Category: Book Reviews

Posted on

Book Review, Giveaway: Road Trip by Andie M. Long and Laura Barnard

Road Trip

by Andie M. Long & Laura Barnard 

Amazon US / UK

.

Romantic comedy authors Andie M Long and Laura Barnard have teamed together to bring you the hilarious Road Trip! 

Out NOW!  #oneclick #romcom #chicklit #lovehate

After the end of a car crash relationship can Katy find true love?

Catching her sister in bed with her fiancé, school teacher Katy Cornish enlists playboy colleague Felix Montague to help her save face. What she doesn’t bargain on is them both losing their jobs in the process.

With finances running out, Katy must endure the rude and arrogant Felix while they embark on a road trip around the country in hopes of securing a new job. But there’s just one problem… they’re up for the same posts. This road trip is going to be unlike any other, with them doing whatever they can to sabotage the other.

Can they see past themselves and their egos to each other? Or will their desperation to continue their careers drive them apart?

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I might be twenty-six, but in my parents’ eyes me and Vic are still about twelve. I am, but only in clothes.

 I don’t need to prepare anything. People naturally love me. It’s you I’d be worried about. People assume you’ve got something stuck up your arse. You might want to look into that.

 It wasn’t my fault, it was Victoria’s… She hit it with a stick while I was at a swimming pool party. It flew around and stung my bum. Then it died, so I felt really sad while Vic laughed that it had been so scared of my bottom it had died of fright.

You like me? … Like, as in you also like cheese? Or a different kind of like?

My Review:

 

I frequently smirked and occasionally giggled-snorted during this amusing and saucy misadventure of two broke and suddenly unemployed teachers, who were not always comfortable or friendly with each other while sharing a ride during their desperate attempts to find new employment. Both had lost their teaching positions due to a backfired prank, with continued shenanigans, antics, irresponsible behavior, poor planning, bad luck, accidents, mishaps, and incidents of sabotage to come during their careening trek across the country in search of new futures while their limited funds dwindled to mere coins. Written from my favorite dual POV, the story was entertaining and engaging with colorful humor and bits of steam. However, the snarky characters were not always likable or admirable in their motivations as they are often competing for the same limited job openings. Forced to remain in constant contact and close quarters for days on end, they began to see each other differently and an unexpected attraction bloomed in a fretful and vexing manner until they scorched the sheets. I scored a new addition to my Brit Vocabulary list with “on the lash” which is drinking to intoxication.


Giveaway

Head on over to Laura’s Facebook page to enter their giveaway for a chance to win $10/£10 Amazon Gift Card.

Connect with Andie

Website ☆ Facebook ☆ Twitter ☆ Instagram

☆ Pinterest ☆ Goodreads

 

Connect with Laura

Website ☆ Facebook ☆ Twitter ☆ Instagram

 ☆ Pinterest ☆ Goodreads

Posted on

Book Review: The Forever Night Stand by Bena Roberts

The Forever Night Stand

by Bena Roberts

Goodreads

Amazon  / Smashwords /  Kobo  / Nook 

 

A two-hour romance which starts with drama and mayhem!

Sara has her back up against the wall. She is recovering from the side effects of chemotherapy and at her own “cancer free” party, she makes a decision that will change her life forever.

The adventure begins when she leaves her posh lifestyle in Scotland and moves in with her Bollywood loving parents, in West London. Her parents are tragically ashamed of Sara’s actions and her electronic monitor. She decides to make them happy again and considers re-marrying.

Enter Raj, a possible hero who comes with the promise of a huge Indian wedding in Goa!

George, the childhood love of her life who seems to be hanging around every corner. Or should she just go back to her husband? Sara faces the biggest dilemma of her life, after making the colossal mistake of her life. What will she do and whom will she choose?

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

“Men are like a chapati. Difficult to cook in the beginning, but after five years you will be slapping them around! Make them your own!” My mother’s inability to make chapati after fifty years not mentioned.

 

If I were on an airplane the sick bag would have been working overtime, but I wasn’t, both my parents were watching me, so I faked it and giggled.

 

The volcano in my brain spurted lava.

 

The DJ put on a popular Indian song and my mom plucked me like a chicken and ushered me onto the dance floor.

 

Sara, sucked the teeth from Raj’s mouth. Sara searched for his tonsils until Raj went red, I feared I would have to resuscitate him.

