That was painful, we have been offline for three whole issues! With technical errors.But we’re back. Great writers, no brilliant writers. Interesting articles covering everything from Mind, Body & Soul, parenting and family, LGBT, Black and Ethnic News, Fashion and Beauty, Sex and Relationships, Bookish News & Reviews. Honestly, there’s something for everyone. Check us out.
Thank you to those who requested a read and review copy of A Stranger In France, I have tried to gift them, one address came back as not recognised from Amazon. Please could you contact me here. and resend your email address to gift too. I’ll resend an Amazon gifted copy again.
Thank you!
New Romance Series Book #1
Thank you to everyone who entered to win an Amazon gifted copy of The Red Room. The winners have been drawn, the gifts have been sent for you to claim via Amazon. Happy reading!
Winners
Brandi- USA
Victoria- USA
Lora- Canada
Debra- USA
Grab yourself a freebie…… I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS AUTHOR’S WORK! I have read and reviewed her books with delight. I’ve got my copy grab yours, links are below.
About The Book
Ten years ago, Tara and Ryder were high-school sweethearts. After graduation, Ryder asked her to marry him but before the wedding he disappeared. Devastated, Tara left Key West and relocated to South Texas to begin a new life. She put herself through law school and landed a job with a prestigious law firm in Corpus Christi.
Ten years have gone by. Life is good. Tara purchased a red Corvette. One that she’s has always wanted but could never afford until now.
Mindy, her best friend from high-school talks her into coming back to Key West for a ten-year class reunion. Within minutes of arriving at her beach house, Tara learns that Ryder, now an ex-Marine, will be attending the same reunion and sleeping under the same roof…
They haven’t spoken in ten years. Sparks will fly!
Do you believe in second chances?
About The Book:
The sensational new story collection from one of our sharpest, most original, and daringly cinematic stylists, National Book Award finalist and O Henry Prize winner Christine Schutt.
In one eponymous novella and ten stories, Pure Hollywood brings us into private worlds of corrupt familial love, intimacy, longing, and danger. From an alcoholic widowed actress living in desert seclusion to a young mother whose rejection of her child has terrible consequences, from a newlywed couple who ignore the violent warnings of a painter burned by love to an eerie portrait of erotic obsession, each story is an imagistic snapshot of what it means to live and learn, love and hurt.
With Pure Hollywood Christine Schutt gives us sharply suspenseful and masterfully dark interior portraits of ordinary lives, infused with her signature observation and surprise. Timeless, incisive, and precise, these tales are a rush of blood to the head, portals through which we open our eyes and see the world anew.
Release Date: March 2018
My Review: 2 stars
Thank you to NetGallery for an advance copy to read, in exchange for an honest review. First of all, I have to say I got 33 % through this short novella, with an hour and a bit left to read, before I decided to stop. In these cases when I can’t finish a book (which is hardly ever I hate starting and not finishing), I never leave a review, if I did not finish. However, as a professional book reviewer for NetGallary they are expecting a review either way so here goes….
*sighs* I wanted to love this anthology of short stories, in fact I was so sure that I would. The first story was engaging to start, and very interesting, I loved the diversity of the character line up as I read. But as a reader (for me personally) it is the writer’s writing style and general writing that I found hard to read. Some sentences did not make sense, I had to re-read three or so times to be sure of what I had read and understood, the writing it chopped and changed with no warning or build up. At one point I was convinced a character had been shot dead, but then on the next page it appeared that she was alive… I could not make head nor tail of what was going on. This is a real shame, as the cover and blurb really appeal to me as a reader.
I went back and looked at this book’s blurb again and read the reviews on NetGallary, from the thirty odd reviews on NetGalley it was on an average of two stars, when I checked. It’s sad as I really wanted to enjoy this novella. Overall, I’m giving Pure Hollywood two stars based on what I read of the novella, as it’s NetGallary policy is to review once you request a book and have been approved as a reviewer. The two stars are for the colourful characters, and very original plot lines which I loved. I can’t say that I enjoyed the first story I read 100%, as the writing style made it hard for me to take it in easily. That said, from what I read it seems like this writer could knock out plots that I’d like, from the blurb, so maybe I’ll read another anthology if she writes one, and hope that it’s a little easier to read and make sense of. Thank you for the chance to read your work.
About the Book:
My Review: 4 Stars
Thank you to LJ Kane for an ARC for a honest review. I interviewed LJ Kane last summer you can read that here, along with the first chapter of Snatch girl.
Oh! Wow, no time for foreplay let’s just get into this review!! First of all I have to comment on the author’s writing style,this is what gripped me the most. LJ Kane’s style is very descriptive, not ‘the door opened’… ‘the door opened slowly with a creak, the sunlight flood in across the dirty concrete floor’. She never wrote that by the way, it’s me explaining her style and what I mean. It’s not tell backstory descriptive,it’s place you at the scene so you see it and feel it for yourself descriptive. I personally loved it. It’s for this reason I would say this thriller has an excellent thriller/ suspense feel, due to her style and execution, this author oozes flare when she writes.
The story line itself I must admit, at first I missed the main reason why Ellie is on the run, but I got it in the end. However, I would have loved to know more about the corrupt dealings going on, which she was caught up in. But it’s a great plot to follow in terms of build and suspense. What I also really liked about Snatch Girl is … it’s steamy in places! LJ took it there ! There is sexual chemistry between Darren and Ellie. Personally, I really enjoyed the cross over into this area, it was kinda surprising and made it more interesting to read. I was wondering if there will be a HEA, I won’t comment further on this and add spoilers. However, this is no romance make no mistake.
The characters for me I really liked Darren, he did the right thing in the end, and as a man I found his personality like-able. Brandon the kidnapper arrrrrgh jez the author’s writing style like I said, places you in the scenes and I hated him. But I have a feeling readers are meant to dislike him, good job.
Overall, I’m giving Snatch Girl 4* because it is a fast paced, suspenseful thriller true to form, no bullshit. I really went on a ride while reading and found it gripping, more so due to the author’s writing style. PG readers stay away from this one, don’t disappoint yourself, LJ Kane followed through on the warning she placed on the blurb. This author is my kind of thriller writer :), if you like it gritty, don’t mind a bit of foul language, raw, and the sex steamy you may just enjoy Snatch Girl. I would read more from this author for sure again, write another one real quick!
Nominated five times for a Grammy! What an album this is who remembers this one from 2006? I loved this song as soon as I heard it. The beat is what hooks me every time. The full album is also really good, I’ve not played it in a while but I felt inspired to whip out my CD, dust it off and play it today. Get your dancing shoes on, nod ya heads it’s time for Gnarls Barkley…
Go on be honest, I know you’ve tried to do it? We all have… haven’t we? Who can Vogue like Madonna? I love this song, a great catchy beat. Thinking about it this is a song I’d love to use it for writing inspiration one day. Get your dancing shoes on this Thursday… it’s 1990 release your inner diva and strike a pose, let’s Vogue.
Okay, we’ve added one thriller and one romantic suspense! Aggravated Momentum and A Stranger in France. See the original invite and details here. You’re welcome!
Didi an I are doing an ARC (author review copy) read and review round. If you’d like a FREE Amazon gifted copy of one of these books, in exchange for an honest review click the link below for full details on the book blurbs, and enter your details to let us know which one(s). Note: Two books were added last moment, not listed on the original link, blurbs below. You can sign up on the invite or link below the blurbs.
Exclusive invite from Kim & Didi
Aggravated Momentum Blurb:
Not everything is as it seems in what appears to be an average family. When danger lurks so close to home, skeletons emerge, and the darkest of secrets surface, causing twisted desires to become reality. Aggravated Momentum offers the perspective of some very diverse and unique characters, including fun, witty personalities to fall in love with, along with an intellectual killer to die for. You may be surprised as to whom exactly you can relate. Is it the cold, calculated murderer, who’s name is yet to be revealed? Markie or Kam, the independent sisters, guilty of nothing more than getting tangled with the wrong people at the most inopportune times? Or, the cowardly snake curled in a hidden corner? Who are you, exactly? And, more importantly, who are they? The deeper you dig into the psyche of another, the more breath taking are the secrets you will find.
A Stranger In France Blurb:
AWARDED BEST ROMANCE NOVEL 2017! BY VIRTUAL FANTASY CON AWARDS.
In A Stranger in France readers are taken on a fast paced, modern day romantic journey, that spans across the city of London, the glitz and glam of France, and the beautiful English coast. There’s enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat turning pages.
Career driven and successful thirty two year old Kate Brown travels to southern France to visit her best friend Tanya Adams, for a well deserved short break, and to forget her worries in London. Her path crosses with tall, dark, devilishly handsome and wealthy Nicholas D’Coix. As a young man, Nicholas turned himself around and built an empire of wealth, he’s now one of Paris’ top three entrepreneurs. In a whirlwind of steamy romance Nicholas and Kate fall in love.
Kate returns to London leaving Nicholas behind and the two are still very much in love. Kate faces a few surprises of her own on her return to London. She makes a bold life changing move, to make the most of her life changing dilemma. Touching on real life issues these two strong characters battle it out, against all the odds in the name of love for a beautiful happy ever after.
Author, Kim Knight 