Saturday 29 June 2013

Book Review: Wonder Women By Rosie Fiore

Title: Wonder Women
Author: Rosie Fiore
Publisher: Quercus
Publication Date: 20th June 2013

Jo has always dreamed of starting her own business, but the arrival of her two gorgeous toddlers has put her ambition on the backburner. Then she hits on a brilliant idea -- a kid's clothing shop with a twist -- and is thrilled when it really takes off. When husband Lee offers to quit his job to look after the family while her business grows, it seems a godsend -- but will their marriage stand the test of reversing their roles?

Jo soon recruits Holly and Mel to help her in the shop. Designer Holly's high flying career has come crashing down and she's moved back home -- but is she ready to manage a major family crisis? Meanwhile, Mel worries her teenage daughter Serena is going off the rails. Is finding out more worth risking her daughter's trust?
At the crossroads of their lives, friendship could be the only thing keeping these wonder women strong.


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I was a huge fan of Babies in waiting, it was great so when I found out Rosie was bringing another book out I was so excited.

In the book we meet Jo & Lee childhood sweethearts happily married with two children Zack and Imogen. Lee is very creative and likes to draw & paint. Jo wants a huge career plan of owning her own children's clothing shop with a twist....will it happen?

We also meet Holly and Mel too, employees of Jungletown Jo's shop.Holly lived in Africa with her own clothing shop but when someone so close to her destroyed everything for her she had to come home to her mum's house. Mel is struggling being a single mum to her teenage daughter Sienna.
Yes these women are very strong and are Wonder Women for sure.

This book is great has plenty of laughter,sadness,closeness,friendship and love, I loved every minute of it. Each chapter you flick to a different character and their lives then and now. You easily warm to each character and feel like they are your friends by the end of the book. I enjoyed watching Jo's dreams of her own children's clothing shop blossom and seeing it become Jungletown.

With the way Rosie writes she always has plenty of describtive words and the chapters flow so easy so you can never get lost with which character is who.
I think this book is a must read
Grab a copy now please!!


Sunday 23 June 2013

Fiction Addiction Book Tour: Guest Post by Alana Cash Author of How You Leave Texas

Today's Fiction Addiction Book Tour Kicks off with me featuring Alana Cash on a Guest post talking about her new book How You Leave Texas.


Alana Cash tells us about her new book How You Leave Texas and also why she started writing..
When you write a book and title it HOW YOU LEAVE TEXAS, people could think that your characters leave in a trail of dust, shouting, “I’m outta here!”  But, in fact, my characters don’t spend any time disparaging the state of Texas and they leave because of family dramas and hope to find a better future.

While living in Texas, its faults are clear and present – the heat, the predominance of masculine social culture, the heat.  But when I’m away, what comes to mind is the beauty of the land, the sunny sky with white, white clouds, the slow pace, the lack of congestion that allows for more time with friends and less time in traffic, the rivers and lakes, the Mexican food in San Antonio, the barbecue in Dripping Springs, the good manners that people show.  And I remember the good times.

I was born in Fort Worth, Texas and I’ve left the state and returned to live in different cities…San Antonio, Midland, and Austin.  I even spent a year in Dallas.  While I was growing up there, I had a lot of fun and I had a lot of fun as an adult.  Granted, I was taught boys will be boys and girls will be-have and I missed out on drumming lessons and had a curfew (unlike my brother), but I still did a lot of daring things and had a lot of adventure while maintaining a semblance of respectability.

I created the blog (http://howyoulovetexas.blogspot.com)  to record my own good times and memories, and I’ve invited all Texans – native and otherwise – and any and all of you who love Texas to write and share their stories as well. 

Contact Alana at
or on Facebook

To Kick off the book reviews for How You Leave
Here is the list on behalf of Fiction Addiction Book Tours
Date
Tour Host
24th June
Guest Post - MissBookworm Reviews
25th June
26th June
27th June
28th June
1st July
2nd July
3rd July
4th July
5th July
8th July
9th July

10th July

11th July

12th July

Saturday 22 June 2013

Book Signing: Paige Toon at Waterstones Manchester Arndale


Well this morning I had a very early morning start, 6.30am to be exact, to get ready to head to Manchester for Paige Toon's book signing eeeek! Yes I was very excited when I found out a few months ago that Paige would be coming to Manchester I couldn't wait to grab the chance to go! 1) It was my first ever book signing I had been to 2) Paige Toon is like one of my favourite author's of all time, so I couldn't possibly miss this chance. So off me & my daddy headed off with my copy of The Longest Holiday in my arms.

So I got to Waterstones in Manchester Arndale Center for 8.50am, and Yes I was one of the first one's to be there with my daddy, then another girl came not long after me, Come 9am when the store opened I asked one of the member's of staff to go, he pointed to stand near the table which had all her books out ready with signs saying Paige Toon book signing today 11am - 1pm. I also needed one more book to the collection of Paige Toon's book was Johnny Be Good so off I went and purchased and then stood waiting for 2 hours...

We had a eager 2 hour wait in the queue ready, I had plenty of reading in that time (The Perfect Retreat by Kate Foster hehe!) come 10am I was too excited to see Paige, time just went very slow but there was a good queue of girlies excited just like me. About 10.50am we saw a sneak peak of Paige arriving with her husband which got us all very happy knowing it would soon be time!
YESSS THIS IS WHEN PAIGE TOON CAME OUT...!!

The best part was that when she came out, she actually recognized me which made me happy so much, even gave me a hug which I loved that Paige was just so down to earth. I had messaged her in the morning saying I didn't know what to have signed on my book either To Abbey or To Miss Bookworm Reviews so we had a little giggle about that before she started hehe!

I had two books so had one signed To Abbey & one To Miss Bookworm Reviews hehe. It was just so amazing that my first ever book signing I went to was to see the ever so lovely Paige Toon who is a fabulous writer and I loved every single book that she has published and will more than likely enjoy in years to come! Paige is so down to earth, she interacts so brilliant with readers and isn't stuck up at all.


Here is some pictures of the time I had speaking with Paige...


 Talking about that she had just been to the Disney shop before coming here looking for some toys for her little kids.( So cute!)

 
 

Told Paige I have been recommending her books to everyone I work with and that they are all truly amazing :) she was extremely touched by that. 
Book Signature timee!!



 









The best day & picture ever in which I received another hug when I was going!! Paige Toon is truly a lovely author who is so down to earth and polite that no wonder readers are so loyal! I cannot wait for more of Paige's book in future & I can treasure these books signed for years to come!!

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Fiction Addiction Book Tour: Have No Shame By Melissa Foster

Title: Have No Shame
Author: Melissa Foster
Publisher: Createspace
Publication Date: April 2013

The racially-charged prejudice of the deep south forces eighteen-year-old Alison Tillman to confront societal norms--and her own beliefs- when she discovers the body of a hate crime victim, and the specter of forbidden love turns her safe, comfortable world upside down.
Alison has called Forrest Town, Arkansas home for the past eighteen years. Her mother's Blue Bonnet meetings, her father toiling night and day on the family farm, and the division of life between the whites and the blacks are all Alison knows. The winter of 1967, just a few months before marrying her high school sweetheart, Alison finds the body of a black man floating in the river, and she begins to view her existence with new perspective. The oppression and hate of the south, the ugliness she once was able to avert her eyes from, now demands her attention.
When a secretive friendship with a young black man takes an unexpected romantic turn, Alison is forced to choose between her predetermined future, and the dangerous path that her heart yearns for.


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I have the pleasure of thanking Sharon Goodwin for letting me take part in this book tour and Melissa Foster for being a superb author giving me the pleasure of reading and reviewing this book. I enjoyed this book very much, I was very engrossed in the story all the way through.

We start off with meeting Alison an 18 year old girl who lives with her mum and dad on a farm with her brother Jake and her sister Maggie living in New York, Alison is due to marry her child hood sweetheart Jimmy Lee but one day when Alison finds a black man's body in a river, things start to look different for Alison and she starts to hate racism and with her secret friendship with a black man called Jackson and the encouragement from her sister Maggie, she tries to stop racism...but always with problems on the way.

