Release date - 10th July 2017
Book length - 352 pages Publisher - belgraviabooks.com/ab Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK A new colleague and a mysterious admirer make life infinitely more interesting for House of Commons secretary Grace, but is everything really as it seems? Grace Ambrose, Brett Beamish and Reuben Swift appear to have little in common, but as each of them negotiates metropolitan life, they find their fates entwined. Arty, liberal-minded House of Commons secretary Grace has been counting the tea breaks in the same dull job for approaching a decade and feels she could do something better … if only she knew what. New recruit Brett, a smooth, high-flying Australian, is on a mission to shake up the dusty backrooms of power – and on a collision path with Grace. Office life begins to look up when Grace receives an email from an admirer with musical and poetic talents … but is soulful, enigmatic Reuben Swift really who he says he is? MY REVIEW THE THREAT LEVEL REMAINS SEVERE by Rowena MacDonald was for me a novel of two completely different parts. In the first part of the story, we get to know Grace Ambrose who is working for the House of Commons. When the new boy arrives in her office, Grace instantly dislikes the arrogant and often condescending Brett, but somehow their dynamic subtly changes between them and their feelings change along the way. But there is the ever-present mystery man who keeps emailing Grace, adding a little bit more excitement to her day. There are plenty of light-hearted and enjoyable moments in this section of the novel as the reader begins to understand the main characters and gets a feel for their quirks, hopes, and dreams. In the second part of the book, Grace's online mystery man, Reuben Swift, takes a more prominent role, and it is with this action that the novel seems to take a darker, more serious edge. The mood switches from laid back to tense and I definitely found myself reading a little quicker so I could find out how it all would end. THE THREAT LEVEL REMAINS SEVERE by Rowena MacDonald is an intriguing story and I definitely enjoyed it. The pace is unusual as it is slower in the first section and more energetic later on as the atmosphere and plot changed. While not all of the characters were likeable, they were all fascinating and overall, I found it an interesting read. Author Bio: Rowena Macdonald was born on the Isle of Wight, grew up in the West Midlands and now lives in East London. Her debut collection, Smoked Meat, was short-listed for the 2012 Edge Hill Prize. Her short stories have won various prizes and been published by Galley Beggar Press, Influx Press, Ambit, Unthank Books and Serpent’s Tail, among others. Her second short story collection will be published by Influx Press in 2018. Her debut novel, The Threat Level Remains Severe, will be published in summer 2017 by Aardvark Bureau. For more information: Twitter - twitter.com/RowenaMacdonald *I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.com
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Release date - 29th June 2017
Book length - 316 pages Publisher - www.harpercollins.co.uk Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK Novice stylist Amber Green is taking on the glittering celebrity world of Manhattan one fashion disaster and wardrobe malfunction at a time! When her TV producer boyfriend Rob announces that he’s been offered a job in New York, filming with the infamous Angel Wear lingerie models, Amber knows its her perfect chance to take the New York fashion world by storm. But Amber wasn’t counting on unruly toddler photo shoots, clandestine designer handbag scams and a Hollywood star who is determined to wear as little as possible on the red carpet. Until she meets a disgraced former designer who could turn her career around…or leave it all in tatters. Fun, adventure, glamour and high-fashion make this is the perfect feel good women’s fiction read. MY REVIEW I didn't realise that this novel was a sequel when I requested it from Netgalley and having never read the first book in this series, I wasn't sure if AMBER GREEN TAKES MANHATTAN would work as a standalone but work it most certainly does. Five months into her relationship with Rob and Amber is deliriously happy. She enjoys her job as a window specialist in Selfridges and everything seems to be going in the right direction. But when Rob gets a job opportunity in New York filming lingerie models, Amber fears that this will ruin everything for them, until Rob asks her to go with him. With a sabbatical from her job, Amber and Rob make their way to the Big Apple, where Amber still dreams of being a stylist with the wow factor, and with a knack for making friends easily, it seems like her dreams are about to come true. Being in New York even makes her closer to her loved-up best friend - could life be any more perfect? But as Amber throws herself into the fashion world and all