Saturday, 14 October 2017

Review: The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed

Three misfits come together to avenge the rape of a fellow classmate and in the process trigger a change in the misogynist culture at their high school transforming the lives of everyone around them in this searing and timely story.

Who are the Nowhere Girls?

They’re everygirl. But they start with just three:

Grace Salter is the new girl in town, whose family was run out of their former community after her southern Baptist preacher mom turned into a radical liberal after falling off a horse and bumping her head.

Rosina Suarez is the queer punk girl in a conservative Mexican immigrant family, who dreams of a life playing music instead of babysitting her gaggle of cousins and waitressing at her uncle’s restaurant.

Erin Delillo is obsessed with two things: marine biology and Star Trek: The Next Generation, but they aren’t enough to distract her from her suspicion that she may in fact be an android.

When Grace learns that Lucy Moynihan, the former occupant of her new home, was run out of town for having accused the popular guys at school of gang rape, she’s incensed that Lucy never had justice. For their own personal reasons, Rosina and Erin feel equally deeply about Lucy’s tragedy, so they form an anonymous group of girls at Prescott High to resist the sexist culture at their school, which includes boycotting sex of any kind with the male students.

Told in alternating perspectives, this groundbreaking novel is an indictment of rape culture and explores with bold honesty the deepest questions about teen girls and sexuality.


Hardcover, 416 pages
Published October 10th 2017 by Simon Pulse 
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary

Kristine's Thoughts:

** I received an advanced readers copy from Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**

I'll get right to the point with this book. It tackled some very deep and extremely relevant topics that I feel are very important. Teenage girls should really read this book. It tackled rape culture and sex and the way (some) high school boys and grown ups treat females when it comes to sex and dating. It also dealt with the female view and attitudes towards sex and relationships. I won't sugar coat it. There was more than one rape in this book done by multiple boys. It wasn't the easiest to read and it could be a trigger for some people.

It started off with Grace, Rosina and Erin wanting to get justice for Lucy who was brutally raped by a bunch of boys from her school and who wasn't believed when she spoke up and basically run out of town. You see... the boys were all part of the star football team and highly regarded by the school and community. Sound familiar? Unfortunately there have been numerous real life stories in the news over the years that were similar.

What started out as a small anonymous group called the Nowhere Girls grew and took on a life of its own. The members openly discussed sex, relationships, boys, insecurities and what if anything they could do to get justice for Lucy and how to let everyone know that the misogynist mentality was not OK. What was interesting to me about this was the backlash that the girls received for their efforts. I felt that it was (unfortunately) very realistic.

Grace, Rosina and Erin were very different characters from very different backgrounds and I thoroughly enjoyed each one of them. The chapters alternated between each of their perspectives as well as chapters titled "US" which had the views of many different characters. Towards the end of the book there were also a few chapters told from other key players as well.

The story was very well written and flowed nicely. I did have to put it down a few times but I think that it was because of the content more so than the actual story. Although I am a few years outside of high school I could relate to a lot of what was discussed. I remember how difficult it was to navigate relationships and hormones and I certainly remember the locker room talk and rumours that easily ruined peoples reputations.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and believe that it is timely and relevant topic that many girls will relate to. Amy Reed has a bright career ahead of her that I will certainly be happy to follow.



About the Author
Amy Reed was born and raised in and around Seattle, where she attended a total of eight schools by the time she was eighteen. Constant moving taught her to be restless and being an only child made her imagination do funny things. After a brief stint at Reed College (no relation), she moved to San Francisco and spent the next several years serving coffee and getting into trouble. She eventually graduated from film school, promptly decided she wanted nothing to do with filmmaking, returned to her original and impractical love of writing, and earned her MFA from New College of California. Her short work has been published in journals such as Kitchen Sink, Contrary, and Fiction. Amy currently lives in Oakland with her husband and two cats, and has accepted that Northern California has replaced the Pacific Northwest as her home. She is no longer restless.  

Connect with Amy

Thursday, 12 October 2017

Review: Once a Charmer (Charmed in Texas #3) by Charla Lovelace


Charmed, Texas, is a close-knit small town where people’s dreams of love can come true. That’s not to say that some people aren’t still waiting, and dreaming . . .
 
By day, Allie Greene stays busy with her family diner, and keeping tabs on her teenage daughter. What’s really exhausting Allie, however, are the nights. Not that she minds Bash Anderson unbuttoning her naughty desires—if only in her dreams. But what was he doing there at all? He’s her best friend, and a father figure to her girl. Talk about awkward. Talk about OMG-heat-and-fireworks that are flipping fifteen years of normal upside down. And now, when Allie needs him as a friend more than ever, logic doesn’t stand a chance against his lips and irresistible deep-blue eyes . . .

