Always The Bridesmaid Blog Tour: Author Interview with Lindsey Kelk

I am so happy to be part of Lindsey Kelk's new novel Always The Bridesmaid Blog Tour today! I had the pleasure of having Lindsey stop by for a short interview. Here is the interview.

Q) Hi Lindsey, "Always The Bridesmaid" came out 7th May, Can you tell us a little bit about it?

Yes! Always the Bridesmaid is about Maddie, an assistant events organiser who finds out at the beginning of the book, that one of her best friends is getting married and that the other is getting divorced. Trying to play peacemaker between the two of them while helping to plan Lauren a wedding and counsel Sarah through her break up, she’s still hung up on her ex and miserable in her job.

Even though Maddie is a bridesmaid in the book, it not really a story about that, it’s about allowing yourself to be pushed into a bridesmaid position in your life. Maddie is so used to coming second -  with her friends, her family, her career – that she doesn’t even realise there’s another way to live. This is the story of how that all changes.

Q) Have you ever been a bridesmaid?

I have, once as a little girl and twice as a grown up. I don’t think I was very good at it either time. I definitely cried on all three occasions but only had to be carried out to bed once. I cannot confirm that was when I was a little girl.

Q) What inspired you to write this story and why?

My life, the lives of my friends, stories I heard from other people. I love looking at the things that effect our day to day lives, issues that are bigger than ourselves, and starting my story there. About a Girl was about the pressure on people to make huge important choices when they’re very young and the fear that comes with making the wrong one, I Heart Christmas was about ‘having it all’ and whether or not that’s a fantasy concept, What a Girl wants was about making choices when you have no idea of the outcome. I take an idea and build a world around it. Or at least, that’s the plan.

Q) Favourite Chick-lit film and why?

I basically love everything that’s ever been committed to celluloid so it’s hard to choose a favourite. I enjoyed them all, Bridget Jones, Devil Wears Prada, even Shopaholic – it gets a bad rap but I think Isla Fisher and High Dancy are lovely in it. But then Hugh Dancy is lovely in everything.

Q) Are you a fan of weddings?

Ehh, it’s such a broad brush. Sometimes they’re wonderful and sometimes they’re painfully terrible, I’ve been to both ends of the spectrum. I love the idea of a wedding but I’m also very cynical about the idea of marriage in general and the thought of spending all that money on one day which ultimately might not mean anything really causes me pain. But if anyone asks, yes! I love weddings! They’re wonderful and not an extortionate obligation at all!

Q) Have you any writing tips to anybody who is wanting to start writing?

Just write! It’s really the only tip you need. If you desperately want another, read. The more you read, the better your writing will become and the more you write, the easier it will be. That’s really all you need to know. To be a writer, you have to write.

Q) Describe Always the Bridesmaid in 5 words...

Stunning masterpiece of epic proportions OR A funny, thoughtful, sweary story


Thank you Lindsey for stopping by!
Always the Bridesmaid is out now!
Go buy now!!

Book Review: Cartel by Lili St. Germain

Title: Cartel

Author: Lili St. Germain

Publisher: Harpercollins

Date Published: 12th February 2015

Blurb

How much is a life worth? I grew up in Colombia, the daughter of a wealthy drug lord. 

I lived a life of extravagance, until one day a drug run went horribly wrong and everything came crashing down around us. I was given away. 

A payment for a debt. 

The Gypsy Brothers Motorcycle Club became my new owners, and I did everything I could to survive. 

But falling in love with the man who owned me wasn't part of the plan ..

My Review
Thank you to Harpercollins for sending me a copy of Cartel in exchange for an honest review.
I have never read or heard of any books by Lili St. Germain before but I was intrigued to read because of the blurb. 

Wow this book blew my mind! I was hooked after reading the first couple of chapters! Everything seemed to happen all of a sudden which is a good thing because you quickly get sucked into the story.

Cartel is about Mariana who's dad is a wealthy drug lord until he messes up and costs his boss a lot of trouble, no drugs and no money to pay back. Everything comes crashing down and Mariana is given away, a payment for a debt.
Emilio is the big boss, he is not happy and wants his money, however his son Dornan Ross in charge of Gypsy Brothers Motorcyle Club becomes Mariana's new owner.. She didn't plan to fall in love with him though...

This book is amazing! I will admit I was creeped out with the violence, it was too much at times but I just couldn't put the book down. I felt really sorry for Mariana and by being owned by Dornan was scary although you could tell he was softening and was falling in love with her although he had to put a front up to his dad as he would kill her if knew the truth between them...

I cannot wait to read the next books in the series! The Cartel Trilogy is a prequel series.
I would highly recommend giving this book a go as it's something a little different to your normal erotic novel it is written so brilliantly.

Cartel is intriguing, not your typical erotic novel,a perfect bad boy to fall in love with and so amazing!!

 

Book Review: The Jackdaw by Luke Delaney

Title: The Jackdaw

Author: Luke Delaney

Publisher: Hapercollins

Publication Date: 12th March 2015

My Verdict
Yes DI Sean Corrigan is back in this fourth book by Luke Delaney! I am such a fan of Delaney's work. I was excited when I was sent a copy of The Jackdaw to read in exchange for a review from the publishers.

Wealthy Londoners are being abducted by one lone vigilante who is putting their fate in the hands of his viewers on the internet. He films the victims live online bound to a chair in a white room.. The vigilante explains their crimes of greed and why they should be punished while thousands watch and make up the jury. Once everyone votes the man who calls himself 'The Jackdaw' is the judge and executioner.
Di Sean Corrigan and his team need to work quick and fast to catch this vigilante before more people are killed...

Luke Delaney is definitely on the same par with Mark Billingham's books, Although Delaney is slowly becoming more my favourite crime/thriller author! 

The Jackdaw made me feel very creeped and I always play in my mind that these could easily happen in real life. From the first chapter I knew I was going to enjoy another book by Luke Delaney. 

It was great to catch up with Di Sean Corrigan although with this case he feels he can't get into the mind of the killer like he has done with his past cases..he has this thing where he gets deep into the case and in his mind becomes like the killer to try and understand the killer and get one step ahead, this book however Sean seems to struggle but the mystery and suspense keeps you on the edge throughout the book, I did not see the ending coming at all! Although the last chapter I felt there was something missing......which makes me eager for the next installment now!

Luke Delaney's style of writing is great because with his experience of being in the Metropolitan Police and CID dealing with high level crimes and investigated murder cases makes his books so good with plenty of detail and definitely knows how to get his readers hooked.

Delaney has once again written a superb crime book with plenty to keep you hooked all the way through and deserves 5 star rating!
Don't wait around but buy this book now!

Hardback                         Kindle

As Good As It Gets? by Fiona Gibson Blog Tour

Today I'm part of the wonderful Fiona Gibson's new book As Good as it Gets? Blog tour. 

I always know when I pick up a book by Fiona that I am going to be giggling along and they are a light hearted read.

In As Good as it Gets? we meet Charlotte Bristow who has a lot on her plate, whether its working a full time job, dealing with her husband not having a job, or her 16 year old daughter Rosie who has just been newly signed to a model agency..Charlotte has it tough! Things are changing in their household and sometimes not for the better.

I thoroughly enjoyed and loved this so much, there was plenty of laugh out loud moments throughout the book especially the beginning of the book started with letters with some humour had me giggling right away.  I felt a little sorry for Charlotte throughout the book as you could really tell she had her hands full but also the way Fiona writes her books, its just like real life situations with no fairy tale dusting.

Fiona has once again written a superb book that is light hearted with a beautiful colourful cover that is a great easy read. I would highly recommend picking this up next time your shopping.

As Good as it Gets? is out on 26th February

Pre-order here
Paperback              Kindle

Book Review: The Book Of You by Claire Kendal

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: April 2014

The Book of you is about a lady called Clarissa who is being stalked by a work colleague called Rafe, he won't leave her alone, everywhere she turns he's there, he leaves her gifts and most certainly won't take no for answer. When Clarissa get's to be part of Jury service, she finally feels safe for a while...but for how long?

There is no words to describe how hooked I was with this book and how I was really worried for Clarissa and what Rafe was going to do to her.

This is Claire Kendal's debut novel and what a superb way to get noticed! The Book of You is just thrilling that your looking behind yourself just like Clarissa is doing.

Clarissa is a 38 year old English woman who takes up with a distant coworker one night at a little party after his book is published and something dark happens that changes her life in every way. This guy, Rafe, stalks her every move and she becomes like a prisoner in her own life. He's everywhere. Her house, her work, the park...and he leaves lots of notes and gifts for her.

I liked the style of writing Claire has done, the way we flick between the "book" all about Rafe and his ways of stalking following instructions from a leaflet about Domestic abuse telling her to write everything down so that what she does. To present day but she doesn't get much of present day until she is that court being part of Jury service. 
The question is when will Rafe get the picture that Clarissa isn't interested..maybe when it's too late? as Clarissa is writing in the journal every day she see's him and the unwanted gifts she keeps tucked away so when the time comes to go straight to the police that they will listen to her and there will be plenty of evidence... the only place Clarissa feels safe is in the Court House and when she gets to know the other people part of Jury service, she become's friendly with a guy called Robert but becoming more than friends with Robert angers Rafe and isn't a good thing!
The Book of You is one gripping and scary book! for fan's who love to read a good psychological thriller then you will love this!
You may not sleep without wanting to keep the light on but it'll be worth it!
5 page turning stars!
 

Festive-Blog-Athon Day Sixteen: Xmas Book Review: The Great Christmas Knit Off by Alexandra Brown ++ Giveaway

Today's on Festive-Blog-Athon is a Xmas Book Review which fits in perfect with all these great christmas books out this year. 

Title: The Great Christmas Knit off

Author: Alexandra Brown

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: 6th Nov 2014

This book is great! I am such a big fan of Alexandra Brown's books, I was a little gutted when she ended the Carrington's series but got really excited about a new Village Series.

We meet heartbroken Sybil after she got jilted at the altar but she is saved from despair by her love for knitting. Her home is now bursting with tea cosies, bobble hats and jumpers but after releasing she cocked up at work, she decides to make a quick exit just weeks before Christmas and runs away to the a cute picturesque village of Tindledale.
Sybil discovers Hettie's House of Haberdashery the best for a knit lover to find and ends up helping Hettie out after she finds Hettie is struggling and the shop is due to close...

The Great Christmas Knit Off is just an amazing book! I thought with me not a lover of knitting I wouldn't like the book very much but I am soo wrong! I have never knitted in my life but reading this book with Sybil and the little cute village called Tindledale had me thinking about starting Knitting which I think would be cool!

If your big fan's of Alexandra Brown then your going to love this new book. The little village of Tindledale sounds so cute and all the villagers sound so nice too apart from the nasty Adam from the bookshop to begin with is quite nasty with Sybs! I loved reading about Hettie what a dear she is. Laurence is just so amazing! please can he be my best friend? (Hehe)

One thing I always love reading about Cute villages is how people always come together in bad situations and they all pull through together as one and not leave anyone out. I'm excited to read from Sybil and Tindledale in the future! Hurry writing Alex! (Hehe)

I'm rating The Great Christmas Knit Off  - 5 Twinkling Christmas Lights!

!! Festive Giveaway Time !!
As I loved this book so much, I am offering one lucky winner a copy for grabs!
Due to delivery charges this Giveaway is UK ONLY, Sorry.

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