November 17, 2014 by Caroline Barker

RELEASE BLITZ Tequila & Teabags by Laura Barnard

Sent to live with her cousin Elsie in
the Yorkshire countryside, Rose has only one thing on her mind; joining her
friends as a club rep in Mexico.

When she hears about a council
incentive offering the promise of free flights to the person who clocks the
most volunteering hours at the local care home, she’s got her plan set.

But she doesn’t plan on bonding with
the old ladies, going after the village bad boy and trying to persuade Elsie
not to become a Nun.

Soon she’s questioning who her real
friends are and whether her old life is one she wants to return to.

Can the village win her over and will
she win the chance to leave it behind? Will she even want to?

Goodreads

Amazon

Meet
Laura

My name is Laura Barnard and I am an
author from Hertfordshire, UK. My first chick-lit novel, The Debt & the
Doormat was an Amazon number 1 best-seller and won Best Laugh Out Loud Book of
2013. It is available via Amazon, Smashwords, iBooks. Barnes and Noble, The
Book Depository and many more.

In my spare time I enjoy drinking my
body weight in tea, indulging in cupcakes the size of my face, drooling over
hunks like Jamie Dornan, Ryan Gosling and Leo Dicaprio…oh and my husband of
course! I like wearing yoga clothes and reading fitness magazines while I sit
on the sofa and eat chocolate. I’m a real fan of the power nap and of course,
READING!

I write not to get rich or famous, but
because I LOVE writing. Even if one person tells me they enjoyed my book it
makes the midnight typing worth it!

Follow
Laura

Facebook or Add me as a
friend

Twitter Website Goodreads

November 3, 2014 by Caroline Barker

COVER REVEAL Tequila & Tea Bags by Laura Barnard

TequilaTeabags Front cover

We are delighted to present the cover for Laura Barnard’s next release, Tequila & Tea Bags. This will be released on November 17th! I am looking forward to reviewing this fun chick-lit with romance. Tequila & Tea Bags is a stand alone novel, not to be confused with Laura’s ‘The Debt & the Doormat’ series!

Blurb

Sent to live with her cousin Elsie in the Yorkshire countryside, Rose has only one thing on her mind; joining her friends as a club rep in Mexico.

When she hears about a council incentive offering the promise of free flights to the person who clocks the most volunteering hours at the local care home, she’s got her plan set.

But she doesn’t plan on bonding with the old ladies, going after the village bad boy and trying to persuade Elsie not to become a Nun.

Soon she’s questioning who her real friends are and whether her old life is one she wants to return to.

Can the village win her over and will she win the chance to leave it behind? Will she even want to?

Teaser!!!

You can check it out on Goodreads too!

Although Tequila & Tea Bags is a stand alone novel. Please check out her previous work below. The reviews will give you an idea on just how FUN Laura’s books are!!

Laura previous work includes The Debt & the Doormat and it’s sequel, The Baby and the Bride. Both books have been reviewed on this blog, and both received a brilliant 5* from us on Goodreads and Amazon! The Debt & the Doormat was one of my Top Reads of 2013! Check our reviews by clicking on the links below:-

The Debt & the Doormat

This first book is FREE on Amazon UK and Amazon US. Go grab a copy now!

The Baby & the Bride (incl. interview with Laura Barnard)

You can also find The Baby & the Bride on Amazon UK and Amazon US for a small price.

Contact info:

Laura would love you to check out her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/laurabarnardbooks and while you’re visiting please give her a ‘like’!

Laura also has her own website at www.laurabarnardbooks.co.uk and is available on Twitter: @BarnardLaura

October 1, 2014 by Tina Williams

Review of THE PRINCE’S EX by Nadene Seiters

Fun, Flirty and Entertaining!

Book Blurb

Amelia Radley thought she had it all when she met a man in a bar and he ended up being royalty. Their love affair was anything but boring, and yet he dumped her almost exactly a year after asking her out to their first dinner date. While the wound was deep and fresh thirty days after their separation, she picked up the morning paper only to see that the man she thought she loved had already become engaged to another woman.

Her best friend, Tina, suggests the only thing she knows would make her feel better. Amelia should start dating any man she meets that she likes so that she can get over her ex. The idea is ludicrous, and yet Amelia agrees to a date with a man she has never met before. All the while, she considers herself nothing more than the prince’s ex, a woman who could not hold the affections of every woman’s dream.

When she finds love in an unexpected place, it’s challenged by the past and the future looks rocky. Amelia’s insecurities might get in the way of her finding true love, in more ways than one.

My Review

Fun, Flirty and Entertaining!

The Prince’s Ex is a fun and flirty read which also examines the deeper side of relationships and shows that love can often be found in the most unlikeliest of places!

The heroine Amelia, is in tatters after the news that her ex, (a prince who dumped her a mere month ago) has become engaged hits the media. Amelia’s BFF, Tina, persuades a reluctant Amelia that she needs to embark on some fun and carefree dates with other men to expunge her ex from her memory. What follows is a hilarious tale of Amelia’s attempts at dating!

Her first date, with a dentist called Ryan, seems to be going well until it turns out that his liking for a bit of slap and tickle strays into the realm of S & M, which sees Amelia running a mile before Ryan’s paddle sees any action! Turned off by the whole experience Amelia strikes up a friendship with Peter, the barista at the coffee bar where she and Tina get together on a daily basis.

After a promising romance with the big boss at the firm where Amelia used to work falls flat, Amelia questions what she is doing with her life. It also turns out that what started off as a friendship with Peter has developed into more……… Yet Peter is not the type of guy Amelia is used to dating and he has a secret past which he only divulges to her as they become closer. Although their relationship is passionate and loving, up until now Amelia has only had her own needs to accommodate and she has to decide if she is willing to put the needs of others on a level footing and sometimes above her own. The novel has a number of twists and turns and surprises from Peter’s past before their HEA is in reach.

