Book Review: Bagging Alice (Babes of Brighton Book 3) by Laura Barnard

Bagging Alice 

(Babes of Brighton Book 3) by Laura Barnard

Amazon US / UK / CA / AU

Head on over to Laura's Facebook and Instagram pages (below) to enter her HUGE giveaway!


Synopsis:


Alice is used to taking photographs for a living – not having intimate pictures of herself posted for all the world to see, thanks to a disgruntled ex-boyfriend. Now her clients are canceling appointments, and she’s almost out of cash. What else could go wrong? Oh yeah, her roommate has scarpered leaving Alice completely out of luck.



Enter Tom ‘man-whore’ Maddens. Having disappointed his father one time too many, he moves to Brighton, ready for a new start. And where better to begin it than in Alice’s newly-vacant spare room? And if he tries to seduce her at the same time? Well he’s just living up to his reputation, isn’t he?

But then he didn’t bank on actually falling for her. Will his reputation as a commitment-phobe put a stop to any sparks between the pair? Or can Alice put aside her trust issues and take a leap of faith for Tom?



My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

Suddenly it dawns on me. What the hell am I doing with this tool? I'm only twenty-six and I'm acting like he's the last Neanderthal on the planet. I can do so much better.

But this woman doesn’t like me. I could tell it the moment she laid eyes on me. Bernice Shuttlecock. That’s right. Her surname is shuttlecock. And she insists on everyone calling her Mrs Shuttlecock. Every time I say it I can’t help but get a stupid grin on my face and have to literally bite my tongue to stop from laughing. Maybe that’s why she doesn’t like me?

He lays down on the pebble beach and immediately starts posing like Zoolander, pouting his lips ridiculously… ’‘What? You don’t like my blue steel?’ he asks, as if genuinely offended.

‘So, do you have any Irish in you?’ he asks… ‘Do you want some?’ he asks, throwing his head back on a chuckle.

Who knew I’d ever imagine Tom ‘Manwhore’ Maddens being a keeper? I suppose stranger things have happened. Like dinosaurs.

When you look at us on paper we’re opposites, but when you put us together we’re forced towards each other like magnets.

My Review:

This was a fun and saucy tale, I have enjoyed reading the two previous books featuring this irreverent group of friends living in Brighton, they got into and up to the most ridiculous antics.  Alice had self-esteem problems and devastatingly poor taste in men and learned the hard way about revenge porn.  Snap, that was a new one for me as well.  So dear Alice had learned not to trust her judgment when she found herself attracted to her sexy new roommate Tom, a known sex machine in her group of friends.  Tom was a blindingly handsome, cocky, thoughtless, and arrogant womanizer who was well known for his sexual skill set.  Tom also proved hard to resist and more so when he brought home a cute but trouble-making puppy.  The characters were endearingly flawed, foul-mouthed, and entertainingly quirky; yet with real-life problems.  Written in my favorite dual POV, the storylines were well balanced between angst and levity while dealing with career, family, and relationship issues.  I’m curious to see what Ms. Barnard does next with this vibrant group of friends.  

Empress DJ

Although a standalone, if you'd like to check out the first two books in the Babes of Brighton series here they are:


Excess Baggage (Book 1) - mybook.to/ExcessB


Love Uncovered (Book 2) - mybook.to/LoveUncov




Stalk Laura


Facebook - www.facebook.com/laurabarnardbooks


Instagram - www.instagram.com/laurabarnardauthor

Website - www.laurabarnardbooks.co.uk

Book Review, Giveaway: Road Trip by Andie M. Long and Laura Barnard

Road Trip

by Andie M. Long & Laura Barnard

Goodreads

Amazon US / UK

One click now!

Romantic comedy authors Andie M Long and Laura Barnard have teamed together to bring you the hilarious Road Trip! 

Out NOW! #oneclick #romcom #chicklit #lovehate

After the end of a car crash relationship can Katy find true love?

Catching her sister in bed with her fiancé, school teacher Katy Cornish enlists playboy colleague Felix Montague to help her save face. What she doesn’t bargain on is them both losing their jobs in the process.

With finances running out, Katy must endure the rude and arrogant Felix while they embark on a road trip around the country in hopes of securing a new job. But there’s just one problem... they’re up for the same posts. This road trip is going to be unlike any other, with them doing whatever they can to sabotage the other.

Can they see past themselves and their egos to each other? Or will their desperation to continue their careers drive them apart?

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

I might be twenty-six, but in my parents' eyes me and Vic are still about twelve. I am, but only in clothes.

I don’t need to prepare anything. People naturally love me. It’s you I’d be worried about. People assume you’ve got something stuck up your arse. You might want to look into that.