it entails, is she sacrificing her relationship? And is everything as perfect as it seems for those she loves? With hilarious escapades, witty dialogue, and characters that you will fall in love with, AMBER GREEN TAKES MANHATTAN by Rosie Nixon is everything you need in a contemporary romance and more. The fashion world comes alive in front of your eyes and you really will find yourself laughing out loud many times throughout this story. I had planned to read this book for an hour before bed but ended up devouring it in one sitting as I became engrossed in Amber's world. Addictive, enjoyable, and endearing, AMBER GREEN TAKES MANHATTAN by Rosie Nixon is a must-read for 2017, and I cannot wait for more from this author. Author Bio: Rosie Nixon is an author and Editor-in-Chief of HELLO! magazine where she has worked for the past eight years and has a love of all things celebrity, royal and fashion-related. Rosie previously held senior positions at glossy women's magazines including Grazia, Glamour and Red. In her career she has been lucky enough to attend a multitude of glamorous award ceremonies, premieres, celebrity weddings and showbiz events all around the world. Ever discreet and protective of the stars she has worked with, Rosie's experience has undoubtedly enabled her to write her debut novel The Stylist (published February 2016) and the sequel The Stylist Takes Manhattan (to be published in 2017). For more information: Twitter - twitter.com/Rosie_Nixon *I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.com Release date - 3rd July 2017 (Paperback)
Book length - 260 pages Publisher - orendabooks.co.uk Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK When India falls to her death from a bridge over a railway, her sister Poppy returns home to Brighton for the first time in years. Unconvinced by official explanations, Poppy begins her own investigation into India’s death. But the deeper she digs, the closer she comes to uncovering deeply buried secrets. Could Matthew Temple, the boyfriend she abandoned, be involved? And what of his powerful and wealthy parents, and his twin sister, Ana? Enter the mysterious and ethereal Jenny: the girl Poppy discovers after hacking into India’s laptop. What is exactly is she hiding, and what did India find out about her? Taking the reader on a breathless ride through the winding lanes of Brighton, into its vibrant party scene and inside the homes of its well-heeled families, The Other Twin is a startling and up-to-the-minute thriller about the social-media world, where resentments and accusations are played out online, where identities are made and remade, and where there is no such thing as truth MY REVIEW Outstanding. Superb. Epic. These are just some of the words that could be used to describe the psychological masterpiece titled THE OTHER TWIN by L V Hay. Compelling from the first moment, this story will drag you into its grip and refuse to let you go until the very end, where you will lie spent, emotionally exhausted. Four years ago Poppy walked away from her sister, her family home in Brighton, and her boyfriend Matthew, to start a new life in London which did not turn out how the way she expected it to. When she receives a panicked phone call from her mother, Poppy is sure that something must have happened to her gentle step-dad, Tim. But what she hears will shatter her world apart in ways she cannot begin to fathom. Her feisty, strong, younger sister is dead. Suicide. Returning home, Poppy tries to reach her mother to find some answers but she is lost in her grief and is struggling to function. As Poppy continues to piece together the puzzle that was India's life, she is determined to uncover the truth because Poppy is certain of one thing - her sister was murdered that night. With old friends, enemies, and lovers re-entering her life, Poppy knows that she is missing something crucial and believes if she could only find the elusive Jenny, the truth would all come tumbling out. But the closer Poppy gets, the more dangerous it becomes because someone is pulling all of the strings in this dance and they will do whatever it takes to protect their secrets. This dark novel set my pulse racing and for most of the story, I had a tense, cloying feeling swirling in my stomach, as I had a hunch that once the secrets and lies came to light, it would be heartbreaking in so many ways. THE OTHER TWIN by L V Hay is a haunting tale with characters that get under your skin and really get into your head. The plot is exceptionally unique and excellently-paced with short snappy chapters from different characters point of view which gives the reader a real insight into the minds of the characters, and the ending was truly shocking. THE OTHER TWIN by L V Hay is a psychological thriller that will blow your mind and you need to read it now!!! And while you are in the shopping mood take a look at everything that Orenda Books are publishing because from