DEADLY LIES BY CHRIS PATCHELL

Synopsis:

Husband and wife stand on opposite sides of a divide created by lies and rooted in a dark and deadly past… As a teenager, Jill Shannon fell victim to her stepfather’s cruel abuse. Now as an adult, Jill’s made it – she has a successful career and a solid, if not static, marriage to Detective Alex Shannon. Together they live out what seems to be a perfect life in Seattle.  The vow she made as a teenager to never again be a victim lies dormant – until one day a reporter lures her to his hotel room under the pretense of an interview – and suddenly all of it comes rushing back. Jill seeks revenge on the reporter, triggering a series of events that leads Jill down a wormhole of retribution, forcing her to spin an ever-widening web of lies.  Meanwhile, Alex is pulled into a case of a series of murders that began as cyber relationships. There seems to be a familiar fingerprint on these crimes, but Alex refuses to believe the murderer could be someone close to him… “Chris Patchell”s debut novel, Deadly Lies, is a taut, fast-paced thriller that grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go. Patchell is a master storyteller with a real talent for creating pulse-pounding suspense.”—Kevin O’Brien, New York  Times Bestselling Author of Unspeakable.

 My Review

I didn’t plan to sign up for this book tour.  I had just been on two other book tours for Brook Cottage Books and was right in the middle of my own edits so planned to step back from reviewing for a while.  However when the dates for Deadly Lies were advertised I checked the book out on Amazon and thought ‘Why not?’  – and I am so glad I did.

This is a brilliant debut novel written from the viewpoint of both main characters Alex and Jill Shannon.  Married for five years their respective police careers don’t make for a normal or even stable married life.  A gulf is opening up in their relationship; one which has already seen Jill drifting into an affair with her boss Jamie King.

When their liaison ends with tragic consequences she finds herself promoted into a more senior role.  Invited to speak at a conference she meets journalist Peter Young who asks to interview her and invites her back to his hotel room.  What takes place there dredges up memories of teenage years with her abusive father and sets her on a course of action to take revenge on Peter and those closely associated with his activities .

Meanwhile Alex, who has made connections with a neighbouring police force in relation to an abduction case he is working on, finds himself helping on one of their murder cases.  As he gradually slots the pieces of the puzzle together he makes an alarming discovery.

I really enjoyed this book; the writing was excellent, the characters believable and well developed.  I loved the way the the plot teased you, taking you forward but not giving too much away at a time. I have to say the ending was a surprise… and quite a sad surprise but when I thought about it, inevitable I guess. A wonderful five star read – I look forward to reading more from Chris Patchell in the future.

I would like to thank the author for donating an e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author When Chris Patchell isn’t hiking in the Cascade Mountains or hanging out with family and friends, she is working at her hi-tech job or writing gritty suspense novels. Writing has been a lifelong passion for Chris. She fell in love with storytelling in the third grade when her half-page creative writing assignment turned into a five-page story on vampires. Even back then Chris had a gift for writing intricate plots that were so good her father refused to believe she didn’t steal them from comic books. Years later, Chris spent long afternoons managing her own independent record store and writing romance novels. After closing the record store and going to college, Chris launched a successful career in hi-tech. She married, had kids but amid all the madness, the itch to write never really went away. So she started writing again. Not romance this time – suspense filled with drama, and angst, speckled with a little bit of blood. Why suspense? Chris blames her obsession with the dark on two things: watching Stephen King movies as a kid and spending ridiculous amounts of time commuting in Seattle traffic. “My stories are based on scenarios I live every day, distorted through the fictional lens. And my stories come with the added bonus of not having to be restrained by socially acceptable behavior.”

To learn more about Chris and her debut novel, DEADLY LIES, visit www.chrispatchell.com/ Join her on Facebook for book giveaways and more gritty fun at www.facebook.com/authorchrispatchell

BUY LINKS: AMAZON AMAZON.COM

For a chance to win an e-copy of Deadly Lies simply click on the link and register: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4be030179/

My Review

What I love about being a reviewer for Brook Cottage Book tours are the variety of reads and wonderful discoveries I make along the way. Pippa Croft  is a writer I have not come across before and as with several of the other books I have reviewed I am delighted to say I have found yet another author I want to read more of.

