Book of the Month - May 2015

The books I read this month:

-       Bidding on Brooks – by Katy Regnery 5/5

-       Coming Up Roses – by Rachael Lucas 4/5

-       The Definition of Icing – by Aven Ellis 5/5

-       The Longest Holiday – by Paige Toon RE-READ

-       Bride Without A Groom – by Amy Lynch 3/5

-       Waiting For Prince Harry – by Aven Ellis RE-READ

-       Little Acts of Love – by Tilly Tennant 4/5

-       The Silent Hours – by Cesca Major 5/5

-       Sweet Forgiveness – by Lori Nelson Spielman 5/5

-       7 Years Bad Sex – by Nicky Wells 4/5

-       Finding Audrey – by Sophie Kinsella 5/5

-       The Sun in Her Eyes – by Paige Toon 5/5

-       The Love Shack – by Jane Costello *started*

We have two clear winners here:

The Definition of Icing – Aven Ellis

The bit on the back:

Kenley Hunter finally has everything sorted out. Fresh from studying chocolate making in Europe, she's

gambling everything on her new business, Confection Consultations.

All Kenley wants in life is people to take her seriously, to see the person on the inside rather than the

blonde beauty on the outside. While pursuing her passion of chocolate, Kenley discovered people seek her

knowledge. They see past the exterior and fall for the chocolate delights in front of them.

So with work as her focus, Kenley is ready to start her career in Dallas. Men are out of her recipe, because

she fears that once they get past her looks, they’ll be disappointed in what they find. Kenley decides she's

all about the chocolate now.

Or is she?

Because a chance meeting with new Dallas Demon hockey star Nate Johansson might change everything.

Sent to Dallas in a blockbuster trade, Nate is somewhere he doesn't want to be, for reasons that have

caused him heartbreak on multiple levels. Nate knows he will never trust a woman again after what

happened to him in Minnesota.

But when he meets a woman with an intriguing name and a passion for chocolate, Nate isn't so sure about

his theory. And he might just learn a definition of icing other than the one used in hockey with Kenley as his guide...

My opinion:

Two amazing characters, a real connection, hockey, brilliant writing... THIS BOOK IS PERFECT!!! It’s emotional, gripping, thoughtful, deep, and so much more! My favourite Aven Ellis books so far. I can’t stop thinking about this amazing story and the characters. Aven just know how to touch a heart, by creating unique and memorable scenes. GENIUS!!!!!!! Read my review here: The Definition of Icing - Review

Aven on Twitter: @AvenEllis

Website: http://www.avenellis.com

The Sun in Her Eyes – Paige Toon

The bit on the back:

'Before your mother died, she asked me to tell you something …'

When Amber Church was three, her mother was killed in a car accident. A stranger was at the scene and now, nearly thirty years later, she's desperate to talk to Amber.

Living in London and not-so-happily married to Ned, Amber is greeted one morning by two pieces of news: she's to be made redundant from her City job and her beloved father, across the world in Australia where she grew up, has been felled by a stroke. She takes the first plane out to be by his side, leaving Ned uncertain as to when she will return. Reunited with her old friends, Amber is forced to confront her feelings for Ethan Lockwood, the gorgeous, green-eyed man she fell for as a young girl.

And then Amber receives a letter that changes everything …

My opinion:

I was hooked from the beginning, Paige’s writing is so gripping and fabulous! I wanted to read all the time. The characters are so relatable, complex, authentic and oh so lovely! I felt like being part of them and it was a real joy following them around. The plot is brilliant and full of surprises, I went through a range of emotions with this book, which is a really good thing!!!

Paige on Twitter: @PaigeToonAuthor

Website: http://www.paigetoon.com

The Definition of Icing - by Aven Ellis

My own copy

Original Cover

The blurb:

Kenley Hunter finally has everything sorted out. Fresh from studying chocolate making in Europe, she's

gambling everything on her new business, Confection Consultations.