my experience so far, this Publisher can do no wrong. Author Bio: Lucy V. Hay is a novelist, script editor and blogger who helps writers via her Bang2Write consultancy. She is the associate producer of Brit Thrillers Deviation (2012) and Assassin (2015), both starring Danny Dyer. Lucy is also head reader for the London Screenwriters' Festival and has written two non-fiction books, Writing & Selling Thriller Screenplays, plus its follow-up Drama Screenplays. She lives in Devon with her husband, three children, six cats and five African Land Snails. For more information: Website - www.lucyvhayauthor.com Twitter - twitter.com/LucyVHayAuthor Facebook - www.facebook.com/LucyHayB2W/ *I want to thank Anne Cater, Orenda Books, and the author, Lucy V. Hay, for the opportunity to review this gripping novel, and take part in this wonderful blog tour. Don't forget to take a peek at the other stops along the way! Release date - 4th July 2017
Book length - 322 pages Publisher - Berkley www.penguin.com/publishers/berkley/ Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK A beautiful computer hacker and a bad-boy FBI agent must collaborate—in more ways than one—in the sizzling new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood. Allison Trent doesn’t look like a hacker. In fact, when she’s not in college working on her degree, she models on the side. But behind her gorgeous face is a brilliant mind for computers and her real love is writing—and hacking—code. Her dream is to write a new security program that could revolutionize the tech industry. Hotshot FBI agent Liam Scott has a problem: a leak deep within his own department. He needs the skills of a top-notch hacker to work on a highly sensitive project: to secretly break into the FBI servers and find out who the traitor is. But he can’t use one of his own. He finds the perfect candidate in Allison. Only, there’s one problem—she wants nothing to do with his job and turns him down flat. What Liam doesn’t know is that Allison is hiding secrets that she doesn’t want the FBI to uncover. But Liam will do nearly anything to persuade her to join his team, even break a few rules if that’s what it takes. A temptation that could put his job—and both of their futures—on the line… and longing for more . . . MY REVIEW Allison Trent has not had it easy growing up - losing her parents at such a young age and then having to live on tenterhooks at her Aunt and Uncle's home where she and her sister were never made welcome. There is just one constant in her life that gave her the escape she needed - computers. More specifically code, hacking and all that that entails. Now that Allison is almost finished her degree, she knows what she wants from her future. But when her relatives keep dragging her down, and the FBI suddenly show an interest in her skills, life becomes a lot more complicated and dangerous. And whenever Allison is around Agent Liam Scott, she knows that she could lose the most important thing of all to him - her heart. Liam Scott's entire life is dedicated to the FBI and he has no problem living out of a suitcase and jumping from country to country as he is needed. But when he needs Allison Trent's special skills to uncover a leak in his own agency, she is a threat to so much more than national security. Because when he is around her, she stirs up feelings that he has never had before, and he finds himself falling for this beautiful, intelligent, and loyal woman. But his life is dangerous, and as Allison becomes a target, Liam will do whatever it takes to protect his asset, even if it means protecting her from himself. Fast-paced, exciting, and seriously hot, WIRED by Julie Garwood is everything you want in a romantic suspense novel and then some. Allison is a kick-ass character who is so intelligent and caring, never giving up on those she feels deserves a second chance and always helping right injustices in any way she can. But it is only when she comes into contact with Liam that she begins to realise that she has hidden away inside her computer for most of her life and that she wants more for her future. Liam is sexy, protective, strong, and really likeable, and I really enjoyed watching him open up in this story. While there is some technical language in this novel, it is not overpowering and really adds to the development of the plot. I devoured WIRED by Julie Garwood and honestly, as soon as you pick up this book, you will not want to put it back down. So what are you waiting for? Time to get buying. Author Bio: With more than 35 million books in print and 26 NEW YORK TIMES bestsellers, Julie Garwood has earned a position among America's favorite fiction writers. Born and raised in Kansas City, MO, Ms. Garwood attributes much of her success to growing up in a large family of Irish heritage. "The Irish are great storytellers who relish getting all of the details and nuances of every situation. Add in the fact that I was the sixth