Wednesday, 16 September 2015
Quintessentially Yours by Linn B Halton
Release Date: 3rd August 2015
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Genres: Romantic Fiction
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Katherine Dale lives her
life according to her daily horoscope forecast. Having recently hit forty,
Katherine is living with her partner, James Kingman, and their delightful
little six-month-old daughter, Leyla. James is an up-and-coming name in
astrology and that’s how they met. At a party to celebrate the publication of
Katherine’s first novel, James was about to propose when Katherine announced
the news that she was expecting a baby. ‘Ask me later, when I can fit into my
dream dress’ she’d told him.
Wind forward thirteen
months and while there is an engagement ring on Katherine’s finger, James still
can’t mention the ‘m’ word. Leyla suffers from colic and won’t settle into any
semblance of a routine. The lack of sleep is taking its toll on them all. James
is at his wits’ end trying to cope with his increasing workload, while handling
a hormonal woman who feels like an abject failure. And then there’s his boss,
who has designs – on him!
With feline help from No.
4, plus a little timely advice from old postman Tom and neighbour Ed, can James
and Katherine’s love for each other survive all of the challenges that life is
throwing at them? Will there ever be time to plan that dream wedding?
This sequel can be read as a standalone novel.
Quintessentially Yours continues were Under the Stars left off. Katherine Dale's life has taken such an unexpected turn that even the stars may not offer her much comfort. Or so it seems. Finding that motherhood isn't what she had hoped it would be, her feelings of inadequacy affect all areas of her life, especially her relationship with James and her writing career. James in the meantime has his own struggles. More responsibility in his job means trying to juggling supporting a weepy, emotional and upset Katherine against avoiding the grasp of an overtly over familiar work colleague who is making it very clear that its more than business with James she is interested in. And, of course there is the lovely Mark. Life has thrown him a curve ball and the famous astrologer is looking to the stars for guidance in his own life. Broken hearted, lonely and feeling lost in the world, the last thing he needs is another scandal to add to his woes.
I love the character of James. He is so selfless, always putting Katherine first, wanting to make sure she and baby Leyla are ok. James often forgets about his own needs and puts himself under increasing pressure to keep everyone happy. But how long can one man hold it all together for everyone else. Throughout the book I just wanted to hug James, take up some of the burden and make everything ok. Linn B Halton's writing has that quality, that something special that invests a reader in the story, making them care about each character.
Astrology is such an interesting topic for me and Quintessentially Yours does obviously cover the subject, but in an informative way and like Katherine, I was always keen to discover what the stars had in store. However, what I particularly like about this story is that it rings so true to real life. Life does change dramatically when you have a baby. Romance does take a back seat for a while. And, the most important thing in the world is a few hours sleep! Linn B Halton has captured this element of what being a parent and part of a couple is like whilst still retaining a sweet love story. The love the couple have for each other is evident throughout their trials and tribulations. Its nice to read a book that isn't all hearts and flowers but has a bit of baby sick, burst water mains and a temperamental cat thrown in. And again, we have the most intuitive tuned in character of all back again offering his pearls of wisdom..............the postman Tom! Love him! This wise old sage, despite his aches and pains and protestations about life, is keeping a careful eye on everyone.
Linn B Halton has written another great book. Beautifully written, it is a lovely story that I really enjoyed with some twists, turns and unexpected surprises. Although a sequel, it can be read as a standalone. However, why would you ever want to miss a Linn B Halton book. Go read Under the Stars too!! You'd be mad not to.
ABOUT LINN B HALTON
Bristol-born Linn B. Halton lives in the small village of
Lydbrook, which nestles on the edge of the Forest of Dean, in the UK. She
resides there with her husband and feline with 'catitude'- Mr Tiggs.
Linn began writing in March 2009 and her debut novel was
published in February 2011. In a recent interview Linn was asked about genres:
"From a very young age I knew romantic fiction was
always going to be my genre. I am, and will always be, madly in love with love!
Whether that's love of life, a partner, or the things I'm passionate about.
My stories are about love, life and real relationships - but
romance is always the one thing that holds each story together. Often there's a
light, psychic touch and I never dreamed I would write drawing upon my personal
psychic experiences. But as my interest and understanding in the subject has
grown, it is now such a part of my life that it finds its way into my fictional
tales. However, what is heartening is that most of my experiences have been
uplifting and it's wonderful to know loved ones are around me always. I hope it
will make readers stop and wonder 'What if?'
The
result is that I get a lot of mail from readers who have had similar
experiences and some are sharing theirs for the first time with me. I always
feel that's something rather special and for which I'm very grateful."
Love,
life and beyond... but it's ALWAYS about the romance!
Linn is published by Choc Lit, HarperImpulse, Endeavour Press
and Sapphire Star Publishing.
Linn is also the managing editor of Loveahappyending
Lifestyle emagazine.
Loveahappyending
Lifestyle emagazine:
A Wednesday wave and thank you for a lovely review - I'm spending a lot of time with a one year old at the moment, but she has no idea she was the inspiration for baby Leyla ha! ha! Thanks, too, for another amazing tour Brook Cottage Books - your hard work is much appreciated. Lxx