Although Third Time Lucky is the third book in the Oxford Blue Series I found it easy to read as an independent, stand alone novel. The problem I now have, however, is that I find myself needing to download the other two – The First Time We Met and The Second Time I Saw You. One book in the series is simply not enough; I need to know the whole story!

Now I’m not usually a fan of novels written from the first person as I do love to see things from various viewpoints. However, I can say hand on heart as soon as I began reading this any pre-conceived ideas flew straight out of the window. This story, told from 21 year old post graduate student Lauren Cusack’s viewpoint, has everything. There is humour and steamy sex scenes which are well written and in a totally different league to those in ‘50’. Then we have hot hero Captain Alex Hunt (come on girls admit it, you’d love to wake up beside someone like him) and a couple of pretty awful villains all wrapped up in a great read which keeps you hooked until the last page.  It left me wondering whether we had seen the last of Lauren and Alex or if there might possibly be a sequel coming along at a later stage.  Secretly I’m hoping the answer will be yes.

As I love Oxford the setting there with the backdrop of student life plus the goings on at Alex’s stately home, Falconbury was a big plus even before I had fired up the Kindle.  Coupled with this, the whole book was written in such a beautifully smooth, seamless way.  A deliciously funny, sexy and entertaining novel worthy of the five stars I’m awarding it.

My complimentary copy of Third Time Lucky came from Penguin Books UK  via NetGally in exchange for an honest  review.

 Blurb

For fans of Sylvia Day and E. L. James, the third and final part of this exciting romance series.

‘It’s Sister Dixon from the Royal Infirmary here. I’m sorry to tell you that Captain Hunt has been involved a serious incident.’

Lauren Cusack should be on her way home for an holiday in Washington before her final term at Wyckham College, Oxford. But this call changes everything. Her relationship with impossibly handsome aristocrat Alexander Hunt has been turbulent and Lauren knows she needs to walk away. Yet now as she rushes to his side she knows she will be inevitably sucked back into his world.

And sure enough, Alexander – even a seriously injured Alexander – is an intoxicating cocktail Lauren cannot resist and despite everything that is sent to thwart them – and with Alexander there is drama at every turn – she finds herself happier than she’s ever been.

But as her final term races by, and she is offered the perfect job back in Washington, the impossibility of their romance hits home.

Can there be a future for Alexander and Lauren?

The love trials of Lauren and Alexander continue in the third book in Pippa Croft’s brilliant new Oxford Blue romance series.

Fans of E L James, Tammara Webber and Samantha Young won’t be able to get enough of Pippa Croft’s Oxford Blue romance series. Lauren and Alexander’s journey begins in The First Time We Met, and follows on in the brilliant sequel, The Second Time I Saw You, which are both available as Penguin e-books.

About the Author

Pippa Croft is the pen name of an award-winning romantic novelist. After studying English at Oxford, she worked as a copywriter and journalist before writing her debut novel, which won the RNA’s New Writers’ award and was later made into a TV movie. She lives in a village in the heart of England with her husband and daughter.

Amazon buy links

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Third-Time-Lucky-Oxford-Series-ebook/dp/B00IY2D20G/ref=pd_cp_kinc_1

USA: http://www.amazon.com/Third-Time-Lucky-Oxford-Series-ebook/dp/B00IY2D20G/ref=pd_bxgy_kstore_text_z

For a chance to win one of two Copies of The First Time We Met (the first book in the series)  simply click on the link  below

 http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4be0301717/

Jo Lambert – Reviewer for Brook Cottage Books

ROMANCING MY LOVE is the newest addition to the BRADEN series by New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Melissa Foster. This contemporary romance series features alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They’re flawed, funny, passionate, and very relatable to readers who enjoy new adult romance, contemporary romance, and women’s fiction.

SYNOPSIS

After months of caring for her terminally ill mother, Rebecca Rivera is left all alone in a world she doesn’t trust—but she’s determined not to let her mother’s death define her. Losing her job, having to pummel some jerk for being too handy, and living in her car are just temporary setbacks to an otherwise solid plan in finding her footing. Full of pride and used to being in control of her life, she’s certain she can make it on her own. The last thing Rebecca needs is a man to fix her troubles—even if that man is strikingly handsome, wealthy, and charismatic Pierce Braden.

Pierce is a powerful real estate investor on the verge of a major acquisition. As the eldest of six siblings raised by a single mother, he’s spent his life protecting those he loves. He’s used to being in charge and making things right, and although he’d give his life for his family, he treats the women he dates as expendable—until he meets sexy and stubborn Rebecca Rivera, a woman who is as strong as she is vulnerable.

