Welcome to my spot on the tour for Red Roses by Katie Ward, hosted by Rachel’s Random Resources. Read on for more info, my review, and a giveaway!
Autumn is stuck in a rut and desperate to escape the fears that bind her to the life she’s grown to hate.
Back home and living with her parents after university with a degree that seems to count for nothing, she knows something has to change. After a chance meeting with a stranger at the beach, she makes the spontaneous decision to move to Dublin and chase her dreams. However, what Autumn doesn’t realise is that she has just made the decision that will lead to her death. But does a short life have to mean an unsuccessful life? Will she be able to make it count?
Red Roses is a compelling and uplifting story that shows the true beauty of life, love and friendship.
Book Trailer
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Review:
Red Roses by Katie Ward seeped right into my heart and had me invested. This is a new adult novel, which is part of the reason I wanted to read it. I love this target age because it usually brings a story of self-discovery and adventure, which is what Red Roses is about.
This is a very bitter-sweet novel. You’re tipped off in the beginning about how this will play out, and that is something you carry with you through the whole novel. I found this clever from a writing perspective. You can’t help but fall in love with this character while the knowledge you have tugs your heart strings.
Autumn’s journey of self-discovery, friendships, and love was uplifting and heartwarming. I honestly needed the cry this book allowed me to have. It was just beautiful to read.
This isn’t a book I will soon forget, and it’s an author I will definitely be looking for more from. Don’t miss out.
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
Rating:
4★
Katie Ward always knew she wanted to write for a living. However, she was told by her careers advisor that “it might be more appropriate for you to work in a shop”. When Katie didn’t get the grades she needed to get into college, she negotiated a three month trial. After successfully completing the course she secured a place at her first choice university to study Journalism.
After realising she wanted to be an author, Katie moved to Dublin where she worked her way up from receptionist to Executive Assistant at Merrill Lynch. Katie continued to write in her spare time, submitting her short story into the “Do the Write Thing” competition being run by Irish TV show ‘Seoige and O’Shea’. This story was originally written when Katie was 14 after she was inspired by an article in her favourite teen magazine. Katie was the only non-Irish author selected to have her story published in an anthology of the same name which reached 19 in the Irish Best sellers List. Katie was also shortlisted for a competition judged by MAN Booker Prize winning author Roddy Doyle which was run by Metro Eireann newspaper.
Katie currently lives in Devon with her cat (aka ‘Her Royal Fluffiness’) where she sings in a community choir and has recently taken up Archery. Katie’s favourite author has been Roald Dahl since she was a child as she loves the dark edge he brings to his books. On the flip side though, Katie loves Disney, magic, unicorns and a good rom com film at the cinema with her friends.
★Giveaway★
Win a signed painting by Katie Ward’s illustrator and a signed copy of Red Roses (Open INT)
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
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Jessica Belmont 