Book Review - High Heels and Bicycle Wheels by Jane Linfoot

 

High Heels and Bicycle Wheels by Jane Linfoot

Published: 23rd October 2014 (Paperback)

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Pages: 306

Available in Paperback and on Kindle

Order from amazon here.

 

Blurb

Meet Bryony: she’s a fun-loving, very single TV production assistant whose idea of sport is the Jimmy Choo sales scrum.

Meet Jackson: Cycling’s bad boy superstar. Injured and out of a certain race this summer, without his training, he’s looking for another distraction…

Bryony’s facing a triple whammy – her last single friend just named the day, her mother’s offering to have her eggs frozen, and the guy she’s loved from afar, forever, has just got hitched. So she’s more than happy to accept the offer of a totally out of character but seriously steamy one night of no-strings fun. Especially when the guy in question is so attractive he even looks good in Lycra!

Jackson’s on the lookout for a new career but if the opportunity to work on TV means a fortnight with the most uptight woman in the world, he’d rather not bother. He never goes in for seconds – and who in their right mind would head off in a campervan, with a woman who irons her knickers?

Add in a tandem (yes a tandem) and fast forward to double trouble for a summer neither of them will ever forget!

 

Review

 

I was kindly sent a copy of this to review by Jane after reading “The Right Side of Mr Wrong” back in July, which I adored. I have been saving this book to read for a while as I knew I was going to love it as Jane’s writing style is just brilliant. After a rough week I decided to pick this up and it has definitely put me in better mood.

In “High Heels and Bicycle Wheels” we meet Bryony Marshall, production assistant for the program “Sporting Chances” who featured briefly in Jane’s previous book as the sister of Brando Marshall. It was nice that she got her own story as I felt there was a lot more to Bryony than was mentioned previously.  She’s helped fix all her friends up with partners and even given brother Brando a nudge in the right direction with Shae. Now she’s feeling very single and determined to stay that way, until she finds her Mr Forever. Along comes Jackson Gale world famous cyclist intent on cleaning up his bad boy image. He’s taking part in a charity tandem bike race, filmed by bryony’s company. After his intended partner on the bike Annie is found throwing up Bryony has to step in and take her place. Initially thrown together in the tandem bike race these two have instant chemistry, which is obvious to everyone around. They meet later in the hotel and end up acting on the chemistry between them with the understanding it’s a one off. The sparks between them lead to a filming contract to tour Cornwall in a campervan filming scenic bike rides. Both are reluctant to revisit their one-night stand but as soon as the trip begins the chemistry between them is so hot that they can’t help giving in again, and again and again.

Through the narrative we get to experience both Bryony’s and Jackson’s feelings which I really enjoyed, it’s not often we get the male perspective in a chick lit novel and I think it really adds to the story. It’s obvious that Bryony and Jackson have fallen for each other big time but their histories and baggage make them both wary of commitment and unwilling to open up.  I’m glad they did eventually deal with these issues, Jackson probably more successfully than Bryony as it gave them a chance of a better future.

I absolutely loved this book; Jane has a real talent for writing some really hot and really believable chemistry between two people. I also loved the number of twists and turns in the plot, you want Bryony and Jackson to admit their feelings but something always seems to get in the way. I also found some scenes really funny, like Bryony ironing her knickers, I mean who does that really?

If you’re looking for a light-hearted read where the chemistry grows from tiny sparks to full on fireworks then this is the book for you. I loved it and hope it is not too long before we have another wonderful romance from Jane to devour.

Rating 5/5

 

Sunday Showcase #14

 

Showcase Sunday is a weekly event hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where book bloggers share what books they have added to their collection in the previous week. This week I've been fairly good not buying any new books I just added one to my collection and been sent one book for review

 

The Christmas Party by Carole Matthew - bought, had to buy this to add to the collection

Strange Girls and Ordinary Women by Morgan McCarthy - sent for review from bookbridgr, thank you

 

 

I have also been sent these two book to review from authors:

 

Hide and Seek by Amy Bird

 

Bride without a Groom by Amy Lynch

 

This week I have read:

A Special Delivery by Clare Dowling

A Christmas Hope by Anne Perry

High Heels and Bicycle Wheels by Jane Linfoot

Driving Home for Christmas by A L Micheal

Difficult Husbands by Mary de Laszlo - three chapters

 

On the blog this week:

Monday Review - Six Stories and An Essay by Andrea Levy 3/5

Tuesday Top Ten Tuesday - Series I Want To Read

Wednesday Review - A Special Delivery by Clare Dowling 5/5

Thursday Release Day Round Up #8

Release Day Round-Up #8

This week there are some super books published, including some from a few of my favourite authors. So here is my pick for this week:

 

The Christmas Party by Carole Matthews

Published: 23rd October 2014

Publisher: Sphere

Pages: 416

Available in Paperback and on Kindle

Order from Amazon now

 

Louise Young is a devoted single mother whose only priority is providing for her daughter, Mia. Louise has a good job in a huge international corporation and she's grateful for it. The only problem is her boss who can't keep his hands to himself, but Louise can handle him. What she really doesn't have time for is romance - until she meets the company's rising star, Josh Wallace.

Louise usually says no to evenings out but she's decided to let her hair down tonight. It's the office Christmas party, she has a pretty dress to wear and she's looking forward to some champagne and fun. She's completely unaware that others around her are too busy playing dangerous games to enjoy the party - until she's pulled into those games herself . . .

 

Who is not waiting to read this book? I pre-ordered mine ages ago and the little beauty popped through my letterbox this morning, going to save it for nearer Christmas so look out for a review in December.

 

 

A Special Delivery by Clare Dowling

Published: 23rd October 2014

Publisher: Headline Review

Pages: 389

Available on kindle and in Paperback

Pre-Order a copy from Amazon here

 

Aisling Brady is miserable. So is her husband Mossy. The three kids are too. Yet nobody dares say a thing. Instead, the Bradys keep their heads down and grimly look forward to another miserable Christmas in Dublin. What Aisling doesn't know is that - this year - they will get the most unexpected gift of all. One that will bring joy and heartbreak, hope and a string of sleepless nights. As their world is turned upside down, questions have to be asked. But are the Bradys ready to face the truth about themselves? And what each of them has done?

 

I'm a huge Clare Dowling fan and was super excited to receive a copy to review from Headline Review. I loved this book, its was full of the drams and twists you expect in a Clare Dowling novel. To see my full review of this book click here.

 

 

From Notting Hill with Four Weddings...Actually by Ali McNamara

Published: 23rd October 2014

Publisher: Sphere

Pages: 448

Available in Paperback and on Kindle

Order now from Amazon

 

Set in the world of all your favorite rom-coms, a gorgeously romantic new novel by the author of "From Notting Hill with Love . . . Actually" Movie addict Scarlett O'Brien is finally living the jet-setting life she's dreamed of, but it all hangs by a shiny, golden thread. Flying between London and New York, running two businesses, and planning her wedding to handsome fiance Sean along with her best friends Oscar and Maddie--life couldn't be better. Then Scarlett meets paparazzi darling Gabriella Romero, and life suddenly becomes even more extravagant and glamourous. But as she begins to experience the other side of being rich and famous, it's not only Scarlett's perfect wedding that's put in jeopardy, but her whole world

 

I've not read the Notting Hill series yet but it looks like something I would love, its a series I'm hoping to read next year.

 

 

Love Me or Leave Me by Claudia Carroll

Published: 23rd October 2014

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 400

Available in Paperback or on Kindle

Order now from Amazon

 

‘Welcome to the Hope Street Hotel – where you check in married, and check out single.’
Two years ago Chloe Townsend was dumped at the altar and had to leave behind everything that mattered to her. Even now she’s finding it hard to move forward. That is until she lands an incredible job, running a brand new boutique hotel. Suddenly she’s starting to put her life back together, and, apart from the fact that her hard-to-please new boss is breathing down her neck, things are looking good.
But what goes on in the Hope Street Hotel is a far cry from anything she’s ever dealt with before. This is a pioneering ‘divorce hotel’ designed to make every aspect of breaking up efficient and pain-free. In one single weekend, Chloe’s team promises to take care of everything – legal, technical, emotional – and guests check out carefree and single.
No one is better qualified than Chloe to understand what couples need when their relationship is at breaking point, but she soon finds herself having to tackle the heartbreak she’s tried to bury. In particular three couples need her help – Jo and Dave, Lucy and Andrew, and Kirk and Dawn – and the opening weekend is full of revelation, trouble, memories happy and sad, facts that need facing, and some very big surprises.
It’s time to move on. And it soon becomes clear that some endings are, in fact, very exciting new beginnings …

 

This book looks like one that I will love, I'm hoping to pick up a copy real soon. So that's my picks for this week, what have you got your eye on this week?

 

Book Review - A Special Delivery by Clare Dowling

 

A Special Delivery by Clare Dowling

Published: 23rd October 2014

Publisher: Headline Review

Pages: 389

Available on kindle and in Paperback

Pre-Order a copy from Amazon here

 

Blurb

Every family has its ups and downs ...

Aisling Brady is miserable. So is her husband Mossy. The three kids are too. Yet nobody dares say a thing. Instead the Bradys keep their heads down and grimly look forward to another miserable Christmas in Dublin.

What Aisling doesn't know is that this year, they will get the most unexpected gift of all. One that will bring joy and heartbreak, hope and a string of sleepless nights.

As their world is turned upside down, questions have to be asked. But are the Bradys ready to face the truth about themselves? And what each of them has done?

 

Review

 

On the outside the Brady family looks like any other ordinary family about to celebrate Christmas, however on the inside this family is miserable.  Mother Aisling is at breaking point trying to hold everything together.  Two days before Christmas and the family are dreading another day spent trying to pretend everything is normal, son Anto and his dad are at each other’s throats and to top it all the dodgy collection of outdoor lighting has blown a fuse and left the family with no electricity.    In bursts daughter Louise with a baby she found in the crib in their nativity scene.  As the family begins to piece together who the baby is and where he came from things begin to change in the Brady household and one thing is certain, things will never be the same again.

I love Clare Dowling novels and this one is no exception, she has a real talent for creating heart-warming family dramas which draw you in and keep you wanting more.  In A Special Delivery she has created a family which represents a normal family dealing with issues some families will face, although maybe not all at the same time.  Although the Brady’s are unhappy there is still some sense of togetherness and the arrival of grandson Darren draws them closer than they’ve been for years.

I really felt for Aisling she’s trying so hard to cling to the family she loves even though deep down she knows some members need to be left on their own. As the book unfolds she has to face more and more drama and I’m glad she was tough enough to stand her ground. My favourite character in the book was Anto which surprised me as I don’t generally relate to teenage boys. I really liked the way he changed from a sulky lazy teenage boy to a one which was driven and had direction. I also liked the way he played with Darren and tried to teach him to crawl, so cute.

This is a novel about families which deals with a number of problems drug abuse, unwanted teenage pregnancies, post-traumatic stress disorder, sibling rivalry and growing up and taking responsibility.  It is a book full of twists and turns and will keep you guessing all the way through. The twist at the end totally shocked me and had me going “No!”

I really enjoyed this book and it’s made me realise how much I’ve missed reading Clare’s books, definitely time to pick up some more I think. Fans of Clare Dowling will love this, its jam packed with family drama and makes a brilliant read.

 

I would like to thank bookbridgr and Headline Review for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating 5/5

 

 

Top Ten Tuesday - Series I Want To Read

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's list is new series' I want to start reading, this was quite hard as I tend to prefer to read standalone novels, but here is what I came up with:


1. The Notting Hill Series by Ali McNamara
With the release of book three From Notting Hill with Four Weddings Actually on Thursday I think its time to start this series.


2. I Heart Series by Lindsey Kelk
This series has been out for a few years but is probably the one I'm most looking forward to starting.


3. Monument 14 Trilogy by Emmy Laybourne
This is not something I would normally pick up as post-apocalyptic novels are not my thing but this kind of reminds me of a television show I watched years ago called The Tribe, so I'd be interested to see if it was similar to the program I remember.


4. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
I've been unsure about this series for months, I love the covers and love the idea of fairy-tale retellings but I'm not sure about reading about cyborgs.


5. Beautiful series by Jamie McGuire
I'm intrigued by this series, it looks to have an interesting premise and I'd like to see how it develops.


6. The Selection series by Kiera Class
I love the covers on these books, stunning dresses, I like the idea of this and have read a sample on my kindle which I quite enjoyed so finishing the series would be good.

7. Collide series by Gail McHugh
I just love the sound of this one, definitely one I want to start soon.

8. Snow Crystal Triology by Sarah Morgan
This sounds like the perfect Christmas trilogy so may start this as part of my Christmas reading this year

9. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
I've seen a couple of episodes of this and really enjoyed it, so I'd like to read the books that the series was based on.

10. The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
The first book in this series is released next month and I think it looks amazing, I can't wait to get hold of a copy of this book.

So that is my list,  I'd love some recommendations for a great historical fictions series or a great crime series as I'd  like to read more of these genres over the next few months, so if you've read any good ones I'd  love to know

Book Review - Six Stories and An Essay by Andrea Levy

 

Six Stories and An Essay by Andrea Levy

Published: 23rd October 2014

Publisher: Tinder Press

Pages: 127

Available on Kindle and in Hardback

Pre-Order a copy from Amazon

 

Blurb

Andrea Levy, author of the Man Booker shortlisted novel THE LONG SONG and the prize-winning, million-copy bestseller SMALL ISLAND, draws together a remarkable collection of short stories from across her writing career, which began twenty years ago with the publication of her first novel, the semi-autobiographical EVERY LIGHT IN THE HOUSE BURNIN'.

"None of my books is just about race," Levy has said. "They're about people and history." Her novels have triumphantly given voice to the people and stories that might have slipped through the cracks in history. From Jamaican slave society in the nineteenth century, through post-war immigration into Britain, to the children of migrants growing up in '60s London, her books are acclaimed for skilful storytelling and vivid characters. And her unique voice, unflinching but filled with humour, compassion and wisdom, has made her one of the most significant and exciting contemporary authors.

This collection opens with an essay about how writing has helped Andrea Levy to explore and understand her heritage. She explains the context of each piece within the chronology of her career and finishes with a new story, written to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War in 1914. As with her novels, these stories are at once moving and honest, deft and humane, filled with insight, anger at injustice and her trademark lightness of touch.

 

Review

This is not normally the type of book that I would read; I much prefer longer books where you really get to know the characters. However I have been interested in reading something by Andrea Levy for some time, so this seemed the ideal book to try.

I really enjoyed Andrea Levy’s writing style its light and flows really well, the stories were written in such a way that you could imagine her telling you the story herself. I was a little frustrated that as soon as the stories began they were over and we didn’t get chance to find out much about the characters and their situations.  Each story did have a point to make and I liked that, maybe if they had been longer the reasons behind them would have been lost. The stories were moving and humorous, my favourite story was “That Polite Way That English People Have” The essay at the beginning gave an interesting insight into Andrea’s life in 1960s London and her reasons for beginning to write.

I would recommend this book if you are a fan of Andrea Levy’s work or who want to have a taster before you read one of her longer novels.  For me it was lacking in the character development which comes with longer stories but I did find the writing style enjoyable so will probably read one of her longer works in the future.

Thank you to Georgina at Headline for sending me a copy to review. I rate this book 3/5

 

Sunday Showcase #13

 

Showcase Sunday is a weekly event hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea where book bloggers share what books they have added to their collection in the previous week. This week I've been full of cold so I've managed to get through quite a few books. I've also being on Netgalley again, that site is so addictive to a book blogger. So here is what has been added to my tbr pile this week:

 

 

These two books I received from publishers

 

The List by Joanna Bolouri sent from Quercus as part of a blog tour in November

The Winter Gathering by Deirdre Purcell sent from Frances at Headline for review as part of bookbridgr

 

Here is what has been added to my kindle through Netgalley:

 

 

Difficult Husbands by Mary de Laszlo published by Bookouture

Coming Home to You by Liesel Schmidt published by Carina UK

Driving Home for Christmas by A. L. Michael published by Carina UK

The Great Christmas Knit Off by Alexandra Brown published by Harper Collins

Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell published by Headline Review

 

I am BEYOND excite to have been approved to read the books by Alexandra Brown and Jill Mansell, I love their writing so much!

 

I've read quite a few books this week:

Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake by Sue Watson

Christmas at the Gingerbread Café by Rebecca Raisin

Chocolate Dreams at the Gingerbread Café by Rebecca Raisin

Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Café by Rebecca Raisin

Six Stories and An Essay by Andrea Levy

A Special Delivery by Clare Dowling - on chapter 12

 

This week on my blog:

Monday - Review A Christmas to Remember by Jenny Hale 5/5

Wednesday - Review Christmas at the Gingerbread Café by Rebecca Raisin 5/5

Wednesday - Review Chocolate Dreams at the Gingerbread Café by Rebecca Raisin 5/5

Thursday - Release Day Round Up #7

Friday - Review Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake by Sue Watson 5/5

Saturday - Review Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Café by Rebecca Raisin 5/5

 

I've read and reviewed some amazing books this week, its impossible to pick a favourite but if your looking for a Christmassy read then pick one of these.