Sure, Bash has fantasized about Allie, but there’s no way he’d act on it. She and her daughter are the closest thing to family he’s ever known. With the exception of one drunken moment fifteen years ago, he and Allie have stayed on this side of the line—until that impulsive kiss of hers knocked him on his butt. That’s just one hurdle. Not only does Allie need Bash’s help to save her diner, but his apiary is in trouble, too. To stir the pot further, they’ve been roped into vying for the town’s Honey King and Queen contest—a sweet event that’s making them closer than ever. Something’s bound to come undone. Bash just hopes it’s not the friendship he’s worked so hard to hold on to.

Kindle Edition, 271 pages
Expected publication: October 17th 2017 by Lyrical Shine

Terri's Thoughts

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!

For those that follow my reviews it is no secret that I am "charmed" by this series.  A series set in a small quirky town called Charmed with numerous characters who are less than charming.  This story is the third in the series and perhaps my favorite thus far.  Although it can likely be read on its own I would recommend reading the whole series as it is quite good.

This story is a little less humorous than the others and a lot more emotional.  I loved the premise of two best friends who have seen each other through some serious life challenges realize exactly what they mean to each other.  This gave the story depth and made me emotionally invested.

The character of Allie was identifiable in the fact that she was an everyday hard working girl trying to do the best for her daughter whom she had as a teenager.  Then you have Bash who loves said daughter unconditionally (even though he gives some tough love) and is the knight in shining armour for the two.

It was easy to see why Allie and Bash were hesitant to act on their emotions as they had a lifetime of friendship that they did not want to throw away.  It made me cheer out loud for them and hope for a positive outcome.

Returning to the town of Charmed, while there are still some unlikeable characters in this story, the reader gets to see the good side of the townsfolk as they stick together to protect their own.  I liked this and coming from a small town I know how people can band together for the greater good.  Also, not to be forgotten, there is still some characters with some unexplainable gifts or talents for lack of a better word that adds to the dimension of the story.

I hope that this series continues although I do not know who the next story could center around.  Perhaps Kia?  She is a mysterious character who could most likely hold her own in a story.  Thank you Lovelace for providing me with a series I have truly enjoyed!


About the Author


Sharla Lovelace is the Bestselling and Award Winning Author of five standalone novels, the exciting Heart of the Storm series, and the fun and sexy new Charmed in Texas series, all featuring sexy small town love stories with heat and humor. Being a Texas girl through and through, she's proud to say she lives in Southeast Texas with her husband, a souped up golf cart, and two crazy mutts.






Book Blitz: Craving Security Box Set

Craving Security
Trained To Defend & Built To Kill

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Wednesday, 11 October 2017

Review: A Shot at Love (Will Cook for Love #2) by Peggy Jaeger


Nothing’s impossible when love is on the menu. In Peggy Jaeger’s luscious series, the only thing more tempting than a delicious meal is a truly delectable romance . . .
Look for exclusive recipes in each book!

Photographer Gemma Laine is looking for arresting faces on the streets of Manhattan when her camera captures something shocking—a triple murder. In that moment, she becomes a target for the mob—and a top priority for a very determined, breathtakingly handsome, FBI special agent. With deadlines to meet and photo shoots on her calendar, Gemma chafes at the idea of protection, but every moment she spends under his watchful eye is a temptation to lose herself in his muscular arms . . .

With two of his men and one crucial witness dead, Special Agent Kyros Pappandreos can’t afford to be distracted. But Gemma is dazzling—and her connection to Kandy Laine’s high-profile cooking empire makes her an especially easy mark for some very bad people. Keeping her safe is much more pleasure than business, but as the heat between them starts to sizzle, Ky is set to investigate whether they have a shot at love . . .

Kindle Edition
Published October 3rd 2017 by Lyrical Shine

Terri's Thoughts

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!

This is one of those stories that I have a hard time explaining why I liked it but I simply did.  This is the second in the Will Cook for Love series and I felt the same about the first one as well.  Don't worry if you are picking this up without reading the first as it can be read as a stand alone.

This has the perfect mixture of attraction (and angst) along with just enough suspense to keep the story moving at a good pace.  Pair two really strong characters and you have a formula that works.

I loved that Gemma was a kick ass type of girl, trained in numerous fighting techniques (sorry I forget the disciplines), she was no push over.  Then you have Ky who is the chiseled and dreamy FBI agent who is assigned to her protection and her match in every way.  Too often the girl can be weak in these scenarios, relying on the man to save the day, but not on Gemma's case.  She was one kick ass civilian.  As a result, the chemistry between the two was off the charts. 

To keep the story realistic when they are on the run from killer mobsters, you could see the transition of their attraction and it wasn't immediately between the sheets followed by eternal love which other stories can sometimes do.  I liked this, it kept the story fresh and kept me invested in the characters.

At the end of the day, this is a story, and series, that I enjoyed quite a bit.  I am not sure where or if it will even go next but I am hoping since Gemma still has a few more sisters we have not heard about that this series will continue.  I will be in line to read it!



About the Author



Peggy Jaeger is a contemporary romance writer who writes about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can’t live without them.

Family and food play huge roles in Peggy’s stories because she believes there is nothing that holds a family structure together like sharing a meal…or two…or ten. Dotted with humor and characters that are as real as they are loving, Peggy brings all topics of daily life into her stories: life, death, sibling rivalry, illness and the desire for everyone to find their own happily ever after. Growing up the only child of divorced parents she longed for sisters, brothers and a family that vowed to stick together no matter what came their way. Through her books, she has created the families she wanted as that lonely child.

Tying into her love of families, her children's book, THE KINDNESS TALES, was illustrated by her artist mother-in-law.

Peggy holds a master's degree in Nursing Administration and first found publication with several articles she authored on Alzheimer's Disease during her time running an Alzheimer's in-patient care unit during the 1990s.


Tuesday, 10 October 2017

Review: The Stolen Marriage by Diane Chamberlain

In 1944, twenty-three-year-old Tess DeMello abruptly ends her engagement to the love of her life when she marries a mysterious stranger and moves to Hickory, North Carolina, a small town struggling with racial tension and the hardships imposed by World War II. Tess’s new husband, Henry Kraft, is a secretive man who often stays out all night, hides money from his new wife, and shows no interest in making love. Tess quickly realizes she’s trapped in a strange and loveless marriage with no way out.

The people of Hickory love and respect Henry and see Tess as an outsider, treating her with suspicion and disdain, especially after one of the town’s prominent citizens dies in a terrible accident and Tess is blamed. Tess suspects people are talking about her, plotting behind her back, and following her as she walks around town. What does everyone know about Henry that she does not? Feeling alone and adrift, Tess turns to the one person who seems to understand her, a local medium who gives her hope but seems to know more than he’s letting on.

When a sudden polio epidemic strikes the town, the townspeople band together to build a polio hospital. Tess, who has a nursing degree, bucks Henry’s wishes and begins to work at the hospital, finding meaning in nursing the young victims. Yet at home, Henry’s actions grow more alarming by the day. As Tess works to save the lives of her patients, can she untangle her husband’s mysterious behavior and save her own life?


Kindle Edition, 384 pages
Published October 3rd 2017 by St. Martin's Press 
Genre: Historical Fiction

Kristine's Thoughts:

** I received an advanced readers copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**

Diane Chamberlain is one of those authors who's books I always look forward to reading. I don't need to read the synopsis and I don't need to know what it is about ahead of time before picking it up. After reading every available title to date I just know that I am going to love it no matter what. Picking up a Diane Chamberlain novel is like wrapping myself in a warm blanket beside a nice fire on a cold winters day. It is the picture of comfort and satisfaction. I eagerly await and anticipate the release of each new novel.

The Stolen Marriage was about a young woman named Tess, who due to difficult circumstances, broke off her engagement to her life long sweetheart and moved away from everyone she knew and married a man she barely did. In her new life she had privilege but it came at a price and she had a difficult time navigating her new environment and understanding her new husband. Set in 1944 during a time of racial tensions and the polio epidemic, Tess struggled to come to terms and live with the decisions she made.

I have to start by saying that I love historical fiction and this story provided me with all of the things that I love most about the genre. It wasn't hard to tell that a lot of time and research went into making this story as historically accurate as possible. That is something that I have come to find you can always count on in a Diane Chamberlain book. I don't imagine that it is an easy task to wrap a fictional story and characters around real life facts and events but she made it seem effortless. The polio epidemic wasn't something that I knew a lot about but after the little bit that I learnt from reading this book I plan to research farther.

The characters and plot in this book were beautiful. I absolutely adored Tess. I almost felt like I was Tess as she was navigating her life. It was more than empathy. It felt like I was navigating the streets and people of Hickory as Tess. The writing and story were so engaging that it drew me back in time and I felt like I was a part of it. It was fascinating to read about a time when things were so different and you could be shamed for things that people wouldn't even blink an eye at now. I even had a love/hate relationship with Henry for reasons that I can't say and that you will have to read to find out. Every single aspect of this story kept me glued to the pages and because of that, I had it finished in no time.

There really are no words that can adequately describe how much I enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of Diane Chamberlain you will not be disappointed. If you haven't had the opportunity to pick up one of her books I strongly encourage you to. My only complaint is that I will have to wait for her next book.

I loved this book!



 
About the Author
Diane Chamberlain is the New York Times, USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of 25 novels published in more than twenty languages. Some of her most popular books include Necessary Lies, The Silent Sister, The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, and The Keeper of the Light Trilogy. Diane likes to write complex stories about relationships between men and women, parents and children, brothers and sisters, and friends. Although the thematic focus of her books often revolves around family, love, compassion and forgiveness, her stories usually feature a combination of drama, mystery, secrets and intrigue. Diane’s background in psychology has given her a keen interest in understanding the way people tick, as well as the background necessary to create her realistic characters.

Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and spent her summers at the Jersey Shore. She also lived for many years in San Diego and northern Virginia before making North Carolina her home.

Diane received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, Diane worked in hospitals in San Diego and Washington, D.C. before opening a private psychotherapy practice in Alexandria Virginia specializing in adolescents. All the while Diane was writing on the side. Her first book, Private Relations was published in 1989 and it earned the RITA award for Best Single Title Contemporary Novel.

Diane lives with her partner, photographer John Pagliuca, and her sheltie, Cole. She has three stepdaughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren. She’s currently at work on her next novel.

Connect with Diane

Book Blitz: Taming the Princess by Alyson Reynolds

Taming the Princess
by Alyson Reynolds

Blurb:

Princess Scarlett Marion is broken. Drugs, sex, alcohol—she uses everything possible to numb the pain from her past, but it never seems to help. When Lord Carrick Trudeau pays her dowry, she finds herself in a position she never thought possible. He’s older, darker and seems to know exactly what to do to make her feel amazing, not like the broken little girl she actually is.

Things change quickly when she finds out Carrick isn’t just one of many in line for the throne, he’s going to be the next king. And soon. That means she’s going to be the next queen. When push comes to shove, how is Scarlett supposed to overcome her past and become the leader she’s supposed to be?

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Excerpt:

Chapter One
Scarlett
The rush of the high hit me quickly, making my blood sing in my veins. My body shook, not just from the drugs, but from the pounding bass and strobe lights filling the club around my group of friends. Juliet swayed to the music freely next to me, urging me to want to follow her lead. Hands brushed over my body, making my skin prickle from her touch. I couldn’t tell if I wanted it to stop, or if I wanted more. My guard stood by the doors, leaving me to self-destruct all by myself. This was how I wanted it and none of them would dare interrupt my fun.
The press had been aching to follow me into the club since I passed through the doors earlier this evening. Eventually, someone would make it through all the security, and inevitably there would be yet another story of my depraved behavior, which would sell papers. Of course there would be; I didn’t want to disappoint my fans. I giggled at the thought. My father hated me because of the messes I made, my mother didn’t know what to do with me, and my sister was disappointed in my horrible choices. It was just a normal day in my world.
A strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against a hard chest. At first I didn’t resist the feeling of this stranger against me. Random sex with someone in the bathroom sounded entertaining. Juliet would probably want to watch. The arm tightened against my ribs.
My eyes shot open, but none of my friends were there. They had all abandoned me, but who knew how long ago that had been.
“Let go of me!” I protested. “If you knew who I was, you wouldn’t be manhandling me without asking first, you asshole.”
The chuckle that followed surprised me. “I’ll do whatever I damn well please, little girl. And I know exactly who you are, Princess Scarlett.”
That dark, smoky voice sounded familiar. I looked over my shoulder and dark obsidian eyes met my ice blue ones, pinning me in place. Bright lights from the club flashed over our bodies as I studied him. I shivered again, but this time Lord Carrick was the cause of it; certainly not any illegal substances I may or may not have taken.
I smirked. “What are you doing here, Lord Carrick? I didn’t think this was your scene anymore.”
His jaw tightened. “It’s not, and it won’t be yours either.”
I turned to face him, placing my hands on my hips, and narrowed my eyes. “You don’t get to decide that, now do you?”
He leaned in and ran his nose over the shell of my ear as he spoke, making a shiver run up my spine. “Oh Princess, you have no idea what I get to decide now.” This encounter was getting odder by the second. Surely he didn’t mean that the way it sounded. “It’s time to go, and I would prefer you don’t make a scene.”
His voice was calm, but I heard the warning in it loud and clear.
“If you want me to sleep with you, all you have to do is ask. It doesn’t matter to me that you’re almost twice my age. You’re still incredibly sexy,” I said, running my hands up his chest. “I like silver foxes, and you definitely qualify as a silver fox.”
He gave me a wry smile. “Believe me, I’ll fuck you blind soon, but it won’t be in this club. Or any club, for that matter.” I gasped as he reached down and grabbed my ass, pinning me up against him. “Now let’s go, Scarlett. We have a long drive ahead of us and I want to get there before morning.”
I swallowed hard and attempted to glare up at him. “What the hell are you talking about? I’m not going anywhere with you.”
The knowing look on his face made my heart race. He started dragging me behind him without answering my question, completely ignoring me. My guard wasn’t coming to my rescue either. Were they really going to let this man kidnap me? What in the hell was going on? I took a step back and stumbled as I tried to yank out of his hold. His grasp on my wrist tightened, steadying me before I was able to fall to the ground. The last thing I saw before the blackness crept over my vision were his dark, enchanting eyes.


Enter to win a signed paperback copy of Taming the Princess and a personalized tote:


Author Bio:
Romance writer. Wife. Mother of two. Avid reader. Queen of multitasking.

Originally from the south, Alyson likes to incorporate what she knows into her books. She's lived not only on the east coast, but the west coast and a few places between. Alyson loves sharing stories about her crazy family to anyone who will listen. Her guilty pleasures consist of coffee, country music, brunch, breaking the rules, and pedicures. And she will always be a daddy's girl.

When Alyson isn't chasing around her two kiddos, she's normally writing. Or reading. Her Kindle library is out of control. Alyson writes mainly contemporary novels and novellas with a few new adult stories is the mix.

To keep up with her busy release schedule check her website at http://authoralysonreynolds.com or sign up for her newsletter: http://www.authoralysonreynolds.com/newslettersignup


Social Media:

Monday, 9 October 2017

Review: Play Dates by Maggie Wells


For single parents, life is often more diapers and daycare dilemmas than dating. But for three dads going solo, a little flirting can lead to a whole lot more than a fling . . .

Colm Cleary lost his wife just moments after his son Aiden’s birth, and it’s been just the two of them ever since. Dating is his very last priority—until he spots gorgeous Monica Rayburn on the playground with her little girl. Suddenly finding a woman sympathetic to the demands of single parenthood seems like a great idea—especially if they agree to a no-pressure, no-strings date . . .

Dazzled by the hot “Saturdaddy” who asks her out, Monica doesn’t get around to mentioning that little Emma is her niece. She’s in commodities, not children. A gambler to the bone, she’s going to take a chance on an adult evening with Colm—and worry about the details later. But when their casual connection deepens into something more solid, the truth will have to come out—and both Colm and Monica will have to throw caution to the wind to hold on to a future together . .


Kindle Edition, 160 pages

Published October 3rd 2017 by Lyrical Shine


Terri's Thoughts

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!

It is hard to provide a review on this story as it was so short so I am going to review a little differently from how I normally do.  Instead I am just going to jot down random thoughts that come to mind after reading this story.

1.  As mentioned, it is pretty short.  This was a good thing as I needed something to read that was not going to be a time commitment.

2.  The story is very steamy.  The bedroom (or hallway) scenes left little to the imagination.  Any couple looking to spice up their love live should read this.  Seriously it was that hot.  If youlike your stories a little or a lot on the "dirty" side then this is the read for you

3.  Combining point one and two means that the majority of the story is the physical relationship between Monica and Colm.  The rest of the plot gets crammed in to the remaining pages.

4.  Aiden was adorable.  As someone who is a lot like Monica and may be missing the nurturing gene, I loved this kid!

5.  I'm not sure but since there are three Saturdaddies, I would expect that we should see a couple more stories to make this a series.

Overall, a short and hot hot hot story.



About the Author


Maggie Wells is a deep-down dirty girl with a weakness for hot heroes and happy endings. By day she is buried in spreadsheets, but at night she pens tales of people tangling up the sheets. The product of a charming rogue and a shameless flirt, this mild-mannered married lady has a naughty streak a mile wide.