THE KISS BEFORE CHRISTMAS - SOPHIE PEMBROKE - BOOK REVIEW 5*

Loved it! 

You can tell the author has studied English Literature as the story is effortlessly written, which in turn makes it a pleasure to read. Also well edited which meant there were no gaps or scene jumps leaving the reader disorientated as to where the scene was taking place or whose POV they were reading. 

A story full of secrets, historical relationship dramas, spiced up with sexual tension and yummy kisses. Add a few snotty posh people, who no one really wants to spend Christmas with, as they are obnoxious, insensitive and act as though need a spring of holly removed from their Ice cold hearts!

It was a nice change to see a couple who are in their 30's and not pigeon holed into 18-25 age group like most books these days. It made it far more interesting and believable that the characters had relationships before and now they were 'love shy'. 

I enjoyed it, read it cover to cover in 2 hours and look forward to more from this author.

SANTA WORE LEATHERS - VONNIE DAVIS - BOOK REVIEW 5*

Sexy, feisty, witty and Christmassy
I love the authors ease with words. She tells the story with care, enthusiasm and more wit than you could shake a stick at. Just my type of book. She is on my favourites list. 

I was laughing my duck off in the first few pages and several chapters in I lost count of the scrotum references, whether it be the dogs bits or the hotties. All of which made me laugh. 

It's a story with a broken heart which needs to be mended, trust issues from previous shitty relationships and a 'don't judge a book by it's cover' love interest. The heart is owned by a firey, sulky, red headed protagonist who fights off the advances of her new sexy neighbour, only to have her legs knocked bandy with one 'blue steel' look. One minute she is say 'Ah, ah' and the 'Ooo aaaa'. The fact he is a fireman and knows how to handle her firey temperament as well as get her hot under the collar doesn't go a miss. 

I was a bit peeved at his waffling on throughout the naughty bits, it was like a radio presenter or sports commentators. I would yell 'Just F*** me already!' or pull my blindfold off and gag him with it.

Their relationship challenged misconceptions on who we chose to date or not, based on what the person does for a living. I for instance would never consider dating an accountant no matter how good he was with his digits (ahem). I can't save enough money to next pay day and often store it in my bra. I am an accountants worst nightmare. I have visions of them asking for a receipt after sex... not that I charge but you get my meaning... preconceived ideals. 

This book reminds us that love is a tricky, addictive and euphoric. The broken hearted avoid like the plague only to fall hard and fast just when they thought they were safe. Most of us end up with the exact opposite of what we think we are looking for and all have to surrender our hearts, as that is the price of love. Even if yours is battered and bruised, it can bounce back like Rocky and knock a guy for six.

SAY IT WITH SEQUINS (The Rumba) - GEORGIA HILL - BOOK REVIEW 4*

If you love Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing with the Stars etc, you will love this. Picture a Welsh Childrens TV presenter (I pictured Gethin Jones) and a West End actress both signing up for a reality Dance comp in the hope to raise their profile and get new job offers. The usual reason Stars sign up.

Throw in some sequins, dodgy revelling dresses and unwanted intimacy with your dance partner, who is a moron and only happy when he has a stick insect to throw around like pizza dough. She's the under dog who can't find her bark to defend against her trainers bite, and the comments from the judges leave her confidence in tatters. It's something we all witness on a Saturday night coming up to Christmas on these shows.

Will she find her feet? Will her new friendship with the Welsh hottie ever develop into a first kiss? Read and find out! ;)

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU - MICHELLE BETHAM - BOOK REVIEW 5*

Any book that can have you worried for the protagonist in the first chapter, heartbroken for them in the second and hopeful in the third, has my vote!

I got interrupted several times reading this and as it is a very emotional read I contemplated whether I should risk getting arrested for assault, just so I could finish reading it in peace.

It keeps you interested, as you want to confirm your suspicions but it also allows you to suspend disbelief in some instances and pine for those who are no longer with us.

I am usually far more interested in the dialogue than the destination but reading this at Christmas time made me feel more festive than my belly full of turkey. The author captured the magic and beauty of Lapland. It was like a tour guide. I would have liked more interaction between the two love interests rather than a tour but I felt it was more about her emotional journey than the relationship. Plus it is a novella so short and sweet, just like Christmas!

ON THE SCENT - ANGELA CAMPBELL - BOOK REVIEW 5*

I will have an order of Henry Cavill inspired hunk with a side portion of cute pets in danger please.

Why 5*'s? Here is how I worked it out.

Would I sleep with Zach, Brian and Kellan... yep 1* E.J.... No. - 1* But there was three hotties, imagine the fun... add that star back! 1*

Was the protagonist a wimp... No... make that 2** 

Did I want them to 'kiss already' like back in the day of Moonlighting with Bruce Willis... yep 3***

Were the pets cute... of course 4**** However, the cat was sly and grumpy - 1* making it 3***

Was the storyline believable, full of mystery and a twitch of fiction... Yep 4****

Did they fall out and make up, then finally jump each other with more passion than the leg humping dog ... yep add a star making it 5***** 

The back story with Zach and his brother was a nice lead to the next story. Bring it on!

THE LAST KISS - BRIGID COADY - BOOK REVIEW 5*

A lovely 'short' which perfectly depicts the heartbreak and joy of the last kiss. Some kisses are branded into our soul, a wonderful memory we dust off in our later years. The kind that reminds us we were truly kissed. Perfect!

Lipstick on His Collar - Brigid Coady - Book Review 5*

Wonderful short that depicts how the temptation of a forbidden kiss can be irresistible and even if your conscience is screaming at you, you will turn a deaf ear just for a taste.

ONE KISS - LISA FOX - BOOK REVIEW 4*

A story of attraction whilst in the friend zone with a work colleague/bestie. Add to it the fear of falling in love with the risk of falling out later. Are you willing to risk losing that friendship for the sake of having someone to kiss at midnight?

I enjoyed reading this story late on a Friday night. It made me want to go out, party and kiss someone just for the hell of it. 

The chemistry and attraction between the two was realistic and had you anticipating the kiss before it happened. The kisses were wonderfully descriptive and made you miss a good old snog or grab your partner and pucker up. 

The only slight negative for me was sometimes it seemed to mood swing a bit too quickly so I got readers whiplash but it got back on track quick enough. I also found some parts overly crude for a romantic scene. I just felt that certain sentences detracted from the moment and would have been more appropriate in another scene. 

WRITING A REVIEW...TIPS.

I've been asked to explain how I compose my reviews and give some tips, as some people are reluctant to write or post them on their blog, in case they get it wrong or receive backlash. This is how I do it. I have no idea how others do theirs but here we go...

Firstly, you can never get it wrong, it is your opinion. Second, a review can be 20 words long on Amazon. It would take a reader 1 minute to type 2 sentences in the review section e.g. 'I loved this story. It made me laugh, cry, swoon and fall in love with the authors style of writing.' See easy! Anyone can do it. The problem is, they often don't as they assume it has to be in depth and they don't have time. Other assume you need a degree in English or be an expert on the subject matter. Nope, a review is purely what you thought of it. Examples:

'It was good. I enjoyed it. I really like the end as it was action packed. Can't wait for the next book.' 5*

'I liked it but felt there were too many questions left unanswered. I am hoping they get covered in the sequel.' 4*

'It took me a while to get into the story as the first few chapters were a bit like a history lesson as opposed to a historical romance.' 3* 

It can be as simple as that. I am not a review snob. I don't care who the publisher is or the author. When I review a book it is based on the shelf appeal and blurb, whether is be online or in a shop. An author wants reviews, they don't expect you to be a wordsmith. As an author myself I get the best reviews from mums at home with a baby in one arm and an ereader in the other or people sneak reading at work or school. 

NETGALLEY

I also review ARC's via NetGalley which I was invited to join last year as a professional reader. I can request a copy of a story I am interested in but I also receive requests from publishers and authors as me to review a story. You then download as a file or send to your kindle as a 'personal document'. You have a certain number of days or weeks before it is archived by the publisher and you can no longer read it. Sometimes you can request a story and the publisher refuses as you have not got enough feedback from others for them to judge if you are any good at reviews.  

I mainly review at the authors request. When I am sent ARC's by the author or publisher my reviews are more in depth. They are for feedback. I point out plot holes and highlight typos etc. When I write a review I do it honestly with a positive mindset and ensure any feedback is constructive and not destructive critique. If I don't like certain sections of the story I'll tell the author/publisher why. 

I won't review a story I don't find interesting. I will suggest other reviewers as an alternative if I know someone would enjoy reading it. 

I will repeat what I said before 'You do not have to be a professional reader, have a degree in English Literature or be a writer to review a story. Anyone who reads a story can review it.' 

MY RULES FOR REVIEWING

My number one rules is... start out positive. My mindset from the beginning is 5* as the author has taken the time and effort to write a story. It is their baby. They have been through the conception, which is always the best bit. They have carried the story around with them for months, sometimes years and been through the horror of editing labour.

They are finally showing us their baby, dressed in a posh book cover, name blazing across it and asking 'is it beautiful?'. No one wants to be told their baby's ugly, the names stupid and it stinks. Leave that to the trolls, manners cost nothing. 

STARTING WITH 5* IS MY CHOICE

Some reviewers like to build up to it, there is no hard and fast rule. I am basically giving the author a 'high five' for completing a novel. I only take away stars if something really niggles or confuses me and I have to step out of the world they created to get my bearings e.g. flicking back a few pages or google something I know to be factually incorrect. 

Throughout the process I jot notes on a pad of what I love, hate or spot as an error. I remove a star if they lose me e.g. can't work out who is talking or we change location half way though a conversation. Also if they take too long describing something, as it loses the momentum, especially in a battle scene. I hate poorly thought-out sex scenes where it ends up being more like a game of people jenga/twister as opposed to an erotic/romantic scene. You'd need tits on your back and the flexibility of a contortionist to get into some of them. 


I often spot where the editor has removed a scene but referred to it later on, I point those out in a private message. Not in the review. 

A story will lose a star if it's full of plot holes or races to the end for the sake of 'word count' and leaves me with questions. So many try to cram in 50,000 or 85,000 words. Pay attention to the page count as you can review 3 stories in your TBR pile if the page count is e.g. 47 or 56, where as another is 287. Some are just one shorts and 10 pages. Get it out the way. 

HONESTY

I always tell the author the parts I didn't enjoy or where they confused me, in a private message not on the review. If it is published and I will allude to finding areas confusing but I won't be specific in my review as I would have already fed back to the author. Most importantly I tell them the parts I loved and if it is a series, what I am looking forward to reading in the next. I will also explain where they lost or regained a star and why. I give stars back for awesome bits! 

I don't post reviews lower than 3* in public, but I do feedback to the author direct. They have always been grateful and agreed on areas of improvement. I've never had anyone object to my reviews. I am often asked to read drafts to help other authors with document blindness or writers block. That is how I started reviewing. 

PROMOTING YOUR REVIEWS

If I like a story and think it is worth reading I will post my review on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, blog etc but only when the story is published. Not before. If I don't like a story I won't post a review. Simple. 

Enjoy reading the story and only at the end write the review, don't keep stopping. Yes, I note things down but it's nothing more than 'pg89 typo, 3rd line, Out not Our'. Those notes go to the publisher not in the review. 

DON'T POST SPOILERS

You are reviewing a story. Not retelling it. If your review contains a spoiler post a warning on it. 'This review contains spoilers' as there is nothing worse. Don't become a numpty like those who spoilt Harry Potter and Bridget Jones for people. 

5 STARS - WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

You are supporting an author with a review. It doesn't have to be 5*'s to be a great review, people see the scale very differently and it can vary depending on the site you are using. Don't feel pressured to give 5*'s. No matter how popular the book, it will never get straight 5's. In fact the more popular a book gets, the more outspoken the reviewers. Yes it's true that publishers don't often promote a review unless it is 5*'s but that's not important, an honest review is. 

In my mind (1) is poo, (2) is Meh, (3) is 'yeah it's ok', (4) is 'read it you'll like it, (5) can be varying things 'Read it, I want to discuss it with you' or 'I loved the shit out of this book'.

To other reviewers it could be (1) is 'WTF', (2) is 'Absolute Crap', (3) is 'Hours of my life wasted', (4) is 'It was ok but I hated most of it', (5) 'Loved the shit out of this book!'  

So as you can see, you can't go wrong. It's an opinion. Your opinion. Your version of the 1-5* and if everyone liked to read the same thing there would be no need for reviewers. Be your own person, give an honest and fair review. Be conscious that there is a person on the receiving end of the words you type. I use the 'granny rule' don't say something in your review that you are not willing to say to a granny. For the record I know some pretty frisky grannies but if you are rude to them, their cat will scratch your eyes out ;) 

Enjoy reviewing! It only needs to be 20 words.