All Kenley wants in life is people to take her seriously, to see the person on the inside rather than the

blonde beauty on the outside. While pursuing her passion of chocolate, Kenley discovered people seek her

knowledge. They see past the exterior and fall for the chocolate delights in front of them.

So with work as her focus, Kenley is ready to start her career in Dallas. Men are out of her recipe, because

she fears that once they get past her looks, they’ll be disappointed in what they find. Kenley decides she's

all about the chocolate now.

Or is she?

Because a chance meeting with new Dallas Demon hockey star Nate Johansson might change everything.

Sent to Dallas in a blockbuster trade, Nate is somewhere he doesn't want to be, for reasons that have

caused him heartbreak on multiple levels. Nate knows he will never trust a woman again after what

happened to him in Minnesota.

But when he meets a woman with an intriguing name and a passion for chocolate, Nate isn't so sure about

his theory. And he might just learn a definition of icing other than the one used in hockey with Kenley as his guide...

My Opinion:

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

You have no idea how excited I’ve been for this book. It’s book #2 of the Dallas Demons series. Waiting For Prince Harry starring Kylie and Harrison, was the first one and now we are back in Dallas.

Kenley Hunter is 24 years old and is starting out with her new “chocolate” business. Kenley is strong, driven, passionate, clever and all she wants for people to see her inside. Looks is not everything and her last relationship ended, because her ex only wanted her for her looks. That’s why she is taking a man sabbatical.

I liked Kenley from the start, her personality and passion really impressed me. And yes, she studied in Lucerne, Switzerland, so there is another connection ;)

During a photoshoot for the Dallas Detal magazine she first meets Harrison and Kylie (yay, thanks for that AVen) and then also Nate Johansson, the new star of the Dallas Demons. Kenley stands up for herself and Nate jumps in to support her. That is when their story starts…

Nate Johansson was traded to Dallas from Minnesota. He doesn’t want to be there and the reason for the trade also made him close the door towards women and a relationship in general. Nate is sexy, soulful, thoughtful, caring, passionate, strong and just awwwww – my newest book boyfriend ;)

Nate is hesitant when it comes to going out with Kenley, but that changes once they surprisingly meet again at Harrison’s home. They way their relationship develops is just amazing. Kenley’s friends and family is involved as well and the journey is full of surprises. Aven takes us on an emotional roller-coaster ride here! Kenley and Nate get to know each other more and more and share their past as well, it makes them understand the other person better and was so happy to see them both falling for each other. I adored how Kenley decribed how she feels about Nate and the added drama and misunderstanding made me read the whole night. This is a book you can’t put down, the storyline is seriously gripping!

The characters are genuine, sweet and just perfectly well lined out. They have a real background, influencing their acting. They are so much fun to read about and relate to. Kenley is like the best friend I wanna have and Nate is the guy I wanna fall in love with. Then there is Kenley’s mother Cici, my god she is hilarious and she loves Tumble, that’s all I can say. It’s great to get to know Kenley’s sister Amanda and her family too, Claire adds some funny moments here and there. Nate’s family comes to visit and especially his sister Holly makes a lasting impression. Lexi, is an awesome best friend, and I think we’ll hear from her soon ;)

Oh and then there are Harrison and Kylie of course, I loved these tow and their story was an wonderful start to the Dallas Demons Hockey series. This is the second book and there is more to come and I can say now, that this is by far my fave series ever! So much to look forward to.

Back to the story. Aven has a beautiful way to write, her style is engaging, gripping, emotional, touching, passionate, detailed, vivid, magical and oh so romantic! I could go on trust me…

The way Aven includes the genuine feelings of the characters is impressive. I felt like I was experience everything with Kenley and I just wanted to be there for her and help…

I’m a big ice hockey fan, so the hockey related story parts were awesome to read about. From the WAG’s suit, to Nate and Kenley’s ritual and the definitions at the beginning of each chapter (will get back to them after). This really makes me wanna re-read Waiting For Prince Harry immediately.

