Book Review: I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella.

Sophie Kinsella has been one of  my favourite Authors for many years. Even now, when I rarely read chick lit, (with a major preference for crime thrillers) if Sophie Kinsella publishes a book, I will get excited for it and read it as soon as I can. So, when I Owe You One came out, I knew I wanted to read it. 

Did it reach all my Kinsella expectations? Read on to see! 

 

Description:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sophie Kinsella, an irresistible story of love and empowerment about a young woman with a complicated family, a handsome man who might be “the one,” and an IOU that changes everything

Fixie Farr has always lived by her father’s motto: “Family first.” But since her dad passed away, leaving his charming housewares store in the hands of his wife and children, Fixie spends all her time picking up the slack from her siblings instead of striking out on her own. The way Fixie sees it, if she doesn’t take care of her father’s legacy, who will? It’s simply not in her nature to say no to people.

So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, Fixie not only agrees—she ends up saving it from certain disaster. Turns out the computer’s owner is an investment manager. To thank Fixie for her quick thinking, Sebastian scribbles an IOU on a coffee sleeve and attaches his business card. But Fixie laughs it off—she’d never actually claim an IOU from a stranger. Would she?

Then Fixie’s childhood crush, Ryan, comes back into her life and his lack of a profession pushes all of Fixie’s buttons. She wants nothing for herself—but she’d love Seb to give Ryan a job. And Seb agrees, until the tables are turned once more and a new series of IOUs between Seb and Fixie—from small favors to life-changing moments—ensues. Soon Fixie, Ms. Fixit for everyone else, is torn between her family and the life she really wants. Does she have the courage to take a stand? Will she finally grab the life, and love, she really wants? 

My Thoughts:

Within the first chapter of this book, I could tell it was Kinsella’s words, I was chuckling away to myself and indulged in the fact that I had the new Sophie Kinsella book in my hands and it was going to be good. 

The main character Fixie, nicknamed because of what she calls her flaw, she has to “fix” everything. In that first chapter, we are given tales of her fixing things that made me chuckle. Knowing Kinsella’s writing, these personality traits are going to be quite a thing in the book. They were, Fixie meets a man in a coffee shop, and does him a favour. This is where the title ‘I Owe You One’ comes from. 

Pretty soon on, we meet Fixie’s long time crush Ryan. I guess with most chick lit, easy reading books you can kind of tell what kind of person he will be and how the relationship will develop. Chick lit for me is easy reading, fun, light hearted and escapism. Therefore this predictability was not a problem for me. There were a couple of unexpected things that happened within Fixie’s relationships and the plot kept me reading page after page wanting to finish and see where Fixie ended up. 

The side line characters are interesting. Particularly Fixie’s relationship with her best friend Hannah. They are the perfect match for each other. This is one thing I do love about Kinsella’s books, there is always a brilliant best friend supportive role. Did you read Shopaholic? With Becky’s best friend Suze! Fantastic.  There is also the flakey character too. Fixie’s sister Nicole was exasperating, and I applaud Fixie for being so patient with her! Throughout this book, we read about fictional characters that play a movie in your head. The ‘hot’ guy, the ‘hot’ girl, neither of whom are particularly likable, then the girl you root for……and the happy ever after??…… not saying anything, but what do you think?

As with all of the Sophie Kinsella books that I have read, ‘I Owe You One’ is light hearted, fun and had me chuckling to myself. It wasn’t my favourite of her books, but I think that is probably down to my preference for thrillers at the moment. The younger me would have given this 5 stars, whereas the ‘present’ me is more 4 stars. So either way, highly recommended! 

 

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Links:

Goodreads.

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Twitter/@KinsellaSophie

www.sophiekinsella.co.uk

 

 

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Guest Post from Author DJ Swykert. One Way to Write a Novel.

Today I am homoured to have a guest post from an Author that I love. I have read many of his books, and given them all brilliant reviews. (I will link the reviews and book links below).

DJ Swykert is a talented Author who writes gritty novels involving criminals, drugs, prostitutes and gripping plots. His characters are always fully explored so I feel like I knew them properly. DJ Swykert’s books are page turning brilliant. So, as I started off saying, I am pleased to bring you today a guest post from this Author, where he describes how he writes his books.

• One Way to Write a Novel

  I’m pretty straight forward as a person and a writer. I’m a former 911 operator, and in 911 you don’t have the luxury of a lot of pondering, you need to get to the essence of a problem in a hurry.

  It was good training for resolving conflict in a story. I also use a tip a literature teacher gave me:

  “Never use a ten dollar word when a ten cent one will do.”

  I’ve tried to do that, keep my writing direct, succinct, and understandable. Too many writers try to impress readers with their massive vocabulary, but few readers, including me, want to read a book with a dictionary on their lap. If I have to look up definitions to understand a sentence, it closes my interest in the story, and the book.

  I don’t use detailed outlines to write a story. I have the character, conflict, and the ending in my head before I begin. I put the character into conflict, and since I know how it will be resolved, the chapters always move forward to that ending.

  My idea for a first draft always begins with the characters. My protagonist Ray in Children of the Enemy was a man I saw who ran a salvage yard, which could also be described more simply as a junkyard. He was sitting on a chair outside of a house trailer, smoking a cigarette, with virtual mountains of scrap metal pieces and junk appliances surrounding him. I imagined in real life he was perhaps a cross between Dirty Harry and James Earl Jones. It was just how he impressed me. Once I have a few characters I like I put them into a situation,this is the conflict.The next step is I frame in my mind how I intend to resolve the conflict. The rest of the book consists of chapters that point toward the resolution.

  I’ve had a lot of conversations about the best way to write a book. I have long believed there is no one system that works for everyone. It’s whatever process works for you; whether it’s outlines, daily word requirements, black boards, however you frame your story and get a draft onto paper. I write a story like you’d watch a movie, chapters being scenes, the end result being me as adirector, assembling the chapter-scenes into a coherent story consisting of characters, conflict and resolution. Then I edit it. Someone asked me once how do you write a poem? I told them I write it down and then I edit it for the next thirty years. This is a slight exaggeration, but there’s an elementary truth in it, good writing requires good editing. Your imagination creates the story draft, editing is where you shape it into a book. Working with a good editor is a real plus.

  

  Bio:

  DJ Swykert is a former 911 operator writing and living in North Carolina. His work has appeared in The Tampa Review, Detroit News, Coe Review, Monarch Review, the Newer York, Lunch Ticket, Gravel, Zodiac Review, Barbaric Yawp and Bull. His books include Children of the Enemy, Sweat Street, Alpha Wolves, The Pool Boy’s Beatitude and Maggie Elizabeth Harrington, The Death of Anyone, Three-fingered Jack Davis and Nude Swimming.

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  Thank you very much DJ for that guest post. I think any insight into how Authors write their books is really interesting, and I quite agree that if you need a dictionary to read a book, then the enjoyment is taken out of it. I love the idea that the books are written as a film might be.

   

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Here are the books I can recommend with my reviews and links to each book

.REVIEW FOR THREE FINGERED JACK DAVIS. – AMAZON.

REVIEW FOR SWEAT STREET. – GOODREADS.

REVIEW THE DEATH OF ANYONE, PLUS GUEST POST OF FAMILIAL DNA RESEARCH. – AMAZON.

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The Pool Boy’s Beautitude is next on my to be read from this Author. I’m sure I will enjoy it as much as I have his other books.

Goodreads.

You can find out more about Author DJ Swykert and his books here.

Twitter.   www.magicmasterminds.com/djswykert

With 8 books published and 3 best sellers, I recommend you check out DJ Swykert and his books. Thank you for the guest post DJ.

Have you read any of these books? Let me know your favourite and your thoughts on the books and DJ’s writing ideas.

 

Looking for #BookBloggers please!

As a bookblogger myself, I am frequently contacted by Authors, publishers and PR people. Every mail I get from book related people is a compliment to me and my little blog. When I started reviewing books here, I never expected it to last as long, be as enjoyable or to be so successful (success is subjective, to me my blog is successful for what I wanted). 

Some of the people who write to me have read my review policy HERE! and know what kind of books I like to review and some just send blanket mails which are not specific to me or any other blogger or book lover! Regardless, I read all the mails and read the blurbs of the books I am being asked about. I then reply to the sender (not always the blanket senders!!) telling them whether I can or cannot read and review their book. Each time I write a mail declining, I feel a little bad that I am saying thanks but no thanks. It has to be done though, some of the books are just not to my taste and sometimes I just don’t have the time to take anymore books on. 

I have thought many times, especially when the mails are particularly nice, that it would be good if I could point the sender in the direction of bookblogger who would love to review that particular kind of book. 

So, I decided that I should do that! In order to do that, I will need a list of people who will want to be contacted for book reviews, and although I know a lot of bookbloggers, obviously I can’t just hand out details as I please.

So, if you would like to be on my list of bookbloggers that would like to be contacted for book reviews, please leave your details in my comments section, or if you would like them to be more private then you can email me or private message on twitter. (amandalerryn@yahoo.com    /   @chocolate_pages). 

To be clear:

I will send your details to Authors who contact me if I am not interested in their book, they may or may not then contact you asking if you would like to review their book.

Therefore, I will need:

1. Your name (first only if you like).

2. Your blog url.

3. Your preferred genre.

4. Your email address.

The bookblogging community is a lovely community to be part of. We all love books and reading, so why not share the love even more. I hope that I get a lot of people who want to be on this list, and if you decide that you want to be, then I hope that you find some amazing books from it.

Happy reading 

 

#FREEBOOKS, Yes free for YOU, this weekend!

We all love a freebie or two don’t we, so here are some amazing recommendations that you can download for free this weekend.

First, Nicola May has made ALL 8 of her books free on Amazon!! So prepare for your tbr’s to grow rapidly!

With her marriage in pieces, shy Cali Summers is faced with this decision and hits the world of fast love on an internet dating app.

Using room 102 in the hotel where she works as her dating ‘lair’, she opens herself up to a world of sex, lies, deception, as well as personal discovery and passionate love.

With a charming F1 engineer, a handsome army officer and her adulterous ex all on the scene, a predictable love match is far from on the cards.

My Review:

Love Me Tinder Book Review.

Link to buy FREE:

 AMAZON.CO.UK/LOVEMETINDER

AMAZON.COM/LOVE ME TINDER.

 

 

Tired of looking for love Amy Anderson decides that an astrological dating agency is the only way she is going to meet the man of her dreams. Star Fish follows Amy’s hysterical search for her ‘sole mate’ as she dates her way through the twelve signs of the zodiac. So who will finally woo Amy? Will it be Ted the Arian photographer with a passion for ice skating, or maybe Laurence, the Libran IT whiz kid who likes to get behind the wheel of a fast car? Or, how about Capricorn Christopher, the owner of Starr & Son, the dating agency? You’ll be kept guessing until the very last page!

Links to buy for FREE:

Amazon.co.uk/StarFish

Amazon.com/StarFish

 

At 3.10 pm every weekday, parents gather at Featherstone Primary to collect their children. For a special few, the friendships forged at the school gates will see them through lives filled with drama, secrets and sorrows.

When Yummy Mummy Alana reveals the identity of her love-child’s father, she doesn’t expect the consequences to be quite so extreme. Ex Czech au pair Earth Mummy Dana finds happiness in her secret side-line, but really all she longs for is another child. Slummy Mummy Brenda’s wife-beating husband leads her down a path she never thought possible, and Super Mummy Joan has to cope when life deals her a devastating blow. And what of Gay Daddy Gordon? Will he be able to juggle parenthood and cope with his broken heart at the same time?

Four very different mothers. One adorable dad. And the intertwining trials and tribulations that a year at the primary school gates brings.

Links to buy for FREE:

Amazon.co.uk/TheSchoolGates

Amazon.com/TheSchoolGates

 

 

 

A page-turner… a terrific read’ Susan Sallis “A powerful tale of survival and hardship, very well crafted and with strong characters” – Publishing News Past Remembering – Book Six of the Hearts of Gold series by Catrin Collier 1941. In Pontypridd, Ronnie Ronconi has returned home from war-torn Italy. The family are certain he will once again take charge of the family in his own forceful way, but Ronnie’s escape from Italy has left him a much changed man. He accepts the rights and freedoms of his younger siblings as he never has before, and even finds time to help others, particularly Alma, whose husband has been sent on a most dangerous mission. After the loss of his beloved wife, Ronnie is certain he will never look at a woman again; he certainly doesn’t expect to fall in love – particularly with the wife of a friend… Diana is locked in an unhappy marriage – but can Ronnie and Diana put their own personal happiness ahead of that of an entire family?

Links to buy for FREE:

Amazon.co.uk/BetterTogether

Amazon.com/BetterTogether

 

Ruby IS BACK and never expected to be starting over…but after a shocking bereavement, she begins to question whether or not she will ever be happy again.
A chance encounter with handsome author Michael Bell throws her fragile heart into turmoil. Plus, a dark family secret and completely unexpected love interest add to her confusion.
Encouraged to face her demons, she volunteers at The Bow Wow Club – (Boyfriends of Widows, Wives of Widowers).
In this charming sequel to Working it Out you will laugh and cry along with a myriad of eccentric characters as Ruby searches for her inner peace. But will she let love win? Or allow her past to continue to haunt her

Links to buy for FREE:

Amazon.co.uk/LetLoveWin

Amazon.com/LetLoveWin

 

‘This book will twang your funny bone – and your heartstrings. I totally loved it. Nicola May is a talent to watch!’ Milly Johnson

‘A funny and fast-paced romp … thoroughly enjoyable’ Deborah Hughes, Woman

‘The kind of special book that only comes along once in a while’ Miranda Dickinson

What would you do if you were told you could never have children?

Faced with this news, Gracie Davies is at an all-time low. But with the support of some new Wimbledon friends, an unorthodox therapist, her hippy-chick sister Naomi and Czech call-girl Maya, she sets up The SW19 Club and begins her rocky journey to inner peace and happiness. Add in a passionate fling with handsome landscaper Ed, a fairytale encounter with a Hollywood filmstar and the persistence of her adulterous ex, life is anything but predictable…

My Review: The SW19 Club

Links to buy for FREE:

Amazon.co.uk/TheSW19Club

Amazon.com/TheSW19Club

 

It is January 1957 and Helen’s husband Jack returns from National Service. Happy to be reunited, they resume their life together. Their friends, Lily, pregnant and married to Jack’s brother Martin, Katie, pregnant and married to Helen’s father John, and Judy, engaged to policeman Sam, form part of their everyday life. Then Helen is utterly shattered when Jack tells her that a brief fling with a sergeant’s widow has left the woman pregnant. Helen can’t have children so handling her friends’ pregnancies has been difficult enough; this is more than she can bear. She starts divorce proceedings but their fierce love for each other cannot be extinguished. Finally she has to make a decision which requires courage but could be the answer to their differences.

Links to buy for FREE:

Amazon.co.uk/WorkingItOut

Amazon.com/WorkingItOut

 

It’s two days before Christmas and Evie Harris finds herself both manless and jobless. After a chance encounter with handsome Greg (and egged on by her toy-boy-eating friend, Bea) she agrees to work at a homeless shelter on Christmas Day.

Striking up an unlikely friendship with homeless Yves, Evie begins an unwitting journey of spiritual awakening, all set against the sparkling winter backdrop of London.

A New Year’s Eve revelation is on its way … but will it leave Evie with a happy heart, or will she allow the pre-Christmas past to dictate her future?

My Review: Christmas Evie Book Review

Links to buy for FREE:

Amazon.co.uk/ChristmasEvie

Amazon.com/ChristmasEvie

 

 

Ben Whittle’s father, a private investigator, has been taken captive by a cult whilst investigating the case of a missing girl. When Ben receives a desperate call from his father asking for help he is drawn into a dark underground world.

As Ben retraces the last known steps of the missing girl he discovers his only option left is to join the cult and rescue his father from the inside.

The leader of the cult, Edward Ebb, is a psychopathic egocentric who uses his position to control his small group of followers in The Sons and Daughters of Salvation. When he initiates Ben into the group it soon becomes apparent how sick and twisted Ebb is.

Ben must find his father and the missing girl, but the odds are stacked against him and time is running out.

Can Ben rescue his father and the girl and escape with his life?
And what is the gruesome secret concealed in the Revelation Room?

The Revelation Room is the first in a new series of psychological mystery thrillers

Links to buy for FREE:

Amazon.co.uk/RevelationRoom

Amazon.com/RevelationRoom

 

 

So, there you go!! A lovely weekend treat for all who want to download some brilliant books for free. Let me know which ones you choose and what you think of them. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liebster Award.

                                 I was nominated for a LIEBSTER AWARD!!!!! Thank you so much to Lyndsey,  @shoegal1982     http://www.glitterinmyveins.co.uk

She has a fantastic new blog, which I absolutely recommend you check out.

I haven’t been blogging for that long, so I wasn’t sure what this award was. After reading a bit about it, it seems a great way for bloggers to get to know other bloggers and a great way for you to get your blog out there.

I love blogging, but its taking time to get followers and for my reader figures to rise. Although I’m writing for me because I enjoy it, I also would be happy if I got more followers and if more people read my posts.

Therefore, being nominated for this is FAB.

So, a quick review of what The Liebster Award is, and the rules:

1. Thank and link back to the blogger who nominated you.

2. Write 11 random facts about yourself.

3. Answer the 11 questions you have been asked from the blogger who nominated you.

4. Nominate 11 bloggers with under 200 followers and set them 11 questions to answer. *

* Of the bloggers I have nominated, most I can see have under 200 followers, though some blogs do not show their numbers. They are all fabulous blogs that I love though.

 

Some random facts about me:

1. I had the most amazing Wedding to my soul mate last year.

2. I work with Autistic children and love it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. If I could only live of one food for the rest of my life, I’d choose chocolate.

4. I love the smell of bacon, but not the taste as much.

5. No matter how many times I’ve tried I can’t make a good brownie.

6. I love cats and don’t like dogs.

7. I worked in Thailand for 2 years and loved it.

8. I travelled around Mexico for 3 months and loved it.

9. I have 2 brothers who are both very clever.

10. I don’t get on with my sister in law. (sadly)

11. I LOVE LOVE LOVE chocolate and reading chick lit books.    (hence my blog name).

 

Now to answer Lyndsey’s questions to me:

1. The Starbucks drink of my choice is an Americano. (though occasionally I indulge in a hot chocolate!).

2. I started blogging because I always liked to write in school, I was inspired by other bloggers, and its a great way to ‘get my thoughts out’.

3. I am a night owl far more than a morning bird, although I don’t like to stay up to late or I tend to waste the next day.

4. My favourite ever film is Anne of Green Gables. I just love it and chuckle everytime I hear “Could you please call me Cordelia?”

And the quote from her teacher – “Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it”. Fabulous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. The one make up item I can’t do without is powder. (I have oily skin).

6. My favourite childhood memory is Christmas day with my Mum, Dad and 2 brothers. That doesn’t happen anymore. Presents, breakfast, more presents, lunch, play, tv, chocolate. PERFECT.

7. My celebrity crush is Cristano Ronaldo! 8. My dream holiday destination would be India, (Probably Goa, then travel round a bit).   9. Out of Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte, I would be Charlotte, quieter, loyal, a bit prudish!

10. If I could change something about myself it would be my chattiness. I would love to be able to talk more in social situations. I feel I am far too quiet. I envy those who can walk into a room and instantly have great conversations with anyone.

11. My biggest regret is……. actually to painful to write about. Sorry.    :- (

 

Now, here are my questions for you…… I look forward to reading your answers.

1. Sweet or savoury?

2. What made you start blogging?

3. Cats or dogs?

4. Who is your favourite author?

5. Tell me one interesting fact about you?

6. Who would be your 3 ideal dinner guests, (dead, alive, famous or not)?

7. What would you serve them?

8. What’s your all time favourite tv show?

9. What’s your ideal date?

10. Who is your celebrity crush?

11. Tell me 2 of your favourite bloggers?

I hope those questions are ok, I look forward to reading your answers.

 

And finally  the fabulous Bloggers that I nominate:

1. Verity at Verityreadsbooks.wordpress.com       @WildeV

2. Clare at Abookandtea.wordpress.com              @ABookandTea

3. thereadersroost.wordpress.com                        @thereadersroost

4. Katy at Notwedordead.com                               @notwedordead

5. Charlene at charlenejess@wordpress.com       @hellosweety26

6. Cara at carawritesstuff.wordpress.com             @carawritesstuff

7. Jill at jilllovestoread@blogspot.co.uk                 @jillstratton

8. Carly at carlyblogshere.BlogSpot.co.uk             @carlyblogshere

9. Laura at lollylovesx.com                                     @LollyLovesx

10. Bee at bibliobeereader.wordpress.com             @BeeReader

11. Susi at readingbetweenthewinesblog.com        @Read_Wine_Blog

I love all of your blogs, and look forward to reading the answers that you give and the many more posts that you blog about.

Thank you for reading and taking part. I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

Goodbye for now, till next time……