It wasn’t my fault, it was Victoria’s… She hit it with a stick while I was at a swimming pool party. It flew around and stung my bum. Then it died, so I felt really sad while Vic laughed that it had been so scared of my bottom it had died of fright.

You like me?… Like, as in you also like cheese? Or a different kind of like?

My Review:

I frequently smirked and occasionally giggled-snorted during this amusing and saucy misadventure of two broke and suddenly unemployed teachers, who were not always comfortable or friendly with each other while sharing a ride during their desperate attempts to find new employment.  Both had lost their teaching positions due to a backfired prank, with continued shenanigans, antics, irresponsible behavior, poor planning, bad luck, accidents, mishaps, and incidents of sabotage to come during their careening trek across the country in search of new futures while their limited funds dwindled to mere coins.  Written from my favorite dual POV, the story was entertaining and engaging with colorful humor and bits of steam. However, the snarky characters were not always likable or admirable in their motivations as they are often competing for the same limited job openings.  Forced to remain in constant contact and close quarters for days on end, they began to see each other differently and an unexpected attraction bloomed in a fretful and vexing manner until they scorched the sheets.  I scored a new addition to my Brit Vocabulary list with “on the lash," which is drinking to intoxication. 

Empress DJ

Giveaway

Head on over to Laura's Facebook page to enter their giveaway for a chance to win $10/£10 Amazon Gift Card.

Connect with Andie

Website ☆ Facebook ☆ Twitter ☆ Instagram ☆ Pinterest ☆ Goodreads

Connect with 

Laura

Website ☆ Facebook ☆ Twitter ☆ Instagram ☆ Pinterest ☆ Goodreads

Book Review, Giveaway: Marrying Mr. Valentine by Laura Barnard

RELEASE DAY & GIVEAWAY! 

Marrying Mr. Valentine is LIVE!

Amazon Bestselling author Laura Barnard brings you the follow on book from Adventurous Proposal, second standalone in the One Month Til I Do series.

Goodreads

Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/2CKUcW

Amazon US - http://amzn.to/2CBIFFz

Synopsis


Nadine Roberts smiles for everyone, but beneath it she hides a heartbreaking past that only a few know about. Throwing herself into her new career; wedding planner at The Duck & Goose, a property recently purchased by newlyweds Florence and Hugh, has helped distract her from her loneliness.

When a teary bride suddenly cancels her upcoming wedding Nadine looks to the two-year waiting list. Clara Blumenkrantz and Hartley Valentine. It’ll have to be a quick turnaround, but what’s the worst that can happen, right?

This should be like every other wedding she plans, but the magnetism she feels towards Mr. Valentine disrupts the orderly life she’s worked hard to carve out.

Can she ignore her intense desires and be a professional? Or will she open up her heart to the one person that has the power to break it? And in doing so endanger not just her job, but her venue’s reputation?

With reviews like this what are you waiting for?

'Another great read from Laura full of her usual quick wit and slapstick shenanigans.'

You don't need to have read book one, but if you'd rather read in order you can download Adventurous Proposal:

Amazon Affiliate UK - http://amzn.to/2qxKSAk

Amazon affiliate US -http://amzn.to/2D5IhQK

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

Where the hell did she find him? He’s like a sexy Viking… He could be a model, but I doubt he is. He looks too manly to want to prance around in his underwear. What a shame for the UK population of women… he could be a lumberjack with a body like that. I’d watch him take down a tree any day.

It’s so different being in a high school compared to the old primary school I used to work in. I actually feel self-conscious. I walk past a group of boys rehearsing, when they start wolf-whistling… ‘You’re a right fitty, Miss!’ another one shouts. His mate barks out a laugh. Well, what the hell am I supposed to do in this situation? You don’t get this kind of crap with five-year-olds. I’m blushing before I can reason with myself to play it unaffected. And now I look like I’m enjoying it. They might even take it as encouragement. Think I’m a horny Mrs Robinson type…

Oh and is there any chance you could look into plastic surgery for one of my bridesmaids? … My bridesmaid, my dear friend, Jessica, has a huge nose, and she’s been thinking about getting it fixed. I’ve offered to pay as long as it would heal before the wedding. We don’t want that honker getting in the way of the photos!

Of course, Princess Clara has sensitive skin. I’m sure she only uses products made with unicorn tears and elf droppings.

