Wednesday 31 August 2016

Rae reads... Marry Your Billionaire by C.J. Anaya

About the book:

Six years ago, Midge Knightly walked away from her trust fund, her Hollywood producer father, and the expectation that she would join the family business. Avoiding handsome playboys with hidden agendas was just an added bonus. Now one semester shy of graduation, she is shocked to discover her scholarship has lost its funding. 

Her estranged father is having problems of his own. A contestant on his latest reality TV series has cancelled two months before shooting. 

His solution? 

Midge gets her trust fund back if she stands in as a potential marriage candidate for the dating series Marry Your Billionaire. Twenty women competing for one arrogant guy. Not Midge's cup of tea. Agreeing to this proposition sucks her back into the world she happily broke ties from, but no trust fund equals no college degree. 

Brody Prescott, CEO and owner of an online dating company, has recently been pegged as a heartless playboy-among other things-by a disgruntled female after a disappointing date. 

His solution? 

Become the first bachelor on Marry Your Billionaire and hope that one of the contestants holds some potential. So what is he supposed to do when the woman who intrigues him the most wants to be eliminated? 



Buy here

My thoughts:

Both characters were charismatic so they were instantly likeable. Midge had a fiery nature but was also kind. I enjoyed seeing how Midge's relationship with her father played out. Midge had some great one liners such as:

"Good gravy" 
"Sweet maple syrup"

These cute sayings made Midge even more adorable!

Brody was perfect as the love interest, I thought it was great how at the start I assumed he was a bit of a womaniser. Although as I read more of the book my opinion changed. Midge and Brody had great chemistry and I loved their interactions with each other. There were definite sparks flying whenever they met!

There was lots of fun and passion (kissing) in this story and it grabbed my attention straight way. I loved the premise of the reality television show and finding love through that. I got caught up in the story and read for quite a while before I realised it had gotten quite late! 

The plot was well written and was easy going with no slow bits. I enjoyed reading this book from both Brody and Midge's point of view it was great to see how each character was feeling. It was also interesting to get an insight into what the villain of the story was thinking too.


Overall:

After reading Marry Your Billionaire I would be happy to read more books from C.J.Anaya. 

Marry Your Billionaire is a fun journey into reality television with a charming romance at it's heart!

Four and a half stars from me!

Thank you to C.J. Anaya for kindly sending me a copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

Sunday 28 August 2016

Rae reads... The Reckless Love of an Heir by Jane Lark

About the book:

“You are reckless, proud, spoiled and everything I dislike!”

For Lord Henry Marlow, the future Earl of Barrington, life is for living before he accepts his duty. No wager is too risky or challenge too dangerous – until a racing injury forces the Barrington heir to return home and prepare for his destiny. But the one thing Henry will not do is bow to his parents’ wishes and propose to his childhood friend and neighbour, beautiful Alethea Forth. And he’ll not put up with her disapproving sister, Susan, either, no matter how much he enjoys their verbal sparring…

Kind-hearted, bookish Susan Forth has always thought Henry arrogant and self-centred, and has never hidden her dislike of the rogue! But this injured, vulnerable Henry reluctantly brings out her natural compassion, and a shocking desire for the man who is expected to marry her sister! A stolen kiss leads to a forbidden passion – and for the first time in her life, Susan knows what it’s like to be reckless – with a man who is finally learning to care.

But when tragedy strikes, their secret love is all that holds them together – and could tear their lives apart…


My thoughts:

I loved the opening chapter of this book it had lovely descriptions of Henry's home Farnborough. Also detailed how he had come back after some time away. It was descriptive but without going over the top.

Henry was the perfect hero he progressed well as a character and become more and more likeable as time went on.

I immediately took to Susan she was a quiet person to start with. However that was mainly due to not being the centre of attention within her family. So she preferred standing in the background.

Both characters were well developed and the chemistry was built up over time which made the story all the more realistic.

The story was engaging and had plenty of emotion. There was also plenty of passion, romance and some sad parts. It definitely pulled at my heart strings!

Overall:

The Reckless Love of an Heir has a lovely passionate romance at it's heart!


Four and a half stars from me!


Thank you to HarperImpulse & Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

Friday 26 August 2016

Rae reads... When a Marquis Chooses a Bride by Ella Quinn

About the book:


Thanks to their large extended family and unconventional courtship, the Worthingtons have seen their share of scandal and excitement. But nothing has prepared them for this...

The Dowager Lady Worthington isn't quite sure what to make of country-girl Dorothea Stern. As the granddaughter of the Duke of Bristol, Dotty is schooled in the ways and means of the nobility. But her sharp wit and outspoken nature has everyone in a tizzy. Especially their cousin, Dominic, the Marquis of Merton.

Prematurely stuffy, Dom was raised by his cheerless uncle to be wary of a host of things, including innovation, waltzing, and most perilous of all: true love. Still, there's something about Dotty, beyond her beauty, that Dom cannot resist. But the odds are against him if he intends to win her as his bride. Will he choose loyalty to his family—or risk everything for the one woman he believes is his perfect match…


My thoughts:

I have to admit it took me a couple of chapters to get into the story. However from then on I began to sit back and enjoy reading this book. The plot moved at a good pace with plenty of romance and a bit of danger. I was definitely entertained as Dotty and Dom tried to get to their happy ending. Will they succeed?

I liked Dotty pretty much from the beginning as she came across so friendly and kind. It was great how Dotty kept rescuing things it made her character all the more endearing. 

On the other hand it did take me a while to warm up to Dom, this was however down to his stuffy upbringing. Then as his character developed I got to see his kinder side which made him much more likeable. There was definitely good character development which Dom was a perfect example of.


Overall:

This is the second book in The Worthington series but can be easily read as a standalone. Although it would be good to also read the story of Grace and Matt in the first book -Three Weeks To Wed.

For an easy going story with a lovely simmering romance then When a Marquis Chooses a Bride is perfect for you!

Four stars from me!

Thank you to Kensington Books & Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

Release Blitz - Catch a Falling Star by Geralyn Corcillo


Book Information
Title: Catch a Falling Star
Author: Geralyn Corcillo
Series: In Love in the Limelight Book 3
Standalone?: Yes
Release Date: August 26, 2016
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Publisher: Geralyn Corcillo

Summary
When TV star Wendy Hunter is about to have her most closely guarded secret viciously exposed by the paparazzi, she desperately tosses out a juicy bone to distract them: she announces her engagement to southern high school football coach Colin Scott. One problem. She's not really engaged to him. In fact, she barely knows him. Um ... barely. But will one unforgettable night last year be enough to get him to go along with her charade?

Wendy goes to Louisiana to see him and discovers that Colin is not sothrilled to be suddenly "engaged" to her. He's got some secrets of his own that his famous "fiancée" is putting in serious jeopardy. Still, he agrees to her fake engagement ... as long as she agrees to play by his rules: Wendy has to stay in town for three weeks to play the part of Colin's one true love, all without wrecking his life.

Let the games begin. But when their time together is up, will either of them be able to--or want to--go back to the way things were?

**This novel reads as a stand alone story within the In Love in the Limelight universe, where the stars and paths of different characters might cross, and where the paparazzi is always ready to sink in its glittery talons.


Buy Links

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Author Biography


When she was a kid growing up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Geralyn Vivian Ruane Corcillo dreamed of one day becoming the superhero Dyna Girl. So, she did her best and grew up to constantly pick up litter and rescue animals. At home, she loves watching black & white movies, British mysteries, and the NY Giants. Corcillo lives in a drafty old house in Hollywood with her husband Ron, a guy who's even cooler than Kip Dynamite.

Social Networking Links
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Thursday 25 August 2016

Blog Tour - Giveaway - I Need a Doctor by Janey Travis


I NEED A DOCTOR 
BY JANEY TRAVIS


Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: 15th July 2016
Publisher: Thornhill Print

Beauty and fame… a blessing or a curse?

Story synopsis: Loveless fashion model Nola Nichols thinks being beautiful is a curse; that is until she is cursed and her looks begin to fade just a week before the most important photo shoot of her career. In her attempts to get un-cursed, she finds herself taking part in a rather unconventional funeral, reveals one or two unrests in her own past, and falls madly in love with a doctor. 
Erm… that would be a witch doctor, right...?


BUY LINKS


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What the Readers say:

“Just the right sprinkling of romance and humour.” Brook Cottage Books

“A very enjoyable and clever plot. Different, fresh and enjoyable.” Jenny in Neverland

“I couldn't help but like Nola even though at times she is a proper diva.” Comet Babe’s Books

“I love all the quirky characters in the story and just the pure madness and fun of it all!” Books4U

“A nice balance of humour, sweet romance, morals and a spooky side!” The Little Reader Library

“A Five Star Read - I really enjoyed the light-hearted tone.”  Love Reading Love Books 

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ABOUT JANEY TRAVIS


Janey Travis is currently travelling around the world chasing the sun while blogging, tweeting, writing fun-to-read novels and travel magazine features. Look out for her new light-hearted romantic comedy novel I Need a Doctor. You can catch up with her on Twitter: @janey_travis on Facebook: janeytravisbooks.

Janey also writes bestselling romantic adventure fiction as Janice Horton. Find out more at www.janicehorton.co.uk

Author Links:



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GIVEAWAY

An ecopy of the book (open internationally)


Enter here

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Wednesday 24 August 2016

Rae reads... All Fall Down by Tom Bale

About the book:


You tried to save a life. Now you’re fighting to save your own. 

It should have been an idyllic day for the Turner family – until a dying man, beaten beyond all recognition, arrives at their home, uttering the words, HELP ME. 

Rob and Wendy Turner and their children try to explain away the horrific scene as being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but in the days that follow their lives are threatened in ways they could never imagine. 

The family is unaware that they are being watched by someone with their own terrifying agenda, who will stop at nothing to fulfil their own twisted desires. 

But when hidden secrets come rushing to the surface, it’s clear not everything is as it seems in this happy family. 

Are the Turners a victim of circumstance – or does the key to their fate lie closer to home? 


Forced to fight for everything they hold dear, can they save themselves before time runs out – or will their act of compassion see them paying the ultimate price…? 


Available to buy here

My thoughts:

After previously reading See How They Run by Tom Bale I was looking forward to his next book. As soon as I saw All Fall Down available on Netgalley and after reading the synopsis I knew I had to read it!

My main thought to be honest was could it compete with See How they Run. I had really enjoyed the story and it was a worry I wouldn't like this one as much. 

So what did I think....

Everything begins normal enough a typical family enjoying a barbecue until something happens that shatters the peace. From then on things occurred that had the tension simmering under the surface slowly bubbling up. There were plenty of occasions where I felt like I was on the edge of my seat. I just didn't know what would happen next.

I loved that my attention was kept throughout, the story flowed really well. On quite a few occasions I was left feeling tense and unsure about what was to come. I don't really want to give too much away as it would ruin the story. However I will say as the reader you are taken on quite a journey filled with suspense, tension and shocks.

The characters are developed well with personalities that aren't as straightforward as I originally thought. Even though the main characters had flaws. I still hoped that things would work out okay in the end for the family. I always think it makes it all the more realistic if you don't like every aspect of a characters personality.


Overall:



In the end I would say that All Fall Down felt different to See How They Run even though a family is at the core of both stories. I think this is a good thing as I didn't end up comparing them to each other. I could see them as two seperate books that I really enjoyed but for different reasons.


At times I didn't want to put this book down however silly things like sleep managed to get in the way! Just like with See How They Run I will definitely be recommending this book to friends, family and of course to whoever reads this review.

All Fall Down has the perfect mixture of tension and suspense with a plot that grabbed my attention from the start!

Five stars from me!

Thank you to Bookouture & Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

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Related Posts 

Rae reads... See How They Run by Tom Bale


Blog Tour - Q&A - Nice Day for a White Wedding by A.L. Michael

I am really pleased to be taking part in this tour for the second book in The House on Camden Square series - Nice Day for a White Wedding by A.L. Michael. 
So lets take a look at the book and then read on for a short Q&A with A.L. Michael.
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About the book:
Sometimes, Happy Ever After is where the real trouble begins…
Chelsea Donnolly wasn’t supposed to amount to anything. But if there’s one thing the bad girl from the estate liked better than trouble, it was a challenge. So, to the amusement of her best friends Evie, Mollie and Ruby – and the disbelief of her teachers – this bad girl turned good.
These days, Chelsea is the kind of girl people are proud to know – and, after a surprise trip to Venice, she has a ring on her finger to prove it. But to get there, she’s had to learn to keep her deepest secrets from everyone – even her fiancĂ©. And when wedding preparations threaten to blow her cover, Chelsea can’t help but wonder: in her battle to the top, might she have left the best parts of herself behind?


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Available to buy from Amazon UK

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Q&A with A.L. Michael


What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I work as a creative facilitator, using writing to help us create positive relationships with our bodies. Which means I like yoga and spend a lot of time trying to make my favourite treats as healthy as possible. I often fail. I like wandering around London, or down by the canal near my home. I also work for a mystery dining company, so I spend a lot of time eating in fancy places and writing about it, which is great fun, but means I've got to up that gym time!

If you were stranded on a desert island what three books would you want with you?

Shadows of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafron, Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger and something massive I've never read, like War and Peace, or Moby Dick. If you're stuck on a desert island, you may as well make good use of your time!

Can you choose three words that best describe your personality?

Awkward, enthusiastic, curious.

What was the last book you read?

I'm still reading book 2 in the Outlander series, (even though I sneakily watched the series before I finished it) I'm now obsessed - can't wait for a summer holiday so I can read more!

What did you enjoy most about writing Nice Day for a White Wedding?

I loved getting to revisit my character's stories, I'd fallen a bit in love with Chelsea when I wrote her in Goodbye Ruby Tuesday, so I was excited to explore her past, and to get to write Ruby again in the flashbacks. I also had just been to Lake Garda again, after visiting years ago, so it was nice to use those experiences and bring the Italian setting to life.

Of all the characters you have created, can you pick a favourite and why?

I really loved writing Megan in Driving Home for Christmas, because it felt so organic, her story just sort of appeared and I was just telling it for her, almost. She also wasn't as angry as a lot of my other characters, she was sharp and smart and kind!


Thank you so much to A.L. Michael for taking part in the Q&A!


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Tuesday 23 August 2016

Blog Tour - Guest Post, Review & Giveaway - Found by Elle Field

I am so happy to be taking part in the tour for Found by Elle Field. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all about Arielle and her adventures so I want to say thank you to Elle for creating such a great character! 
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About the book:


Found (Arielle Lockley Series Book 3) 

"How did people even come up with the idea of these dizzying skyscrapers, let alone work out how to make them possible? Whoever built the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, their legacy will live on forever. What sort of a difference will I ever make?"

Who knew one flight could change everything? When Arielle Lockley stepped on the plane at Heathrow, she never realised how different her life would be when she touched down in New York City. Now she’s dealing with that aftermath, as well as trying to find common ground with Etta, her new and unexpected business partner.

But, trying to sort out business in London whilst her fiancĂ©, Piers, recovers from surgery in New York, is starting to take its toll on their relationship. Can Arielle and Etta work together to continue Felicity’s legacy without destroying it, and will Arielle and Piers even make it down the aisle to say "I do"?

Find out whether Arielle gets her happily ever after in the final part of the warm and wonderful Arielle Lockley series.


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My Review:

My thoughts:

Now I have to admit I wasn't sure about Arielle back when I first read Kept. However after reading all of the series I ended up feeling as if I knew her personally. Found is the last book in the Arielle Lockley series and I really hoped she would find her happy ending. The only thing I would mention is that I think it would help to read Kept, Lost & B-Side. It just helps to avoid confusion with any of the characters and things that happened in the previous books.

One of my favourite characters apart from Arielle is Ob, he is so likeable and such a good friend to Arielle. Although I have to say all of the characters in Found are well written. By the end of the Arielle Lockley series I felt like I had gotten to know all of them really well. 

The prologue is actually one of my favourite parts of the book. It just helped to explain everything that had happened at the beginning of Kept. I had grown to love Piers as a character but it had always niggled a little as to why he acted the way he did right back at the start. It was great to see things from his point of view and to understand his actions.

I loved the descriptions of New York, I have been lucky enough to spend a few days there. Elle's writing took me right back to when I visited, it was lovely to reminisce.

Overall:

 I really enjoyed Found, it was a fitting end to the series and even though I was a quite sad to finish the book I was left with a smile!

The Arielle Lockley series of books are smart and witty with some great characters.

 Found is definitely one of my favourite books from this year!

Five stars from me! 

Thank you to Elle Field for kindly sending me a copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
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P.S - Elle, please say you will write a story with Ob as the main character!
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Guest Post by Elle Field

If you’ve read all five of my books – thank you if you have! – you’ll notice that my characters in Geli Voyante’s Hot or Not make cameos in the Arielle Lockley books. And vice-versa. Ramone, the famous fashion designer has scenes in both Geli and the Arielle books whilst, more recently, Theo (Geli’s love interest) pops up in B-Side and we get to glean a little bit about what Geli is now up to from a snippet in Found.

I adore how the five books cross-over, though at times it was a logistical nightmare to ensure that they were able to realistically make their cameos. I had Theo popping up in London in the Arielle Lockley series, for example, yet at the same time in Geli’s world he was actually in South Africa – I swiftly fixed that!

It’s also made slightly more difficult because all five books are set in 2007-8, so it’s not just making sure there are no inconsistencies between the books’ time frames, it’s also tying in the books with events from nearly ten years ago. If the characters from Arielle and Geli were to make a cameo appearance in any of my future books, their characters are going to be a good ten years older than when we left them – that’s going to give us some pretty awesome insight into where they’ve ended up, though whether their lives will be better or worse… who knows!

Going forwards, other than two books I have drafts of which are also set in 2007-8, I am very much looking forward to writing in the here and now. Of course, not everyone reads a book the second it’s published so books can become dated pretty quickly – they are only “current” for so long.



Do you prefer to read books that are contemporary, or are you a fan of books that take you back to another time? 

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Author profile:


Elle Field writes coming of age romantic comedies, and is the author of the Arielle Lockley series and Geli Voyante’s Hot or Not. She grew up in Yorkshire, then moved to Scotland to study International Relations and Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews.

Elle now lives in London with her boyfriend and their cat. She’s a massive fan of sunshine, giraffes, The Killers, Audrey Hepburn movies, playing Scrabble, musicals and tea. Oh, and reading, of course!



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Giveaway:

To celebrate the publication of Found, Elle is running a giveaway. Prizes are an Amazon voucher, paperback copies of B-Side and Found, plus a handmade necklace from Vaux Street (x2).

Enter here

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 Please feel free to follow along with the Found Blog Tour!


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Related Posts



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Monday 22 August 2016

Blog Tour - Q&A and Review - Breakfast under a Cornish Sun by Samantha Tonge

If you are looking for a perfect summer book that is set in beautiful Cornwall then look no further. So first of all here is the description, then read on for a lovely Q&A with Samantha Tonge and finally you can see my review for this brilliant book.
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Breakfast under a Cornish Sun

Kate Golightly needs to move forward and what better way to do that then with a trip to the Cornish coast with best friend and boss, Izzy.
The sea wind is just what Kate needs to finally relax and begin to let go of her past. Except she’s suddenly got one big reason to panic! She RSVP’d ‘yes’ to the Queen Bee of her high school’s wedding saying she’s bringing her boyfriend (she doesn’t have one) who looks just like Ross Poldark!
With only two weeks to find the Poldark look-alike of her dreams Kate is under a lot of pressure for the Cornish coast to deliver…

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Q&A with Samantha Tonge

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I love spending time with my family – a precious thing, now the kids are older and have their own lives. Second to that, baking and cycling. Well, I say cycling – I’m kidding myself a little there. But it does, at least, counteract any negative effects of all the cake I eat!

Can you choose three words that best describe your personality?

Ambitious. Caring. Bonkers.

If you were stranded on a desert island what three books would you want with you?

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. Love, love. Pure escapism that would help me turn a blind eye to the fact I was scarily stranded. And Team Edward all the way. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Never has there been a better romance – that might be lacking if I was all on my own and for me, romance is as important as oxygen. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. So inspiring it would motivate me to man up over my desert island situation. Plus the teenage voice is exquisite.

What was the last book you read?

Badass – a Navy Seal Romance by Linda Barlow and Alana Alberton. Heh, heh, I am going through my badboy erotica phase, in terms of reading J This is very well-written with characters to care for.

What did you enjoy most about writing Breakfast Under a Cornish Sun?

Whilst I loved describing the fabulous Cornish views and food, it was developing the emotional stories of the main characters. I wish those people were real so that I could give them one big hug.

Of all the characters you have created, can you pick a favorite and why?

Ooh. That is hard. If I was forced to pick... I think Gemma out of my bestselling debut, Doubting Abbey. She is what she is. Has no agenda. Yet will give her last penny to help a friend and has the most BONKERS sense of humour.


Many thanks to Samantha for taking part in the Q&A.
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My thoughts:

As soon as I saw the front cover I thought it was lovely and after reading the description I knew I had to request a copy.

The story grabbed my attention from the first page and before you say it's because of the Poldark reference. It really isn't, oh who am I kidding of course it is!

From there descriptions of yummy donuts which definitely made me wish that Donuts and Daiquiris was a real place.

I got attached to Kate as a character she had a great personality and I was hoping she got her happy ever after. Tremaine and Lucas were interesting characters too. The issues that the characters were dealing with were well written and I felt like I got to know them pretty well.

Cornwall is one of the places that I have always wanted to visit and after reading this book I know I will definitely have to go now. Samantha Tonge describes the area beautifully and I almost felt as if I was there as I was reading. The story flowed well and at a good pace not really losing momentum.

Overall:


I will definitely be reading more books by Samantha Tonge.


Breakfast Under A Cornish Sun is a perfect summer read that leaves you with a smile!


Five stars from me!

Thank you to Carina UK & Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
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