Book Blitz & Excerpt: A Cornish Summer at Pear Tree Farm, by Angela Britnell

A Cornish Summer at Pear Tree Farm

A CORNISH SUMMER AT PEAR TREE FARM by Angela Britnell

A Cornish Summer at Pear Tree Farm
by Angela Britnell
Holiday Fiction

Cornish charm and a Tennessee twist – the perfect pair? 
Nessa Vivian is determined to keep her parents’ business afloat, but Pear Tree Farm near the backwater Cornish village of Polgarth didn’t do well as farm, and it’s not faring much better as a camp site. Maybe it’s due to Nessa’s habit of taking in troubled runaways, like ex-soldier Crispin, for next to nothing. Or perhaps her highly-strung sister Lowena is right – caravans named after Beatles’ songs and homegrown pears are not enough to turn the farm into a tourist haven.
Then another troubled runaway turns up, posing the greatest threat yet. Ex-musician Ward Spencer from Tennessee is certainly intriguing, but could his plans to put nearby Tregereth House on the map mean Pear Tree Farm is finished – or does his arrival signal a second lease of life, and not just for Nessa’s business?

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Guest Post/Expect:

Thank you Sadie for inviting me to stop by your blog for a chat and to share an extract from my new trans-Atlantic romance ‘A Cornish Summer at Pear Tree Farm.’ The setting is the fictional Polgarth Valley in Cornwall, the far south-western part of England where I grew up and a truly beautiful spot. Nessa Vivian is struggling to keep the campsite her parents started afloat but when the intriguing American ex-country music star Ward Spencer turns up and buys the adjoining property with plans to turn into a far fancier version of her own business sparks fly.

The extract I want to share revolves around Ward and his sister Ashley. He’s been worried about his only sibling for a long time because of her troubled marriage to the ultra-controlling “Bunny” Radnor. In an effort to help he talks her into joining him in Cornwall to help get his prospective business up and running. A turn for the worse in her marriage leads to her accepting his offer but with two conditions – firstly he can’t tell anyone including their parents that she’s there and secondly no one in Cornwall can know she’s his sister. He takes his responsibility as her older brother seriously but doesn’t bargain on how difficult it could be this time to follow through. We join the story when Ward’s worried mother is on the phone to him from Tennessee

~*~

Ward hadn’t appreciated how hard it would be to lie to their parents. ‘I’m sorry Mom but I haven’t heard from Ashley in weeks.’

‘Poor Bunny’s been on the phone every five minutes. He’s worried sick about her. She said she was taking a few days off work to visit an old friend in San Francisco which is totally out of character but when he called to check she’d arrived safely, Ruby hadn’t heard from her.’ His mother sighed down the phone.

‘He got madder than a wet hen when I suggested he contacted the police. Bunny said he wasn’t having their private business trawled through by any nasty detective. What do you think he meant?’

He muttered something non-committal.

‘Your father’s been sayin’ for ages they’ve got marital problems but I think he’s imagining things. I know Ashley isn’t … cheerful like she used to be and she’s gone dreadfully thin but between you and me I think they’re struggling to start a family.’ She puffed out a sigh. ‘Hang on a sec your daddy’s buggin’ me. He wants to talk to you.’

‘Really? Uh okay.’ That set off alarm bells. His father was usually content to get the news second hand.

‘Hi son. Your mother’s fretting and I don’t like that.’

‘No sir.’

‘You and Ashley have always been thick as thieves and I’m bettin’ my bottom dollar she’ll contact you if she hasn’t already. I’m not askin’ you to break any promises you’ve made to her but I need to know she’s all right.’ His gruff voice cracked.

Ward wrestled with his conscience. ‘She’s okay Dad but—’

‘Don’t say any more. Bunny won’t hear anythin’ from us if I have to zip your mom’s mouth shut. You take good care of my girl. We’ve let her down.’

The conversation left him more conflicted than ever. He was mulling over whether to tell his sister that their father dragged the truth out of him when Ashley strolled into the kitchen. The baggy grey cardigan was swinging loose and everything about her seemed less uptight already. Decision made.

‘My builder will be here in a few minutes.’ A flicker of dismay crossed her face.

‘He’s in the middle of drawing up the planning application and needs my input. Stick to the story we’ve agreed about why you’re here and it’ll be fine. I really need you in on this.’

‘What if he gets the wrong impression and thinks I’m your …’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘Oh Lord it’s so weird I can’t even say it.’

‘If it keeps you safe and under Bunny’s radar then Yeatman and everyone else can think what they like.’ A tiny nub of regret settled in his gut. Any slim chance that remained with Nessa would disappear like snow in the sun when the gossip reached her.


Author Bio:

A Cornish Summer AuthorAngela grew up in Cornwall, England and returns frequently from her new home in Nashville, Tennessee to visit family and friends, drink tea and eat far too many Cornish pasties!

A lifelong love of reading turned into a passion for writing contemporary romance and her novels are usually set in the many places she’s visited or lived on her extensive travels. Thanks to over three decades of marriage to her wonderful American husband she’s a huge fan of transatlantic romance and always makes sure her characters get their own happy-ever-after.

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association. Her first novel ‘Truth and Consequence’ was published in 2006 and she’s now had over 30 novels published internationally and several short stories in women’s magazines.

