Mandy's Romance Corner Reviews

The Look of Love by Bella Andre

Bella Andre is a rock star in the world of books.  The Look of Love is the first book in the Sullivan series, with Chase Sullivan and Chloe Peterson.  This book has a woman running scared from men.  Her past has her not trusting in men, until she meets Chase.  Things sizzle, pop, and love slowly blooms in this wonderful story.  Bella keeps you enthralled in the pages of this book.  I could not put it down.  I would recommend this book as a perfect read to kick start your summer.  

I give it 4 stars.

A Brother's Honor by Brenda Jackson

This book is the first in a series about the the Granger brothers.  Jace Granger has taken over the family company but needs some outside help to get it back in the black.  Shana Bradford is just the person to help him.  Sparks fly the minute Jace sees Shana.  Brenda does an excellent job of drawing you into the story and keeping you there until the very end.  There is mystery, strong willed men, sparks, heat and romance.  I read this book in one afternoon it was so awesome.  I can't wait for the next one to come out.  

I give it 4 stars.  

Dangerous Past by A. Ebbers

Good book!  This is a fast paced, page turner book.  Captain Frank Braden is under suspicion for bringing a jet airline down in an apparent suicide attempt.  Frank spends the rest of the book trying to prove this theory wrong.  A  good written book that keeps you entertained and trying to figure out how it will end.  

I give it 3 stars.

Review: Mitchell Parker's Anniversary Gift by Jane Oldaker

In honour of his fortieth wedding anniversary , Mitchell Parker has acquired what is possibly the greatest anniversary present in history which he intended to unveil at the quiet but lavish evening he and Eileen had planned at their favourite hotel. Unfortunately the occasion isn't going as planned and he finds himself observing a table across the dining room where Molly Malone, the daughter of one of his oldest friends is spending the evening with her companion Paul Farnsworth. 

Mitchell Parker is a character from my novel Nothing Ventured. His role was just a cameo appearance; Molly sees him in the hotel dining room and flees in the hope that he won't see her there and report to her father, Patrick Malone. This short story gives Mitchell some depth, with a story of his own, and indirectly a larger role in Molly's relationship with Paul.

This short story gives much more insight to the character Mitchell Parker in the authors book Nothing Ventured.  It is the eve of his 40^th wedding anniversary and Mitchell is reminiscing about the past, while looking to the future.  I give this a 5 star review for bringing Mitchell Parker to the forefront and giving us, the reader, more insight as to how he relates to the other characters in the book.  This can be read as a stand alone or as a companion book to Nothing Ventured. 


Read Amy's 5 star review of Nothing Ventured HERE

Review: Let it Be by Chad Gayle

Part family saga, part coming of age tale, LET IT BE is a novel intimately linked to the music of the Beatles, a touching tale of loss, longing, and forgiveness that chronicles the breakup of a marriage, the destruction of a family, and the struggle to come together in the aftermath of what remains.

What is life without struggle, hope and sacrifice? Set to the music of the Beatles Let It Be is a story that captures many heavy subjects in a way that forces you to feel the struggles, hope and sacrifices that are within the pages, within life.  It is gripping, real and engaging.  An original story and I rate it 3.5 stars!

Review: The Lake House by Marci Nault

Achingly tender, yet filled with laughter, The Lake Housebrings to life the wide range of human emotions and the difficult journey from heartbreak to healing. VICTORIA ROSE. Fifty years before, a group of teenage friends promised each other never to leave their idyllic lakeside town. But the call of Hollywood and a bigger life was too strong for Victoria . . . and she alone broke that pledge. Now she has come home, intent on making peace with her demons, even if her former friends shut her out. Haunted by tragedy, she longs to find solace with her childhood sweetheart, but even this tender man may be unable to forgive and forget.

HEATHER BREGMAN. At twenty-eight, after years as a globe-trotting columnist, she’s abandoned her controlling fiancé and their glamorous city life to build one on her own terms. Lulled by a Victorian house and a gorgeous locale, she’s determined to make the little community her home. But the residents, fearful of change and outsiders, will stop at nothing to sabotage her dreams of lakeside tranquility.

As Victoria and Heather become unlikely friends, their mutual struggle to find acceptance—with their neighbors and in their own hearts—explores the chance events that shape a community and offer the opportunity to start again.