I really enjoyed this novel. What started off as a fun and sexy read soon became a lot deeper. I adored Peter, who is one helluva character – a good looking, dependable, sexy guy, who has his own insecurities and who becomes a good friend and lover to Amelia. He has had a lot to deal with in his life and I prayed that Amelia would be strong enough to work through things with him. For me the inner journey that Amelia undertakes is at the centre of the novel. At first she comes across as little shallow and selfish – traits which at one point she acknowledges in herself. However, she begins to mature in her outlook and considers others a lot more. I certainly liked her a lot more at the end and thought that she and Peter made a lovely couple.

I suspect that Amelia’s friend Tina has her own secrets and backstory which has made her the female Lothario she appears to be! I am interested in finding out more about her character in the author’s forthcoming novel Adonis’ Kiss, where she is the heroine. I also hope we will get to see little more of Amelia and Peter in it too and maybe even Ryan, who piqued my interest!

A copy of this novel was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Purchase Links

Amazon US Amazon UK

Goodreads

Connect with the Author

Facebook

Blog

August 24, 2014 by Caroline Barker

REVIEW After Wimbledon by Jennifer Gilby Roberts

After Wimbledon is a light, refreshing romance mixed with a dash of quirky and fun instances. Lucy Bennett’s career and love life could be falling down around her or she could be starting a new life with the man of her dreams. She has the whole duration of the Tennis World Championships to find out how she really feels towards her tennis career and her current boyfriend. But how will it all end?

The story follows British tennis player, Lucy Bennett, as she considers this year to be her last professional year at Wimbledon. She feels that she has reached as far as she can at the age of 28. She begins thinking of her future and longs to settle down and have a family of her own. The only problem Lucy faces is that her current boyfriend, American tennis ace Joe Harker, doesn’t share her desires but preferring to stay in the game. Oh, and her parents (especially her mother) feels that she will be throwing her career away far too early and her mum possibly longs to relive her own tennis dreams through her daughter!

I’m sure many of us have felt the need to go down our own path, even when against our parents’ wishes. At this point you tend to question whether what you are doing is right or wrong and at times there is a lingering pang of guilt. But you must do what feels right for you and this is exactly where Lucy is at.

As After Wimbledon focuses mostly on Lucy, the reader can understand her actions and empathise with her emotions, thus making Lucy a realistic and likeable character. Lucy is like any of us with her indecisiveness and at times she does ‘put her foot in it’ and has the potential to cause a scene. However, she also has guts and after much deliberation at times she does begin to stand up to those around her. Needless to say that I do love Lucy’s character!

To mash Lucy’s thoughts around even more are the unexpected encounters she has with Joe’s tennis rival, New Zealander Sam Pennington. Sam is the No. 1 and hopes to win it for England this time round. Lucy has always had a crush on him and admired him from afar and so when she meets him by chance at her parents’ tennis club they begin talking and Lucy lets slip some of her thoughts. Sam is patient, caring and honourable as well as being a great listener. After accidentally meeting up with Sam a number of times it becomes clear that these two certainly have chemistry, but then Lucy also has Joe!

Joe had initially dismissed Lucy’s idea of settling down, not really believing it. As time goes on he realises she meant it and his attitude towards her becomes increasingly arrogant and threatening, especially when he sees her support for Sam – with Sam playing for Britain and all, as well as a closeness between Lucy and Sam is reported in the media. Is Joe’s reaction an insight into his true nature or is he jealous and hopes to keep Lucy for himself?!

There is a great build up of momentum and suspense during both Lucy’s love life and action on the courts. Not being a huge tennis follower I was surprised how Roberts had written the on court scenes in a manner that was so easy to follow and gave the reader the chance to feel the excitement and tension. There were also intimate moments that were quite descriptive, making it feel more real, although towards the end I found myself wanting more deeper scenes like there previously had been.

With action on the courts, two boyfriends to choose from, pressure from the media, helping her parents sort out their lives and finally deciding whether or not to stay in professional tennis Lucy really has her mind buzzing! But which way will she finally go? With many more years still left she could make the most of her career before retiring from tennis! And is it worth losing the man she’s had for years to settle with someone new when it may not work out? She would surely be alone then. And so After Wimbledon explores Lucy’s options and maybe you can decide whether or not she chooses the right one!!

A copy of After Wimbledon was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

To read an author post (with links to the author) and an extract from After Wimbledon please click here. (Please take note that the giveaway mentioned is now closed.)

After Wimbledon is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US. (Prices currently at 99p and $1.65 – bargain!! But please be aware prices are subject to change.)

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

June 18, 2014 by Caroline Barker

When it Happens to You: A Novel in Stories by Molly Ringwald – Review

Short stories entwined make for an empathetic and emotional narrative!

Blurb: When it happens to you, you will be surprised. That thing they say about how you knew all the time, but just weren’t facing it? That might be the case, but nevertheless, there you will be.

Molly Ringwald mines the complexities of modern relationships in this gripping and nuanced collection of interlinked stories. Writing with a deep compassion for human imperfection, Ringwald follows a Los Angeles family and their friends and neighbors while they negotiate the hazardous terrain of everyday life–revealing the deceptions, heartbreak, and vulnerability familiar to us all.

In “The Harvest Moon,” a stay-at-home mom grapples with age, infertility, and an increasingly distant husband. In “Ursa Minor,” a former children’s television star tries to rebuild his life after being hospitalized for “exhaustion.” An elderly woman mourns the loss of her husband and her estranged relationship with her daughter in “The Little One.” In “My Olivia,” a single mother finds untapped reserves of strength to protect her flamboyant six-year-old son who wishes only to wear dresses and be addressed as Olivia. And in the devastating title story, a betrayed wife chronicles her pain and alienation, leading to an eviscerating denouement.

