Lisa Loves Literature: Scotland

Showing posts with label Scotland. Show all posts

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Release Blitz Review with Excerpt and Giveaway: Blindsided by Amy Daws

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Book info:

Title: Blindsided
Author: Amy Daws
Genre: Adult contemporary sports romance
Release Date: November 21st, 2019
Cover Designer: Amy Daws

Source: E-galley from author which did not influence my opinion
My rating: 5 stars

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Synopsis:

What happens when an almost thirty-year-old virgin agrees to let her Scottish footballer best friend give her some lessons in seduction?

Lots of banter, awkwardness, jealousy, and heat.

Midfielder Maclay “Mac” Logan is a loud-mouthed, tattooed ginger content with focusing on football. But when an adorably-freckled seamstress comes barreling into his life, he finds Netflix-And-Bickering with her to be his new favorite pastime.

Freya Cook is used to being the invisible woman with a needle and thread, offering cheeky punchlines as she helps dress London’s finest. She’s plus-sized in body and spirit, and other than her friendship with Mac, talking to the opposite sex is one skill she never mastered.

However, after one innocent game of Never Have I Ever, Mac offers to play Love Coach for Freya.

What neither of them see coming are the feelings that develop when the clothes come off.

Now they’re both about to learn the biggest lesson of all: Don't fall in love with your best friend.

My Review:

Starting a new book by Amy Daws is like putting on your comfy flannel pj pants and curling up under a soft, warm blanket in your favorite cozy reading spot. I know I'm going to laugh, and laugh I did throughout this entire book, the sexy scenes will leave me hot, and there's a very good chance I will be in tears at some point in the story, which I was full blown tears streaming down my face, sniffling too.

The funnies began with Freya and Mac's relationship and when they would be "in a fight". And then it went on to Freya's fumbled conversation with the barista that she was kind of interested in. Oh my gosh, and then the Never Have I Ever game, and learning what a dirty Sanchez is, and that's just eww, no, what is the point of that even?

Of course since I love the soccer players that this author writes, and all the family and friends, getting to spend so much time with the Harris clan and friends is part of what makes this like cuddling up with a good book, or going back to that bar where everyone knows your name. Mac, I adored him! And then there is all the similarities to Freya that I felt. The way she felt that after her month with Mac, she'd probably never get to experience that again. I'm in a stage of my life where I feel the same. That I had a fun time when I was younger, and now it's all over and doesn't ever seem like it will change. So when Mac pushed her away at the end because of things changing, even though he knew he loved her, that's when my tears started.

But the way he went about winning her back at the end was perfect, I just think I'd love a relationship like that, with the arguing and being "in a fight" all the time.

There was definitely a little bit that reminded me of one of my all time favorite books with one of my top book boyfriends, Nate Sawyer from Before Jamaica Lane by Samantha Young. So I loved that. I usually adore all the ways that this author fits in the different jargon and unique phrases used by the characters based on where they're from. But in this case, the bleddy bit didn't make a ton of sense, it bugged me too much. And then there was some "ag" thing at the end that I also didn't really get. None of that matters though, because I love, love, loved the book, the story, and also, I think we need Mac's sister's story next!

I wake the next morning to a rough tongue touching my nipple. A smile spreads across my face as I open my eyes and expect to find Freya. My face falls when I see it’s her fucking demon of a cat laving at my pec like it’s going to produce milk at any moment.

“Fuck off, you wee bastard!” I bellow and shove the animal off my chest.

Hercules takes off down the hallway, and a snort echoes in the room. I turn my gaze to find Freya perched on a chair in the corner of her bedroom. She’s dressed in a long nightshirt, her red hair a wild mess of curls, and her makeup smudged like she was properly fucked last night. And she looks positively entertained.

“Did you just sit there and watch your cat violate me?” I croak, sitting up and rubbing my tender nipple.

She giggles and steadies herself so as not to spill the two cups of coffee in her hands. “I came in to bring you a coffee, but Hercules looked like he was warming up to you, so I just sat down here to not interrupt. I had no idea he was going to lick your tit.” She bursts out laughing all over again.

