Tuesday, 18 November 2014

Book Review (406): Mistletoe On Main Street (Briar Creek #1) - Olivia Miles


Mistletoe on Main Street (Briar Creek #1)

Publication: 30th September 2014
Publisher: Forever
Pages: 400
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Appropriate: Adult
Buy It:  Goodreads / Amazon / B&N
Sleigh bells, snow, and second chances . . .
Briar Creek's quaint shop windows, cozy homes nestled in snow, and neighborly residents are what Christmas dreams are made of--for everyone except Grace Madison. She left her hometown years ago to pursue a writing career. But when her father's death leaves his bookstore empty, Grace must return to face why she fled Vermont in the first place: Luke Hastings, who still heats her up like a shot of smoky whiskey on a cold winter's night.

Grace is back, and Luke is worried. How much has she changed as a bestselling author in the big city? What memories will she stir up? And was the choice he made five years ago the biggest mistake of his life?

Now, with their past, present, and future rocking around the Christmas tree, it's time for Grace and Luke to face the music . . . and the mistletoe.
My Thoughts.
To say I loved this book was an understatement, there are no words to describe how much I adored this book, as soon as I started reading the first page I was hooked, I could not put it down, my house could have been burning down around me and I wouldn't have known, Olivia's writing grabbed hold of me from the start and wouldn't let go, this book is filled with everything I love in a contemporary romance, it's like Olivia crawled into my head pulled them out and wrote this fantastic book, it has:
* small town romance
* second chance at love
* the story take place at Christmas time
* it features a bookstore
* our main heroine Grace is a best-selling author
* the gorgeous cover (I know that has nothing to do with the story but it's so pretty).

Grace has returned home to Briar Creek for Christmas, having left five years ago to escape her first love Luke and all of the memories, she settled in New York and became a best-selling author just like she'd dreamed off, after her last book received less than stellar reviews Grace has almost given up on her writing career, her one goal while here is to avoid Luke but when driving into town she finds her car stuck in a snow drift and who should come to her aid but the one person she didn't want to see Luke, both shocked at seeing each other again and with a painful history between them things are awkward to say the least.

Arriving home, for the first time since the death of her Dad, Grace is shocked to find her family's house which has in the past won numerous awards for the best decorated house at Christmas with her Mom being known around town for her competitive decorating, barely decorated with just a skinny excuse for a tree and her Mom just a shell of her former self haven't not yet come to terms with her husbands death, when Grave goes to visit her Dads bookstore in town which was his pride and joy she comes to discover that it's been closed, her family knowing how much the shop meant to her were too afraid to tell her knowing how upset she'd be when she found out, Grace decides to try and save the store to be able to afford the next years lease, with a plan in mind to hopefully expand with a cafe into the empty store next door, but things don't go to plan when the owner refuses to give it up, Grace has to come to terms with possibly closing the last link she has to her Dad and also dealing with the tension she incurs every time she's around Luke, will these two ever reconcile the past and realise that they are meant to be?

Filled with love, loss, grief and the rediscovery of the Christmas spirit, this is definitely a great book to pick up over Christmas to get you in the mood and bring you some Christmas cheer.

I eagerly await the next book and I look forward to immersing myself once again in the small town of Briar Creek, Olivia is an author that I will follow closely and who's books will be an auto-buy for me.

Loved the writing, story and the characters, a definite reread, especially closer to Christmas.

Highly recommended.

I give this 5/5 stars.


Olivia Miles lives in Chicago with her husband, young daughter, and two ridiculously pampered pups. As a city girl with a fondness for small-town charm, she enjoys incorporating both ways of life into her stories. Not a day goes by that Olivia doesn’t feel grateful for being able to pursue her passion, and sometimes she does have to pinch herself when she remembers she’s found her own Happily Ever After.




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Sunday, 16 November 2014

Book Review (405): Caged In Winter (Caged In Winter #1) - Brighton Walsh


Caged in Winter (Caged in Winter #1)

Publication: 4th November 2014
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Pages: 304
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Appropriate: New Adult
In this emotional and sexy New Adult debut from Brighton Walsh, the only thing more frightening than commitment is hope…
 
Aspiring chef Cade Maxwell is immediately, viscerally attracted to Winter Jacobson. But it’s not her mouthwatering curves he’s drawn to—it’s the strange emptiness in her eyes. When Cade saves her from a drunken customer with grabby hands, he’s shocked at her response…
 
Winter doesn’t need Cade’s help. After a lifetime of getting by on her own, she’s happy to rely on herself. She’s exactly seventy-six days away from graduating college, and if she can hold it together that long, she’ll finally be able to rise above the crappy hand she was dealt.
 
