Blog Tour ~ 'Ratgirl: Song of the Viper' by Gayle C. Krause.

RATGIRL: Song of the Viper by Gayle C. Krause 

Publication date: January, 2014
Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult

----

SYNOPSIS

Sixteen-year-old streetwise orphan, Jax Stone is an expert at surviving in a dangerous city, where rats rival the homeless for food and shelter, but she’s an amateur at fighting the immoral mayor when he kidnaps her little brother. Desperation demands she quickly master the role of courageous opponent. She uses her hypnotic singing voice to lead rats to their death, and all the children to safety, in a dying city cursed by the deadly sun.

----

~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ Barnes & Noble ~

----

Book Review ~ 'Ratgirl: Song of the Viper' by Gayle C. Krause.

My first forage into the dystopian world of storytelling was with ‘The Hunger Games’. Being so in love with that story, I’d been reluctant to revisit the dystopian genre for fear that I would be disappointed, but from the minute I started reading ‘Ratgirl’, I knew that I would love the story and would feel the flame return for dystopian storytelling.

‘Ratgirl’ was a brilliant depiction of future society. The author had cleverly combined a number of real-life issues and examined how these issues would have grown in the future. She created a brilliant setting of underground city dwellers who could only exit at night due to the dangerous heat and radiation given off by the Sun. The topic of rats was also a brilliant concoction as it shows a more fearful view of the future where humans are no longer top of the food chain and all powerful, but instead on the same level as rats with whom they have to compete with for food and survival.

My love for this book was further intensified by the arrival of some amazing characters whom I fell in love with and rooted for from the get go. Jax was a no-nonsense yet likeable role model, whose bravery and dedication to her younger brother was admirable and had me supporting her every step of her journey. Colt was also a lovely dishy hero who I drooled over from the start. His mission to protect the less fortunate had him adopting the future vision of Robin Hood, and makes a brilliant parallel to the past and present of today, and how today’s legends can still be known in the future.

My favourite character however was Alder. I absolutely adored his loveable nature and admired everything he did for those he loved. Although I loved Rafe, a sewer-dweller and bad boy with a heart of gold, and loved the sincerity of his love for Astoria and the protective nature he had for his friends, I really connected to Alder and Astoria’s story of forbidden love. At times I was laughing when Rage snubbed Alder only to receive no response because all of Alder’s attention and worry was fixed firmly on Astoria.

The storyline regarding the corrupt leader was brilliantly written, and to discover that his kryptonite of his flesh-and-blood children was so difficult for him to find for himself due to his own malicious actions of making women infertile and therefore unable to bear his child.

The action scenes were suspenseful and heart-pounding. I loved the Jax’s originality when it came to her plots and plans, but will these be enough to thwart or fool the evil dictator who holds both Jax’s life and all those she holds dear in his power. You’ll have to read to find out!

----

Tour Wide Giveaway

Enter below for the chance to win a Kindle!

Giveaway is open Internationally!

~ A Rafflecopter Giveaway ~

----

 

Gayle C. Krause

Gayle C. Krause is a member of SCBWI, YALITCHAT and The Cliffhouse YA Wonderwriters.She writes across the genres. Her first publication credit was a short story in Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul 2 (2006). The Storyteller’s Daughter, her YA historical short story, was featured in Timeless, A YA Historical Romance anthology from Pugalicious Press (2012).Her new YA novel, RATGIRL: Song of the Viper was published in February 2013 (Noble Young Adult).

During the course of her writing career Ms. Krause has served as assistant editor for Underneath the Juniper Tree, a dark fantasy online magazine developed for young teens, a children’s book reviewer for Children’s Literature .com and she offers a critique service for children’s writers at First Peek Critique. (www.gayleckrause.com)

She also runs a blog that encourages new children’s writers through contests, book reviews and author interviews. http://thestorytellersscroll.blogspot.com.

----

~ Blog ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~

----

Tour organized by 'Xpresso Book Tours'. Click the banner above to follow the tour!

Blog Tour ~ 'Draw Me In' by Megan Squires.