Passion ignites between them, and the two share their most intimate thoughts and desires. It doesn’t take long for Pierce to realize that Rebecca is as determined not to be saved as he is to find a way into her heart. As their love grows, Rebecca must face fears she didn’t even realize she had—and Pierce must learn the hard truth that sometimes less really is more. Is the power of true love enough for Rebecca and Pierce to learn to give up control and allow their hearts to take over?

First can I say many thanks to the author for sending me  a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest  review as part of the Romancing My Love Book Tour

MY REVIEW

Pierce Braden is a thirty six year old, drop dead gorgeous real estate millionaire still happily playing the field.  One night he wanders into a bar where he meets Rebecca Revira.  She has just been sacked from her job there and as she leaves has to deal with the unwanted attentions of one of the drinkers.  Impressed by the way she seems able to take care of herself, nonetheless something protective stirs in Pierce and he follows her, offering to take her home or call a cab. Refusing she walks off into the night.

Twenty seven year old Rebecca has recently lost her mother to cancer, is homeless and now jobless. She lives in her car and uses a local gym facility where she not only keeps up her fitness levels but can use the shower facilities.  Through instructor Andy’s girlfriend she manages to get a waitressing job at The Astral resort which unknown to her is owned by Pierce. He runs into her there by chance and takes her for a drink where she begins to open up and talk about her life.  Pierce finds he wants to get to know her better and offers to cook dinner for her.  A romantic relationship develops, each of them gradually sharing more details of their lives, including the fact Pierce owns the Astral and a whole lot more. Rebecca’s life begins to get back on track.  She rents a room from a work colleague and begins dating Pierce.  Un fazed by his wealth Pierce begins to realise Rebecca is special, like no one he has ever met before.  He also knows he is controlling and deliberately steps back, allowing this feisty independent young woman the space she needs to allow their relationship to grow.

Rebecca has not divulged everything about herself however, and when something is revealed by accident her old insecurities surface, threatening their relationship. As Pierce flies to LA to sort out a business deal Rebecca must come to terms with what she really wants and whether she is going to let the past continue to influence her life.

Before I started to read Romancing My Love I checked it out on Amazon and noticed there were already 14 five star reviews for this book. Most of these readers, it seems, like some of the reviewers on this tour are very much committed Melissa Foster fans and love her books. As for me, this is my first outing into this author’s territory so I’m very much a newbie to the Braden stories. I loved the two central characters and the great bonus was that it appeared Pierce was one of a string of equally handsome, hot brothers who have their own stories in the other Braden books. I love feisty women characters and Rebecca certainly was that, a survivor wanting to fall in love with a great guy but knowing she had a lot of bridges to cross before she could really let Pierce into her heart. A first class four star read, one which now has me very curious about what stories those other Braden boys have to tell…

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the  World Literary Café and Fostering Success. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on social media. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

WEBSITE

TWITTER

FACEBOOK

GOODREADS

BUY LINKS

GOOGLE

KOBO

iTunes

Amazon.com

Amazon UK

GIVEAWAY

The Giveaway on this tour is an ecopy of FATED FOR LOVE by Melissa Foster. For a chance to win this copy click on the link below and enter your details:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4be0301710/

Jo Lambert – Reviewer for Brook Cottage Books

For someone who surrounds herself with music for most of her waking hours the above song seems most relevant as I look out of the window.  ‘All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey...’ is the opening line and that’s exactly how it is here today.  There is still some green in the trees down the river valley but mostly brown and gold flutters confetti-like onto the streets and gardens where I live.  Driving into the city from my home in the eastern suburbs there is a park which is bordered by chestnut trees.  These are the first to bud in the spring and now are the first to give us an amazing display of rich golds and bronzes. I always feel sad when Autumn arrives. The year is drawing to a close and colder days are on their way but I guess in life as in all things there has to be a balance.  It would be great to have perpetual spring or summer. However no doubt if that happened we would long for the beautiful clear blue skies of frosty winter mornings or cold wet evenings when we drew the curtains and curled up in front of the fire to read a good book or watch a movie.