of seven children. Early in life, I learned that self expression had to be forceful, imaginative, and quick," says Ms. Garwood. She began her writing career when the youngest of her three children entered school. After the publications of two young-adult books, she turned her talents to historical fiction. Her first novel, GENTLE WARRIOR, was published by Pocket Books in 1985. Since then, she has branched into other genres including contemporary romantic suspense. Today, her name appears regularly on the bestseller lists of every major publication in the country, and her books are translated into dozens of languages around the world. Her bestselling novel FOR THE ROSES was adapted for the HALLMARK HALL OF FAME television movie ROSE HILL. Ms. Garwood lives in Leawood, KS and is currently working on her next novel. For more information: Website - juliegarwood.com Twitter - twitter.com/juliegarwood Facebook - www.facebook.com/JulieGarwood *I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.com Release date - 10th July 2017
Book length - 207 pages Publisher - Self-Published Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK What happens when an author's characters rewrite her love life? Could Ivy Byrd’s life get any worse? Now that she’s inherited the house she grew up in, it’s up to her to bring it up to code, or in two weeks she’s losing her last link to her parents. And she is losing it, in more ways than one. More like three—three guests. Correction, three delusions. A career-driven doctor, a demure Victorian English lady, and a snarkier, sex-obsessed, larger-cup-size version of herself. Heroines of her unfinished novels, all of whom fell out of her laptop when lightning struck the house. Which reminds Ivy of the hole in the roof, and the flash-fried wiring. The last thing she needs? Her delusions playing matchmaker to hook her up with the blond, blue-eyed, Nordic god of a handyman who’s just knocked on the door. A.J. looks like he could have stepped out of one of her unfinished novels. He’s kind, sexy…and she should keep him at arm’s length. Except Vanessa, Elizabeth, and Mary Sue are anxious for her to type The End on their novels. And the only way to get their happy-ever-after is to make sure Ivy gets hers. MY REVIEW The last six years have been really tough on Ivy Byrd as she watched both of her parents fade away in front of her eyes. Alone in the house that she grew up in, Ivy is determined that she won't lose her home too but with the debt piling up and the house in a major state of disrepair, it looks like she will need a miracle if she is ever going to make this work. When a severe storm hits and lightening strikes, Ivy wakes up to more damage and a whole lot of trouble in the shape of three women who are eager to help her sort out her life. Convinced that she is having some sort of breakdown, Ivy cannot believe for one second that these characters from her unfinished stories have magically come to life. But as the days past and the troublemakers bring mischief and the possibility of love into Ivy's life, she will learn so much about herself and what joy life can bring if you only open yourself up to the possibilities. STRUCK THROUGH by Terri Meeker is a wonderfully entertaining story about life, loss, and learning to believe in yourself. Ivy knows that she has a problem finishing things from her novels to her DIY projects, but when she is forced to face her demons head on and accept help when it is offered, her character truly begins to shine. I love the three ladies who burst into Ivy's life and commandeer it at every opportunity. Elizabeth is so refined and caring, Vanessa is an intelligent go-getter who knows what she wants, and Mary-Sue is the louder, more confident, brash version of Ivy herself. Together they are hilariously compelling and I really enjoyed the connection that existed between all of the characters in this story, especially AJ who is just such a sweetheart. STRUCK THROUGH by Terri Meeker is a must-read for fiction fans everyone and if you need a little sprinkle of magic in your life then look no further than this captivating tale. Author Bio: Terri Meeker is supposed to write her author blurb in the third person. It’s just how things are done. She shouldn’t question it, but then she’s always been difficult. Even in high school, her best friend’s mother described her as ‘eccentric’ before urging her daughter to make friends with a nice, normal girl. Born in Wyoming, Terri now lives on Fidalgo Island in Washington State. An ex-history teacher, she’s loved learning about the past since childhood and has been fortunate to live in lots of interesting places: Washington DC, Philadelphia, Virginia Beach, Albuquerque, Missouri and Mons, Belgium. She’s a mom of 3 humans, two dogs and two cats. She’s also a Whedonite, a gamer and a ginormous nerd. Needless to say, she loves to write. Terri is really getting into this third person thing and thinks it will