Rhoda Baxter's Blog, page 53
January 30, 2015
A lovely review for Doctor January and a bit about domineering boyfriends
I recently had a lovely review for Doctor January from Fresh Fiction, whose reviewer said Doctor January should be read by every woman!
http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=50132
The thing that really touched me about this review (and the related review on Goodreads) is that the reviewer picked up on how girls see controlling behaviour in boyfriends as normal these days. One of the inspirations for Doctor January was Twilight. As a mother of two daughters, it worries me that my girls would thi...
January 28, 2015
Goodreads Book Review: Somewhere Beyond The Sea by Amanda James
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by Amanda James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Tristan and Karen are unusual for a main couple in a romance novel because they are already married – and it’s not a marriage of convenience or a plot to get a greencard or anything like that, it’s an honest-to-goodness, make-us-another-cup-of-tea-darling type marriage and they are already in love.
So, why bother reading it, you say? Well, the plot involves a mystery that has the potential to tear them apart. At first it does, but...
January 21, 2015
Goodreads Book Review: Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn by Tilly Tennant
Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn by Tilly Tennant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book has been waiting patiently on my Kindle for months and I finally got to it! I picked it up mainly because I loved the title and the cover.
Bonnie is totally in love with Holden Finn – the unattainable popstar. It’s a nice fantasy to escape her real life where she’d trying to keep things together for her daughter Paige.
I liked Bonnie, who was fun and interesting (and so VERY stubborn). The leading men, Max (lovel...
January 19, 2015
Inheritance Books: Zara Stoneley
This week I’m delighted to welcome Zana Stoneley to Inheritance Books. Hi Zara, welcome to Inheritance Books.
Hi Rhoda, and thank you for the invite, it’s lovely to be here.
It’s lovely to have you here! So, tell us a bit about yourself.
So, a bit about me… I spend most of the year in Cheshire surrounded by horses, dogs, cats and amazing countryside which has a massive influence on my writing. When I’m not scribbling away I can often be found in the local wine bars, artisan markets or admiring t...
January 14, 2015
Goodreads Book Review: Some Veil Did Fall by Kirsty Ferry
Some Veil Did Fall by Kirsty Ferry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
For some reason, I thought this book had vampires in it (I have no idea why – maybe the Whitby connection?). Rest assured, there are no bitey people. It’s a nice time-slip/ ghost story. The setting and atmosphere are beautifully described. I’ve never been to Whitby, but I really want to do visit now.
Both Jon (the hero) and Becky are well rounded, very likeable characters. It is interesting that they have similarities to their Victorian...
January 10, 2015
Inheritance Books: Linda Mitchelmore
This week I’m delighted to welcome a fellow Choc Lit writer, Linda Mitchelmore to Inheritance Books. Hi Linda, grab a slice of cake and tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a Devonshire dumpling! Born and brought up in Paignton, where I still live. I’ve never wanted to live anywhere else. From the house I live in now I’m just a ten minute walk from the sea in one direction, and a ten minute walk from open countryside in the other. Both places give me plenty of settings for the short stories and n...
January 9, 2015
Goodreads Book Review: Red Is For Rubies by Linda Mitchelmore
Red is for Rubies by Linda Mitchelmore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I found this book very compelling reading. Lydie is a bit buttoned up and difficult to warm to (you find out why as the book progresses), but I adored Ralph! Jonty was wonderful too, as was Lydie’s daughter Grace.
The Devon settings are wonderfully described – with just enough detail to evoke memories of summer holidays. It’s a good family drama and a nice sunny read.
Goodreads Book Review: Geek Girl by Holly Smale
Geek Girl by Holly Smale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I bought this book because of the title (and the cover) whilst on a mad Kindle shopping spree after christmas. I started reading it at 3am one night when I couldn’t sleep. As it turned out, this wasn’t a great idea because it made me laugh and I had to work really hard to stifle the giggling in case it woke my husband.
Suffice to say, I loved this book. It was fast, fun and funny. I LOVE Wilbur’s turn of phrase. I thought Harriet’s Dad was a litt...
January 2, 2015
Inheritance Books : Karen Aldous
Happy New Year all!
I’m delighted to host fellow RNA NWS graduate, Karen Aldous, as my first guest on Inheritance Books this year. Hi Karen, welcome to Inheritance Books. Have a chocolate. No really, please do. I’ll end up eating them myself otherwise.
Please tell us a bit about yourself.
Thank you for inviting me Rhoda. I think Inherited Books is such a lovely original concept for a blog because they are very personal to each of us. For a bit about me, well after enjoying bringing up my childre...
December 17, 2014
10 Alternative Gifts for Writers – for all year round, and (mostly) for free
It’s that time of year again. I’ve noticed that there are a lot of posts cropping up about what to buy for the writer in your life. But a writer is for life, not just for Christmas, so here’s my alternative list of things to buy for your writer any time of the year. The best bit is, they’re nice and cheap. Most are free.
Buy their books as gifts for other people. Ask the author to sign them for you, if you see them – they’ll be delighted. A signed book makes a great present.
Read their book. Co...