You will fall in love with this book, such a  great summer read.  I think that there is so much to what makes it interesting and engaging...perhaps it is the hope for second chances?  Or is it the multi layered friendships? Or the great setting?  Whatever the reason, I just adored this book.  I loved the characters, their back stories and how it all came together.  I highly;y recommend this book and rate it 3.5 stars!

Highlight: Reluctant Spy by Victory Crayne

ABOUT THE BOOK:  Jake Dani is a private eye on the newly colonized planet of Rossa, hired by the planet's prime minister to clear his son of the murder of the First Lady. When Jake agrees reluctantly to help his best friend Ron on a spy mission, he uncovers the genocide of the napes, a native sentient species, by a powerful pharma company.

But if Jake stops the genocide, he puts his own daughter at risk of dying from a deadly brain disease. Then Jake learns that his estranged father is on Rossa—and is missing.

Who Is Victory Crayne?

Ever since I was a child, I've loved to create stories. My dad was an alcoholic and we ended up moving a lot before he passed away when I was thirteen. Now you have to realize that if you are always moving to new schools, it's hard to develop friends. I was alone a lot. So I daydreamed to fill my lonely hours and read a lot. When I could play "school" with other children, I was usually the "teacher" and told stories.

When we had family gatherings for the usual holiday meals, I volunteered to entertain the screaming children by telling them a story. In the beginning, a new child might complain of hearing "Goldilocks and Three Bears." Yeah, I'd heard that story a few hundred times too. So my reply was, "This story is so new even I haven't heard it yet."

Much later, I joined a short story group on the Internet. My first effort came to fourteen thousand words, a bit too long. I saved that sucker for later, after I'm a best-selling author and will try my hand at teaching creative writing, perhaps in a community college.

Then I'll pop that weak story on my poor students and tell them, "If you report to me that this is a wonderful story, well-written, I'll give you a flunking grade. Your best bet to get a good grade is to find as many weaknesses in this story as you can. It's full of them so you should have little trouble." My purpose will be to let them know that if I had started out writing junk and eventually learned enough to write best-selling novels, maybe they could too.

Since that first story, I've written more than two dozen others, ranging from a hundred words to twelve thousand. Sold two of them too.

I turned to novels. Realizing I needed a mentor, I studied bestselling authors with an eye to learning what those authors were doing that I had yet to learn. Along the way, I've participated in many critique groups. I even founded one on the Internet called SFNovelist.com. And I wrote two novels that I now label as "training material."

Sue Grafton once said, "The smartest thing I ever did was to invent somebody who now supports me." She was referring to private investigator, Kinsey Millhone, the protagonist of her best-selling alphabet mysteries. That woke me up to the idea of creating a series of novels with the same protagonist.

So I took two years to design my Jake Dani series. Jake is a spy whose cover is that of being a private investigator. He's on another planet that's being developed by people from Earth. Along the way, he discovers his estranged father is missing. Jake learns that life is a series of lessons. If you don't learn the lesson, you're stuck at that level until you do.

The first novel in the series is Reluctant Spy. The next is tentatively titled Nuclear Blackmail. Each can be read without reading prior novels.

Have I got the magic yet?

The answer is up to you.

-Victory Crayne

*Website

THE BRITISH INVASION/SUMMER OF LOVE Giveaway!!!!

THE BRITISH INVASION/SUMMER OF LOVE 

Fans of British chick lit & romantic comedy: Win a haul of books just in time for your summer holidays from some of the UK's best-loved and best-selling authors! 

5 winners + 25 books = a Summer of Love

To celebrate the launch of Notting Hill Press, five lucky winners will each choose five personally inscribed and signed eBooks from the Notting Hill Press authors - there are 50 best-selling and award-winning books to choose from. To enter (the giveaway is open to US or UK residents)*:

• Kick off your summer reading by buying any TWO eBooks listed below between now and June 13th.
• Click the "Share This Item" button on the Amazon Thank You page after purchase to tweet/facebook about each book (if you use Facebook and/or twitter).
• Enter to win by posting a comment over on the Notting Hill Press Facebook page telling us which two eBooks you bought. If you don’t use Facebook, you can enter the competition by adding your comment on the following link (NOT ON THIS BLOG):  http://nottinghillpress.blogspot.co.uk/.  Winners will be chosen randomly from all the comments (at Notting Hill Press blogspot and on Notting Hill Press on Facebook) on June 14th.
• "Like" the Notting Hill Press Facebook page to get freebies, discounts and sneak peeks at the authors' books before they're published! And if you're on twitter, follow @nottinghillPR

Choose any two of the eBooks below for your chance to win, and don't forget to check back here or on Facebook on June 14th to see if you've won!

Scarlett Bailey, alter-ego of Rowan Coleman, winner of RNA Epic Romantic Novel 2013

"A light, fun and fast-paced chunk of chortlesome chick-lit" - Heat

Also available:

Victoria Connelly, best-selling author of nine novels, 

shortlisted for the RNA's Romantic Comedy of the Year 2013

"Sunshine on a rainy day. A charmingly written slice of warm-hearted escapism." Lisa Jewell

Also available:

Matt Dunn, #1 best-seller in Humour, shortlisted for the Romantic Novel Of The Year award and the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance

office, five lives, on the most romantic day of the year

Also available: 

Michele Gorman, #1 best-seller in Humour, #6 in Women's Fiction

times the life you walk away from doesn't let you walk away

Also available: 

Belinda Jones, Sunday Times Top 10 best-selling author

How far will she go to win her Romeo?

Also available:

Chrissie Manby, Sunday Times best-selling author, nominated for the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance

"Nothing short of brilliant." Marie Claire

Also available: 

Nicola May, 2012 Festival of Romance winner, Amazon Top 20 best-selling author

"Heartwarming, Unpredictable... loved it!" Woman Magazine

Also available:

Lucy Robinson,Top 3 Women's Fiction Debuts of 2012 and #1 eBook best-seller

"Romantic and laugh-out-loud hilarious" - Cosmopolitan

Also available:

Talli Roland, twice shortlisted for the UK’s Festival of Romance

Is finding true love as easy as an attitude change? 

Also available:  

Nick Spalding, one of Amazon UK’s Top 10 best-selling authors of 2012 

Nick Spalding tried to write a book in 24 hours. Turns out that's impossible... it took 30!
 

Also available:  

Sue Welfare, Sunday Times best-selling author, shortlisted for the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance

Romance, recipes and the chance to start over is all a girl needs

Also available: 

*This is an Amazon eBook giveaway, open to US and UK entries. It will run from June 3^rd through June 13^th. The five winners will be randomly selected and announced on June 14^th on the facebook page and Notting Hill Press blog. Winners can choose any 5 books from the participating authors - here's the list. The links above are to Amazon US. The same books are available on Amazon UK.

Showcase: Change Your Shoes, Live Your Greatest Life by Kathy Andersen

 

This inspirational book is about changing your shoes-literally and figuratively-to embark upon a journey to your greatest life.Kathy Andersen left Australia to take a "break" that turned into a journey of more than ten years. Changing her corporate high heels to hiking boots started Kathy on a journey where she would experience the power we each have to be our greatest self, and to live our greatest life.Each chapter of Kathy?'s journey provides insights and guided reflections to give the reader tools to chart their own journey of discovery. Kathy reveals a journey that we can each take to live our greatest life, and enables each reader to embark upon their own journey as they turn each page.Among other things, Kathy?'s journey enabled her to step into the darkness of a childhood filled with abuse and isolation, and to step out knowing we are each so much greater than the worst that happens to us. She discovers the gifts and treasures waiting for each of us in each moment, and that with them, we can rise above any obstacles and soar to our greatest heights."Kathy?'s profoundly insightful journey will take the reader on his or her own journey toward the genuine freedom to be all we can be-in our life, and in the world. This book is a rare inspiration."Ronald A. Heifetz.Founder, Center for Public Leadership.Harvard Kennedy School.

Kathy Andersen left Australia to take a "break" that turned into a journey of more than ten years. Changing her corporate high heels to hiking boots started Kathy on a journey where she would experience the power we each have to be our greatest self, and to live our greatest life.

Among other things, Kathy's journey enabled her to step into the darkness of a childhood filled with abuse and isolation, and to step out knowing we are each so much greater than the worst that happens to us. She discovers the gifts and treasures waiting for each of us in each moment, and that with them, we can rise above any obstacles and soar to our greatest heights.

From traveling through some of the richest and poorest countries in the world, from remote villages, to shimmering cities, to wide open spaces, to ancient ruins, to sitting under the Bodhi Tree in India where the Buddha gave his first teaching, and even to the hallways of Harvard University, Kathy discovers worlds within, around, and beyond that take us on a journey to our greatest self. We each simply need to pause, change our shoes, and step onto greater paths.

In Change Your Shoes, Live Your Greatest Life, each chapter of Kathy's journey provides insights and guided reflections to give the reader tools to chart their own journey of discovery and to make positive decisions for a purposeful life. Kathy reveals a journey that we can each take to live our greatest life, and enables each reader to embark upon their own journey as they turn each page.

Q.  What inspires your writing?

A. Helping people be all they can be inspires my writing. As I was trying to work through my challenges of surviving a childhood filled with sexual abuse, reading was a private and "safe" space in which I could gain insights that were helpful. Now, I write to empower and inspire others.

Q.  What is your favorite thing about being an author?

A. Having a voice that helps people be all they can be. Writing is like a meditation for me—a space where I can receive insights and messages and share those with others. 

Q.  What is the toughest part of being an author?

A. Getting people's attention amidst the busyness of people's lives. Our busyness keeps us from the messages we need each day, and breaking through people's busyness requires constant creativity. It is not just about writing a book, it is about sharing content in the many forms where people can easily receive it and connect to it e.g through Facebook, Twitter, workshops, etc. 

Q.  If you could not be author, what would you do/be?

A. Being an author is only a part of my life—it is one part that enables me to help others. I believe we each can do many things in our lives, and not just be defined by any one thing. I am also a business person, entrepreneur, speaker, philanthropist, and have many projects on which I am constantly working. I believe our challenge is to remain aware of what we are passionate about, and all we want to do in our lives and in the world, and create the time and space to do those things. In that way, we can play many roles, and live our most fulfilled and happy lives.

Q.  What would the story of your life be entitled?

A. Change Your Shoes, Live Your Greatest Life! Really, I names my book based on what I would title my life ... create the change you want, leap into it, and live it!

Q.  What is your favorite book of all time?

A. GrandPa Bunny Bunny. This is a Golden Book from my childhood. Its message is that you can create anything you want in your life, fill your life with color and magic, and that somewhere someone is always looking over you.

Q.  Which character from ANY book are you most like?

A. Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. I, like Dorothy, wanted to escape from the life I was living, and I needed to learn that all I needed was right within me and around me. I simply needed to choose and to start the journey and follow my yellow brick road. I am still on that journey, and am reminded every day that we each have everything we need within us. We simply need to pause to see it, and then choose to embrace it and leap forward onto the yellow brick road that awaits each of us every day.

Q.  What character from all of your book are you most like?

A. My book is about my journey after I "changed my shoes." Yet, along the way, I "meet" many "characters" from the past—from Michelangelo, to Julius Caesar, to Egyptian pharaohs, to Greek gods, to Jesus, Buddha, and more. On my journey, I discovered that we each have within us, a piece of those who have gone before us. That wisdom and insight is waiting for each of us to see it, draw upon it, and allow that infinite wisdom and creativity to inspire and guide our greatest passions and purpose.

Q.  Which book would you love to take a weekend vacation inside of?

A. Around the World in Eighty Days, By Jules Verne.

Q.  What is your favorite season?

A.  I love every season but I do love summer in Miami most, when I love to swim in the ocean at sunrise!

Q.  What inspired your book cover(s)?  Or what is your favorite book cover and why?

A. My book cover was inspired by my desire to uplift people when they saw it. My story is about reaching and rising above challenge, and filling your being and your life with wonderful, colorful things that make you keep reaching higher. That is what I wanted the image of my cover to represent.

Q.  Tell me something funny that happened while on a book tour or while promoting your book.

A. I would use the term "funny" in the context of something "curious" and "striking," which is how much we are all so similar, facing similar challenges, many opportunities before us in each moment, and all aspiring to be all we can be. When we "pause" and give ourselves the gift of our own time and attention, when we allow ourselves to play and have fun with our life, then we can create so much happiness for ourselves and for others. That has been the greatest sense of "fun" along my journey, and we each have the choice to create that fun in our lives every day.