktok #newzealandtiktok #romancenovels #lovestory❤️ ♬ original sound – Sarah Cothran

This week’s Hook …

Emma swore under her breath as she turned to check-in the next few guests. Angry, she took some breaths to calm herself. Why did she always get into trouble with the manager? It annoyed her that despite her good work ethics she often found herself in a middle of a situation and getting the blame. Working on her confidence was high on her list, but obviously a lot of work still needed to be done.

It was barely after she had finished her shift later in the day that she was able to talk to Jack.

“Thanks for getting me into trouble again.”

Jack placed his arm around her and gave her a kiss on her forehead. “Sorry for that. But you seem to attract this guy.”

“Yes and his focus lands on me every time I screw up.”

“You’ll be all right. How about dinner at my place?”

Emma gave him a gentle slap on his chest. “Jerk!”

He grinned and held his arms up in defence. “What?”

Reviewed by Bernadette Longu for Readers’ Favorite

Innocent Tears by Iris Blobel is an intriguing romance within a romance. The reader’s attention is captured from the first page to the very last sentence, which is most unexpected. The journey that the author takes the reader on has so many twists and turns that at times the reader will wonder if it will come to a romantic conclusion as themes of human nature, both good, bad, indifferent, confused, and loving race through the book. Iris Blobel uses the characters’ natures to good advantage as she spins her tale of love, loss, and romance.

The author has used situations that are both good, bad, and downright scary, which her main characters get themselves into, to keep the reader on their toes with fear, hope, and joy that the story will have a happy ending. Readers will find themselves enthralled by the lives of Emma, Flynn McCormack, Theresa, William Gibbs, Mr. Morgan, Jack, Fran, Jacqui and not forgetting the star of the story, Nadine, better known as Naddie. These main characters appear and reappear throughout the plot.

This interesting book is very well worth reading. It is light but holds your attention to the end. The author brings her beautiful love story to an unexpected climactic conclusion. Thank you, Iris, for a relaxing yet nail-biting and exciting read. Innocent Tears will make the hours in a day fly, especially when waiting in doctors’ rooms and airports. Much appreciated.

Blurb:

Becoming a parent can be daunting at the best of times, but for Flynn McCormack, a business lawyer in Melbourne, it pulls the feet right out from underneath him. He’s become a father to six-year-old Nadine literally overnight. He didn’t know about her existence, and the news throws him into chaos, even more so when he is asked to take over custody.

With the help of Emma, an employee at the hotel where Nadine and her grandparents are staying, Flynn tries to do the right thing. Yet, the right thing in his eyes differs from his parents’ ideas, and Emma is voicing her opinion, too, leaving Nadine right in the middle of it all, still grieving the loss of her mother. There’s no doubt she’s afraid about where and with whom she will settle.

Will a letter Flynn receives help him decide what to do?

Get your copy today!

#SnippetSunday “So many questions about his past.” #booktwt #bookish #ReadersOfTwitter

I’ll continue today with a snippet from ECHOES OF THE PAST, Book 1 in the Fermosa Bay Series. ENJOY ♥

ENJOY ♥

@iris_blobel #booktok #kindleunlimitedromance #fyp #fallinlove #regretnothing #smalltownromancebook #readerscommunity #romancenovels #bookstagram ♬ Only Time – Enya

Today’s Snippet

Leaning forward to rest his arms on his knees, Connor asked calmly, “Why did you ask her to leave?”

Finally, their eyes locked, and his father’s confusion took Connor aback. “Son, what are you talking about?”

Their conversation was interrupted, though, by the ringing of the doorbell. Connor cursed inwardly, knowing he had to wait for his father’s response that little bit longer. So many questions about his past, a past he knew nothing about. He stepped back into the house and walked to the front door, making a mental note to ask his mother about Ethan. And how the hell had he liked surfing as a kid when he wouldn’t go near the water now? Still in thought, he opened the door and was taken off-guard for a moment by what he saw. In front of him stood a beautiful woman with a smile that had an effect on him right to his toes and back up his legs, pooling heat in his groin.

She held her hand out. “Hi, Connor. You don’t look anything like you did twenty years ago.”

Get your copy of “IN THE SHADOWS OF A LIE” here ♥

#MFRWHooks ”You’re avoiding the subject.” #BookReview #TuesdayTeaser #ReadersFavorite

Hi everyone – One of my first books has received a nice review from READERS FAVORITE which will be today’s Hook. More of the book next week.
Enjoy ♥♥

@iris_blobel IN THE SHADOWS OF A LIE 🥰 #lovelife #regretnothing #readerscommunity #fyp #foryourepage #readersoftiktok #booktok #newzealandtiktok #romancenovels #lovestory❤️ ♬ original sound – Sarah Cothran

This week’s Hook …

She gently pushed him away and rolled her eyes. “You’re avoiding the subject.”

With raised eyebrows he asked, “Which subject?”

She exhaled a long breath and headed towards the small office to collect the mail when she heard the sound of the familiar voice behind her.

“Miss Gallagher.”

Emma winced and with heat creeping up her cheeks she slowly turned to her boss. “Good morning, Mr Morgan,” she said with her shoulders slouched, cursing Jack inside as she saw him out of the corner of her eye attending to a guest. Typical of him to leave her when she needed a bit of help. Leo Morgan’s square jaw tensed. A man in his mid-forties, he was still handsome with a slender build, olive skin tone, and startlingly clear blue eyes. His black hair with just a hint of grey at the temples lent him an air of authority.

He took a deep breath and stepped closer. “Listen, Emma,” he said just above a whisper. “I only hear good things about you. People like you. You have a good—” He paused for a beat, scratching the back of his neck. “—let’s call it repute. But there’s a certain standard here when it comes to work efficiency, and I need you to uphold that. Are we understood?”

She nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. Now, go and do your job, and whatever it is between you two, keep it outside the hotel.”

She stood straight. “But there is nothing—”

“Miss Gallagher!”

“Yes, sir. Understood.”

Reviewed by Bernadette Longu for Readers’ Favorite

Innocent Tears by Iris Blobel is an intriguing romance within a romance. The reader’s attention is captured from the first page to the very last sentence, which is most unexpected. The journey that the author takes the reader on has so many twists and turns that at times the reader will wonder if it will come to a romantic conclusion as themes of human nature, both good, bad, indifferent, confused, and loving race through the book. Iris Blobel uses the characters’ natures to good advantage as she spins her tale of love, loss, and romance.

The author has used situations that are both good, bad, and downright scary, which her main characters get themselves into, to keep the reader on their toes with fear, hope, and joy that the story will have a happy ending. Readers will find themselves enthralled by the lives of Emma, Flynn McCormack, Theresa, William Gibbs, Mr. Morgan, Jack, Fran, Jacqui and not forgetting the star of the story, Nadine, better known as Naddie. These main characters appear and reappear throughout the plot.

This interesting book is very well worth reading. It is light but holds your attention to the end. The author brings her beautiful love story to an unexpected climactic conclusion. Thank you, Iris, for a relaxing yet nail-biting and exciting read. Innocent Tears will make the hours in a day fly, especially when waiting in doctors’ rooms and airports. Much appreciated.

Blurb:

Becoming a parent can be daunting at the best of times, but for Flynn McCormack, a business lawyer in Melbourne, it pulls the feet right out from underneath him. He’s become a father to six-year-old Nadine literally overnight. He didn’t know about her existence, and the news throws him into chaos, even more so when he is asked to take over custody.

With the help of Emma, an employee at the hotel where Nadine and her grandparents are staying, Flynn tries to do the right thing. Yet, the right thing in his eyes differs from his parents’ ideas, and Emma is voicing her opinion, too, leaving Nadine right in the middle of it all, still grieving the loss of her mother. There’s no doubt she’s afraid about where and with whom she will settle.

Will a letter Flynn receives help him decide what to do?

Get your copy today!

#BookTour “One Hundred Dreams” by Kelly Collins @kcollinsauthor @XPressoTours

One Hundred Dreams
Kelly Collins
(An Aspen Cove Romance, #22)
Publication date: December 29th 2022

He’s a man trying to keep things under control.
She’s a woman yearning to break free.
Is this a disaster waiting to happen or a love story in the making?

Actress Cameron Madden is sick and tired of being tired. With her last movie failing at the box office and her career in question, she heads to Aspen Cove to lick her wounds. The small mountain town is the perfect place to escape the prying eyes of a critical public, the demands of her career, and the rules set by her team. Expecting a female bodyguard named Valery, she’s shocked to find the script has been flipped and Valery is a tall, dark, and annoying man who goes by Val. The first thing he does is hand her a set of rules—his rules. And she plans to break every one of them.

The last thing bodyguard Valery Armstrong wants to do is babysit an actress, but when the job comes in, he is the only one available. Saving the day and picking up the pieces is what he’s been doing since his father passed away. That single event ten years ago taught him one thing—prepare for every possibility. Before agreeing to take on Cameron, he asks himself how difficult could one woman be? When he arrives, he hands her the list, then watches as she gifts him with a heart-stopping smile—right before tearing the page to pieces. How difficult could one woman be? Cameron Madden is about to show him.

Aspen Cove, where rules are made to be broken…

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

He pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to her. “These are my rules.”

She seemed to sink in front of him, but it was a momentary muscle lapse before that invisible string pulled her back up. Only this time, it seemed to drag her forward to stand in front of him. She swiped the envelope from his hand and tore open the flap. Once she drew out the single page with his rules, she let the envelope fall to the floor.

He watched as her eyes moved across the page. Second by second, they grew until he was sure they’d pop from her skull.

She raised her head and stared at him. “Are you serious?”

“Why would I give you that if I wasn’t serious?”

“It’s a page with one rule. You said rules.”

He smiled. “I don’t need more than one.”

She glanced at the paper and lifted her head. “You make all the rules?” She stared at him like he’d sprouted a horn in the center of his forehead.

“That’s my one rule. Take it or leave it.”

Her jaw dropped, and she took a step back. “What are you going to do? Leave?” She tore the page in half and let the pieces fall to the marble floor next to the envelope. “You’re not the boss, and you don’t make the rules.”

“Wrong.” He turned around, walked back to the elevator, pushed the button, and waited.

“You’re seriously leaving? How am I supposed to get to Colorado?”

He took several cleansing breaths before he spun around to face her. “Nothing has changed. You have a flight waiting at Los Angeles International Airport. It will take you to Denver, where you’ll have to get a ride to Aspen Cove. Rent a car. It’s only a few hours’ drive from there to your destination.”

She seemed to wobble on her heels. “You’re abandoning me?”

He shook his head. “I’m not. I gave you my rules, and you dismissed them. You don’t get to be the top private security firm in the country if you break your own rules, and my only rule is I make the rules.” The elevator door opened, and he stepped inside. “I’ll give you ten minutes to decide. If you’re not down in the lobby by then, I’ll leave. It’s that simple.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but the doors closed before she could get a word out.

 

Author Bio:

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International bestselling author of more than thirty novels, Kelly Collins writes with the intention of keeping love alive. Always a romantic, she blends real-life events with her vivid imagination to create characters and stories that lovers of contemporary romance, new adult, and romantic suspense will return to again and again.

Kelly has sold more than a quarter of a million books worldwide, and in 2021 she was awarded a Readers’ Favorite Award Gold Medal in the Contemporary Romance category for A Tablespoon of Temptation.

You can learn more about Kelly at www.authorkellycollins.com.

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