NEW RELEASES: The Secret Art of Forgiveness by Louisa George

Louisa George, author of Something Borrowed, is back with The Secret Art of Forgiveness which is available now. In the novel, Emily heads back to her home village after hearing her step-father is ill, and is faced with truths about her past.

Living in a big city, means you can escape your past…

Until Emily Forrester is called back to Little Duxbury, the chocolate-box English village where she grew up - though it was anything but idyllic for the tearaway teenager. Her estranged step-father, a former high-court judge, is unwell and her step-sisters need her help.

It’s just a week, Emily tells herself, but faced with the lies – and hard truths – that drove her to leave in the first place is difficult enough. Having to cope with a step-father (and the only parent she has left) who is so unlike the man she remembers pushes Emily’s emotions in ways she hasn’t been tested in years – since her mother’s death.

They say home is where the heart is – but by the end of the week, Emily isn’t entirely sure which home that is.

UNCOVERED INTERVIEWS: Cathy Bramley

Cathy Bramley is a bestselling romantic comedy author who has brought us Ivy Lane, Wickham Hall and Unconditional Love. Her latest book, The Plumberry School of Comfort Food, is out now. Cathy joins us for today's Q&A to share more about her writing, inspiration, and tips.

Tell us about your latest novel in 15 words or less.
Verity regains her passion for life at the cookery school by learning to love again.

What inspired you to write The Plumberry School of Comfort Food?
A good friend of mine, Lucy, owns a cookery school called LucyCooks in the Lake District. It is a wonderful place to spend time, very good for the soul. I first went there ten years ago and when I became a writer, I knew it would be a great place to set a book.

Where do you do most of your writing?
I have an office in my house, where I and my dog Pearl spend most of our time. But when the family are at home and I need to concentrate, I go to the top of the garden to the treehouse and type amongst the damson trees.

What is your favourite book?
I don’t think I have a favourite book, but I've never read a book by Marian Keyes which I didn’t totally adore.

Which part of The Plumberry School of Comfort Food did you enjoy writing the most?
I write most of my novels in four parts, which are released individually digitally. I love writing like this because in my head each part is like an episode of a TV series. Usually a part has around ten chapters and the last two are always very exciting to write because I’m working up to a climax. I guess in The Plumberry School of Comfort Food I liked writing the section where the TV crew comes to Plumberry – that was great fun.

Who is your favourite literary heroine?
I’d probably say Marian Keyes’ Mammy Walsh. Elizabeth Bennet is a bit of a star, I also like Miss Marple and George from The Famous Five.

Do you have any tips for readers who are looking to become published writers?
Good writing is about practice, so don’t expect it to be brilliant first time, or even second time for that matter. Read good books and try and work out what is good about them. But most of all, write, write, write.

Are you working on anything else at the moment and if so, can you tell us?
I’m always working on something! I've just finished my Christmas novella Comfort and Joy, out in October, I’m editing The Lemon Tree Café, part one will be out in March and I’ve just sent back the copy-edits for White Lies and Wishes, out in January (this one won’t be serialised). And my head is starting to form a new idea for the next one…

Thanks, Cathy!

You can find out more about Cathy on her website and Twitter.

The Plumberry School of Comfort Food by Cathy Bramley

Verity Bloom hasn't been interested in cooking anything more complicated than the perfect fish finger sandwich, ever since she lost her best friend and baking companion two years ago.

But an opportunity to help a friend lands her right back in the heart of the kitchen. The Plumberry School of Comfort Food is due to open in a few weeks' time and needs the kind of great ideas that only Verity could cook up. And with new friendships bubbling and a sprinkling of romance in the mix, Verity finally begins to feel like she's home.

But when tragedy strikes at the very heart of the cookery school, can Verity find the magic ingredient for Plumberry while still writing her own recipe for happiness?

UNCOVERED PICKS: Five new novels for September!

September's here! As we slowly say goodbye to the summer, it's time for some cosy reads. Here are five new books that will be published this month.

The Woman Who Lost Her Mojo by Carol Wyer
A hilarious heart-warming read about friendship, taking chances and finding love, second time round. 

When Charlie’s husband leaves after ten years of marriage, her spirits hit an all-time low. She just isn’t sure how to pick herself up again. So, best friend Mercedes makes it her mission to put a spring back in Charlie’s step with the perfect bucket list. 

As Charlie bungee jumps and belly dances her way through an array of adventures, her love life also begins to look up and she’s soon enjoying a few dates as a newly single woman. She begins to realise that finding romance, might not be so hard, especially when you’ve got someone like journalist Jake who has an adorable little boy and is very easy on the eye. 

But is Jake too good to be true? As Charlie’s challenges on the bucket list get bigger, so do her questions about Jake. Should she continue to hold out for the fairy-tale? Or is it only in rom coms that dreams can come true? 

Recipe for Love by Katie Fforde
When Zoe Harper wins a coveted place in a televised cookery competition she's thrilled. It's a chance to cook her way to fame and fortune and the little delicatessen she's set her heart on. 

The first task has hardly begun when she finds herself with rather too much on her plate. Not only has she got to contend with the fiercely competitive and downright devious Cher, but she's fast developing an inconvenient crush on one of the judges - the truly delicious Gideon Irving. 

All too soon there's more than canapés, cupcakes and cordon bleu at stake. Will Zoe win the competition or is Gideon one temptation too far? And is Zoe really prepared to risk it all for love? 

Sunshine on a Rainy Day by Bryony Fraser
It’s Zoe and Jack’s first wedding anniversary party. They’ve got an announcement! They’re getting divorced.

Marriage isn’t for everyone – something that Zoe and Jack discovered only after they’d walked down the aisle. Bad timing, huh?

So now they’re stuck together in their once harmonious marital home, neither one of them willing to move out of their lovely house.

With Zoe’s three sisters always wanting a say, and Jack’s best friend trying his best to fix things between them, misunderstandings arise. Tempers flare. ‘Accidents’ happen…

Zoe and Jack are going to be lucky if they’re still alive when the twelve months are up. But maybe things aren’t quite as final as they seem?

Catch 26 by Carol Prisant
What if you could live your life all over again?

There’s just one catch…

Frannie Turner is a plain, middle-aged housewife married to Stanley, a self-absorbed retired dentist who hasn’t slept in her bed in years. No children to love and be loved by. No exciting career to look back on. Just loneliness and lost dreams. So when the mysterious new hairdresser in town offers her the chance to get everything she’s ever wanted, Frannie figures she has nothing to lose -except her soul. And surely, as a stunning twenty-six-year-old singleton in New York, finding true love within the stipulated year should be a piece of cake, not to mention a hell of a lot of fun!

But New York City is no place for the naïve, and Frannie will soon learn just how dangerous a deal with the devil can be…

The One That Got Away by Melissa Pimentel
Ruby and Ethan were perfect for each other. Until the day they suddenly weren't.

Ten years later, Ruby's single, having spent the last decade focusing on her demanding career and hectic life in Manhattan. There's barely time for a trip to England for her little sister's wedding. And there's certainly not time to think about seeing Ethan there for the first time in years.

But as the family frantically prepare for the big day, Ruby can't help but wonder if she made the right choice all those years ago? Because there's nothing like a wedding for stirring up the past...

BOOK REVIEW: Strictly My Husband by Tracy Bloom

I've been a fan of Tracy Bloom's novels since reading her first, No One Ever Has Sex on a Tuesday. Tracy's books are light, witty and brilliantly addictive, which evidently made her a bestselling author and published internationally. Strictly My Husband is Tracy's latest offering.

First of all, let me just say that I am not a fan of Strictly Come Dancing. Not at all. So I was a bit concerned that this novel would be heavily inspired by the show, which I feared I wouldn't enjoy. However, I love Tracy's books so I chose to read it regardless, and as it happens there are not many Strictly references.

But there is dancing! And even us non-Strictly fans don't mind a bit of dancing...

Laura and Tom love to dance around the kitchen when nobody's watching - well, at least Laura, given that she's not that good at it. Nothing like Tom, a trained performer and now an entertainment manager at the theme park in their hometown. Laura's dancing prowess doesn't seem to matter - not when the lovely Tom only has eyes for her! That is, until he turns up one day with a beautiful young woman in tow. Worse still, he's offered her the spare room.

Carly - a  stunning, blonde and bubbly dancer - has bagged the lead role in Tom's upcoming Halloween show, and has just split with her boyfriend. So with nowhere to stay, Tom kindly invites her to be a temporary lodger.

Carly's looks and penchant for getting personal with Tom instantly put Laura on edge. After all, Laura's unglamorous life as a market research analyst is hardly on par with the glittery demeanor that Carly possesses. Scared, and convinced that the pair will be doomed to the 'Strictly Curse' in which dancers fall for their partners, Laura confides in sister-in-law Hannah, whose relationship with Jerry isn't exactly going well either...

As Tom prepares for his show with Carly, Laura is intent on finding out the truth. And when the show's success partly relies on Laura's work, what will she choose to do?

Yet again, Tracy Bloom's wit shines through in this novel. She has a real knack for fun, romantic comedy and relateable characters. After all, what would you do if a stunning woman turned up on your doorstep and miiiight just risk stealing your husband? I really liked Laura, and even though she was abrupt at times, could totally understand why! Each chapter focuses on a different character, so you get to see all sides of the story; Laura, Tom, Hannah, and Jerry. I won't delve any further in case of potential spoilers, but if you're looking for something light and funny (and okay, with a bit of drama), Strictly My Husband is the perfect read.

Rating: 5/5

COMING SOON: A Season of Ruin by Anna Bradley

Anna Bradley, author of A Wicked Way to Win an Earl, returns on 6th September with new regency romance, A Season of Ruin (which, I have to add, has a stunning cover!)

Lily Somerset's plan for the London season is simple: courtship, marriage to a respectable gentleman, then the comfortable existence of a proper Lady. That is, until one tiny misstep leaves Lily on the edge of social ruin, forcing her to depend on a wicked rogue to save her reputation.

Robyn Sutherland doesn't save reputations-he sullies them. He'd rather be drawn and quartered than find himself spending the season as Lily's escort. But he has no choice but to stay until her tattered standing is mended.

What begins as a ruse to deceive London soon flames into an uncontrollable passion. Robyn calls to the wild spirit that lurks beneath Lily's prim exterior, and Lily awakens the hero's heart within Robyn. But can these unlikely lovers trust themselves enough to let desire overrule reason?

BLOG TOUR: Patricia Mar stops by for a guest post!

Today, Patricia Mar stops by as part of her blog tour for new novel, Stuck On You. Read on for her guest post about what inspired her to write the book...

The idea for "Stuck on You" was born by chance. A friend of mine showed me a photo shoot by Miriano Vivanco featuring David Gandy, who looked very comfortable with his graces, so to speak. I immediately thought: if I were his girlfriend, I would be so jealous. Something clicked in my mind. I imagined a girl  desperately  in love with a famous model, a model at ease with his body and adored by women all over the world. I imagined her to be one of us – an ordinary girl with small dreams, goals to achieve and looking for a real and lasting love. But I also thought that that model was not only a man, but had a universe within him, a depth he wanted to protect. 

It felt as though their love could become a fairy tale only in dreams, but I wanted to contextualise it in the real world, with real friends, families and problems to make it appear almost possible. However, since these two characters actually lived in two  very different worlds, I had to invent a funny situation that would make them meet and that allowed them to lay the groundwork for a future meeting. I have always believed that true love can overcome any obstacle with tenacity, patience and trust. Daniel and Sara are the result of these ideas. Also the name of the protagonist, Daniel Gant, is a sincere tribute to David Gandy, who was unintentional muse of my novel.

One of my greatest dreams has always been to write a novel that should somehow honour a genre that I love. Films like "You've Got Mail", "The Wedding Date", "Made of Honour," and "The Holiday" to mention a few, are a symbol of style and romance. So I tried to recreate the spirit: romance and humour, brilliant dialogue and feelings, elegance and joy. I so enjoyed writing about Daniel and Sara’s lives – a beautiful and perfect moment of my creative life.  

I sincerely hope that Daniel and Sara give you joy and leave you with lasting memories.

Stuck On You by Patricia Mar

At last, it’s the day of the interview, and Sara absolutely must get the job. It’s two years since she graduated, and she’s not had much luck in her personal or professional life. Much to her dismay she is desperately late, teetering on her heels, soaking wet and out of breath by the time she arrives at the offices of Inside Look magazine.

Things are going from bad to worse and when the receptionist tells her the job has already been given to someone else, Sara tries to slip away without being noticed. But she finds herself stuck in the lift with none other than the dazzling model Daniel Gant. After being thrown together by chance, Sara can't believe it when Daniel wants to see her again. Is her luck beginning to change?

MOVIE NEWS: Liane Moriarty's novel 'Truly Madly Guilty' optioned for film

Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon have optioned the movie rights to Truly Madly Guilty, the 2016 novel by Liane Moriarty (also author of The Husband's Secret and What Alice Forgot).

According to The Bookseller, the movie will be produced by both Witherspoon's production company, Pacific Standard, and Kidman's company, Blossom Films.

Moriarty’s UK agent Jonathan Lloyd said: “I am thrilled that there is now an opportunity for fans of the film to discover the magic of Liane Moriarty’s writing and if they haven’t already done so, to go out and acquire all her books.”