Bookreview: Four Bittersweet Romances & A Four Act Closet Drama

 A very good read!

Summary

The Ballad of Calle and Maja - a tragicomic story: Maja sends crushes to Calle.
He becomes infatuated, but the fear of failing seizes him as his affection grows.
Lonely and vulnerable for as long as he could remember, Calle suffered a string
of ‪one-night‬ stands and relentless unrequited love. He bears psychological scars
after recently venturing on an online cat-fishing site. Calle decides to pursue
Maja's love. Meanwhile, Maja is unhappily in love with someone else. Calle is
however determined to win Maja’s love.

Two Girls in a Cafe: A young man becomes the subject of a contentious
conversation between Felicity and Ruth. They have different impressions
about the man's character. The question is whether Felicity and Ruth have
the right end of the stick. "Contemporary, witty, honest and ironic".

Binky's Reverie: The story is about loneliness, friendship, misunderstandings,
frustration—between Binky, a young Caribbean man, and Linda, a young
Swedish beauty. They first met in London, where their friendship blossomed
into regular dating, kissing and cuddling—happiness and fun. Linda invites
Binky to visit Sweden for a holiday. And Binky hopes for him and her to go
beyond kissing and hugging—developing a serious love relationship.

Getting It Right, If Ever - romance novella: A tragicomic fantasy tale.
The setting is the early 70s in two imaginary countries. 40-year-old Benji is
a gardener and an aspiring poet. By coincidence, he meets 45-year-old Molly.
They become pen pals, and Molly invites Benji to visit her homeland. Benji is
overwhelmed and seizes the opportunity to visit another country—for the
first time. Then one day, Benji catches sight of a beautiful woman and
becomes mesmerised by with her beauty. He attempts to win her affection.
His manner is anything but conventional: His wooing is courageous as it is
comical. And his approach is a mixture of play-acting, hope, and preservation.
Benji is determined to succeed.

Tell Me Who My Enemy Is — a four-act closet drama: The scene is an outdoor
café near a lake. It is early autumn in the 70s in Stockholm. Berry
(an Afro-West Indian) and Gun and Kerstin (two Swedish cronies) are socialising.
Sam, the Afro-American in time, barges in on the trio. The black men air
opposing views about life in Sweden. Berry becomes belligerent towards Sam:
suspects him to have something up his sleeve. Sam, on the other hand, is calm
and collected, though contemptuous. The girls are puzzled by the bickering
between the two men which escalates into verbal abusive.

My review

I just finished reading "Four Bittersweet Romances and A Four Act Closet
Drama" and I absolutely enjoyed it!

The book was written very detailed and the stories were all great! Although
they looked in the beginning different to each other they form a good whole.

Sometimes I had to laugh, other ways I really felt sad. 

Anyway it was a very good read and I would like to give a 5 star rating! 

The author

He was born in Guyana, immigrated to England in the early 60s.
Worked and studied in London, before taking up residence in Sweden,
in the early 70s.

In the early 70s, he wrote stories, a four-act closet drama,
a novella, and an unfinished (memoir) novel. He had then spent two years
nurturing the ambition to become an author of some repute.
But the going was tough, creating a feeling of insecurity for the future.

In time, he shelved the idea and got a job as a hospital porter.
He later did a BA (Eng. & Edu.). After a summer job at a psychiatric hospital,
he decided to do a 4-term course for mental-health carers, 

Following that he would complete the first of two stages of psychotherapy
education and several short courses in cognitive therapy. After retirement,
he did counseling work for several years.

Booktastes

I really want to thank Booktasters and the author as well for their free copy. It 
was a very good read! 

Bookreview: Married to Merlot

 A memoir with a message of hope 

"What an amazing honest memoir"

Summary

Married to Merlot is an inspirational read for anyone who is facing adversity. 
Through her unflinching narrative, Martha Louise pens a poignant and candid
chronicle of her personal journey impacted by her Vietnam veteran spouse's 
post-war stress, depression and alcoholism. 

Martha relies on her psychological background and education to weave
self-help concepts and messages of hope into her storytelling. The compelling
combination of the family's perseverance and the author's fortitude will 
encourage others in similar circumstances to find the strength to choose their
own unique path to recovery and to a happier life.

 

My Review

When reading the book: Married to Merlot, I immediately was impressed by
the honest writing of the author. I think it's very difficult to write down what
she had experienced.

I was directly into the memoir and I read it in one time, so I really wanted to
know what came next, the good and the bad. 

I don't like flashbacks in a story, but here it was appropriate. The book cover
also was good and to the point. 

That's why I want to give a 5* rating to this amazing memoir! I would 
recommend this book to all who wants to know more about ptsd and
the effects of alcoholism. I think most people will think twice before they
drink another glass of wine or beer.

I would love to read more books of this wonderful author! 

The Author

Martha Louise had always been a writer but she did not envision her first
published book as a memoir about her life and the events that occurred while
married to her Vietnam veteran husband. Her career had led her into several
roles over the years: exceptional student education teacher, social worker,
mental health therapist and school psychologists. She had multiple stories
to tell; she had not planned to tell the story of her husband's post-war stress,
depression and alcoholisme. But she knew it was the story she had to tell. 

Release date

The Release date for Married to Merlot was 19 January 2019. It is available
on bol and on Amazon. 

We love memoirs 

I received a free copy in the most friendliest group on Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram: We love memoirs.

