TLC Book Tours Book Review: The Sweet Life

About The Sweet Life

• Print Length: 225 pages
• Publisher: Lyrical Press (September 19, 2017)

In Italy, the best attractions are always off the beaten path . . .

Mamie Weber doesn’t know why she survived that terrible car accident five years ago. Physically, she has only a slight reminder—but emotionally, the pain is still fresh. Deep down she knows her husband would have wanted her to embrace life again. Now she has an opportunity to do just that, spending two weeks in Tuscany reviewing a tour company for her employer’s popular travel guide series. The warmth of the sun, the centuries-old art, a villa on the Umbrian border—it could be just the adventure she needs.

But with adventure comes the unexpected . . . like discovering that her entire tour group is made up of aging ex-hippies reminiscing about their Woodstock days. Or finding herself drawn to the guide, Julian, who is secretly haunted by a tragedy of his own, and seems to disapprove any time she tries something remotely risky—like an impromptu scooter ride with a local man.

As they explore the hilltop towns of Tuscany, Mamie knows that when this blissful excursion is over, she’ll have to return to reality. But when you let yourself wander, life can take some interesting detours . . .

“Struth has a gift for layering stories within stories while keeping them all connected.”—Library Journal

“The plot is refreshing and will definitely keep the reader turning page after page.”—Fresh Fiction, SHARE THE MOON

“Sharon Struth writes a good story about love and loss. She knows her characters and has a path she wants them to take.”—Eye on Romance

Purchase Links

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Review: This was a sweet book. Mamie is joining a group of people that went to Woodstock on a trip to Tuscany. She lost her husband and daughter 5 years previously and has pretty much given up on living.

This trip is giving her a chance to start living again. On the trip she meets handsome tour director, Julian who has his own issues.

This is wonderful story of second chances at life and at love with some secrets tossed in for good measure.

Both Mamie and Julian have had some pretty horrific things happen to them in their recent past, and for Julian even back to his youth.

They both need to start living again in different ways and they need to come to terms with the past. For Mamie, it is embracing new challenging things, that are sometimes a bit dangerous.  Julian is the exact opposite. He's had enough danger. He wants to put his past behind him

Mamie is taking the trip to Tuscany in place of her uncle. Therein starts the drama, as the tour group wasn't informed of the switch.

This is where Julian starts his change too. By allowing Mamie on the tour, he is starting to take risks again, just as Mamie is by simply being there. It also begins a rather unlikely and sweet romance.

Sharon doesn't make the romance the be all and end all of the story, though it is definitely an important part of what's happening between the two characters. Its the backdrop of Italy and group of aging hippies that all went to Woodstock that are taking the tour that really bring this story to life.

There is one scene where the tour bus stops for the group to take photos of a field of sunflowers. It is something that you can visualize perfectly and when you do, you desperately want to be there.

Sharon makes both Mamie and Julian characters that need something the other has to offer and when they start to come together you see that they really complete each other and you know they have to find a way to be together.

This is a simply beautiful story.

Rating: 5 flowers

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Book Review: Wicked Whispers

Author: Tina Donahue
Title: Wicked Whispers
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Publish Date: May 24, 2016
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: Follow the heart through darkness . . . As the Inquisition gains force, even the faintest rumor can brand one a heretic. In this world it is Sancha's gift--or curse--to be blessed with the gift of healing. But the villagers are in need of her arts more than ever, and she feels it is her duty to help them at the risk of losing her life. And at the sacrifice of her heart . . .

Enrique has never wanted a woman as he does Sancha. Determined to have her love, he woos her with exquisite passion, giving her refuge to pursue her healing in secret. But their very desire and escape from the ruthless forces of the world may be their undoing. And together, they must pit themselves against a jealous rival and archaic tradition to secure their place in a hopeful new dawn . . .