 

The expression on his face was stolen from Salvador Dali.

 

The hall erupted in clapping and cheers, apart from Raj’s family who became wax works.

 

My Review:

 

I am conflicted about how to rate this unusual little tale. Written from a dual POV, the premise was compelling although the writing style was oddly peculiar with incomplete sentences and occasionally skipped about rather erratically without a rational or cohesive flow, like the stream of consciousness or the inner musings of a person with a short attention span and rage disorder. There were considerable instances of razor-sharp humor and clever wit, and other stretches where I felt lost and confused with few clues to what was actually occurring. Yet my interest was snagged and didn’t want to concede to a DNF, as I was curious as to where the story was going to take me. I was satisfied with the conclusion, but damn, I had to work for it.

 

Author Bio – Bena Roberts

Bena Roberts was a journalist and analyst. Now she prefers the title novelist and romance adventurist. She graduated in England in 1994 and then with a Masters in 1997.

Born in 1973, Bena lived in West London until she was 24. Then she lived and worked in Budapest, Bruges, Prague, Amsterdam, Vienna, Hamburg and Munich. She currently resides in Germany, between Heidelberg and Frankfurt. Although she still refers to London as ‘home.’

Bena successfully created a technology blog which gained funding, had lunch with Steve Ballmer and was ‘top 50 most influential woman in mobile.’ Her blog also won several awards including Metro Best Blog.

Bena has two children, loves small dogs and always writes books with a cup of Earl Grey.

Bena’s favorite literary style is black humor, and she hopes to offer a unique voice in this area. Her books aim to confront the darkest of life experiences, with levity. Most of her writing is heavy hitting yet also entertaining.

Also – Available My Cake! A short story

Pre-Order Tammy&Lisa – How far would you go to protect your teenage son?

Twitter – https://twitter.com/benaroberts

Amazon Author – https://www.amazon.com/Bena-Roberts/e/B076ZRDW8G

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17307556.Bena_Roberts

Posted on

Book Review: Allure (Brooklet Dreams #1) by C.A. Harms

.

Title: Allure (Brooklet Dreams)

Author: CA Harms

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: May 22, 2018

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

.
.
The next generation of the Southern Boys returns in a new spin-off series, Brooklet Dreams…

 

She was supposed to be my forever…

 

I’ll never forget the first time I saw her. She wore overalls two sizes too big and a pair of gloves that were also too large for her little hands. But that didn’t faze her one bit, and we clicked instantly.
By the age of twelve, we had become best friends, and by the time we turned sixteen, we were more. I had eyes for only one girl.  My girl.
.
But then life changed, and different paths led to broken promises. When she left town, I was forced to let go of our dreams.
.
I spent my days existing. Baseball, classes, and working at the family farm became my life. I didn’t care about anything else. Until I met Allison Jo.
.
AJ was the quiet girl I never expected. She brought me to my knees with that beautiful smile. She made me laugh and slowly brought the old me back to life. I found myself wanting more with her.
.
I became her world, and she was my everything.
. 
But when my past returns, my world is turned upside down. 
.
I’m not sure I was prepared for what was about to happen.

 

.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I’ll admit it—I was a twenty-one-year-old guy who was still terrified of his mother. That woman could get pretty vicious when needed…

 I’m here with you because I wanna be, not because I feel like I need to be. You’re not who I thought you were, Allison Jo, you’re so much more. I wanna know everything there is to know about you. I want you to be the girl I call first with anything, whether it’s big or small, and I wanna be that guy for you in return.

 If I thought I was embarrassed before, it had nothing on the current situation… Once I was inside my car and had a minute to actually breathe, I looked down, and my heart felt like it hit the seat beneath my ass. I had my damn shirt on backward, and what made it worse was the tag was sticking out just below my chin. Why me?

 My Review:

 

I quickly fell into this easy to follow and engaging story with realistic and relatable storylines containing a fair balance of angst, humor, and sensuality, and packed with likable and endearing characters. A.J. was a sweet and delightful main character and Rhett was a near perfect BBF; he was sexy, thoughtful, attentive, and protective. Ms. Harms brought a refreshing twist to the dilemma of giving up and letting go of first love, and the possible second chance at first love not always being the best choice. I was holding my breath a bit but was more than satisfied with the conclusion and eager to see what this clever author does with the rest of the series.

.

