WRITTEN FOR YOUby Robin Bielman Publication Date: August 23, 2021 Genres: Adult, Entangled: Amara, Contemporary, Romance, Friends to Lovers Amazon: https://amzn.to/3xQCABf iTunes: https://apple.co/2Usbra5 B&N: https://bit.ly/3soKu3E Kobo: https://bit.ly/3AQvw9E Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3iTBiAX Amazon AUS: https://amzn.to/3sqsLbW Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2UpFizM SYNOPSIS Cam Radcliffe is on a deadline to write his next blockbuster action film, but all he can think about lately is writing romance. The inspiration? His best friend, Reese. They’ve known each other for years, but suddenly working in the same office has given him a whole new appreciation of her. Reese is driving him wild in the best possible way, and Cam only hopes it isn’t obvious. If she knew, he’s certain their friendship would reach The End. So, of course, Reese figures it out. But the awkward, negative response he expected is nothing like the reality—like they’re living their own romcom. A romcom that’s giving him the worst case of writer’s block at the absolute worst time in his career. Especially when the secret Reese has been forced to keep comes out…and threatens to ruin everything. ABOUT ROBIN BIELMAN Robin Bielman is the USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels. When not attached to her laptop, she loves to read, go to the beach, frequent coffee shops (and by frequent she means daily but she’s trying to break the habit), and spend time with her family. Her fondness for swoon-worthy heroes who flirt and stumble upon the girl they can’t live without jumpstarts most of her story ideas. She writes with a steady stream of caffeine nearby (see above) and the best dog on the planet, Harry, by her side. She also dreams of traveling to faraway places and loves to connect with readers. Keep in touch on social! Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bookbub | Goodreads | Amazon Author Profile | Entangled Publishing | Newsletter
My thoughts:
Friends-to-lovers is one of my favourite tropes, so when I read the description for Robin Bielman's new book Written For You, I knew I'm in for a treat! If you're looking for a perfect summer read (it's not too late!), consider this sweet and sexy story. Reese Resnick and Cam Radcliff have known each other since they were kids. Their adopted moms are best friends. In fact, Cam's mom Pixie is Reese's godmother. Needless to say, they know each other very well. Reese knows how lovely and considerate Cam is and how hard he has been working tobuild his career of a scriptwriter. His latest action movie was a huge success. Now he is on a tight deadline to produce something equally engaing, but all this pressure is blocking his creativity. Perhaps,it will be easier to write at home surrounded by his loving parents and his brothers? Cam knows that Reeese has changed a lot of jobs over the years, unable to find the career that would be both enjoyable and stimulating at the same time. She's been working for a talent agency for the last three months, reading script submissions. While Cam may have her doubts whether she is going to stick with this job as well, Reese is convinced she has finally discovered her real vocation. When Cam's aggressive agent approaches and bullies her into spying on Cam's progress with the script, he does it by threatening to get her fired from her dream job. Reese is always welcome to stay at her godmother's house is going to make sure Cam writes the best script of his life and she is going to help him. There's so much at stake and I don't mean just their jobs, but also the life-long friendship and their easy-going family dynamics, so only very strong attraction and 'blazing' chemistry can force the two protagonists to risk everything and finally change the nature of their relationship. Reese is a sweet, fun-loving girl and deep down she knows what her heart wants. Cam is a writer who is a bit slow to recognise how perfect their own story is. Luckily, his adoptive brothers Nash and Gael are there to tease and nudge him in the right direction. Reese and Cam worry about their parents discovering their budding romance, but in reality it has always been obvious to anyone that they were made for each other. The story is set in a small town of Rustic Creek and I loved all the adventures and fun moments Reese and Cam get up to on their mission to help Cam produce his masterpiece. My favourite has got to be the library prank, but there were lots of others. If you are a fan of the small town setting, you'll love Rustic Creek. Lovely romcom recommended to anyone who enjoys the friends-to-lovers trope! Thank you to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, the author and IndieSage PR for the ARC which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily. A sharp and hilariously relatable novel about the business of weddings, the toll they can take, and the lengths one exasperated bridesmaid will go to for the love of friends. Lily Weiss is her mother’s worst nightmare: thirty-two and single—the horror! She’s also a talented writer but hides behind a boring job at a science foundation. To her friends, she’s reliable and selfless, which is how she winds up a bridesmaid in five weddings in six weeks. Anything for her three best friends and two (younger) siblings, right? Even if her own love life is…well, she’d rather not talk about it. To keep her sanity, Lily needs a safe place to vent. And so her anonymous blog, Bridesmania, is born. The posts start pouring out of her: all the feels about mom-zillas, her vanishing bank balance, the wicked bridesmaids of the west, high-strung brides-to-be, body-shaming dress clerks, bachelorette parties, and Spanx for days, not to mention being deemed guardian of eighty-eight-year-old Granny (who enjoys morning mimosas in the nude) for her brother’s destination wedding. So far the blog has stayed anonymous. But as everyone knows, few things online remain secret forever… When all is said and done, can Lily help all five couples make it to happily ever after? And will her own happy ending be close behind? My thoughts: For Love of Friends is a typical summer read- everybody knows that summer the best season for weddings and everybody knows it's impossible to survive being a bridesmaid in five weddings over two months without some major damage to one's sanity. Here is a story that will make you think even more fondly of your friends who never (occasionally/ sometimes/ quite a lot ) lost their good old common sense and good nature and started asking impossible things from you. Lily Weiss, our protagonist, is a friend/sibling and bridesmaid to 5 manic brides. She adores her dad and has quite a complicated relationship with her mother (nothing Lily does is going to be good enough, starting from being thirty two years old and single) and her younger sister. Lily is bored with what she has to do at work. Still, she is lacking courage to leave her secure job and become a writer. Compromise? a wedding blog where she can put down on paper (sorry, screen) her observations and tell her jokes without hurting anyone's feelings. Yes, some of the stories are incredibly entertaining (¡Hola abuela!) and even shocking esp. her involvement with not one, but two of the best men from her best friend's wedding party. To be perfectly honest, my feelings towards Lily were all over the place. First, I liked the way she refused to beat herself up about her one night stand and feel obliged to start another dead-end/ short-term relationship... unfortunately, things weren't that straightforward and she came very close to sabotaging herself. Perhaps, I was a bit too harsh on Lily- I expected a thirty two year old to be more mature and more self-aware, but some things you see only when you are ready to see them. I liked the fact that she grows as a person, a friend and a family member and clears a lot of issues in the end. Lily's blogging journey sounded interesting- a lot of people relish in the anonymity of the Internet and give vent to their feelings (perhaps, even slightly exaggerating things to make the content more striking). We know it will all blow in her face and there will be consequences...Perhaps, Lily needed a push, a disaster of a kind to force her into changing. I liked the fact that she grows as a person, a friend and a family member and clears al ot of issues in the end. The writing was almost addictive. Some time in the middle, I wondered if five weddings was really too many (I know, that's the whole point!) and the book could have been as good or even better with fewer plotlines. Then again, not all our relationships in life are equally deep or equally important at all points of our lives, but all benefit from attention, kindness, and communication, and this book really drives it home. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC provide in exchange for an honest opinion. About the author: Sara Goodman Confino teaches high school English and journalism in Montgomery County, Maryland, where she lives with her husband, two sons, and two miniature schnauzers, Rosie and Sandy. When she’s not writing or working out, she can be found on the beach or at a Bruce Springsteen show, sometimes even dancing onstage. For more information visit www.saraconfino.com. Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Publication Date: August 1st, 2021 Thank you to Rachel fromRachel's Random Resources for inviting toparticipate in theblog tour for Daisy's Dilemma, a new romcom by Debbie Viggiano. Daisy’s Dilemma Florist Daisy is loved-up and blossoming. Boyfriend Dominic has proposed marriage! However, Dominic isn’t in any rush to buy a ring, and meeting the parents is looong overdue. What is the problem? After all, Daisy’s mum has already bought her big hat and wants to know the wedding date! Then careless words plant seeds of doubt and, like weed, Daisy’s concerns begin to multiply. Is Dominic hiding something? Meanwhile, sexy ex Harry is back on the scene and begging Daisy for a reconciliation. He thought the grass was greener with HER but now says he made a mistake. Is Harry – for once – being genuine, or simply leading Daisy up the garden path? New neighbour Seth seems like a fun guy, but a single throwaway comment has Daisy mimicking a species of Calla Lily – Red Alert! It’s time to do some digging. But even she never anticipated a mad car chase across London or unearthing a shocking secret that changes everything. Sparks are set to fly in this gorgeous romantic comedy about love, trust, and new beginnings. Purchase Links UK / US My thoughts: This was my first book by Debbie Viggiano and it definitely won't be the last - it was light, entertaining and I rooted for Daisy all way through! Daisy is a thirty five year old florist living in a tiny village of Little Waterlow. Daisy owns her home, has a successful business, and a fiance. Things are looking rosy for Daisy who went through a mother of all heartbreaks when her brand-new husband Harry cheated on her with his best man's sister. Now Dominic is nothing like that. He is dependable and hard-working, although he seems to be a bit on a reserved side when it comes to Daisy meeting his family and his friends. He also hasn't got Daisy her ring (oh, but he will sooner or later) and he hasn't been contributing to the bills or any other living expenses (he is saving money for the wedding). Well, there's just one more thing: Dominic has to travel a lot for work, including weekends and Christmas (his hotel didn't have telephonereception-what a disater!). Warning bells are ringing in your head, dear reader? right so...Then two more things happen in Daisy's life- her ex-husband Harry woud like her to forgive him and take him back, and a gorgeous new neighbour Seth moves into a cottage next door (the chemistry between these two is so strong, you can almost see sparks flying). And we have Daisy's dilemma complete: who will she choose? Daisy was such a lovely and sweet character. Life hasn't exactly treated her well in the romantic department, but her heart is definitely in the right place and she just needs a little nudge to lose those pink glasses and see what is really going on, and who she should or shouldn't trust. Some of her escapades were hilarious and I just loved her inner monologue. Her bestie Becky was also there to provide necessary support, teasing and banter. There weren't any real surprises (well, it was clear from the beginning where things are going), but I didn't need any to enjoy this fun escape from my daily life. Debbie Viggiano has a great sense of humour and comic timing, and I can see why she is one of the most popular romcom writers. Lovely, easy summer read with fun characters, recommended to anyone who enjoys a self-discovery story with a bit of romance. Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources andthe author for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Author Bio: Prior to turning her attention to writing, Debbie Viggiano was, for more years than she cares to remember, a legal secretary. She lives with her Italian husband, a rescued pooch from Crete, and a very disgruntled cat. Occasionally her adult children return home bringing her much joy... apart from when they want to raid the fridge or eat her secret stash of chocolate. Tweet @DebbieViggiano or follow her on Facebook! Social Media Links TWITTER: @DebbieViggiano FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/debbie.viggiano.5/ INSTAGRAM: debbieviggiano WEBSITE: www.debbieviggiano.co.uk Thank you for reading the post!
If you would like to find out what other bloggers thought of Debbie's book, here is the full blog tour schedule: Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for invitingme to participate in the blog tour for Life's a Beach by PortiaMacintosh. Life’s A Beach Sun, sea and inescapable exes... Peach is excited to hear that her sister, Di, is getting married. Of course, she would have preferred her little sister to be engaged to someone she's known longer than a week - and the fact that his name is Charles doesn't bode well - but who is she to judge?! Afterall, her own love life is non-existent, and who doesn't love a destination wedding...? Whisked away to the gorgeous Italian coast, Peach assumes her role as chief bridesmaid and, despite her reservations about the groom, she tries to ensure everything goes to plan. But weddings are never straightforward affairs... throw in some unexpected guests in the form of ex-boyfriends and one night stands, and soon enough there is more drama than a reality tv show. Can Peach keep the show on the road, or might she end up in a whirlwind romance of her own...? Escape to the stunning Italian coast with bestseller Portia MacIntosh. Perfect for fans of Sophie Ranald and Mhairi MacFarlane. Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3aRO92I My thoughts: Portia Macintosh is my auto-buy author. There is something special about her romcoms, something kind and uplifting. Her newest one, Life's a Beach is as good, if not better, as her previous books, so if you're a fan of Portia's writing set aside an afternoon (you know you won't be able to stop until you've devoured the book) and pick up this light and entertaining read. Peach loves her job and she is great at it. She is a mystery shopper which means she gets to check out what the service is really like at various restaurants, shops, hotels and even chemist chains, and then she has to write an honest report for the business. Sometimes she has to get into a character and even mention her fake fiance Matt once or twice. This time she is having a dinner and is staying overnight in a hotel near the airport and she is doing it with her younger sister Di who is about to fly back from her holiday in Greece. Only Di's flight gets delayed and Peach meets aman who is similarly waiting for somebody arriving with the same flight. She invites him for a dinner and has the best date/non-date of her life. One thing leads to another and... The attraction is so strong that Peach is totally justified being disappointed to find out Matt left without a word or even a note. When Di's flight finally lands, she has a bombshell of news of her own- she is getting married to someone she has known forone week. Should Peach try to stop her from making this huge mistake or is is the case of 'When it's love, it's love'and she should just be happy for Di? The wedding party throws in a heap of surprises, including a few blasts from the past. What happens next is a real comedy of mistakes and misunderstandings to the soundtrack of 'It's the Groundhog Day...Again and again...' I really like all Portia's lead characters. Peach is strong and realistic at the same time. She is kind, caring and forgiving. When life throws her a curveball, she picks up pieces and gets on with it. Her message is really positive: everyone makes mistakes and everyone deserves a second chance. I must say I wasn't sure she was going to have her happily-ever-after at the end of this book- this is how realistic this romcom is, but then the ending just melted my heart and was so true to the characters. Reading this book was like a mini-holiday with all the sunshine, happy, warm feelings and lovely memories of being truly relaxed and entertained . Thank you so much, Portia, and I hope to read your next book very soon! Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's RandomResources, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Author Bio: Portia MacIntosh is a bestselling romantic comedy author of 16 novels, including The Plus One Pact and My Great Ex-Scape. Previously a music journalist, Portia writes hilarious stories, drawing on her real-life experiences. Social Media Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/macintoshportia Twitter: https://twitter.com/PortiaMacIntosh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portiamacintoshauthor/ Newsletter Sign Up Link: http://bit.ly/PortiaMacIntoshNewsletter Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/portia-macintosh Thank you for reading the post! Have a wonderful Tuesday! If you would like to find out what other bloggers thought of the book, here is the full blogtour schedule:
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for On the Road to Love ( Love in the City#1) by Melissa Baldwin. On the Road To Love From bestselling romantic comedy author Melissa Baldwin comes the road trip of a lifetime! Successful Manhattan accountant Stacy Brown is shocked when her almost perfect life unexpectedly crumbles around her. Blindsided by her husband when he serves her with divorce papers and tossed aside by the women she considered her best friends, devastation and depression hit her hard. But when her mother sends her an old photograph of her and two childhood friends, Candace and Olivia, it fuels a desire in Stacy to find that person she once was. What starts as a chance to reconnect turns into an unforgettable road trip back to her childhood home and an encounter with a man from her past. Gavin Kingsley, son of Stacy's old piano teacher and former annoying boy next door, sparks something in Stacy that she hasn't felt in a long time…maybe never? Despite her hesitation to jump into a relationship, Stacy can't help being drawn to him as she and her girlfriends take a journey of self-discovery, laughs, tears, and hysterical moments. Can returning to her past give Stacy everything she's been searching for in her future? Purchase Links UK / US My thoughts: On the Road to Love is the first book in Melissa Baldwin's series Love in the City. Now that I've read Stacy's story, I will definitely continue with the series to find out more about her childhood friends Olivia and CJ. The book was just so lovely and optimistic, it was like a ray of sunshine. Stacy is a successful accountant in New York. She and her husband Greg have been focusing on their careers, but they also have a beautiful house and a large group of friends. Stacy is quite content with her life (why shouldn't she?), until one day, out of blue, Greg serves her with divorce papers. You'd expect this is the time when your girlfriends are going to double their efforts to spend more time with you and help you get through this tough period of life....This is not what happens... The invites are few and between and Stacy begins to wonder if these people she considered to be her friends ever cared for her. When her mum sends her an old photo, Stacy tries to re-connect with the two girls in it, hoping to re-claim her old, carefree, happy-go-lucky self. She also has a briliant idea of driving to her parents' home in Florida,and doesn't have the heart to say no, when one of the girls invites herself to join the trip. In fact, why not invite the other friend too? never mind the fact that they seem to have some big, unresolved issues. Perhaps, it is their chance to work them out. Stacy has had a tough time at the beginning of the book, but I loved the way she concentrated on the positives. She was also genuinely kind and generous. One of my friends who got married and divorced quite young told her how tough it was to navigate the post-divorce social life. So, this part sounded absolutely realistic. I really like the development Stacy's character goes through in the book. She has to re-think her life decisions and what really makes her happy. Including a new man in her life. Or rather an old friend who grew into an incredibly good-looking man with a wicked sense of humour.... This short book was light, entertaining, and so much fun. The message is really positive: there are second chances in life, both in love and friendship! I can definitely recommend this sweet and clean rom-com to anyone who loves a good self-discovery story with a HEA. Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources and the author for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Author Bio Melissa Baldwin is a planner-obsessed Disney fan who still watches Beverly Hills 90210 reruns and General Hospital. She’s a wife, mother, and journal keeper, who finally decided to write the book she talked about for years. She took her dream to the next level, and is now an award-winning, bestselling author of seventeen Romantic Comedy and Cozy Mystery novels and novellas. Melissa writes about charming, ambitious, and real women, and she considers these leading ladies to be part of her tribe. When she isn't deep in the writing zone, this multitasking master organizer keeps busy by spending time with her family, chauffeuring her daughter, traveling, attempting yoga poses, and going on rides at Disney World. Social Media Links Amazon / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram Giveaway to Win a $20 Amazon Gift Card (Open INT) *Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blogtour for Richard Amooi's latest romcom Uncork My Love.
Uncork My Love
A sweet romantic comedy set in beautiful Napa Valley! Ivy needs a miracle and a drink—not necessarily in that order. With a struggling winery, the only hope of keeping her dream alive is snagging a gold medal at the annual wine competition. She’s determined to win, but she can do it without the help of Ted Jacobs, aka Mr. Know-it-All. Ted wants to catch lightning in a bottle and create the world’s greatest wine, but he’s smart enough to know he can’t do it alone. When he heads to Napa to keep his grandma from ending up in jail (don’t ask), he meets Ivy. She’s as complex and intoxicating as his award-winning cabernet, but as stubborn as the mule next door when she stomps on his offer to collaborate. Ted knows it’s risky to mix business with pleasure, but if Ivy would only listen, they might just be the toast of the town. Purchase Links UK / US
My thoughts:
Richard Amooi's wonderful romcoms are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. I really enjoyed this romantic escape to sunny Napa Valley with its gorgeous setting, fantastic characters, funny and tender moments and lots of delicious banter. Did I mention a couple of meddling grandmas who wouldn't stop at anything in their matchmaking endeavours? Ted Jacobs is a world-famous, award-winning winemaker with three degrees and a sweet charming disposition. When his beloved grandmother Loretta tries to enlist his help in stealing a vine from Half Moon Vineyards, which used to belong to their family long time ago, Ted is horrified. He'll do anything for his grandma, but surely there are other ways- like... just asking the owner, Ivy Dobbs, to work together and produce a new wine mix using grapes from both estates. He is even ready to offer his business advice for free. Ted has so many ideas! The only problem is Ivy doesn't want any help or anything to do with Ted. When Loretta books a little holiday in Half Moon Vinyards Inn, run by Ivy's grandparents, Ted knows he will have his work cut out for him trying to prevent his favourite senior citizen from ending up in a jail. Mr Generous with his Time and Advice/ Mr Arrogant Know It All (depending on your point of view) just can't help himself and stay away from Ivy and her business, which could indeed do with a few improvements. 'Call it what you will, chemistry, interest, attraction, fascination, whatever. It was there'- this is how I felt about Richard's book. Page after page, one hilarious scene after another, he totally charmed me with his fabulous timing and sense of comedy and relatable characters. When I retire I want to be as free-spirited as Loretta and have as much fun. Both Ivy and Ted have bitter divorces behind them and you can totally understand why Ivy might have trust issues. Some characters are there just to add the comic flavour (Michelle Raquel and the unfortunately named marriage counsellor), while others make us learn something about the protagonists and why they are such a great match. I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I enjoyed getting a glimpse into Ivy's wine-making business- I'd had no idea what a wine thief is or how important it is to organise various kinds of events and activities, including vinyard tours. Uncork My Love is an adorable romance that will make you swoon one moment and laugh out loud the next, and if you aren't already Richard Amooi's fan, you will be after reading it. Thank you to Rachelfrom Rachel's Random Resources and the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.
Author Bio
Rich Amooi is a Taleflick Discovery Winner, Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Recipient, Holt Medallion Finalist, and the Amazon Bestselling author of 16 romantic comedies, including It's Not PMS, It's You, Dying to Meet You, There's Something About a Cowboy, and Madam Love, Actually. A former radio personality and wedding DJ, Rich now writes romantic comedies full-time in San Diego, California, and is happily married to a kiss monster imported from Spain. Rich believes in public displays of affection, silliness, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after. Social Media Links website / facebook / instagram /twitter / goodreads Giveaway to Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card (Open INT)
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
Thank you for reading the post! Have a wonderful Sunday!
If you would like to find out what other bloggers thought of Richard's book, here is the full blog tour schedule:
Royally Drained
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo -- EXCERPT: I had a suspicion that my magic faded with age, like estrogen, draining youth and power from my body, turning me into an old crone soaked in wine, and leaving me with an excessive amount of bitter baggage. At least, that was how I felt at thirty-one, past my prime. I’d stupidly wasted my youth on a man who put off marrying me for so long, only to dump me at the altar and banish me from his life and his kingdom, all in a matter of minutes. I groaned, settling down onto a tree stump caked with a questionable fungus. The drizzle of rain dissolved into a mist, wrapping around me in a blanket of wet gloom and matching my mood. Anger bubbled inside me like a cauldron of witch’s brew, ready to explode and destroy its next victim. Could this be early menopause? I thought with a sudden pang of panic. “Ahem,” I cleared my throat and shook the thought from my head, determined to focus on something I’d not tried yet—the darker creatures of the forest. My spells usually involved singing birds, cuddly bunnies, and doe-eyed deer. But there was one time, a while back, I’d accidentally summoned a rabid alligator. Of course, I’d hidden up in a tree until he left, but I always wondered if my charms could be used for more than sweet, princessy qualities, as my ex used to put it. You know, those things I’d lost when I became a worthless humanish bag of bones. “Fa-la-la-la, rawr, la-la-la,” I tried, bellowing out the lowest spooky tone I could. But nothing happened. “I said, fa-la-la-la, rawr, la-la-la!” I screamed into the clearing, but only the windswept leaves echoed back. I scuffed my boot into the dirt, kicking a pebble across the way before taking a deep breath and trying again. “La-la-la, rawr, la-la-la.” My voice rang out as it had years ago when my magic was strong and powerful enough to command an army of squirrels, nibbling the ankles of all my enemies. A blanket of clouds thickened overhead, forming a sinister chill in the air. The hair on the back of my neck prickled. I had a feeling I wasn’t alone anymore. “La-la-la, rawr, la-la-la,” I sang again, louder. Footsteps, much heavier than a bunny’s, pattered behind me. I stood up and threw my hands in the air, still singing and ignoring the feeling of someone watching me. I twirled, singing in harmony with the wind in the trees, the drizzle of rain, and the low hum of the clouds growing overhead. My senses awakened to the natural life around me, and for the first time in a year, I felt whole again. I spun around the clearing, singing my heart out and skipping through the mud until—as my luck would have it—a man, not a beastly creature under my command, walked into my life. “You rang,” said a deep voice behind me. I turned to see a tall, dark figure stepping out of the shadows. His mouth curled, as if on the edge of laughter, displaying a glimpse of two deadly sharp fangs. “Holy shit. I summoned a vampire.” I stood frozen, unable to look away.
GIVEAWAY! Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Mr Right Across the Street, a brand new rom-com by Kathryn Freeman. Mr Right Across The Street Mia Abbott’s move to Manchester was supposed to give her time and space from all the disastrous romantic choices she’s made in her past. But then the hot guy who lives opposite – the one who works out every day at exactly 10 a.m., not that Mia has noticed thank-you-very-much – starts leaving notes in his window…for her. Bar owner Luke Doyle has his own issues to deal with but as he shows Mia the sites of her new city he also shows her what real romance looks like for the first time. And when he cooks up a signature cocktail in her honour, she realises that the man behind the bar is even more enticing than any of his creations. And once she’s had a taste she knows it will never be enough! Goodreads Purchase Amazon UK / Amazon US My thoughts: Mr Right Across the Street is a sweet story of Mia, a computer geek, and Luke, Mia's sexy, cool neighbour. The story is set in Manchester, so if you, like me, think that British rom-coms are the best, get the book and enjoy this slow-slow-burn romance. Mia has recently moved to Manchester. She is missing her parents, her sister and her girlfriends, but she really needs to put some space between her and her mean, possessive ex who just won't stay away. What Mia needs now is friends and some time to reassess why she keeps going for Mr Wrongs. Luckily, Mia is a website designer, a job that can be done anywhere, including her living room, which also has a huge advantage of a very cute view. Mia has been enjoying watching her hot neighbour across the street work out at 10am every day, until she decides to go to the nearest bar and here he is... Luke, the bartender / the bar owner. They chat and there's that special connection, also known as the spark. Only Mia doesn't trust herself to read the signals right, not when Luke seems to be very popular with local ladies. Does Mia need a player in her life? No, thank you! Is she willing to give her phone number and risk being stalked again- the answer is another NO. And then a handwritten poster-sized message appears in the window across the street, and another one, and Mia can't help herself responding... The slow build-up of Luke and Mia's friendship-non-relationship-relationship was a bit frustrating. Yes, I know I said I love it when protagonists take things slowly and I am taking it back. At times Mia just drove me mad with her 'cool guys never fall for nerds in t-shirts and leggins' insecurites. On the plus side, we get to check out lots of cool places in Manchester, which is a fabulous setting for a rom-com. Although not hailed as such, this is an opposites-attract story. Mia is reserved, while Luke is a mix of charm, ready lines and hidden vulnerability. Mia is supposed to be thirty, but it felt as if she was younger and there was enough of 'I'm not like other girls' to make me feel uncomfortable. She looks beyond appearances in some cases and doesn't in others, but don't we all? Her sister Elle was a real hoot and so was her neighbour Stan (the topic of loneliness in elderly people deserves a separate discussion). There were other interesting side characters I wish we'd seen more- Sandy, Phil, Mateo, Stan, Naomi, Grace- they made the story much more vivid and more enjoyable. An honourable mention for Pickles who melted my heart. Great setting, interesting (although not perfect) characters and a lovely writing style, all of these make Mr Right Across the Street an entertaining read. Fans of Kathryn Freeman will be delighted with her 17th book! Thank you to NetGalley, OneMore Chapter and Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way. Author Bio A former pharmacist, I'm now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it's the reaction to a sexy hero. With a husband who asks every Valentine's Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises. Social Media Links Website: http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathrynfreeman Twitter: https://twitter.com/KathrynFreeman1 Thank you for reading the post. Have a wonderful Monday!
