Chic Lit Review: The Truth About Cats and Bees (The Truth About Series, Book 2) by Alissa Baxter

The Truth About Cats and Bees: A Secret Blogger’s Dating Debacles
by Alissa Baxter


Description:
For jaded Emma Bradshaw, her blog is a way to come to terms with the 'serial datists' in her past - all those unsuitable men who've trampled on her heart and left her swearing off dating altogether. But when one anonymous blog commenter challenges her ideas on men, she can't help but open herself up. What can it hurt? After all, she doesn't even know his name.

The problem is that now she's looking at men differently - including her new boss, sexy author Nick Reynolds. A romance with the boss, especially one who epitomises every 'serial datist' she's ever known, is a no-no on so many different levels. But Emma can't seem to stop herself from considering it.

Which man will win Emma's guarded heart - the tempting boss, or the anonymous online man who understands her better than anyone she's ever known?

"Emma is a serious sassy woman whose sharp wit and tongue portrays her confident nature." Author Nana Prah

This book was previously published by Ubuntu African Romance as The Blog Affair.


My Review:
The Truth about Cats and Bees picks up from the last book in a sort of crossover style. Starting in Durban and then following Emma, the main character of this story, to Cape Town. Sick of the constant reminders of her latest failed relationship, Emma jumps at the chance to start over in a new place, but she doesn’t anticipate the spark she feels around her new boss.

This is another solid romance in The Truth About series, and as with the first, there is a digital romance thrown in to totally mess with the main character’s plans and assumptions. I very much enjoyed this one, but it was much easier to guess the outcome. The clues are there, though Emma doesn’t see them. Still, it was hard to want her to get together with either of them, particularly in the light of her blog.

On that note, Emma’s blog is designed to outline the sort of fellows that guarantee a dysfunctional relationship, and Emma’s posts reveal just how disillusioned she’s become. Toss in a side character’s abusive relationship and you have quite the campaign for women sticking up for themselves and staying away from these guys. At times it seems more educational than entertaining.

Because much of the story focuses on dysfunctional men, it tends to come across one-sided, and though that shifts a bit near the end, I don’t think a balance was achieved. For this reason, male readers may feel a bit put on the spot. Sure this is a chic lit, and the blog is in character, but yeah, it’s not very flattering for the fellows.

Overall, I would recommend this to women who enjoy chic lit, romance, and interesting locations.

I received the review copy of this book from NetGalley.


About the Author:

Alissa Baxter wrote her first Regency romance, The Dashing Debutante, during her long university holidays. After travelling the world, she settled down to write her second Regency romance, Lord Fenmore's Wager, which was inspired by her time living on a country estate in England. A Marchioness Below Stairs, her third Regency romance, is the sequel to Lord Fenmore's Wager. Also the author of two chick lit novels, The Truth About Clicking Send and Receive (previously published as Send and Receive) and The Truth About Cats and Bees (previously published as The Blog Affair), Alissa currently lives in Johannesburg with her husband and two sons. Alissa is a member of RWA as well as ROSA (Romance writers Organisation of South Africa).

Website  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon

Intrigued? Why not pick up both books and make a weekend of it?

Chic Lit Review: The Truth about Clicking Send and Receive (The Truth About Series, Book 1) by Alissa Baxter

The Truth about Clicking Send and Receive: A Romance Writer's Email Adventures
by Alissa Baxter


Description:
Wrapped up in the dreamy world of romance fiction and flushed with the heady heat of a tropical Durban summer, Angie Wilson is having a hard time separating fantasy from reality. Struggling to choose between a hopeless crush on her gorgeous trust fund manager and a blossoming cyber affair with an enigmatic writer, Angie turns to her zany new friends for advice on love and life. But what does she really want?

A light-hearted romantic comedy.

This book was previously published by Oshun as Send and Receive.


My Review:
The Truth about Clicking Send and Receive explores the complexities of romance in the modern age in a fun, yet precautionary way.

Angie is a likeable character, a romantic who’s desperately trying to be responsible and chase her dream. I enjoyed how her story played out, adjusting to life in Durban, meeting and entangling with the love interests, despite herself.

One of the things I found interesting was that this was written and set in South Africa. The last book I read set there had a strong political bent to it, but not this one. Instead, it feels more like a regular day-in-the-life story. A taking a chance story. A falling in love story.

Another thing I enjoyed was the email romance Angie sparks up with the mysterious romance writer. One, I was super intrigued and wondering whether they’d get together in real life. Two, I was noticing and disregarding red flags just as swiftly as Angie was. I felt it was built and executed just as well as any “in person” romance I’ve read.

This story is pegged as chic lit. I’m not exactly sure what that entails as I usually do not read chic lit. But perhaps it has to do with dose of realism mixed in with the romance, or maybe it’s the relationship-focused storyline, and not just of the main character. I noticed a couple of other stories emerging and playing out, a method I like in a series like this. It allows the author to build interest in the next without resorting to a cliffhanger.

Anyhow, loved this story and recommend it to folks who enjoy chic lit, romance, and interesting settings.

I received the review copy of this book from NetGalley.


About the Author:

Alissa Baxter wrote her first Regency romance, The Dashing Debutante, during her long university holidays. After travelling the world, she settled down to write her second Regency romance, Lord Fenmore's Wager, which was inspired by her time living on a country estate in England. A Marchioness Below Stairs, her third Regency romance, is the sequel to Lord Fenmore's Wager. Also the author of two chick lit novels, The Truth About Clicking Send and Receive (previously published as Send and Receive) and The Truth About Cats and Bees (previously published as The Blog Affair), Alissa currently lives in Johannesburg with her husband and two sons. Alissa is a member of RWA as well as ROSA (Romance writers Organisation of South Africa).

Website  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon

Review: Wicked Appetite (Lizzy & Diesel #1) by Janet Evanovich

Wicked Appetite (Lizzy & Diesel #1)
by Janet Evanovich

Description:
For centuries, treasure hunters have been eager to possess the stones, undeterred by their corrupting nature. The list is long — Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, to name a few. Now the Stones have found their way to Salem, Massachusetts, and so has Gerwulf Grimoire, adding himself to this rogues’ gallery of power seekers. He’s an uncommonly dangerous man, with a hunger for the forbidden, and a set of abilities that are way beyond ordinary. Abilities that he feels entitle him to possess anything he might desire.

That would include Elizabeth Tucker, the woman he needs to find the Stones. She’s freshly transplanted from New York City to Boston’s North Shore. With a new job as pastry chef at Dazzle’s bakery and an old house inherited from her Aunt Ophelia, her life is pretty much on track …until it’s suddenly derailed by a guy named Diesel, a rude monkey, and a ninja cat.

Lizzy can handle the monkey and the cat. She’s not sure about Diesel. He’s offering up his own set of unusual talents, promising to protect her from Grimoire. The kind of protection that Lizzy suspects might involve guarding her body day and night.

The Seven Deadly Sins are pride, greed, lust, envy wrath, sloth and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that is wicked. Diesel thinks it also pretty much covers everything that’s fun. And Lizzy thinks Diesel and the Seven Deadly Sins cover everything her mother warned her about.


My Review:
One word: delightful.

Ok, now more words. I loved this story. Funny, sassy, has monkey, has one-eyed cat, has charmed items with rather unfortunate (but hilarious) side effects. The butter, oh the butter! I won't spoil it, though. If you've read it, you know.

Recommended by a friend. Borrowed audiobook from library. I too recommend this. Fun read!

All that being said, I was floored by all the negative or meh reviews on this. Apparently, folks are burned out on the author due to the two dozen plus Stephanie Plum books, all of which seem to have some things in common with the new Lizzie and Diesel series, including having the same narrator. This is the first book I’ve listened to from her, though, so I took it as it is and thoroughly enjoyed it.


About the Author:

 

 

Janet Evanovich is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum series, the Lizzy and Diesel series, twelve romance novels, the Alexandra Barnaby novels and Trouble Maker graphic novel, and How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author, as well as the Fox and O'Hare series with co-author Lee Goldberg.

Amazon  |  Goodreads  |  Website  |  Twitter

 

 



 

Review and Excerpt: Deck the Malls with Purple Peacocks by Amy Gettinger

Deck The Malls with Purple Peacocks (Alice Chronicles #2)
By Amy Gettinger

Genre: Chick-lit/ Women’s Fiction/ Sweet Romance
Age category: Adult
Release Date: November 18, 2017

Description:
It’s Christmas in Orange County, California, and the mall is full of purple peacock decorations, large and small. Department store employee Aracely Martinez has a goofy Cuban friend, Quito (who’s awfully cute in his mall Santa suit), distracting her from her night-shift restocking job. But Aracely has a long-held secret, which her supervisor at the store, Jacob Thinnes, is holding over her head to make her do his bidding.

Which is too much bidding.

Enter Aracely’s oldest friends: Alice Chalmers, Georgette Jones and Julie Bowers. The group’s “Venus Warrior” bond from the 2003 production of The Venus Monologues at Garden Beach Community College is still very strong, and these women are ready, willing, and able to kick some butt to help Aracely out of her difficult bind. Join Aracely’s “Three Wise Women” plus her ever-present trickster hunk, Quito, in one adventure after another as they work against the odds to give Aracely a fabulous, nearly impossible Christmas gift: the life of her dreams.

My Review:
Deck the Malls with Purple Peacocks caught my eye due to the festive and quirky title and matching cover.

The story is all about Aracely, whose illegal status has been noted and exploited by her unscrupulous boss. While there was plenty of the lightheartedness I’d hoped for by the packaging, there was a healthy dose of serious issues and an insightful look into what being an illegal immigrant might be like, particularly in today’s world.

It didn’t take me too long to know for sure that this was a sequel, but I felt this one stands alone pretty well. I enjoyed the missions and the banter between the friends in the Venus Warrior group, as well as the result of their benevolent meddling. Quito was adorable and his jokes as groan-worthy as I’m sure they were intended to be. The romance wasn’t as central to the story as I’d thought it would be, but that’s ok. This turned out to be more of a cozy mystery sort of thing with the team of Venus Warriors sleuthing and saving the day together, despite being total amateurs.

Jacob and the other cast of ne’er-do-wells were sinister and manipulative, and I had no trouble rooting against them. I thought it interesting how they could be so awful to Aracely, a good and hardworking person, while thinking of themselves as superior. Their self-righteousness paired with their awful behavior towards Aracely seemed designed to highlight a certain hypocrisy that seems all too realistic in today’s culture.

Overall, a good read. I wish I’d read the earlier book first because I think I’d have gotten more of the references and inside jokes between the characters. Anyhow, I’d recommend this to folks who like a little humor wrapped around a serious topic, middle-aged sleuths running missions to save their young friend, and a happy ending that doesn’t come easily.

I received the review copy of this book from the author via Lola’s Blog Tours. This review was written for my blog, I read too much!

~~~

You can find Deck The Malls with Purple Peacocks on Goodreads

You can buy Deck The Malls with Purple Peacocks here on Amazon


Read on for an excerpt and more information about the author.

Fantasy Review: The Immortal Heights (The Elemental Trilogy #3) by Sherry Thomas

The Immortal Heights (The Elemental Trilogy #3)
by Sherry Thomas

Description:
In a pursuit that has spanned continents, Iolanthe, Titus, and their friends have always managed to remain one step ahead of the forces of Atlantis.
But now the Bane, the monstrous tyrant who bestrides the entire mage world, has issued his ultimatum: Titus must hand over Iolanthe, or watch as his entire realm is destroyed in a deadly rampage. Running out of time and options, Iolanthe and Titus must act decisively to deliver a final blow to the Bane, ending his reign of terror for good.

However, getting to the Bane means accomplishing the impossible—finding a way to infiltrate his crypt in the deepest recesses of the most ferociously guarded fortress in Atlantis. And everything is only made more difficult when new prophecies come to light, foretelling a doomed effort…

Iolanthe and Titus will put their love and their lives on the line. But will it be enough?

With The Immortal Heights, Sherry Thomas brings the acclaimed Elemental Trilogy to its breathtaking conclusion.


My Review:
This is a rather awesome ending to the trilogy. It had me guessing all the way to the end, and then some.

Their endgame is all or nothing and I particularly love how they push on and through despite some rather ominous revelations.

Anyhow, don’t want to spoil it. I’ll leave it as strongly recommended.

I borrowed this audiobook from the library.


About the Author:

Sherry Thomas writes both historical romance and young adult fantasy.

On the romance side, she is one of the most acclaimed authors working in the genre today, her books regularly receiving starred reviews and best-of-the-year honors from trade publications. She is also a two-time winner of Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award.

On the young adult fantasy side, there isn’t much to report yet, her debut book, THE BURNING SKY, book 1 of the Elemental Trilogy, has received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and been named to the Autumn ’13 Kids’ Indie Next List.

Sherry writes in her second language. She learned English by reading romance and science fiction—every word Isaac Asimov ever wrote, in fact. She is proud to say that her son is her biggest fanboy—for the YA fantasy, not the romances. At least, not yet…


Author Links:
Website
Twitter @sherrythomas
Amazon
Goodreads


Books by this Author:

The Elemental Trilogy (this series):


Lady Sherlock Historical Mysteries:

The Fitzhugh Trilogy:



The London Trilogy:


The Heart of Blade:



I'm not exactly certain I found all of Sherry's books. Take a look at her Amazon page to discover more.

Fantasy Review: The Perilous Sea (The Elemental Trilogy #2) by Sherry Thomas

The Perilous Sea (The Elemental Trilogy #2)
by Sherry Thomas

Description:
After spending the summer away from each other, Titus and Iolanthe (still disguised as Archer Fairfax) are eager to return to Eton College to resume their training to fight the Bane. Although no longer bound to Titus by a blood oath, Iolanthe is more committed than ever to fulfilling her destiny—especially with the agents of Atlantis quickly closing in.

Soon after arriving at school, though, Titus makes a shocking discovery, one that makes him question everything he previously believed about their mission. Faced with this devastating realization, Iolanthe is forced to come to terms with her new role, while Titus must choose between following his mother's prophecies—and forging a divergent path to an unknowable future.


My Review:
This installment was very exciting.

Another thing I enjoyed was the stacked storyline. It’s like two full books told in parallel. One of the stories picks up where we left off in the last book. The other picks up where the other storyline will leave off, but it leaves so much in question that it adds a great deal of tension. I wondered the whole time what could have possibly happened. Sure, the author could have just told it all in chronological order, but I think this novel approach worked out well.

Highly recommended.

I borrowed this audiobook from the library.


About the Author:

Sherry Thomas writes both historical romance and young adult fantasy.

On the romance side, she is one of the most acclaimed authors working in the genre today, her books regularly receiving starred reviews and best-of-the-year honors from trade publications. She is also a two-time winner of Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award.

On the young adult fantasy side, there isn’t much to report yet, her debut book, THE BURNING SKY, book 1 of the Elemental Trilogy, has received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and been named to the Autumn ’13 Kids’ Indie Next List.

Sherry writes in her second language. She learned English by reading romance and science fiction—every word Isaac Asimov ever wrote, in fact. She is proud to say that her son is her biggest fanboy—for the YA fantasy, not the romances. At least, not yet…


Author Links:
Website
Twitter @sherrythomas
Amazon
Goodreads


Books by this Author:

The Elemental Trilogy (this series):


Lady Sherlock Historical Mysteries:

The Fitzhugh Trilogy:



The London Trilogy:


The Heart of Blade:



I'm not exactly certain I found all of Sherry's books. Take a look at her Amazon page to discover more.

Fantasy Review: The Emerald Wars by Grace Watson

The Emerald Wars
by Grace Watson

Description:
When Leonie escapes from her life as a servant in the Emerald City, all she wants is to find her place in the outside world. After being saved by rebel fighter Dorothy, she finds herself drawn into a mission to retrieve the stolen heart of the Tin Man. But something much more sinister is happening in Oz, and before long they find themselves working with the exiled Professor Crow to save their home from being destroyed from the inside out.

It’s a perilous journey that pushes them to their limits, but the four friends keep going in search of the things they need the most; wisdom, love, courage, and a home.

'The Emerald Wars' is inspired by L. Frank Baum's 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'.


My Review:
Emerald Wars is set in Oz, but beyond borrowing the land and world, diverges from there. The Wizard has made himself king, and Dorothy has become a rebel set on taking him down. Leonie, newly escaped from the Emerald City, finds herself caught up in the cause.

This is a heartfelt story of love beyond rote definition. While there are no in process romances developing, two stories take center stage. Dorothy’s own and that of the Tin Man.  I thought Dorothy’s was sad, but didn’t engage with it on a deep level. The Tin Man’s, however, is revealed gradually in little flashbacks that are simply charged with emotion. The tragedy and the triumph of this relationship were the highpoints of this story for me.

I thought the action and dialog were very well done, though near the end when there were more players involved, I got lost and had to backtrack a couple of times to see who did or said what. The technology and magic systems were also an intriguing twist on the original stories. Definitely caught and held my interest.

On the other hand, the author’s views and message bled into the story so much that, at times, it took over rather than just support the plot. I also thought that some of the resolutions were just a bit too tidy and easy to be believed. It was sort of like a character shouting, “This is unfair,” and then everyone agreeing with them and the day is saved.

As for the quality of the book, I’d say it’s good. Aside from a few grammar issues near the end, it’s pretty well edited, and the story is well organized and sticks to a main theme.

Overall, I really liked this book. I think folks who enjoy LGBT themed stories in familiar fantasy settings might enjoy this.

I received the review copy of this book from the author.

~~Find Emerald Wars Here~~

Amazon US / UK |  Goodreads

About the Author:

Born in the North-East of England, Grace grew up in the Black Country and currently lives in Wales, where she is studying music and training as a classical singer. After spending her teenage years writing fan-fiction she published her first novel, The Story of Lizzy and Darcy, in 2017. She has too many books, not enough cats, and an alarmingly large collection of ceramic owls.

 

 

~~Author Links~~

Website  |  Goodreads  |  Twitter@GraceWhoWrites

Fantasy Review: The Burning Sky (The Elemental Trilogy #1) by Sherry Thomas

The Burning Sky (The Elemental Trilogy #1)
by Sherry Thomas


Description:
It all began with a ruined elixir and a bolt of lightning.

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's been told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the most powerful tyrant and mage the world has ever known. This would be a suicide task for anyone, let alone a reluctant sixteen-year-old girl with no training.

Guided by his mother's visions and committed to avenging his family, Prince Titus has sworn to protect Iolanthe even as he prepares her for their battle with the Bane. But he makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the tyrant closing in, Titus must choose between his mission—and her life.

The Burning Sky—the first book in the Elemental Trilogy—is an electrifying and unforgettable novel of intrigue and adventure.


My Review:
I totally adored this trilogy. From the first pages, Iolanthe and Titus just click as heroine and hero.
I think Iolanthe having to hide in plain sight, Titus trying to push down the knowledge of his personal doom, and the two of them trying to disregard their attraction for each other all play to the reader’s advantage.

I also found the humor in this story to be spot on. Iolanthe as Fairfax has quite a charm about her (him). The interplay between her and the other boys at Eton and with Titus feels natural and quick witted.

As for the prophesies, they drive the tension and are woven in just enough to make you want more and hope against hope that some of them won’t come true.

Overall, I adored this and would recommend it to fans of fantasy set in the real world.

I borrowed this audiobook from the library. The fellow who narrates it does a fantastic job of carrying off the humor and the timing.


About the Author:

Sherry Thomas writes both historical romance and young adult fantasy.

On the romance side, she is one of the most acclaimed authors working in the genre today, her books regularly receiving starred reviews and best-of-the-year honors from trade publications. She is also a two-time winner of Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award.

On the young adult fantasy side, there isn’t much to report yet, her debut book, THE BURNING SKY, book 1 of the Elemental Trilogy, has received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and been named to the Autumn ’13 Kids’ Indie Next List.

Sherry writes in her second language. She learned English by reading romance and science fiction—every word Isaac Asimov ever wrote, in fact. She is proud to say that her son is her biggest fanboy—for the YA fantasy, not the romances. At least, not yet…


Author Links:
Website
Twitter @sherrythomas
Amazon
Goodreads


Books by this Author:

The Elemental Trilogy (this series):


Lady Sherlock Historical Mysteries:

The Fitzhugh Trilogy:



The London Trilogy:


The Heart of Blade:



I'm not exactly certain I found all of Sherry's books. Take a look at her Amazon page to discover more.