On Tour: I Know You're There by Susan Allison-Dean - Review + Excerpt + Giveaway

Susan Allison-Dean is now on tour with CLP Book Tours with her book, I Know You're There. Please visit her tour page for more blog stops.

I Know You're There
by Susan Allison-Dean

Genre: Chick Lit
Publication: October 2013
Source: ARC, CLP Blog Tours
Connect: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads | Blog
Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Jill Bradley is a twenty-four-year-old nurse whose life is going great; she has established herself in her new career and she’s looking forward to getting engaged to her high school sweetheart. But faced with a watershed moment, she has to deal with simultaneous family tragedy, injury, and betrayal, and feels it’s way too much to cope with. In a moment of despair, Jill books a trip to a Caribbean island in an effort to escape. While she finds respite and romance, her problems have also packed their own suitcase.

Helen Bradley, Jill’s mother dedicated her entire life to her family like many mothers in the 1970’s and 80’s. Despite her best efforts, however, she hasn’t always been able to be the type of mother she wished she could be. She has a secret she was hoping would just go away, but it won’t. If she doesn’t share it with Jill it might bring her daughter more harm.

I Know You’re There is a mother-daughter journey, celebrating the highs and delving into the lows of family life. Can the power of love heal all things?

I received a copy of I Know You're There by Susan Allison-Dean from the author/CLP Blog Tours as part of the blog tour. 

Jill Bradley had a great life. She’s had her career as a nurse and looking forward to getting engaged to her high school sweetheart. Her life changed forever after one night working a double shift. She was involved in an accident that killed a couple traveling to the hospital to deliver their unborn child. The two parents are killed and the baby survived. 

At first, I felt like the book was a bit heavy with emotion as Jill faced with lots of difficulty and tragedies at the same time. She was involved in an accident and was about to lose her job and boyfriend.  Then she found out about the secret that her parents were keeping from her. At first, I thought that the story was going to feature the baby that survived in the car crash, but no. And I was a bit disappointed on how the author ended the mother, Helen’s point of view in the story. I wished that she had stayed with Jill until the end so that she can see how her daughter recover.

The second part of the book was a bit more fun. It felt like reading a different book with Jill as she escaped to the Caribbean island to start anew. I love some of the scenes in the island, especially when Jill went to explore the island. They were beautiful.I Know You're There was definitely a great mother-daughter read with bits of drama, tragedy, romance and other things.

Book Excerpt

It was a long day and I was looking forward to going home as we prepared our reports to give to the second shift in the nurse’s conference room.

“I need someone to stay for the evening shift; Barb called in sick.” Marie leaned on the door entryway, rubbed the back of her neck, as she broke the news in a tone deeper than usual. This was the third time this month Barb called in sick.

“Can’t nursing administration send us a float nurse?” Natasha moaned.

“No, the floats are already assigned.”

We each looked anywhere but at our nurse manager. We were all tired. Mrs. Swanson’s death, two new admissions from the ER, four fresh patients from the Operating Room, and one more coming, a fresh total hip replacement. It would be a busy evening monitoring all these new patients, getting to know them, getting them settled in. Not to mention the regular patients we had on what would now be a full unit. At least there would be no more patients to admit, but the evening would add visiting family members. Most of them required care and explanations sometimes more than the patients did.

The silence was unnerving. Marie just stood in the door, feet planted firmly, and waited for someone to volunteer. We knew she didn’t want to do it, but she had no choice. An inner voice warned me, “Let someone else do it,” but my mouth opened and the words came out, “OK, I’ll stay.”

Author Bio:

Sue Allison-Dean is a nurse who retired from traditional practice in 1999, after working 13 years as a Wound, Ostomy, Continence Clinical Nurse Specialist. She found a second career in gardening after working in a garden center and completing an organic gardening internship at Highgrove Garden in England. She now co-owns Naturescapes with her landscape designer husband, Robert. She has authored several clinical and horticulture articles and was a contributing author to the bestselling book, Touched By A Nurse. She is passionate about the sea and loves exploring tropical islands. She extends this passion by doing volunteer work benefitting dolphins and whales. Sue splits her time between Armonk, New York and Cary, North Carolina, with her husband and English bulldog, Bubba.

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Review: Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith

Saving Wishes (Wishes #1)
by G.J. Walker-Smith

Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Publication:  February 2013
Format: ebooks
Source: NetGalley
Connect: Facebook | Twitter 

For Charli Blake, being seventeen is a tough gig.

She's been branded a troublemaker, her reputation is in tatters and she's stuck in Pipers Cove, a speck of a town on the coast of Tasmania.

Thankfully, it's temporary. Her lifelong dream of travelling the world is just months away from becoming reality. All she has to do is ride out the last few months of high school, which is easier said than done thanks to a trio of mean girls known as The Beautifuls.

When Adam Décarie arrives in town, all the way from New York, life takes an unexpected turn. His arrival sets off a chain of events that alters her life forever, convincing her of one thing. Fate brought him to her.

Saving Wishes is the story of a girl who doesn't quite fit the life she's living, and the boy who helps her realise why.

Charlotte Blake or Charli was seventeen living in a small town of Pipers Cove in Tasmania. She and her best friend, Nicole planned to leave home and travel around the world after school end. But things started to change when Adam Décarie, a Parisienne live in New York, arrived in town to visit his cousin.

This was an enjoyable read. I love how it was written in Charli’s narrative. She can be funny at times. Adam was a really nice guy. He’s gorgeous and sweet. I love how he would sometimes speak French and Charli couldn’t understand it (even though Charlie took French at school). I love reading Charli’s interaction with other people, especially Adam, and Alex (her brother). She sounded real and alive.

Saving Wishes started off a bit slow, and picked up real quick. There were a few twists towards the end that caught me by surprise.  I really did not see it coming. G.J. Walker-Smith did a really great job at writing this book. I just couldn’t wait to read the second book when I reached the final page. I need to know about Charli’s journey to see the world, the La La Land and Adam. Definitely need more Adam. Saving Wishes is definitely a great heartwarming read.

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Just a Girl, Standing in Front of a Boy by Lucy-Anne Holmes

Just a Girl, Standing in Front of a Boy
by Lucy-Anne Holmes

Genre: Adult, Chick Lit, Romance, Humor
Publication:  January 2014
Format: ebooks
Source: Own
Connect: Twitter

'My love story may not be the sort you read about in books or see in films . . . Love stories have glorious highs and ghastly lows. But when it comes to my own life, I'd have to say, you can keep your fabulous highs and I'll happily steer clear of the terrible lows.'

After a rocky start in life, Jenny Taylor, 27, star receptionist at the local doctors surgery, has things all worked out thanks to 'The Smiling Fanny Manifesto' - a list of 10 daily things she must do to keep the blues at bay. But her life is turned upside down when she meets aspiring musician Joe King. And reliable boyfriend Matt proposes. And then her mum leaves her dad and moves into Jenny's flat determined to 'bond'.

Just a Girl, Standing in Front of a Boy will make you laugh and cry - and it will make you look at your own love story in a new way. Lucy-Anne Holmes is the bestselling author of 50 Ways to Find a Lover.

I truly enjoyed this book, Just a Girl, Standing in Front of a Boy. I love how Lucy-Anne Holmes wrote about her characters. She made me fell in love with the characters. I really like Jenny Taylor and her best friend, Philippa and their smiling manifesto. And Joe King! It was hard not to like him. Reading this book feels like riding on a roller coaster of emotion. It had its hilarious and heartbreaking moments. There may be little things that I didn’t like much, like how Lucy-Anne Holmes ties it up with Jenny, her mother and Joe King, but I still enjoy this book. It was a page turner. I would definitely recommend this to chic lit lovers.

Review: The Trouble with Lucy by L.J. Young

The Trouble with Lucy
by L.J. Young 

Genre: Chick Lit, Romance
Publication:  November 2012
Format: ebooks
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Lucy Lockhart had it all. A glamorous job, a successful boyfriend and a fabulous apartment. But when she's sent to recuperate at her parents' country house following a sudden illness, she meets dreamy, blue-eyed, Tom McGregor, and suddenly starts to realise what she's been missing.

Tom takes one look at city girl Lucy, and decides to avoid her at all costs. He's been hurt by girls like her before. But there's something about Lucy and as their paths continue to cross, he realises there's more to her than meets the eye.

Despite their deepening feelings, neither can imagine a future together. Lucy could never live in the country and Tom could never go back to the city. The very idea horrifies them both.

Their hearts however, have other plans.

An often hilarious, rural romance with lots of laid-back country charm, a rich cast of characters and a sizzling love affair between two opposites who are deeply attracted to each other

Lucy is staying with her parents in the country after having a fit. She arrives in Lillypilly, expecting that she is not going to enjoy this trip. But then she met Tom, a local farmer, after her car got stuck in mud and basically fall in love at the first sight. The trouble is that Lucy has a boyfriend in the city named Zip who just got a job in New York.

I didn't expect much when I start The Trouble with Lucy, but find that I really enjoy this book. It has the right amount of humor, romance and drama. Although... I do think that the alternating viewpoints between and Tom are a little bit confusing. But, The Trouble with Lucy is a fun, cute read. I read this one in one sitting. I love moments between Lucy and Tom. I wouldn’t say that this is a really great book, but I’m giving this one a four hearts because I really enjoy this one and it makes me smile. If you’re looking for a quick read with cute, light romance, you might enjoy The Trouble with Lucy.

Review: Princess Avenger by Bernadette Rowley

Princess Avenger
by Bernadette Rowley

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Publication:  October 2012
Format: ebooks
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Passionate and headstrong, Alecia is no ordinary princess. Angered by the cold-blooded murder of her first love, she sets out to avenge his death.

Army Captain Vard Anton, the epitome of masculine strength and grace, is dealing with some dark secrets of his own. When he is appointed Alecia's body-guard, both find it hard to ignore the chemistry between them.

With assassination attempts and the threat of an arranged marriage looming over her, Alecia realises her time is running out. But Alecia's biggest battle is the one within as she tries to suppress the raging desire she feels for the powerfully attractive Vard. Can Alecia resist Vard while trying to exact revenge and avoiding the lecherous attentions of her husband-to-be? Will the power of love and desire be enough to unite Alecia and Vard forever?

Though separated by class and palace intrigues, Alecia and Vard are entwined by desire in this wonderful fantasy romance.

I admitted that I choose to read this book because I was attracted towards the cover. It’s beautiful. And after I read the synopsis, I knew that I have to read this. Alecia sounded like a great kick-ass heroine.

I was hooked from the first few pages of the book.  I love how Alecia went out in disguise to avenge her lover. The first meeting between Alecia and Vard was very good.  I had a really good feeling about this book. But after a while, the story started to focus more on the romance between Alecia and Vard, and Alecia’s arranged marriage. This is when I got a bit disappointed. It’s not that I didn't like Vard. He seems like a good hero with a bit mystery of his own. It’s just that I was expecting to see a lot more of Alecia in ass kicking action.

And the ending kind of makes me wonder if there will be a sequel to this book. Because this book wasn’t supposed to end just like that. There were a lot questions need to be answered. I wanted to know what happened to Alecia and Vard after that. Overall, Princess Avenger is a good read with a lot of potential. I did enjoy this book, but, just not as much as I expect.

Review: Undertaking Love by Kat French

Undertaking Love
by Kat French

Genre: Adult, Chick Lit, Romance
Publication:  April 2013
Format: ebooks
Source: Netgalley
Connect: Twitter | Facebook

The moment love-phobic Marla Jacobs discovers that the shop next to her Little White Wedding Chapel is to become a funeral parlour, she declares all-out war.

Marla’s chapel in the sleepy Shropshire countryside has become a nation-wide sensation, but the arrival of Funeral Director Gabriel Ryan threatens everything Marla has worked for. She can picture the scene: wedding limos fighting for space in the street with hearses; brides bumping into widows; bouquets being swapped for wreaths

Marla’s not going down without a fight. She enlists a motley crew of weird and wonderful local supporters, and the battle lines are drawn. But, as soon as Marla meets her nemesis, she realises just how much trouble she’s really in. His gypsy curls and Irish lilt make her stomach fizz – how is she supposed to concentrate on destroying him, when half the time she’s struggling not to rip the shirt off his back?

I have to admit that I wanted to read Undertaking Love after I saw the cover. It was cute. And the summary! It sounded like this was going to be an interesting book, especially with Marla and her wedding chapel, and Gabriel with his funeral parlor.

Undertaking Love was written in several point of views, but it focused more on Marla and Gabe. Marla declared war against the funeral parlor next to her wedding chapel. She was sure that her business would go down when her client found out that there’s a funeral parlor next to her shop. When Marla met the Funeral Director, Gabriel Ryan, she wasn’t sure how her plan to put an end to the funeral parlor would go as smoothly, especially when Gabriel was looking so delicious and he was being really nice to her.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Undertaking Love. It was fun from the very beginning. I love how Marla planned to make Gabriel and his funeral parlor leave her town and how Gabriel slowly taken over the hearts of the local, and failing Marla’s plan. I think the story had a really good plot and pace. Kat French did a really good job building up the relationship between Marla and Gabriel. It wasn’t too quick or too slow.

Of course, Undertaking Love wouldn’t be as much fun without the secondary character, Emily and Tom, Ivan and Dora, Dan, Jonny, Rupert, Melanie and the others. Each and every character contributed something to make this book enjoyable. I definitely recommend Undertaking Love to those who love sweet romance read. There were lots of hilarious moments, romance and just the right amount of drama.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen

Her Royal Spyness (Her Royal Spyness Mysteries #1)
by Rhys Bowen

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Chick Lit, Romance
Publication:  July 2008
Format: ebooks
Source: Netgalley
Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook

INTRODUCING A FEISTY NEW HEROINE (JACQUELINE WINSPEAR) who's thirty-fourth in line for the throne and flat broke.

From the Agatha Award-winning author of the Molly Murphy and Constable Evan Evans mysteries!

Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, 34th in line for the throne, is flat broke. She?s bolted Scotland, her greedy brother, and her fish-faced betrothed for London. The place where she?ll experience freedom, learn life lessons aplenty, do a bit of spying for HRH?oh, and find a dead Frenchman in her tub. Now her new job is to clear her long family name.

Georgie is the 34th in line for the throne and she’s broke. She moved to London from Scotland after her brother stopped supporting her. Georgie lives alone without any servant, independently. Then halfway through the book, Georgie found a dead body in her bathtub. Georgie must figure out who committed the murder now that Georgie’s brother, Binky, has become the main suspect. But it wasn’t easy especially that Georgie found out that someone is trying to kill her. And that someone might be someone among her friends.

I’m so glad that I read Her Royal Spyness. It has been a while since I actually enjoyed reading a cozy mystery. The murder happened a bit later than the usual mystery I read, but that didn’t make the story less entertaining. I really enjoyed knowing Georgie in the first half of the book. I love how Georgie tried to support herself without her family’s help by setting up her own housekeeping service. The supporting character like her friend, Belinda makes the story more fun. Then, there’s Darcy O'Mara as a distraction. 

The mystery part was a bit predictable, but I do think that the author did a good job with writing the mystery. Her Royal Spyness is definitely a fun cozy mystery. I’m looking forward to read the next book.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.