“You and I are in a fight then,” I reply gruffly, propping myself up on the headboard of her bed. “That was disturbing.”

She nods, her face still tormented with poorly concealed laughter. “For us all.”

Check out Amy's Facebook page for an awesome paperback giveaway!

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Amy Daws is an Amazon Top 25 bestselling author of sexy, contemporary romance novels. She enjoys writing love stories that take place in America, as well as across the pond in England. When Amy is not writing in a tire shop waiting room, she's watching Gilmore Girls, or singing karaoke in the living room with her daughter while Daddy smiles awkwardly from a distance. For more of Amy's work, visit: http://www.amydawsauthor.com

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Saturday, May 12, 2018

Blog Tour Review: The Wedding Date by Zara Stoneley

Book info

Title: The Wedding Date
Author: Zara Stoneley
Genre: Adult contemporary romantic comedy
Release Date: April 20th, 2018
Source: Digital copy from Rachel's Random Resources book tours
My rating: 4 stars

The Wedding Date

One ex.
One wedding.
One little white lie.

When Samantha Jenkins is asked to be the maid of honour at her best friend’s wedding, she couldn’t be happier. There are just three problems…

1) Sam’s ex-boyfriend, Liam, will be the best man.
2) His new girlfriend is pregnant.
3) Sam might have told people she has a new man when she doesn’t (see points 1 and 2 above)

So, Sam does the only sensible thing available to her… and hires a professional to do the job.

Actor Jake Porter is perfect for the role: single, gorgeous and cheap! Sam is certain it’s the perfect solution: no strings, no heartbreak and hopefully no chance of being found out.

But spending a week in the Scottish Highlands with Jake is harder than she imagined. He is the perfect boyfriend, charming, sexy and the hottest thing in a kilt since Outlander! And his dog Harry is quite possibly the cutest things Sam has ever seen!

As the wedding draws closer, Jake plays his part to perfection and everyone believes he is madly in love with Sam. The problem is, Sam’s not sure if Jake is acting anymore…

Purchase Links - Amazon iBooks Waterstones

My Review:

This romance is as sweet as the piece of cake on the cover suggests. But it's not just a sweet story, it is also very real, and very funny. It was hard to put down. I was a little disappointed that there weren't actually any steamy scenes because it pretty much faded out as they began. It was just a little disappointing as there was a lot of really good sexual tension and build-up throughout, so I'd have loved to get the relief our characters did by at least reading about it. Other than that, I loved the story. Sam is so much like me in many ways, one line from the story that fits me perfectly was:

"I'm never quite sure that anything I eat or drink should be green. Apart from M&M's."

If you ask anyone in my family, they'll tell you I don't eat anything green. I loved her take on life, and how she felt also fit what it feels like to be single these days. And then there was Jake. I couldn't help but love him and want my very own Jake. He was playful, and perfect in how he thought Sam was perfect just as she was. The way the author played off the secrets he kept was perfect, and even kept me on the edge of my seat as I read, trying to figure out just what could actually be going on with him and his back story. The author also got me at the end with what I assumed meant there was not going to be a happily ever after, even though I just knew there had to be. And that made how it came about even better.

I'll probably go on to read more books by this author when I get the chance, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a sweet romance with a build-up of the sexual tension, but without getting into the actual sex itself.

Author Bio –

Born in a small village in Staffordshire, Zara Stoneley wanted to be James Herriot, a spy, or an author when she grew up. Writing novels means she can imagine she is all these things, and more!

Zara’s bestselling novels include 'The Holiday Swap', 'Summer with the Country Village Vet', 'Blackberry Picking at Jasmine Cottage' and the popular Tippermere series - 'Stable Mates', 'Country Affairs' and 'Country Rivals'.
She lives in a Cheshire village with her family, a naughty cockapoo, and a very bossy cat, and loves spending time in sunny Spain.

Where you can find her-

Website: http://www.zarastoneley.com
Twitter: @ZaraStoneley
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ZaraStoneley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zarastoneley/

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Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Bookish Settings that I'd Love to Visit

Top Ten Tuesday is sponsored by The Broke and The Bookish.

Okay, let's see what are the top 10 places I want to visit because I read about them in a book, and if I can remember exactly which books made me interested.

1. Ireland

Hmm, can't remember exactly which books, but I know there were some!

2. Forks, Washington

Because of Twilight, obviously.

3. Scotland

Many books, all of the On Dublin Street series by Samantha Young. The Harry Potter castle is actually in Scotland as well.

4. England

So many books take place in England. A lot of them by Amy Daws. Of course, the Harry Potter series.

5. New York City

Okay, this might be a little bit cheating, but NYC was always on my list, because of all kinds of books, like Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz to name one. And I did get to go there several years ago, and have now been 4 times.

6. New Orleans

Another one I've already gotten the chance to visit. And because of books like the Arcana Chronicles by Kresley Cole or the Wicked saga by Jennifer Lynn Armentrout, I totally wanted to go.

7. Mexico

I've always been interested in old ruins from ancient civilizations, and after the book The Ruins by Scott Smith, Mexico became high on my list. I made that come true about 10 years or so ago, when I visited the ruins in Tulum. My first, and so far only, time out of the US.

8. Egypt

Egypt is one that is from many, many books, among other things. But a few that I can remember for sure are the Time Travelers series by Caroline B. Cooney, the Blossom Culp series by Richard Peck, as well as newer books like Reawakened by Colleen Houck.

9. Germany, Amsterdam

I have wanted to see the house, attic really, that Anne Frank and her family had to hide out in. I also feel like I want to visit a concentration camp, and pay my respects to those whose lives were lost in the holocaust.

10. Australia

I think the first time I really thought I wanted to go was after reading Pride of the Peacock by Victoria Holt.

So, have you been to any of these places? Are you from one of them? What are some locations you want to visit after reading a book that took place in that setting?

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Review and Excerpt Tour: Play On by Samantha Young

Book Info:

Title: Play On
Author: Samantha Young
Genre: Adult romance
Release Date: September 12th, 2017
My rating: 5 stars
Cover Design: By Hang Le

Synopsis:

Nora O’Brien chased a dream from Indiana to Scotland, so sure it was the right thing to do. Three years later she was left in her adopted country with nothing to her name but guilt and regret.

Until Aidan Lennox entered her life.

Older, worldlier, a music producer and composer, the sexy Scot should never have made sense for Nora. But somehow in each other they found the light they were looking for, the laughter and the passion—the strength to play on despite their past losses.

But when life dealt Aidan another unlucky hand, instead of reaching for her he disappeared. The agonizing loss of him inspired something within Nora. It fired her spirit— the anger and hurt pushing her forward to take control and reach for her dreams.

Finally pursuing a career on stage while she put herself through college, everything is how Nora wants it. She’s avoiding heartbreak and concentrating on her goals.

Sounds easy but it’s not. Because Aidan is back. And for some reason he hates Nora.

He’s determined to be at war with her.

And she has absolutely no idea why.

Out September 12^th 2017 in digital and paperback edition!

Excerpt:

From the angle I was sitting, I could only see Aidan’s profile. A rush of feeling flooded over me as I studied his familiar face. Memories flooded me. Smiles. Laughter. Kisses. Soft touches. Tears. Him falling to his knees. Not meeting my eyes and telling me to leave and get rest. The last thing he ever said to me.

I’d never felt such a confusing mix of fury and longing in my entire life. I at once wanted to go to him, make him look at me, hold me, and I also wanted to march up to him, grab his sweater in my fist, and shake him, even though he’d barely budge under my assault.

I remember you, Pixie.

I closed my eyes, in pain at the memory. If he called me by his nickname for me again, I didn’t know whether I’d burst into tears or smack him across the face.

Probably both.

