Monday, 10 November 2014

Fairy Tale in New York – by Nicky Wells + AUTHOR INTERVIEW

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Original Cover
My own copy




























The blurb:

New York. A restaurant near Park Avenue. It’s early evening, and dusk is falling. So is the snow. Jude and Carrie are only killing time while they wait for their flight to London. They don’t know yet that their life will never be the same.

When rock star Jude gets stranded in New York with his family on Christmas Eve, he has no idea that he is setting in motion a chain of events that will turn their Christmas into the most magical one yet…

No good deed goes unpunished, or so it seems to Jude and Carrie on the morning of the twenty-fourth of December. The previous day, they gave up their London-bound flights to someone in crisis. And now, a spectacular whiteout is grounding all planes, and Jude, Carrie, and baby Maya are stuck far from home.

Tired, hungry, and just a little panicked, Jude loads his family into a cab and returns to their hotel. But there’s no room at the inn, and not even a platinum credit card will make a difference. Snow is falling heavily, and the family is facing a very bleak night indeed.

How do you celebrate Christmas with no place to stay, no food, and no presents? Join Jude, Carrie, Maya and a cast of colourful characters in this fairy tale story of Yuletide in New York.

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Fallen For Rock was the first book by Nicky Wells I have read and I really liked it, so I was really excited for this one.

This is the perfect Christmassy and festive short story to read surrounded by lights, candles and a fire.

Jude and Carrie are on their way home to England with their sweet 6 months old daughter Maya. When a man doesn’t have any space in the airplane and he wants to go home badly, because his wife is in labour, Jude comes up and gives him his ticket. He remembers who he felt when Carrie was in labour and he had to rush to London from Manchester. Isn’t that sweet?

Well, for the family that means one more day in New York in a huge suite, because this guy, just gave them his “hotel room”. They enjoy every single minute in New York and when they try to fly home again, they can’t because of a snowstorm. What now? All hotels are fully booked and is so cold and stormy outside, not really they perfect circumstances for Christmas, especially with a baby.

Luckily they meet Ray, his brother owns a hostel. Close to the hostel there is a church. They have never been to the church, but they decide to go and they are overwhelmed. It’s where they meet Ray again. He takes them to the hospital where he plays the Santa and they entertain they kids together. It was great reading about the fun they had and how their Christmas turned out to be magical despite the circumstances.
On Christmas day Jude asks the question and they try to go through with it on that day…

They are surprised when everybody is waiting for them at the airport, even Mr Whyte, they guy who took their flight. It turns out that he is quite a successful business man…

I loved reading this story of a little family. A rock star, his girlfriend and their daughter, just wishing for a wonderful Christmas. Them meeting so many great people on the way, helping them to make everything come true…
It’s such a sweet and adorable read, perfect for Christmas.

Rating:




My possible cast:

Carrie: Ayla Kell















Jude: Nick Howard












About Nicky Wells: Romance that Rocks Your World!

Ultimate rock chick author Nicky Wells writes romance with rock stars—because there’s no better romantic hero than a golden-voiced bad boy with a secret soft heart and a magical stage presence!

Nicky’s books offer glitzy, glamorous romance with rock stars—imagine Bridget Jones ROCKS Notting Hill! If you’ve ever had a crush on any kind of celebrity, you’ll connect with Nicky’s heroes and their leading ladies.

Born in Germany, Nicky moved to the United Kingdom in 1993 and currently lives in Lincoln with her husband and their two boys. Nicky loves listening to rock music, dancing, and eating lobsters. When she’s not writing, she’s a wife, mother, occasional knitter, and regular contributor at Siren 107.3 FM with her own monthly show. Rock on!




Did you know? There’s a single out now by Nicky’s fictional rock band Tuscq come to life! “Love Me Better” is available for download from Amazon, iTunes and many other places.



Fairy Tale in New York is now available in Kindle and paperback editions from all Amazon domains, including: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com


****Stop press!! To celebrate the launch of Fairy Tale of New York, Nicky Wells is offering her previous Christmas novella, Spirits of Christmas, completely FREE on Kindle from 8 November until 12 November! And that’s not all! Fallen for Rock will be only £0.99/$0.99 from 10 November until 16 November. Go on, treat yourself!*****

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1.    Fairy Tale in New York is your newest book, can you tell us a little about the story?

Fairy Tale in New York is my version of the perfect Christmas story. It has everything: drama-slash-catastrophe in the form of an epic snowstorm that grounds all planes; romance; glamour; humour; and that extra feel-good factor that’ll leave you with a huuuuge smile on your face. I hope!

2.    What was your inspiration for the novella?

Hmmmm... that’s a tough one. The idea kind of simply came to me. I suppose The Pogues’ classic rock song put a theme, a location in my head, and then the rest of the story came from there... What if you were stranded in New York on Christmas Eve? What if you didn’t have anywhere to stay?