As the lives of these characters converge and diverge in unexpected ways, Ringwald reveals a startling eye for the universality of loss, love, and the search for connection. An unflinching yet poignant examination of the intricacies of the human heart, “When It Happens to You” is an auspicious literary debut.

Review

As a fan of Molly Ringwald’s acting work in movies such as The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles, when I popped into my local store and spotted When it Happens to You I was intrigued as to what her writing work would be like. I was not disappointed. When it Happens to You is an enjoyable, profound character-based narrative, exploring morals and betrayal of love and emotion.

When it Happens to You provides examples of people’s real life troubles in everyday life. It explores emotions and reactions, as well as a chance to view the situation by different perspectives which allows the reader to empathise with many of the characters. Molly Ringwald has certainly mentally placed herself in the shoes of each character, discovering their personality, flaws and reactions.

Many readers may have experienced one or more of the ordeals that the characters are experiencing themselves or will know of someone who has. It is because of this that makes it so easy to relate and connect with the characters and their story. The reader can begin to understand how an unfaithful partner, an act of betrayal, can affect their partner’s life, their child’s life and their own life, as well as the lives of their friends, families, neighbours and new acquaintances they may meet.

When it Happens to You is made up of short stories based on each of the characters and the events that are taking place in their lives and how they respond and feel about them. Each short story centres strongly around that particular character, however as the reader goes from one story to another it becomes obvious that the book as a whole can be read fluid-like through each chapter and has a strong current running through all of them which allows the reader to see the bigger picture as well as the individual one. The stories are all connected, some more subtle than others, and they all share a main theme based on betrayal and different kinds of relationships that people have with others.

My favourite short story has to be ‘When it Happens to You’ as it explores every possible mental thought that a hurt, deceived individual would think. It asks all the questions, no matter how insane they sound and goes on to reveal how priorities are mixed up and how one loses all sense of logic when in this dark, lonely place. For example, regardless of all global troubles, natural disasters and tragedies, etc, the mind will focus on the one hurt that affects them personally. There is a great deal of powerful description, language and feeling in this one particular story. I felt that this was the core of the book and could have used the whole chapter as a quote, however this would certainly spoil the book for any future reader.

The strength and emotive power that takes over the audience when watching Molly Ringwald in character in her movies are all too apparent in her writing also. Emotions run high, there are scenes that can bring on tears, whilst around the corner Molly provides the characters (and the reader) with hope and opportunity.

Aside from the novel itself, the reader is also provided with two fantastic features in the book once the story has been read. Firstly, there is a section About the Author ‘Meet Molly Ringwald’ which provides the reader with background knowledge of Molly Ringwald’s career. This is followed by About the Book ‘A Conversation with Molly Ringwald’ where the reader is able to discover ideas and main themes of the individual short stories, as well as the book as a whole and what holds it all together. Although I found this to be fascinating to read as it breaks up the emotions and parts of the story even more, the story speaks strongly for itself and requires no clarification. It is an absolutely captivating read!!

Molly Ringwald’s ‘When it Happens to You is available on Amazon US and Amazon UK in hardback, paperback and Kindle editions.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

March 30, 2014 by Caroline Barker

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (Bridget Jones #3) by Helen Fielding (blurb & review)

Blurb: What do you do when your girlfriend’s sixtieth birthday party is the same day as your boyfriend’s thirtieth? Is it better to die of Botox or die of loneliness because you’re so wrinkly? Is it wrong to lie about your age when online dating? Is it morally wrong to have a blow-dry when one of your children has head lice? Is it normal to be too vain to put on your reading glasses when checking your toy boy for head lice? Does the Dalai Lama actually tweet or is it his assistant? Is it normal to get fewer followers the more you tweet? Is technology now the fifth element? Or is that wood? If you put lip plumper on your hands do you get plump hands? Is sleeping with someone after two dates and six weeks of texting the same as getting married after two meetings and six months of letter writing in Jane Austen’s day? Pondering these and other modern dilemmas, Bridget Jones stumbles through the challenges of loss, single motherhood, tweeting, texting, technology, and rediscovering her sexuality in—Warning! Bad, outdated phrase approaching!—middle age.

REVIEW:

This was an absolute pleasure to read. Oh, I have missed Bridget! Mad About the Boy is as hilarious as ever and very heart-warming. I found myself laughing out loud one moment and resorting to tears the next at this sensitive time in Bridget’s life. And now she is back on the ‘single’ pile, a born-again virgin. Only, her friends urge her to change that fact! Is she ready?

Bridget (now 51), has aged, along with her audience; she was married, had children, and lived a settled family life. I found this easy to relate to as a reader, making the story believable and easy to read. I loved how Fielding has kept to the characters we all know and love, i.e. her family, her friends and even…… Daniel Cleaver!!! And yet, at the same time she has also introduced new characters as potential ‘love interests’ for Bridget. The main focus being on Roxster.

Roxster (29) is a fun and lovable character. He is cheeky, rude and dirty – but not in a Daniel Cleaver womanising way. Roxster is really uplifting for Bridget. He is silly, flirty, and yet he is respectful and mature when accepting Bridget’s lifestyle. The introduction of Roxster’s character is also great to cater for the younger audience, therefore building on the following that Bridget has.

As well as having to deal with her love-life, kids, mum and friends, Bridget is also juggling a screenwriting career and trying to work her way around modern technology! Being useless with a tv remote is one thing, but then figuring out Twitter, along with numerous dating sites, adds to the comedy. I found Fielding was able to use this aspect of the story to cleverly incorporate current issues into the storyline, e.g. horse meat found in ‘beef’ products, the Royals and their new arrival, etc. This kept the story real by allowing the reader to relate not only to the characters but the storyline as a whole.

