Book Review: Being Sarah Chilton by Ruth Briddon

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Book Description: At long last Sarah Chilton has finally bagged her perfect man; she can see the perfect house with the white picket fence and room for a pony coming into view and even hear the distant chime of wedding bells and the pitter patter of tiny feet. It s all going to be so wonderful well, not quite Follow the often hilarious trials and tribulations of one, ever so ordinary, Mum who is left literally holding the newborn baby, whilst trying to keep her job, home and sanity. Battling with what feels like half the cast of a Harry Potter movie, plotting her revenge against Voldermort and tackling the institutions and stigma of single motherhood all take their toll,
Will it be the wine, Classic FM, TV or Prozac to the rescue?

My Review 

I liked this book.

The storyline is lovely. Mum realizes giving birth and raising a child is not as sunny as the media portrays it. And even more crappy when you are a single-mum and do not have your shit together and your child well-toilet-trained. A star!── ★ 

You'd love Sarah Chilton. Dreamy from the beginning of the novel, but isn't everyone when they are about to marry the person they think is 'the one'. She transforms into a character with a stronger voice after the birth of her first child. All mums, soon-to-be mums would relate to her. She gives critical advice post-pregnancy for mums and attacks her shitty life with humor and the little achievements of her son—his first steps, his first solid food, his first words—as life goes on. A star to her.── ★★ 

It's nice when a chicklit book is able to attack problems women all over the world face. Ruth E. Briddon teaches, sometimes though you'd prefer being confined in a cell where you could get a few hours to yourself than being with your screaming, yelling child, there's no joy than watching your child grow.── ★★★

I liked this book. But I really, really wished I could have loved it. It was on a normal pace for most of the book. I wished there were more surprise moments as there was lots to laugh at.── ★★★★ 

So my rating: Four out of five stars. 

Ruth E. Briddon's being Sarah Chilton is available on amazon.

I recommend this book to anyone who's a mum or not. Anyone who wants a guide to tackling real problems of (single) motherhood. And anyone who wants a title so true and so funny to laugh and relate to.

My work not done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads as well as amazon

Blogiversary Review: Sugar Spun Sister (Sweet Dreams #1) by Anna Garner.

     


REVIEW BY SANDRA                                              


                                                          Synopsis
Imagine this : You are Twenty Seven years working for an annoying  gargoyle-looking jerk of a boss, who enjoys making your life hell. And thinks you are a useless charity case, since you got your job through your extremely generous gay Uncle Jonathan who loves to help others out by giving funds to people who have vision but lack funds. But then you would think that your boss Oscar the Gargoyle would be nicer seeing that he benefited from your Uncle's generosity. But that is so not the case, not only does he humiliate you on an hourly basis he turns you into a cleaner and torments your life to no end.

But your days of being Oscar the Gargoyle's whipping boy is about to end when you realize you have a talent of making to-die-for gourmet ice creams. Thanks to your loving Brother Daniel who was thoughtful enough to buy you an ice cream maker of all things as a house warming gift.

Lucky enough you have the best of friends who look out for you and push you to make a decision and turn your dream of opening your own gourmet ice cream shop into a reality ASAP. And what an amazing success it turned out to be , it turned out to be the best decision you ever made and brought you so much fulfillment. But your dream doesn't materialise overnight but with the help of your awesome  friends and your sweet brother Sage it turns out to be a blast.

But sooner or later you realize its not as easy as you thought it would be. It's difficult as hell to give up a steady paying job to take a risk even though it was so damned good to put Oscar the Gargoyle in his right place (if only you knew it would come back to bite you in the ass). Oh and  your Hippie parents dont agree with you and would love for you to come back to your roots and leave of the earth like everybody else and hopefully marry a guy called Freedom Hannigan---talk of hideous. The events you book don't go as smoothly as you'd hoped. And all the drama going on between your bestfriends, and your hot FWB relationship with Jimmy, who wants no strings attached sex, does not make it easy at all. Oh and the cockroach infested building and all the expenses to put it in shape is also another headache.

Pretty much Sums up the life of Cricket Juniper Whittier. 


                                                      Review

(This one will definitely keep you glued to your seat asking for more)

RECIPE: Intriguing, exciting, extremely fun, and fiercely fabulous you'll be roaring for more

All in one! what more do you want, this is  the one stop for an exciting experience. I promise you reading this book is like tasting ice cream for real, soo amazing you would want more. Definitely a keeper---the book, not the ice cream.

The characters in the book are soo amazing from the lovely friends Nora and Lindsey. Nora the dreamer who just does not know when to stop, with no worries, being married to her Gazillionaire Husband. Lindsey the all in control teacher who knows how to do damage control and keep everything sound, their amazing personalities combined with Cricket's amazing personality is just great. And Cricket's sweet brother Sage,  who was phenomenon in helping her put her store together. Her Hippie parents and the annoying  jerk of a boss spice up the book and make it interesting. It's a characterization party in here.

The fabulous ice cream recipes that am definitely gonna try out some day, the hideous names that will make you laugh till your ribs hurt, and all the great advice for all aspiring entrepreneurs makes this book absolutely fab.

I loved reading this book but I didn't 'love, love' it I thought it could have been more hilarious.But all in all it was just an amazing book and you should make it a point to read it. Thumps up for such a great book, Garner.

Rate: four stars / five stars.

You can get Sugar Spun Sister on amazon.

Her work not done here. Would convince her to put her review up on Goodreads.

Book Review: A Jersey Kiss by Georgina Troy

REVIEW BY MY NEW REVIEWER ON THE BLOCK WHO IS CURRENTLY MAKING MY INBOX TIRELESS WITH AUTHORS REQUESTING SHE REVIEW THEIR WORK,SANDRA. 

 SYNOPSIS
Imagine this: How would you deal with being left with a house that is tearing down, a mystery that you cant seem to figure out, a nasty divorce with a cheating, greedy annoying  jerk of a husband? And right after the death of your dearest Mum-like Aunt, you lose a child you would soo love to have and cherish through a miscarriage?

And what with falling head over heels, madly in love with a hot sizzling  Adonis contractor, hot as sin Mm hmmm. You just know you cant have because he is trouble, hot as he may be.

Oh, not forgetting you have an annoying Half-Sister who would just not bugger off, and your cruel devil of a stepmother who would stop at nothing to make your life hell. And of all the days to get married she chooses the one day you would be saddest and miserable.

And it turns out that your hot bloke all in control ex-boyfriend/boss who you thought was soo perfect is really a horrible, selfish person. Good looking on the outside total crap on the inside.

When all else is hopeless you can only turn to your closest friends... but it turns out they have problems of their own and can't afford to help in anyway.

And what the fuck could the "Jersey Kiss" be? And why the hell is your Aunt going on and on about it in her will when in your messed-up life you cannot even relax and enjoy a simple kiss? But I tell you, not too simple if the demigod of a contractor is offering it.

All the above pretty much sums up all the drama in Beatrice Potter's life.


              My review
I loved this book a lot, Georgina Troy kicked it off perfectly and I must agree with Christina Jones, it was Enticing, Enchanting and Intriguing. Even though for a million dollars I wouldn't want to be in Bea's shoe's, never. But then if she had that much money she wouldn't be having those problems anyway. And she would have paid that jerk of a husband off, and keep the house she loved soo terribly much.—★

What a way to start a book, very interesting and I loved it, wouldn't fancy being caught in nothing but a towel that barely covered me up, it would be horror for those poor contractors with all I have going on(lol) (Sandra happens to be those thick, beautiful and size 18 types). But it was very interesting how she pulled it off nicely. Very chic thumbs up Georgina—★★

Another interesting part of this book that made it phenomenon are the characters from the jerk of an ex- husband who made Bea's life miserable, to her Cruella--StepMum who pushed up the competition and hatred between Bea and her sometimes annoying sometimes super sweet half sister Mel, to the Funny dramatic gay friend Paul not forgetting Shani with all her boyfriend drama. And who would have thought that Tom the hot responsible bloke was actually a crook,oh the drama queen/model Leillanni and how can I forget sexy Lukey(lol). Soo amazing these characters.—★★★

The suspense was definitely and without question off the hook, Just like Paul, I hate not knowing something and I would never have guessed what the "Jersey Kiss" turned out to be, really nice. Oh and the Leillani and Luke situation, at a point I kind of thought that they were really going out. Sweet suspense loved it.—★★★★

Even though I thought the romance could have been more intense and it could have gone laugh out loud funny, overall I loved the book and I think Georgina Troy did a great job . Awesome book you should definitely read it for yourself.