But now, every time she turns around, Cade is there, ready to push her, smile at her, distract her from her plans. Winter knows she can’t afford to open up—especially to a man she’s terrified to actually want…
My Thoughts.
Every time I pick up a new adult novel it's with a sense of anticipation, I've yet to read a book in this genre that I haven't liked, knowing that this book has had nothing but good reviews and praise heaped upon it, made me quite eager to pick this book up and immerse myself in the world that Brighton has created writing this book.

And I'm delighted to say that I didn't just like this book I adore it, I fell completely in love with the story and the characters, I shed a few tears and ended up putting this book down with a smile on my face.

Winter's secret is heartbreaking, I can understand why she is so closed off and determined that she won't ever have to depend on anybody but herself, life has been hard on her, when we start the book she is seventy-six days away from graduating college with the hope of finding herself a job in her chosen field of graphic design, meanwhile to make ends meet to afford rent and food she works nights at a bar, hating the job but knowing it's the only one she can find that fits around her college classes she gets used to the customers who think that because she has to wear a skimpy uniform that that gives them the right to touch her inappropriately, one night when a guy gets a bit grabby she's saved by Cade who is drawn to Winter immediately, unable to stop thinking about her he shows up every night desperate to know her name and take her out on a date, she eventually relents and they tentively start a relationship, and it's not long before Winter's insecurities, issues of trust and belief that anyone would want her rear there ugly head, can she finally open up to Cade and let go of her past before she loses the best thing that she's ever had in her life.

There's so many things to love about this book, the writing will keep you immersed so that you won't know what's going on around you, forget about putting the book down once you pick it up no matter how many times you tell yourself just one more chapter, before you know it the book is finished and you're left wondering where the time went.

The characters are a highlight here: Winter who is a strong, independent woman struggling to make ends meet but determined that she will do it on her own without anyone's help, but also broken inside and never able to rid herself of the baggage she's been carrying around for so long, never letting anyone see her softer side, too afraid of getting hurt again, and then we have Cade: sexy, strong, caring and more worried about making sure he's there for everybody else than worrying about what he wants, even willing to give up his dream job as a chef so he's there for his sister and niece.
Through being together they'll overcome obstacles and might just make their dreams come true if both of them are willing to let go and give life a chance.

I eagerly await the next book which will be Tessa and Jason's, just from the sneak peek I've read I can tell I'm going to love it already, if you love new adult contemporary romance's then be sure to check this book out, it's amazing.

I give this 5/5 stars.


Brighton Author Photo_Color
Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with writing. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children.


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Book Review (404): What A Woman Gets (Manley Maids #3) - Judi Fennell


What a Woman Gets (Manley Maids #3)

What A Woman Gets is the third book in the Manley Maids series, a fun and enjoyable contemporary romance series sure to leave a smile on your face.

The three Manley brothers have lost a bet to their younger sister, as payment they are to each spend a month cleaning someone's house, this book is about the oldest brother Liam who is sent to clean for Cassidy Davenport a rich socialite who lives off her Dad's fortune, having been burned in the past by an ex-girlfriend who only wanted him for what she could get off him he is not going to make the same mistake twice, when Cassidy is cut off from all her money, apartment, car etc, and is left with just the clothes on her back Liam offers to let her stay at his house, what she doesn't expect is to spend that time cleaning his house to pay her way, Liam soon comes to find that Cassidy is nothing like he thought she'd be, cleaning with no complaints and determined to make her own money and gain her own independence away from under her Dad's thumb, which she's been wanting for quite a while now.

This was my favorite so far of the three books released, I enjoyed seeing the change that Cassidy went through having to give up her life of wealth and privilege and learn to do everyday things that being in her position in life she took for granted, an example was going grocery shopping for the first time ever in her life and she had to work with a budget and then once she got to the checkout discovering that she couldn't afford what she had was a real eye-opener for Cassidy, this story was so well written, I adored these characters and I loved their story so much.

I look forward to Mac's book next, the Manley's Gran has a very good record of matchmaking and I can't wait to see what happens with Mac's story.

One of my favorite contemporary romance series ever, these books are a delightful way to spend your time, definitely a one sit read read, you won't be able to put these books down once you've picked one up.

A great series from a great writer!

I give this 5/5 stars.


Judi FennellJudi Fennell, author of What a Woman Wants and What a Woman Needs, has had her nose in a book and her head in some celestial realm all her life, including those early years when her mom would exhort her to “get outside!” instead of watching Bewitched or I Dream of Jeannie on television. So she did—right into Dad’s hammock with her Nancy Drew books. These days she’s more likely to have her nose in her laptop and her head (and the rest of her) at a favorite writing spot, but she’s still reading either her latest manuscript or her friends’ books, or helping authors bring their books to readers with her formatting business. A PRISM and Golden Leaf Award winner, Judi is the author of lighthearted romantic comedies. She lives in suburban Philadelphia with her own menagerie—which might just include a few of the two-legged kind. Check out excerpts, deleted scenes, reviews, and contests, as well as the chance to dive into a whole new world, on her website, www.JudiFennell.com
Facebook is a great way to keep in touch. Like my author page at:https://www.facebook.com/JudiFennell.Author?ref=hl
my website is: www.JudiFennell.com

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Friday, 14 November 2014

Book Review (403): Jane Austen's First Love - Syrie James


Jane Austen's First Love

Publication: 5th August 2014
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Pages: 400
Genre: Historical Romance
Age Appropriate: Adult
Inspired by Actual Events 
Fifteen-year-old Jane Austen dreams of three things: doing something useful, writing something worthy, and falling madly in love. When she visits her brother in Kent to celebrate his engagement, she meets wealthy, devilishly handsome Edward Taylor—a fascinating young man who is truly worthy of her affections. Jane knows a match between her and Edward is unlikely, but every moment she spends with him makes her heart race—and he seems to return her interest. Much to her displeasure, however, there is another seeking his attention
 
Unsure of her budding relationship, Jane seeks distraction by attempting to correct the pairings of three other prospective couples. But when her matchmaking aspirations do not all turn out as anticipated, Jane discovers the danger of relying on first impressions. The human heart cannot be easily deciphered, nor can it be directed or managed. And if others must be left to their own devices in matters of love and matrimony, can Jane even hope to satisfy her own heart?
My Thoughts.
I have to start out by saying that I'm not too familiar with Jane Austen, I've only read one book of hers which was 'Pride And Predjudice' which I picked up after enjoying a movie adaptation of said book, however of her personal life I pretty much know nothing, so when the opportunity arose to review this book I was intrigued enough to give it a go, being a fan of historical romance's worked in this book's favor as well.

While this is fiction it's based on true events, helped along by letters written by Jane all those years ago, I've also come to discover that the author is a Jane Austen officiando, so who better to write a book about her younger years, especially as this is not the first book she's written about Jane.

We are taken back to 1791, Jane was fifteen and this was the year she would meet and fall in love with Edward Taylor.

Travelling to Kent with her family to celebrate her older brother's engagement is where she meets Edward for the first time, surrounded by wealth and privilege, her time here will leave a lasting impression that will stay with her for the rest of her life, and just maybe gave her the ideas to come up with the stories she was so famous for.

This is the story you never knew you wanted to know,

For all of you Jane Austen buffs this is one book you need to get your hands on.

Syrie's writing gives you the feeling that you're there with Jane, experiencing everything with her, a fascinating look into the life of one of the greatest authors who ever lived, who still leaves an impression today all these years later of the work she left behind.

I give this 3.5 stars.


Syrie James is the bestselling author of nine critically acclaimed novels, including The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen, The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte, Nocturne, Dracula My Love, Forbidden, and The Harrison Duet: Songbird and Propositions. Her books have been translated into eighteen foreign languages.

Syrie was named after a character in a radio show that her mother listened to as a girl. Today, Syrie is thrilled that her name is pronounced exactly the same as Siri, the iPhone personal assistant--even if they spell the name incorrectly. :)

Syrie has long been a fan of British literature of the 19th century. She also enjoys reading in a variety of other genres, including historical fiction, paranormal fiction, women's fiction, biography, memoir, romance, mystery, and the classics.

Two of Syrie's favorite authors are Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë. Syrie's husband Bill, who has joined her in watching all the film versions of Miss Austen's novels several times over and every film version of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights ever made, has come to share her enthusiasm, if not her obsession. Syrie also enjoys writing about brilliant, sympathetic, charismatic vampires ... and the paranormal. It was a truly wonderful experience to co-author the novel Forbidden with her son Ryan.

Syrie lived in Paris when she was seven years old, and had visited more than two dozen countries by age eight, which instilled in her a lifelong love of traveling. Her other favorite pursuits include movies, theater, great food, playing games with family and friends, Scrabble, photography, sewing, and the out of doors. Syrie designed and maintains her website, syriejames.com, and she welcomes visitor and messages! Like Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë, Syrie is very fond of the countryside, and loves taking long walks. 

Syrie lives with her family in Los Angeles, California. She is a member of the WGA, RWA, and a life member of JASNA (the Jane Austen Society of North America). She spent many years as a screenwriter and enjoys writing both novels and screenplays. 

Syrie writes practically every weekday from 10 - 6. She says, "Many people can't wait for the weekend to arrive. It's the opposite for me. I truly love my jam-packed weekends, but from the time I turn off the computer on Friday evening to the moment I'm back in my chair on Monday morning, I'm anxious to get back to the characters I left in limbo, who are just waiting for me to continue their story." 

Syrie James Website
Syrie James Twitter


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Book Review (402): Make You Remember (Dumont Bachelors #2) - Macy Beckett


Make You Remember (Dumont Bachelors #2)

Make You Remember is the second book in the Dumont Bachelors series, the series is based around a long ago curse bestowed upon the Dumont family by the late Juliette Mauvais, the legendary Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, after she was jilted at the altar by a Dumont, she deemed that all Dumont males shall remain bachelors, never to marry, and that has been true for the last ninety-nine years.

Ten years ago Devyn Mauvais was in a relationship with Beau Dumont, on graduation night he just upped and left leaving Devyn just a note to say that he'd joined the marines, never recovering from his abandoning her Devyn has become hardened and disillusioned with love.

When Beau reappears in her life and plans to stay and win her back, he finds a way to get her a job aboard his family's riverboat, in debt and jobless she agrees, but being close to him brings back all of the feelings that Devyn had fought so hard to hide away, if she gives Beau another chance can she trust him enough not to disappear again and leave her heartbroken like before, and can Beau beat the family curse?

I really enjoyed the relationship between these two, the chemistry sizzled and the romance was hot!

I can't wait for the next book, I eagerly await which I hope to be Alex and Ella-Claire's book.

Highly recommended.

I give this 4/5 stars.


She writes hot and humorous romances set in the fictional towns of Sultry Springs, Texas and Cedar Bayou, Louisiana, where first loves find second chances. She also writes romantic sci-fi for young adults under the name Melissa Landers. Check out ALIENATED, now available from Disney-Hyperion, and the sequel INVADED, coming February 3, 2015.
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Friday, 7 November 2014

Book Review (401): I Saw Her Standing There (Green Mountain #3) - Marie Force


I Saw Her Standing There (Green Mountain #3)

Publication: 4th November 2014
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 400
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Appropriate: Adult
There’s a budding romance on Butler Mountain, but in the hornets’ nest known as the Abbott family, keeping a secret is no easy feat…

Colton Abbott and Lucy Mulvaney have a secret. Colton’s nosy siblings have begun to put the pieces together, but it’s not like Lucy to keep things from those closest to her—especially her best friend, Cameron, who recently moved to Vermont to live with her true love, Will. But Lucy isn’t about to tell Cam she’s having a fling…with Will’s brother.

Flitting between New York and Vermont is exhausting, so Lucy is looking forward to a long weekend with Colton at the Abbott family lake house in Burlington. Too bad Will and Cameron have the same idea, and once Colton and Lucy are caught red-handed (and red-faced), will their clandestine romance lose its appeal or will their secret beginnings be the start of something lasting?
My Thoughts.
I Saw Her Standing There is a delightfully fun contemporary romance, book three in the Green Mountain series, continuing the love lives and dramas of the Abbott siblings.

Theses books are extremely enjoyable with each and every new couple providing laughs and drama as they work towards their happily ever afters.

Following Colton Abbott and Lucy Mulvaney as they continue their secret romance, they are busted when Colton's older brother Will and his girlfriend Cameron, who also happens to be Lucy's best-friend, plan to spend the weekend at the Abbott family's lake cabin and arrive there to find Colton already there with Lucy, once the cat is out of the bag it's not long before news of their relationship has spread through the small town, the problem is the logistics of the distances that they both live, Colton in Vermont and Lucy in New York, with neither not wanting to leave their hometown's, how are they going to make this a permanent thing when there's six hours distance separating them?

Another great installment in this series, which is a definite must read and has me anxious for the fourth book.

I've fallen completely in love with the Abbott's, their town and their stories, Marie has brought to life a wonderful series that will keep you captivated and thirsty for more.

I give this 4/5 stars.


With more than 3 million books sold, Marie Force is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 contemporary romances. HerNew York Times bestselling self-published McCarthys of Gansett Island Series has sold more than 1 million e-books since Maid for Lovewas released in 2011. She is also the author of theNew York Times bestselling Fatal Series from Harlequin’s Carina Press, as well as the Treading Water Series and numerous stand-alone books.All You Need is Love, book 1 in her new Green Mountain Series from Berkley Sensation, was aNew York Times and USA Today bestseller in February. The second book, I Want to Hold Your Hand, will be out in June, and the third book, I Saw Her Standing There, is coming in November. In 2014, Marie will have eight mass-market print releases—the first five Fatal Series books from Harlequin and the first three Green Mountain Series books from Berkley. While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and she is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two teenagers and two feisty dogs, Brandy and Louie.
Join Marie's mailing list for news about new books and other possible appearances in your area. Follow her on Twitter @marieforce and on Facebook. Join one of Marie's many reader groups by viewing the complete list here. Contact Marie atmarie@marieforce.com.


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Friday, 31 October 2014

(ARC) Book Review (400): Chasing Power - Sarah Beth Durst



Chasing Power

Publication: 14th October 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 376
Genre: Fantasy
Age Appropriate: Young Adult
Buy It: Amazon  /  Barnes & Noble  /  Book Depository
Sixteen-year-old Kayla was born with the ability to move things with her mind-things like credit cards and buttons on cash registers-and she has become a master shoplifter. She steals to build up enough money for her and her mom to be able to flee if her dad finds them again . . . which would mean grave danger for them both. 

When she's caught stealing by a boy named Daniel-a boy with the ability to teleport-he needs her help and is willing to blackmail her to get it. Together, they embark on a quest to find and steal an ancient incantation, written on three indestructible stones and hidden millennia ago, all to rescue Daniel's kidnapped mother. But Kayla has no idea that this rescue mission will lead back to her own family-and to betrayals that she may not be able to forgive . . . or survive.
My Thoughts.
Chasing Power is an exciting and adventure-filled standalone novel, a tale filled with magical abilities with the sites of the world as it's setting.

Like a scavenger hunt only with ancient items that need to be found, it's a life and death situation where to lose is to gamble on one of our main protagonist Mum's life.

Kayla is a sixteen-year old girl who has a gift, she has telekinesis and has used her ability to steal, money, jewelery whatever she feels like, she takes what she can and saves it for the moment she and her Mum are on the run again, from her abusive Father, Moonbeam who we know as Kayla's Mum, doesn't know that she uses her ability, she has in fact forbidden her from using her telekinesis even in the safety of her own home, one day she gets caught by Daniel a boy who has an ability of his own, he can teleport and he desperately needs Kayla's help to rescue his kidnapped Mum, so after being blackmailed by him she agrees to help and it's here where the action starts.

There's never a dull moment, danger seems to be around every corner, and then there's a bit of romance thrown in as well between Kayla and Daniel.

This was the first book that I've ever read of Sarah Beth Durst, while I do own other books of hers I've yet to have the opportunity to pick them up, however after reading and loving this book I'll be sure to put them higher up on my tbr pile.

Sarah has created an extremely enjoyable tale, with engaging characters and a plot that will surely keep you on the edge of your seat.

Highly recommended.

I give this 4/5 stars.


Sarah Beth Durst is the author of nine fantasy novels for children, teens, and adults, including Conjured, Vessel, and Ice. Her most recent YA novel, Chasing Power, came out in October 2014 from Bloomsbury, and her most recent book for adults, The Lost, came out in June 2014 from Harlequin/Mira. She was awarded the 2013 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature and has been a finalist for SFWA's Andre Norton Award three times. She is a graduate of Princeton University, where she spent four years studying English, writing about dragons, and wondering what the campus gargoyles would say if they could talk. Sarah lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband and children. For more information, visit her at www.sarahbethdurst.com.

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