“Viola!” Quentin spun on his heel to look at me. “On stage.”

Nerves hit me in a massive wave and I took a moment to exhale slowly before I stood and walked toward the stage. I hoped I appeared calm and ready to do this because inside, I was under attack.

I joined Eddie up on stage; he gave me a bolstering smile.

In my entrance on performance nights, I would be accompanied by Eddie as Captain and we’d have extras with us as our sailors. “‘What country, friends, is this?’” I said in a faux upper-crust English accent, slowly walking across the stage, looking awed.

“‘This is Illyria, lady,’” Eddie said, following me.

I swiftly turned to look at him. “‘And what should I do in Illyria? My brother he is in Elysium …’”

We fell into the scene and I was feeling pretty good about it when it came to an end, until I looked over at Quentin and Aidan. Finally, I had Aidan’s attention. But I’d take him ignoring me over the scowl he wore.

As my director opened his mouth to speak, Aidan called up to me, “You need to work on that accent.”

I flushed, turning expectantly to Quentin. He looked a little taken aback by Aidan’s input but he nodded at me. “If one person thinks it’s not great, others might. Practice it. It’s not a huge concern yet.”

“The way she’s wandering around the stage like a bewildered child is,” Aidan said, like he hadn’t insulted the hell out of me. “Viola is bold enough to dress as a man in order to find her brother. She wouldn’t be wild-eyed and frightened.”

Wild-eyed and frightened?

I hadn’t been acting wild-eyed and frightened!

Quentin quirked an brow at his friend and then smirked up at me. “Play it a little less vulnerable in your next scene.”

Seething, I could only nod. Completely unable to look at Aidan, I turned to Eddie. He gave me a sympathetic smile and we left the stage together. The actors playing Maria, Sir Toby, and Sir Andrew took the stage.

Ignoring Aidan, I strode farther down the aisle to get away from him, and Amanda gave me a smug smile from her seat next to Hamish. “You’ll get better with practice,” she said.

I returned her smile with a tight one of my own and flopped down on a seat near the back.

It wasn’t long later, however, that Quentin was calling me up to stage again with Will and Jack. After Aidan’s criticism—something he did not dole out to anyone else—I was on edge but fighting the feeling because I didn’t want it to affect my performance.

We were halfway through the scene when Quentin called up for us to stop. Dread filled me as we looked down at him.

But it was Aidan who spoke. “You’re doing it again. All doe-eyed while he’s talking.” He gestured to Jack.

Anger flared out of me. “I’m supposed to be in love with him,” I argued.

“And you’re masquerading as a man. You’re good at deception,” he bit out, and I couldn’t miss the hiss of anger in his words. Were we still talking about the play? “At this point in the play, you can control your feelings for this man.”

Reeling from his words, I couldn’t argue this time. In fact, the whole atmosphere in the theater had changed, as if everyone else had heard the underlying fury in his words and were confused by them.

As confused as I was.

Why the hell was Aidan mad at me?

My Review:
As usual, Samantha Young's writing has grabbed my heart and ripped the tears from my eyes. I was unsure when I started, because it is an older man who is the romantic interest, and I'm usually not a fan of those types of relationships. But Young knows how to make the age difference, even as it gets pointed out in the story, and is a big issue within the story, not what the whole story is about. Her characters are ones that I can't help but want to know what will happen to them. Several points throughout the story had me in tears, not sure how the story would go, how things could get better. But all of the things that were big issues in the story definitely worked and were realistic, the obstacles they faced, the misunderstandings, for the most part really weren't ones that make me think that people in real life wouldn't act that way. Those problems the couple faced were not problems just created for drama, their reactions to the situations not ones that were just written to extend the suspense. All of them fit the story perfectly, and made it out to be the latest story of perfection that Samantha Young has created.

About the Author:

Samantha Young is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows. Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us was published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook & hardback June 2017. Play On is an adult contemporary romance and the first in a brand new series set in Scotland.

Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for Hero. On Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015.

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.