There are areas of the story which I will not go into for fear of spoiling it for the potential reader. However, I do feel many of you will be a little disappointed with Mark Darcy’s storyline. I must admit that I was. However, life changes and it doesn’t always work out the way we thought. With this thought in mind, I was able to accept this instalment of Bridget Jones. Oddly enough, it is Darcy’s storyline which is fundamental to Bridget’s whole situation.

My only other niggle is that the story ended a little abrupt for me. There are twists (which I enjoy), however towards the end I didn’t feel that there was enough build-up for the reader to get too excited about. This did not change my overall feeling towards the novel as throughout I was giggling and generally feeling most of the emotions that Bridget was at the time. For me that was an important factor.

Mad About the Boy is written in the same diary-style we are used to seeing in this series. Bridget is still noting down her weight, calories and units of alcohol, with the added comical occurrence and sarcastic remarks. Due to the style of the chapter layouts it is very easy to put down and pick up where you left off so easy, whilst also allowing for those readers that can only fill a few minutes of reading here and there.

Certainly not my favourite of the Bridget Jones series (that will have to be the original), however for fans of the series, Helen Fielding and/or those who are looking for a fun, heart-warming starting-to-date-again chick-lit/rom-com Mad About the Boy is a touching and exciting read!

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding is available on Amazon UK and Amazon US in both ebook and hardback versions, with paperback versions set for release in June 2014.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

March 1, 2014 by Caroline Barker

The Baby & the Bride (The Debt & the Doormat #2) by Laura Barnard – blurb, interview & review!!!

The very much awaited sequel to Laura Barnard‘s ‘The Debt & the Doormat’ has been released today, 1st March 2014. I am thrilled to introduce ‘The Baby & the Bride’. Not only are we lucky enough to post the fantastic cover, blurb and review this hilarious chick-lit/rom-com, but we also take pride in interviewing Laura. This is certainly not one to be missed! We hope you enjoy! (Please scroll down for Laura’s interview and our review below). Caroline 🙂

BOOK BLURB:

Poppy and Jazz’s lives sound perfect on paper. Jazz has a new baby and Poppy’s getting married. But their realities are very different.

Poppy must strive to keep her cool new job with crazy hours, while trying to keep Ryan happy. Before she knows it her wedding has got out of control, thanks to her mother, the runners at work are bullying her, her parents are in financial difficulty and she’s doubting everything and everyone she ever knew.

Meanwhile Jazz is struggling with motherhood, something a credit card won’t fix. Why won’t this baby give her a break? Will Jazz be able to cope before she loses it?

And will Poppy make it down the aisle? Will Ryan even be waiting?

INTERVIEW with Laura Barnard:

Hi Laura and welcome to A Reader’s Review Blog. I would like to thank you in advance for taking the time out for answering some questions in regard to your new release, ‘The Baby & the Bride’, sequel to ‘The Debt & the Doormat’!

When did you realise there was going to be a sequel to The Debt & the Doormat, or was it planned before you began writing the first novel?

I never actually planned on writing a sequel. When I released The Debt & the Doormat I never had any idea of how popular it was going to be. It was only when book bloggers and fans started messaging me begging for one, I thought why not!

Does the comedy in your work reflect your personality? If so, would you say you were like Poppy, Jazz or any other character from your books?

I love all things comedy, although I didn’t exactly set out to make the book ‘funny.’ I just wanted it to be embarrassing and amusing; I definitely wasn’t expecting it to reach #1 Amazon best seller in free humour!

I’d say I’m definitely like Poppy. I’m so accident prone it’s ridiculous! My husband is constantly saying things like ‘What is wrong with you? Why can’t you get through the day without getting another bruise?!’ I think I just have no co-ordination and I don’t realise how wide my hips are – I’m constantly just walking into walls, window sills, door handles. It’s a wonder I survive at all! I also have a serious problem with saying ‘no’ to people, which lands me doing all kinds of ridiculous things. I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve started a story and my friends have said ‘having problem saying no again, Laura? Stop saying yes!’ I’m just a people pleaser! But I’m trying to be better.

And have you written about any of your own experiences in your novels?

Yes, some of them have actually happened to me, some have happened to friends and some are pure imagination. I won’t embarrass myself and tell you which ones!

Both book covers look great! Could you let us know who designed them and how much input you had?

My friend Karis Staniforth from Deer Beth (www.deerbeth.co.uk) designed both. I had a lot of input and am naturally bossy. It’s hard when it’s a friend, as I can feel bad asking for things to be re-done, etc, but she’s always given me amazing covers. I’d definitely recommend her to everyone.

What influenced you to become a writer, and in particular to write a rom-com?

I’m obviously a massive reader and also enjoy watching loads of films. It’s naturally the genre I go towards. I don’t like the idea of writing something so ridiculously deep that it would depress me. I want to write something with a happy ending that will put a smile on someone’s face. That’s what I want when I escape into a book. Unless I fancy some book porn ha ha!

When taking a break from writing what do you like to do?

Take a break? What is that? Ha ha! I like to hang out with my family, who I’m very close to. My friends are also a tonic. We go see movies, talk about how much weight we want to lose and discuss the filthy books we’ve read. I know I can always call them and whinge down the phone ‘I think this book is going to be crap,’ and they’ll tell me to shut the hell up and get on with it. It’s the smack back to reality I need. Other than that I love to sleep! I could seriously sleep twelve hours a night if allowed to.

Will there be a third book in the series?

No. This is definitely the last instalment for the foreseeable future. I’ve wrapped everything up at the end and want to concentrate on my next stand-alone book. As a reader I can get frustrated with a series, as you don’t feel closure until the next book, which you normally have to wait a year for. Although never say never. Jazz does inherit her trust fund money when she turns thirty and this could change a lot of dynamics within her relationships, which could be fun to look into.

To read our review of The Debt & the Doormat (Book 1) by Laura Barnard please click here. This first book is FREE on Amazon UK and Amazon US. The Debt & the Doormat was one of my Top Reads for 2013. Go grab a copy now!

REVIEW of The Baby & The Bride (Laura Barnard) by Caroline Barker:

She’s done it again! Another fantastic masterpiece in chick-lit/rom-com from Laura Barnard! Reading The Baby & the Bride is like meeting up with an old, close friend. Within seconds you become familiar with the characters you know and loved from Book 1, The Debt & the Doormat, and can easily relate to them, experiencing their roller-coaster of emotions. To read this book, you will need more wine, more choccies and be prepared for giggles throughout as Poppy and Jazz’s lives are turned upside down with some rather embarrassing moments along the way!

Oh dear, Poppy! Some things never change. She is still the doormat she always was, although trying not to be. It seems she’s running around after everyone like a headless chicken whilst Ryan is left waiting! Although very exciting, it can also be a disaster at times when your mother tries to plan your whole wedding for you and you haven’t a chance to express what you’d like! And Jazz, what trouble are you in this time? If it’s not debt, it’s a baby! What a fab start to the sequel, with great storylines for both characters and just as much excitement and tension as before. Laura Barnard has created a sequel that is just as good as the first.

In The Baby & the Bride Poppy and Jazz, although more grown up and settled in some ways, have their own crisis’ to deal with. At the same time they try to look out for each other, sometimes keeping secrets to protect the other from being hurt and yet always there to help each other when they are in need. We all need a Poppy and Jazz in our life, needing a pick up from time to time.

As a mother, I can completely relate to Jazz as early motherhood for her is exactly how I felt when I had my first – without too much exaggeration! In fact it was so precise, I thought that Laura Barnard was writing about me! The tiredness, the depression and the downright humiliating moments that childbirth and a baby can bring. But did I say depression? Well, yes, but Laura has a fantastic way of turning it around, uplifting these moments whilst at the same time still keeping them real. She makes it so natural for the reader to relate to the characters.

One of my favourite aspects of The Baby & the Bride is that Laura Barnard has kept all of the characters from The Debt & the Doormat. The reader can follow up Poppy and Jazz’s housemates, families and colleagues. Many of which have their own storylines which can interfere with Poppy and Jazz’s life at times, making their lives all the more topsy turvy! As Poppy hates to let anyone down she almost puts everybody else first, even before her own wedding!

The reader also has more of an incite into Ryan’s family (which brings along it’s own troubles which adds to all the chaos) and Poppy’s brother, Ollie. There is no mistake that Ryan is a hottie, handsome, sexy and affectionate. But as the reader discovers more about Ollie I’m sure there won’t be any disappointments there either!

As mentioned in my previous review of Book 1, this series is Bridget Jones meets Miranda Hart. As well as being heart-warming and sweet, one cannot escape the humour, the awkward moments and the slaptick. And when one sarky accusing question ends with ‘are we?‘ it reminded me of the Miranda tv series and I was in stitches. This is brilliant writing that had me laughing out loud so many times.

Due to the nature and fun style of Laura Barnard’s writing the series/book is a quick, fun read that leaves you feeling sparkly and energetic. It is completely uplifting. I strongly recommend that Book 1, The Debt & the Doormat, is read first, and at the moment there is no excuse as it is absolutely FREE on Amazon. However, The Baby & the Bride is written so well that new readers to this series could read this as a stand alone.

I cannot get enough of Laura Barnard’s writing. May she write many more wonderful, sweet and delightfully fun work in the future. This is an author not to be missed!

The Baby & the Bride was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest and fair review.

You can find The Baby & the Bride on Amazon UK and Amazon US.

You can also find the first book of the series, The Debt & the Doormat, for FREE on Amazon UK and Amazon US.

Contact info:

Laura would love you to check out her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/laurabarnardbooks and while you’re visiting please give her a ‘like’!

Laura also has her own website at www.laurabarnardbooks.co.uk and is available on Twitter: @BarnardLaura

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

February 11, 2014 by Tina Williams

GRINGA, by Eve Rabi – BOOK BLITZ!

Today we are thrilled to be participating in My Family’s Heart Book Reviews and Tours Book Blitz for Eve Rabi’s super duper and unforgettable modern romance GRINGA!

Scroll down to find out more about the book and the author and to read an excerpt and purchase links. It’s a wild, wild ride that you will never forget. Enjoy – I know that I did when I read it!
Tina 🙂

Please note the excerpt contains strong language and is only suitable for those aged 18+. By scrolling down and reading it you understand this and confirm that you are aged over 18.

TITLE – Gringa
AUTHOR – Eve Rabi
GENRE – Modern Romance
PUBLICATION DATE – December 9, 2013
PUBLISHER – Eve Rabi
COVER ARTIST – Eve Rabi

I was twenty-one, a sassy college student who took crap from no one. While holidaying in Mexico, I was accosted by The Devil of Mexico called Diablo and shot, because the s.o.b. mistook me for a spy.

I survived, only to encounter him again months later. How’s that for luck?

Furious and sick of all that I’d been through because of him, I slapped him, told him to go to hell and braced myself for the bullet. He could shoot me – I no longer cared.

But, to my surprise, he became fascinated with me and blackmailed me into becoming his woman. He’d slay the entire village that sheltered me, if I rejected his proposal.

He was Kong, hairy, tattooed from fingertips to face, with scary ass piercings, blood-shot snake eyes, a ruthless killer and above all, he was my murderer – how could anyone expect me to say yes?

To save the village I had to.

He took me by force, terrorized me into submission and made me his. To make matters worse, I had to put up with his ruthless, backstabbing family who hated me and wanted to kill me.

I despised the bastard and I told him that. Spark flew. Fists too.