.
.
C.A. Harms is like any other addicted reader. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories. She hasn’t always been a lover of Romance and had once been addicted to a good Mystery. Just recently she has taken on a new liking and now is a full-blown Romance novel addict.
 
She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. You will always find her with her kindle or paperback in hand as it is her favorite past time.
.
.
HOSTED BY:

Posted on

Book Review: Hot Asset by Lauren Layne

Hot Asset 

by Lauren Layne

Goodreads

KINDLE: https://amzn.to/2rVZEyl

PAPERBACK: https://amzn.to/2kb5DMe

AUDIOBOOK: https://amzn.to/2IyoUSy 

MP3 CD: https://amzn.to/2rSMfIc 

 

A sexy agent hounds Wall Street’s hottest new wolf in an exhilarating novel from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne.

Ian Bradley is the definition of a Wall Street hotshot: seven-figure salary, designer suits, and a corner office. His drive off the floor is just as potent. Every woman who knows him has felt the rush. But now he’s met his match in Lara McKenzie—a woman with the power to bring Ian to his knees.

An ambitious, whip-smart daughter of FBI agents, Lara is a rising star in fighting white-collar crime. Her latest case—the investigation of Ian Bradley for insider trading—could make her career. She knows a scoundrel when she sees one. Ian fits the bill: a cocky, ridiculously handsome bad boy with a slick swagger.

She’ll do anything to prove he’s guilty. He’ll do anything to prove he’s not. But it’s only a matter of time before their fierce battle of wits gets oh so hot and personal. Now, taking down Ian has become more than business for Lara. It’s become a pleasure—and there’s more at risk than she ever dreamed.

“[A] playful romance…Layne populates her world of high-stakes finance with charismatic characters, and the fast-paced story works well with the simmering sexual tension between the leads…It’s easy to root for this couple.” —Publishers Weekly

“Layne can always be counted on to create an engaging, steamy, and thoroughly rewarding reading experience.” —RT Book Reviews

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

The weekday lunch hour on Wall Street is everything you’d expect—plenty of suits and martinis and pretension. Nobody bothers to look twice at a woman in a boring blouse and four-year-old stilettos bought at Nordstrom Rack.

 Yes, men just love my combination of forthright and awkward.

 “What the heck is day cleavage?” She holds up her thumb and forefinger to her cleavage as though she’s measuring something. “No more than a half inch or so, see?” “What’s night cleavage?” She widens the gap between her fingers. “An inch, at least.” I shake my head in wonderment. “It’s like you’re from a different planet.”

My Review:

 

I always enjoy Lauren Layne’s enticing stories, they beckon me. I adore her amusing and sharp wit but not as much as I love her endearing flawed yet vulnerable characters. In Hot Asset, the two main protagonists initially appeared to be complete opposites in every arena.

Ian was a wealthy playboy and self-made success story as through his relentless efforts and keen intelligence, this survivor of multiple negligent foster homes became a Yale graduate and had worked hard to earn his spot near the top of the food chain in his Wall Street firm. He was also a dirty talking sex machine who appeared to have a hard edge but was layers deep with a marshmallow center, although no one knew of his charitable efforts as he played nearly as hard as he worked and never bedded the same woman twice, “because I don’t have to.”

Lara was a tightly wound, honest, and hardworking government employee who followed the rules, yearned for career advancement and acceptance into the FBI, and had no social life.   As the SEC agent that arrived at Ian’s office to personally investigate him, she was unimpressed with his slick approach. They were at odds yet seemed to enjoy bantering and antagonizing each other yet each also fought a building respect and attraction. Yet there was something just not right with the case and allegations against Ian.

I am excited with Ms. Layne’s new 21 Wall Street series, as this installment has started it off with the propulsion of a space rocket that was locked and loaded with a cast of quirky yet alluring characters. I doubt I could tire of them and am already greedy for the next volume.

 

Author Info

Lauren Layne is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than two dozen romantic comedies. Her books have sold over a million copies, in eight languages. Lauren’s work has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Glamour, The Wall Street Journal, and Inside Edition. She is based in New York City.

