Smorgasbord Book Promotions – Summer Book Fair 2023 – #FamilySaga Judith Barrow, #Mystery, #Suspense, Short Stories Joan Hall, #Romance #Novella Staci Troilo

This year in the second part of the Summer Book Fair, I will be sharing my recommended books from the last 12 months and sharing either my review or one of  their top reviews.

The first book today is the riveting family saga, Sisters by Judith Barrow,

About the book

A moving study of the deep feelings – jealousy, love, anger, and revenge – that can break a family apart. … Sisters is another absorbing, emotional and thought-provoking creation from the wonderful Judith Barrow. Janet Laugharne

Two sisters torn apart by a terrible lie.In shock after an unbearable accident. Angie lets her sister Mandy take the blame, thinking she’s too young to get into trouble. But she’s wrong.

Mandy is hounded, bullied and finally sent to live with their aunt, where she changes her name to Lisa and builds a new life, never wanting to see her sister again. Angie’s guilt sends her spiralling into danger. Thirteen years later, they meet again at their mother’s funeral. Lisa starts to suspect something is wrong. Angie seems terrified of her husband, and their father is hiding something too.

What does Lisa owe to the family that betrayed her?

I knew I was in for a treat. I wasn’t disappointed… I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to Lisa and Angie… A tale with characters that linger in your mind after you close the book. Jacqueline Harrett

One of the reviews for the book

Georgia Rose VINE VOICE 5.0 out of 5 stars Gritty and emotional  Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Judith Barrow is a writer whose work I snap up the moment it is released and Sisters is no exception. I received an advance reader copy from the publishers, which does not alter my review in anyway, and I will also buy my own copy once it’s released.

The story starts in 1970 when Mandy takes her younger brother, Robert, out for a walk in his pram. Her older sister, Angie, soon joins her and wants to take over but she has an ulterior motive for her sudden interest in the baby.

I won’t give any spoilers suffice to say that something truly, truly terrible happens and that changes both girls lives forever. The rest of this story shows the impact this incident has on Mandy and Angie but also on the rest of the family and community around them.

Barrow makes you feel great emotion with her writing and I have to say the beginning of the book is tough, because of what happened but also because I really hate injustice and I felt there was a lot of that in the way Mandy was treated.

The writing is beautiful, the characterisations spot on and the details of the lives of Mandy and Angie captured so perfectly you can imagine yourself next to them it is all so real. I really enjoyed the development of each character as their lives progressed and the ending is most satisfying.

Sisters is a gritty but wonderfully told tale and I don’t hesitate in recommending it to everyone who enjoys a well-written story that draws you into the lives of its characters. 

 Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US

Also by Judith Barrow

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – and: Amazon UK – Follow Judith: Goodreads – – blog: Judith Barrow – Twitter: @judithbarrow77

The next book is the highly recommended short story collection by Joan Hall…  Menagerie: A Collection of Thirteen Mystery, Suspense, and Contemporary Short Stories

About the collection

King’s. The Tower of London. Glass. What do these have in common?

Each is a famous menagerie.

While this Menagerie doesn’t focus on exotic animals, it does contain a collection of stories that explore various trials people face and how their reactions shape their worlds.

Survivors of a haunted bridge. Women who wait while their husbands fight a war. Former partners reuniting to solve a cold-case murder.

These are just three of the thirteen stories in this compendium, encompassing past and present, natural and supernatural, legend and reality. The genres and timelines are varied, but there’s a little something for everyone who enjoys reading about simpler times and small-town life.

One of the reviews for the book

tpolen 5.0 out of 5 stars Hard To Choose a Favorite  Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸

I absolutely adored this collection – every single story. Usually with short story collections there are at least a few that aren’t as interesting or don’t work for me. But that’s not the case here. Maybe it’s because there are thirteen stories and it was released on a Friday 13th – which has always been lucky for me because my son was born on a Friday 13th. Who knows? I’ll try to choose a few that stuck with me longer.