Rating: four stars/five stars.

 A Jersey Kiss by Georgina Troy, as Sandra called it, soo amazing, is available on Amazon.

Her work not done here. Would convince her to join Goodreads so she can paste her review there. 

Review+INT Giveaway: Double Dip (Davis Way Crime Caper series, #2) by Gretchen Archer

If Gretchen Archer keeps up with this Davis Way pace, I suspect humor, touches of delightful romance, extreme doses of action, masterpiece plots and loads of best-selling accolades to her name.

Blurb: “A smart, snappy writer who hits your funny bone!” – Janet Evanovich
It’s Davis Way’s first slot-tournament season. And it may be her last.
Things are dicey at work. A personal assistant goes missing, a little old lady goes on a suspicious winning streak, and a Bellissimo executive goes gaga for Davis. She follows a disappearing slot-tournament player trail to the So Help Me God Pentecostal Church in Beehive, Alabama, then jumps headlong into a high stakes holy scandal.


She’s on a losing streak at home, too. Her days, nights, and dinners run together, as Davis juggles a revolving door of uninvited guests, namely her rotten ex-ex-husband, Eddie Crawford. And Bradley Cole thinks three’s a crowd.

The worst? Davis doesn’t feel so hot. Maybe it’s the banana pudding, or maybe it’s a little bundle of something else. DOUBLE DIP. A reckless ride in the fast lane, and Davis Way can’t find the brakes.

MY SYNOPSIS

Double Dip takes reins from Double Whammy to tell the story of Davis Way’s mysterious/romantic/hilarious/undercover life. If you were Davis Way, here are a few pointers to begin with your (messed-up) life:

1. You are on the security force of a Casino, sort of a spy on the team.

2. You are not easily ruffled by theft, murder, shooting because that’s what you combat on a daily basis.

3. You are the splitting image of your boss’ wife (if you coat an additional heavy layer of foundation and change your hair color) and that makes her your boss too.

4. Your relationship with your boyfriend is on the rocks because your shithead ex-ex husband is always in the picture.

5. You might be pregnant so you would want to tone down on all the action stunts… only if you have convinced yourself enough there might be a due date.

So now that we are settled on your persona, let’s brief you on your mission. One, your boss’ wife has fired her Personal Assistant, I mean, really fired her with a gun and she’s missing. No body, no trace of the last bullet, nothing and she wants a new P.A, even. It’s your duty to find her a new one, find her old one, make sure the old one is alive and probably keep the new one from being shot. Two, there’s a mystery old lady signing into a lot of competitions on the slots in your casino, and your boss, No Hair, wants you to be in charge of ruining what might be the happiest moments in the life of this senior  citizen. You have to investigate on her in order to spoil her fun. But quit with the guilt trip, you are not alone on this, your partner, Fantasy, will be there to help. Three, you and your man are moving into a new, big space to cater for your grandmother’s reluctance to give you (two) some much needed privacy. And you must make this a positive move for the two of you, indicating a promising future, but if only your man wouldn’t arrive every time to see you in a very compromising (as well as complicated) position with your ratty ex-ex husband. Four, you haven’t told your boyfriend you are pregnant (because you haven’t told yourself you are pregnant), get it over with. Five, on the case of the old woman, during an undercover mission as one of the casino players, you pass out in the casino (Google symptoms of anemia associated with pregnancy) only to be caught by the casino’s Mr. Microphone, the slovenliest emcee alive. He wants you, you can refuse him, but your boss gives you no chance to, so date him. Six, your boss is holding out info from you, find out. Seven, a man-stealer/an almost-home wrecker wants to dig her claws into your man. No, I mean literally dig her claws into your man, stop her before she gets him. Eight, as if I haven’t briefed you enough and you are really exhausted by now from all your personal problems (your mother, your sister, your ex-ex’s mother), your boss’ wife wants you to be in charge of all her social activities. No, I mean really be in charge, take over her, become her double. All the charity events to make fashion statements and good public impressions are your duty, she might even demand you to get a boob job considering she’s contemplating one. Everything in outfits that barely cover your ass or your boobs or your every inch of skin, because she says so, and you might want to lay low on the carbs else you would get fired. Goodbye blueberry pie and Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream. Welcome your new life…

Which is Davis Way’s hell summed up for your entertainment.

MY REVIEW

In my life, there are three authors of one chick-lit sub-genre I’ve put on a pedestal. Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum series), Sarah Strohmeyer (Bubbles Yablonsky series) and now, Gretchen Archer for Davis Way Crime Caper series (applause, applause), so even if I end now, my review looks just complete.

The first thing that makes this book deserve a star, is Davis Way. I simply wanted to pull her out for a lunch date (mostly to force her ingest something for the baby she was carrying). Like all the other leads of my favorite, favorite series, she’s independent (one thing that draws me to a woman), she’s sassy, she’s sexy. We all want to read books about chick-lit heroines who make us feel secure, that no matter how the plot is twisted and turned they’d emerge victors (with perhaps a bullet wound to make them look hotter).──★

I like authors who take a topic we’d all run away from and make it look chic. We might not relate to the lead girl’s current dilemma , but sometimes reading a book that makes you feel the hottest accessory to finish off your outfit are red Manolo Blahniks and a holster (in case you can’t get licensing done quickly), is just worth it.──★★

I’m a fan of humor. So to make your book a really laugh-out-loud number is so sinister an attempt to give your book my ultimate rating score. This book was high-larious, hit my head against the bed post on one occasion. Davis’ voice is a plus, very funny, very lighthearted. It’s these books that make me wish everyone would stop using the term chick-lit loosely. We all know if it isn’t humorous (as Double Dip) it should be mama-lit. This is one of those books that make you crack a rib in the face of your toughest, lowest moments.★★★

The characters in this book added to this book’s humor and would make anyone have a blast. From Fantasy──for we all need a partner who would dive into a dumpster, for us, to retrieve a dead body; Bianca──’cause we all don’t need a boss who might shoot a hole through us right when we go against her orders (for a boob job); Meredith──sometimes reluctant sisters who would just take charge for whenever we have to move and our job gives us no time to organize, are important; Granny Dee──nothing like a grandma who loves the slots, speaks like a narcissistic bitch but you know if she didn’t have an ear problem  she’d actually whisper to sound like normal people do when whispering; Bea──an ex-ex mother-in-law might always come in handy in case you do not want to submit your own grandmother for a makeover and an undercover mission; No Hair──we need a boss who is annoying, yet adorable but wished he had a strand of hair, even if it fell from someone’s onto his; Bradley Cole──oh, who we’d kill to get a boyfriend who’d get back with us when caught looking up from our ex-ex husband’s crotch; Eddie──ugh, who would help get rid of the ex-ex husband. These and so many other characters I fell in love with, Mr. Microphone, Davis’ Mother, Cyril, Baylor/Cowboy──★★★★

This novel’s plot is a masterpiece. I like that Gretchen starves you then hits you in the face with the hot towel right when you think things are getting too fast for you to catch up. Perfect.──★★★★★

It’s obvious I’m giving this book five stars!

Get Double Dip, the second book in the Davis Way crime-caper series here. In any case if you want Double Whammy, get it here too (though you don’t need to read book one to get an understanding of book two)

 Enter to Win one SIGNED copy of Double Dip. Contest Going INTERNATIONALLY a Rafflecopter giveaway

I don’t know about your feelings after this review, but I know I am continuing the Davis Way Crime Caper series.

I recommend this to anyone who wants to read a book in their Manolo Blahniks holding onto their holster on their thigh.  Anyone who wants chick-lit with mystery, fun and suspense. Anyone who loves the big two, Janet Evanovich, Sarah Strohmeyer should get this. And if you want a book that you can get a follow up on, a chic series you want to keep up with, and a heroine you want to keep seeing, get Double Dip(ped).

My work not done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads.

Book Review: Curl Up & Dye by Sharon Sala

You don't need to be a hopeless romantic to fall for this title. Just be a sucker for suspense, brilliant plots and well-crafted characters. And no telling what a blast you would have!

Blurb: Wally Lamb meets Steel Magnolias in this story of LilyAnn Bronte, the Peachy-Keen Queen, which in Blessings, Georgia, was the epitome of success. After losing her fiance in the war in Iraq, her zest for life went into decline while added weight crept on. When a new guy arrives in town, LilyAnn embarks on a quest to remake herself from start to finish only to discover that love was always just right next-door.

Curl Up & Dye tells the story of LilyAnn Bronte whose been mourning for the death of her boyfriend since—wait for it — high-school after his death when he enlisted into the army. Throughout all these years, LilyAnn is emotionally detatched from the world, mourning can do that to someone. As if that could be the only case scenario to lock yourself up within yourself, her dad suffered a heart attack and didn't live to whisper it, her mum has moved on into another state with another husband, everyone in her little Southern town, Blessing, seems to have moved on with their lives. Leaving LilyAnn to the mundane life of work—mourning—work.

Everyone except Mike, best friend and guy-next-door who seems to be keeping a secret for the past eleven years. A secret when let out would shatter the worlds of both LilyAnn's and his.

When T.J Lachlan walks into town with the intention of fixing up a property his uncle bequeathed him in his will, he turns hot cake of the town. Everyone wants a piece of him. At least most of everyone. Including LilyAnn.

Meanwhile, the Curl Up & Dye salon is always open for days you have a bad hair day or just days you feel like a new hairdo. Sit tight and relax to a mix of cool, relaxing conditioner and Blessing's hottest brewed gossip.

I loved, loved this book! So with that, we are all aware I'd be reviewing this book screaming at you to go get it... and stop by your salon to get your hair done!

The storyline was perfect. Southern town, southern girl, southern gossip, Southern cussing (bless your heart), Southern Romance. It's one of those books about change that gives you a whole new perspective to life! Just like getting a new do!—★

You would love this book for the main character, LilyAnn. So relatable, so fun to read about. I mean, most of us have been grief-stricken and we all know on the outside people would be poking fingers at you (from Salons, of course. Probably as you walk by) and wondering why you can't get out of that shack and black habits, but inside you you just know moving on doesn't seem right, there's a daunting side to it. You either don't want to move on because of societal expectations, or can't move on because you don't want to. LilyAnn understands you. Healing comes with time, purpose, change, and when all is in the right sync, you sure would get a new hair-do.—★★

If you are the kind that loves to be kept on the edge of your seat (I don't understand why you would want to take such painful posture), this book should be in your cart! The suspense is highly engulfing, really tucked myself in a location away from my friends at college (and I love my friends!) to finish it all up. The chain of events are just surprising from character to character. And might there be even a psycho on the loose? Find out!—★★★

What you would also love about this book is the Southern Romance. Now maybe that's not the appropriate label to put on it, so I'd call it the Sala romance. Lots of moments to squirm in your seat, scream and blame your hairdresser for pulling too hard.—★★★★

The characters in this book all with their own stories made this multiple-character read thrilling. Rachael Goodhope the (married) neighborhood skunk who wouldn't mind dipping in the sheets of any guy she thinks can't be 'husband number four' but could give a good shagging. To Mike—watch out, he's going to make you swoon (I'm a guy I hated making all those sounds, but if I could help it I wouldn't have)! There was Hank who loved to play dress-up games when his wife was away and purchased makeup LilyAnn kept a secret. Grace and Eddie, Carol and Don, the parents whose introduction brought some entertainment into our lead's life. I would have missed the point of the whole book if I don't especially comment on the Curl Up & Dye Salon, Ruby Dye owner, orchestrates most of the action advising our lead girl and whoever the lead man was! Ruby is that kind of woman who not only pays attention to a customer's hair but her heart. The kind of hairdresser you would unwind to—and that I presume, is what most women loves in a hairdresser and would stay even if they had shitty skills. Not that Ruby had shitty skills! Definitely the star of this title—★★★★★

The humor in this book isn't rib-cracking, but at least it's that book you can take to the salon and read without proving to be a tough bull to your stylist, rocking back and forth and all. I'm sure every stylist's dream would be Sharon Sala's Curl Up & Dye, because sometimes it's just so hard getting a client to relax!

Five stars, people!

Curl Up & Dye, Sharon Sala's thrilling latest, is available on Amazon in both kindle and paperback.

I recommend this for anyone who wants to have a blast, a good book for a fresh new positive change. Anyone who likes their Women's Fiction bordering on suspense and romance. Anyone who wants something that would serve as a reminder for those busily hectic days, "Hey, I need to get to the salon (my hairdresser needs to read this)!"

I am ashamed to make this confession readers, this is my first of Sharon Sala! I'm pretty much sure I can't change that, but I can get all her others.

My work not done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads.