CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Vegas to Varanasi by Shelly …
Reviewer: Samantha Shelly Hickman is on tour now with Vegas to Varanasi and CLP Blog Tours Synopsis: Anna has never been the beautiful one; she’s…
Book Review: The Vanishing by Wendy Webb
Reviewer: Andrea I received this novel in exchange for an honest review. The Summary: Recently widowed and rendered penniless by her Ponzi-scheming husband, Julia Bishop…
Book Review: The Hunting by Kerry Peresta
Reviewer: Samantha I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review Summary: Isabelle Lewis, top advertising salesperson at the Chatbrook Springs…
CLP Blog Tours Book Review: New Beginnings by Mary Metcalfe
Mary Metcalfe is on tour now with New Beginnings and CLP Blog Tours
Summary:
Workaholic real estate agent Carol Brock can’t seem to find a good man. Her first husband cheated with a law clerk less than half his age. Then she found herself in a string of bad relationships with unscrupulous men, including a con man and art thief, who shredded her professional reputation and strained her relationship with her college-age children. Carol has sworn off men and is determined to reclaim her life and career on her terms. But, when Boston’s most eligible bachelor, restoration specialist Devin Elliott, puts in an offer on a charming Victorian, Carol admits she’s attracted. Devin’s offer unwittingly unleashes a psychopathic rage in an ex-girlfriend that spills into Carol’s life. As she and Devin try to stay one step ahead of violence, Carol must decide whether she’s ready to risk her heart again.
Review:
I didn’t realize before reading, but New Beginnings is actually the second book of a trilogy. It was easy to pick up that a story had clearly happened before reading about Carol’s life, but it wasn’t too distracting from the story as some series can be. I liked that Carol is a tough chick, and we see that right away. She’s been through some situations that has made her hard, but she wasn’t unlikeable in any way. I enjoyed watching the romance between her and Devin blossom, but sometimes the start and stop with them was a bit much. There’s a pretty serious story here with Devin’s ex being a psychopath, and I overall thought the book was interesting and the story kept me intrigued throughout. The cover isn’t my favorite, but don’t judge the book by that! I would look forward to the next book in the series as well.
4 stars
*Anyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of New Beginnings before January 31 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com will get 5 bonus entries!*
Author Bio:
Mary Metcalfe is the author of three published novels – Winds of Change, New Beginnings, Road to Tomorrow – and currently at work on her fourth. She and her long-time husband live in the foothills of the Laurentians in Quebec, Canada with a small herd of cats and a Canadian Eskimo dog. Their daughter is a published literary non-fiction author.
Links
Web site: www.marymetcalfe.ca
Blog: www.lakefrontmuse@blogspot.ca
Twitter: @MetcalfeMary
Shelfari: www.shelfari.com/marymetcalfe/shelf
Find New Beginnings at:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/QUESaR
Barnes&Noble: http://bit.ly/SRR6BZ
Chapters/Indigo: http://bit.ly/SMiMqJ
Book Review: Mercy Snow by Tiffany Baker
Reviewer: Andrea I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. The Summary: In the tiny town of Titan Falls, New…
Book Review: The Unseemly Education of Anne Merchant by Joannna …
Reviewer: Andrea I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. The Summary: So many secrets for such a small island.…
Book Review: The House of Bathory by Linda Lafferty
Reviewer: Andrea I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. The summary: In the early 1600s, Elizabeth Báthory, the infamous…
CLP Blog Tours Book Review: The Hole in the Middle …
Kate Hilton is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and The Hole in the Middle
Summary:
Sophie Whelan is the epitome of the modern superwoman. When she operates at peak performance, she can cajole balky employees, soothe her cranky children, troubleshoot career disasters, throw a dinner party for ten and draft an upbeat Christmas letter — all in the same day.
But as Sophie’s fortieth birthday looms, her seamless life reveals disturbing web-like fractures. Conflict with her boss, blossoming jealousy of her husband’s femme fatale business partner and her feelings of hopeless inadequacy as a mother and daughter are cracking the edifice of her life.
Rescue may be at hand when Lillian Parker, a wealthy widow who befriended Sophie during her university days, makes Sophie an irresistible offer. Why, then, does Sophie hesitate? The answer is the reappearance of Lillian’s nephew, Will Shannon, the great unresolved love of Sophie’s life. As she remembers the vivid drama of their college romance, Sophie confronts the choices she has made in life and in love and looks for the one answer that has always eluded her: what does she really want?
The Hole in the Middle is a heartbreaking love story, a laugh-out loud portrayal of the twin demands of work and family and a fresh take on the hot debate about having it all.
Review:
The Hole in the Middle is an extremely well-written and thought-provoking novel. From the first pages I was already invested in Sophie’s story, and the stress she felt as a professional, a mother, and as a wife. The story from her past that was weaved in with the present was quite interesting, and I loved reading about the great Lillian that was such a force in Sophie’s life. While I was perfectly content and happy with this novel the first three-fourths through, the ending and the twist that came with it put this over the top for me. Five stars and I highly recommend. I’m so happy I got to meet this author in person as well, and I look forward to more from her!
5 stars
*Anyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of The Hole in the Middle before January 27 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com will get 5 bonus entries!*
Author Bio:
Kate Hilton has worked in law, higher education, public relations, fundraising and publishing. She has an English degree from McGill University and a law degree from the University of Toronto. She holds down a day job, volunteers for community organizations, raises two boys, cooks, collects art, reads voraciously and likes her husband. In her free time, she writes. On good days, she thinks she might have it all. On bad days, she wants a nap.
The Hole in the Middle is Kate’s first book. Kate is represented by Beverley Slopen of the Beverley Slopen Literary Agency in Toronto.
Connect with Kate!
Website: www.katehilton.com
Blog: www.katehilton.com
Facebook page: Kate Hilton Author
Goodreads author page:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4342012.Kate_Hilton
Twitter: @katemhilton
Buy the Book!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.ca/The-Hole-In-Middle/dp/1443429538/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1_ACQW
Book Review: Driving Me To You by Julie Farrell
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
When Sam meets her sister’s sexy mechanic, Verlaine, she instantly falls for those gorgeous brown eyes and rugged charms, and a secret romance begins. Unfortunately, there’s unfinished business between Sam and her monstrous childhood nemesis. No, not her sister Gemma, but her late-father’s beloved Bentley.
Gemma is struggling to save the family vintage-car business, and it doesn’t help that little sis has just swanned back home, with no intention of helping. Gemma knows the only solution is to involve Sam’s old flame, the charismatic venture capitalist, Marcus Priestley. But Marcus is compelled to win Sam back, and he certainly won’t let the hired help muscle-in.
Verlaine is Gemma’s sexy mechanic, who’s trying to blag it as a chauffeur. But he’s so bad at tying his necktie, he looks like a stripper at a hen night. Working with Gemma’s vintage cars is his dream job, but things get complicated when he falls for the boss’s sister and sets himself up as rival to Marcus. Then the road trip adventure from London to Brighton beach begins!
Who will Sam choose in the love triangle? The penniless new love or the wealthy ex? And how will she tame the Bentley, to become the strong and powerful woman that she’s always known she could be?
This charming comedy covers modern issues for modern women, such as dating, relationships, careers, friendship, and, of course, love.
Review:
The first half of this book I thought was quite interesting. There was a good cast of characters and a fast-moving plot, but the second half I didn’t love quite as much. Fast-paced is always good for me, but the ending especially seemed quite rushed. There was also an odd plot twist that didn’t seem to fit with the overall theme of the story, and things got quite violent and didn’t make much sense to me. I enjoyed the dynamic between the two sisters (being a sister myself) but I didn’t think other relationships needed to be highlighted as much as they were. If the focus stayed on Gemma more I think it could have been a lot more interesting and easier to follow.
2 stars