If you’d like to find out more of what Angela gets up to (Advance warning: this may include references to wine, dark chocolate, Poldark and the hunky Aidan Turner) check out www.angelabritnellromance.com or follow her on Facebook , Twitter and on Instagram as Angela Golley Britnell.

Book Blitz: Sand, Salt, and Spirits & Excerpt

Sand, Salt, and Spirits by Kathryn Hills

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Sand, Salt, and Spirits
Last Chance Beach Novella
by Kathryn Hills

Can a weekend visit to Last Chance Beach undo decades of brokenhearted memories? Conjuring up some island magic might just be their trick. Or treat!

Kyle Worthington hasn’t returned to Last Chance Beach in years. He’s worked hard to prove himself to his overbearing father and the rest of the world. Now it’s October, and the vacation island paradise is celebrating the season with an island-wide Fall Festival. Family obligation demands he participate. Everyone will be there, including the ghost that haunts his grandparents’ B&B.

The running joke that Kyle never sticks with anything—not a career or a woman—will continue to plague him. Unless he brings a knockout of a date to the weekend-long event. Cassandra Corwin fits the bill perfectly. Kyle’s had his eye on his brilliant, beautiful coworker since day one. But Cassie is an enigma, a loner. There’s no room in her life for anyone except Odin, her goofball of a Great Dane.

Will this woman of mystery agree to Kyle’s scheme to impress his family? Can two near strangers from opposite worlds survive family gatherings and back-to-back Halloween events while pretending to be a couple? Kyle’s father seems hell-bent on derailing everything before they even shout “Boo!”

Or will the island’s magic prove too powerful for them to resist?

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Sand, Salt, and Spirits by Kathryn Hills 2

Excerpt

Kyle held his breath, as he pushed through the back door and went around to meet her by her car. Game on, buddy. Pull yourself together.

Yet a shockwave rippled through him at the sight of her. Black hair piled on her head in a messy, windblown bun. Short, sexy, red sundress. Her legs were bare. Pale yet gorgeous and toned. On her feet? High-top red sneakers with white laces.

Cassie dropped big, round sunglasses into place on her nose, and she grinned at him. “I made it.”

The huge dog—about the size of a pony—glanced his way but didn’t move. As if to say, “I am unimpressed by your appearance, human.”

“Yes, you made it.” He forced a pleasant smile though inside he was in full, freak out mode.

“This is Odin,” Cassie explained, still smiling. “Odin…say hello to Kyle.”
The Great Dane bared big white teeth on command in a ridiculous smile-esque maneuver. Yet still he didn’t budge from his seat.

“That’s his only trick,” Cassie offered with a chuckle. “We don’t ask much of each other.”

Kyle’s brain screamed, okay…time to fess up. “Cassie…before we go any further, there’s something I must confess. Please don’t get mad.”

Her smile evaporated. “Oh, that’s never good.”

“Hang on…it’s not good, but it’s not terrible, either.”

“Yet to be determined.” She crossed her arms and leveled a hard stare on him.

“Spill it.”

“I may have…Okay, I definitely said…you’re my girlfriend.” Kyle cringed in anticipation of her reaction.

“You said what?” Her voice spiked.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

“A death wish?” she accused with a scowl. “Who did you say this to?”

“Not many. Just my sister, Kat.” He swallowed hard and took a step back. “She told my grandmother.”

“No?” Her tone went dangerously low.

“…who then told my mother when she called to say she wasn’t sure if she was coming. Who, in turn, told Kendall, my younger sister. Who really isn’t coming, by the way. So, that part’s good.”

“Is it now, Kyle? Really?” Cassie demanded with an infuriated huff.

“Yeah…except Kat told her boyfriend, Ben. Now I’m done. I think. Maybe not. News travels fast on Last Chance Beach.”

Her dark eyes pinned him in place. “So…basically…you’re telling me everyone in your family and on this island thinks we’re a couple?”

Kyle gave her a small, shrugging wince. “Yeah…pretty much.”

Cassie glared at him. Lips pinched together. The tiny muscle alongside one eye quivering. “I cannot believe this.” She started pacing alongside her car. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a vacation? A little time off? A day, even, just for me? This was a gift to me. A chance to unwind after all the work I’ve been drowning in.”

“I’m sorry. Again. I didn’t mean to screw up your vacation. I don’t know what came over me. It just happened. Kat was bragging about all the great things in her life. She literally walked in with an engagement ring the size of a bus on her finger. Gran was gushing. Ben had just proposed. She got a promotion. Ben is expanding his business, yada, yada…My brain blew a gasket.”

“So? Who cares, Kyle? It’s family. Not like you’re competing with anyone.”

Kyle dropped his head in shame. “You don’t know my family,” he admitted.


About Kathryn Hills:

The rich history and many mysteries of New England are the perfect backdrop for many of KATHRYN’s books. Winding roads lined by old stone walls, forgotten cemeteries, grand homes with shadowy pasts…all sparks for her imagination. Whether it’s a quaint seaside town or the vibrant city of Boston, it’s easy for this “hauntingly romantic” author to envision the past mingling with the present. No surprise, some of Kathryn’s favorite stories include ghosts! Sprinkle in some magic, and you’re off on a great adventure.

When not writing, this best-selling author is reading, researching, gardening, or cooking up something special in her chaotic kitchen. She shares her colonial home in the north woods with those she loves most – her wonderful husband, daughter, and three crazy dogs.

Find Kathryn Hills Online

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