Something (Wisteria 1) by Shelby Lamb - [Book Review]

Book Details:
Title: Something (Wisteria 1)
Author:Shelby Lamb
Genre: Adult fiction, horror, mystery
Publisher: Grunge Bookz
Source: An advanced review copy from the author

Book Blurb:
I will find true love and everything will be okay. I will find true love and everything will be okay... she chanted. They say be careful what you read. Something is wrong. Something is very wrong. It can happen to anyone. This is just four teenagers story. Aubrey Golding hates her face, her body, and is devastated after Nathan Silva leaves her. Alone, suicidal, and desperate for love, she discovers a book called Something and unknowingly links others to a dark and terrifying curse that is beginning to consume her. Nathan is glad to be moving on with someone new and can hardly believe what is happening now. Wild child and amateur porn star, Bella Broadhurst, loves bullying that emo whore Aubrey with the other girls, but mostly she loves partying, hookups, and plain ol drama when terror arises. And Kendra Coke is just a new teen mother working on a delicate relationship when things start becoming utterly bizarre. Chilling sleep disturbances and figures hiding in the corners of their rooms are just warnings of what is to come. Be careful what you read, they say. Tread carefully.

My Review:
"Something" is a dark horror, mysterious adult fiction. I got this advanced review copy from the author and I chose it for review as I love horror stories.

This is the story of some teenagers Aubrey, Kendra, Bella and Nathan whose lives are connected by a mysterious book they read. While they start seeing dark things after reading some lines in a book named 'Something', it changes their lives slowly. Now, Aubrey alone has a clue to stop the terrible things happening around her and to her friends. She wants to explore the unknown world with the help of her ex-boy friend Nathan to follow the clues. So, what happens next might be covered in the next part of the 'Wisteria' series.

The characterization is good. The under-confident and suicidal tendency of Aubrey, practical Nathan, Ambitious and ruthless Bella are portrayed well. The characters might stay in our minds for some time. The mystery element in the story is good, but I felt, the flow of the story can be better and smooth. A few scenes are disturbing and there is more adult content like the details about the porn industry. There is a lot of mystery and confusion in the story, but there is not much horror as I expected it to be. I would recommend this to the readers who love adult fiction and mystery.

Ps: I have received the advanced review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion on the book.

My Rating:
3.5/5

Purchase link (Preorder now):
Amazon

About the Author:
Shelby Lamb is an author who loves exploring the weird and unsettling. She writes fiction from her own personal life experiences and from the depths of her imagination and the inspiration around her. Something (Wisteria 1) is her debut work. She currently lives with both parents, a grandmother, and her sister in Toronto, Canada, where she hopes to move out and adopt two cats while finishing her second novel.

Until next time,

Fresh Brewed by Pamela Ford- [Book Review]

Book Details:

Book Title: Fresh Brewed (The Continental Breakfast Club, Book Two) by Pamela Ford
Category: Adult fiction, 260 pages
Genre: Romantic comedy
Publisher: Aine Press
Release date: June 2016
Content Rating: PG 13 (No sex or violence, but some f-words, shits, hells, and damns!)

Source:A free review copy from the author through iread book tours

Book Description:

Breanna Mitchell is on her way to a relaxing vacation at the ocean. Maybe she'll even have a beachside fling to help her get over a recent breakup.

But when a tropical storm makes her destination hotel uninhabitable, a chance encounter at continental breakfast delivers a fabulous option—with a catch. She and her friends can stay at a privately-owned, three-story oceanfront home—if she pretends to be the girlfriend of the owner's heartbreaker grandson, Ethan. Since he won't even be there, how hard could it be?

Everything is going swimmingly until Bree drinks too much wine and regales the family with romantic tales about her relationship with Ethan. His adorable brother Adam gets suspicious. His marriage-minded grandma gets engagement fever. The beautiful woman next door gets teary-eyed.

And then, Ethan unexpectedly arrives. Suddenly Bree is about to get everything she's ever wished for—but is it what she really wants?

Buy the book: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble


My Review:

My Rating: 4/5


Meet the Author:

Pamela Ford is the award-winning author of contemporary and historical romance. She grew up watching old movies, blissfully sighing over the romance; and reading sci-fi and adventure novels, vicariously living the action. The combination probably explains why the books she writes are romantic, happily-ever-afters with plenty of plot - and often lots of laughter.

After graduating from college with a degree in Advertising, Pam merrily set off to earn a living, searching for that perfect career as she became a graphic designer, print buyer, pantyhose sales rep, public relations specialist, copywriter, freelance writer - and finally author. Pam has won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, the Laurel Wreath, and a gold medal IPPY in the Independent Book Publisher Awards. She is a Kindle Book Awards finalist and a two-time Golden Heart Finalist. She lives in Wisconsin where she is working on her next novel.

Connect with the author: Website Twitter Facebook Goodreads





This is a contemporary adult fiction 
that I am reading after a long time. After reading the blurb, I expected it to be a fun read. 

As expected, it is fun to read about 3 friends heading to a vacation with the expectation of meeting their dream man. They get disappointed when their dream vacation is postponed by a storm and flights are cancelled. But, everything happens for good, right? They meet Kristen and happen to know about her brothers Adam and Ethan. Bree has high hopes if one of them can be her dream man. It's a laughing riot when she has to join Kristen's family as Ethan's girl friend and Ethan arrives unexpectedly. Meanwhile, Is Bree really falling for Kristen's younger brother Adam? You have to read this book to know ☺

The title and cover are very apt, though I felt, cover is slightly dull. The narration is friendly and easy going. Characterization is cool. I liked the plot with the required portions of humour in it. I recommend this to teenage girls and fun loving men and women. I haven't read the earlier part of 'Continental breakfast' series, but would love to read now.

Ps: I have received this book in exchange of an honest review and this is my unbiased opinion on the book.














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Until next time,

The Winemakers by Jan Moran - Author Interview

Here is a romantic novel by Jan Moran. I am glad to feature his interview today in my blog post. 
Thanks Jan :-)

Book Description:

1956: When Caterina Rosetta inherits a cottage in the countryside of Italy from a grandmother she's never known, she discovers a long-buried family secret -- a secret so devastating, it threatens the future of everything her mother has worked for.

Many years before, her mother's hard-won dreams of staking her family's claim in the vineyards of California came to fruition; but as an old murder comes to light, and Caterina uncovers a tragic secret that may destroy the man she loves, she realizes her happiness will depend on revealing the truth of her mother's buried past.

From author Jan Moran comes The Winemakers, a sweeping, romantic novel that will hold you in its grasp until the last delicious sip.

​Buy the book:   Amazon  ~   Barnes & Noble  ~   Kobo  ~  Chapters  ~  Books-a-Million  ~   Book Depository   ~  iBooks

Author Interview:

What are your favorite wines?

So many wonderful wines... Some that have special meaning to me include Brunello di Montalcino, one of the wines featured in The Winemakers, as well as Moone-Tsai’s CorLeonis Cabernet Sauvignon, Chassagne Montrachet, and the Bordeaux: Pomerol, Saint-Émilion, and Margaux.

Although I don’t drink a lot, for casual evenings I might enjoy an Argentine Malbec, a Californian Pinot Noir, or a refreshing Sancerre. Every wine-producing region has a unique terroir, or set of environmental characteristics, which make the wines of each area special. When traveling, I love to sample regional wines.

Favorite travel spot?

I love to travel and have been fortunate to have seen much of the world. Favorite places? Wine regions, of course. Napa and Tuscany rank high on my list. Paris, the south of France, Hong Kong, London, New York, Austin, San Francisco, Hawaii, and so many other places. I’d love to visit the wine region of Argentina, too.

Favorite dessert?

Baking is a hobby and I’m on a quest to master the perfect cheesecake. Besides that, fruit tartes, chocolate mousse, ice cream... I seldom discriminate against desserts.

Do you have any hobbies?

Wine tasting, of course! And reading, traveling, antique markets, walking on the beach, swimming, snow skiing, spas…

Is there a message you want readers to take from your books?

Hope, triumph over adversity, appreciation of other cultures, belief in your own abilities.

Author's Bio:

Jan Moran is a Rizzoli bestselling and award winning author. She writes historical women's fiction for St. Martin's Press (Scent of Triumph, The Winemakers), contemporary women's fiction (Flawless, Beauty Mark, Runway), and nonfiction books (Vintage Perfumes, Fabulous Fragrances). Her stories are smart and stylish, and written with emotional depth. Jan often draws on her international travel and business experiences, infusing her books with realistic details.

The Midwest Book Review and Kirkus have recommended her books, calling her heroines strong, complex, and resourceful. She likes to talk to readers at www.janmoran.com and on social media. She lives in southern California and loves lattes and iced coffee, anything chocolate, and Whole Foods Double Green smoothies to balance it all out.

Connect with the author:  Website   Twitter   Pinterest   Facebook   Instagram

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Until next time,

The Thread that binds by Alice Hayes - [Book review]

Book Details:

Title: The Thread that binds
Author: Alice Hayes
Genre: Fiction, Women's fiction, Contemporary fiction
Source: A free review copy from author through iread tours

Blurb:

Sherice is a new mother, a sonographer, quilter, and wife; an overworked young woman whose elderly mother is slipping away from her.

Sylvie is a newlywed and recent immigrant, unemployed and virtually penniless. Her husband’s paycheck can’t even cover prenatal care, let alone a baby, and her due date is only drawing nearer…

Joanne’s unconventional pregnancy turns her world upside down, redefining her career and relationships, and even bringing to the surface long-buried demons from her past.

Payton is seventeen, pregnant, and on the run. She flees to her uncle in Georgia with the hope of making a fresh start, but discovers making it on her own is harder than she could ever have imagined.

 Gloria is trapped in an unhappy marriage; in love with someone else. Her life is falling apart. With a baby on the way, would it be selfish to flee?

 Five women, once strangers, form bonds. Set in modern day Georgia, this is the story of friendship that blossoms in the land of country music, sweet tea, and secrets kept locked tight behind closed doors. Moving, funny, and at times heartbreaking, The Thread That Binds is a lesson in empathy, strength, and the beauty of love.

Buy the book : Amazon

My Review:

I like reading #Womensfiction and that made me choose this book for review. I am glad that I picked up this one. As blurb mentions, the story covers  lives of 5 different women, their problems,  their friendship and how brilliantly the author connects these stories together. 

I liked the way the author has chosen or portrayed each character.
For ex: Payton symbolizes a teenage girl and Sherice represents a matured individual. Joanne's character is very much different, whereas, we empathize Sylvie for her immigration problems. Gloria is a mystery initially and we gradually understand her.

The story is narrated in the perspective of each woman in every chapter. So this seems interesting to read, as we understand how each character feels or what go throughs in her mind while facing the difficult situation. 

I loved Payton. She is a teenage girl, gets pregnant and her parents send her out of the house. I loved the way she understands the situation, tries to maintain a good relationship with Joanne, works in her uncle Marty's office, makes friends and finds happiness in her own way. 

The Narration is gripping. I didn't like to pause in the middle while reading, enjoyed the flow and was guessing on how these characters will be connected and help each other. I would recommend this to every woman who loves to read a story which is nearer to reality and covers a range of emotions. 

Few lines from the book about the true love and missing the loved one :

IF YOU WANT TO know whether someone is the love of your life, you only needlook at the way that they make you feel when they are not around. Anyone can come along and make sparks fly; any handsome face can make your heart flutter for a few seconds or a few minutes or even a few hours. When a man loves you, the time you spend together will feel all too short, and you would rather spend a minute with him than live another hour without. If a man is the love of your life, you will know it by what happens to you when he is not around: when he is on a business trip; or at work; or visiting family somewhere.

First, of course, there is the pain. The pain that comes with loving someone whoisn’t there is unlike anything else. At times, it is almost a sweet, enticing kind ofpain: when you feel the pang of their absence, it only reminds you of what you have, of how deep and beautiful and powerful your love is. You might even smile. Other times, it is the worst thing you have ever felt. You may find yourself cuddling close to a pillow at night, wishing it were him. You may take out their photograph and just stop to stare for a little while. You will be reminded of them at every turn. A song on the radio, a show on television, a special place where you once made memories: all of these things will bring them back to the front of your mind. In everything that you do, the love of your life follows you, reminding you not only that he exists, but of your love. After all, who but the love of your life could spring to your mind just by hearing a certain song? If they are not the love of your life, why do you see them everywhere that you turn?

My Rating: 5/5
I couldn't see any reason to give a lesser rating than this :-)

About the Author:

Originally from Winchester, England, Alice’s plans to read law at a British university were disrupted when she fell deeply in love with Georgia, USA, while studying abroad. After moving all over Georgia, Alice has finally settled in Athens and has no plans to go anywhere else.

She is a single mother to a three-year-old girl and a 65 lb hound dog. She likes coffee, wine, and anything edible with the words ‘salted caramel’ in its description.

 At the time of publication, Alice is a 24-year-old history student working full time in a law office, and writing fiction at every stolen moment. She hasn’t slept in approximately two years. Her first published novel, The Thread That Binds won third place in World's Best Story contest.

Connect with the author: Website Twitter

Alice’s Interview on World’s Best Story

Prizes:  

Win 1 of 5 copies of The Thread That Binds (choice of print or ebook) (USA & Canada)
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PS: Received this book for free through iread tours in exchange of an honest review. This is my unbiased opinion.

Until next time,