But, the more I rejected Diablo, the more he wanted me.

At times he wanted to kill me because of my insolence, but other times he just wanted me to love him.

I was his Gringa and in an attempt to get my love, he began to change for me. Drastic changes that made me laugh at him at first, then made me curious.

As the days went by, I found myself drawn to him and I began seeing him differently. When I found out about his past, everything changed.

AMAZON (KINDLE)

(Please Note This Excerpt Is For 18+ And Contains Some Strong Language)

He grabs me by the scruff of my neck and drags me out of the room to the lunch table.
‘Leave me the fuck alone!’
He shoves me into the dining room. It’s Saturday so that entire gang is there, in the mood to party and to be entertained. Watching Diablo drag me to the table gets them excited.
Humiliated and seething, I sit down and drum my nails on the table. I don’t eat or look at him.
‘Eat!’ he orders.
I ignore him and drum louder, furiously.
A man named Norman, seated next to me, leans over and says, ‘Señorita gringa want Whiskey?
‘Yes please, Norman.’
Norman pours the whiskey and places the glass in front of me.
‘Thank you Norman,’ I say, bypassing the glass and reaching for the bottle.
Norman’s eyes grow huge when he sees me taking giant swigs from the bottle.
It’s awful. I hate whiskey. Tastes like gasoline to me.
‘Damn!’ I say, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. ‘This sure is mighty fine whiskey, Norman.’
‘Eh, Señorita gringa, my name …’
‘Lemme pour you one, Norman.’ I top his glass to the brim and hand it to him. ‘Knock yourself out,’ I chuckle.
Diablo’s not smiling.
Yeah, I’m supposed to be nice to him now that the FBI is involved. Well, fuck the FBI and Fuck him.
As lunch progresses, I’m feeling a little more relaxed now. Warm in my toes and even a little confident. Well, they’re eating lunch and I’m drinking mine – whiskey, Tequila and some other shit on the table.
After a few more swigs from the bottles, I cross my arms over my head and whistle Hit me Baby One More Time by Brittany bitch. Totally out of tune, but hey, who gives a fuck right now.
Diablo’s hairy face reveals little, but somehow I don’t think he’s comfortable with my drinking. Hell, I’m not comfortable with my drinking, but screw him.
They’re passing around pictures. Pornographic pictures and the conversation becomes steamy.
Usually, I pass on the pictures, but today, I snatch them out of Norman’s hand. ‘Lemme see that!’
I peer at the picture then burst out laughing. ‘That’s the fugliest flower I have ever come across,’ I say.
‘Eh, Señorita gringa, iiis not a flower, iiis a, how you say it…?’ He snaps his fingers.
‘Vagina,’ some other fucker calls out.
I peer at him. ‘What?!’ I snatch it out of his hands again. ‘Gimmee that.’ I stare at the picture. ‘Mm. Can’t be a woman’s vagina. It’s too fugly. Has to be a man’s.’ I hand him back the picture and go back to my neglected bottle.
‘So many Gringas,’ Antonio says, perving over the pictures. At the mention of the word ‘Gringa’, all eyes zero in on me.
Am I embarrassed? Hell no!
‘Hey, don’t look at me,’ I say and down another Tequila, whiskey – whatever – I’ve lost track of what I’m drinking. ‘I don’t roll that way. Why don’t you ask the fugly asshole at the end of the table?’
There is a collective gasp in the room and all eyes dart towards Diablo, including mine. Now he’s gonna be really pissed. Great.
But his amused response in Spanish brings on some guffawing.
‘What? What did he say, Norman?’
Norman is pissed enough to explain. ‘Diablo say, is like a fucking a Colchón sometimes. He say, is a big let down. And, Señorita Gringa, and my name is not …’
‘Colchón … mattress? He said that, did he?’ I let out a long, low whistle. ‘Well Norm, what the hell does he know, huh?’
I smile at Norman. ‘Can I call you “Norm?” I don’t wait for him to answer. ‘He don’t know jack. Foreplay – hell, he probably thinks it’s some kind of sugar-free chewing gum or something to do with his car’s steering wheel. Huh, Norm?’
‘But Señorita gringa, my name is not Norm, it is not Norman, it is Lucas.’
I stare at him for so long, he starts to flinch. ‘Lucas?’
He nods.
‘Why didn’t you say something, Norm? Okay, I’ll call you Lucas from now on, Norm.’
‘Eh …’
Santana almost falls off her chair laughing.
I look at Norm. ‘Now Norm,’ I point to Santana, ‘she’s probably laughing at what I said. Or she’s laughing at what the fuckwit at the end of the table said about me – the mattress – whatever shit …but, you ever seen a donkey laugh, Norm?
‘No, Señorita gringa. But my name …’
‘Never? Well, it’s your lucky day, Norm, cos you’ve seen it now.’ I jerk my head towards Santana.
Well, that magically erases the smile of donkey’s face.
‘You biiitch!’ Santana screeches. ‘I fargin’ kiiill you!’
I smile and raise my bottle at her. ‘Take a “fargin” number and get in “fargin” line.’
Troy comes up to me. ‘Gringa,’ he whispers, ‘come, let me take you to bed so you can sleep it … ’
My eyebrows shoot up. ‘Take me to bed? Are you better in bed than your brother? Christ, I hope so, Troy!’
Troy turns scarlet and shrinks back, all the while glancing nervously at Diablo.
Diablo looks at everyone around him falling out of their chairs with laughter and his breathing becomes like that of an emphysema patient – raspy and labored.
‘He really is lousy in bed Troy. And you know what? I don’t like him. He’s hairy and yuuuuck! He won’t let me visit my … ’
Diablo slams his fist onto the table, rattling the table and animating plates, cutlery, glasses.
‘Fuck! Look what you did Satan – you nearly made me spill my …’ I jerk back and peer at the label on the bottle in my hand. ‘What the fuck is this shit? Anyhoo, you’ve made me lose count of how many drinks I had. Have to start all over again. In case I have to drive.’
Diablo suddenly whips out his knife and flings it ninja-style at me. I duck and it hits the wooden beam behind me.
‘Ooooh!’ I cry shaking both my hands mockingly. ‘I’m in trooouble now! Biiiiga trooouble.’
‘Go gringa, go!’ some of the men cheer.
‘Whoookay!’ I say.
Diago stands up.
I stand up too and look him in the eye, my eyebrows disappearing behind my spiky fringe.
Breathing heavily, he creeps slowly to me, but I’m ready for him. I kick back my chair and sidle around, using the table as a barrier between us.
‘Watch him move, like a … eh, what you say for walrus in Spanish?’
The men laugh harder. Even Christa laughs.
‘You will farkin’ die!’ Diablo roars.
‘And who’s gonna farkin kill me, huh?’ I ask, dancing on the spot. ‘You?’ I throw my head back and laugh.
More laughter around me.
Diablo runs to his knife, grabs it off the beam and runs towards me.
But I’m already out of the villa and racing towards the cliff.
‘I’m going to kiiiill you!’ he yells as he chases me.
‘Fuck you, motherfucker!’ I scream over my shoulder and sprint ahead. I don’t care if he kills me, I just don’t want to be assaulted by him. He’s super strong and I stand no chance against him if he does. I’ve never seen him run before and I’m hoping he’s out of shape and slow. Well, the big lunch should make him sluggish.
But to my dismay, I can actually hear his breathing. I’m surprised at my slowness. Must be something to do with the booze. I have to admit, I didn’t realize how drunk I was until I started running. Too late now.
I run up the hill and through the dense foliage, passing startled villagers tending the cannabis crops. They stop and stare when they see Diablo chasing a gringa with a knife in his hand. Behind Diablo are his men, some on horseback and some on foot, not wanting to miss the moment Diablo finally kills the insolent Gringa.
‘Go, gringa go!’ I hear.
I run faster than I ever did in my life.
‘You will die!’ Diablo threatens behind me, still brandishing the knife. His breathing is getting louder and I know I have to do something.
The rock pool! I know for sure that Diablo is no match for me in the water. Very few people are. I head for the pool.
Changing route confuses Diablo and for a few moments, the gap between us increases, allowing me some respite.
I’m desperate to reach the rock pool so that I can shake the enraged animal behind me.
But to my dismay and my surprise, he catches me.
‘Let go of me, you fucking freak!’