give her a lot of gravitas during future dinner conversations. She thinks you should probably start doing it as well. Oh, and you should absolutely connect on FB or drop her a line. She’s really friendly. For more information: Website - terrimeeker.com Twitter - twitter.com/ActualTerri Facebook - www.facebook.com/authorterrimeeker/ *I want to thank Terri Meeker for the opportunity to review this riveting novel!! Release date - 29th June 2017 Book length - 338 pages Publisher - www.bookpublishing.co.uk ABOUT THE BOOK When retired architect Arthur Howard receives an unexpected invitation from the elegant businesswoman he has just met, her promise of two weeks of incredible sex is enough to persuade him to forget his stale marriage and follow her to India. Leaving thoughts of his younger wife Ester far behind, Rani leads Arthur into paradise; her home lies in a beautiful valley filled with quiet villages, tranquil lakes, tea plantations and crocus fields, a place where his every need is catered for and his attention sought wherever he goes. But danger lies hidden here. Arthur discovers that Rani and the other villagers he meets in this rural Indian idyll are the descendents of an ancient civilization, thought to be merely mythical. From his contact with them, he succumbs to a mysterious illness that keeps him bedridden for a long period in a darkened room. Confused and stricken, Arthur’s days and nights are haunted by wild dreams; when he is unable to sleep, he reminisces about early love affairs and fears for his failing relationship with Ester until he is unable to distinguish dreams from reality. BUY LINKS: Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Molly-Fish-Jack-McMasters/dp/1911525697/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497981606&sr=8-1&keywords=molly+fish Barnes and Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/molly-fish-jack-mcmasters/1126392450?ean=9781911525691 AUTHOR BIO: After growing up on a farm in northeast Missouri, McMasters joined the United States Air Force after attending the University of Missouri where he was sent to High Wycombe, England. He currently resides in Norfolk with his wife. While researching Molly Fish, McMasters travelled to India where he competed in the Karma Enduro, a 2,000 kilometer trek through the Western Ghats. He has previously published two short story collections, Iron(ing) Man and The Cucumber Murders and been featured by Škoda Magazine and the Eastern Daily Press. I WANT TO THANK RACHEL FROM www.authoright.com AND THE AUTHOR, JACK MCMASTERS, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN THIS BLOG TOUR. READ ON FOR A FASCINATING GUEST POST ABOUT THE ATTRACTION OF 'LOST' CIVILIZATIONS GUESTPOST
The Attraction of 'Lost' Civilizations What attracts us so to tales of ancient worlds, the Egyptians, Mayans, Incas, Aztecs or even Atlantians and why do we find them so entrancing? I can only speculate on behalf of others, but my observations seem to confirm that there is continued interest in them by a wide cross section of the population. I can trace my own interest back to two occurrences. The first was seeing at the cinema, when I was ten years old, a film about a young couple who, after battling through the Amazon jungle, arrive at the lost city of Machu Picchu. Even though the film was in black and white, the grandeur of this ancient city was enough to make a very strong impression on someone growing up in the Midwest of America. The second was a little less impressive. I'd never been particularly keen on history in school; I found fictional stories of King Arthur and Robin Hood exciting, but the ins and outs of the Peninsular Wars, the French Revolution and the Colonization of America seemed little more than a memory test of names and dates. The Greeks and the Romans however were a little more interesting to me and when at nineteen I began living in England and discovered that the Romans had been here for four hundred years, something I'd conveniently forgotten from all those classes, I was suddenly hooked. Thus began my love with history and history is filled with lost civilizations; the Sumerians, the Akkads, the Hittites, the Medes, the Asyrians, the Babylonians, and the Egyptians, but especially intriguing to me are the people of the Indus Valley. Possibly that is because most of those I've named did not mysteriously disappear, but merely evolved into or were assimilated by a later culture, while the Indus people seemed to have flourished successfully for two thousand years in an area that runs the full length of what is now the Pakistan-Indian border, before disappearing completely. Over a thousand town and villages, with a population of five million, have been identified and ninety one have been excavated since first being discovered in the nineteenth century. Unique amongst the other major civilizations of the time, the height of the Indus culture ran from about 3,300 to 1,300 BC coincidentally with the early Egyptians and Mesopotamians, was the lack of fortifications in their towns, indicating a peaceful people. They were also noted for their use of baked brick houses, rather than mud-brick, with elaborate urban planning and complete water supply and drainage systems. Artifacts discovered would indicate that they developed sophisticated techniques for crafts and the use of metals. The demise of such an advanced urban culture is still pondered upon by those who have studied them. If we are to write science fiction, we have to speculate on what might happen in the future; how people live, how events will turn out and what turmoil and political structures will be created. When writing about the past, there is cold hard evidence of these ancient cities and civilizations to intrigue us. There are writers from many of the ancient worlds to tell us their stories, but they only hint at the political intrigue and the complexities of their daily lives. Some are writing from stories generated perhaps hundred of years earlier. My favourite of these authors is the writer Herodotus, often described as the first historian because of his travels and because he wrote in the fifth century BC his stories are of the Aegean and Persian world, but there are others from both the Greek and Roman periods, Homer, Plutarch, Virgil and Suetonius that are no less fascinating. For a writer of fiction, all of these worlds can be a rich source of inspiration and can positively arouse the imagination. I've not yet had the opportunity to visit the, to me, magical sites of Ephesus, Babylon, Petra, Memphis or Ankora, but museums such the British Museum hold so many artifacts from these earlier civilizations that one can only wonder how most of these objects could have been created. So many skills seem to have been lost and it appears unlikely that anyone could today re-create the objects that once appear to have been, if not common, at least widely available to those with great wealth. From what we do know of the past it would seem there has been little evolution in our emotions. The ancients felt anger, love, fear, jealousy, ambition, disappointment and sorrow just as we do today. With this in mind, it is relatively easy to imagine scenarios that could come from our own world, but with the mystery of a setting unlike anything we see around us. As long as we research our subject enough to provide some logic to our stories, we can create plots that are sufficiently different to our own world, yet similarly filled with emotions, dangers and problems to be resolved, to be recognizable. When I am finally able one day to personally visit the places that I long to, I'm sure it will unleash a wave of new stories from my pen. Release date - 26th June 2017
Book length - 240 pages Publisher - www.koehlerbooks.com Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK When he is diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition at the age of seventeen, Asa is certain that his adventures have come to an end. He is alone, having been abandoned by parents who never wanted him and a village that couldn’t raise him. However, as the bells start to ring, those are the least of his problems. The evil sorcerer Erebus has the land of Eodem under his control. Thrust into a world of distrust and aggression, Asa can rely on just one person: his friend Averett. The wall that divides Eodem seems to be an unobtainable goal, and danger is always one step ahead. MY REVIEW HIS FROZEN FINGERTIPS by Charlotte Bowyer is a Young Adult Fantasy novel that will charm and excite you as you get lost among the pages. It is a story of friendship and love, and the search for hope, for good to triumph over evil. Asa is not your typical teenager as he has been forced to grow up much quicker than his peers. Working and living on his own has given him a certain maturity but when he is around his best friend, Averett, the reader gets to see a more light-hearted side to both of these interesting characters. When Asa discovers that he has a serious health condition at the same time that he receives an invitation to see the Queen of Eodem on a matter of importance, Asa sees it as his chance to do something really important - if he is going to die, he would rather die on a quest than sitting at home. Averett will not stand by and watch Asa face untold dangers alone and immediately volunteers to go with him. As we get an insight into the unusual and magical world that they live in, we become a part of this beautiful friendship and the love that exists between them, as they set off to stop the reign of horror caused by the evil sorcerer Erebus, and who knows how it all will end... I will admit that this story was a little slow at the start, but it was not long before I completely fell into the action, and I finished this book in one evening. I enjoyed the magical/fantasy element a lot, and the characters really wormed their way into my