Ok, back to the chapter starts. At the beginning of each chapter there was either a definition about something sweet (Kenley) or something hockey related (Nate). It also kind of described something used or happening in the chapter.

There are so many memorable and magical moments in this story. It’s a tale about two people finally finding each other and realising what they really need and want in life – it makes them change their opinion about certain things really fast.

You’ll fall in love with this AMAZING book, the characters and the writing!

Aven’s characters and books always make me wanna have a life like the female characters in one of her stories. I might repeat myself but, Aven really knows how to engage the reader and she finds a way to make each and every single moment in her books memorable and unique. She definitely knows how to touch a heart!!!

Rating:

My possible cast:

Kenley: Blake Lively

Nate: Tyler Seguin

Aven on Twitter: @AvenEllis
Website: avenellis.com
Goodreads - Amazon UK

Quotes – The Definition of Icing by Aven Ellis

Happy publication day to the wonderful Aven Ellis. I've been part of the journey of The Definition of Icing and it's an INCREDIBLE book. My review will be part of the blog tour on Friday. For my #AvenSpecial I prepared some different things. Here are the quotes. I also added the trailer of the book at the end of the post.
This morning I posted a little Q&A with several bloggers and authors, answering Icing related questions: ... 

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„I find you incredibly attractive.“ – Kenley

„Well, good, because I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.“ - Nate

My pulse leaps with his words. I’ve been called beautiful by men my entire life, but I have never wanted to hear those words more than I do from Nate. – Kenley

„...then I met this girl. She’s beautiful, but so much more than that. She’s strong.“ – Nate

„You make me want to go on offense. You make me want to advance further. But not the way you think. You make me want to run instead of walk. I want to run to you, Bae.“ – Nate

„I like being in your arms. I like feeling your fingers wrapped around mine when you reach for my  hand. I like how you always want to know more about me when you’re with me. I like making you laugh. I just like being with you, Nate.“ – Kenley

„I’m going to miss your eyes. Because you show your emotions with them. I’m going to miss talking with you over dinner like I’ve done the past three nights. I’m going to miss making you blush. I’m going to miss you, Kenley.“

„Have you noticed that our puppy ist he cutest one here?“ – Nate

Our.

Our puppy.

Nate just made the first reference to us being an us.

„You make me want to try again. You’ve changed that in me Kenley.“ – Nate

„I’ll never break your heart. If you let me have it, Nate, I’ll protect it forever.“ – Kenley

„I adore Nate. He’s protective and smart and soulful. I fell fort he man who likes his chocolate plain and will tweet an animal picture to try and find it a forever home. I fell for the man who loves his family. The man who is passionate about the sport he plays. That’s the man I’m crazy about.“ – Kenley

„When it’s something Nate’s passionate about, when it’s something he loves, he will risk everything for it. Like hockey. Like me.“ – Kenley

„I don’t have a scar over my heart, Kenley. Not anymore, Not since I fell in love with you.“ – Nate

„I was destined to come to Dallas and fall in love with you. And this is what I love about you. You’re beautiful Kenley. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. But it’s what you have inside that takes my breath away.“ – Nate

„I love you, Nate. I fell in love with you right away. The man that you are. Not Nate Johansson, the famous superstar, but Nate Johansson, the man.“ – Kenley

„I love you. I love you so much. More than I thought I could ever love anyone.“ – Nate

„I love you, too.“ – Kenley

„This is forever. You’re it Bae.“ – Nate

„And you’re my forever, Nate.“ – Kenley

LOVE HEALED US

„It’s OUR home now, Bae. You and Marabou and me. I haven’t wanted a fortress since I fell in love with you. Now all I want ist o build a life with you.“ – Nate

„Kenley, you are the woman who has my heart and soul.“ – Nate

„I’m going to spend the rest of my life with a man who truly loves me, the woman I am on the inside. Nate – my warrior.“ - Kenley

Trailer: