Bookish Escapes
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Contact/Review Policy
  • Review Archive

BLOG TOUR - Book Review: Four Weddings & A Fiasco by Catherine Ferguson

6/28/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture

What They Say

The ebook bestseller is back with her next riotously funny read! Get your hands on the ONLY book you need this summer.
Katy Peacock lives a life as colourful as her name.
As a wedding photographer, she spends her days making other people smile as she captures all sorts of fun and capers at celebrations that range from the wacky to the wild.
But her own life isn’t looking quite so rosy. Her mum is acting out of character, her menacing ex is back on the scene, and she is torn between two gorgeous men. And that’s before we even get started on the trouble her sister is causing . . .
As Katy weathers the ups and downs of the season, she revisits problems from the past, discovers new friendships and finds that four weddings and a fiasco have the power to change her world beyond measure.
A funny, feel-good read, perfect for fans of Lucy Diamond and Jenny Colgan.

My Review

I love Catherine Ferguson - her debut novel Humbugs & Heartstrings was one of my absolute favourite reads a while ago, and while I haven't gotten around to her other two books, I know that they're there when I need my fix of Catherine again! Four Weddings And A Fiasco is Catherine's first foray into paperbacks (and well deserved it is, too, although I now want her other three in paperback, please, Avon) and it's thoroughly entertaining, as Katy Peacock lives quite the life.

The most ironic thing about Katy Peacock is that she actually lives quite a humdrum life when we meet her - she works, she sleeps, she worries about bills, and repeat, it's the things that have happened in her past that make it more colourful - she doesn't talk to her sister, Sienna, any more, and she has her ex Dominic on her back for money he lent her (it's true what they say - never lend money from a boyfriend/friend/family member, anyone) and it was kinda stressful seeing her try to juggle everything alone, with no one to rely on or lean on, although her best friend Mallory was awesome, I loved how posh but down to Earth she was. 

Four Weddings and a Fiasco does feature four weddings, as Katy is a wedding photographer and I absolutely loved the celebrity-infused first wedding between Andrea & Ron, especially Harry the fish finger, that was hilarious. But it was the chemistry between Katy and Gabe that got me excited. From the very moment she bashed into him climbing over her gate, on the way to the post office, there was a spark there and it was amazing to see it ignite. There was just something there right from the off and it was great to see them be snarky with each other, in the best possible way. 

I really enjoyed the book. It was a fun read, with a few serious bits thrown in for good measure, but it was never short of laughs and Katy was a brilliant, brilliant character. I loved her so much. Despite everything, she never crumbled, never took to her bed the way I would if I had all of that on my shoulders, and I respected the way she just pulled up her boots and got to work. Four Weddings and a Fiasco is the perfect summer read, and it's Catherine at her absolute best, she really is an amazing storyteller, I loved this book.
Buy the book from Amazon now!
0 Comments

BLOG TOUR - One Bride & A Bombshell by Catherine Ferguson

6/28/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture

Today is my turn on Catherine Ferguson's blog tour for her brilliant new book Four Weddings & A Fiasco, Catherine is one of my favourite authors and before I share my review in a little while, here is an exclusive extract from a short story about Katy Peacock, set before the novel is set. ENJOY!

ONE BRIDE AND A BOMBSHELL
 
13 - EPILOGUE
I saw Jonathan a few months later when I was home for another visit. He was coming out of Rosa’s coffee shop in the village with a pretty, brown-haired girl and they were laughing about something. He looked really happy and I was glad.
He saw me and turned, recognition flashing in his eyes.
We smiled in a sort of conspiratorial way and he winked, and that’s when I knew beyond any doubt that I’d done the right thing that day.
I felt surprisingly philosophical about the total farce that was my ‘trial’.
I reasoned that Camilla would have sacked me soon enough anyway. Because I could never have kept up the charade of being super-humble and subservient. It’s just not in my nature.
Sienna asked me if I’d changed my mind about becoming a wedding photographer.
I laughed. But then I thought about it, and I realised that actually, the opposite was true.
I wanted it more than ever.
Sure, the day with Camilla had been a shambles. But I’d not only survived it, I’d managed to save the day – for Jonathan, at any rate. And that experience had given me a confidence in myself and my decisions that I sensed would take me far in the business world.
‘Watch this space,’ I told Sienna with a smile. ‘Just watch this space . . . ‘
0 Comments

Book Review: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

6/24/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture

What They Say

Amy Curry's year sucks. And it's not getting any better. Her mother has decided to move, so somehow Amy has to get their car from California to the East Coast. There's just one problem: since her father's death Amy hasn't been able to get behind the wheel of a car. Enter Roger, the son of a family friend, who turns out to be funny, nice . . . and unexpectedly cute. 

But Roger's plans involve a more "scenic" route than just driving from A to B, so suddenly Amy finds herself on the road trip of a lifetime. And, as she grows closer to Roger, Amy starts to realise that sometimes you have to get lost to find your way home. . .

My Review

I've been wanting to read Amy & Roger's Epic Detour for AGES. Probably since it was released in 2010 - yes, SIX YEARS. But for one reason or another, I've never gotten around to it (and, sadly, that can be attributed to many, many books I own/don't own/want to own etc). BUT, I got it from the library, with it's manic, insanely gorgeous pink cover (not the same as the one above) and I read it! Just like that. If only it was that easy for all the other books I own, eh?

I absolutely LOVE road trip books. I love the idea of heading to America, renting a car or camper van and just driving through every single state. It would be epic. So it's fair to say I was really looking forward to Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, especially since they discarded Amy's moms plans, and WENT ON A DETOUR. It took them on this amazing journey, especially poignant and powerful after what Amy went through, and the whole reason they're now moving to Connecticut, and it was nice to see her get away from all of that, and for Roger to drive without asking too many questions. Yes, everything Amy had gone through was always present, and at times made me tear up, but it also meant that she got to see some amazing sights and meet some amazing people on their trip, and forget about her worries if only for a little bit.

If I'm honest it took me a little bit to get into Amy & Roger's Epic Detour - Amy's so sad, and she and Roger barely know each other, but as the road trip continues and they make more detours, and end up in more crazy, amazing places, and they get to know each other better and all of a sudden I couldn't put it down. It just got under my skin, and soon I was just dying to get finished and also, at the same time, terrified to finish because HOW DO YOU END A ROAD TRIP BOOK WHEN THE TWO LIVE IN SEPARATE STATES? It's safe to say, I would like a sequel, please and thank you. 

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour turned into a fantastic read. All the different states were fabulous to visit, and I loved all the weird and wonderful characters we met - Bron, Drew, Walcott, Lucien. I also loved the scrapbook aspect, with pictures, notes, playlists incorporated into the book, it was such a special addition to the book. Matson is such an emotional writer, and what Amy went through really broke my heart, and brought tears to my eyes. The connection between Amy and Roger was magical, and a lot of what made this novel work. This was such a good book, and I can't believe I waited so long to read it, but it was so worth the wait and I can't wait to devour the rest of Morgan's fabulous novels. 
Buy the book from Amazon now!
0 Comments

Book Review: Unteachable by Elliot Wake writing as Leah Raeder

6/23/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture

What They Say

Maise O'Malley just turned eighteen, but she's felt like a grown-up her entire life. The summer before senior year, she has plans: get into a great film school, convince her mom to go into rehab, and absolutely do not, under any circumstances, screw up her own future. 

But life has a way of throwing her plans into free-fall. 

When Maise meets Evan at a carnival one night, their chemistry is immediate, intense, and short-lived. Which is exactly how she likes it: no strings. But afterward, she can't get Evan out of her head. He's taught her that a hookup can be something more. It can be an unexpected connection with someone who truly understands her. Someone who sees beyond her bravado to the scared but strong girl inside. 

That someone turns out to be her new film class teacher, Mr. Evan Wilke. 

Maise and Evan resolve to keep their hands off each other, but the attraction is too much to bear. Together, they're real and genuine; apart, they're just actors playing their parts for everyone else. And their masks are slipping. People start to notice. Rumors fly. When the truth comes to light in a shocking way, they may learn they were just playing parts for each other, too. 

Smart, sexy, and provocative, Unteachableis about what happens when a love story goes off-script.

My Review

I've been wanting to read one of Elliot Wake's books for ages. I've got Unteachable, Black Iris & Cam Girl sitting on my shelf, and I've just been waiting for the perfect time to dive in. So I was looking for a new read (I can never pick a book so I just read the first pages until one really grabs my attention) and Unteachable did just that. I knew from the start that I was going to absolutely love Maise O'Malley. She's confident in herself, she knows what she wants, and she isn't afraid to get it (unless it means getting on the first car on a roller-coaster because everyone else on the coaster is a savage). She's the perfect heroine, because I love girls who are confident, because I can live my life through them, because I am so not.

Unteachable is just one of those books that drags you in, until you literally sit and read it until you're finished and that's what I did. Maise's story is fantastic, and her relationship with Evan is completely intense. It sucks you in and doesn't let you go, and because of the nature of their relationship, and the whole teacher-student thing, you're never quite sure if you should be cheering or not, which is hard considering I'm a hopeless romantic, no matter who it's between. I just love a happy ending. But watching Maise and Evan was a bit like watching a car crash, it was too intense, too much, too fast, and I was kind of wanting to read it through eyes hidden by my hands because I couldn't help wondering if it was all going to implode in their faces. 

What actually sets this book apart from other books, is not only the intoxicating romance, duh, but the writing. This is one of the best written New Adult books I've ever read - in fact, it's just one of the best written books, ever. So lyrical, there were even words used that I had no idea what they meant, so I had to look them up, but it added to how amazing the book was, because Wake really has a way with words. It makes me want to go and dive into the other two books immediately, because I need that kind of book in my life, it lets me just dive away into a different world for a few hours, and forget my own life and that's hard to do. Not a lot of authors can do that. 

I loved this book, and I'm not sure my words could ever do it justice. Unteachable is one of those books that doesn't let you go until the very last page, and even then there's a part of me that would absolutely love a sequel. I need more of Maise O'Malley in my life. And Wesley! I kinda liked him, I kinda feel like he has a story to be told, too. And Evan was kinda dreamy. I KNOW. You need to read this book, if you like the New Adult genre you will love this, and if you just like a well written book, this is for you. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel, but it is and it was amazing. 
Buy the book from Amazon now!
0 Comments

BLOG TOUR - Author Interview: Cindy Dorminy

6/22/2016

0 Comments

 

Today I am super pleased to be part of the blog tour for Cindy Dorminy's novel Tuned Into You! The book is OUT NOW, so go buy it, and here is my interview with the lady herself! 

Hi Cindy! Welcome to the site! Can you tell us about Tuned Into You?Thanks Leah for sharing in my special day. I am amazed at the outpouring of support I’ve received over the last few months getting Tuned ready for the world.
                             
Tuned is about Abe and Lydia, both who have been saddled with reputations that couldn’t be farther than the truth. Lydia Flowers is a preacher’s kid who has college talent scouts looking at her amazing softball pitching skills. Abe Fischer is the Nashville Teen Idol winner and has spent the last year on the road, living the dream. Or so it appears. He’s come home to take a break from touring and to ‘lay low’ when his best friend West, throws a party on the Fischer farm that gets way out of hand. Abe and Lydia are arrested at the party for destruction of property. Lydia can either take the punishment of helping Abe repair the damage to the farm or the arrest will go on her record and kiss her scholarship chances goodbye. Secrets are revealed about Abe’s family that can only put him more in the spotlight instead of laying low. He has to decide if he wants Lydia’s name dragged through the mud along with him and she has to decide what she wants more – Abe or a scholarship.
 
Tuned Into You is the story of their summer together and how they realize that first impressions may not always be correct and love will always guide you to make the right choices.

Tuned Into You is your first novel, what's it like being a debut author?

The feeling that I’m actually able to say I’m a published author in incredible. I never really thought this day would come and can’t begin to thank the folks at BookFish enough for believing in me. I’m still in shock, to tell you the truth. It’s been a lot of work getting to this point, but I’ve enjoyed every step of the way, even the edits (which were intense)!

What made you want to write Young Adult novels?

Tuned is my first attempt at writing Young Adult. Originally, I was writing adult contemporary romance, which I still love to write, but I wasn’t getting anywhere. I received a good number of partial and full requests, but no offers of representation or publishing contracts. Last spring, I attended the Kentucky Writer’s conference. Bowling Green, Kentucky is only an hour away from Nashville and the conference was free, so it was a no-brainer. One of the workshops was a first page critique. I was bummed that I didn’t sign up in time to have a slot, so my choices were either go home early or attend a ‘how to write YA’ workshop. I love reading YA. I’m here already. The worse that can happen is that I get stuck in traffic going home.
 
The presenter used various John Hughes movies as examples. I LOVE his movies (The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, etc). I had what us Southerners call a “Come to Jesus” moment. Maybe my voice (which I kept getting positive comments about) was more suited for YA. I spoke with the presenter after the workshop and she encouraged me to give a try. I’m so glad I listened to her, because that fall, I submitted my manuscript to BookFish and they loved it.
 
On a side note, I attended the conference again this spring and was able to share my good news with the group that planted the seed in the first place.

Can you tell us a bit about your writing process? Are you a pantser or a plotter?

I am a panster all the way. Sometimes I will write out on notecards how I want the story to go, but if I do too much outlining, I get bored with a story and will abandon it. For the most part, I write in notebooks first, then transcribe them into Scrivener. Since I do a lot of writing on my lunch break at work, carrying a notebook with me is easier than dragging a laptop around. It allows me to sit on a park bench and let the words flow. (and I don’t get distracted checking emails!!) There are times on weekends where I will write some chapters on my laptop first, but I have a tendency to type too fast. I find if I write freehand first, my brain has a chance to catch up with my hand. Also, there’s something about seeing my story in my scribbly handwriting that makes it feel authentic.
 
I’ve kept all my notebooks and it’s really fun to compare how the story started to the final product.
 
You're published by the wonderful folks at BookFish Books, what's it like to go through the publishing process with them?

I don’t have anything to compare them to, but it has been awesome working with all the BookFish staff. The editors were thorough, the marketing team excellent, and I can’t say enough about the cover artist. The BookFish covers are some of the most beautiful I’ve seen in a really long time.
 
Finally, are you working on a new book? Can you tell us anything about it?I’m actually working on three manuscripts at one time. AGH! What am I thinking?
  1. YA – working title Exponentially Into You – It’s a continuation of the Tuned story, focusing on West and Camille. First draft completed.
  2. YA – working title Friday Lights Fading – If I stay / It’s Wonderful Life meets The Breakfast Club (see, John Hughes!!) 2nd draft completed.
  3. Adult Romantic Comedy – Champagne Jam. It’s a fish out of water story of a northern girl having to work in her Granny’s coffee shop in South Georgia in order to inherit her grandmother’s lottery winnings. I’m almost finished with the first draft. I wrote this as a screenplay many years ago, so the basic story was already in place.
 
Thanks Cindy, and thank you Erin for passing these on! :)
Thanks for the interview!
www.cindydwrites.com
@cindydorminy
https://www.amazon.com/Tuned-Into-You-Cindy-Dorminy-ebook/dp/B01DOLG8UC?ie=UTF8&keywords=cindy%20dorminy&qid=1460157150&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
 
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tuned-into-you-cindy-dorminy/1123718218?ean=9780996801393
 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29570488-tuned-into-yo
Buy the book from Amazon now!
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Find me online!

    Picture

    Hello!

    Welcome to Bookish Escapes! I am a massive reader, of all genres, a Taylor Swift fanatic, I adore dogs (I have two!), and I watch a ton of telly. 

    Twitter!

    Tweets by @bookishescapes

    Goodreads!

    Goodreads: Book reviews, recommendations, and discussion

    I love Blog Tours!

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Chick Lit
    Crime/Thriller
    New Adult
    Womens Fiction
    Young Adult

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Contact/Review Policy
  • Review Archive