Draw Me In by Megan Squires 

Publication date: January 7th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

----

SYNOPSIS

He’s a young, up and coming businessman with the keys to his family’s Italian wine enterprise.

I’m a fine arts student, navigating life in the Big Apple, my pencil and sketchpad in hand.

We meet. We fall in love.

But it’s not that story.

Sometimes, by a rare gift of fate, two lives cross paths. And hey, if that happens to occur when staring at Michelangelo’s naked masterpiece, even better. We can tell our future children how a seventeen-foot tall marble guy named David brought us together.

But there’s always more to a relationship than its beginning and ever after. In life, there’s a whole lot of backstory. There are ex-fiancés and hot roommates and family members whose advice continues, even beyond the grave.

When you say you love someone, it’s never just that one person you’re saying it to. And it’s never just that one moment that sets everything in motion.

There is always more that draws you in.

----

~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~

---

There is always a few things that I take into account when I start rating and reviewing a story. These are that the story connects with me on an emotional as well as natural level, without the characters deemed to be too perfect or without flaws, and that the choices that the characters make, regardless of whether I agree with them, are made with as much thought as we would make them in our own lives. 'Draw me in' did all of these things and the author brought the story together with some great laughs, some gorgeous romantic scenes and a brilliant writing style which flowed so effortlessly from scene to scene, making the story easy to read and impossible to put down until I had finished it.

I absolutely adored this story and the deep issues that are entwined within the romantic element of the story. Leo and Julie's relationship was one that simply warmed the heart. I loved the differences between the two, and really connected to Julie as the story's heroine as she was so realistic and human in her ways. I liked how she learnt from Leo that being herself was all he wanted from her, and it was beautiful to see how Julie blossomed into her own being rather than one that she felt she had to put on to be what Leo wanted of her.

I also loved how Leo and Julie shared a great sense of humour and how although Julie's own humour style was very different to his, Leo didn't think any less of her instead only regarding her more fondly for her adorable ways. (Julie's drunk scenes were hilarious!)

I always enjoy seeing how authors use the arts to mimic the storylines the y are writing. Julie's art work was a brilliant way for me as a reader to get an insight into Julie's character. The whole moral of the story of the outer beauty of the roman statue David by michaelangelo, being nothing in comparison to the strength and utter owner of a man fighting for his life was brilliantly done and I applaud the author for the wonderful and original way she depicted this.

What I really admired about this story was the way that the issue of Cancer was delicately brought to the table, and it was a real reminder that even the youngest, fittest (and hottest) of men can be hiding a terrible illness. I was so distraught when Leo's journey with Cancer was revealed, and Julie having this realisation that every day in love is sacred was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The strength of Leo and Julie's love was a real inspiration to me. The way that author Megan Squires was able to show both sides of the battle of Cancer was I truly beautiful. She flawlessly creates a wonderful distinction and connection between those who suffer from cancer! telling the story not only of the victim, but also of the caretaker, and for me, this was the true beauty of this book that I took this message with me from reading this story, and I know I will carry it with me forever.

This was a beautiful, heartwarming and funny tale which was an absolute pleasure to read. 5 stars and a definite recommended read.

----

Grand prize giveaway open Internationally.

Enter below for the chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

----

Megan Squires

Megan Squires lives with her husband and two children just outside of Sacramento, California. A graduate from the University of California, Davis, Megan is now a full-time mother, wife, and dreamer—though her characters don’t often give her much opportunity to sleep.

Visit www.theoutlierchronicles.com to learn more about her latest young adult series.

----

~  Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Website ~

----

Tour hosted by 'Xpresso Book Tours'. Click the banner to follow the 'Draw Me In' Blog Tour.

Blog Tour and Book Review for 'Not Pretty Enough' by Jaimie Admans.

Title: Not Pretty Enough

Author: Jaimie Admans

Date of Publication: August 1, 2013

Genre: contemporary YA comedy

SYNPOSIS

“New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Lloyd Layton will know I exist. He once said three whole words to me, so this is obviously progress. If I don’t get a proper conversation out of him soon, then I’ll take my top off and streak through the cafeteria, because nobody could fail to notice these boobs.

2. I will not get expelled for streaking through the cafeteria.”

Those are the words that begin her mission.

Chessie is fourteen, not pretty enough, and very much in love. Lloyd Layton is hot, popular, and unaware of Chessie’s existence.

Her goal is clear: to get Lloyd to love her as much as she loves him, and she has exactly one year to do it.

As Chessie’s obsession with Lloyd reaches boiling point and she starts to spin a web of lies that spiral out of control, Lloyd turns out to be not quite the prince she thought he was. Can Chessie avoid the gathering storm before things go too far?

-- -- -- -- --

Not Pretty Enough is a contemporary young adult comedy suitable for ages thirteen and over.

 

Book two in the series will be released early 2014. 

-- -- -- -- --

I’ve been in this school for two and a half years now. I’ve had this teacher – Mr Edmond – for a year and a half of them, and he has not yet realised that I am not interested in geography. In fact, the only thing even mildly interesting in this classroom is the fact that Lloyd Layton is in it.

I don’t know if it’s because my seat is directly opposite the teacher’s desk, or if it’s because he just doesn’t like me, but he loves to do quick fire questions, usually before you’ve even settled at your desk and got your books out. I’m always the first one he picks, and it’s always some rubbish about the Earth’s core or volcanoes that erupted fifty years ago. I never get it right, and I think Mr Edmond thinks I’m teasing him by pretending to be stupid when the truth is that I can just about find my way home from the bus stop.

“Miss Clemenfield,” Mr Edmond begins just as we are settling down in our chairs. “The population of Japan is?”

“Um…”

“Wrong. The population of Japan is not um. It is in fact…” He stops and stares at me for a moment. “Francesca, are you okay?”

I look up. “Yes, thank you. Yourself?”

“No, your face. It’s all red.”

“I had to run down from my last class. Mr Griffiths kept us behind.” I nod emphatically. Okay, so I’m seriously unfit. Why don’t you point it out to the whole class and have Lloyd Layton turning to look at my red, sweaty self, panting due to a short run from the maths block?

“If you’d like to go and get a glass of water from the fountain, you’re welcome to go now before the lesson begins.”

“I’m good, thanks.”

He walks away and starts the quick fire questions down the other end of the room.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Ceri, who sits on one side of me, asks.

“You know, you do look a bit red and blotchy, Chess,” Ewan says from the seat on my other side.

“All right, I’m unfit,” I snap. “Why don’t you just announce that I’m a fat cow during school assembly and be done with it?”

“Sorry.” He holds his hands up and starts intently reading his textbook.

Leigh leans across from where she sits a few chairs down. “Don’t worry, Chessie,” she says with a sickly sweet smile that’s as fake as plastic flowers. “I suffer from PMT too. Do you want me to ask for a tampon for you?”

“At least mine’s not permanent,” I snap at her.

After ten minutes or so goes by, the teacher is about to fire another dumb question when he stops in his tracks and stares at me.

“You know, Francesca, I really think you ought to go and see the nurse.”

God, won’t anyone just leave me alone today?

“It’s Chessie, please.” I grab my bag from the floor and dig around in it until I find my compact mirror. “Is there something wrong with the lighting in this class or something today, Mr Edmond? Because I’m absolutely fi—”

Oh God. My face is all red and blotchy. It’s like I’ve come out in some sort of a rash. Crikey, no wonder the teacher was worried about me.

“Sorry,” I say quickly.

“Ewan, Ceri,” Mr Edmond addresses them. “Could you two move your chairs away a little bit, just in case it’s contagious. If everybody could just shift down a little.”

Contagious. Contagious? He thinks I’m contagious? And he’s just announced it to the rest of the class, and suddenly thirty pairs of eyes are peering at me and talking amongst themselves.

Crap.

Couldn’t he just have said something to me quietly, without making the entire class think I have the bubonic plague? That’s just great, isn’t it? Now Lloyd will never look twice at me because I’m like a walking wart. A giant walking wart that is contagious.

Although, perhaps a more pressing matter is what on earth is wrong with me. Why is my face all rash-like? I look like I’ve been sleeping in a nest of stinging nettles.

“I think you should go to the nurse, Chessie.” Mr Edmond puts unnecessary emphasis on my name.

“Yes, thank you.”

I grab my bag and rush out the door, grateful to be able to walk away from the staring eyes.

-- -- -- -- --

~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~

-- -- -- -- --

I always love losing myself in a young adult story. Whilst I'd be horrified at the thought of ever having to go through that mortifying and confidence shattering time in my life, reading of the woes of a teenager at that age is one of my guilty pleasures and I adored 'Not Pretty Enough' for its realistic yet hilarious storyline.

As I started reading 'Not Pretty Enough' it wasn't long before I was sighing with relief and thinking 'Finally! A young adult book that is actually relatable to young adults!' The daily trials that young Chessie's faces in her quest to get the attention (and affection) of popular and dishy Lloyd, were a wonderful mix of humour and that second hand sympathy and embarassment you feel for Chessie that I think many readers will remember feeling all too often when they watched their own friends attempts at guy-catching in their teen years. This is something that always love in Jaimie Admans books. Because we join the characters through their journey, and see first hand the flaws they have we then suffer along with them when consequences of their actions hit. I love how there is no false description is made of heroine Chessie and how well her thoughts and actions were so true to that of a teenage girl.

When I was a teenager I remember finding it hard to relate to some of the characters in young adult fiction as the thought processes and actions of the characters were so mature and grown up. Chessie was a wonderful example of a real, teenage girl, flaws and all. Not every teenage crush gets a happy, fairytale ending, and this book was perfect in how it portrayed this chapter of Chessie's life.

'Not Pretty Enough' also raised some important issues that I think are hugley important for teenagers to remember in today's society. The seriousness of issues like child abuse and how unfounded accusations can be dangerous not only to the child but also to a parent, was very well portrayed, and I admire the way that Jaimie Admans was able to put this issue across without detracting from the main storyline.

A brilliant book that had me laughing out loud and reminiscing of my own school years. A realistic portrayal of a teenagers daily troubles that will be a perfect read for young adults!

-- -- -- -- --

a Rafflecopter giveaway

-- -- -- -- --

Jaimie is a 28-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, drinking tea and watching horror movies. She hates spiders and cheese & onion crisps. She has been writing for years but has never before plucked up the courage to tell people. Not Pretty Enough is her fourth novel and she hopes you enjoy it. There are plenty more on the way!

 

~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Newsletter ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ 

Blog Tour and Review - 'Her Dear and Loving Husband' by Meredith Allard

Welcome to the blog tour for Her Dear and Loving Husband, a historical romance novel with a paranormal twist ...

Her Dear & Loving Husband (The Loving Husband Trilogy Book 1) – Meredith Allard

What they say:
‘James Wentworth has a secret. He lives quietly in Salem, Massachusetts, making few ties with anyone. One night his private world is turned upside down when he meets Sarah Alexander, a dead ringer for his wife, Elizabeth. Though it has been years since Elizabeth's death, James cannot move on.

Sarah also has a secret. She is haunted by nightmares about the Salem Witch Trials,  and every night she is awakened by visions of hangings, being arrested, and dying in jail. Despite the obstacles of their secrets, James and Sarah fall in love. As James comes to terms with his feelings for Sarah, he must dodge accusations from a reporter  desperate to prove that James is not who, or what, he seems to be. Soon James and Sarah piece their stories together and discover a mystery that may bind them in ways they never imagined. Do vampires and witches live in Salem? Will James make the ultimate sacrifice to protect Sarah and prevent a new hunt from bringing hysteria to Salem again?

Part historical fiction, part romance, part paranormal fantasy, Her Dear and Loving Husband is a story for anyone who believes that true love never dies.’

~ Click Here To Buy This Book - UK ~

~ Click Here To Buy This Book - US ~

My Review - 'Her Dear & Loving Husband (Loving Husband #1)' by Meredith Allard ~ 5 Stars!

‘Her Dear and Loving Husband’ was a stunning novel, and a heart-warming journey to read.

Infused with a beautiful and heart-warming love story, this book is a definite must for everyone who believes that true love never dies, even after the death of the body. ‘Her Dear and Loving Husband’ tells the beautiful spiritual tale of love after death and having a second chance with the one you love.

I loved the characters that I was introduced to throughout the novel, and I really felt connected to Sarah as she struggles to make a place for herself in Salem after the breakdown of her marriage, and sympathised with her desire to avoid making any romantic connections for the foreseeable future.

I can’t say how impressed I was with the cleverly written dreams that Sarah has. Meredith Allard presented a realistic, and scary image of the Salem Witch Trials, and these sequences were brilliantly contrasted with the writing style of the present day action. The voices and speech of the past was clearly well researched, and made the reading experience so much more believable, and making me feel as though I was actually there in that era. Brilliantly done!

I loved the elements of fantasy that were introduced throughout the novel, which although made up a large part of the story, what with our discovery of James’ true form, and Jennifer and Olivia’s true powers, didn’t seem forced or unrealistic. Not once when reading this book did I think that the fantasy elements were taken too far, and I really admire the author for being able to balance the fantasy and contemporary storylines so well.

The spiritual past life elements were spoken of in a way that made the idea of past lives seem not only possible, but probable. I think this story will resonate greatly with pagans, like myself, those who are interested in the worlds other, unseen elements, and those who believe that there is more to life than what we are told.

I adored James as a character, and greatly admired the devotion he had for his long dead wife, and how he made it his mission to prove to Sarah that he loved her for herself and not because of the possible connection between her and his wife. The scenes that were written after the death of James’ wife were heartbreaking and poignant, and shows the struggle that people who are left behind after the death of their loved ones must face. I cried when I read some of the simple yet overpowering lines.

“I miss my Lizzie.”

This story was cleverly crafted and in some ways I’d describe it as a suspense or thriller. There was a real focus on the issues that have been brought to the world’s attention since the days of the Witch Trials, and Meredith Allard showed a heartbreaking reality where we see the true dangers of stigmatism and prejudice. One worry or fear of something that can’t be seen or explained, can easily turn communities against each other, eradicate whole towns, and kill innocent men, women and children in the crossfire. It was a powerful message that gave me chills.

The pace of the novel was perfectly set, making the story a fluid and believable journey to read. It was a fantastic and beautifully written story, with an incredible amount of feeling put into every word.

5 Stars and a definite recommended read!

~

***GIVEAWAYS***

Win a copy of The Salem Witch Trials: A Day by Day Chronicles of a Community Under Siege by Marilynne K. Roach. This is a factual book Meredith used to research the Salem Witch Trials:

What they say:
‘Based on over twenty years of original archival research, this history unfolds a nearly day-by-day narrative of the Salem Witch Trials as the citizens of Salem experienced the outbreak of hysteria.’

Entry via Rafflecopter. Giveaway open to US residents only and closes on August 27th.

A Rafflecopter giveaway
Win a dinner for 2 at Salem’s very own Adriatic Restaurant & Bar! Enter our giveaway and you could be the lucky winner of a sumptuous meal for 2 at Mediterranean eatery Adriactic Restaurant & Bar. Set within a warm interior, you’ll not only be treated to excellent, fresh cuisine but you’ll also find yourself in the heart of Her Dear & Loving Husband’s setting. Entry via Rafflecopter. Giveaway is for food only. Airfare is not included. Closes on August 27th.

ARafflecopter giveaway

Win 1 of 5 e-copies of Her Dear & Loving Husband by Meredith Allard

Entry via Rafflecopter. Closes on August 27th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Bio – Meredith Allard:



Since 2000, Meredith Allard has been the Executive Editor of The Copperfield Review, an award-winning literary journal for readers and writers of historical fiction. She received her B.A. and M.A. degrees in English from California State University, Northridge, and she has taught creative writing and writing historical fiction seminars at Learning Tree University, UNLV, and the Las Vegas Writers Conference.