Now in some parts of America, it has very racial states and separate streets for whites and blacks whereas In England where I have lived for 23 years of my life, I grew up with Asians & Blacks in my schools and even was friends with some too, to me as I was growing up that we were all the treated the same and nobody ever singled out a coloured person.  I did enjoy reading this book because I loved following the story from Alison's point of view but I just wanted to scream at some parts with the racism because I detest it very much, because in my eyes we are all the same.

Have No Shame is certainly a read that can have you hooked in a moment, I know I was. I felt at times very sorry for Alison and could even relate to her. I don't want to give too much away about the story because I feel it is one you should read and decide yourself. I did enjoy the fact Melissa on Kindle gives readers chance to either read the book with southern twang or without, and I chose without because I didn't think I would understand the story otherwise.

I feel with Have No Shame you can warm up to the characters quite quickly, my two favourites would be Alison & Maggie, Maggie came across as a strong minded lady when she moved to New York and gave Alison the insight she needed to the things that was happening in the town she lived. I wasn't a huge fan of Jimmy Lee and his family, horrible is all I got to say!

Have No Shame is a great read with an insight to see what it was really like in America in the 1960's and will  have you hooked too.


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JUST CHECK OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER COMPETITION BELOW.

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GOOD LUCK!!

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Tuesday 18 June 2013

Book News: The Keeper (Di Sean Corrigan 2)


THE KEEPER
DI Sean Corrigan is back.....September 2013


For fans of Luke Delaney's first book Cold Killing will be very excited to know, his second book is out September. I have been given an early copy and I am so so excited to start it!

Blurb of The Keeper:
The second novel in the DI Sean Corrigan series – authentic and terrifying crime fiction with a psychological edge, by an ex-Met detective. Perfect for fans of Mark Billingham, Peter James and Stuart MacBride.
DI Sean Corrigan is different to most cops. He’s no psychic, but his own dark past has given him the ability to step into a crime scene and see it through the eyes of the offender. He understands what drives a person to commit murder, rape, arson – but sometimes his gift seems more like a burden.
When the brutally murdered body of a young woman is found in the woods, Corrigan and his team are on the case. But this is not the act of a one-time offender. They’re on the trail of someone who has been taking women from their homes and keeping them captive before disposing of their bodies.
This killer is looking for the perfect woman – and when he finds her, he’s going to keep her. Whether she likes it or not…



For huge fans of the likes of Mark Billingham, James Patterson, Peter James are going to love this series! It is a crime series you will not want to miss!...



Preorder now!!

Monday 17 June 2013

Book Chapter Preview: Untitled by Kaylie O'connor


So my ever so lovely best friend Kaylie O'Connor is a huge reading fanatic and is always reading whether its on her Kindle or paperbacks. She is a huge fan of dangerous & sexy Vampires and their demons ;), the types of books she loves are the likes of Lara Adrian, Gena Showalter & Donna Grant.
However, Kaylie has started writing her own book, putting pen to paper and would like all you lovely readers to read a sneak preview of her first book...which hopefully will be finished later this year!! It is currently without a title but she has a few names for it under wraps atm.
Believe me, I cannot wait for this to be in paperback, It is superb and I hope you all enjoy too...


The heat of the flames licked at his skin, like liquid fire he could feel it coursing through his veins searing him in agony as it went. Darkness consumed him as the thick, choking smoke clung to his body. He was underground that much was certain. The sound of a woman’s screams could be heard echoing around him. The pain in her cries enveloped him in a misery unlike any he’d ever known, it gave him the urgent sense to run to her. He roared in anger, his inner Sin urging him on to break the bonds that held him. The metal bit into his skin drawing rivulets of crimson blood. The pain did not matter he had to save her, but who was she?