And now to writing. Having just returned from a friend’s birthday celebrations in the Channel Islands I’ve got three months to knock the first draft of my new novel into shape.  It’s amazing when you finish that draft how well you think you’ve done.  It’s only when you come to sit down and retrace your steps you realise how many imperfections there are.  How dialogue can be changed to give a bigger impact or how working the scene from another character’s perspective might make the read more interesting.  All these things and more come into play once you start the editing process.  I have to confess to never being able to write small books.  To date they have all been big reads probably because of the subject material – a family saga spread across several years.  Although I told myself the new book would be smaller the draft currently sits at 120,000 words.  This means it will need some extensive pruning before it’s ready to go if I am to keep my promise to myself. Amazing that when I started writing I thought the whole story could be wrapped up in one book. That has not happened, so Summer Moved On will now have a sequel.

This time around I’ve decided to work with a slightly smaller cast.  Some things, of course, don’t change. The book is about provincial life with romance at its core and yes, still with a lot of drama.  This novel has presented new challenges which have been great as I feel it is important to stretch yourself as a writer.  There is a certain comfort in writing a series.  As it develops most of the settings and characters are already well known  and it’s all about incorporating other locations and individuals into the mix to create the new story.  Throwing yourself into the deep end with a completely unknown cast and backdrop can be a bit a giant leap into the dark. You may have made profile notes about each of your characters and locations but they are still very much unknown quantities and you are never sure how the dynamics between the characters will play out until you begin writing .  However that first draft gives you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with both your newbie cast and their surroundings and see whether they work well with your storyline.  I’m glad to say that with a few nips and tucks here and there they have and currently I’m in a good place and on schedule so am one very happy bunny!

And now I’m off to get some lunch…back  next week.

First can I say many thanks to the author for sending me  a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest  review as part of the Drumbeats Book Tour

My Review 

Reading the synopsis for Drumbeats my first thought was that this is not my usual choice of book. However although I have definite preferences when I’m buying, I’m generally pretty eclectic in my taste and can very often be persuaded to step outside my comfort zone and try something completely different. If anything drew me to this novel it had to be the beautiful cover and I do think if I was not doing a professional review it probably would have played a big part in influencing me to buy.

The synopsis for Drumbeats gave all the indications of an interesting read. What I had not anticipated, however, was the wonderful quality of the writing.  It’s a brilliantly crafted book where sights, sounds and even smells of the Ghanaian way of life are conjured up quite vividly.  In some novels details can slow up the story and bog the reader down.  In this book it feels right, woven so well into the fabric of the story it becomes an essential part of the read.

It is 1965. Jess is an 18 year old about to embark on a university career. However she decides first she will take a gap year and work abroad.  Her parents are strict Quakers who cannot understand and don’t really approve of what she wants to do.  Nevertheless she embarks on this year out of the UK to teach in a Ghanaian school.  As well as a chance to experience life in foreign country it’s also an escape from a strict and somewhat oppressive home life. Through the writer we get a wonderful feel for this very different way of life in Africa and how Jess copes with living in a hot country whose culture is so unlike her own.  Back in England is boyfriend Simon, already at university and they correspond regularly. She misses him and has bouts of homesickness but soon gets distracted by her new life as a teacher. When two Americans, Jim and Hank arrive as part of the Peace Corps based in Accra Jess finds herself befriending Jim. Dark and good looking the young intern is here to volunteer his skills after which he plans to return to his medical studies in the US.  Jess and Jim grow closer through their mutual love of music and his assistance at the two villages she regularly visits.  Although she is aware of an attraction developing between them she is determined to stay faithful to Simon.

The story moves steadily through the year; school life, Jess’s friendship with the other young women teachers and her pupils and an eventful Christmas road trip they take to Timbuctoo. As the relationship between Jess and Jim progresses his actions and absences make her suspicious that he might be involved in something far deeper than volunteering.  When they are both caught up a coup which overthrows the President she finds herself in a situation which eventually leads to her betrayal of the faithful Simon. Afterwards Jim asks her to return to the States with him and Jess has to make a difficult decision about the direction she wants her life to take. Should she go with Jim or return to Simon?

 I won’t take the story any further, only to say there are some interesting twists and turns before we finish plus an ending which leaves the door open for the next book. If I have one criticism it’s that book two is not yet available. Personally I can’t wait to continue Jess’s journey.  A brilliant read and a well deserved five stars.

Published July 2014

Drumbeats: can you ever escape your past?

Drumbeats is the first novel in a trilogy and follows 18 year old English student Jess through her gap year in West Africa. It’s a rite of passage novel set in the mid-1960s when Jess flees her stifling home background for freedom to become a volunteer teacher and nurse in the Ghanaian bush. Apprehensively, she leaves her first real romantic love behind in the UK, but will she be able to sustain the bond while she is away? With the idealism of youth, she hopes to find out who she really is and do some good in the world, but little does she realize what, in reality, she will find that year: joys, horrors, and tragedy. She must find her way on her own and learn what fate has in store for her, as she becomes embroiled in the poverty and turmoil of a small war-torn African nation under a controversial dictatorship. Jess must face the dangers of both civil war and unexpected romance. Can she escape her past? And why do the drumbeats haunt her dreams?

Drumbeats Trilogy:

Drumbeats

Can you ever escape your past?

Walking in the Rain

How do you cope when your worst nightmare comes true?

Before I Die

Can Jess’s bucket list bring resolution to her life?

Excerpt

August 1965, Ghana

It was hotter than Jess had ever imagined in her eighteen years. Flying in from the UK bound for Accra, she had left the late August skies of the dull wet dreariness of an English summer. But as she stepped off the Ghana Airways VC10, she felt the heavy all-encompassing heat which shocked her system. Although it was only six o’clock in the evening, it was already dark and close.

The flight from London Heathrow had been a long and tiresome six hours and she had felt drained as she pulled down her cabin bag from the overhead and shuffled along the aisle behind the other travellers, nodding and swaying to the strains of the Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride” on the VC10’s tannoy system. Her mother would have a fit: her Rulebook said no pop music; it’s the work of the devil, and no dancing: Jessamy, anyone would think you were a slut. So in the holidays, when she was home from boarding school, she’d listened to Pick of the Pops furtively in her bedroom, ear pressed to the radio.

Now, as she climbed down the steps in the heat-stifling darkness to take her first stride on African soil, she was recharged with excitement.

She was aware of the male flight attendant standing at the foot of the aircraft’s steps, watching her with undisguised admiration as she climbed down. She navigated the steps as gracefully as she could in her tan wedge-heeled sandals. In the heat, she was glad that she had thought to scoop up her auburn-gold hair loosely into a ponytail.  She let go of the rail with her left hand for a moment to smooth her pale pink cotton mini dress over her slim figure. At least she wasn’t irritable and demanding like the other passengers who pushed behind her as if they were in a great hurry.

The flight attendant watched her all the way down the steps and then wiped his palm on his trousers, and held it out courteously to steady her from the last step. She took it in her own cool soft hand for a brief moment.

“Thank you so much, John. Bye now,” she smiled as she passed him and headed for the small wooden shack that served as an airport building.

“No problem, miss. Welcome to Ghana.”

“How did you know his name?” hissed Sandra, from behind her. Jess turned. She noticed that John did not take Sandra’s hand. His eyes and grin were still focussed on her.

“It’s on his name label,” whispered Jess. They walked together across to the arrivals building. “OK?”

“OK. Long flight. Tired,” answered Sandra curtly. She had been unusually quiet during the flight and, it seemed, almost close to tears on occasion. Jess put her free hand on Sandra’s arm.

“It’ll be fine. Honestly. I know you’re missing Colin.” In the short time Jess had with Sandra after they were teamed up to travel to the same school in Ghana for their gap years, she had learned all about the chap Sandra was leaving behind for a year. Sandra showed her a photograph. Oh dear, he looked a lot like Maurie. Not fanciable. AT. ALL! She herself had said little about her own personal life, and the guy she had left behind. She wanted to keep him to herself. Her first real grown-up relationship. Simon. His name still tasted so new on her lips and in her head. Had she done the right thing in dutifully fulfilling the contract to come out here, even though they had only just got together? Would he wait for her? They were an item, weren’t they? She frowned and bit her lip.

To win an e-copy (International) of Drumbeats click and register on the rafflecopter tag below

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4be030177/

About the Author

Julia Ibbotson lives in a renovated Victorian rectory in the English countryside with her husband (four children, now grown up, having fled the nest), along with lots of apple trees, a kitchen garden and far too many moles. She is an author and academic, and loves choral singing, walking, swimming, gardening and cooking (not necessarily at the same time). She started writing as soon as she could hold a pencil in her tiny fist and has not stopped since, much to the bemusement of her long-suffering husband who brings her endless cups of coffee and sometimes even makes the dinner when she is distracted and frowning at her laptop.

