#SweetSat - 28/07/12

Thanks everyone for stopping by. Hope you enjoy this little sample from my first book "Sweet Dreams, Miss England"

Enjoy  :-D

Her heart was beating as if she had just run a marathon and it took all her strength to enter the hotel and ask for his room number. The hotel lift seemed to take forever to finally reach the third floor. She took a deep breath and knocked at the door. Nicky vaguely heard him say to come in.

“Hey, Miss England. I thought I was under strict instructions: Dinner only and that at a restaurant.”

Nicky felt her knees giving way underneath her. She felt her body shaking and wasn’t enjoying being there.

“Daniel, I cannot go out for dinner with you tonight,” she said very softly.

He moved closer to her, sensing that something was wrong.

“Daniel, I am married and even though my husband lives in the States, it doesn’t change the fact that we’re married.”Nicky felt the tears running down her face. “The thing is, though, since I’ve met you, all I do is think of you. I can’t get you out of my head. I keep thinking of the way you held me when we danced. I cannot sleep because I remember the way you kissed me.” She wiped away a few tears, and with a big sigh, went on, “I just cannot have dinner with you, because I have to do what is right and that means I shouldn’t see you again. I am really, really sorry.”

Daniel just looked at her for a while. The silence made her nervous and uneasy. Nicky wanted to say something, but he held his finger in front of her lips to stop her. He took her face in his hands and looked right at her.

“You did come, though. Please don’t go,”he whispered. He moved forward to her and gently kissed her. Nicky moved back, but he held onto her hand and pulled her closer. He kissed her again and she felt herself slowly giving in to him. She had yearned for his kisses for such a long time and didn’t want to fight them any longer. They had already made her too weak. He touched her neck with his lips, gently moving his hands down her arms to her waist, slipping his hands under her shirt, caressing her back. His kisses felt like an exciting rush to her body, something so gentle, but at the same time wanting, like she hadn’t known before. He looked into her eyes as if to get her okay, picked her up in his arms and eased her onto the bed. Nicky’s body trembled as Daniel kissed every inch of her body while removing her clothes. She enjoyed the way she was being loved in such a caring yet passionate way.

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On Sale - 99c - Journey to Her Dreams

Journey to Her Dreams

Would you travel around the world to uncover the reason for your dreams?

Hollie Anderson does.

A young woman from Tasmania who lives on a farm just outside Launceston, she has got good looks, likes her job and loves to hang out with her friends. She should be happy, right?

But it’s a recurrent dream that throws her daily life into chaos and takes her on a journey to Ireland. While on her quest for answers she meets Sam in Dublin under unusual circumstances and both women, so different in many ways, find out they have one thing in common - and it changes their lives forever

~~

 Now on Sale until the end of July on

Amazon

and

Barnes & Noble.

99 cents

~~

Review by Frank Nolan, 99.9 VoiceFM
Ballarat writer Iris Blobel’s first book was titled Sweet Dreams Miss England and was set in London and Dublin. She returns to the subject of dreams in her recently published second novel Journey to Her Dreams. The story is set in two small islands – Tasmania and Ireland- and involves the lives of two young women. Hollie lives with her father on a farm near Launceston while Sam lives in Dublin. A recurrent, disturbing dream inspires Hollie to visit Ireland and the two women meet in extraordinary circumstances, with momentous effect on both of their lives.
A cleverly constructed plot, believable characters and lucid writing make Journey to Her Dreams enjoyable romantic fiction reading.


Review by J (Goodreads)
Half romance, half women's fiction. Totally absorbing.Journey to her Dreams has two main characters, Hollie and Sam (Samantha), who live half a world apart, in Tasmania and Ireland, respectively. They don't know each other. They've never met, never heard of each other. But they dream about each other. When something awful happens, the other sees the occurrence in her dreams. (Good plotting, by the way, putting them on opposite sides of the globe. One's asleep when the other's awake, see.)

Sam's marriage is coming apart, no matter how desperately she pretends otherwise, and so her life is currently pretty awful. Her quiet despair comes through Hollie's dreams, invading Hollie's life and preventing her from sleeping. Finally desperate herself, Hollie journeys to Ireland to find the truth of her dreams. What happens on both islands changes everyone's lives.

The story is moving and haunting. While it could have been trimmed (it's over 300 pages long), the characters and plotline easily carry it along. The ending's not a huge surprise, and if one accepts the dream premise, it's all believable, the characters especially so.