Author Links: 

Website: http://www.laurenlayne.com/

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6969772.Lauren_Layne

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_laurenlayne/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lauren-layne

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/LLayneAuthor/

Lauren Layne Library: http://laurenlaynelibrary.com/

Posted on

Book Review, Giveaway: Still Us by Lindsay Detwiler

 

Title: Still Us

Author: Lindsay Detwiler

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: May 19, 2018

Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing 

Cover Designer: Soxsational Cover Art

 

Add to TBR
On sale for half price!
Amazon: US | UK | CA | AU
 
From the first time they locked eyes, Lila Morrow and Luke Bowman had a special spark. Their first kiss sealed their fairy-tale romance… until everything fell apart. 
 
Luke’s life began when he met Lila—and in many ways, it ended when she left him. Drowning in regrets, Luke is determined to give Lila the space to be happy. The sexy, singing roofer quickly realizes, however, he really shouldn’t have let her go.
After their breakup, Lila moves back in with her family. The twenty-nine-year-old veterinarian’s transition to a life without Luke isn’t as easy as she expected. With the help of her wild Grandma Claire and her high-heel-loving sister, Maren, she starts to play the field… but she isn’t sure she’ll ever stop loving the curly-haired man from her early twenties.
Luke and Lila’s love story ended, and their individual boxes have been packed. But as they explore the single life and the dating world, both discover sometimes the love you leave behind is exactly what you need to be happy.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

Maren and Will are making out in the corner like he’s just come back from war, and I quickly avert my eyes so I don’t see something I won’t be able to unsee. Maren’s bold, but I didn’t think an accountant would be so shameless at a family gathering. I guess Maren really does bring out a different side of him, as he claimed during their crazy romantic proposal last December.

 

“Oh, Harvey, you know I like to get a look at the delivery boy. How am I going to rate him on my scale when you didn’t let me answer the door?” Grandma whines. “I even put on my red lips, my good Avon lipstick, because I knew he would be coming. What a waste.”

 

I sit beside my mom and dad in the church basement, enjoying the weekly breakfast after mass. It’s been years since I’ve been here. Usually Luke and I spent Sunday mornings saying God in a very, very different way.

 

That religious program I like is coming on in ten minutes. Figure it wouldn’t hurt to get some extra heaven points today after the lewd thoughts I was having about the preacher at Maren’s wedding.

 

I laugh hysterically as the strippers parade down the aisle, their hips very loose—especially for their age. “I got them for a discount on the internet,” Grandma yells, clapping wildly as the bus driver just sits in horror. I laugh as Maren screams as the lead stripper props his leg on the seat in front of her, gyrating his hips wildly despite the fact he must be at least eighty. “No fair, I paid good money. Come this way, boys,” Grandma yells.

My Review:

The story began with the two main characters of Luke and Lila packing up and leaving their shared apartment after dissolved their relationship. They had drawn a line in the sand that each hoped the other would erase. Their game of chicken went too long and too far as neither would flinch or admit their rueful mistake or repentant their stance. The soulmates parted and avoided each other like a zombie-inducing plague, although each remained miserable and unable to disengage or fully move on.   While the tone of the dual POV narrative was often angsty, the story was well-balanced with humor and engaging observations, insights, and memories. I enjoyed the tale and adored all the character depictions in this book, each one was uniquely quirky and amusing. Grandma’s appearance was a guaranteed smirk sparkler to any scene. The premise was original, well-crafted, and relevant to the world we live in. Ms. Detwiler’s entertaining writing style and storylines are easy to follow, relatable, pleasantly appealing, and always include an enticing food element that pervasively tunnels through my cranium and wrecks my diet. Sigh, first she introduced me to Swedish Fish and now I feel compelled to run a Google search for local bakeries that provide peanut-butter glazed doughnuts.   I am ruined.

 

On sale for half price!

Nook: http://bit.ly/2olh9qZ 

 

Facebook I Twitter I Website

A high school English teacher, an author, and a fan of anything pink and/or glittery, Lindsay’s the English teacher cliché; she loves cats, reading, Shakespeare, and Poe.
She currently lives in her hometown with her husband, Chad (her junior high sweetheart); their cats, Arya, Amelia, Alice, and Bob; and their Mastiff, Henry.
Lindsay’s goal with her writing is to show the power of love and the beauty of life while also instilling a true sense of realism in her work. Some reviewers have noted that her books are not the “typical romance.” With her novels coming from a place of honesty, Lindsay examines the difficult questions, looks at the tough emotions, and paints the pictures that are sometimes difficult to look at. She wants her fiction to resonate with readers as realistic, poetic, and powerful. Lindsay wants women readers to be able to say, “I see myself in that novel.” She wants to speak to the modern woman’s experience while also bringing a twist of something new and exciting. Her aim is for readers to say, “That could happen,” or “I feel like the characters are real.” That’s how she knows she’s done her job.
Lindsay’s hope is that by becoming a published author, she can inspire some of her students and other aspiring writers to pursue their own passions. She wants them to see that any dream can be attained and publishing a novel isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Posted on