AUTHOR BIO
Eve Rabi lives in Australia, but she was born in South Africa.
She is the author of 20 books and is known for her kick-ass leading ladies, alpha males and no holes-barred love stories.
Oh, and let’s not forget about humour, it’s a must in her books.
To quote a smashwords.com reviewer: “When you pick up an Eve Rabi book, forget sleep. She writes gripping page turners that will keep you reading till the very end.”

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | SMASHWORDS | TWITTER

LOVE STORIES BY EVE RABI
Deception – A Palace Full of Liars – Book 1
Deception – A Palace Full of Liars – Book 2

Burn’s World – Book 1
Burn’s World – Book 2
Burn’s World – Book 3
Burn’s World – Book 4

CAPTURED – My Sworn Enemy, My Secret Lover – Book 1
CAPTURED – My Sworn Enemy, My Secret Lover – Book 2

Gringa – A Love Story Book 1
Gringa – A Love Story Book 2
Gringa – A Love Story Book 3
Gringa – A Love Story Book 4

THE CHEAT – A Tale of Lies and Infidelity – Book 1
THE CHEAT – A Tale of Lies and Infidelity – Book 2

You Will Pay – For Leaving Me (This book is free to Eve Rabi Fans)

Obsessed with me –Book 1
Obsessed with me –Book 2

Betrayed – He’d get his Girl at Any Cost

My Brother, My Rival (Book 1)
My Brother, My Rival (Book 2)

January 20, 2014 by Caroline Barker

Tour of Duty (When Riley Met Cara #2) by C.J. Pinard

Tour of Duty

After loving the first book of this fantastic sweet, contemporary romance series, I adore C.J. Pinard’s ‘Tour of Duty (When Riley Met Cara #2)’. A little darker and serious than before, Tour of Duty is hotter and more sensual as well as taking heart-warming to another level.

Hot soldier, Riley, is to be in California for the summer only, before he is due back in Colorado to prepare for his next tour. During a night out he meets single mum and recent divorcee, Cara Reid. However, after spending a night with Cara he begins to realise he wants to spend his whole summer with her. But what will happen once the summer is over and his nine month tour of Afghanistan begins?

Whereas the first story, Patriotic Duty, introduced the characters and was told from Cara’s point of view, in Tour of Duty we enter the mind of Riley, seeing their relationship from his point of view. The reader has an insight into the basic daily routine that Riley has when on tour in Afghanistan and his feelings and emotions he has for Cara (from meeting her, spending summer with her and leaving Cara to tour Afghanistan). Being in Riley’s mind was HOTTER and more SEXIER than Cara’s, as everything appears more dramatic and the more direct, hands-on approach. Oh yes, I LOVED this one even more!!!

As suspected, Tour of Duty is a little darker and dramatic than Patriotic Duty (When Riley Met Cara, Book 1) as the reader truly understands the danger that Riley is in when on tour, experiencing every moment that Riley has in Afghanistan. The reader fully appreciates his need to protect Cara from knowing all of the horrors of war. However, the reader is still provided with the fun, cheeky and hot aspects of their relationship, as in Book 1. And I love how C.J. Pinard can fill her romantic novels with so many emotions. C.J. also has the ability to write some fantastic HOT scenes and, although these characters are falling quite seriously for each other, these scenes are so fun to read, adding a little enlightenment to the fear that their relationship may not last.