3.    What is your Rock Star Romance series about?

The Rock Star Romance series comprises three books: Sophie’s Turn, Sophie’s Run, and Sophie’s Encore. It’s a veritable saga of sorts, telling the complicated love story between rock star Dan and girl-next-door Sophie with all its ups and downs and twists and turns.

4.    What’s your favourite line in Fairy Tale in New York?

Oh my goodness, I don’t think I’ve ever been asked that one before! Can I give you a favourite excerpt instead? Yes? Here goes...

‘Is that before or after we try that scene from Pretty Woman?’
‘You and your one-track mind.’ Carrie pretended to pout and threw a glove at Jude.
‘Hey, that’s not fair!’ Jude caught the glove and laughed. ‘You suggested it.’
‘That was before!’
‘Before what?’
‘Before it snowed!’

5.    What’s your favourite scene in Fairy Tale in New York?

That would have to be the hospital scene, especially when Jude is acting Santa Claus!

6.    Imagine one of your books would be turned into a movie, who would you cast for the main characters?

I change my mind on that one all the time! Let’s just say for Jude, I suggest Miles Kennedy of Alter Bridge. And for Carrie... How about Taylor Swift? I think they’d make a fab pair!

7.    I’ve read your book Fallen For Rock, how did that story develop?

In Fallen for Rock, I wanted to tell the story of a young woman who, quite against her own expectations, discovers that there is more to the world of rock than meets the eye. Fallen for Rock is a romance, but it’s also a story of self-discovery and following your dream—even if you didn’t really know what that dream was until it comes and bites you on the nose!

As you know, Emily had it all sorted in her mind: her life plan, her career. Along comes Nate and throws everything in disarray, so he has to go. Except shortly afterwards, Emily realises she’s made a massive mistake. Fallen for Rock is about trying to fix that mistake... and about falling in love with a whole new you, a whole new music scene, in the process.

8.    Did you always dream of being a writer?

One hundred percent yes! I submitted my first literary efforts to a publisher of children’s books when I was about twelve. I got the nicest rejection letter ever, informing me that while they were a publisher of children’s books, they didn’t actually publish books written by children!

9.    What are you working on right now?

Right now, I’m working on a romantic comedy called Seven Years Bad Sex. It’s about a toasting superstition and one young couple’s inability to engage in romantic togetherness following a toasting mishap during their wedding celebrations. It’s written from a his-and-hers point of view, and I’m really excited about this novel! Coming your way some time in the summer of 2015, watch this space…

10.   Where and when do you write your stories?

In my office when the boys are at school and/or in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep!

11.  What do you do and enjoy when you’re not writing?

Oooh lots of things! I love cooking. I’m a voracious reader (although I don’t have nearly enough time to read these days, LOL), and I very occasionally knit—you know, scarves and jumpers and things. Mostly scarves, though. I also have a small radio show on Lincoln’s Siren FM that keeps me pretty busy.

12.   Who is your favourite author and why?

That’s a really hard question, there are so many! I’m actually a big fan of crime and thrillers, so Lee Child is a firm favourite alongside David Baldacci. I simply love the pace and the rhythm and the guessing game (although I rarely get it right, I’m simply too innocent, LOL).

In the romance and chick lit genres, I adore Sophie Kinsella, Jane Green, Catherine Alliott, Sheryl Browne, Lindy Dale… the list goes on!

13.    What’s your favourite Christmas memory?

Being allowed to trim the Christmas tree by myself. I must have been six or seven, and I used every bauble of every colour. My dad thought it was hideous and gaudy, but I was ever so proud!

14.    Do you have a special Christmas tradition?

We’re very fortunate in my house to combine every known German and British Christmas tradition, so December is a loooooong fest of seasonal cheer. I do like lighting the candles on the Advent wreath every week, and also the kids still look forward to St Nicholas arriving on December 6th. I simply love Christmas, full stop. I’m the total anti-Grinch!

15.   What’s your favourite Christmas song?

Angels from the Realms of Glory, but for the life of me I can’t remember what its equivalent song is called in German. (Isn’t that terrible? Twenty years out of the country, and your memory goes!)

16.    What’s your favourite Christmas movie?

Christmas with the Kranks. Or the Muppets Christmas Carol. Or The Holiday.

17.   Who would you want to meet under mistletoe?

Joey Tempest. Or Jon Bon Jovi. Mmmmmmmh!

18.   Your favourite Christmas books?

The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder. It’s a story written in twenty four chapters, like an advent calendar, and features a magical advent calendar, a lost little girl, and a group of mythical pilgrims (sheep, angels, kings and so on) travelling diagonally through space and time to get back to the moment when Christ was born. It’s really exciting and full of biblical and historical anecdotes. The kids love it too!

19.   When do you start your Christmas shopping?

Well. Now. *coughs* If I’m organised, I do my Christmas shopping in October. This year, I haven’t even started, so it’ll probably end up being a last minute job.




