Author: Sophie's Books Galore

Ancient History and Literature lover!
@lovebooksgroup, @RCahillAuthor, book blogger, book review, Books, review

The Bound and The Broken: Of Blood and Fire by @RCahillAuthor Blog Tour Organised by @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours

Sophie's Books Galore

My rating 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Best enjoyed with a tankard of Mead!

Spectacular, sensational and superb… need I say more? The world of Epheria is now imprinted upon my mind thanks to the beautiful and vivid descriptions along with the tantalisingly intriguing plot. Look no further book lovers, ‘Of Blood and Fire’ is epic fantasy at its best. This truly thrilling tale full of wonder and adventure will surely entice even those readers who haven’t forayed into the literary world of fantasy before. We meet giants, elves and dwarves and a glimmer of hope in the form of a dragon which may unite them in the fight against evil.

Cahill’s characters are a joy to behold. The heroes, driven by friendship and loyalty recruit the reader to champion their cause and stand by them throughout. The callousness and sheer malice of those who wish to do harm to them makes it oh so easy to detest these dastardly villains. Though we begin in the quaint and comparatively quiet village of The Glade we soon follow our protagonists on a dangerous and exciting journey into lands unknown. Calen, Rist and Dann leave behind their home and everything they once knew as they embark on a journey of self-discovery and a quest which will change their lives irrevocably. I entreat you to indulge in this gripping tale where magic is wielded, people are drawn together and endeavour to fight the evil that plights their land. For those who love Tolkien, who wish to be completely consumed by another world, you need not look further, you are in good hands with Cahill’s brilliant “Of Blood and Fire”.

Synopsis:

Epheria is a land divided by war and mistrust. The High Lords of the south squabble and fight, only kept in check by the Dragonguard, traitors of a time long past, who serve the empire of the North.

In the remote villages of southern Epheria, still reeling from the tragic loss of his brother, Calen Bryer prepares for The Proving—a test of courage and skill that not all survive.

But when three strangers arrive in the village of Milltown, with a secret they are willing to die for, Calen’s world is ripped from under him and he is thrust headfirst into a war that has been raging for centuries.

There is no prophecy. His coming was not foretold.

He bleeds like any man, and bleed he will.

I want to thank @RCahillAuthor and @lovebooksgroup for providing me with a #gifted copy.

Get yourself a copy here!
book blogger, book review, Books, review

Book reveiw of The Deception of Harriet Fleet by Helen Scarlett

Sophie's Books Galore

My rating 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Journey back in time to 1871 to the gothic landscape of County Durham where all is not as it seems at mysterious Teesbank Hall. Fans of the Gothic Novel, rejoice, this spectacular, utterly chilling tale will put you under its spell and consume not only your mind but your entire being. I reached page 40 and decided I had figured it all out and was feeling utterly smug only to be thwarted time and time again by the devilishly clever plot. The characters were written exquisitely, the eery descriptions brought the story to life and certainly induced spine-tingling and heart fluttering moments of fear. I absolutely loved this book, I highly recommend this to any lover of mysteries, historical fiction, thrillers and of course fans of the Gothic novel. It was certainly creepy and altogether quite thrilling especially with the added ghostly elements. The dark and foreboding secrets within the tragic past of the Wainwright family intrigues the new governess Harriet who has left behind an uncertain but distressing past. So, I entreat you to go a get yourself a copy of this book, it is simply marvellous and I will surely be reading this again. 

Synopsis

1871. An age of discovery and progress. But for the Wainwright family, residents of the gloomy Teesbank Hall in County Durham the secrets of the past continue to overshadow their lives. 

Harriet would not have taken the job of governess in such a remote place unless she wanted to hide from something or someone. Her charge is Eleanor, the daughter of the house, a fiercely bright eighteen-year-old, tortured by demons and feared by relations and staff alike. But it soon becomes apparent that Harriet is not there to teach Eleanor, but rather to monitor her erratic and dangerous behaviour – to spy on her. 

Worn down by Eleanor’s unpredictable hostility, Harriet soon finds herself embroiled in Eleanor’s obsession – the Wainwright’s dark, tragic history. As family secrets are unearthed, Harriet’s own begin to haunt her and she becomes convinced that ghosts from her past are determined to reveal her shameful story.

For Harriet, like Eleanor, is plagued by deception and untruths.

I want to thank @QuercusBooks and @HelenSWriter for the wonderful opportunity to read and review this #gifted copy of #TheDeceptionOfHarrietFleet 

book blogger, book review, Books, review

Book review of Social Goodness by Claire Burdett

Sophie's Books Galore

4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A great, topical read for business savvy individuals keen to be up to speed how brands can be authentic in the ever changing digital world. This book is a great tool which can help brands navigate a post covid world and implement social goodness into their business strategy. 

It is written in a snappy, engaging manner which draws you keeps you thinking and questioning throughout. It is not just how you can use this guide within business but how you can understand the importance of social goodness within society as a whole. Here we see in-depth discussion on Social Media, consumers needs and authenticity in the digital world. This book provides thought provoking content which is essential to understand and incorporate into your brand if you want to be successful in the digital world. 

I would highly recommend this to brands and consumers alike who are looking for an informative exploration of how the pandemic has had an impact on the digital world. 

I would like to thank @lovebookstours for organising this tour and sending me a #gifted copy of “Social Goodness” by @Claire_e_Burdett  and published by @freshly_press

book blogger, book review, Books

Review of What Happened to us by Faith Hogan

Sophie's Books Galore

My rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Well, this was just simply marvellous to read, a real pleasure and an utter joy. This is a comfort read at its best- pure loveliness which will keep you up all night! If you are in the mood to be completely and utterly captivated by a heart-warming story of deceit, second chances, friendship and love then this is the book for you! Read it now – you won’t regret it!!

Carrie is simply gorgeous, such a wonderful protagonist who I felt like I could connect with. Given the number of difficulties thrown her way she handles them all incredibly well as she tries to stay positive throughout. I was rooting for her from the beginning and she really comes into her own and grows throughout the novel. I really liked the fact that it switched viewpoints throughout the novel – so we got to learn a bit more about the other characters connected to Carrie. 

It begins with a shocking revelation and the end of long-term relationship for Carrie and though she is treated badly she will ultimately triumph over her misery. Another spanner is thrown into the works as this partner is also a business partner, the chef of the Sea Pear a restaurant which both Carrie and Kevin have dedicated the past ten years to. As the novel progresses, she surrounds herself with a lovely group of people who appreciate and care for her like she does them. It is this, that reinforces the idea that friendship is reciprocal, and this is ultimately what drives her happiness and her growth. 

I absolutely loved the wonderful characters excepting, of course, a few questionable and deceitful characters who you shall discover upon reading. It wasn’t long before I became fully engrossed in this wonderful tale with a great plot which will keep you intrigued, entertained and ultimately on tenterhooks to discover what happens.

Synopsis:

Sometimes the end is only the beginning… 

After ten years together, Carrie Nolan is devastated when she’s dumped by her hot-shot chef boyfriend, Kevin Mulvey, without even a backwards glance! But on reflection, she has sacrificed her own long-term happiness by pandering to his excessive ego in their successful Dublin restaurant (and out of it) – but not anymore! 

While Kevin is ‘living the dream’ with his beautiful new Brazilian girlfriend, Carrie seeks solace from a circle of mismatched strangers who need her as much as she needs them. 

With Christmas just around the corner, all is not quite as it seems and a catastrophic sequence of events leads to the unthinkable. 

How far do you need to fall before you learn the true value of family and friends? And is it ever too late to start again…

I want to thank the publishers Head of Zeus for the gifted copy of this beautiful book. I am so grateful to have been able to read this and discover such a wonderful author. Though this is my first Faith Hogan novel – I can assure you it will not be my last- bring on more wonderful weekends spent whiling the time away reading her wonderful stories! 

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Sing me a secret by Julie Houston Review: 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sophie's Books Galore

I absolutely loved this book. It was a wonderful treat, a lovely quick easy read to devour on the weekend. It follows the lives of four sisters all brought together again when one moves back to Yorkshire from London. With a secret at the very heart of this tale the sisters must come together to overcome their troubles.

In the Yorkshire village of Westenbury life is spectacularly eventful. With a choir competition, family drama, secrets, romance and a whole lot of fun it is no surprise that I loved my first of Julie Houston’s books.

Houston is perfectly marvellous in her storytelling, she captures the beauty and pain that befalls the sisters. This is an entertaining read though moments of emotion are portrayed with exquisite poignancy. The characters are well developed and lovable with the exception of a few individuals who you shall discover your dislike upon reading!

My favourite of the sisters is Juno, her lovely house with the chickens, a rather naughty pony and two precocious children is just charming. The philandering father of these lovely daughters unsurprisingly a Classicist given their names. Each of the daughters have their differences yet ultimately their love for each other will bring them all together again.

It is without a doubt, that I can say I will be reading more of Houston’s wonderful work. It was an utter joy to read and I feel as though I was back in Yorkshire. This book made me feel nostalgic about my life in Yorkshire and I long to go back.

I want to thank the publishers Head of Zeus for this gifted copy.

Synopsis:

The four Sutherland sisters have all had very different paths in life, but one secret and a slighty tense production of Jesus Christ Superstar are about to bring them all back together again…
When the news that pop-superstar Lexia Sutherland is returning to Westenbury, not everyone is thrilled by the news – including Lexia. There are too many memories she doesn’t need to face – or need re-surfacing.

Meanwhile, Juno Sutherland just wants a little peace and quiet. As the local village doctor, she’s got her priorities in order; kids, job, husband, tenacious pony, a role in the village musical… So when the sexy new locum turns up – and steals her office – the last thing she needed was to be hit with rising temperatures and an over-active imagination.

Will these sisters be able to uncover the past, deal with the future and put on the performance of a lifetime?