Breaking the Rules Giveaway
It’s pretty surreal to think that one year ago Marching Ink was publishing Cat Lavoie’s debut novel, Breaking the Rules. What a year this has…
Book Excerpt: How Do You Spell Love by Zanna Mackenzie
How Do You Spell Love?
As rain hammered against the roof, Summer peered out of the tiny shed window on her allotment.
“It might be set for the day,” she frowned, turning to her companion.
Tom Harper shifted in his seat. “Typical, the first opportunity I get to come here and it’s tipping it down. I was really looking forward to helping out too.”
Summer smiled. She still wasn’t sure exactly why he was here. Was it just because he had a yearning to get back to working the soil? If so, why had he chosen her particular plot to want to work on? Why had he singled her out to be on the receiving end of his offer of a helping hand?
She had to admit, when he’d turned up as suggested, part of her had been pleased while part of her had felt irritated and annoyed. Whilst she could undoubtedly do with a hand – especially with the pesky weeds which were multiplying by the barrow load – she still felt uncomfortable and unsure about his real reasons for being there.
Confusingly, there had also been a part of her that had, for a second or two, gone all of a flutter. He looked even more gorgeous kitted out in scruffy jeans, a T-shirt and work boots than he did when he was all dressed up in a suit. No. No. No. She’d told herself firmly the instant the feelings had set in. She couldn’t – wouldn’t – allow herself to fancy Tom Harper. The sensible part of her brain reminded herself why it would be beyond stupid to do so. Firstly, he was involved; practically had been since junior school, with his girlfriend Lucy. Secondly, she was – well, she thought so anyway – still involved with Rob, no matter how dicey things were looking at present. Thirdly, he was Kat’s cousin. Getting involved with the relative of a close friend – and work colleague – was asking for trouble.
“So, maybe you’d better be getting off home, then?” Summer half stated, half asked. “Not much chance of getting any more things sorted down here today by the looks of it.”
Tom nodded but seemed reluctant to get to his feet.
“Can I ask you something?” Summer ventured, slipping into the seat opposite him.
He nodded. “Sure. Go ahead.”
Before she could get a word in he continued, “I imagine you want to ask me why I’m here.”
Feeling a bit awkward, Summer nodded.
“The truth, the whole truth and nothing but?” quizzed Tom.
“Please,” Summer nodded.
He let out a long sigh. “OK. Two reasons. One, I do miss this place and would like to get involved with growing fruit and vegetables again. It’s something that, for a number of reasons, I’ve had to give up over the years. I want to work the soil again but there’s a waiting list for allotment plots and…
Getting to his feet he added, “I’m sorry, Summer. I shouldn’t have asked if I could help out down here. I’ll get going and leave you in peace.”
Summer stood up and reached out to place a hand on his arm. “Don’t go just yet. You said that there was a second reason.”
He turned away. “It’s nothing. I should go.”
“Tom, please,” Summer linked an arm through his and pulled him gently back towards the table and chairs tucked in the corner of the shed. “Tell me.”
Slipping his arm free of hers he turned towards her and reached for her hand. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, absolutely,” she smiled encouragingly. Surprised that she hadn’t even tried to remove her hand from his, she added, “Tell me.”
“OK. The second reason I asked you is because I was drawn to you. The moment I saw you at that party I just prayed I’d have the chance to get to meet you, find out who you were.” Slowly, methodically linking his fingers through hers, he added, “I’m sorry. This isn’t something that I usually do. Please don’t get the wrong idea. I’ve never cheated on Lucy. I just wanted, needed to get to know you.”
Seeing the puzzled expression now on her face he added, “I know this is wrong. Besides the fact that I’m involved, I don’t know anything about you or your circumstances yet. Though, as you were at the party with Kat, and I don’t see you wearing a wedding or engagement ring…?”
Summer remained silent. Unsure what would be the right thing to say in answer to his question.
“You’re not married, are you?” he asked, still holding her hand in his.
Summer stayed perfectly still. The rain continued to hammer on the shed roof. Some thunder rumbled on, slowly fading into the distance. She still didn’t step away or move her hand from his grasp.
“I’m not married,” she managed to reply.
“OK,” he said, nodding and watching her carefully. “But? I get the feeling there’s more?”
“Do you still love Lucy?” Summer asked; her voice barely more than a whisper.
He nodded. “Yes, but not in the same way as I used to. I’m not in love with her anymore. It’s complicated. The relationship isn’t right and yet to leave would…”
“Break her heart,” finished Summer.
“Yes. Probably,” he nodded. “We’ve been together so many years. She’s pushing for an engagement ring this Christmas and I know it wouldn’t be right to go down that road. To agree to what she wants. Yet, to do otherwise…” he sighed again. “I just don’t know. It’s such a mess.”
——————
Author bio:
Zanna Mackenzie lives in the UK with her husband, 4 dogs, a vegetable patch that’s home to far too many weeds and an ever expanding library of books waiting to be read.
Being a freelance writer and editor of business publications is her ‘day job’ but, at every opportunity, she can be found scribbling down notes on scenes for whatever novel she’s working on. She loves it when the characters in her novels take on minds of their own and start deviating from the original plot!
Formerly a travel agent and therapist (she has qualifications in clinical aromatherapy, crystal healing, naturopathic nutrition and herbalism) she loves walking the dogs and gardening – that’s when she’s not writing or reading!
Zanna has written two novels, The Love Programme (Astraea Press) and How Do You Spell Love? (Crooked Cat Publishing) and both were published in early 2013.