Review: First I have to comment on the cover. It is absolutely gorgeous. This was an absolutely great read. It is the second in a series, but I didn't feel lost at all while reading it, which is good. However this story is so much a continuation of the first book that it would probably be a good idea to read Loving Lies, so that you could fully get to know all the characters. (Again, it isn't necessary, but I think that reading the first book might have made the book a bit more enjoyable for me)

Sancha is really an amazing character. She's a super strong woman for her time period. She is a healer which can cause problems in the time period this book is set in. You know witch craft has to be mentioned as well as the Inquisition. I wish more of this book dealt with her healing and less with her relationship with Enrique. There wasn't enough conflict between those two, because their relationship was almost established going in, so the sex felt like sex for the sake of writing a sex scene. Mind you, those sex scenes were scorchers, but they didn't carry the story or the relationship between Sancha and Enrique anywhere, they were just sex scenes, and a lot of them. (For me, I could have done without some of the sex)

From the start of the story you know who your villain is and she is just about as nasty as can be. Without giving anything away, I will say that she gets what she deserves in the end.

This book is a wonderful mixture of history and sexy romance. I loved Enrique and how he wooed Sancha. If you are looking for something different in your historical romance this is a great book to start with.

Rating: 5 flowers

Tasty Book Tours Book Review: Her One True Love

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HER ONE TRUE LOVE

Rachel Brimble

Released March 15th, 2016

Lyrical Press

She Can't Forget Him…

Jane Charlotte Danes has loved the squire of her idyllic country town for as long as she can remember. He is good, kind, and alluring beyond words… and he chose to marry another. Tired of dwelling on her futile longings, Jane plans a move to Bath, where she dreams of a new beginning. But the man who has so imprisoned her heart is only a few steps behind…

He Can't Let Her Go…

Until now, Matthew Cleaves has endeavored to meet the responsibilities of his position with dignity and good spirits--including his dutiful marriage. But when his wife leaves him for another man, Matthew is at last free to pursue his one true love. Only one vital question remains: will the captivating, stubborn, beautiful Jane allow him the challenge, and the pleasure, of winning her back?...

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I've read a lot of books by Rachel Brimble, especially her books for Harlequin Superromance. She writes smart books. That smart quality extends to her historical romances too. This isn't your typical historical romance, because Matthew is trying to win her after his wife leaves him. In fact, his relationship status doesn't change through much of the book.  Definitely not what you'd see in your usual Victorian romance. I like that, because things always need shaking up when it comes to romance.

Jane is a very headstrong character. She's smart and she knows what she wants. I'm actually surprised that when it came to Matthew she didn't go after him from the start and for a woman that thinks for herself that she worried about convention.

She moves to Bath to be a sort of social worker, helping needy children. I liked that she was socially aware, but even when it came to getting her job, things came without much of a struggle and even the woman that runs the boarding house seems to take to her fairly quickly

I felt sorry for Matthew, who was really between a rock and a hard place. I wish there would have been a little more drama with Elizabeth to be more convincing. Elizabeth gave in too quickly for my liking.

I enjoyed this book a great deal, but it would have been better if there were a little more conflict.

If you are looking for something different plot wise, this is definitely a book to give a try. I recommend Rachel Brimble's books highly and this one definitely!

Rating: 4 flowers

Rachel lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. Since 2013, she has had five books published by Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and three Victorian romances by eKensington/Lyrical.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think You Can Write 2014 contest. 

When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Book Review: Starry Knight

Author: Nina Mason
Title: Starry Knight
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Publish Date: Aug 4, 2015
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

Can these star-crossed lovers bridge two worlds?

British aristocrat Vanessa Bentley has beauty, fame, and fortune, but she gets no respect for her decision to become a paranormal investigator. Determined to prove the naysayers wrong, Vanessa ventures to the misty moors of Caithness, Scotland. There stands the immense Castle Barrogill, where a vampire is rumored to be stalking the dungeons—a vampire Vanessa is determined to find. She'll just have to get past the resident shape-shifter…

Callum Lyon is the gorgeous reclusive astrologer and faery knight who guards the castle. For free-spirited Vanessa, seducing him proves to be easy. After all, he was once a breeding drone to a Queen. But astrologically, their differences are harder to overcome. Will Vanessa's mission—and Callum's secrets—be more than their burgeoning love can take? Or will flesh—and blood—win over the ghosts that haunt them both? …

Review: I was looking for a paranormal romance because it had been a long time since I ventured into this genre. I wish I could say I was a little more excited by it. Also, it offended the Doctor Who fan in me. The show has been around for over 50 years. If you are going to reference it in a book, do so properly and not as Dr. Who. The show is called Doctor Who. Now that the Whovian in me has had my say, let me get on to my feelings for the book.

It was ok. There's a lot of sex going on here, and I can say that Nina Mason knows how to write a hot sex scene. You'll be heading for a shower when you finish this one, a cold one, because those parts of the book are so hot.

It is a shame I had a hard time liking both of the main characters. I understand trying to sound like the era and the area that the character comes from but if Callum said "Oh aye!" I think I might hurl my kindle against the wall.

Vanessa on the other hand was too much of the strong woman. She didn't believe in love or want to marry. Gee you can't be involved and still be a strong independent woman? Bah.

The rest of the plot seemed a bit too much like all other vampire novels, and that disappointed me, because the synopsis made everything look so exciting. I thought there would be something exciting going on with Vanessa's career as a paranormal investigator, but  that didn't really happen, or at least it didn't for me.

The events at the end actually were the best part, because it seemed to set up what was coming in the next novels, and this book would have been more enjoyable if there were more action than sexual action.

I think some people will love this book, but for me it just didn't work.

Rating: 3 flowers

CBLS Book Review: Devil's Mountain

Devil's Mountain (Devlin Legacy #1)
by Bernadette Walsh
Published by Lyrical Press
Paranormal/Fantasy Romance (Horror)
Heat Level: Steamy

AVAILABLE AT

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http://www.amazon.com/Devils-Mountain-Devlin-Legacy-ebook/dp/B008BGICYG

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http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/devils-mountain-bernadette-walsh/1109558411

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http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/devils-mountain/id535770891?mt=11

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Blurb: You will hate Him for all that he's taken, but you will love Him. God help you, you will love Him. Mary Devlin accepted her fate years ago, to serve Slanaitheoir, the mountain spirit who saved her ancestors from the Irish Famine. The hauntingly beautiful woman submitted to His every caress, His every humiliation, but He’s gone too far by threatening her family. Mary’s daughter-in-law is now an unwitting pawn in the fickle spirit’s game. Mary must challenge her fate and that of all future Devlin women, but Slanaitheoir is the most powerful being in the land. And when part of her still yearns for His touch and love, how can she fight him and win?

Review: I've read two of Bernadette Walsh's other books and loved them. However both of them fell into the Women's Fiction category, so I wasn't sure what to make of Devil's Mountain when I saw it was a paranormal.

I'm glad I gave it a shot!

Bernadette does a great job with creating characters that stick with you. Plus it has those great paranormal elements, witches and an evil spirit.

The story in an interweaving of two stories, Bobby and his wife Caroline and his mother Mary and Slanaitheoir a rather randy spirit. The whole story around the Slanaiteoir is really intriguing, and I hope we learn more about this Devil in the books to come.

I like how Bernadette makes you change your perception of Mary from the first time you meet her at the rehearsal dinner til the end of the story. It's Mary's story and back story that I liked the most over Caroline's.

I absolutely loved this story. Bernadette can really write in any genre. My only gripe is that the story was only 119 pages long! I want more!

Rating: 5 flowers

AUTHOR BIO Bernadette Walsh has been writing contemporary and paranormal romance for four years. She has published three novels to date (The House on Prospect (Echelon Press) and Gold Coast Wives (Lyrical Press)) and the first book of her paranormal trilogy, Devil’s Mountain -- Book One of the Devlin Legacy. While Bernadette has hopped around genres, all of her books to date have a common theme: strong women handling what life throws at them the best way they can.  

Website: http://bernadettewalsh.com

Twitter: @BWalshWriter

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bernadette-Walsh-Author/196567653686807

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5321197.Bernadette_Walsh

 

Interview: 



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Tour Schedule: http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/09/scheduled-vbt-devils-mountain-devlin.html
 
Sept 17: Harlie's Books (Review)
Sept 18: Storm Goddess Book Reviews & More (Review)
Sept 18: Turning The Pages (Review)
Sept 20: The Bunny's Review (Review)
Sept 20: Sandra's Blog
Sept 24: Natalie Nicole Bates
Sept 25: Aspired Writer (Review)
Sept 27: My Reading Obsession (Review)
Sept 27: SnifferWalk (Review)
Sept 28: A Chick Who Reads (Review)

Reading Addiction Blog Tours Book Review & Excerpt: Gold Coast Wives

Author:Bernadette Walsh
Title: Gold Coast Wives
Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc
Publish Date:Nov 2011
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Reading Addiction Blog Tours and the author
Book Blurb:Three skinny socialites should be a pushover after the rough and tumble world of Wall Street. Right?

Kate Ryan may be au fait with making high-powered legal decisions, but she's about to submit to the rules of reality TV, where nothing is what it seems. Who'd have thought a few days with the cameras rolling for a low-rent cable show would be so challenging, or that the claws of a former homecoming queen, a washed-up soap star and a whiny cat-lover would be so sharp?

Author Bio

I have always been a bookworm and had always meant to write a novel “someday.” You know, when I won the lottery and could live in beach house and look out onto the water and feel inspired. Four years ago I decided to stop waiting for my winning lottery ticket and sat down and started writing in between work and family obligations. I piled the words on top of each other until they formed sentences, paragraphs, chapters and eventually a book.  The House on Prospect is my second novel. My first, a contemporary romance,Gold Coast Wives, was published in November 2011. The first book of my paranormal trilogy, Devil’s Mountain -- Book One of the Devlin Legacy, is due to be published in June 2012. While I’ve hopped around genres, all of my books to date have a common theme: strong women handling what life throws at them the best way they can.

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter:  @BWalshWrite
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Highlight: At the jewelry launch party I sat next to Annabella, sharing her enormous plate of fried calamari and chatting about her recent divorce. She assured me that the brave new world of online dating was a treasure trove of men who couldn’t wait to meet overweight forty- somethings like us. Sure, some of them had prison records, but who wasn’t entitled to a mistake or two? Annabella’s owl earrings shook with optimism as she offered to set me up on a double date with her most recent felon’s--oh, I’m sorry, boyfriend’s--brother. I was noncommittal as I continued to inhale the calamari.

“If it isn’t my favorite lawyer!”

“Paul,” I said, turning around to face him. “What are you doing here?”

“And it’s nice to see you too, Ms. Ryan.”

Annabella winked at me and made a hasty retreat to the raw bar serving station. Behind Paul’s back, she gave me a thumbs up. Way to stay classy, Annabella. Paul was kind of cute with his deep brown eyes and crooked smile. If my husband’sabsence became permanent, Paul wouldn’t be a bad transition man. He’d certainly be more acceptable and less scary than Annabella’s ex-cons.

Review: Gold Coast Wives is like a snap shot of those "Real Housewives" reality shows. I'd never watch them, but I had to read the book.

Why?

After reading Bernadette's A House On Prospect, I was interested in seeing.

She writes Gold Coast Wives just the way you'd expect this kind of reality show to play out. There's petty bickering, jealousy and backstabbing. None of it is Kate though. She's getting the bad end of the stick in this case.

If I had to put up with some of the things she had to for the show, I would have broken my contract and left! But that's what makes the book so fun! It almost makes me wish it were a show, so I could watch it! Actually, it could be a sitcom about a reality show!

This is the perfect beach read! Light, fluffy and fun! Bernadette Walsh is officially one of my new favorite authors! Pull up a chair and a fruity drink and this is a recipe for a great afternoon!

Rating: 5 flowers

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Book Lovin Bitches Book Tour & Review: Nether

Author: Jason Beymer
Title: Nether
Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc
Publish Date: May 15, 2011
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and the author
Book Blurb: One suburban night. One stubborn corpse. One golden opportunity.
Burklin had it all: a spacious two-story house, a shapeshifting wife, a wide open future. That is, until his father ripped out his soul and trapped it inside an opinionated dachshund. Now he's lost everything, leaving him a slave on mop-up duty for a homicidal teenage demon. His father is sleeping with his ex, the possessed dachshund won't stop talking, and the cleanup jobs keep getting messier. Burklin would give anything to have his life back--even if it means turning against his manipulative father and destroying their chance of winning the Nether's Demon Lord Sweepstakes.

Opportunity knocks with a dead woman's hand. When the demon's latest victim won't stay dead, the rules of life and death change. Freedom lies within Burklin's reach, but to get it he'll have to defy his father, the ex-wife he still loves, and the Nether itself.

Just how far is he willing to go?

Review: Wow is about the only word I can use to describe this book. The plot is a bunch of crazy fun. The characters are a rag tag bunch, with my favorite actually being Pearl the dachshund. I keep thinking what if my dog surfed the internet for doggie porn when I wasn't around!!

OK, then that made me think, "Is there really doggie porn?"

For the most part you have to feel sorry for Burklin. Nothing really seems to go his way, but that's ok, cos the bad stuff is kind of funny.

I think the best way to describe the book might be...a man's paranormal version of Stephanie Plum.

I was really surprised at how much I liked this book in the end. For me the first part of the story seemed to be a bit slow, because there was a lot going on, but in the end everything came together in a good way.

I can't wait to see what Jason will give us next!

Rating: 4 flowers

Book Review: Ordinary Angels

Author: India Drummond
Title: Ordinary Angels
Publisher:  Lyrical Press
Publish Date: April 3, 2011
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: The author
Book Blurb: An angel is about to fall…

Although most of Zoe Pendergraft's friends are dead, that means nothing to her. After all, they died long before she met them. What does matter is the angel who took her dancing and turned her world upside down.

But grim reality intrudes when she finds a body, and the Higher Angels accuse her of the murder.

Knowing she's the only one who can stand against the Higher Angels, Zoe uses any means necessary to save her friend…all the while, wondering if the tempestuous love she's feeling is real.

The blood on her hands forces Zoe to question herself, and her angel to question her.

Review: Ordinary Angels is a rare and wonderful thing. It is a mixture of several genres, paranormal, romance and mystery.

India Drummond creates a world of Angels and Spirits that everyone will want to be part of. Zoe is one of those characters that will win over hearts. She's quirky and funny. At times she reminds me of Stephanie Plum at her best, but the trouble she finds is a little more exciting.

The rest of the cast of characters are just as interesting, from the angels to the spirits. I particularly loved Henry and her Gran.

The Angels in Ordinary Angels aren't your typical celestial beings. These Angels aren't from Heaven, but they do watch over humanity and try to make sure that the things are supposed to happen happen when they are supposed to.

In this story the worlds collide thanks to one Angel messing with the human's timeline. The end results are really funny, suspenseful and just all around fun.

Everything flowed nicely and I really liked how the story kept me on my toes. Nothing about the story gave the reader any clues about the ending, so that was a surprise and one that thrilled me. I hate being able to guess the ending 50 pages in.

If you are looking for a fun book to read, that has a little bit of everything. This is definitely your book.

Rating: 5 flowers