Cara is enjoying her summer of fun with Riley, although underneath fearing his departure. I love how Cara is so relaxed and can be herself around Riley. She is fun and very lovable, and as any parent would, she takes care in introducing Riley to her son. Riley is very sweet, although can appear the strong, silent type when he wants to protect Cara from being hurt, as he too fears his departure may mean the end for them. Cara is his world and the reader feels his sincerity towards her throughout the story.

The characters are quite real in many senses. They are a bundle of emotion, going through the extremes of love and in some ways may be flawed. Their longing to protect each other, especially on Riley’s side, can mean miscommunication or lack of communication, causing both sides to feel neglected, paranoid and hurt at times. This does make the characters easy to relate to and also, reading both books of the series, will show the thoughts and mind set of each character throughout each step of their relationship. This allows the reader to be completely understanding of Cara and Riley, wanting for them both so much to forget their fears and just go for it!

Tour of Duty is a short, sweet contemporary romance and it is an absolute pleasure to read a sexy, romantic story told from the male’s side and realising all of their true emotions. To sum up, Riley is that hot, cute soldier from Book 1 who’s looking for more than somewhere to spend the night or the summer – he wants to spend his life with Cara Reid. Due to the hot love scenes this book is recommended for those above the age of 18 yrs.

A Reader’s Review Blog received a copy of Tour of Duty from the author in return for an honest and fair review.

You can find Tour of Duty (When Riley Met Cara, Book 2) by C.J. Pinard on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Smashwords.

You can currently find Book 1, Patriotic Duty on Amazon US for $1.23 and Amazon UK for 75p. (Prices subject to change.)

If you would like to contact C.J. Pinard you can reach her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CJPinardAuthor or you can e-mail her at cjpinardauthor@gmail.com.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

January 6, 2014 by Tina Williams

One Way or Another You Will Pay, by Eve Rabi

Revenge of the Master Manipulator!

This novel is once again an original, emotional and compulsive work from Eve Rabi. It is a read that her fans will not want to miss and those who enjoy thrillers and dark romantic suspense will also enjoy. Do not read after the first paragraph if you want to avoid spoilers for book 1, You Will Pay- For Leaving Me (currently FREE on Amazon US and Amazon UK and Smashwords). Please note that as it describes scenes and the repercussions of domestic abuse, this series does contain scenes of violence and threat, some of it sexual.

In this and the previous instalment in the tale, You Will Pay: She Left her Abusive Husband He Took Revenge, (click title for our review), the author tackles the difficult and often taboo subject of domestic abuse. The abuser in this story is a sociopath who seeks brutal revenge on his wife who leaves him after years of abuse. There are harrowing scenes of threats, violence and murder and although not an easy read the ability of Eve Rabi to weave a compulsive and addictive story containing real life issues and characters with whom the reader can identify with is once more underlined. The remainder of this review contains spoilers for book 1.

In book 1, You Will Pay – For Leaving Me, we met Arena, married to businessman Tom. Tom likes to control Arena, from how she dresses to how she wears her hair and who she socialises with. His control also extends to their son Warren and after Arena becomes pregnant and their daughter Sasha is born, his behaviour turns violent. Arena finally takes the plunge and leaves him to make a new life for herself and her children. However, Tom dishes out the most terrible revenge imaginable on Arena and her family and is truly beyond redemption. Arena and Bear, the new man in her life, dish out their own revenge on Tom, which I absolutely loved! After the end of book 1, I was sort of happy that Tom had been incarcerated, although secretly I would have preferred him to have been AT LEAST 6 ft under! The fact that he was in prison due to the actions of Arena and Bear I regarded as natural justice after his sickening crimes against Arena and baby Sasha.

In book 2, Arena and Bear are happily married, living with Warren, Tom and Arena’s son, Bear’s daughter Amy, by his first marriage, and their own baby Savannah. All is fine and dandy apart from a series of abusive and threatening letters that Arena begins to receive from Tom, trying to persuade her to bring Warren to visit him. Arena does not respond to his letters and they abruptly cease. After a brief respite, the tenor of the letters changes and Tom claims that he is suffering from terminal cancer and that he needs to see Warren before he dies. Arena is torn between her hatred and distrust of Tom and the fact that he is in effect making a deathbed request that it would be heartless to ignore. After all what can he possibly do to her if she does visit as he is behind bars?

You need to read the book to see how Arena copes with the situation and the consequences of her decision on whether or not to acquiesce to Tom’s request. What I will reveal is that this instalment and Tom’s actions are just as chilling as book 1, as even from his prison cell Tom attempts to bring Arena, Bear and their family to their knees. Arena and Bear’s love is tested to the full and lives are put on the line. Once again this stellar read contains some intense and dark moments and once again I read it into the small hours.

I enjoyed finding out more about Bear in this book, such as what makes him tick, his relationship with Arena and how he seeks to protect her and their family from Tom. I felt for them both when they were faced with the terrible consequences of Tom’s actions and there were some truly heart rending scenes. I also enjoyed the character of Ritchie, Arena’s brother who supported them and the pivotal role played by the character of Ingrid.

This is perhaps one of Eve Rabi’s darkest works to date, Nevertheless it still contains her trademark scenes of intense love between the hero and heroine, the survival of a strong woman who survives against the odds, self-sacrifice, heart rending emotional scenes and a plot where the reader has absolutely no chance of predicting what will happen next, let alone the outcome.

I strongly rrecommend this book to fans of Eve Rabi and also to those who are not adverse to reading about difficult issues and examining the darker side of humanity.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

A copy of this novel was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Purchase links: Smashwords Amazon US Amazon UK

Eve Rabi’s website

Eve Rabi Facebook