Tristan woke in a sweat, his bed sheets wound around his legs after another fitful sleep. He pressed his palms to his eyes as if trying to force the lingering of the nightmare from his memory. For the third night in a row he’d been plagued by the same dream, the same sense of urgency to find the girl. His heart constricted at the thought of her cries. He’d had visions such as this before, viewing them as yet another punishment for his past. Something was coming, something important. He pushed himself from his bed and padded bare footed to the bathroom. Starring in the mirror he saw the reflection he’d grown to despise. He hated who he was, who he’d been and what he’d been forced to become. He splashed a handful of cool water to his face trying to refresh his tired looking eyes. 

He sighed as he turned on the shower. He seriously needed to get his head straight. Removing his clothes he stepped under the hot jets of water and let them scorch his skin. Bracing his head and hands against the cool tiled wall of the shower he turned his thoughts to the girl from his dream. Crystal blue eyes framed in thick black lashes. He’d only glimpsed her eyes but once in the visions never her face. But her eyes, what a beauty they were, hypnotic, and a sight he had tried to dream of again since but always unable to. Every fibre of his being needed to see them again, to see her again. If only he could know who she was.



WOW...what did you think? want or need more?
Let me know what you think..

Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns By Lauren Weisberger

Title: Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns
Author: Lauren Weisberger
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: 20th June 2013

Revenge Wears Prada picks up eight years after Andy parted ways with Miranda on bad terms. Andy is now editing The Plunge, the hottest bridal magazine around, alongside Emily, her one-time Runway nemesis turned current BFF. While Andy is planning her own wedding to Max, a handsome media scion, she remains haunted by her impeccably heeled former boss -- and the magazine world being as small as it is, it's only a matter of time before she hears the dreaded syllables "Ahn-dre-ah!" again.

didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it


Eeeeek I was so so so excited when I first heard there was going to be a sequel and I certainly couldn't wait to grab my copy, however I was lucky to receive a copy from Louise at Harpercollins,which I was so eager to start it...Just gutted I've finished it now though :(

So fast forward ten years since we last saw Andy be rude to Miranda and leave her in Paris to go back to a realistic life, she is now happily engaged to her soon to be husband Max Harrison and is busy planning her wedding and also editing articles for 'The Plunge' Her's and Emily's masterpiece where they started from scratch after Andy and Emily became BFF's after a awkward meeting at an cooking class but soon put their differences aside and spend all their time together now bringing their magazine to the true potential it really has...but we all know Miranda is going to make an appearance in this book, it was always a case of when and how?

Boy I was blown away by this book, I don't understand why there is so many negative 1 star ratings because to be honest I truly loved and adored this book, I was always in fits of giggles with Andy's one liners but also the friendship between Andy and Emily just was amazing, after hating each other before.
If you was a huge fan of The Devil wears Prada like I certainly was, then you are going to be queuing up at book stores to grab your own copy I just know it!

This book has plenty of drama, friendship,laughs, love, plenty of fashion and just generally fabulous! I am big fan of Lauren Weisberger and I have a copy of every single book of her's and they are all amazing in their own little way. Lauren is a great writer who knows how to keep her writers hooked with her style of writing and you are all familiar with most of the characters which makes you enjoy this book even more. Also the way Manhattan screams out to visit the place, the amount of fashion and glamour, makes me want to book a one way trip to go now!

I do now keep wondering whether the will be a film sequel? which I think would be splendid that's for sure. This book is certainly a must grab read for this summer for any huge chick lit fan or big fan's of Lauren Weisberger books or The Devil wears Prada.


Revenge Wears Prada is out on Thursday
Preorder now!!
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Husband, Missing By Polly Williams

Title: Husband, Missing
Author: Polly Williams
Publication Date:
Publisher: Headline Review

"The number you are calling is unavailable. Please try again later." Gina has only been married six months when her husband Rex goes on holiday to Spain and vanishes without a trace, tipping her dream new marriage into a nightmare. As a frantic search gets nowhere, Gina is adamant that he's alive and vows never to give up hope. Speculation is rife: he's drowned at sea, lost his memory...or just walked away.

Troubling stories start to emerge about Rex's past that are hard to square with the man she married. How well does she really know her handsome, charismatic husband? They'd fallen in love so quickly, so passionately, that the past had seemed barely relevant to either of them. Now an explosive secret threatens to rewrite the story of their love affair. As the mystery of Rex's whereabouts deepens, Gina begins to wonder whether you only ever truly know the person you love once they've gone.

didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it

Firstly when I first saw this book cover I fell in love straight away, It just stood out straight away and I knew I had to read even though I had a feeling I would probably cry. This being my first book that I have read of Polly Williams I totally didn't know what to expect and I wasn't going to judge before even starting..

It was a superb read, Yes it did bring a tear to my eyes because having gone through a similar experience a few years ago I knew how heartbreaking it can be, I was just praying that Gina would find her husband Rex again, but I had a funny feeling some secrets were going to come out in which Gina would probably not like but she needed to hear them, the closeness she became with Rex's brother Jake was just amazing and how they bonded while trying to find Rex was great! I had a niggling feeling that something could happen between them..but I will let you readers decide...

You follow the journey with Gina on her searching for her husband but at the beginning of Rex going missing, she finds out she's pregnant, so trying not to worry and put stress on the baby while searching for Rex was going to be hard for her at all times but she had the closeness of her best friends Femi and Lucy and her family to help cheer her up.

This book is certainly one to read this year, while reading I just never knew what was going to happen, whether Rex was going to appear back home or not, it does have sadness but also happiness in which Jake, Femi & Lucy keep Gina sane and help her journey along the way.
A must read!

The Guest List By Melissa Hill

Title: The Guest List
Author: Melissa Hill
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publication Date: April 2013

When funny, kind and gorgeous Shane proposes, Cara is over the moon, and can't wait to share the news of their engagement with all their friends and family.

Excitement, however, quickly turns to apprehension when it seems that everyone has a fixed idea of the perfect wedding and offers to 'help' with the planning. With tussles over the ceremony and the size of guest list, sibling rivalry and insistent-in-laws-to-be, Cara can see the vision she has of her big day being ripped to shreds.

So she and Shane determine to make a stand and do things their way. But when they announce their plans for a beach wedding on a beautiful Caribbean island, there is uproar. Threats are made, family secrets are revealed, and things turn decidedly stormy.

Will Cara and Shane manage to overcome all obstacles? or will their dream wedding turn into a nightmare?


didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it didn't like it


I am such a huge fan of Melissa Hill's books, when I found out about this I was so excited and couldn't wait to read! The book cover is just so cute, Very girly and easily attracts people's eyes when on shelves in bookstores or supermarkets.

So we meet Cara who is very much happy in love with Shane Richardson but he soon proposes to her and Cara is over the moon and cannot wait to share her excitement with all their friends and family, but once they tell everyone, their families try and interfere by telling them what their dream wedding should be like, leaving Cara feeling very down and not what she was hoping...

I loved this so much, made me feel very happy and warm inside because I love a good wedding and throughout the book I was rooting for Cara and Shane to have the wedding of their dreams. I wasn't a huge fan of Shane's parent's at first they came across as very selfish but my mind was changed again later on in the book. You can simply warm up to all the characters in this book and feel part of the book.

I totally didn't expect the little story-line bomb near to the end, Melissa you really threw me completely, totally had me surprised, never expected to see that coming at all.

St Lucia for a perfect wedding scene for the book great choice definitely, while reading I was dreaming I was there too on the golden warm sandy beach with beautiful blue sky no cloud to be seen and very bright sunshine, very relaxing picturesque scene. Melissa certainly knows ways to get you wanting to be in the glorious Caribbean.

I always love books by Melissa because with her style of writing,m she always gets her readers hooked and excited with her books and always has pretty book covers that you just cannot resist.
I urge you all to go grab your own copy of The Guest List because has plenty of Irish-ness, Laughter, Love, Family affairs, Sadness, Friendship & A wonderful beach wedding...what not to miss!!

You Can Buy Right Now!!
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