My Review:

I have smirked and giggle-snorted my way through another of the madly talented Laura Barnard’s wittily written romantic comedies.  Ms. Barnard’s cleverly amusing storytelling and irreverent and bawdy humor keep me eagerly awaiting each new release.  Written from the first person POV of the detail-oriented and kind-hearted Nadine, wedding planner/manager extraordinaire who was prone to filthy language and comical thoughts in her inner musings.  However, this story was not all giggles and cocktails as between drunken whine sessions with her friends and handling various wedding mishaps as well as dealing with the rushed planning of the worst of the worst Bridezilla in Clara who also happened to be a rich relative of her boss; snapshots of a less than idyllic and angsty backstory were glimpsed until Nadine’s life-altering tragic experience was exposed.  

The oddly tasteless yet loftily wealthy Clara became increasingly demanding and bizarre in her accelerated wedding demands although she had started small with wanting an ice sculptor of the couple kissing before working up to swans, penguins, a ten-tier cake, and rushed plastic surgery for an unfortunately large snouted bridesmaid.  But what of the adorable, swoon-worthy, and Viking sexy groom, Mr. Valentine?  He didn’t seem in sync with Clara at all, but that was the crux of the story.  

And lastly, rubbing my palms together with glee, I have a new addition to my Brit words and phrases list with “go spare,” which Mr. Google told me was to “become extremely angry or distraught.”  And Clara definitely had Nadine going spare.    

Empress DJ 

Giveaway

Head on over to Laura's Facebook page (details below) to enter her release day giveaway to be in with a chance of winning a £10 Amazon Gift Card!

Stalk Laura

Website - http://www.laurabarnardbooks.co.uk/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/laurabarnardbooks

Twitter – https://twitter.com/BarnardLaura

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/laurabarnardauthor/

Pinterest – https://uk.pinterest.com/barnardlaura/

Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3490836.Laura_Barnard

Laura Barnard lives in Hertfordshire, UK and writes romantic comedy or 'chick lit' as its so often described. In her spare time, she enjoys drinking her body weight in tea, indulging in cupcakes the size of her face and drooling over hunks like Jamie Dornan, Ryan Gosling, and Leo Dicaprio.

She enjoys wearing yoga pants and reading fitness magazines while sitting on the sofa eating chocolate. She's a real fan of the power nap and of course READING!


She writes not to get rich or famous, but because she LOVES writing. Even if one person tells her they enjoyed her book it makes the midnight typing worth it!

Cover Reveal, Giveaway: Excess Baggage by Laura Barnard

💜💚💙LAURA BARNARD COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY!💜💚💙

How beautiful is this cover of Laura's latest romantic comedy, Excess Baggage? 

 It's out on the 23rd and you can pre-order now myBook.to/ExcessBaggageLB

Details of giveaway below.

Synopsis

Stuck in a dead-end relationship, Erica Bennett finds herself daydreaming of her first holiday romance. She was fifteen, it was exciting, new and full of possibilities…and Jack Lawson was hot as hell. That kind of thing leaves a mark.

So when her friends suggest a girls holiday to Luna Island, it’s exactly what she needs to take her mind off things. What she doesn’t expect is to spot Jack – a much older, hotter version of him – across the hotel lobby.

Their attraction is still there and it isn’t long before sparks fly, but fifteen years is a long time. They aren’t the same people they were back then and besides, it’s only a week, right?

Is it a second chance at something real or will their excess baggage ruin their shot at love after they leave Luna Island?

myBook.to/ExcessBaggageLB

Add it to your Goodreads 

GIVEAWAY!

Head on over to Laura's facebook page to enter her cover reveal giveaway to be in with a chance of winning an ARC of EXCESS BAGGAGE and a £5/$5 Amazon gift card.

https://www.facebook.com/laurabarnardbooks

Connect with Laura

Website - http://www.laurabarnardbooks.co.uk/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/laurabarnardbooks

Twitter – https://twitter.com/BarnardLaura

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/laurabarnardauthor/

Pinterest – https://uk.pinterest.com/barnardlaura/

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3490836.Laura_Barnard

Book Review: Adventurous Proposal by Laura Barnard

 

Adventurous Proposal 

by Laura Barnard

Goodreads

Amazon

US /  UK

 iBook /  Nook /  Kobo 

Synopsis

After a string of bad dates, Florence Gray is so over online dating. So much so, that if she has to survive another guy standing her up she might just do something crazy ... like accept the first proposal she gets. 

So when she finds herself alone in the bar, again, Florence can hardly believe her eyes-or ears-when Hugh Humphreys swoops in and presents her with a proposal so adventurous she can't believe she's actually considering saying yes. 

Because, after all, twenty-five days to plan a wedding is some feat and that’s while getting to know your fiancée, their disapproving Mother and dealing with a jealous ex. Throw in the small matter of where they should live and you have Florence wondering what the hell she's gotten herself into. 

Can you really countdown to a wedding like an advent calendar? Fall in love with a stranger and make them your husband? Because if she's going to make it down the aisle Christmas morning, Florence has to find out and fast.      

    

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

Because a man ages like a fine wine, he just gets better.  A woman is like a loaf of bread – we just start going off.   

She leans in to kiss me on the cheek, her scent invading my nostrils.  So, this is what pure evil smells like.   

She throws back her head in a totally ridiculous over the top posh laugh.  Imagine a horse having a panic attack, and you’re almost there.   

As long as you don’t sit on Santa’s knee and start professing that you’re a ho ho ho.

She narrows her eyes at me as if she can actually shoot out ice with them.    

My Review:

  Laura Barnard is a sure thing.  I have read four of her engaging stories so far and she has provided me with countless hours of lively and saucy amusement.  I tend to maintain a smirk and frequently chortle while indulging in her entertaining tales.  Adventurous Proposal was a quick, easy, and humorous read with bits of heart squeezing drama and steamy goodness tossed in.

Empress DJ

EVERYTHING LAURA

Author Bio

Laura Barnard lives in Hertfordshire, UK and writes romantic comedy or 'chick lit' as it's so often described. In her spare time, she enjoys drinking her body weight in tea, indulging in cupcakes the size of her face and drooling over hunks like Jamie Dornan, Ryan Gosling, and Leo Dicaprio. 

She enjoys wearing yoga pants and reading fitness magazines while sitting on the sofa eating chocolate. She's a real fan of the power nap, loves setting her friends up together and of course READING! 

She writes not to get rich or famous, but because she LOVES writing. Even if one person tells her they enjoyed her book it makes the midnight typing worth it! 

Facebook Author page Link https://www.facebook.com/laurabarnardbooks 
Twitter https://twitter.com/BarnardLaura 
Website http://www.laurabarnardbooks.co.uk/ Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3490836.Laura_Barnard

Cover Reveal: Adventurous Proposal by Laura Barnard

Releasing November 14, 2016

 Adventurous Proposal 

by Laura Barnard

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32857580-adventurous-proposal

Synopsis

After a string of bad dates, Florence Gray is so over online dating. So much so, that if she has to survive another guy standing her up she might just do something crazy ... like accept the first proposal she gets.

So when she finds herself alone in the bar, again, Florence can hardly believe her eyes-or ears-when Hugh Humphreys swoops in and presents her with an proposal so adventurous she can't believe she's actually considering saying yes.

Because, after all, twenty-five days to plan a wedding is some feat and that’s while getting to know your fiancée, their disapproving Mother and dealing with a jealous ex. Throw in the small matter of where they should live and you have Florence wondering what the hell she's gotten herself into.

Can you really countdown to a wedding like an advent calendar? Fall in love with a stranger and make them your husband? Because if she's going to make it down the aisle Christmas morning, Florence has to find out and fast.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32857580-adventurous-proposal

Spotlight, Giveaway: Heath, Cliffs and Wandering Hearts by Laura Barnard

 Heath, Cliffs and Wandering Hearts

by Laura Barnard

Goodreads

Life for sixteen-year-old Savannah Franks has just been turned upside down. Her Mum’s business has failed and they’re forced to move into a maisonette in the rough end of town.

She doesn’t want anyone to know her dire situation, not even her besties. So when the rest of the money for the school ski trip is due she can’t be seen not to attend. Everyone is going! She just needs to find a job. Add that to the list of getting a boyfriend and losing her pathetic virginity.

But working every spare hour in a job she hates on top of school work and mounting secrets doesn’t prove easy. Soon she’s keeping so many she’s not even sure herself what’s true and what’s not.

The only person she can lean on to tell the truth is her best friend Heath.

Only…did he get hot recently? That won’t make things awkward between them…right?

About Laura Barnard


Laura Barnard lives in Hertfordshire, UK and writes romantic comedy or 'chick lit' as its so often described. In her spare time she enjoys drinking her body weight in tea, indulging in cupcakes the size of her face and drooling over hunks like Jamie Dornan, Ryan Gosling and Leo Dicaprio.

She enjoys wearing yoga pants and reading fitness magazines while sitting on the sofa eating chocolate. She's a real fan of the power nap and of course READING!

She writes not to get rich or famous, but because she LOVES writing. Even if one person tells her they enjoyed her book it makes the midnight typing worth it!