Book Review: One Hundred Wishes (An Aspen Cove Romance Book 3) by Kelly Collins


One Hundred Wishes

 (An Aspen Cove Romance Book 3)

by Kelly Collins

Goodreads

Amazon

 

Best-selling author Kelly Collins welcomes you back to Aspen Cove, the tiny Colorado town where anything can happen if you just open your heart and mind.

Pop star Samantha White walks off the stage and disappears into a crowd of cheering fans. After ten years as the music sensation known as Indigo, she needs to figure out who she really is.
With her manager pressuring her to sign a new contract, Samantha runs to the only place she remembers with fondness—Aspen Cove—a small town that embraced twelve-year-old Samantha when she and her mother finally left her abusive father.

She’s sure a few weeks of peace in a secluded cabin will be exactly what she needs to figure out where to go from here. But when Dalton Black storms into her life, Samantha realizes she may not get the clarity and calm she’s seeking. If she plays her cards right, she’ll get something better—love.

Dalton Black doesn’t ask for much. But then, he knows most people would say he doesn’t deserve much—not after spending six years in prison for killing a man. He’s carved out a quiet life in Aspen Cove where he knows who is friend and who is foe. Just when he’s accepted his life will be a string of meaningless relationships, he meets Samantha White and everything changes.

Can a famous singer find her forever with an ex-convict? Or will the secrets they keep tear them apart? Find out in One Hundred Wishes.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

If you’re talking ice cream I’ve got Breakfast in Bed which is maple ice cream with donut pieces and glazed bacon. Lickin’ Lizard, which is vanilla ice cream and gummy worms, and Unicorn Poop which is basically rocky road with the addition of Pop Rocks.

 

“You saved me. Doc can deal with that case of hemorrhoids by himself. No one should see that before lunch.” Sage opened her purse and took out candy bar after candy bar. She picked up the peanut butter cups and handed them to Samantha. “These are particularly helpful in a time of crisis.”

 

I can understand your need to lie. I mean, she’s a hundred pounds soaking wet. Not sure my ego could take that beating either. I get why you have to invent a story. Tall tales compensate for your little wiener.

 

He was a man of simple tastes, but he made jeans and a black T-shirt look better than an Armani suit.

 

My Review:

 

The latest installment of this engaging and entertaining series provided generous portions of steam, humor, and endearing characters who continue to hold my attention and interest. Samantha White needed a vacation and felt she had to escape by fleeing from her agent and controlling manager to get one. She had planned to lay low and hide out at a cabin in a tiny town she remembered fondly from her childhood. One of the first people she ran into was the sexy Dalton Black, her first childhood crush at the age of twelve who was now her new neighbor. Swoon, I’d like to find a handsome man living next door while I was on vacation… a man who could cook in every room and spark all manner of fire. Dalton was the perfect BBF and a big romantic teddy bear who said all the right things.   I am already looking forward to the next installment and trying to guess which character will be the main feature.

 

ABOUT KELLY COLLINS   

.

Kelly Collins writes with the intention of keeping the love alive.

Always a romantic, she is inspired by real-time events mixed with a dose of fiction. She encourages her readers to reach the happily ever after but bask in the afterglow of the perfectly imperfect love.

Kelly lives in Colorado with her husband of twenty-five years. She loves hockey, shiny objects and has a new-found appreciation for green smoothies.

Posted on

Book Review: The Wedding Date by Zara Stoneley

The Wedding Date

by Zara Stoneley

Goodreads

 Amazon  US /  UK   /  iBooks  /  Waterstones

One ex.
One wedding.
One little white lie.

When Samantha Jenkins is asked to be the maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding, she couldn’t be happier. There are just three problems…

1) Sam’s ex-boyfriend, Liam, will be the best man.
2) His new girlfriend is pregnant.
3) Sam might have told people she has a new man when she doesn’t (see points 1 and 2 above)

So, Sam does the only sensible thing available to her… and hires a professional to do the job.

Actor Jake Porter is perfect for the role: single, gorgeous and cheap! Sam is certain it’s the perfect solution: no strings, no heartbreak and hopefully no chance of being found out.

But spending a week in the Scottish Highlands with Jake is harder than she imagined. He is the perfect boyfriend, charming, sexy and the hottest thing in a kilt since Outlander! And his dog Harry is quite possibly the cutest things Sam has ever seen!

As the wedding draws closer, Jake plays his part to perfection and everyone believes he is madly in love with Sam. The problem is, Sam’s not sure if Jake is acting anymore…

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

The drinks are green. I’m never quite sure that anything I eat or drink should be green. Apart from M&Ms.

 

She giggles in what I can only describe as a flirtatious manner and I could swear she’s got a bum wiggle going on as she heads back towards the front door. Bum wiggles should be banned for all mothers, at least when their daughters are there. Particularly if the wiggle is for the benefit of their daughters’ boyfriends. Honestly, it’s indecent, even if he isn’t a proper boyfriend.

 

Dad knows the warning signs, he knows that sometimes, like after a bottle of wine, or a couple of cocktails, she gets stuck in and things can escalate. Like they did in Crete when Juliet said she’d dived in the Commonwealth games, so Mum said she’d dived for the Girl Guides and ten minutes later had to be rescued after a belly flop that half-emptied the pool of water. It added insult to injury when she recovered enough to find her saviour looked more Sumo wrestler than Hoff and he was determined to give her the kiss of life. For some strange reason we didn’t sit by the pool after that; it was all sea, ice-creams and historical monuments.

 

I haven’t had hot sex for at least three years, and that happened by accident when Liam accidentally put the air conditioning on a heat setting he didn’t know it had. I thought he was all hot and sweaty from excitement, and apparently he thought the same about me.

 

‘Steer well clear. I think she must be … what do they call it … vajazzled or something, to have led Liam astray like that… Well, the rest of her isn’t that pretty, is it? … Crystals for your crotch, it said in that magazine article I saw in the hairdresser’s. I’m not sure it would suit me though dear.’ From the look on Dad’s face it wouldn’t suit him either. ‘I’m quite sensitive down there and if you start using superglue you don’t know where it will all end up, do you?’

 

My Review:

 

I alternated between smiling and smirking while I read this amusing tale of relationship woe.   Samantha had been unceremoniously dumped, shortly before her best friend’s wedding, where she was to be the maid of honor, and her ex the best man – awkward. The wedding festivities were to last a week, in Scotland, with friends and family, including the ex and his “hugely” pregnant girlfriend. Yikes – obviously his “double-dipping” had been going on for quite awhile, which crossed the intersection of Uncomfortable and Embarrassing and turned right onto Torture Street! Not wanting to be pitied and unable to find a suitable date, Samantha hired an actor, a sweet and gorgeous man, to be her pretend boyfriend. While the overall premise was not anything new – we’ve all read similar tales – the quirky characters, clever humor, and fresh storylines made this one unique. I adored the twinkly-eyed Jake Porter, who had relationship wounds of his own. Samantha’s mother was an original personality and her scenes provided considerable mirth and gleeful entertainment. I was brand new to Ms. Stoneley’s wily humor but I hope to rectify that oversight going forward; reading her clever words was good fun.

Author Bio –

Born in a small village in Staffordshire, Zara Stoneley wanted to be James Herriot, a spy, or an author when she grew up. Writing novels means she can imagine she is all these things, and more!

Zara’s bestselling novels include ‘The Holiday Swap’, ‘Summer with the Country Village Vet’, ‘Blackberry Picking at Jasmine Cottage’ and the popular Tippermere series – ‘Stable Mates’, ‘Country Affairs’ and ‘Country Rivals’.
She lives in a Cheshire village with her family, a naughty cockapoo, and a very bossy cat, and loves spending time in sunny Spain.

Where you can find her-

Website:http://www.zarastoneley.com
Twitter:@ZaraStoneley
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/ZaraStoneley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zarastoneley/

Posted on

Book Review: The Purrfect Pet Sitter by Carol Thomas

The Purrfect Pet Sitter

by Carol Thomas

Goodreads

Amazon US / UK

B&N

 

Introducing Lisa Blake, the purrfect pet sitter! 
When Lisa Blake’s life in London falls apart, she returns to her hometown rebranding herself as ‘the purrfect pet sitter’ – which may or may not be false advertising as she has a rather unfortunate habit of (temporarily) losing dogs!

But being back where she grew up, Lisa can’t escape her past. There’s her estranged best friend Flick who she bumps into in an embarrassing encounter in a local supermarket. And her first love, Nathan Baker, who, considering their history, is sure to be even more surprised by her drunken Facebook friend request than Lisa is.

As she becomes involved in the lives of her old friends Lisa must confront the hurt she has caused, discover the truth about her mysterious leather-clad admirer, and learn how to move forward when the things she wants most are affected by the decisions of her past.

.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

My Stan, you know, by God he knew how to treat a lady! The things we got up to when we took our bikes out of a Sunday afternoon. You should’ve seen us. Going alfresco, Stan would call it… The daft beggar! Ah, I miss him. I miss every bit of that man, I can tell you…

 

Less impressive were the too-tight-fitting Spiderman costumes worn by a marching band of elderly gentlemen, who were showing off more than their musical skills with the cut of their tights.

 

Uh oh, you didn’t find Napoleon, did you? … Napoleon Boneypart, the skeleton in my closet!

 My Review:

 

I enjoyed this sneakily constructed second-chance romance, despite the slower pace of the developing story. The main character of Lisa Blake was struggling, oh so mightily, with absolutely everything. I wasn’t always as patient with Lisa as I should have been being that I had initially thought her selfish and then rather mousy and easily influenced, as I didn’t fully grasp just how damaged and traumatized she was until I was more than midway through the book.   Oh this clever and wily author, she tucked sly humor into unexpected nooks and crannies and threw several curve balls that kept me a bit on edge by dropping clues and misdirection and deviously planted worrisome seeds to draw my concern in the wrong direction. And I fell for it. Silly me. Ms. Thomas’s writing was engaging, entertaining, and often amusing. I will be watching her for repeat visits.

 

About Carol

Carol Thomas lives on the south coast of England with her husband, four children and lively young Labrador. She has been a playgroup supervisor and taught in primary schools for over fifteen years, before dedicating more of her time to writing. Carol is a regular volunteer at her local Cancer Research UK shop. She has a passion for reading, writing and people watching and can often be found loitering in local cafes working on her next book.

Social Media Links –

http://carol-thomas.co.uk

http://facebook.com/carolthomasauthor

http://twitter.com/carol_thomas2

http://www.pinterest.co.uk/carol_thomas2/

http://www.instagram.com/carol_thomas2/

Posted on

Book Review, Giveaway: Skinny Pants by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

 Skinny Pants

Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

 

.

BUY LINKS

AMAZON | KOBO | B&N | iBOOKS

 

Synopsis:
.

From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

SKINNY PANTS

Book Three, The Happy Pants Café Series

 

SHE ACCIDENTALLY CATFISHED THE PERFECT GUY.

BUT WILL HE EVER LOVE THE REAL HER?

DR. JACK REED has been through hell. His wife cheated on him, broke his heart, and lied for years. But moving on isn’t easy, and it’s impossible to trust women again. Until he meets Macie, a nurse at his new hospital. There’s something about her honest heart that makes him want to fight to get his life back.

NURSE MACIE FRANKLIN was always known as “the fat girl.” After decades of failed diets, she doesn’t dream of ever being anything but invisible to the opposite sex. One moment of weakness and two glasses of bubbly later, she’s in a steamy online chat with “Dr. J-Love” as the fake, size 8, bubbly Catrina.

Their passionate conversation convinces her it’s time to make big life changes. But when she goes to see Dr. Reed, the new amazing surgeon everyone’s talking about, it’s Dr. J-Love! And he’s way hotter in person.

They hit it off a second time as friends, but now Macie’s heart is at risk of falling hopelessly in love. Will he ever love the real her back?

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

Like I’m lower than a cockroach wearing stained underwear.

 She wanted a man who was romantic, but not needy. She wanted someone who would love her forever even when she was ninety, wrinkled, and peed just a little when she sneezed because she’d had beautiful children with him.

 Honey, we are all attracted to him. Reed is complete husband material. And bean-flicking material. And heartbreak, fan-club, tramp-stamp material.

 When you do see him, just remember that he’s only hot on the outside. On the inside, he’s covered in scabs and festering boils.