Four and a half stars

#SweetSat Sample - 23/06/12

This is another sample from my first book "Sweet Dreams, Miss England"

Nicky is my main character. She lives in London with her two young girls. She's just made friends with two Irish women (Siobhan & Erin) who are now in London to enjoy the sights with two of their friends (Daniel & Sasha)

On the way she saw a clock and decided that it was time to go home. She didn‘t like driving in the dark but, more importantly, she still had to get to her car using the underground, a rather unappealing thought and she was slightly annoyed for not having thought about that earlier.
On her way back to the group she bumped into Daniel when she was casually brushing off some crumbs from the chips she had been nibbling.

"You‘re making a habit out of this, Miss England," he said."It‘s not really my fault that you have a tendency to always be in my way, Mr. Callaghan."
Daniel laughingly shook his head. "By the way, thanks for a great day!"
"I don‘t believe that one bit. Going shopping all day must be a man‘s worst nightmare."
"I have a feeling it was for you as well. You don‘t come across as a big shopper. So thanks!"
Nicky blushed, but tried to cover it up by brushing the rest of the crumbs off her shirt. She felt his finger under her chin. He lifted it up gently and moved forward towards her. She heard his quiet words, "I could go shopping every day with a guide like you," and then he gently kissed her lips. Nicky‘s heart raced but instead of pulling away she opened her lips under his, inviting him to move ahead. For a very brief moment the world around her didn‘t exist and she was overwhelmed with a rush of emotions.

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#SweetSat Sample - 16/06/12

This is a sample from my first book "Sweet Dreams, Miss England"

Nicky is my main character. She lives in London with two young girls. She's just made friends with two Irish women who are now in London to enjoy the sights with two of their -male- friends.


“Yes, that’s my husband.”
Daniel raised his eyebrows. “I had no idea, honestly. So he’s in the States and you’re living here with your kids?”
“Yes.”
“Do you still love him?”
Nicky hesitated. She was quite tempted to give him an honest answer, an answer she thought he deserved, but she had no idea where he was going with this questioning, so she lapsed back to her old self and put up her safety wall.
“This is none of your business.” Nicky was about to stand up when he took hold of her hand and held her back.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I am really sorry,” he said.

She looked at him and knew he was sincere with his apology. “Sorry, Daniel. People have been digging into my private life for such a long time and so often, purely for gossip and financial reasons, it has become very difficult to trust people.”
Nicky sensed Daniel’s look on her. She was expecting him to comment on what had just been said, but he remained silent. It was an odd feeling, a feeling as though he was about to take her in his arms, but the moment soon passed. She was relieved, because the friendship and the trust that came with it were still too new. He was still holding her hand, though, and Nicky made no attempts to take it away. She liked to feel his gentle hands on hers.
“Love is such a big word,” she said. “People just use the word, without even thinking what it actually means. Most of us don’t even know what it means, until we’ve found our true love. ”
“My grandfather always says: ‘you know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.’”
Nicky smiled at the sentiment. “I think I might like your grandfather.” She was well aware of the fact that Daniel had caused her many sleepless nights over the last few weeks.

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Sweet Saturday Sample - 02/06/2012

Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate you all taking the time, especially as I know how busy we all are nowadays.

I hope you enjoy this week's little sample from my current book "Journey to Her Dreams".

Jeremy checked out the room. It had a touch of organised chaos to it, with magazines in one corner of the couch and the other side swamped with laundry. The single seater seemed to have all the mail on it, nicely sorted with little sticky notes, which, as he noticed on coming closer, had the due dates written on them. Jeremy choked back a smile and went over to the shelf. He was surprised by the variety of books and magazines. A lot of them were advertising related, but he also found a few books by Ruth Rendell, P.D. James, Caroline Graham and, as it seemed, the entire collection of the

Midsomer Murders series. There were also Dan Brown’s books, a few John Grishams and even Cecelia Ahern. What a mix. He found some photos amongst all the books as well. He laughed when he noted a photo of Hollie and Alex in school uniform. A photo sitting in the back corner caught his eye, and he thought he recognised a younger Murray, and assumed the woman by his side was Hollie’s mother.

“That’s my Mum,” Hollie said, all of a sudden by his side.

“She was beautiful,” he commented.

Hollie took the frame in her hand. “Yes, she was,” she whispered. Jeremy stared at her.

“Anyway,” she said, “let’s do the impossible and finish this application.”

Jeremy watched her as she carefully placed the frame back onto the shelf, in the back corner. “Why are you hiding it?”

“Hiding what?”

He nodded towards the shelf. “Your mum’s photo.”