She wrote her first novel when she was 10 years old, sadly never published and long since consigned to the manuscript graveyard. She loves writing novels with a strong sense of time and place and that is the basis of her latest, Drumbeats, the first of a trilogy which follows Jess through the trials and tribulations of her life. It starts with Jess on her gap year in Ghana in the 1960s.

She has also written the story of the restoration of her rectory in The Old Rectory: Escape to a Country Kitchen, which also interweaves recipes from her farmhouse kitchen and which has won a number of international awards.

Recently she found an old manuscript gathering dust in her drawer, one she had originally scribbled when she was still at school, many years ago. It was a children’s story about a boy who slips through a tear in the fabric of the universe to find himself in a fantasy medieval world. She is currently blowing off the dust and redrafting it for her publishers to let it loose on the world in the autumn. It’s called S.C.A.R.S.

She loves to hear from readers (it’s a pleasant distraction from her steaming keyboard), so do get in touch via the links.

Author Links

Author page on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Julia-Ibbotson/e/B0095XG11U/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1377188346&sr=1-2-ent

Author email:

juliaibbotson@btinternet.com

Author facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Julia-Ibbotson-author/163085897119236

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/JuliaIbbotson

Author website:

http://www.juliaibbotsonauthor.com

Pinterest page:

http://pinterest.com/juliai1/

Goodreads author page:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6017965.Julia_Ibbotson

Book Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OYlEXhHvsc&list=UUP3hKZjeUBuTMoyvZmBXbow

Rekindling Connections
by Nicky Abell-Francis
Published by Self-published on 14th April 2014
Pages: 369  
• Goodreads • Amazon UK • Amazon US •

Many thanks to the author for sending me  a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review as part of the Rekindling Connections Book Tour

 

MY REVIEW

When I post a review it’s normally for something I have either downloaded on Kindle or pulled from the shelves of Waterstones.  It’s my choice.  With blog tours I get to chose a category but know nothing about the book I shall be reading and reviewing until all the relevant information comes through.  I have to say though that so far I have not been disappointed and Rekindling  Connections has  further reinforced that opinion.  In fact I  loved everything about this book.  A wonderful cover, a great story and a teaser at the finish to alert us to the fact we have by no means reached the end of the journey.

I loved the relationship  between Zara and her three friends, Bella, Amber and Gina.  All three became an integral part of the story as it progressed.  And then of course there were the men. Zara’s husband-to-be Bruce Loxley – good looking, rich and  dependable but with a definite feel he was not quite all he seemed.  Then there was Tyler Montgomery – well at least you knew what you were getting here.  Handsome,  egotistical  and heartless Zara still seemed unable to resist this incredibly handsome polo player. And last but not least Brett McNeil.  Now Brett is the one with my vote.  He may disappear and reappear in Zara’s life as he chases his dream but he’s an honest all round good guy and there’s that indefinable something  that surfaces between them every time they meet.  However what will happen now Zara has decided her future lies with Bruce?

So where does this leave the reader at the end of the book? Well waiting for the sequel of course!  A brilliant and entertaining read and worthy of all five stars I’m awarding it when I post my  reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

SYNOPSIS

The high octane world of sports therapy fast tracks Zara from middle class suburbia to the bright lights of Los Angeles. Approaching marriage to Bruce Loxley, dependable, seriously rich & with an impeccable pedigree, allows her entrance to the private world of high society.

But is Bruce as honest as appearances portray? Returning to Zara’s hedonistic past, we career into lust & temptation head on in the form of Tyler Montgomery. The devilishly good looking, though arrogant Polo player, causing sexual havoc in his wake. But a when a new younger competitor enters the love arena, has Zara met her match? Brett McNeil with his wild sense of adventure & mischievous streak that so attracts Zara’s eye lingers seductively in the shadows of her fast paced life.

Is fate in control or do we really have a choice? Which player will ultimately win? Or does life have its own game plan?

A BITTERSWEET JOURNEY OF LUST, LOVE & CHOICES.

 

POWER, PASSION OR PRESTIGE. WHICH LOVE IS THE RIGHT LOVE?

 

A muffled groaning sound came from the far end of the hotel suite. Busy street life outside seeped through into the dimly lit interior. Across the queen sized bed lay two figures forming soft undulating mounds beneath the bed sheets. A shrill siren broke the quietness of the bedroom.

‘Gee, what did I do last night?’ murmured the fragile voice of Zara, the sound causing the body beside her to stir. Leaning back on the feather pillows her brain tried hard to recollect the last twenty four hours. For one awful moment she froze registering that she wasn’t alone. Hesitatingly, she glanced sideways at the slumbering form. Deep and heavy breathing could be heard from beneath the covers. Turning, rather cautiously Zara peeked over the top of the white bed linen.

‘Oh, my god,’ there she was naked and in bed with a complete stranger. No tiny recollection of how they’d met, or what the hell she’d done with him for that matter. What would the girls think of her? It wasn’t worth imagining what Bruce would think if he found out. Zara noticed her strewn clothing on the floor nearby. How to retrieve them was going to be some feat in itself without disturbing her unknown visitor.

The bedtime occupant grunted and turned. Stretching out a limb, he slammed a heavy thigh across Zara’s body. Gritting her teeth and sucking air through them she now laid pinned to the bed. How was she supposed to move now? First disentanglement without waking the stranger and; second allow herself to get suitably clothed before he came round.

Surveying the room, her head throbbed with the effort. A vague recognition flashed through her brain cells of some heavy alcohol consumption the previous night. Zara detected the faint sound of running water from the en-suite.  Her throat was now feeling parched. The joys of a large glass of cold liquid were enticing her to attempt moving pretty quickly.

Looking back over the young male who lay sprawled across her bed, she viewed his athletic body. He lay perfectly still and quiet in the hazy light of the hotel room, chest moving rhythmically, the gentle arch of his back just visible above the covers. He appeared young, mid- twenties maybe. A shadow of morning stubble enhanced his dishevelled appearance. Trying hard to recharge her memory of where they’d met, Zara rubbed her temples gently in the hope this would miraculously help. No, it wasn’t there. What in hell had she drunk last night?

Glancing around the dimly lit room Zara noticed discarded items randomly littering the floor, accompanied by two half-drunk bottles of Champagne. Hawaiian garlands decorated the table lamps either side of the bed.

From the bedside table she picked up a tumbler containing what looked like a cocktail. She sniffed gingerly. The strong smell of mixed spirits confirmed her opinion and a nauseating wave came over her. Once it passed, she noticed there were four tumblers, not just two.

Uneasiness crept over her as the possibility she may have got up close and personal with more than one member of the opposite sex flashed in front of her. No, Gina wouldn’t have allowed her to stoop that low. She had more decorum than that, even if this was possibly her last major weekend of freedom. Gently tried to manoeuvre her body round and slide free from under the comatose individual. The movement started to arouse the stranger once again as the gentle touch of his hand brushed past her shoulder. Turning back to look, she met the glazed eyes of her finally semi-awake neighbour. Bleary eyed, he ran a hand through his dishevelled hair.

‘Urrg, what time is it? That was one great party last night; you girls know how to have a wild time. Thanks for letting me crash. I certainly won’t forget you two in a hurry.’ Zara flushed and gulped.

‘Err!’ Slightly stunned and unable to say much, she felt even more anxious. Blinking hard, she tried to obtain a little distance. By shifting furtively towards the edge of the bed, now that his weight was no longer pinning her down.

The cascading sound of water stopped and shortly after, the en-suite door opened. Swivelling round like an electric bolt had hit her, Zara stared at the emerging figure in the half light, unsure of who to expect. It was Crystal!

‘Hello gorgeous, glad you’re awake.’ Zara looked indignantly at her, trying hard to indicate discreetly her concern without letting the dozy Prince Charming next to her notice what she was doing. Raising her eyebrows and gesturing towards him, she mouthed to Crystal silently.

‘Who is he?’

Crystal giggled coyly as she sat down on the bed, her towel barely covering her vital statistics.

‘This is Christian.’

Zara noticed that Christian suddenly looked rather perkier when he saw Crystal’s body perched rather provocatively at his feet.

‘We had rather a wild night and all of us ended up back here.’

‘All of us! But I was sharing with Gina. You were with Amber and Bella. What happened to them? How many more party goers were there?’

Crystal smiled, ‘Just Christian and Lance. Our group couldn’t take the pace. You, me and Christian carried on till later, hence the pounding headache you’re probably enduring? Lance escorted the others back to their room. Gina must have decided to join them. Not sure what happened to him, but we had a hell of a time back here.’

Zara shot a very worrying look at Crystal. Whispering as quietly as she could she felt the urge to ask the dreaded question?

‘Tell me we didn’t? Tell me I didn’t at least?’ Crystal leant forward her towel revealing more than just a cleavage. Distracting the worse for wear bed fellow from listening too closely, she whispered in Zara’s ear.

‘No honey, you didn’t. Christian had the desire in him and tried his best to seduce you, but the poor sweetie had drunk way too much rum punch. Besides you weren’t having any of it. He didn’t stand a chance.’

Zara fell back against the pillows unsure whether to be relieved or concerned. ‘Oh great, thanks Crystal.’

Christian now had sufficiently woken enough and after viewing the delights of Crystal at such a close up range, he now had experienced a shot of adrenaline to allow him to carry on where apparently they’d left off the night before.

‘Ladies, what do you say, recuperation is always better with the hair of the dog. Fancy joining me for one more bevy?’ He lusted longingly in Crystal’s direction. Christian was now recuperating from the punch a tad too quickly for Zara’s preference.

‘No! You can count me out. Fresh air and a strong shot of New York caffeine is in order now I fear. Don’t let me stop you two,’ replied Zara sharply. Sliding swiftly from beneath the covers she backed out of harm’s way. Grabbing a garment from the floor, she walked as discreetly as she could towards the en-suite door.

‘I’ll just freshen up and be out of your way.’ This parting shot was directed at Christian his face looking a little disappointed at her retreating exit.

 

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Working in the sports therapy field for some fifteen years the opportunity to work in some diverse areas came about and led to the meeting of some very competitive, challenging individuals, who make up the sporting world. Current affairs of the heart of many women today allowed me to see that we all search for the perfect soul partner. Both male and female clients produced this result, from many a conversation and gossip on the bench, (massage work relaxes the body as well as the mind). Clients worldwide found choosing their ideal partner a lottery.

This inspired me to look more closely at how marriage choices are made through the heart or the mind. Having travelled round the world my research led me to be inspired by the excitement of each country visited and how my heroine could become incorporated within these settings combining the sporting calendar and outdoor pursuits of each destination I found exciting and that created a passion within.

 

AUTHOR LINKS

 

http://www.zenchi-therapy.co.uk/rekindling-connections/

https://www.facebook.com/rekindlingconnections?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/nabellfrancis

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7138687.Nicky_Abell_Francis

https://nickyabell.wordpress.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve missed several weekend posts since returning from our week away in Derbyshire.  Mostly this has been because I’ve been busy settling back down to writing.  It’s not a predictable art, you can’t say ‘Today I’m going to….’ because sometimes you can spend all day at the computer and finish feeling you have achieved very little.  Other days you are on a roll and manage several thousand words which really move the book on.  This week it’s been a bit of a stop-go few days but am pleased to say currently the muse is with me and things are going very well.

Anyway, enough about me.  This week I’m hosting fellow author Lynda Renham who has a launch party for her new book Rory’s Proposal today, Sunday 17th August.

The online launch party which starts at 13.00 and finishes at 20.00 has lots of prizes and signed books, including ‘Rory’s Proposal’ and giveaways from Soap-Dodger whose products are just fab. Signed books by Debbie Flint and Tina K Burton. Also talking part are Sue Watson Carlie Pettit and Mandy Baggot. Also Emily Harvale and Jo Lambert as well as Colette Caddle and Rowan Coleman 

Click on this link and join the party https://www.facebook.com/events/732774373455840/?fref=ts

When 29-year-old Flora Robson reversed her car into Tom’s Audi she had no idea who he was. Only after she has started to fall in love with him does she discover the gorgeous blue-eyed Tom is the man who is trying to close down her hairdressing business. It seems that Tom will stop at nothing to get what he wants, but Flora is not giving in to anyone. Can she win the battle against her multimillionaire enemy or will her feelings for him get in the way? Follow Flora’s hilarious journey of love, hot chocolate and marshmallows, and the man who changes everything.

Click on: http://lrcook.wordpress.com/2014/07/29/read-an-extract-from-rorys-proposal-here-get-a-mug-of-tea-and-a-hobnob-and-enjoy/ to read a sample chapter.

Twitter link  https://twitter.com/Lyndarenham

Web page www.renham.co.uk