Laura Links...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31696744-heath-cliffs-wandering-hearts?from_search=true

Twitter: @BarnardLaura
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/laurabarnardbooks/

Check out all Laura Barnards books
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laura-Barnard/e/B00E4WTI26/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1438801528&sr=1-1

Giveaway....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review, Giveaway: Heath, Cliffs & Wandering Hearts by Laura Barnard

Heath, Cliffs & Wandering Hearts

by Laura Barnard

Goodreads

Amazon US / UK

iBooks

Nook 

Kobo 

Life for sixteen-year-old Savannah Franks has just been turned upside down. Her Mum’s business has failed and they’re forced to move into a maisonette in the rough end of town.

She doesn’t want anyone to know her dire situation, not even her besties. So when the rest of the money for the school ski trip is due she can’t be seen not to attend. Everyone is going! She just needs to find a job. Add that to the list of getting a boyfriend and losing her pathetic virginity.

But working every spare hour in a job she hates on top of school work and mounting secrets doesn’t prove easy. Soon she’s keeping so many she’s not even sure herself what’s true and what’s not.

The only person she can lean on to tell the truth is her best friend Heath.

Only…did he get hot recently? That won’t make things awkward between them…right?

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

Jessica's dad is standing at the door grabbing people and literally throwing them out.  People too scared to go near him are jumping on the sofa and flinging themselves out of the window into the flower beds outside... 'GET OUT, GET OUT!' he screams in his thick Irish accent.  It makes it seem scarier.  Like a seriously pissed off leprechaun.  Who stole his pot of gold?

We are going to be crushed!  Crushed to death by a car in a family planning clinic!  And everyone will know we were here.  God, the shame.  They'll probably slut shame me at my funeral, even though it wasn't even me!

My nostrils flare, which is never attractive.

I can tell she's anything but calm.  Underneath the surface, I can tell she's enraged, boiling over.  Her eyes are bloodshot as if she can't physically keep the rage in.  At any minute I'm expecting her to tear off her clothes and turn into the Incredible Hulk.

I beg, sounding like a child.  I don't care; I'm scared.  I've never felt this ill in my life, and I'm a little bit scared that I may be dying.  I don't think that's dramatic at all.

I pat the spare side of the bed to him, smiling as seductively as I can...'You okay?' he asks, with a quizzical look.  'You got a stomach ache or something?'... Okay.  So I obviously failed if I look gassy.

 

My Review:

I frequently smirked and laughed aloud as I read this amusing tale.  I rarely read YA, but I will read just about anything this talented author cares to churn out, and she made YA fun.  Granted this would be what I've seen labeled as "upper YA" as the characters experience sex, overindulge in drink, swear, and sneak into dance clubs.  Which is most likely why I enjoyed it so much, I am going to call it Naughty YA.  Laura Barnard is wicked funny, her clever humor resounds across several levels for me.  Her first venture into YA was written from the POV of Savannah, a seventeen-year-old senior in high school to those of us in the US - or sixth form in the UK.  Savannah was an angst-ridden, melodramatic, drama queen.  She was riddled with self-doubt, as well as overly self-conscious, and prone to irrational fears and helplessness around boys.  The narrative of her inner musings may appear disjointed to some, however, if you have spent any time whatsoever in the company of teenage girls, you will realize that is exactly how they talk, think, and behave. 

Ms. Barnard either spends considerable time in the presence of teens or has excellent recall of being one.  She has fully captured that confusing, exciting, mortifying period of zits, first boyfriends, constant drama, nervous uncertainty, lip curls, boredom, eye-rolls, and the desire to completely disown one's own family and being horrified at the thought of sharing their gene pool.  Savannah's family was a source of constant embarrassment to her, and they were hilarious.  I would have loved having a pink convertible Mini driving Nan that took me to a tarot card reading, bought me a gel bra, gave me a denim mini skirt and encouraged me to throw an unchaperoned party. 

The story was highly entertaining; the characters were lovable, interesting, and quirky; and the writing was crisp and unfailingly engaging.  I adored Ms. Barnard's uniquely naughty YA and would read it again anytime. 

Empress DJ

About the Author

Laura Barnard lives in Hertfordshire, UK and writes romantic comedy or 'chick lit' as it's so often described. In her spare time, she enjoys drinking her body weight in tea, indulging in cupcakes the size of her face and drooling over hunks like Jamie Dornan, Ryan Gosling, and Leo Dicaprio.

She enjoys wearing yoga pants and reading fitness magazines while sitting on the sofa eating chocolate. She's a real fan of the power nap and of course READING!

She writes not to get rich or famous, but because she LOVES writing. Even if one person tells her they enjoyed her book it makes the midnight typing worth it!

Website

Goodreads

Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway