Format: eBook, ARC

#BookReview Off Base by Annabeth Albert @AnnabethAlbert @CarinaPress

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#BookReview Off Base by Annabeth Albert @AnnabethAlbert @CarinaPress Title: Off Base

Author: Annabeth Albert

Series: Out of Uniform #1

Published by: Carina Press on Jan. 9, 2017

Genres: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA

Pages: 304

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: Carina Press, NetGalley

Book Rating: 8/10

After trading the barracks for a fixer-upper rental, navy SEAL Zack Nelson wants peace, not a roommate—especially not Pike, who sees things about Zack he most wants to hide. Pike’s flirting puts virgin Zack on edge. And the questions Pike’s arrival would spark from Zack’s teammates about his own sexuality? Nope. Not going there. But Zack can’t refuse.

Pike Reynolds knows there won’t be a warm welcome in his new home. What can he say? He’s an acquired taste. But he needs this chance to get his life together. Also, teasing the uptight SEAL will be hella fun. Still, Pike has to tread carefully; he’s had his fill of tourists in the past, and he can’t risk his heart on another, not even one as hot, as built—and, okay, yeah, as adorable—as Zack.

Living with Pike crumbles Zack’s restraint and fuels his curiosity. He discovers how well they fit together in bed…in the shower…in the hallway… He needs Pike more than he could have imagined, yet he doesn’t know how to be the man Pike deserves.

Review:

Intriguing, romantic and heartwarming!

This is a contemporary romance story about military life, discovering one’s true self, and having the strength to follow one’s heart regardless of the consequences all wrapped up in a plot filled with flirty banter, sexual tension, chemistry, doubt, acceptance, harassment, friendship and love.

The writing is clear and precise. And the main characters are an alluring mix of an uncertain, strong, hunky Navy Seal and a fun-loving, charming professor who loves to tease. 

Overall, I would have to say this is an encouraging, lighthearted story with endearing characters that will captivate you from the very beginning.

This is the first novel in the new “Out of Uniform” series by Annabeth Albert, and I look forward to reading At Attention (Out of Uniform #2), Apollo and Dylan’s story, due out later this year.

 

This book is due to be published on January 9, 2017. 

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from the following links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Indigo, Kobo, Barnes & Noble

 

Thank you to Carina Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Annabeth Albert

Frequent tweeter, professional grammar nerd, and obsessive reader, Annabeth Albert is also a Pacific Northwest romance writer in a variety of subgenres.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.

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#BookReview The Fire By Night by Teresa Messineo

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#BookReview The Fire By Night by Teresa Messineo Title: The Fire by Night

Author: Teresa Messineo

Published by: William Morrow on Jan. 17, 2017

Genres: Historical Fiction

Pages: 336

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: William Morrow, Edelweiss

Book Rating: 9/10

A powerful and evocative debut novel about two American military nurses during World War II that illuminates the unsung heroism of women who risked their lives in the fight—a riveting saga of friendship, valor, sacrifice, and survival combining the grit and selflessness of Band of Brothers with the emotional resonance of The Nightingale.

In war-torn France, Jo McMahon, an Italian-Irish girl from the tenements of Brooklyn, tends to six seriously wounded soldiers in a makeshift medical unit. Enemy bombs have destroyed her hospital convoy, and now Jo singlehandedly struggles to keep her patients and herself alive in a cramped and freezing tent close to German troops. There is a growing tenderness between her and one of her patients, a Scottish officer, but Jo’s heart is seared by the pain of all she has lost and seen. Nearing her breaking point, she fights to hold on to joyful memories of the past, to the times she shared with her best friend, Kay, whom she met in nursing school.

Half a world away in the Pacific, Kay is trapped in a squalid Japanese POW camp in Manila, one of thousands of Allied men, women, and children whose fates rest in the hands of a sadistic enemy. Far from the familiar safety of the small Pennsylvania coal town of her childhood, Kay clings to memories of her happy days posted in Hawaii, and the handsome flyer who swept her off her feet in the weeks before Pearl Harbor. Surrounded by cruelty and death, Kay battles to maintain her sanity and save lives as best she can . . . and live to see her beloved friend Jo once more.

When the conflict at last comes to an end, Jo and Kay discover that to achieve their own peace, they must find their place—and the hope of love—in a world that’s forever changed. With rich, superbly researched detail, Teresa Messineo’s thrilling novel brings to life the pain and uncertainty of war and the sustaining power of love and friendship, and illuminates the lives of the women who risked everything to save others during a horrifying time. 

Review:

Incredibly moving, hauntingly realistic and exceptionally captivating!

This is an impactful story that is told from two different perspectives. Jo, an American nurse whose compassion and strength are tested near the front lines of the western front. And Kay, Jo’s friend and fellow nurse who must endure horrific conditions and extreme brutality after being taken as a POW by the Japanese in the Pacific.

This is story about war, strength, bravery, hope, loss, injustice, love, and survival.

The prose is poetic. The imagery is remarkably descriptive. The characters are young, dedicated, damaged and disheartened. And the plot uses alternating points-of-view, and a back-and-forth style to give depth and understanding to all the personalities, relationships, and situations within it.

Overall, I would have to say I found this story to be profound and heartbreaking and a real reminder of just how indomitable the human spirit can truly be.

This novel is due to be published on January 17, 2017.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from the following Amazon links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Indigo, Kobo, Book Depository, B&N

 

 

Thank you to Edelweiss, especially William Morrow, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

#BookReview Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson @PeterSwanson3

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#BookReview Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson @PeterSwanson3 Title: Her Every Fear

Author: Peter Swanson

Published by: William Morrow on Jan. 10, 2017

Genres: Mystery/Thriller

Pages: 384

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: William Morrow, Edelweiss

Book Rating: 8.5/10

Growing up, Kate Priddy was always a bit neurotic, experiencing momentary bouts of anxiety that exploded into full-blown panic attacks after an ex-boyfriend kidnapped her and nearly ended her life. When Corbin Dell, a distant cousin in Boston, suggests the two temporarily swap apartments, Kate, an art student in London, agrees, hoping that time away in a new place will help her overcome the recent wreckage of her life.

Soon after her arrival at Corbin’s grand apartment on Beacon Hill, Kate makes a shocking discovery: his next-door neighbor, a young woman named Audrey Marshall, has been murdered. When the police question her about Corbin, a shaken Kate has few answers, and many questions of her own—curiosity that intensifies when she meets Alan Cherney, a handsome, quiet tenant who lives across the courtyard, in the apartment facing Audrey’s. Alan saw Corbin surreptitiously come and go from Audrey’s place, yet he’s denied knowing her. Then, Kate runs into a tearful man claiming to be the dead woman’s old boyfriend, who insists Corbin did the deed the night that he left for London.

When she reaches out to her cousin, he proclaims his innocence and calms her nerves–until she comes across disturbing objects hidden in the apartment and accidentally learns that Corbin is not where he says he is. Could Corbin be a killer? What about Alan? Kate finds herself drawn to this appealing man who seems so sincere, yet she isn’t sure. Jet-lagged and emotionally unstable, her imagination full of dark images caused by the terror of her past, Kate can barely trust herself, so how could she take the chance on a stranger she’s just met?

Review:

Disturbingly creepy with rich characterization!

This story is predominantly set in Boston, Massachusetts and is told from multiple perspectives, including Kate, a recent victim of kidnapping who agrees to apartment swap with her cousin in hopes of a fresh start; Corbin, the intelligent, remote, secretive cousin; and Alan, the introverted neighbour with a fondness for people watching.

The writing is smooth and precise. The characters are varied, intriguing and dark. And the plot, although not exceptionally fast-paced, does a good job of creating suspense, fear and tension through a character driven storyline and an unconventional narration style in which the same story is retold from differing points of view.

Ultimately, this is a story about secrets, lies, deception, jealousy, manipulation, obsession and murder.

Overall, I have to say I really enjoyed this novel. It is definitely a well written, fascinating thriller that reminds us that sometimes there lies a complex, deranged, horrifying mind behind the normal facade.

 

This novel is due to be published on January 10, 2017.

Pick up a copy of this story from your favourite retailer or from the following Amazon links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Indigo, Kobo, Book Depository, B&N

 

 

Thank you to HarperCollins and Faber & Faber Ltd. for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Peter Swanson

Peter Swanson is the author of four novels: The Girl With a Clock For a Heart, an LA Times Book Award finalist; The Kind Worth Killing, winner of the New England Society Book Award, and finalist for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger; Her Every Fear, an NPR book of the year; and his most recent, All the Beautiful Lies. His books have been translated into 30 languages, and his stories, poetry, and features have appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction, The Atlantic Monthly, Measure, The Guardian, The Strand Magazine, and Yankee Magazine.

A graduate of Trinity College, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and Emerson College, he lives in Somerville, Massachusetts with his wife and cat.

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#BookReview Afraid to Fly by L.A. Witt @GallagherWitt @RiptideBooks

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#BookReview Afraid to Fly by L.A. Witt @GallagherWitt @RiptideBooks Title: Afraid to Fly

Author: L.A. Witt

Series: Anchor Point #2

Published by: Riptide Publishing on Jan. 16, 2017

Genres: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA

Pages: 347

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: Riptide Publishing, NetGalley

Book Rating: 8/10

Once a fearless fighter pilot, Commander Travis Wilson is now confined to a desk. It’s been eight years since the near-fatal crash that grounded him, and it still rules his life thanks to relentless back pain.

Lieutenant Commander Clint Fraser almost drowned in a bottle after a highly classified catastrophe while piloting a drone. His downward spiral cost him his marriage and kids, but he’s sober now and getting his life back on track. He’s traded drones for a desk, and he’s determined to reconcile with his kids and navigate the choppy waters of PTSD.

Clint has been on Travis’s radar ever since he transferred to Anchor Point. When Clint comes out to his colleagues, it’s a disaster, but there’s a silver lining: now that Travis knows Clint is into men, the chemistry between them explodes.

It’s all fun and games until emotions get involved. Clint’s never been in love with a man before. Travis has, and a decade later, that tragic ending still haunts him. Clint needs to coax him past his fear of crashing and burning again, or their love will be grounded before takeoff.

Review:

Touching, captivating, and remarkably fervent!

In this latest novel Witt takes us back to Anchor Point and reminds us of some of the emotional and physical damage experienced by those in the military and gives us a good look at the symptoms and effects of PTSD.

It is, ultimately, a story about family dynamics, friendship, compassion, support, romance and love.

The characters are real, troubled, mature and resilient. The prose is precise. And the plot, told from alternating perspectives, flows smoothly from start to finish with a good mix of suffering, tension, desire, rapport, and emotional turmoil.

Overall, this truly is a heartwarming story about two wounded men who finally find the solace, sensitivity, tolerance, tenderness, and intimacy they need in each other.

This is the second novel in the “Anchor Point” series. If you haven’t had a chance to check out my review of Just Drive (Anchor Point #1), you can find it HERE.

 

This book is due to be published on January 16, 2017. 

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from the following link.

Amazon Canada, Amazon US, Amazon UK, Indigo, Kobo, B&N

 

 

Thank you to NetGalley, especially Riptide Publishing, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About L.A. Witt

L.A. Witt is an abnormal M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn't lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies.

She also has substantially more time on her hands these days, as she has recruited a small army of mercenaries to search South America for her nemesis, romance author Lauren Gallagher, but don't tell Lauren. And definitely don't tell Lori A. Witt or Ann Gallagher. Neither of those twits can keep their mouths shut...

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#BookReview We Were on a Break by Lindsey Kelk @LindseyKelk

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#BookReview We Were on a Break by Lindsey Kelk @LindseyKelk Title: We Were On A Break

Author: Lindsey Kelk

Published by: HarperCollins on Jan. 3, 2017

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 416

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: Harper Paperbacks, Edelweiss

Book Rating: 8.5/10

Is it a break? Or is it a blip? ‘You’ve just had a holiday,’ I pointed out, trying not to yawn. ‘Wasn’t that enough of a break?’ ‘I don’t mean that kind of break.’ There’s nothing worse than the last day of holiday. Oh wait, there is. When what should have been a proposal turns into a break, Liv and Adam find themselves on opposite sides of the life they had mapped out. Friends and family all think they’re crazy; Liv throws herself into work – animals are so much simpler than humans – and Adam tries to get himself out of the hole he’s dug. But as the short break becomes a chasm, can they find a way back to each other? Most importantly, do they want to?

Review:

Humorous, heartwarming, and absolutely enchanting!

This story is told from two different points of view. One is that of Liv, a sweet, intelligent veterinarian eagerly awaiting a marriage proposal from her boyfriend. And the other is Todd, a struggling carpenter who has the perfect proposal in mind. But like most things in life things don’t always work out the way we planned and before long cold feet and bad communication cause things to get completely turned upside down.

The writing is witty and crisp, and the characterization is well done, with not only interesting, likable main characters, but a whole slew of unique and quirky supporting characters that will definitely make you smile.

Once again, Kelk has written a great rom com about life, love, family, friendship and self discovery that will make you laugh and definitely leave you wanting more.

.

This book is due to be published on January 3, 2017.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from the following links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Indigo, Kobo, Book Depository

 

 

Thank you to Edelweiss, especially HarperCollins, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Lindsey Kelk

Lindsey Kelk is a Sunday Times bestselling British writer, who was born in Doncaster, went to uni in Nottingham, moved to London, then New York and now lives in LA. So far, she has written thirteen books, including the bestselling I Heart series, and 63,500 tweets. Which is probably why her newest book is behind schedule. Lindsey has been published in more than twenty-five languages around the world and sold more than 1.2 million books. It sounds like a lot but her cats aren’t impressed.

As well as her ‘witty, funny, warm and clever books’ (thanks, Marian Keyes), Lindsey is the co-host of beauty podcast, Full Coverage, regularly contributes to magazines and spends too much time on the internet. Oh, and Channing Tatum called her a unicorn. Make of that what you will.

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#BookReview Because You’re Mine by Colleen Coble @colleencoble

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#BookReview Because You’re Mine by Colleen Coble @colleencoble Title: Because You're Mine

Author: Colleen Coble

Published by: Thomas Nelson on Jan. 10, 2017

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Christian Fiction

Pages: 336

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: Thomas Nelson, NetGalley

Book Rating: 6.5/10

Alanna has been plagued by tragedy. So it should come as no surprise that in the beauty that surrounds Charleston, all is not as it seems.

When her husband is killed by a car bomb while their band is on tour in Charleston, Alanna doesn’t know where to turn. Her father-in-law is threatening to take custody of the baby she carries, but the one thing she knows for sure is that she can’t lose the last piece of Liam she has left.

Their manager offers her a marriage of convenience to gain her U.S. citizenship and allow her to escape her father-in-law’s control. It seems like the perfect solution . . . but her doubts begin almost as soon as she arrives at Barry’s family home, a decaying mansion surrounded by swamp.

To make matters worse, Liam’s best friend survived the car bomb. She’s never really liked Jesse and now she can’t seem to get away from him. When he takes Liam’s place in their band, it’s almost more than she can bear.

But then things start happening. Things that could easily cost Alanna her life—or the life of her unborn child. Are they merely coincidences? Or is there something much more sinister at work?