Her short fiction and articles have appeared in journals such as The Paumanok Review, Moondance, Wild Mind, Muse Apprentice Guild, Writers Weekly, CarbLite, and ViewsHound. She is the author of the Amazon Best-Selling Loving Husband Trilogy, as well as the historical novels Victory Garden, Woman of Stones, and My Brother’s Battle.

Victory Garden and Woman of Stones have also been Amazon Best-Sellers in the Historical Fiction and Religious Fiction categories.

Find out more about The Loving Husband Trilogy:

Find Meredith Allard:

~ Website ~
~ Facebook ~
~ Twitter ~
~ Goodreads ~

'Illicit Love (Marlow Intrigues #1)' by Jane Lark ~ Blog Tour and Review!

'Illicit Love (Marlow Intrigues #1)' by Jane Lark Blog Tour!

Welcome to Stop One on the Illicit Love blog tour! Jane Lark is celebrating her first instalment in the Marlow Intrigues series with a HUGE giveaway - including a one night stay in London's Regency Hotel, a novella, Amazon gift voucher, signed copies of Illicit Love and plenty of swag!

Illicit Love - What they say:

'Ellen Harding longs to be free of the life she is trapped in - her husband died at the battle of Waterloo and her family disowned her and now she lives under the reign of a cruel protector. When her eyes are drawn to a beautiful man for no other reason than his looks, she imagines escaping her chains for a night by giving her body to him – to a man of her choosing – even if only to infuriate her captor.

But Edward Marlow is kind and gentle when he touches her and her subconscious whispers that this man could save her. Yet how can he help her when she has secrets which prevent her ever being free. She has too many battles to fight.

Edward is restless, lonely and a little angry with his lot in life – it is his only excuse for being drawn to another man’s mistress. The woman’s dark hair and pale eyes are striking and he cannot take his gaze off of her while she watches him over the top of a fan with an illicit intent in her eyes. But once he’s known her he cannot forget her - and once he’s seen how brutal her protector is, how can leave her with the man? But she will not run anymore than she will speak of her past, so how can he help her…'

Click Here To Buy This Book - UK

Click Here To Buy This Book - US

Check Out Jane's New Novella Available At Amazon:

Captured Love - What they say:

'Rupert Stanforth, Earl of Morton, is missing his cousin’s company. He has too many burdens weighing down his shoulders, including the task of finding his sister, Rowena, a husband.

Meredith Divine has one friend in all the world, Lady Rowena Stanforth. She clings to their friendship as though it is a rope, when she is drowning in a lake of social isolation. Even Rowena’s elder brother cannot stand Meredith. Everyone judges her poorly, simply because her father is in trade. But despite Lord Morton’s constant rejection, Meredith’s heart still favors Rowena’s proud, judgmental brother.

Lord Morton would break the friendship his sister has with Miss Divine if he could, but the more he disparages Miss Divine, the more Rowena favors the girl. He’s ceased his complaints, in the hope the friendship would wither and die, believing the girl would make a wrong step soon. He just did not anticipate what that step might be...'

Want To Win A Night In London's Regency Hotel?

The Regency Hotel has been kind enough to support the Illicit Love blog tour by donating a one night stay for two lucky winners this August! Located in the Royal Borough of Chelsea and Kensington, you could find yourself relaxing in one of hotel's plush new bedrooms or sampling the delights of their incredible traditional afternoon teas.

Readers have plenty of chances to win:

Either entry via the Rafflecopter below AND/OR add your review of Illicit Love to Amazon and Goodreads and email the review link to Charlotte@BestChickLit.com.

