Book Synopsis:

Within the boroughs of London, nestled among its streets, hides another city, filled with magic.

‘Magic and love. Love and magic. They destroy everything in the end …’

Anna’s Aunt has always warned her of the dangers of magic. Its twists. Its knots. Its deadly consequences.

Now Anna counts down the days to the ceremony that will bind her magic forever.

Until she meets Effie and Attis.

They open her eyes to a London she never knew existed. A shop that sells memories. A secret library where the librarian feeds off words. A club where revellers lose themselves in a haze of spells.

But as she is swept deeper into this world, Anna begins to wonder if her Aunt was right all along.

Is her magic a gift … or a curse?

Perfect for fans of Garth Nix, V.E. Schwab and Alix E. Harrow.

Thread Needle is out in ebook and hardback now. You can purchase your copy using the links below.

My Review:

Thread Needle is a magical, gripping coming of age story which is the first book in the series.

Firstly I tend to love any books that have magic in them so I knew from the start that I would like this book. The author has done a great job of creating a fascinating magical world that lives, just out of sight, alongside modern day London. The world of magic and the binders was interesting to learn more about, particularly as a lot if the rituals are ones used in traditional witchcraft which I thought was a nice touch.

The author has created some amazing characters who I liked to follow through the book though I did love to hate a few of them especially Vivienne. There seemed to be a definite division between the characters as to whether they were good or bad which I found intriguing. Anna was a great main character who I felt it was easy to get behind. I really felt for her and the horrible way Vivienne treats her so found myself cheering for her when she starts to rebel and find herself.

I found this book very intriguing and quickly became absorbed into the story. There are multiple mysteries running alongside each other which I found very interesting and enjoyed watching them unravel. As you can probably guess with this being the first book in the series there are a few questions left unanswered and I now can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Harper Voyager for my copy of this book via netgalley.

About The Author:

Cari Thomas grew up in the Wye Valley area of Wales and, after studying English Literature & Creative Writing at Warwick University and Magazine Journalism at the Cardiff School of Journalism, moved to London. She worked as a journalist and at a creative agency, before finally doing what she’d always wanted to do: quit her job and write a book about magic. The result is Threadneedle, her debut novel and the first in her Language of Magic series. Be introduced to a world of wild, ancient witchcraft hidden within today’s London; where libraries made of books breathe dusty pages beneath the city, where witch clubs serve up magical cocktails and vintage shops sell memories. A world where magic gleams light and very, very dark. Cari now lives in Bristol with her husband and son. Discover more on her website: CariThomas.com

Book Synopsis:

A beautiful and emotional story about grief, the promises we make and finding love in the most unexpected of places.

Woken in the middle of the night by the horrific news that her estranged sister has been killed in a fatal car crash, Sophie abruptly finds herself guardian to a niece, Alana, she never knew existed. The baby gives Sophie a way to cope with her grief, and a new focus to her life, but the unexpected appearance of Samson, Alana’s father, wanting his daughter to now live with him, threatens to destroy Sophie’s newly formed family. Can Sophie and the seemingly feckless Samson, reach a compromise, or will Sophie be forced to give up her sister’s baby?A beautiful page turner perfect for fans of Diane Chamberlian , Amanda Prowse and Imogen Clark.

Her Sister’s Baby is available in ebook now for the bargain price of £1.99. You can get you copy by clicking on the link below.

Extract:

Chapter 2

    Sophie took a deep inhalation; it was hard to concentrate with a baby screaming in her ear. She spotted a high chair in the corner of the kitchen and managed to strap an extremely indisposed Alana into it so she could at least use both hands and not worry about spilling hot water on her niece.

    She almost had the bottle prepared, when Sophie somehow heard the doorbell ring over the sound of the crying. She went to answer it, only remembering as she reached the kitchen door that she couldn’t simply leave the baby alone – goodness knows what could happen! Getting frazzled, she lifted her niece out of the highchair, which bizarrely seemed to make Alana even crosser than she’d been when she was originally put in it.

    The doorbell continued ringing, becoming more insistent, forcing Sophie’s blood pressure to soar even higher. The sheer number of locks and chains on the front door reminded Sophie her sister’s neighbourhood was perhaps not as salubrious as her own. There was no peephole, so she opened the door gingerly, ready to slam it shut quickly if necessary.

    What faced her could have been the god Thor, or perhaps someone from the cast of an Australian soap opera. One who worked out. A lot. At least 6’2’’, lean, very tanned and muscular, with shoulder-length, wavy blond hair. He wore a faded t-shirt and board shorts despite the fact the day hadn’t heated up yet. He, rather incongruously, held a pink teddy bear in his hands. Sophie met his eyes, which were the intense blue of the sea on a cloudless summer’s day. Her examination was brought to an abrupt halt by his wince as the full force of the baby’s crying hit him.

    “Is that Alana?” he asked, not taking his eyes off the baby, which Sophie was quite glad about as she was sure she looked an absolute state.

    “Who are you?” she asked, politely, forcing herself back to the reality of a stranger standing on the doorstep enquiring after her niece, but, bizarrely, not recognising the baby.

    “Is Natasha in?” he responded.

    “Are you a friend of hers?” Sophie questioned. Was it her imagination, or was this guy being deliberately elusive? And why did he seem so fascinated with the screaming child in her arms? – his attention still hadn’t left her.

    “You could say that,” he answered after a pause. “I’m Samson. Alana’s father.”

About The Author:

Emma grew up and lived in London, before falling in love and moving to Wales to marry her own hero. Emma now lives with her husband, 4 children, and many animals a few miles outside of a small Welsh market town. She can often be found in rivers attempting to control two overexcited chocolate labradors. Seven charming romances are currently available from the Amazon bestselling authoress: Number 1 Australian kindle bestseller, ‘His Secret Daughter’, is the heart-rending story of Iris, a woman falling in love with the father of her child. The only problem is she never told him they had a daughter. The beautiful landscape around her home gave Emma the inspiration for ‘The Green Hills of Home’, a tale of love and duty in which country girl Gwen struggles to save her family home and avoid her feelings for her handsome, suave new boss. Is he quite all he seems? ‘Snowed in for her Wedding Day’ is a novella picking up Gwen’s story as her wedding day approaches, but with terrible weather, and an absent groom, will she have the happy ending she so deserves? ‘Just Desserts’ is a novella about confused chef Leah, who’s falling for her handsome French co-worker Jean-Claude, but meant to be marrying to Dan in just a few weeks! Who will she choose? ‘Her Perfect Hero’ was released in July 2015 as ‘I Need a Hero’, it’s a lovely comic romantic read for anyone who’s ever searched for Mr Right (and failed to find him!). Despair of Bronte, a romance writer, incapable of spotting when the perfect man is right next door! Full of horses, country houses and dentists, just beware of the foul-tempered cat Mr Darcy! ‘Starstruck’, proves that falling in love with a rock star is harder than you’d think! When newly divorced Kate finds school friend, now super famous rock star Joseph Wild, on her doorstep, her whole quiet, ordinary life is thrown into disarray. Is the attraction between them enough to make up for all the hurdles they have to cross if they want to be together? Latest release, ‘Her Sister’s Baby’ is a beautiful and emotional story about grief, the promises we make and finding love in the most unexpected of places. Emma likes (in no particular order): cake, books, Cary Grant films, prosecco, chocolate, guinea pigs, knitting, quilting and happily ever afters!

Book Synopsis:

Love is in the Cornish summer air…

Wedding planner Ellie Moon is dreaming up the most beautiful bespoke wedding for Charlie and Daniel, owners of Cornwall’s favourite cream tea bus. Even though her own life has been turned upside down and she’s had to rent out her charming Cornish cottage with its climbing roses and lavender beds, Ellie is determined to give them a day to remember.

Her new tenant, handsome mechanic Jago, keeps popping up around the picture-postcard seaside village of Porthgolow. When they’re thrown together in the effort to help his elderly father get a spring back in his step, she discovers that he is full of surprises. Can romance bloom and give Ellie the fresh start she’s been wishing for?

The Cornish Cream Tea Wedding is available in ebook and paperback now. You can purchase your copy using the links below.

My Review:

I’ve been a huge fan of this series from the start so a new installment is always hugely exciting! Once again the author has written an absolutely gorgeous, uplifting book which I really enjoyed.

It was great to be back in Porthgolow a place I wish actually existed as I would definitely be going to visit. The author’s vivid descriptions make you feel like you are actually there, tasting the salty air and seeing the beautiful views. A lot of the old characters make an appearance again which I was absolutely delighted about, especially when The Cornish Tea bus was mentioned. It was so nice to be back there and I happily relaxed into the book as I read.

This book follows Charlie and Daniel on the run up to their wedding and it was so lovely to be able to witness this event having followed their relationship from the start. The story is told from the point of view of Ellie the wedding planner hired to help organise Charlie and Daniel’s big day. I found it interesting to follow her through the book and learn a little more about her. She’s a very hard worker and loves her job which was lovely to read about but she doubts her ability sometimes which made me want to reach into the book and give her a hug. Her blossoming relationship with Jagu was so lovely and I enjoyed watching the two of them grow closer.

Overall I loved this book and raced through it in a couple of days. There was always something happening to keep my interest and I soon found myself lost in the character’s world again. As you can imagine the wedding planning doesn’t go as expected and I enjoyed watching everything play out, hoping everything would work out on the day.

This is the fourth book in the series and while it could probably be read as a standalone it probably is better to read the books in order.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Harper for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Cressy was born in South East London surrounded by books and with a cat named after Lawrence of Arabia. She studied English at the University of East Anglia and now lives in Norwich with her husband David.

When she isn’t writing, Cressy spends her spare time reading, returning to London or exploring the beautiful Norfolk coastline.