Follow Links:
Find out more about Zanna at:
www.zannamackenzie.blogspot.co.uk
www.zannamackenzie.co.uk
Twitter: @ZannaMacKenzie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/zanna. mackenzie
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10703273-zanna-mackenzie
Amazon Author Page – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zanna-Mackenzie/e/B00BKY1A18/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
CLP Blog Tours Book Review: The Legacy of the Key …
Summary:
No matter where you are, facing your reality with passion and purpose will always lead down the path you were intended to go. Reece Bryant was able to pick up the pieces of her broken life after the sudden death of her father. Though emotionally draining, she found the courage to move on, which would have made her father proud. After finalizing the last of his estate, and returning to pursue her degree in medical school, she has never felt so confident. While making her way through this world on her own, she is suddenly confronted with the truth of her existence, and the reality of her future. It is when she encounters two alluring and mysterious men, that a series of extraordinary events takes place, putting Reece’s life in grave danger. With her life in the balance, Reece must blindly trust the two mysterious strangers; and when she does, she is brought into an enchanting world that is beyond her logical comprehension. This captivating land reveals new worlds and new dimensions to which her existence is paramount. But it is once she falls in love with the stunning Levi Oxley that everything will change, and Reece’s life will be in more danger than ever before. Forced to return to Earth and face a Council of Worlds, Reece discovers there is more to this enchanting dimension than she could have ever imagined. At a moment’s notice, even thru the fog of our denial, our journey can become crystal clear. And within the revelation, once our fear subsides, we can find contentment and purpose if we focus on the things that matter most. Trust—Courage—Love.
Review:
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The premise behind this novel is extremely unique. I found the idea of Earth acting as a hub for dimensional travel refreshing. Lovers of sci-fi who want something different than vampire/werewolf/angel/demon (Insert the creature of your fantasy.) will enjoy this one. I was concerned that the plot would be too “high-concept” science fiction for my taste, but to my relief, the science takes a backseat to the romance between Levi and Reece. S.L. Morgan also does a great job of explaining the inter-world travel. I wasn’t confused or frustrated by concepts too complicated to understand. I’m not a huge fan of alien, extraterrestrial literature, but I would classify this one as sci-fi romance, and Levi is completely delish!
I’ll admit that it took me several chapters to really get into the novel, and the descriptions of Pemdas were a little lengthy. However, once Reece and Levi begin to really interact, I enjoyed it much more; however, I’m not certain Ancient Guardians: Legacy of the Key can be classified as young adult. The protagonist is in her mid-twenties, and in most YA literature, the main characters are in their teens. The last half of the novel had a great deal more action than the first half, but you’ll be wishing for a few more chapters by the end. Also, the love scenes are PG, and it is easy to see Morgan’s love of Jane Austen as the novel very much reminded me of a Romantic (capital “R”) work.
3.5 Stars
Future Tour: Lowcountry Bombshell by Susan M. Boyer
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Blog Tour Sign Up: Unscripted by Jayne Denker
One of Hollywood’s hardest working women is about to discover there’s a lot more drama behind the camera than in front of it. . .
Faith “Freakin'” Sinclair probably shouldn’t have called her boss a perv. . .or grabbed his “privates.” But as creator of the hit dramedy Modern Women, she’d had enough of his sexist insults. Now she’s untouchable in the industry–not in a good way. The only way to redeem herself is to convince Alex, the wildly popular, wildly demanding former star of her show, to come back. But there’s one obstacle in her way–one very handsome, broad-shouldered obstacle. . .
Professor Mason Mitchell is head of the theater department where Alex is studying “real” acting. The only way he’ll let Faith anywhere near Alex is if she agrees to co-teach a class. It’s an offer she can’t refuse–and as it turns out, the professor just might end up teaching Faith that there’s more to life than work–and that real-life love scenes are way more fun than fake ones. .
CLP Blog Tours Promo and Excerpt: Front Page Fatality by …
I’m excited to bring you an excerpt today from Front Page Fatality by LynDee Walker! Be sure to visit the tour page at CLP Blog…
Book Review: Pastors’ Wives by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen
I received a copy of Pastors’ Wives by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
What’s it like when the man you married is already married to God? asks Pastors’ Wives, an often surprising yet always emotionally true first novel set in a world most of us know only from the outside.
Lisa Takeuchi Cullen’s debut novel Pastors’ Wives follows three women whose lives converge and intertwine at a Southern evangelical megachurch. Ruthie follows her Wall Street husband from New York to Magnolia, a fictional suburb of Atlanta, when he hears a calling to serve at a megachurch called Greenleaf. Reeling from the death of her mother, Ruthie suffers a crisis of faith—in God, in her marriage, and in herself. Candace is Greenleaf’s “First Lady,” a force of nature who’ll stop at nothing to protect her church and her superstar husband. Ginger, married to Candace’s son, struggles to play dutiful wife and mother while burying her calamitous past. All their roads collide in one chaotic event that exposes their true selves. Inspired by Cullen’s reporting as a staff writer for Time magazine, Pastors’ Wives is a dramatic portrayal of the private lives of pastors’ wives, caught between the demands of faith, marriage, duty, and love.
Review:
Books revolving around religion can be tricky. Some to want to sway your opinions, bash other religions, and leave readers feeling negative once finished. I was glad I didn’t find Pastors’ Wives to be this way. Sure religion is talked about on every page and there is one religion that is in the forefront, but there is a lot more to this book than that. The three women that we follow are all on their own journey, and each story was interesting to read about. I felt myself connected with Ruthie the most, but all the women each had unique and intriguing traits that made this book easy to follow and hard to put down. I liked the realism that is brought between the pages, the emotional connection that I could make with the characters, and though I might know or follow religion, I found myself getting educated and enjoying the book throughout.
4 stars
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