If you would like to find out what other bloggers thought of Mr Right Across the Street, here is the full blog tour schedule: Book & Author Details: Ain’t She Sweet by Whitney Dineen (Seven Brides for Seven Mothers #2) Publication date: December 15th 2020 Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance Synopsis: Tara Heinz began her modeling career at the tender age of twelve. After spending fifteen years drooling over forbidden foods, she does the unthinkable. She enrolls in culinary school and becomes a pastry chef. After a nasty breakup with her rock star boyfriend that leads to tabloid war, Tara takes a job at a rural lodge in Oregon to escape the spotlight she no longer desires. James Cavanaugh is a farmer in Oregon. His days are spent building his business and his nights are spent sleeping, so he can get up at four in the morning. Ruby Cavanaugh has plans for her son that involve her new pastry chef. Of course, neither James nor Tara know what’s going on until it’s too late. Goodreads Purchase Link Amazon AUTHOR BIO: Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries -- not always in that order. Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables. Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2017. Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016. Finalist RONE Awards, 2016. Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017. Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards, 2017 Finalist Top Shelf Indie Book Awards, 2017 Website / Twitter / Goodreads / Instagram / Facebook Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in this blog tour. Just A Girl What happens when the right girl and the right guy meet at the wrong time? One thing that can be said about Quinn Pearson is that she has a knack for doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. Like, the worst time ever. Take her job for instance. One little slip of the tongue using the mother of all swear words while reporting the news, and suddenly she finds herself with over 18 million views on YouTube and her employment in jeopardy. If that wasn’t bad enough, when she meets the man of her dreams, she nearly chokes to death on a powdered sugar donut. Thankfully for Quinn, the dashing Brit, Henry, finds her near death experience quite charming. But just when Quinn thinks her luck is going to change, she finds out her timing is all wrong again. Henry is off limits. Or is he? Maybe it’s time for Quinn to quit settling for what life hands her. Perhaps it's time for her to become more than just a girl. Purchase Links UK / US My thoughts: If you are looking for a new chicklit /romcom or just a quick entertaining read, Just a Girl will definitely fit the bill. Even if you are not a big fan of workplace romances (yes, they do tend to backfire in real life) or shy and sexy Brits, there are other classic elements of well-written chick-lit- loyal besties, an evil workmate, an embarrassing mistake that in the spirit of times goes viral, an overbearing mother, a supportive father, and, best of all, a lovely, bubbly, relatable heroine. Quinn has been working as a newsreader for a TV channel in Central Florida. She also happens to restore antique furniture in her free time (how cool is that?). When she meets lovely Henry, and goes on a date with him, she is a bit reluctant to talk about her real job and I do understand her reasons. She is afraid he'd google her and see the viral video of her biggest ever TV blooper. Henry isn't exactly forthcoming about the work position he is interviewing for. One of the executive producers Quinn worked with leaves the channel and his replacement is...our dashing Brit. The situation is further complicated by Quinn's nemesis Stacey and her intrigues. Workplace romance is a great trope to read about, and here we get two examples- one with catastrophic consequences (a cautionary tale) and one that blooms into a lovely supportive realtionship. There is also the theme of settling or rather not settling, but working towards and reaching for what we all deserve- love and respect. It was impossible not to root for Quinn and Henry on their journey of working out how they want to live their life. Thank you to Rachel and the author for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest review. All opinion were my own and were not influenced in any way. Author Bio – By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. An award-winning author, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last... but it probably won't. Social Media Links – Website: www.beckymonson.com Facebook: AuthorBeckyMonson Twitter: @bmonsonauthor Instagram: @bmonsonauthor Media Kit: www.beckymonson.com/media-kit *Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize. Thank you for reading the post! Have a great Sunday!
If you would like to know what other bloggers thought of Just a Girl, here is the full blog tour schedule: |
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