She frowned as she protested. “I’m not hiding it.”

“Yes, you are.”

Hands on hips she met his gaze. “Excuse me, so you have a diploma in psychology, too? I’m not hiding it. I place it at the back. I have a tendency to feel guilty that my mum had to die so I could live. I merely place it in a spot where she’s close to me, but not always in my sight.”

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Sweet Saturday Sample 26/05/2012

Last week's snippet was all about Hollie's dream, which triggers quite a chain of events. Read in this week's sample about Hollie's second time she meets Jeremy.

“What?” Jeremy said with a frown.

Hollie shrugged her shoulders. “You said I’m different from the girls you’ve met before. Well, how am I different?”

Jeremy turned his head to check whether anybody was listening to this conversation, but everybody else seemed busy either playing around in the pool or standing by the barbecues. Even Alex seemed unaware of their conversation. “Just different, you know.”

“Here’s the thing. Obviously I don’t know, otherwise I wouldn’t be asking, right? I thought I was pretty normal, the average kind of Tassie girl. Now here you are saying I’m different.”

Jeremy pinched the bridge of his nose. Out of all the women in Launceston he had to meet the one standing in front of him. Yes, out of all the pretty ones, it was her eyes, the twinkle in her eyes, that made his heart beat faster and his knees go weak. Different and difficult as well, he thought. But kind of cute difficult. He wanted, no he needed, to get his wording right, so it took a while for him to answer. He gazed at her blue eyes and studied her. His answer seemed significant to Hollie.

“First of all, you have an incredibly curious nature,” he said with a wry smile. Worried she would interrupt him with yet another question, his eyes clung to hers. Yet instead of looking into glaring eyes previously hard and filled with dislike, he was now facing a beautiful smile. And he loved what he was seeing. How on earth did he miss this beautiful smile the other day? Why did he only concentrate on her appearance? Why didn’t he listen to what she had said? He loved her smile, and knew he had to work hard on this one now, because all of a sudden there was nothing more he

wanted but to get to know her better. So he went with honesty.

“You’re different because all the other girls I’ve met so far were more interested in the money I earn, the social life that comes with my job and, you know,” he paused and went on with a demure smile, ”…Sex. Instead of me or my personality.”

Instantly a blush stained Hollie’s cheeks and she stared blankly at him with her mouth open.

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Rachel Gibson - True Love and other Disasters

Publisher: Avon

ISBN: 9780061579066

My rating: 2/5

DISASTER NUMBER ONE: MEN
Hard knocks and hunger taught Faith Duffy not to believe in love. Still, when she married her very wealthy—and very old—husband, she became the perfect wife. He gave her security; she gave him fidelity and loyalty, but not her heart. And then he went to that big bank in the sky, leaving Faith with a lot of lonely nights, a pile of money, and a total mess of a pro hockey team. Heck, Faith doesn't even watch hockey!
DISASTER NUMBER TWO: PASSION
But most of America and half of Canada is watching Ty Savage, team captain. His lethal sex appeal and deadly right hook make him the favorite of hockey fans. For most of Ty's life, he's dreamed of winning the Stanley cup. The last thing he needs is a gold-digging bimbo messing up his plans.
DISASTER NUMBER THREE: LOVE
Faith loathes Ty on sight, but she can't stop thinking about him all day...and all night. Then a night of temptations ends with Faith in Ty's bed, and she begins to see there's more to him than sex appeal and slap shots. Ty discovers there's far more to Faith than beauty and billions. A relationship with Faith is impossible, and falling in love---would be a disaster (rachelgibson.com)

My thoughts

OK - I have to admit this one was disappointing.

Basically it's Stripper marries rich guy, rich guy dies and leaves her a Hockey Team (Chinooks), Stripper falls in love with the Team's captain and throw in a little blackmail (waayyyy to late). The rest of the book is filled with yadi yadi yada of self doubt, guilt, attraction and other uninteresting stuff.

That's about sums it up.

I didn't really like it. The characters were plain, without depth and the story reminded me too much of Susan Elizabeth Phillip's first Chicago Stars' book.

Sweet Saturday Sample

This is my premiere with Sweet Saturday Sample. Thanks to Gunnar to let me be part of such a talented group of authors.

My first sample is from "Journey to Her Dreams" - Hollie's dream, which triggers quite a chain of events.

“Please don’t,” she begged as her body was trembling, almost shaking. She stared blindly at the windows, trying hard not to sob, as her throat tightened with each of his touches.

“Come on. Don’t be like that,” he replied moving his lips past her ear and down her neck. His hand slid down her body and under her shirt.

“Please stop. I’m awfully tired.”

He stared at her and his mouth twitched. “Sweetheart, you’re always tired.”

Her efforts to push him away were ineffective. His tight grip around her waist didn’t give her much room to move out of his arms. She was helpless, as the more she denied him, it seemed the more relentless he became. She felt his hand in her hair at the back of her neck and he moved

his head closer to hers. It sent shivers down her spine.

“I love you, sweetheart,” he said under his breath.

She could barely speak and her words sounded throaty. “Please,” she whispered, nearly sobbing. “Please don’t.”

He lowered his head, and she assumed that he would whisper something in her ear. She knew she was fighting in vain when he trailed caressing kisses along her neck with his mouth; he wouldn’t listen. With his body against hers, his breathing against her neck became heavier and stronger. Turning her head away from him, she closed her eyes and did her best to ignore the pain with each movement. When she heard him under the shower, she slowly went into the guest room down the hallway, took a little teddy bear out of the bottom drawer in the cupboard, and sat on the bed. She cradled her friend as the tears streamed down her face. Please, someone help me, please, she sobbed. Please, someone.

She heard him coming towards the room, and quickly wiped her face with a tissue and carefully placed her little teddy bear back into the rear of the drawer underneath her pink and yellow baby blanket.

“How about I prepare us a nice dinner?” he asked with contentment.

Her faint smile held a touch of sadness and pain. It was just as painful on her lips as what had just happened between them. Yet still she smiled. “Sounds good,” was all she was able to whisper.

Hollie woke up in a sweat – as usual. Her breathing was deep and fast as she cried and her body ached. What was this? Why did she keep dreaming of this woman? 

And who on earth was she? Hollie fell back onto her pillow. These dreams were draining her to the point where she couldn’t think straight anymore due to lack of a decent sleep.

And don't forget ... I'm currently running a giveaway for "Journey to Her Dreams". Click Here for details.

Return to Sweet Saturday Samples for more great excerpts

Sample Sunday - Hollie arrives in Dublin (Journey to Her Dreams)

This little teaser is when Hollie arrives in Dublin after a long flight. I hope you enjoy the little paragraph.

"Journey to Her Dreams"  is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online stores.

Hollie stared at the sliding door, but didn't dare to move any closer. So this is Dublin! She had been glued to the window since the plane started descending. It didn't appear all that different from Tasmania – there were fields upon fields of green paddocks, divided by hedges and rocks – sometimes in even squares and sometimes, it seemed, just randomly. She even spotted a few double-decker buses from way above. Hollie was overwhelmed by the thought that she was about to set foot on Irish soil.

"Hollie! What are you waiting for?" Davo was already outside, but his movement set off the sensor and the door opened in front of her.
She shrugged. "I don't know."
Davo came back in, took her hand, and led her outside. "I'll be there all the way. We'll find whatever worries you. I promise!"
Gratefully, she intertwined her fingers with his and slowly followed him outside – onto the streets of Dublin.

Sample Sunday - Journey to Her Dreams

Here a little teaser for "Journey to Her Dreams" which is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online stores.

If you'd like another sample, please check Amazon or contact me.

He held her hands with his and caressed her fingers. “Why don’t you let me help you?”

“I don’t think you can. It is something I have to do on my own. I’m truly sorry.”

Their eyes were locked when Jeremy took her hands into his. His voice was soft and just barely loud enough for her to hear. “Hollie, I was honest when I said I like spending time with you. I obviously can’t help you, so if you can tell me there’s a chance for us, I will wait.”

Hollie entwined her fingers with Jeremy’s. “I can’t believe you’d do that.” Her eyes met his. “You hardly know me.”

“I know, but I’ve now spent two beautiful afternoons with you. One has to start somewhere.”

“Jeremy, I don’t want to bring this up all the time, but I still don’t understand why you were so rude in the car. It just doesn’t make sense to me.”

Jeremy let go of her hands, leaned back and rubbed his hands over his face. “Not my best day, eh? I’m sorry. Well, I know sorry probably doesn’t do it. I...it was...maybe just a matter of being

overworked, lonely, old habits, a drink or two...”

“The old habits sort of worry me a bit.” And with a sigh she added, “The drinks as well.”

“Okay, I have a feeling I’m making this worse rather than better. Old habits as in the girls before didn’t mind jumping into bed the first night. Good job, good money – the girls were happy to–”

Waving her hands she said, “Say no more. I have a feeling the

bringing you back with your feet on solid ground  will actually happen sooner rather than later.”

Susan Elizabeth Phillips - What I did for love

Publisher: William Morrow & Company

ISBN:  9780061351501
My rating: 2/5

"How did this happen?" Georgie York, once the costar of America's favorite television sitcom, has been publicly abandoned by her famous husband, her film career has tanked, her father is driving her crazy, and her public image as a spunky heroine is taking a serious beating.
What should a down-on-her-luck actress do? "Not" go to Vegas . . . "not" run into her detestable former costar, dreamboat-from-hell Bramwell Shepard . . . and "not" get caught up in an ugly incident that leads to a calamitous elopement. Before she knows it, Georgie has a fake marriage, a fake husband, and maybe (or not) a fake sex life.
It's a paparazzi free-for-all, and Georgie's nonsupporting cast doesn't help. There's Bram's punk-nightmare housekeeper, Georgie's own pushy parent, a suck-up agent, an icy studio head with a private agenda, and her ex-husband's new wife, who can't get enough of doing good deeds and saving the world--the bitch. As for Georgie's leading man, Bram's giving the performance of his life, but he's never cared about anyone except himself, and it's not exactly clear why.
Two enemies find themselves working without a script in a town where the spotlight shines bright . . . and where the strongest emotions can wear startling disguises.



My thoughts

I'm not really sure what to write or whether to actually rate this book. SEP is one of my favourite author, I love her books, but I was really disappointed with this one. It took me weeks (instead of the usually couple of days) to get through this story - it was bland and the character without oomph.

Basically the story is about two Hollywood actors, getting married in Vegas, regretting it the next day. Old, I thought so too. So instead of facing "the media" they pretend it to be real and honest ... and along the way fall in love.

Georgie, the main character was boring, and simple, though developing character and self-esteem throughout the book, I couldn't warm up to her at all. I liked Bram. He had the certain oompf, even in his nastiness. The usual side-story was neglected and it felt it was added only as a filler.

So all in all - if you haven't read a SEP book yet, please do not start with this one. Susan Elizabeth Phillips has a wonderful way of using wit and humour in her story  ... it's kinda missing in this one!

Lynette Sofras - The Apple Tree

Publisher: Inspired Romance Novels

ISBN: 978 - 0 - 9847645 - 3 - 2

My rating: 3/5


Escaping from your past is never easy, as young hospital doctor Juliet discovers when she tries to start afresh, leaving both her marriage and her career behind. Love blossoms rapidly when she meets the mysterious and forthright ‘gardener’, Nicholas, who seems to herald the new beginning she craves.

The past quickly dissolves into insignificance as their all-consuming romance propels them forward but Juliet has to learn the price of happiness in the cruelest way possible. Will she be able face the painful roots of her past in order for her future to grow strong and healthy? (amazon.com)


My thoughts

This is a beautiful story - don't get me wrong! But compared to other books I've read I just couldn't give it more than three stars.

The main character is Julie, Dr Julie Somerville, who's just come back from Saudi where she's lived with her husband. But she couldn't settle and returned to the UK. Julie literally bumps into Robert, a friend from years back, and through him meets Nicholas. They both spend a wonderful summer together.

I honestly couldn't warm up to Julie. The constant whining and self-doubt made me put the book aside quite often, unfortunately too often so that I had lost the "train-of-thought" here and there. I liked Nicholas and even more so for his views. It gave his character a certain 'oompf'.

All and all a really nice read, and I really should mention that the story was the 2011 Inspired Romance Novels' Writing Contest GRAND PRIZE WINNER  - so please don't let my opinion deter you from giving it a try!

Jill Shalvis - Head over Heels

Publisher: Hachette Book Group

ISBN: 978 0 446571630

My rating: 5/5


Free-spirited Chloe lives life on the edge. Unlike her soon-to-be married sisters, she isn't ready to settle into a quiet life running their family's newly renovated inn. But soon her love of trouble--and trouble with love-draws the attention of the very stern, very sexy sheriff who'd like nothing better than to tame her wild ways.

Suddenly Chloe can't take a misstep without the sheriff hot on her heels. His rugged swagger and his enigmatic smile are enough to make a girl beg to be handcuffed. For the first time, instead of avoiding the law, Chloe dreams of surrender. Can this rebel find a way to keep the peace with the straitlaced sheriff? Or will Chloe's colorful past keep her from a love that lasts . . . and the safe haven she truly wants in a town called Lucky Harbor? (from the back cover)


My thoughts

L-o-v-e-d    i-t !!!

Can't say it any other way. Okay, this was #3 in the Lucky Harbor (or should it be Lucky Reader?) series and all about Chloe. We've met Maddie in Simply Irresistible (one of my favourite reads this year) and Tara in The Sweetest Thing. I've really enjoyed the Lucky Harbor series so far, in fact since "discovering" Jill Shalvis spot on 12 months ago, it's been definitely "her" year in my household! :-)

I was really looking forward to reading Chloe's story. The wild one! The one with Asthma and lack of sex because of it. The one with issues like saying "I love you" and issues with settling down. And big kudos to Shalvis - SHE DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Throw in a guy like Sawyer, a tough, sexy Sheriff, and complicate it a bit with some past issues for him as well.

With the usual Shalvis wit and humour we read how Chloe and Sawyer get closer. The development of their characters is nicely written and the care they show and give each other makes you keep reading day and night.

So .... bottom line, I could sit here and write about what else I liked, about Maddie and Tara, about Sawyer's friends, Jax and Ford, about Lance, the wonderful Lucille, but as I said, bottom line is, you need to get this one and just read it yourself. I promise you, you will not be disappointed! It's a real treat!

Now go and make 2012 YOUR Jill Shalvis year .... there's more Lucky Harbor to come - thank goodness!

Marian Keyes - The other side of the Story

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (April 11, 2006)

ISBN: 978-0060731489

My rating: 2/5

Jojo Harvey is a literary agent whose star is on the rise. In love with both her married boss and her burgeoning career, not much distracts her. Until she finds herself representing two women who used to be best friends. One of them, Gemma, has suddenly found herself from a broken home - at the age of thirty-two. Meanwhile, Lily - the woman Gemma has always blamed for stealing her one chance of happiness - is enjoying the overnight success of her debut novel. Set in the world of publishing, 'The Other Side of the Story' is about love, loyalty, glass ceilings and survival tactics - and what to do when you get your chance for revenge. (mariankeyes.com)


My thoughts

I kinda thought this book was boring. I had read "Anybody out there" a while back and remember how much I enjoyed it and the tissue box which I had used up .... so I was looking forward to this one.

But really I can't say anything else than boring. We all have a bad day and I suppose what I did like was the description of the publishing side ... the pain we feel with bad reviews, the hope and the let-down - the roller coaster of being in this business. But there's nothing else to say. Gemma's story was ... okay. Dad falls in love with his secretary and leaves his wife. Daughter writes about it in emails and these emails fall into the hand of a Literary Agent. That is Jojo - her story. I have no idea. Lily is Gemma's friend. Well they used to be friends until Lily falls in love with Gemma's ex. Lily's just released her book - a bestseller.

So that's it. Sprinkle with a bit of relationship and you have "The other side of the story".

I did like a lot of the Lily's soul-searching. It was great reading - thus the 2 stars, but IMO too little too late.

I still have another Marian Keyes' book somewhere on my desk and will persevere, hoping it'll be more like the first book I've read.

Jill Shalvis - Instant Attraction

Publisher: Kensington Brava

ISBN-13: 978-0758231239

My rating: 5/5


Accountant Katie Kramer is a quintessential good girl--working hard, recycling diligently, all the while trying to ignore the feeling that she doesn't fit in anywhere. That's all she wants. Well, that--and amazing sex, and the kind of daredevil escapade she can look back on when she's crunching numbers in a dusty cubicle. Which explains why she just took a job in Wishful, California, working for Wilder Adventures and Expeditions. Waking up to find a magnificently built stranger towering over her bed--that part defies explanation. . .
After wandering the planet for months following a life-changing accident, Cameron Wilder has come back to the only home he knows. Under other circumstances, he might be thrilled to find a gorgeous woman sleeping in his cabin, but now, while he'll risk his body taking clients on adrenaline-drenched excursions, his heart is off limits. Still, Katie's killer smile triggers something deep in his gut. . .among other places. Showing her how exhilarating it can be to stop balancing her life as if it was a checkbook is the biggest rush he's ever felt--and an adventure Katie's wishing would never end... (amazon.com)


My thoughts

No wonder 3/4 of the female population is ooh'ing and ahh'ing about this book. Two words: It's GREAT. It pulls you in from the very first page and doesn't let go of you until the very end.

The main characters are Katie and Cameron (Cam) who meet in Cam's bedroom on the very first page. Great start!

Katie's just survived a traumatic accident when she flees from her life to seek some adventure - in the Sierras where she's taken on a temp job with WILDER ADVENTURES. Cam returns from his year of "finding himself traveling the world" at the same time and finds Katie in his bed. He has to deal with his own demons as well after a snowboarding accident finished his careers.

Both have an "instant attraction" and agree to do the "no strings attached" fun time. Yet, over the few weeks they lean to cope and work at their bottled up problems. The way they help each other to deal with their past was well developed and I loved it. And with the Jill Shalvis' touch of wit and humour the story was close to perfect.

Katie's a great character - I really liked her. "Balls out" is her motto, live her life and no regrets. She's the one in the "relationship" who gives, is open about her feelings and so down to earth, one can not like her. Even a guy like Cam who's trying his darnest.


So if you please excuse me, I need to order Stone's and TJ's books .... NOW!


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ebook Giveaway - Journey to Her Dreams

Journey to Her Dreams 

ebook Giveaway

Hollie and Sam live at opposites of the world and their lives couldn’t be more different, yet they share something in common.

Hollie Anderson is in her mid-twenties and living with her father, Murray, on a farm just outside Launceston in Tasmania. Her mother died at childbirth and Murray raised his daughter on his own. According to his own words he’s done a bloody good job with it, too. Hollie has got the looks, she likes her job at a local newspaper and loves the company of her friends, who go way back to school days. Two of those are Alex and Davo … she should be happy, right?

But lately Hollie’s dreams are literally keeping her from more than just having a decent sleep.

Apart from those dreams Hollie’s life is good. She enjoys life and her best friend Alex is a big part of it. The two young women have known each other since Kindergarten and have grown up together. They are a close team. At weekends they usually catch up with old school friends, like Davo, who is the oldest in their group and the one organising most get-togethers, or Ben, a primary teacher in Davenport and the one who has lately been the reason for the butterflies in Alex’s tummy.

During one of those nights out, Hollie meets Jeremy who has just moved into town. Jeremy seems to have everything a woman would like in a man, the looks, the money, the good job – and he knows it, too. Their relationship blossoms over the summer, but Jeremy knows that Hollie won’t fully commit to their new relationship until she makes sense of her dreams and what they stand for. So with the help from Alex and Davo, Jeremy organises a surprise birthday present which takes Hollie to Dublin … but what she discovers is so much more.

Sam Shaughnessy lives in Dublin, Ireland husband Padraic. Like Hollie, she works in advertising, though she is the Head of Advertising. She seems to have it all – a successful career, gorgeous looking husband, good looks and money.

But her life appears to crumble from underneath her and it’s when she meets Hollie and Davo that life all of a sudden takes a different turn. Sam as well will find more than she initially had looked for.

I'm giving away one free copy of "Journey to Her Dreams". This is an E-book (pdf) and is available for international winners. All you have to do is:

• comment on this post and either FB share or re-tweet this post (pls add the link).
• Winner will be chosen using Random.org
• This giveaway is open to International entrants.
• eBook Giveaway will end 3 December when I log in in the morning (Eastern Australian Time).
• Winner will be notified by email and announced on my blog.

EASY ! Oh, and yes, Good luck!!

Rachel Gibson - No Man of Mine

Publisher: Avon

ISBN: 9780061579110

My rating: 3/5

Autumn Haven's Las Vegas "to-do" list said to catch a show and play the slots—not wake up married to a sexy jerk like Sam Leclaire. The first moment she saw him eyeing her like a luscious piece of the dessert buffet, her usually responsible self told her run. And she did—right into the wildest fantasy weekend of her life. But Monday morning jolted her back to reality and before she could say "pass the coffee" Sam was gone.

Now a successful wedding planner, Autumn she hasn't clapped eyes on the heart-breaking hockey superstar for over two years... until she organizes his teammate's "Special Day," where Sam makes a BIG play to pick up where he left off! But she has vowed any man of hers plays for keeps. Is Sam the man for her or does she banish him to the sin bin forever? (www.rachelgibson.com)

My thoughts

This story reads like a little stream of water trickling away in front of you - you like it, but it doesn't get your heart racing.
Autumn and Sam spent a few days and nights years earlier in Vegas, got married, got divorced, and Autumn ended up raising their son on her own, though with financial help from Sam and some overnight stays.

Autumn is a lovely character, a struggling mum trying to establish her business as a wedding / events planner. Sam is the typical "over-alpha-male" and  Hockey player with the Chinooks. After five years they meet again at a wedding. Wait, meet again? I thought they had a son together and Sam was taking him for overnight stays? Yes, I didn't get that one.

Anyway, they meet again and the whole "Why?" with-himself-conversation starts. And I don't get it either ... he left her in the hotel room, because she wasn't his type?  Then of course, Autumn's with-herself-conversation that she couldn't trust him. I kinda get that, once bitten twice shy ...

So - all in all, not the best Gibson story, but a lighthearted read for a weekend in front of the fire or at the beach .... don't expect too much though. If you haven't read a Gibson book yet, I'd recommend "Daisy's Back in Town"

Trailer - Journey to Her Dreams

I had a bit of a try with a trailer for my newly released book "Journey to her Dreams" by Astraea Press.

It's not designed to be a professional promo trailer, but in memory of a good friend I lost a few years back who I thought of when writing the story.

I hope you like it as well. If I get more than 10 comments I will randomly select a "winner" for a free  pdf copy of "Journey".

Part 2 of my current WIP

PART 2
This is the second part of the first chapter of my current WIP.

I'd appreciate any comments.

Even better constructive critism.

Best of all would be comments if you like it.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FIRST PART

***

“You’ve got to be joking,” Flynn said into the phone. “What do you mean you need to see me?” He paced up and down his office and then settling by the window. He looked out and his gaze wondered along the Yarra River watching people strolling along the Southbank Promenade. He liked the view – seeing the people walking at different paces as they took in the sights, or looking for restaurants, or as they were simply in a rush to get to their next destination. His eyes wandered further up and took in the sight of the Eureka Tower and a small shiver came up his spine as he remembered what he gave up for being here, for making his life in Melbourne and for getting this job.

It was obvious he wasn’t really happy with the conversation he was having. Then he sighed. “Yes I’ll be there. And this will better be worth it.”

He walked over to the door and swung it open with such force, Ella, his secretary, almost jumped out of her chair.

“Ella, could you please reschedule the appointment tomorrow afternoon with Harry? I’ve got some private business I’ve got to attend to.”

“Not a problem, Flynn. You’ve got your hair cut tomorrow at ...”

“Shit,” he mumbled and cursed a few other words Ella was more than happy to ignore, but she glared at him for an answer. Ella had been working for Flynn McCormack for three years and couldn’t remember ever seeing him so infuriated. She didn’t know much about Flynn’s private life, apart from that the firm, McKenzies, Howard & Partners had supported him through his last year at the University in Melbourne and he had worked himself up to be a well respected business lawyer considering his young age. It was a trial scholarship similar arrangement which had worked out perfectly. McKenzies himself had met Flynn during a talk at the University and had been impressed by his questions, attitude and business thinking straight away – and his support had paid off.

 Flynn was a Tassie boy, and even with his good looks and charm he still lived a bachelor. Not because of lack of women. Ella wasn’t blind, she was aware of the female staff trying to get his attention, but he never had time for anything more than a nice conversation and polite compliments.

He exhaled and while heading back into the office he said, “I go by tonight and see whether Richard can squeeze me in.” And he slammed the door shut.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips - Kiss an Angel

Publisher: Avon, February 1996
ISBN: 978-0380782338

My rating: 3/5


How did pretty, flighty Daisy Devreaux find herself in this fix? She can either go to jail or marry the mystery man her father has chosen for her. Alex Markov, however, has no intention of playing the loving bridegroom to a spoiled little featherhead with champagne tastes. As humorless as he is deadly handsome, he drags the irrepressible Daisy away from her uptown life into an adventure that will change their lives forever. (www.susanephillips.com)


My thoughts
My first non-Chicago-Stars book!

So this was my first choice .... out of a nice selection .... yet when I read the blurb my initial thought was "WTF??" But SEP pulled off a modern-day arranged marriage nicely, but not only that, it's all set in a circus.

Alex is the sexy Russian hero and Daisy's husband. He's got a lot of baggage to carry and again SEP did brilliantly to develop him from a seemingly straight laced, cold man who has a strong sense of honour and pride to the man who falls in love with Daisy. She shows and teaches him how to care for someone and love.
Daisy has her baggage as well.  She's broke and has no choice but to agree to the marriage with Alex or face prison because she can't pay her debts.

I loved the book. It made me laugh, it made me cry and made me want to visit the next circus coming to town. Yet, it wasn't quite the page turner I'm used to from SEP, but I can't pinpoint why it wasn't.

If you love SEP you'll love this one as well. It's a great read, with raw emotions that keeps you reading till the end.

So .... which one will I read next? :-)