The Girls of Mischief Bay - Review

Review by Marlene Engel

Pam, Shannon and Nicole are as close as friends can be, but equally as different in their individual lives.  Where one has age, another has youth.  Where one is financially stable, another has concerns.  Where some have kids, another only wishes for them.  Regardless of their differences, they all shared the most important thing … friendship! 

                                                 

Pam and her husband have been happily married for 30 years.  But being 50 is something that Pam is having a hard time with.  Examining every imperfection on her body has her wondering if a trip to the plastic surgeon should be in her near future.  You can imagine how she must have felt when she finds out that she’s going to be a grandmother!  But it’s an unexpected event that turns her world upside down and has her reevaluating the important things in life. 

Shannon is a successful business woman who longs for a husband and a family.  With her biological clock ticking away, she wonders if those things are in the cards for her.  Most men are intimidated by her career or she meets men like Quinn, whose main interest is getting her in bed.  It’s not until she meets Adam that she starts to think that maybe she can have her happily ever after.  That is until he drops a bomb that could change the outcome of their relationship forever.

Then there’s Nicole.  She’s a loving, supportive wife who has been taking on full responsibility of being sole bread-winner and parent to their young son.  When her husband decides to quit his job to pursue his dream of writing a screenplay, her support and patience are tested.  Spending more time with writing groups and less with the family, her marriage is paying the price and she begins to wonder if it’s even worth saving.

With a great cast of characters, a story that will have you laughing one minute and crying another, Susan Mallery shows you that no matter what life throws at you, it’s always easier to tackle when you have good friends by your side.  An absolute must read!  I can’t think of a better book to start off 2015 than The Girls of Mischief Bay.

Purchase the book at:

Amazon * Barnes&Noble

About the Author:

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has won the hearts of millions of readers around the world with books described as “immensely entertaining, intensely emotional” (RT Book Reviews), “hilarious” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram), and “heartwarming” (Publishers Weekly). One major retailer recently described her as “the queen of romantic fiction.” While she deeply appreciates the accolades of critics and booksellers, Mallery is even more honored by the enthusiasm of her readers and the word-of-mouth that catapults her toward the top of the bestsellers lists time and again.

Mallery lives in not-so-sunny Seattle with her husband, plus a toy poodle and two ragdoll cats who are not at all impressed by her growing fame.

Connect with the author at:

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Miracle in March - 12 Things About Juliet & A Giveaway

Blurb:

Emma had plans, travel plans, going-far-away plans, but her family means everything to her, so when they needed help, she was there to deliver it. Running the family business of beachside cabins in Tarrin’s Bay might not be the same as the French Riviera, but Emma finds a certain level of peace in the beautiful setting and small town community.

But when she finds that her ex-boyfriend, a man she left behind without explanation, staying in one of the cabins, her peace is ruined. She knows the only way to get it back is to share the secret she’s been hiding for five years, and admit to him the limitations that she now carries. But James has his own truths to share, and he’s not the man that Emma once knew.

They are both in very different places than before, but it’s a time for renewal and second chances when their reunion brings secrets to the surface, dreams to be remembered, and the realization that they are both in need of a little miracle.

Purchase the book at:

Amazon / Amazon Aus / iTunes/iBooks / Amazon UK / Kobo / Nook/B&N / Google Play / Booktopia / All Romance / Big W ebooks / JB Hi-Fi

“12 Things About Juliet Madison”

1. I accidentally became a writer.

Oops, I wrote a book. And then another one. And another, and so on. Okay, so it wasn’t a complete accident (or easy), but I hadn’t planned on becoming a writer when I did. I always wanted to write a book one day, but when I made an unexpected and quick decision to leave my business and homeschool my son, I decided to see if I could craft a novel, just for fun, even if only one person read it and didn’t think it sucked. Long story short – I was hooked, and the rest is history.

2. I’ve never been overseas – yet!

I’ve only travelled within Australia, but I will be going to the USA in May and June! I hope to meet a few of my online American friends who I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know via Facebook. J

3. I can’t stick to one genre.

I started out writing women’s fiction / chick lit, and then my stories morphed into wacky romantic comedies, some with a touch of magic, and also romance with drama and high emotion. Then I branched out into supernatural young adult mystery, and so I basically just write whatever I feel compelled to write!

4. I dance while I cook.

As an ex-dancer I can’t help but move and stretch in a dancerly way around my house, it’s ingrained in me. While stirring the pot, I might stretch my leg on the kitchen counter, or while waiting for something to cook I might do the odd pirouette or arabesque. I wonder if my neighbours can see me through the window…

5. I don’t write at a desk.

I don’t write at my desktop computer anymore, I use my Macbook Air or NEO (portable word processor). I write either on the couch, on my deck chair on the balcony, in bed, or at a café. My office is wherever I open my laptop.

6. I almost became a doctor.

I’ve always been fascinated by the human body and after years of study I worked as a naturopath for several years. During this time I sat the (long and intensive) entrance exam for medical school – and passed. I missed out on an interview at my chosen university by two points though, and after seeing the great results my patients were getting with natural medicine, I decided to keep doing what I was doing and not to reapply the following year. And then, I became a writer anyway!

7. I can’t work on one project at a time, monogamy schmogamy.

My mind is like an internet browser with multiple tabs open. Although I may sometimes write one particular book, I am always plotting and writing down snippets of scenes for other books. Starting in April, I’ll be writing two completely different books at the same time.

8. I inject a lot of real life experience into my books.

I think many authors do, at least in some way. I don’t write an autobiographical account of my life experiences, but I do weave bits and pieces of it into my plots, and bits of me into my characters. For example, in The January Wish, Mark was a naturopath and I used my experience to help write his scenes. In my new release, Miracle in March, I included a child character with autism and drew on my experience raising a child on the spectrum, as well as dealing with autistic patients in my health practice.

9. I make up my own recipes.

Although I follow recipes sometimes, I often just experiment and throw things together and see what happens. Luckily, most have turned out alright! I call myself an intuitive cook. Except if it goes wrong and then I’ll just blame a pretend recipe! ;)

10. I never stop thinking. Ever.

I didn’t come with an off switch. Getting myself to go to sleep at a reasonable hour is a huge undertaking, and requires lots of mental preparation! I’m a deep thinker, I think about life a lot, and of course I think about my book ideas. 

11. I dreamt I got a book contract the night before I got one.

Yep! I saw the contract in my dream (including the publisher’s name), and the next morning I received my first offer in my inbox.

12. I love doing random acts of kindness.

I love spreading joy around and often leave little gifts for strangers in public, even though I don’t know who is going to find them. I don’t do it to get anything in return, but it’s amazing how often you do get gifts yourself in return! 

Author Bio:

Juliet Madison is a naturopath-turned-author with a background in dance, art, internet marketing, and perfume sales (yes, she was one of those annoying people in department stores who spray you with perfume). Nowadays she prefers to indulge her propensity for multiple careers by living vicariously through her characters. She likes to put her characters into extraordinary situations and take them on a challenging journey to discover their true passion and inner strength, weaving in some laughs, tears, romance, and sometimes a touch of magic along the way.

Living near the beach on the beautiful south coast of New South Wales, Australia, Juliet spends as much time as possible writing and coming up with new ideas, while doing her best to avoid housework.

Connect with the author at:

Website * Facebook * Twitter

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The OMG Test - 12 Things About Pippa Franks & Giveaway

Blurb:

Like Jane Austen's Emma, Olivia Daly can't resist the urge to meddle, but her Bridget Jones touch means things usually go awry. 

Shop manager Olivia's well-intentioned interfering stems from a fear of change. When friends talk of leaving, she quakes in her stilettos (or sensible work shoes). These shoes must stay a step ahead to prevent this from happening. 

Commitment is not at the top of Olivia's 'To Do List'. However, four friends with learning difficulties, dubbed 'Olivia's Misunderstood Gang' (OMG), think otherwise. They devise a test for potential boyfriend/husband candidates. Olivia approves of the test, with the intention of using it to find ideal - and more importantly, - local matches for best friends Jasmine, Melissa and Sebastian. 

When enigmatic shop-fitter Connor gate-crashes her life and heart, Olivia conscientiously puts him through The OMG Test, 'for anyone who may be interested,' refusing to admit how she feels. 

As the test progresses, Connor passes each aspect with flying colours.Yet he does appear to be hiding something. But unless it's a wife and kids, does it warrant a fail? After all, there's no such thing as the perfect man…even women aren't perfect all the time...

Purchase the book at:

Amazon * Barnes&Noble

“12 Things About Pippa Franks”

1.    My real name is Cheryl Henderson, but I’m writing as Pippa Franks in memory of my mum.

2.    It’s taken almost ten years to write and publish ‘The OMG Test’. Life got in the way, but it’s amazing because book two will follow soon after, and hopefully book three by the end of the year.

3.    I’m fifty this year! Scary! But it’s not all bad because I’m happier than I’ve been for a long time.

4.    I’d given up on finding someone I could spend the rest of my life with, but I got married last year. It was a perfect day…except for my sister’s bridesmaid dress giving way just before the service!

5.    From every sale of ‘The OMG Test’ I’m giving a percentage to the charity, Dogs Trust. The book cover will be changing to feature their logo, and also the rescue dog from the book, who is based on my own rescue dog.

6.    I have an obsession for clip in hair extensions. Once, my sister and brother-in-law saw what they thought was a dead rat in the street. On closer inspection they saw it was a hair extension. They both said they bet it was mine and showed me it. They were right, the rat lookalike was reunited with my head!

7.    I’m interested in the paranormal. My second book, due out soon, is paranormal and was great fun to write. I once got pushed by a ghost!

8.    My eyes water constantly. My neighbors probably think I’m being abused. Either that, or they think I’m the most miserable person they’ve ever seen.

9.    One New Year’s eve, I was dancing to live music in a huge room full of people. The lights went up and I was informed by one of the band that my dress was tucked into my knickers. I wanted to leave. My friend said she hoped I wasn’t going to spoil her night!

10.I used to do drugs talks at schools with a policeman. (I’ve never taken drugs and was happy to help in trying to put school kids off doing it). We had a script and I was made up to look like a drug addict. Looking in the mirror was scary. At one school, my old teacher tapped me on the shoulder and said it was good to see me. I wasn’t amused that he recognized me, let me tell you!

11.I’ve cried loads recently. Like when my ‘proper’ book arrived in the post, when it went live on amazon, when I had the first sale. You get the picture. It’s got to the point now where if I’m crying when my husband gets home, he thinks something really good has happened.

12.I’m going to start the Insanity workout soon. I must be insane. I know this, because I did it last year and it was hell. But it works. I’m having nightmares about hearing that voice screeching, ‘c’mon y’all, let’s gooooooo.’

About the Author:

Pippa Franks was born in the pretty seaside town of Whitby, North Yorkshire in England. It's famous for connections with Captain Cook, Bram Stoker's Dracula and the best fish & chips!

She now lives in Warwickshire with her husband and rescue dog, Bailey.

Pippa started writing 'The OMG Test,' around ten years ago, then life got in the way. 10% of author profits will go to Dogs Trust. Her own rescue dog is on the cover. He's not impressed at being known as Buddy in the book as his name is Bailey!

 
Pippa is delighted to be able to introduce the characters to you at last.
She enjoys travelling, reading and of course writing. Her second book will follow shortly.

Pippa loves chocolate, wine and the sun in no particular order. But if pushed the vino may just take the edge.

Connect with the author at:

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Pippa is giving away four print copies of

The OMG Test

US/Canada/UK Only

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Start Me Up - Review & Giveaway

Review by Marlene Engel

Mike adores his niece.  So there was no hesitation when his sister asked if he could drive her to a birthday party.  His plan was to drop her off and not return until the party ended.  That was until he met the hostess!

Single mom, Anne, can craft just about anything, is a party planning genius and easy on the eyes.  One look at her and the thought of staying for the party didn’t seem so bad!  But what could Mike possibly have in common with Anne?  He’s a mechanic who lives in his garage, literally!  Isn’t one for serious relationships and happens to have a hot date that night.  But there’s just something about Anne that makes it impossible for Mike to get her out of his mind. 

Can Mike change his bachelor ways enough to capture Anne’s heart?  Or will he not fit into her perfectly crafted life?

I’m a true believer that opposites attract.  When I heard about the characters and storyline, there was no doubt that I had to read this book.  It’s like a modern day Martha Stewart meets hunky ‘Pimp My Ride’ mechanic, swirled in with some delicious desserts and fun friends.  If that’s not enough to make you want to read this book, I don’t know what is! 

This is the first novel I’ve read by Nicole Michaels, but it won’t be the last! 

Purchase the book at:

Amazon * Barnes&Noble

About the Author:

Nicole wrote her first full length book (6 pages) about the birth of her baby sister, when she was eight years old. She only finished it because her mother bribed her with a Rick Astley cassette tape. Sad, but true. Now her characters are what keep her writing and her subject matter has gotten a little bit deeper and a lot more romantic. She resides in a small town outside of Kansas City with her husband and three sons. When she isn’t writing, she’s a wedding and portrait photographer, loves to cook, and watch historical dramas or documentaries.

Connect with the author at:

Website * Facebook * Twitter

St. Martin’s Press is giving one lucky winner

A print copy of Start Me Up

US Only

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Beauty and the Brides Maid - Excerpt & Giveaway

Lisa Souza will be on tour March 2-16 with her novel Beauty and the Bridesmaid

Could love be a nip/tuck away? Having endured her mother's fourthwedding, hypnotized by makeover shows and tempted by a Zvengali-esque image consultant named Kennedy J, über bridesmaid Dot Lindell launches into an odyssey of self improvement, plastic surgery and therapy. Then new and improved Dot encounters former high school hottie John Miller. She begins a risky deception, convincing both John - and herself! - that she's a totally different person. Maybe she can pull it off: after all, she's unrecognizable. But John introduces Dot to his best friend and that bully from her nightmares Jack Weston. Jack has changed since high school, too. He's grown more dangerous. Beauty and the Bridesmaid is a darkly comic tale of transformation and choices, frenemies and friendships, the heroic saga of a nice woman who only wants to look in the mirror and feel beautiful, but may find the price higher than she bargained. Please visit CLP Blog Tours for all the tour stops!

Purchase the book at: Amazon

Excerpt:

Doctor Devers wiggles her pen back and forth against her clipboard. It looks like butterfly wings.

“You hired an image consultant?” Jasper’s eyebrows attempt to hide in his hairline.

“More of a prisoner exchange. I got his computer working and he waived his fee. Which is hardly fair to him. All he needed was Adobe Acrobat installed and bam, problem solved. It’s a free download for goodness sakes. Took maybe three minutes. It’ll take months to get me overhauled.”

Group stares.

“Yes. I hired him.”

“Isn’t that a little…you know... tragic? Having some stranger dude decide what you’re going to look like?” Elvira’s problem is not shyness.

I bite down hard on my lower lip to keep from spewing with laughter. “Possibly. But no one’s come begging for my style secrets. Whereas Kennedy win awards for his.” I shrug. “Seems like a sensible solution. Calling in the professionals. Like they do on TV.”

Anna shakes her head. “Unnatural. Having some man do dis to you.”

Jasper considers. “People wear braces to straighten their teeth. They take medicine for medical conditions.” He directs his gaze at Anna, “People kick nature in the ass plenty when it serves them.”

Dr. Devers swings toward me. “This isn’t TV, Dot. The money and the pain won’t be a thirty-minute blip with commercial breaks. They’ll be real. So my question is, where are your boundaries? Have you decided what’s sacred? What you’ll protect?”

“Nothing’s sacred, Doc. At this point, I intend to follow Kennedy’s suggestions to the letter and let the chips, the pounds, and the fashion faux pas fall where they may. I have little to lose.”

She frowns. Apparently that’s the wrong answer.

“Look, you might want to schedule some private sessions, Dot. Doesn’t have to be with me, I can recommend some people.”

“Sorry, Doc. My money is going to be tied up for some time. Oh, and that reminds me, I won’t be coming to group for the next few weeks.”

I’m flattered at the chorus of no’s from my fellow cast offs.

“Just for a few weeks. I have all these appointments that Kennedy set up and with all the bus trips –” I let myself trail off, stand up to leave.

Donald and Susan shake my hand. Elvira cracks an eerie black smile and wishes me luck. “Come back and show off the new look, right?” She shoves a card into my hand. Oh my heavens the girl has a business card! I push it into my pocket.

“Thanks, El.”

Anna clucks her tongue disapprovingly. “I vish you vould retink dis decision. But I hope all vill be vell wit you.” She surprises me by jumping up and giving me a quick peck on the cheek.

Mikey isn’t there (back in the pokey again), so that leaves just Jasper and the doc.

Jasper’s face is unreadable, which is frustrating. “I’m going to miss you, Dot. You’re coming back, though, right? After the ‘few weeks’ is up?”

My turn to feel pink hit my cheeks. “That’s the plan at the moment. Things are pretty up in the air at the moment, so I’m trying not to make too many promises.”

He looks thoughtful. “I see. Well, I wish you all the best.” His eyes lock on mine. He looks like he’s about to say something, then drops his eyes.

I walk out.

I wonder if he’s really a doctor. Or a plumber. Or a figment of my imagination.

At the bus stop, I strain to read "The Race for Love," by the poor light of a streetlamp which would be book number ninety-two on the Barbara Cartland countdown to romance. Fortunately for me there's no rain (yahoo), but it's nippy and dim and the sounds of voices approaching makes it difficult to concentrate.

The voices grow more agitated and soon the unmistakable surfer-Goth cadence of Elvira cuts through. The other voice isn't familiar, just the grunts of some young Neanderthal. I duck into the shadows of the overhang, fading into the darkness, and dog-ear the page of my book.

" - waste of fuckin' time," grunts a guy about my height. He seems beefy and squat next to the lean line of Elvira. His clothes are all dark, but the streetlight occasionally winks off one of the piercings, marking his proximity.

She crosses her arms over her nonexistent bosom. "No one holding a gun to your head, dude."

I do like that girl. "Hey, Elvira."

She starts a bit. "Oh, how-dee, Dot. You shaved a few years off me."

"Sorry about that. Didn't want to intrude."

The troglodyte wheels on me, a cold look in his eyes. "Yet ya did." He rams his shoulder into Elvira's stiff form as he turns on his heels, the force of it causing her to take a step back into the bus stop. I catch her before she falls over. "Fuckin' outta here. I'm heading to Burger King."

He huffs off in the darkness, leaving Elvira and I holding our breaths at the bus stop.

"That one's a keeper."

She shakes her head, her enormous eyes shimmer with unshed tears. "He's not usually such a dick." She sniffs and digs into a big bag for a tissue. "He can be really nice. Sweet, ya know?"

What kind of a monster would start a fight with those eyes? "Sure. Everyone has their bad days. Was he your ride?"

She nods.

"Not to worry. The bus will be here soon."

Her mouth twists sideways. "Not sure it's even my bus, dude."

She has a point. "True. But it'll get us out of here."

About the Author: Lisa Souza was raised on the mean streets of Spokane, Washington, one of five siblings wrestling for attention and hot meals. She has a degree in English because both her husband and parents insisted she buck up and finish something. Without outside pressure, she fizzled out on an interior design program, bailed on computer science after two years, but rallied to complete her certification in hypnosis in 2012.   Lisa lives in the Snohomish Valley with her first husband Mark, (author of Robyn's Egg), two stoic children, and Tater the rescue dog, whose ancestry is very much in question.

Connect with the author at:
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GIVEAWAY!

Anyone who leaves a comment below will be entered to win a copy of Beauty and the Bridesmaid. Print copies will be available for US winners and eBook for international. Please leave your email in your comment!

Pie Girls - Review & Giveaway

Review by KT Sullivan

Searcy Roberts is waiting for her husband and high school sweetheart, Alton, to come home for their anniversary. Instead, she sees his picture flash across the television screen as a missing person. Turns out he has quit his job, joined an Ashram, and wants a divorce. With him goes her credit cards, designer clothes, and deluxe apartment. Saying she’s pregnant to make him reconsider, he informs her he had a vasectomy and is not the father.

Searcy decides to pay her mom, Maggie, an extended visit. She owns the Pie Girls Bakery and her high school friend, Tobi, works there. There are big troubles at home: Maggie is very ill, Tobi can’t cook, and the rent is six months overdue. Searcy uses her dwindling cash stash to resupply the bakery and help Maggie. Searcy pulls out her grandmother’s old recipes and gets baking.

Luke, the owner of the bike shop next door, is helpful and cute. He fixes a leaky water pipe, cleans up the shop after a paint spill, and falls in love with Searcy. She has feelings for him too, but has no time for romance. Instead, she plans a fundraiser to save the shop by selling all her old clothes and furniture that Alton sends to her after the divorce papers are signed. Will Searcy comes up with enough cash to save the Pie Girls Bakery?

Many women are forced to start over after a divorce. Searcy makes the best of all the problems thrown at her. Her relationship with her mother and connection with her hometown is wonderful.  I particularly enjoyed the ending, as it has a bit of an It’s a Wonderful Life feel to it. With family, friends and food, what’s not to like about this book?  It left me wanting some pie!

Purchase the book at:

Amazon

About the Author:

Lauren Clark writes contemporary women’s fiction set in the Deep South; stories sprinkled with love, family, and friendship. Her characters are real women; smart and sassy, who tackle complicated issues with tenacity and intelligence.

A former TV anchor and journalist at WWNY and WTVY, Lauren’s big loves are family, paying it forward, and flavored coffee. She lives in Mobile, Ala., surrounded by family and friends who inspire her writing.

Connect with the author at:

Website * Facebook * Twitter

The author is giving one lucky winner print copies of both:

Dancing Naked in Dixie & Pie Girls

US/Canada Only

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Lydia's Party - Review & Giveaway

Review by KT Sullivan

Lydia’s Winter Bash is held every January. Every year she invites her best friends for the past twenty years. Elaine, Celia, Maura, Jayne, Betsy, and Norris each have a back story and baggage for the party. Most of them teach and bonded over their love of art.

The story follows Lydia’s preparations and how to tell her friends that this is the last year. Lydia is dying of pancreatic cancer and is trying to compose a final letter to her friends. She makes a list of her regrets, “things we did and wish we hadn’t and regret for things we didn’t do and wish we had.” She doesn’t like her rough drafts and crumples them up. Lydia doesn’t hand out the letters, but one is found.

All shocked, the women gather around Lydia and help in their own way.  And, when Lydia’s gone, will they celebrate her legacy by hosting the Winter Bash?  Or will this be their last hurrah?

                                          

I liked Celia the best, so does Lydia. She compares being a mom to being a waitress. She invents errands to be able to leave the house to be by herself on the weekends and describes them as a vacation. Many topics in the story are easily relatable and funny.  A great story about the bonds of friendship!  A must read for all! 

Purchase the book at:

Amazon * Barnes&Noble

About the Author:

Margaret Hawkins is the author of two previous novels, A Year of Cats and Dogs and How to Survive a Natural Disaster, and a memoir about her sister, After Schizophrenia: The Story of My Sister's Reawakening.  She wrote about art for many years for the Chicago Sun-Times and is currently a Senior Lecturer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  

Connect with the author at:

Website 

Enter to win a print copy of 

Lydia's Party courtesy of Penguin Books!

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