 My Review:

 

This was my first time experiencing the talented Ms. Pamfiloff’s creatively witty word skills, and I am giddy with delight and bawdy glee over my discovery. I enjoyed this cleverly amusing and engaging tale from beginning to end and had marked several pages of favorite quotes, although many of them could not be used due to Macie’s amusing filthy and creative use of profanity. I adored the robust Macie; she was spunky, endearing, and highly relatable. The storylines were fresh and entertaining with more unexpected curves than Macie’s ample shapeliness. Ms. Pamfiloff’s writing was highly entertaining, thoroughly engaging, and just plain fun. I could kick myself for my careless sloth in taking so long to notice her work. I have been remiss and greedily covet her words.

 

 About the Author

MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling romance author. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dream. Mimi lives with her Latin Lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and the rat terrier duo, Snowflake and Mini Me, in Arizona. She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men

Sign up for Mimi’s mailing list for giveaways and new release news!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Newsletter

GIVEAWAY


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted on

Book Review: Little Teashop of Horrors by Jane Lovering

Little Teashop of Horrors

by Jane Lovering

Goodreads

Amazon US / UK   B&N    Kobo

 

Secrets, lies, carrot cake and an owl called Skrillex!

Amy Knowles has always been the plain sidekick to her pretty best friend Jules. And whilst the tearoom they both work in on the Monkpark Hall estate in Yorkshire is not exactly awash with eligible bachelors, it’s obvious where the male attention is concentrated – and it’s not just on the cakes!

There is one man who notices Amy. Joshua Wilson also works at Monkpark, where he flies his birds of prey for visitor entertainment. He lives a lonely existence but he has reasons for choosing isolation – and, in Amy, he may have found somebody who understands.

Then a management change brings slick and well-spoken Edmund Evershott to Monkpark. He’s interested in Amy too, but for what reason? Josh suspects the new manager is up to no good – but will Amy? Because Edmund could leave her with much worse than a broken heart…

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Jules had a tendency to go off in full pursuit of any man that took her fancy like a whippet after a sausage.

 

Julia pulled the ‘sensible one’ trick, a move so rare that it was probably endangered… Her heels clattered over the waxed and shiny boards, attracting his attention to our approach, while my sensible flats squealed and squeaked like distressed hamsters.

 

That young lady is all fur coat and no knickers. She’ll find herself in trouble one of these days, mark my words.

 

His face was pale and narrow, giving him a sort of ‘shuffled together’ look, as though his features were furniture in an overcrowded room.

 

Julia was so upwardly mobile that she was practically rocket-fuelled.

 

‘Cleaning’ was probably not the right word for what this caravan needed, but flamethrowers are hard to come by.

 

You’re a bridesmaid, Ames, and if you’re not really nice to me I’m putting you in primrose yellow trimmed with puce. And those heels. Well, one heel, one flat, so you sort of lurch.

 

My Review:

 

This book was found treasure. It was a delightfully amusing and well-crafted tale which was sneakily and slowly constructed while we became acquainted with the oddly compelling yet endearing and strangely enticing characters and their heartbreaking histories. I smirked every single time a character was introduced, as each one was uniquely peculiar and described in such a colorful manner they were instantly knowable. The writing was stealthily insightful, acutely observant, and riddled with clever wit and levity. I adored it, even when I wanted to give the mousy main character a kick in her scratchy Edwardian outfit. I greatly admired and greedily covet the author’s vast and artfully nimble word skills and want to read every line she has ever penned. And I proudly have a few new words and phrases for my Brit Vocabulary List – which has become quite voluminous… First up is “go like the clappers” which is to go fast, supposedly like the clappers found in hells bells, then there is “pranny” which Urban Dictionary told me was a cross between prat and fanny but could also be considered an idiot as well as female genitals, so… hmm, seems to be a multitasker.

 

Author Bio –

Jane Lovering was born in Devon and now lives in Yorkshire. She has five children, three cats and two dogs! Jane is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and has a first-class honors degree in creative writing. Jane writes comedies which are often described as ‘quirky’. Her debut Please Don’t Stop the Music won the 2012 Romantic Novel of the Year and the Best Romantic Comedy Novel award from the Romantic Novelists’ Association. Her Christmas novella, Christmas at the Little Village School, was the winner of the RONA Rose Award from the Romantic Novelists’ Association in 2018.

Social Media Links –

www.twitter.com/janelovering

https://www.facebook.com/Jane-Lovering-Author-106404969412833/

www.janelovering.co.uk/