The winner will be emailed a voucher, which can be redeemed for stays during August 2013 only. Giveaway closes 19th July 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jane is a writer of authentic, passionate and emotional love stories. She began her first historical novel at sixteen, but a life full of adversity derailed her as she lives with the restrictions of Ankylosing Spondylitis. When she finally completed a novel it was because she was determined not to reach forty still saying, I want to write. You might think that Jane was inspired to write by Jane Austen, especially as she lives near Bath in the United Kingdom, but you would be wrong. Jane's favourite author is Anya Seton, and the book that drew her into the bliss of falling into historical imagination was 'Katherine' a story crafted from reality. Jane has drawn on this inspiration to discover other real-life love stories, reading memoirs and letters to capture elements of the past, and she uses them to create more realistic plots. 'Basically I love history and I am sucker for a love story. I love the feeling of falling in love; it's wonderful being able to do it time and time again in fiction.' Jane is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development in the United Kingdom, and uses this specialist understanding of people to bring her characters to life. Check out Jane's musical inspirations HERE and HERE.

Follow Jane Lark

~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~

Win £30 (or $40) Amazon Gift Voucher! Entry via the Rafflecopter below AND/OR add your review of Illicit Love to Amazon and Goodreads and email the review link to Charlotte@BestChickLit.com. a Rafflecopter giveaway Giveaway closes 19th July 2013 and is open to UK and USA residents only. Win One Of Three Swag Packs With Signed Paperback Copy of Illicit Love Entry via the Rafflecopter below AND/OR add your review of Illicit Love to Amazon and Goodreads and email the review link to Charlotte@BestChickLit.com. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway closes 19th July.

Book Review - 'Illicit Love (Marlow Intrigues #1)' by Jane Lark ~ 5 Stars!

A wonderful break from the real world, ‘Illicit Love’ is a beautiful story of the strength of love in the face of adversity and the importance of the bond of family. There is so much that I love about this story but can’t talk about in case it spoils the story development for potential readers, but I will say that this is a superbly written book. I absolutely adored Jane Lark’s writing style, and I am in awe at how beautifully the descriptive prose flowed throughout the novel.

‘Illicit Love’ is very different to a lot of books in the ‘Historical Romance’ genre, and with its very real characters, I feel it gave a more realistic view of life in an era which most of us tend to think of as extremely romantic. Whilst we all tend to swoon at characters such as Mr. Darcy for their respectful and appropriate treatment of women, I really loved the way that hero Edward Marlow was depicted and particularly how he acts with Ellen during their first meeting. Whilst he abhors the treatment young mistresses receive from their ‘owners’, the author is clear to show that above all else, he is still a man, and despite his virtues he still engages in a sexual relationship with heroine Ellen during their first encounter, even if he later regrets his actions. I think a lot of us tend to forget when reading historical romances that men are still men, no matter what era they were born into, and I loved seeing this different side to a romantic hero.

From this I loved everything about Edward and Ellen’s relationship, especially how Ellen blossomed when she was in Edward’s company, but also how she feared that he was too good for her. I liked how despite Edward being a few years younger than Ellen, he seemed wiser than his years, and his experience of the real world therefore didn’t make him seem too young for her.

Despite being at risk of being attacked by feminists everywhere, my favourite character was Edward’s brother Robert. From our first glimpse of Robert I found myself so intrigued with his character, and the obvious pain and heartbreak he was hiding behind a mask of disinterest and sarcasm. Whilst I felt furious at his behaviour towards Ellen during their first meetings, I always had hope that his actions were all due to his desire to protect his brother from harm, and I loved how his character developed throughout the course of the story.

The pace of the novel was so different to many novels, and I really loved it. In many novels you have a huge build-up to the main drama at the end part of the novel, however in ‘Illicit Love’, the story has many peaks and falls in the intensity of the drama, starting well before the mid-way point of the book. It was a brilliant way of keeping the reader’s attention and also giving little snippets of new information that is uncovered from each crisis that is then added together in a stunning conclusion where we finally understand the feelings and actions of the different characters.

The historical context of the novel was well depicted, and I loved the brilliant descriptions of the clothing of both the men and women. I loved how attention was given to the fashion of the time, as it really helped me to integrate myself into the story and feel myself as part of it, rather than merely reading about it from the outside.

This was a fantastic read which I highly recommend to all lovers of romance. A superbly written tale of love, loss, family and bravery, this is one not to be missed. 5 Stars!