Review:

Suspenseful, intriguing and romantic!

This story is told from two perspectives; Alanna, a young, pregnant, Irish singer who must quickly learn how to survive as a widow when her husband is suddenly taken from her; and Jesse, a womanizer who finds himself struggling to rediscover who he truly is after suffering a catastrophic event.

The story, for me, started off really well. The plot was interesting and intriguing, and the immediate action and suspense had me completely captivated and engaged. However, by the second half of the story I was a little less engrossed. The character development seemed a little flat, and the repetitive Irish dialogue consistently caused a disruption to the flow.

I have to admit that I was really looking forward to reading this novel as Colleen Coble is a well-known, successful author in this genre, and although this wasn’t my favourite novel, I enjoyed the overall message of the importance of love and I do look forward to reading future releases by her.

 

This book is due to be published on January 10, 2017. 

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from the following links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada

 

 

Thank you to NetGalley, especially Thomas Nelson, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Colleen Coble

Best-selling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 4 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

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#BookReview Hard Hitter by Sarina Bowen @SarinaBowen

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#BookReview Hard Hitter by Sarina Bowen @SarinaBowen Title: Hard Hitter

Author: Sarina Bowen

Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #2

Published by: Berkley Books on Jan. 3, 2017

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 336

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: Berkley Publishing, NetGalley

Book Rating: 9/10

He’s a fighter in the rink, but he’s about to learn that playing nice can help you score… 

As team captain and enforcer, Patrick O’Doul puts the bruise in the Brooklyn Bruisers. But after years of hard hits, O’Doul is feeling the burn, both physically and mentally. He conceals his pain from his coach and trainers, but when his chronic hip injury becomes too obvious to ignore, they send him for sessions with the team’s massage therapist.

After breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, Ari Bettini is in need of peace of mind. For now, she’s decided to focus on her work: rehabilitating the Bruisers’ MVP. O’Doul is easy on the eyes, but his reaction to her touch is ice cold. Ari is determined to help O’Doul heal, but as the tension between them turns red hot, they both learn that a little TLC does the body good…

Review:

Charming, lighthearted, and deliciously hot!

This is a captivating, romantic tale between a hard-hitting, sexy hockey player with a troubled past, and a yoga-loving, massage therapist with an unpredictable ex who may just find everything they want and need in each other.

The characters are sweet, bold, likeable and athletic. The prose is smooth and effortless.  And the plot is an enticing mix of sizzling romance, steamy chemistry, suspenseful drama, and sporty action.

Overall, I would have to say this is a great, fun, easy read that has everything you look for in a contemporary romance novel, including of course that sought-after happy-ever-after ending.

This is the second book in the “Brooklyn Bruisers” series and if you haven’t had a chance yet to check out my review of Rookie Movie, book one in the series, you can check it out Here.

This book is due to be published on January 3, 2017.

Pick up a copy of this book from your favourite retailer or from the following links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Chapters/Indigo, Kobo, Book Depository

 

 

Thank you to NetGalley, especially Berkley Publishing Group, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Sarina Bowen

Sarina Bowen is the RITA® Award winning author of over two dozen contemporary and LGTB romance novels. She most recently hit the USA Today bestseller's list in February, with Brooklynaire. Formerly a derivatives trader on Wall Street, Sarina holds a BA in economics from Yale University.

Sarina Bowen is a New Englander whose Vermont ancestors cut timber and farmed the north country since the 1760s. Sarina is grateful for the invention of indoor plumbing and wi-fi during the intervening 250 years. On a few wooded acres, she lives with her husband, two boys, and an ungodly amount of ski and hockey gear.

Sarina's books are published in a dozen languages on four continents. In 2016, The Romance Writers of America honored HIM by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy with a RITA award for Best Contemporary Romance, Mid-Length.

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#BookReview The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle @KimberlySBelle

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#BookReview The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle @KimberlySBelle Title: The Marriage Lie

Author: Kimberly Belle

Published by: MIRA on Dec. 27, 2016

Genres: Mystery/Thriller

Pages: 334

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: Harlequin Books, NetGalley

Book Rating: 8.5/10

Even the perfect marriage has its dark side… 

Iris and Will’s marriage is as close to perfect as it can be: a large house in a nice Atlanta neighborhood, rewarding careers and the excitement of trying for their first baby. But on the morning Will leaves for a business trip to Orlando, Iris’s happy world comes to an abrupt halt. Another plane headed for Seattle has crashed into a field, killing everyone on board, and according to the airline, Will was one of the passengers on this plane. 

Grief-stricken and confused, Iris is convinced it all must be a huge misunderstanding. But as time passes and there is still no sign of Will, she reluctantly accepts that he is gone. Still, Iris needs answers. Why did Will lie about where he was going? What is in Seattle? And what else has he lied about? As Iris sets off on a desperate quest to find out what her husband was keeping from her, the answers she receives will shock her to her very core.

Review:

Brisk, intense, and extremely suspenseful!

This is a compelling thriller that reminds us how easily life can turn on a dime, and hauntingly points out that sometimes the ones we think we know the best can often turn out to be complete strangers.

It is, ultimately, a story about family, trust, grief, deception, lies, secrets, and morals. 

The writing is clear and exact. The plot is brimming with twists and turns, multiple surprises, and fast-paced adventure. And the main character, Iris, is strong, bright, inquisitive and determined.

Overall, this is an intelligent, gripping page turner that will definitely keep you engaged and guessing until the very last page.

 

This book is due to be published on January 1, 2017.

Pick up a copy of this story from your favourite retailer or from the following links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Indigo, Book Depository, Kobo,

 

 

Thank you to NetGalley, especially Harlequin – Mira, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Kimberly Belle

Kimberly Belle is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of five novels, including the forthcoming domestic suspense, Dear Wife (June 2019). Her third novel, The Marriage Lie, was a semifinalist in the 2017 Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Mystery & Thriller, and her work has been translated into a dozen languages. A graduate of Agnes Scott College, Belle divides her time between Atlanta and Amsterdam.

Photo @mrwattson

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#BookReview Girl on a Plane by Cassandra O’Leary @cass_oleary

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#BookReview Girl on a Plane by Cassandra O’Leary @cass_oleary Title: Girl on a Plane

Author: Cassandra O’Leary

Published by: Maze on Jul. 18, 2016

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 268

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: Cassandra O'Leary

Book Rating: 8/10

A sexy, sassy, summer read, perfect for fans of Rebecca Chance and Lindsey Kelk.

CLIMB ON BOARD . . .

When feisty Irish flight attendant Sinead Kennealy locks eyes with sexy Australian CEO Gabriel Anderson in First Class, sparks fly. But as they jet across the globe from Melbourne to London, it’s clear that they’re in for a turbulent journey . . .

Stressed-out Gabriel doesn’t do relationships. And Sinead isn’t about to be fooled by another bad boy after escaping her stalker ex. Then a storm hits, causing the plane to land unexpectedly, and Sinead and Gabriel are thrown together in Singapore.

The pressure rises as Sinead’s unhappy past threatens to catch up with her. But might Gabriel be the one to heal her heartbreak? If he could open up about his troubling secrets, maybe a relationship could actually get off the ground. Fasten your seatbelts – this WON’T be a smooth ride .

Review:

Sweet, warm, and remarkably charming!

This is a delightful rom-com that quickly immerses you in a story filled with humorous hijinks, emotional moments, witty banter, and sexy rendezvous.

The writing is crisp and fluid. The characterization is well done with a whole slew of charming, quirky, lovable characters. And the plot is just the right mix of travel, humour, crazy ex’s, family illness, friendship, attraction, chemistry, and romance.

Overall I would have to say this is a funny, amorous, lighthearted read that is thoroughly entertaining and a great way to spend an afternoon.

 

This book is available now.

 Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from the following links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Kobo, Indigo

 

 

Thank you to Cassandra O’Leary for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review. It was an honour and pleasure to read.

 

About Cassandra O’Leary

**Winner of the We Heart New Talent contest, HarperCollins UK. Nominated for BEST NEW AUTHOR in the 2016 AusRom Today Reader’s Choice Awards for excellence in Australian romance fiction.**

Cassandra O’Leary is a romance and women’s fiction author, communications specialist, avid reader, film and TV fangirl and admirer of pretty, shiny things.

In 2015, Cassandra won the We Heart New Talent contest run by Avon Books/HarperCollins UK. Her debut romantic comedy novel, Girl on a Plane, was published in July 2016. Cassandra was also a 2015 finalist in the Lone Star writing contest, Northwest Houston Romance Writers of America, and a 2014 finalist in the First Kiss contest, Romance Writers of Australia.

Cassandra is a mother of two gorgeous, high-energy mini ninjas and wife to a spunky superhero. Living in Melbourne, Australia, she’s also travelled the world. If you want to send her to Italy or Spain on any food or wine tasting ‘research’ trips, that would be splendiferous. You’ll find Cassandra online, drinking coffee and possibly buying shoes. Oh, yes. And writing.

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#BookReview The Magdalen Girls by V. S. Alexander

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#BookReview The Magdalen Girls by V. S. Alexander Title: The Magdalen Girls

Author: V.S. Alexander

on Dec. 27, 2016

Genres: Historical Fiction

Pages: 294

Format: eBook, ARC

Source: Kensington Books, NetGalley

Book Rating: 9/10

Dublin, 1962. Within the gated grounds of the convent of The Sisters of the Holy Redemption lies one of the city’s Magdalen Laundries. Once places of refuge, the laundries have evolved into grim workhouses. Some inmates are “fallen” women—unwed mothers, prostitutes, or petty criminals. Most are ordinary girls whose only sin lies in being too pretty, too independent, or tempting the wrong man. Among them is sixteen-year-old Teagan Tiernan, sent by her family when her beauty provokes a lustful revelation from a young priest.

Teagan soon befriends Nora Craven, a new arrival who thought nothing could be worse than living in a squalid tenement flat. Stripped of their freedom and dignity, the girls are given new names and denied contact with the outside world. The Mother Superior, Sister Anne, who has secrets of her own, inflicts cruel, dehumanizing punishments—but always in the name of love. Finally, Nora and Teagan find an ally in the reclusive Lea, who helps them endure—and plot an escape. But as they will discover, the outside world has dangers too, especially for young women with soiled reputations.

Told with candor, compassion, and vivid historical detail, The Magdalen Girls is a masterfully written novel of life within the era’s notorious institutions—and an inspiring story of friendship, hope, and unyielding courage.

Review:

Harrowing, poignant, and deeply moving!

This novel brings to light and reminds us of the abhorrent institutions known as “laundries” where women who were supposedly fallen were sent for treatment, often for trivial reasons, only to endure emotional and physical abuse, excessive workloads, meagre basic necessities and often vicious, sadistic punishments.

The story follows the lives of three different girls, Teagan, Nora and Lea, and reflects on the different spirits, strength, and resilience each uses to survive in such demeaning environments. 

The prose is sophisticated and descriptive. The characters are multi-layered, dejected, and strong. And the plot is a good mix of historical fact and intriguing fiction.

I have to say I did not know much about these so-called “laundries” before I read this novel and I am touched and appalled to think of all the women who lived and suffered in these horrific institutions and continued to do so late in the 20th century, with the last one only closing in 1996.

Overall, this is definitely an enlightening, heartrending novel that is well researched, well written and extremely impactful.

This book is due to be published on December 27, 2016. 

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Kobo, Book Depository

 

 

Thank you to NetGalley, especially Kensington Books, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.