Ghost Bridge – The small town of Clarkston and its citizens completely charmed me. I wanted to join Kate and her dog Dakota on her porch and have a glass of wine. I wanted to sit with them and listen to the clip clop and creaking wooden wheels of the horse and buggy carrying the ghost of Dr. Noah Stoddard across the bridge by her house. The ending was perfection.

Seven Days – Stressed out author Mindy Jarvis spends a week at a friend’s cabin – where there’s no wifi or cell reception. I initially balked at that, thinking there’s no way I could do it. By the end of the story, I was envious of Mindy and wanted to trade places with her for a week. It had me reminiscing simpler times.

Summerwood – Lead guitarist in a popular band, Dylan Grant collapses on stage due to exhaustion. He travels back to his hometown to recover and make some life-changing decisions.

Lone Wolf – Cowboy Jake McLaughlin saves a wolf whose leg is caught in a trap. He has no idea the wolf will repay that kindness. I nearly cried at the end of this heartwarming tale.

This is a fabulous collection of suspense, mystery, and contemporary stories that will appeal to a variety of readers. There’s something for everyone, and I enjoyed it from beginning to end. 

Head over to read the reviews and buy the collection: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

Also by Joan Hall

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Read other reviews and follow Joan: Goodreads – Website: Joan Hall – Blog: Joan Hall – BookBub: Joan Hall – Facebook: Joan Hall Writes – Twitter: @JoanHallWrites

The final book today that I recommended earlier in the year is the romantic novella by Staci Troilo – Pour It On (Keystone Couples Novella)

About the book

Bold, complex, vibrant. The wine is, too.

Despite Romy Chandler hosting a romantic meet-and-greet at her restaurant, she’s all business. When her sommelier quits without any notice—to work for the competition, no less—she goes into mega-mogul-mode. The last thing on her mind is finding a man. She’s looking for someone who knows his way around a Bordeaux, not the boudoir.

Rick Santucci grew up in his family’s vineyard. After years of hard work, he’s turned his grandfather’s humble produce farm into a profitable winery. Once he gets their bottles into the right establishments, he’ll be able to acquire more land and move into the next phase of the company’s expansion. His mother thinks the next stage should be a wife and children, but his sights are set on different fertile grounds.

When Rick and Romy meet, they both forget all about their ambitions. The evening becomes less about revenue than romance, and they get distracted by the music and wine. She thinks he’s the man she needs, both in the restaurant and out. He finds her to be the perfect partner on the dance floor and believes she’ll be the perfect business partner, too. But a series of mix-ups could put an end to everything they’ve started—personally and professionally.

One of the reviews for the novella

Mae Clair 5.0 out of 5 stars Romantic, Fun, and Flirty! Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸

One of my favorite types of stories are those built around misunderstanding, especially when it involves mistaken identity. Staci Troilo has penned a gem that dishes up—an appropriate pun for a tale centered in a restaurant—generous servings of humor and romance.

Restaurant owner, Romy Chandler, has lost her sommelier right before a huge meet-and-greet, and I do mean RIGHT before. Plus, Valentine’s Day is lingering around the corner. Rick Santucci is a vintner who needs to get his wine into the right establishments to grow his winery. Do you sense the stars aligning?

That’s all well and good, but Troilo, who has a deft touch with couples’ romance, isn’t about to let things proceed smoothly. I don’t want to give away spoilers, but let’s just say this short tale will warm your heart while tickling your funny bone. The dialogue is fast and flirty, the scenes stacking like dominos that tumble into a brilliant HEA ending.

Grab a glass of your favorite pinot or merlot, settle into a comfy seat, then Pour it On with this enchanting story that will leave you laughing on the sidelines and rooting for the characters. Troilo is a master of her craft who always delivers a polished tale. I can’t wait for the next Keystone Couples novella! 

Head over to read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US –  And:  Amazon UK

A small selection of books written by Staci Troilo

 Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK –Follow Staci: Goodreads– Blog: Staci Troilo WordPress – Website: Staci Troilo – Twitter– @stacitroilo –