heart. Overall I really enjoyed HIS FROZEN FINGERTIPS by Charlotte Bowyer and look forward to more from this author. Author Bio: Inspired by my love of fantasy, I wrote my debut novel, ‘His Frozen Fingertips’, at the age of fifteen.I am a firm believer in freedom of expression and diversity, and attend Pride in London on an annual basis as well as being a vocal feminist. To quote Lin-Manuel Miranda, ‘love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love, cannot be killed or swept aside’. I hope that my works are able to represent the passion that I feel for these issues, and incite other people to get involved in the struggle for equality. For more information: Website - charlottebowyerwriter.com Twitter - twitter.com/WriterBowyer Facebook - www.facebook.com/charlottebowyerwriter Instagram - www.instagram.com/charlottebowyerwriter/ *I want to thank www.bookollective.com and the author, Charlotte Bowyer for the opportunity to review this novel and take part in this blog tour. Don't forget to check out the other stops along the way. Happy reading!! Book length - 266 pages Publisher - Self-Published Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com ABOUT THE BOOK A bad boy gambler with a lazy streak and commitment issues: Owning Kinki, Atlantic City’s first paranormal nightclub, isn’t as easy—or as much fun—as Sam Jackson anticipated. Someone’s trying to shut him down before he opens, he’s on the verge of bankruptcy, and his matchmaking granddaddy has hired a sexy event planner with a mysterious background, bossy disposition, and criminal ties. A mortician-turned-event-planner with big secrets: A job as event planner offers single mom, Katie Deluca, her last chance to escape her past. Turns out party planning is more difficult than organizing funerals. Plus, the nightclub owner, although perfect for awakening her sensuality, couldn’t be more wrong for the stability she craves. Forced to collaborate, they overcome obstacles and fight crime: Katie is the one person who can salvage Kinki—and heal Sam’s emotional wounds. Together, they tangle with a goofy dog, exploding trucks, an unfortunate synchronized swimming episode, homicidal thugs, a corrupt building inspector, disappearing corpses, a kidnapping, and the threat of live cremation, all to deliver a kick-ass grand opening. MY REVIEW This is the first time I have read anything my Maureen Fisher but it certainly won't be my last. An exciting novel that left me doubled over in laughter, COLD FEET FEVER is a fun, thrilling romance with elements of adventure and mystery, that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Things are not going to plan for Sam Jackson and when his interfering grandfather lands him with a sassy event planner, Sam's life is about to get a whole lot more interesting. Katie is strong and independent and is determined to make her career a success, but she didn't count on the inscrutable Sam, or a series of hilarious and disastrous events to place it all in jeopardy, and then there is this annoying connection with Sam himself... All of the characters in COLD FEET FEVER by Maureen Fisher are well-developed and really likeable and I raced through this story as I couldn't wait to see how it would end. There is something for everyone in this novel which combines romance, mystery, adventure, and comedy effortlessly together and I highly recommend this delightful story. Author Bio: I write sassy romance with smokin’ hot heroes, kick-ass heroines, tons of humor, and always an animal or two. My goal as a writer is to transport readers into a world of romance, mystery, and fun. Warning: Laughing out loud has been known to smudge mascara and leave some readers short of breath. Transplanted from Scotland to Canada at the tender age of seven, I’m a voracious reader, volunteer for an addiction family counseling program, bridge player, yoga enthusiast, seeker of personal and spiritual growth, pickleball enthusiast, and infrequent but avid gourmet cook. My husband and I love to hike, bicycle, and travel. I’ve swum with sharks in the Galapagos, walked with Bushmen in the Serengeti, sampled lamb criadillas (don’t ask!!!) in Iguazu Falls, snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef, ridden an elephant in Thailand, watched the sun rise over Machu Picchu, and bounced from Johannesburg to Cape Town on a bus called ‘Marula’. For more information: Website - booksbymaureen.com Twitter - twitter.com/AuthorMaureen Facebook - www.facebook.com/MaureenFisherAuthor/ I WANT TO THANK THE AUTHOR, MAUREEN FISHER, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THIS BOOK, AND I AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE AN AMAZING GUESTPOST/EXCERPT/PERSONAL POST FOR YOU ALL TO ENJOY. HAPPY READING!! Thank you for hosting me on your blog, Linda. I appreciate the opportunity to talk about COLD FEET FEVER, a romantic suspense with humor, intrigue, secrets, a dysfunctional family, and one large, goofy dog.
Inspiration for Cold Feet Fever I first met bad boy Sam Jackson as the younger brother of my hero in Fur Ball Fever. Sam is smokin’ hot, charming, and a serial womanizer. He’s also a deadbeat, gambler, and the bane of his older brother’s existence. I enjoyed writing about Sam so much, I decided he deserved his own story. At the end of Fur Ball Fever, he buys a nightclub with his gambling winnings, triggering the premise for my next book, Cold Feet Fever. What could be more fun than tormenting a player like Sam by including a woman who would drive him crazy while breaking down all his barriers? So I threw in a bossy event planner his eccentric Granddaddy Hiram (who also happens to be his business partner) hired to keep him in line. Since I delight in torturing my protagonists, I then proceeded to make Sam’s life a living nightmare by adding as many roadblocks to a happily-ever-after as I could think of. Excerpt “I love that you’re nervous.” His voice had roughened to a husky growl. “It makes what we’re about to do extra special.” She twisted her neck to assess whether or not he was mocking her, and found herself staring at his mouth. Her breath hitched in her chest. “I might disappoint you.” His fingers stilled. “Why on earth would you think that?” “I … um … may not have the skill you expect in a date.” After a long pause, he said, “Excuse me?” The two soft words reverberated in the quiet kitchen. She chewed her lip, then said, “I’ve only done it twice, well two and a half times to be precise, and it didn’t work out so well.” She clamped her mouth shut. Luckily she’d caught herself before divulging her partner’s jackrabbit ejaculation. Sam remained utterly still. Afraid to turn around, she nodded. “Uh-huh. I was too young to realize it wasn’t normal. I thought it was my fault. There’s no need to worry, though. I’m sure I can satisfy your needs. I’m a self-trained expert on sexual gratification.” Warm breath stirred her hair. “Self-trained?” Had she said something wrong? “Yes. I’m a voracious reader. I’ve read tons of how-to books on sexual intercourse, everything from The Joy of Sex, to Kama Sutra.” She hoped her sincerity would reassure him. “Katie—” “I also studied the Fifty Shades Trilogy and other erotic novels. I have a subscription to Cosmo, too. There’s a huge amount of educational help available, so I’m certain I’m competent.” Was it her imagination, or did his fingers fumble? “That’s, commendable and, uh, extremely proactive of you,” he said in a choked voice. “But right now, I’m as far from worried as a man can get.” Some of my Favorite Things Favorite alcoholic drink: Piña Colada and Pino Grigio, though wine is no longer my friend. Favorite non-alcoholic drink: Naranjada (similar to limonada, but made with freshly squeezed orange juice). Favorite candy: Barley sugar, vanilla fudge Coffee Crisp. Favorite actor(s): Johnny Depp, Gerard Butler, Hugh Jackman. Favorite author(s): Diana Gabaldon, Jill Shalvis, Kristan Higgins, Karen Robards, Stephen King, too many more to list …. Favorite flower: Masses and masses of rhododendrons, lupines. Favorite something I never buy myself because it seems silly, but I secretly crave it: Tanzanite jewelery (way too expensive) and stiletto heels (I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to walk in them). Favorite TV show: Big Bang Theory, Madame Secretary, The Good Wife, Bones. Favorite snack food: Salt & vinegar chips, caramel corn. Favorite dessert: Rhubarb pie with ice cream (see below). Favorite ice cream: Haagen Dazs dulce de leche (vanilla with swirls made from caramelized condensed milk) Favorite bit of geekery (obsessive interest/enthusiasm): Travel and fine dining. Three Little-Known Facts About Me 1. Once upon a time, long, long ago, I was a chocoholic. That lasted until my ninth birthday, when I devoured 10 Jersey Milk chocolate bars in one sitting. I puked brown for two days. Even now, I prefer vanilla or caramel. Please don’t tell anyone. All romance writer love chocolate. It’s mandatory. 2. I once drank paint thinner in an oil painting class. Not on purpose. I thought it was my water. Hey, both bottles had blue labels. Sadly, I’d already glugged it down before realizing my mistake. An ambulance carted me off to the hospital, where a doctor warned me I’d be really, REALLY sick for 48 hours. He wasn’t kidding. 3. I’m an introvert. I need my alone time. If a genie granted me three wishes, one of them would be that I could enjoy networking at writers’ conferences. *MY THANKS AGAIN TO MAUREEN FISHER FOR THIS WONDERFUL POST 😀 |
WelcomeHi fellow bookworms. My name is Linda and I'm a reviewer & blogger, wife & mother who loves all things books! Currently ReadingUPCOMING BLOG TOURS
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