Sunday, 9 November 2014

Beautiful Stranger - by Christina Lauren

Original Cover
My own copy

 The blurb:

Escaping a cheating ex, finance whiz Sara Dillon’s moved to New York City and is looking for excitement and passion without a lot of strings attached. So meeting the irresistible, sexy Brit at a dance club should have meant nothing more than a night’s fun. But the manner—and speed—with which he melts her inhibitions turns him from a one-time hookup and into her Beautiful Stranger.

The whole city knows that Max Stella loves women, not that he’s ever found one he particularly wants to keep around. Despite pulling in plenty with his Wall Street bad boy charm, it’s not until Sara—and the wild photos she lets him take of her—that he starts wondering if there’s someone for him outside of the bedroom.

Hooking up in places where anybody could catch them, the only thing scarier for Sara than getting caught in public is having Max get too close in private.

My Opinion:

After reading Beautiful Bastard, book number 1 in this series, I had to get this one and I was really excited to read it.

We are in New York now. The story follows Sara Dillon, her boss is none other than Bennett Ryan, remember him?! If not check out Beautiful Bastard. The whole company expanded and they opened up offices in New York as well now. Bennett is there and of course also his Fiancée Chloe. It was great to read about them again, I loved them as a couple and now I get glimpses of them in relation to Sara and Max – perfect.

Well, let’s get back to Sara. She wants a new start, away from her ex… In a club she meets sexy, irresistible, gorgeous, British Max. She is instantly drawn to him…

Max Stella loves women and he’s not afraid to show that, but then he meets Sara… Suddenly everything changes.

I loved reading about the way their “relationship” developed. Not wanting more than just “sex” they met up from time to time, experiencing different things. Especially for Sara it was something totally new. She explores different sides to her usual self and she likes it…

They hooked up in so many different places and each scene was so detailed, carefully described and very very sexy. I loved the mixture and the variety, always something exciting, hot and passionate.

Both, Max and Sara, realised that there could be something more between them, both too afraid to say anything. And of course it wouldn’t be a real story, without some drama and misunderstandings in the end.

To me, Sara and Max were perfect together. And I loved reading from both their perspectives; it gave such a clear picture to their feelings.

This book is BRILLIANT!!!! I loved every steaming second of it! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!!!

Rating:




My possible cast:

Sara: Leaticia Guarino
















Max: Josh Kloss
















Christina Lauren on Twitter: @ChristinaLauren

Saturday, 8 November 2014

Books I'd Like To Live In by Jenny Duffy

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“Books have to be heavy because the whole world's inside them.”


Inkheart is a book I read years ago, but it has always stayed with me and I have re-read it many times since. It is one of those books that I vividly remember reading the first time. It is a book I would recommend to any book lover – it is about characters being read out of books and into the real world, and every chapter starts with a quote from a book. Inkheart is a magical fantasy adventure, and is one of my favourite books. I love Inkspell, especially getting to see the Inkworld the characters in the first book came from. And the thought of being able to read yourself into a book is so amazing! The wait for Inkdeath, the final book in the trilogy, was agonising...I think it was the first time I experienced waiting years for a book to come out. When I got a proof copy in my local bookshop to review, I screamed with delight. So, the Inkworld is the world I have chosen  for this post, although there are so many fictional worlds I would love to live in (I’m still hoping my Hogwarts letter will turn up!). I will avoid talking much about the plot, I don’t want to ruin any of the wonderful suspense for those who haven yet to read the book!

The first glimpse we get of the Inkworld is in Inkspell. Meggie and Farid arrive in the Wayless Wood, a beautiful, light-filled place: ‘carpets of moss, pools of cool water, flowers and sweet berries everywhere, trees growing up to the sky, and the voices of their leaves speaking to the wind above you.’ The Inkworld seems to glisten in the descriptions, I found myself wishing I could read myself there as the characters had! Even without the fairies and the magic, the Inkworld seems like an enchanting place I would love to live in – forests, castles, sparkling lakes, bustling medievalesque towns.


Yes, it is a dark and dangerous place, but it is also a world of fire-eaters, glassmen and fairies, a world where reading has power. This intrigue and adventure is what made the books so gripping, and the magic is one of the main reasons I would love to live in the Inkworld. But I’m not sure how well I would cope with many of Meggie’s adventures in the Inkworld...I definitely wouldn’t fancy my chances against Mortola or Basta!



A movie of Inkheart was released in 2008, but (in my opinion) the books are much better! If you haven’t read the trilogy yet I would highly recommend it. Cornelia Funke has said she may write another book about the Inkworld, so even if I can’t visit the Wayless Wood or The Castle of the Night in person hopefully I will be reading about them again before long...



Thank you so much Simona for having me on your blog, I loved the series idea. If I work out a way for us all to read ourselves into books I will let you know!



Twitter: @Jenny_books_art