Book review

BOOK REVIEW of “RAGS & RICHES” by Camille Nagasaki

October 20, 2016 Leave a Comment

“Rags & Riches” by Camille Nagasaki

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

What is your writing/editing/publishing process like? Write daily for the first draft—about 800-words/day, then let it sit for a couple of months. Afterward, I begin a few rounds of re-writes, send it to some beta-readers, do another re-write, send to copy editor and complete another re-write. I’m actually constantly going back and tweaking here and there. I feel like it will never be finished, but part of the goal, I guess, is to let it go.

What made you want to become an author? Storytelling is what connects us to our humanity. I have an acting background and both acting and writing bring a story to life so transitioning from one to the other was pretty natural. I’ve had a lifelong love of books and of the written word.

Salty or sweet? Sweet!

What is your favorite characteristic of a character you’ve created? Lane is resilient, through and through.

Hard/paperback or eBooks? Hard/paperback

What has been your greatest achievement as an author? Well, as this is my debut novel so my biggest achievement thus far is actually getting the book out there! It’s been a long journey so to have it finally published is gratifying.

Describe your perfect day: A harmonious day with my family with a bit of everything; nature, adventure, indulgence, reflection, good food, laughter. Those kinds of days are glorious!

Is the social media more of a help or a hinder? I was super apprehensive about embracing social media. I used to be on FB ages ago and left it because it felt like high school all over again. This time around I’m enjoying both FB and twitter but I find I have to manage my time efficiently, otherwise you can get lost in those sites.

What are you reading right now? Love the one you’re with by Emily Giffin

In five years, where do you want to be with your writing career? I hope to have a couple more books under my belt and I hope that readers are connecting with my words. My dream is for Riches & Rags to be brought to life on the silver screen so the film aspect is something I definitely want to explore.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given? The last advice my late and dear mommy gave me was to concentrate on one passion at a time. My weakness has always been to get SO EXCITED about all these various opportunities but my mom said if I really wanted to be serious about pursuing my writing, I needed to focus on it. One thing at a time. I struggle with this daily as there as so many things I want to DO!

What are you working on right now? I’m promoting Riches & Rags for now. Next, I will record the audio book for R&R, write a non-fiction book for teens and a sequel to Riches & Rags.

About the author: Camille Nagasaki is a Toronto-born Canadian author, film/TV actress, and entrepreneur.

Having always had a tremendous fascination with the written word, Camille became an avid reader at a young age and has written creatively and for business for many years.

After leaving the corporate world to be home with her kids, Camille earned a professional designation in her field, launched a new business, and began a three-year labour of love writing Riches & Rags.

Camille lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and children. Riches & Rags is her first novel.

**Contact Camille: Website Twitter Facebook

**Find the book!: Amazon Goodreads

Blurb:

Lane Carson is used to getting her own way—apart from throwing hissy fits and pulling outrageous stunts to attract her workaholic husband’s attention, Lane lives a seemingly perfect life. But things are seldom as they seem…

Lane is blindsided and her charmed and pampered existence uprooted, when her shattered husband, Micky Capello, breaks the devastating news: he’s lost the family fortune and is leaving on a quest to “find himself.” The most daunting part is they’re losing the nannies—and the children Lane barely knows will live with her.

Without the leisure to wallow in misery and self-pity, Lane is catapulted into an adventure of a lifetime that’s filled with outlandish and often emotionally charged escapades of trial and error, all with her über supportive—albeit dysfunctional—family in tow.

This comedic drama is bursting with outlandish hilarity and warmth, and is sure to keep you roaring with laughter, while tugging at your heart with its endearing, candid reflection. A must read!

My Review:

Right from the beginning, I loved this book. It was funny, charming, and a page turner. I was curious as to see how Lane would do after her husband left her, along with her bank account that she easily took for granted would survive. Also, without the nannies who stepped in and were basically her daughters’ parents, she was lost with them–but only at first, as she easily adjusted herself into falling in love with her two girls.

I loved her landlord, George, and found him to be kind and genuine through his crusted old man attitude. As for Billy, her cousin and best friend, not only was he great with Lane’s girls, he made for a great sidekick, one that everyone should have.

Camille’s creation of “Riches & Rags” was a great story, highly intriguing and a must read!

From the beginning to the ending, which I loved, Lane’s journey is on that makes one stop and think about their own life.

I give “Riches & Rags” 5 stars!

GIVEAWAY

Click HERE to enter the giveaway!

**Click HERE to see other stops on Camille’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!

BOOK REVIEW: “Secrets of the Suburbs”

October 14, 2016 1 Comment

“Secrets of the Suburbs” by Alisa Schindler

Blurb: Secrets of the Suburbs is the story of Lindsey, a 42 year-old suburban mom who seems to have it all – doctor husband, two great kids, satisfying part-time work; all the spin classes, shopping and lunches she can fit into her busy schedule.

But when a drunken moment with her friend’s husband opens up a well of desire, excitement and emotion that she didn’t even know existed, it throws her perfectly perfect life into turmoil. Because as Lindsey opens her heart and body to this forbidden passion; her eyes open as well, and she is forced to take a closer look at her life, her marriage and herself.

Already her friends are starting to whisper, her husband is growing suspicious and there is a Secrets of the Shore Facebook page that just may be talking about her.

Will Lindsey stay in her safe, pretty world with her seemingly perfect husband who just might have secrets of his own, or will she break every rule and follow her heart?

Whatever she decides, she’d better figure it out fast because in small town suburbia nothing stays secret for very long.

Sexy and engaging, with characters who seem like friends and issues that make you think about marriage, satisfaction and the lines we draw, Secrets of the Suburbs is the perfect book to curl up with next to your (sweet) snoring husband.

My Review: I’ve always been intrigued by books where affairs take place, curious where the author would take the characters, along with what the “excuse” would be, which is one reason I decided to review this book.

It started off quickly, and I found myself widening my eyes at some parts, blushing at others, all while Lindsey struggled to find herself. I’m thirty-five, have been married for almost seven years, and though I don’t condone extramarital affairs, I felt that I could relate to Lindsey because I think all she really wanted was a spark put back into her marriage, and for someone to see her in a new light (as a mother of two, who’s getting older). Some might think she was weak (which, yes, she did have), but I thought she was strong, considering the situations she was in.

I don’t want to give away anything, but I came away satisfied with the ending.

Writing about affairs can be very difficult, but I really enjoyed this quick and sexy read. I recommend this book to any woman who is on their own journey to finding themselves.

I give “Secrets of the Suburbs” 5 stars!

**About the author: Alisa Schindler is a SAHM of three boys and wife to Mr. Baseball. In between schlepping to the ball fields and burning cupcakes, she chronicles the sweet and bittersweet of life in the suburbs on her blog icescreammama.com. Her essays have been featured online in the Washington Post, NYT, Scary Mommy, Kveller, Parents, Brain, Child, and Good Housekeeping, among others. Random nights, she can be found hiding in the closet with a pint of ice cream and a good book.

**Click HERE to follow Alisa on her Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!

BOOK REVIEW: “Dating for Decades”

September 11, 2016 1 Comment

“Dating for Decades” by Tracy Krimmer

Blurb: IT guru Cassie Noble can depend on networks and servers. It’s the people in her life that always let her down. With her fortieth birthday looming, she’d love to find a way to trust and commit to someone. Eager to work out her problems methodically, Cassie reaches out to her support group. Electrician Keith manages to infiltrate their all-female ranks, infuriating her with his flippant jokes and his all-too laid back attitude. The other women all find him hilarious and she can’t see why. She takes this seriously and he’s doing anything but. When Cassie needs Keith’s help on a project at her day job, she’s dreading having to work closely with him, however much his hazel eyes make her stop dead in her tracks. As days turn to weeks, he starts to break down her hard exterior. She’s seeing new possibilities. She’s seeing the future…a life that is joyful and bright. A life that includes Keith. But when a letter from her mother drags her back to the world where Cassie has no control, she shuts down. Can her support group yank her back from that place where hope is lost? And can the man who once drove her crazy be the one who finally doesn’t let her down?

My Review: I’ve been wanting to read “Dating for Decades” since it came out in June and after dealing with some personal family matters for the past few months, it was the perfect read to keep my mind distracted.

For a woman worried about turning the big 4-0, she acted much younger, similar to a young child who just wanted to be loved. While there is a back story about Cassie’s past and why she is how she is, it’s something she desperately wants to forget (sorry, no spoilers), I sympathised with her because nobody should go through what she had, and was content as to how she gets closure.

As for Cassie’s two main love interests, I liked them both, and they stood out in their way when they were with Cassie. While Lucas is much younger than her, he came across sarcastic, yet smooth, which made me like him–something that only a few authors can do well. Then there’s Keith…((swoon)). I won’t say who what happens in the end, but I was very pleased and even had tears in my eyes.

My only problem with the book is why she was so against marriage, even at the end.

Overall, no matter how old you are, I’m confident you will love this witty, relatable, romantic and delightfully fun page-turner.

I give “Dating for Decades” 5 stars.

BOOK REVIEW: “Learning to Ride”

September 7, 2016 Leave a Comment

“Learning to Ride” by Erin Knightley

Blurb:

She never wanted to love a cowboy…

Rodeo king Tanner Callen doesn’t want to be tied down. When he sees Madeline Harper at a local honky-tonk and everything about her screams New York, he brings out every trick in his playbook to take her home. But soon he learns that he doesn’t just want her for a night and, instead, hopes for forever…

My Review: “Learning to Ride” was my second book from James Patterson’s BookShots Flames and it certainly did not disappoint. One of my favorite guilty pleasures is to read books about cowboys, (and it’s not just because I’m from Texas).

I loved how Madeline appears stubborn at first, but when Tanner (easily) convinces her to let her guard down, she’s easily swayed into letting him do what he wants with her, which I don’t think she minded–especially the way the author described him. There were times I laughed and got teary-eyed. When it was over, I was saddened, because I wanted more of Madeline and Tanner. Though, that being said, in the end, I was very happy with the outcome, (sorry, no spoilers).

“Learning to Ride” (a 144-page read) was romantic, funny, sexy and sweet. If you’re looking for a quick beach read or something to cuddle up by the fire, I recommend this book.

I give this book 5 stars!

**About the author: Despite being an avid reader and closet writer her whole life, Erin Knightley decided to pursue a sensible career in science. It was only after earning her B.S. and working in the field for years that she realized doing the sensible thing wasn’t any fun at all. Following her dreams, Erin left her practical side behind and now spends her days writing. An award winning and USA Today Bestselling author, she is living her own Happily Ever After in North Carolina with her tall, dark, and handsome husband and their three spoiled mutts.

**Contact Erin: Website Facebook Twitter

BOOK REVIEW: “The McCullagh Inn in Maine”

September 7, 2016 1 Comment

“The McCullagh Inn in Maine” by Jen McLaughlin

Blurb:

Her second chance at love…

Chelsea O’Kane escapes to Maine with a gun and fresh bruises. She’s ready to begin anew-until she runs into her old flame, Jeremy Holland. As he helps to fix her inn, her heart heals and they rediscover what they once loved about each other. But as the two play house, it starts to seem too good to last…

My Review: Due to personal reasons, I haven’t read or reviewed anything in a long time, but when I was at my local Barnes & Noble in the check-out line, I came across James Patterson’s BookShots Flames. One of the two I picked up where “The McCullagh Inn in Maine.” Because of the premise, along with it being a short read (144 pages), I was eager to start it.

Once I did, it didn’t want to stop, as this could also be categorized as a romantic suspense, (a genre I don’t usually read). From the beginning to the last few pages, there were so many questions about who Chelsea really is and why she fled her previous life to come back home. Though, when Jeremy shows up, Chelsea’s guard begins to fall, allowing the readers to understand her better, along with the fact that she’s still not over her first love. As for Jeremy, I loved how he had a protective but mysterious way about him, too, which definitely had an impact on his and Chelsea’s passion for one another.

Like I mentioned above, there was a lot of suspense in this book, which made it a page-turner–especially toward the end, (sorry, no spoilers).

If you’re looking for a quick, romantic read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, I recommend “The McCullagh Inn in Maine.”

I give this book 4 1/2 stars!

**About the author: Jen McLaughlin is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of sexy books with Penguin Random House. Under her pen name, Diane Alberts, she is also a USA TODAY bestselling author of Contemporary Romance with Entangled Publishing. Her first release as Jen McLaughlin, Out of Line, hit the New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal lists. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

**Contact Jen McLaughlin: Website Facebook Twitter

BOOK REVIEW: “Been Searching for You”

July 12, 2016 1 Comment

“Been Searching for You” by Nicole Evelina

Blurb:

Annabeth is a hopeless romantic who believes in soul mates. In fact, she’s been writing to hers each year on her birthday since she was 16.

Now, at 34, she’s still holding out hope of finding Mr. Right even though he’d be fighting an uphill battle to gain her trust, thanks to a traumatic experience years before that’s left her unable to commit.

When Annabeth meets a handsome literature professor named Alex on her 34^th birthday, she thinks her quest may finally be at an end. Things don’t quite go as planned, so Annabeth resolves to do everything she can over the next year to find the unknown recipient of her letters. But blind dates, Meetup events and online singles sites have nothing on what fate has in store for her when a co-worker unexpectedly quits and Annabeth finds herself working in close quarters with both Alex and her long ago ex, Nick. Fighting her attraction to one and loathing for the other, Annabeth is forced to face all of her old insecurities while keeping an eye on a scheming frienemy who may derail her hopes and dreams.

Written in the tradition of Bridget Jones’ Diary, Kim Gruenfelder’s A Total Waste of Makeup, and Melissa Pimental’s Love By The Book, it shows that love on the sweet side can exist for the modern girl, if only she’s willing to trust herself and search hard enough.

Been Searching for You was the winner of the 2015 Romance Writers of America Great Expectations and Golden Rose contests.

My Review: First off, when I saw the cover of this book, I knew I had to read it–even though my review queue was pretty loaded up. While Annabeth’s character didn’t seem strong to me at the beginning (her friends I thought had a little too much say about her life), she molded into herself, which caused me to like her in the end (no, I won’t give you any spoilers)! 😉

While I felt this book was heavier than I thought it would be, “Been Searching for You” is a must read, and one of my favorite books of the year. This is my first book by Nicole Evelina, but it won’t be my last. With all the twists and turns, it held my attention the whole way through. So, if you’re looking for a book that will make you wonder not only about the characters’ love lives, but yours as well, then this book is for you.

I give “Been Searching for You” 5 stars!

**About the author: Nicole Evelina is an award-winning historical fiction and romantic comedy writer. Her current novel, Been Searching for You, a romantic comedy, won the 2015 Romance Writers of America (RWA) Great Expectations and Golden Rose contests.

She also writes historical fiction. Her debut novel, Daughter of Destiny, the first book of an Arthurian legend trilogy that tells Guinevere’s life story from her point of view, took first place in the legend/legacy category of the 2015 Chatelaine Awards for Women’s Fiction/Romance, and was short-listed for the Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction. Later this year, she will release Madame Presidentess (July 25), a historical novel about Victoria Woodhull, America’s first female Presidential candidate, which was the first place winner in the Women’s US History category of the 2015 Chaucer Awards for Historical Fiction.

Nicole is one of only six authors who completed a week-long writing intensive taught by #1 New York Times bestselling author Deborah Harkness. Nicole has traveled to England twice to research the Guinevere’s Tale trilogy, where she consulted with internationally acclaimed author and historian Geoffrey Ashe, as well as Arthurian/Glastonbury expert Jaime George, the man who helped Marion Zimmer Bradley research The Mists of Avalon.

Nicole is a member of and book reviewer for the The Historical Novel Society, and Sirens (a group supporting female fantasy authors), as well as a member of the Historical Writers of America, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Romance Writers of America, the St. Louis Writer’s Guild, Women Writing the West, Broad Universe (promoting women in fantasy, science fiction and horror), Alliance of Independent Authors and the Independent Book Publishers Association.

Contact Nicole:

Website Twitter Goodreads Pinterest Facebook Instagram Youtube

**Click HERE to see all the stops on Nicole’s Goddess Book Tour!

BOOK REVIEW TOUR: “Been Searching for You”

July 12, 2016 1 Comment

“Been Searching for You” by Nicole Evelina

Blurb:

Annabeth is a hopeless romantic who believes in soul mates. In fact, she’s been writing to hers each year on her birthday since she was 16.

Been Searching for You was the winner of the 2015 Romance Writers of America Great Expectations and Golden Rose contests.

**Abou the author: Nicole Evelina is an award-winning historical fiction and romantic comedy writer. Her current novel, Been Searching for You, a romantic comedy, won the 2015 Romance Writers of America (RWA) Great Expectations and Golden Rose contests.

Contact Nicole:

Website Twitter Goodreads Pinterest Facebook Instagram Youtube

**Blog tour stops:

Chick Lit Goddess – July 12th

Jorie – July 13th

Jersey Girl Book Reviews – July 15th

Kaisha Holloway – TBD

BOOK REVIEW: “Healing Her Cowboy” by Molly Ann Wishlade

June 29, 2016 Leave a Comment

“Healing Her Cowboy” by Molly Ann Wishlade

Blurb: Home is where the healing is.

Summer Quinn has been away from the Moonglow Dude Ranch a long time. Now she’s coming home. But is she ready for what awaits her?

Summer’s been hurt, her confidence wounded, her trust destroyed, and she has sworn never to fall for a man again. Trouble is, she’s still in love with the one man she thought would never want her.

Barrett Thorne had to quit the rodeo circuit because of injury. One more fall could be fatal. He’s certain he’s no longer desirable, especially since his wife left him for another cowboy. All he wants is manual labor to wear him out and a place to lay his head.

But beneath the Pocono moon, can Summer begin to heal her cowboy?

**Publisher’s Note: This book has previously been released as part of the Boots, Chaps and Cowboy Hats anthology with Totally Bound Publishing.

My Review: Having been in a chick lit read kind of mood recently, I decided to switch it up a bit and accept the offer to read “Healing Her Cowboy.” I’m a huge fan of country romances, so I was eager to start on this 55-page short story.

While some parts were predictable, Summer and Barrett exuded heat when they were around each other. While we didn’t get a glimpse of them as teenagers, the author made it believable that they had chemistry between them, even if they didn’t act on it–that is until they can finally no longer deny each other. I loved the honesty between Summer and Barrett, who both admitted how they felt for each other. As for Summer’s character, she seemed to shine, not just in Barrett’s eyes, but also played a part as the glue that had been waiting for her back home. I loved the ending and was touched how Summer’s mother treated Barrett as one of her own.

If you’re looking for a quickie, I recommend this sexy read, which will have you wishing you had a cowboy of your own!

I give “Healing Her Cowboy” 5 stars!

**Buy your copy of “Healing Her Cowboy” now!: Amazon Barnes & Noble

About the author: Molly Ann Wishlade has always been an avid reader and writer of stories. Her lifetime of reading has taken her from the magical worlds of The Faraway Tree and The Borrowers, to the Greek myths and legends, to Sweet Valley High and Judy Blume’s Forever, to Asimov’s science fiction, Jane Eyre’s torment and Stephen King’s masterpieces. More recently she has wandered through the vivid historicals of Philippa Gregory; the bubbly, gritty delights of Adele Parks and the fast paced thrillers of James Patterson. She loves getting lost in a novel and often regrets finishing one as the characters are usually missed like old friends. She regularly indulges her insatiable hunger for romance and passion in the delicious worlds created by romantic novelists and is working on several of her own!

What precious spare time she has is spent with her family (one gorgeous husband and two bright and beautiful children), taking long walks around the beautiful Welsh countryside (although she’s still waiting for the rescue greyhound she wants to accompany her), cooking her own secret recipe curries, drinking Earl Grey (in copious amounts) and discovering delicious wines. Oh, and she also loves to ski and can’t wait to go again! And buying shoes!

She wants to take readers on the rollercoaster that is life through the creation of her own characters, relationships and worlds.

She appreciates feedback, recipes and wine recommendations.

**Click HERE to find out more about Molly Ann Wishlade!

BOOK REVIEW: “Flying by the Seat of my Knickers” by Eliza Watson

June 24, 2016 Leave a Comment

“Flying by the Seat of my Knickers” by Eliza Watson

Blurb: Why run from your troubles when you can fly instead? When Caity Shaw is fired from her first job that doesn’t require an elf uniform, her older sister, Rachel, an event planner, hires her to work a meeting in Dublin. Caity jumps at the opportunity to travel abroad and escape her pathetic life. However, even four thousand miles from home, there’s no avoiding debt collectors, an overbearing mother, and haunting memories of a controlling ex. While in Dublin, Caity suffers a series of humiliating mishaps, causing her to lose even more faith in herself. Caity struggles to earn Rachel’s respect—and to keep Declan, her hot Irish coworker, at arm’s length. Declan repeatedly saves Caity’s butt and helps boost her self-confidence, making it difficult to keep her distance from the charming womanizer. When Declan helps her research her Irish grandmother, Caity discovers the mysterious past of the courageous woman she barely knew might hold the answers to her future.

My Review: First of all, I loved the cover of this book. Doesn’t it just say, “READ ME!”? “Flying by the Seat of My Knickers” was an adorable page turner! At the beginning, I was on the edge of my seat to see how Caity would handle herself as an event planner without having any experience, having been one who would take any job–even ones where she’d be wearing hideous and embarrassing costumes. There was definite tension between her and her sister, Rachel, but overtime, I loved seeing Caity gain more confidence, showing her sister and Gretchen, a right-hand employee, along with handsome Declan that she can be a take charge kind of woman. I found Caity’s strength to be very refreshing, even when she wanted to give up. Also, being a huge fan of the movie P.S. I Love You, I loved the references the author added in, (this movie made me fall in love with Ireland-setting romance books).

If you’re looking for a heartwarming read, leaving you wanting more, I highly recommend this witty and fun read, (I’m eagerly anticipating the next book in the series).

I give “Flying by the Seat of my Knickers” 4.5 stars!

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