Bookreview: Master & Marquis

"What a beautiful love story!"

Summary

Declan Dalton, the Marquis of Barrington, fell in love with Lady Elisa
Remington when they were childhood companions running over the 
countryside.

He traveled to the continent, fought for his country, managed his estates,
and tried, in vain to stay as far away from her as possible. Because Elisa
is worthy so much more than a man like him, a man with dark, hidden,
dangerous desires, a man with a secret room in his noble estate....

But when a war injury sends him home a decorated hero, Declan cannot
keep his distance from Lady Elisa. He offers for her hand, intent on
protecting her from the erotic passions surging within him - passions far
more potent when she's near. 

My review

I read the second book of the series before without having read the first one,
 but I like the love story, so I'm going to read the first book too. 

However this book really has very strong characters and a well out- spitted
plot, which I enjoyed. It took place in the 19th. century, so it was absolutely
a splendid historical romance. 

I would say: don't doubt and read it! I like to give a 4* rating for this 
amazing historical romance. 

The Author

Gemma Snow loves high heat, high adventures and high expectations for her
heroes! Her stories are set in the past and present, from the glittering streets
of Paris to cowboy-rich Triple Diamond Ranch in Wolf Creek, Montana. 

Visit: https://gemmasnow.com/ to learn more about the author. 

BookSirens

I received a free copy via BookSirens. Thank you very much!

Master & Marquis is available on Amazon.com in Kindle and in 
Paperback. 

Bookreview: A Game of Chess

The Dream Factory (book 2) - A Game of Chess

written by John Simes

Check also my review of the Dream Factory on this link. 

"A beautiful fantasy novel!"

Summary

A Game of Chess is the thrilling sequel to The Dream Factory. Peter Young
thought things couldn't get any worse after his parents were snatched from his
home. He was wrong.

With the help of a revolutionary ephone called Om, and his girlfriend Navinda,

Peter's desperate search for his parents takes him from a sleepy Devon village
to the chaos of London. 

However, Peter and Navinda are merely pawns in a deadly game of chess,
orchestrated by criminal mastermind Rosencrantz and the sinister Golden Hand. 

Who will play the final checkmate? 

My review

For me it was nice to 'meet' the characters from The Dream Factory again 

in this sequel: "A Game of Chess".

As always the author is a wonderful detailed story teller and before I 
knew, I was into the story. So it really is a page turner!

"A Game of Chess" is well written, clear and it read easily, which I 
like very much.

This is a dark and compelling tale with a beautiful love story. If you like
quirky fantasy novels, this is a must read book! I recommend it with a
5 * rating. 

The Author

After his career as a teacher and school leader, John Simes founded 
Collingwood Learning - a consultancy for school improvement. In 
2013 he established Collingwood Published Limited.

John lives with his family in South Devon, England, where he grapples 
with his addictions to cricket, poetry and the stunning local landscape
as well as his continuing enthusiasm for education. 

Booktasters

Thank you very much for the author and Booktasters! I received a free
copy in return for my honest review. 

Bookreview: The Heir and the Enchantress

 

What a great love story! 

Summary

Hazel Trethow is infatuated with a notorious rake despite her father's plan
to betroth her to the heir of wealthy barony. Her scheming to find a love
match for her dearest friend and herself turns into a scandal that could
ruin them both.

Harold Hobbs returns home from business in India with a plan to save his
family from ruin. He does not anticipate his father's plot to wed him to Miss
Trethow....

My review

What a great love story! 

The Heir and the Enchantress really is a wonderful book. I enjoyed the story

and the characters as well. It also has a nice cover! 

It was written very good, clear and it read fluently. I liked the way the author

worked out the plot and the characters. 

It was a lovely, laid back reading which I like a lot. I recommend this amazing
book to all who enjoy reading historical love stories. I give this with lot of 
pleasure a 5 * rating. 

The author

Celebrated for her complex characters, realistic conflicts and sensual love
scenes, Paullett Golden puts a spin on historical romance. Her novels, set
primarily in Georgian and Regency England with some dabbling in 
Ireland, Scotland and France. Her stories show love overcoming adversity.

Whatever our self-doubts, love will out. 

Booktasters

I received a free copy via Booktasters and the author. Thank you very much!

Valentine special: When two writers found their love

Writers in the picture: 

💕 Albert van der Steeg and Sarah Anne Burns 💕

Albert van der Steeg and Sarah Anne Burns are currently writing on a lovely 
continuing story: Arjan and Sophie, which I really enjoy reading. You can read
it on this link. 

To my modest opinion they are a wonderful writing couple and one of the few
who actually work together. 

As people (or perhaps the shops) around the world are celebrating 
Saint Valentine, it looked a great idea to put this amazing writing couple in
the picture. 

A special love story

How did you meet each other?

We were both on a website called MySpace (it actually still has the same name).
In those times, MySpace was what Facebook nowadays is. I started a group with 
the name Planet Al. It was meant for people with the names: albert, Alfreds etc. 

One day, a jazz/blues singer Albert Cooper took part of the group. He was a nice
guy but he had lots of pretention. For example he talked about Karl Marks.

Sarah had lots of fun with that guy and he became very angry. Finally I (Albert)
had to calm down them, but the contact between me and Sarah was there. 

After lots of messages on MySpace, I gave her my e-mail Address. E-mails
followed and finally we made a phone call to each other. 

We met each other live at the end of October 2007 and in December we
decided to marry. In January 2008 our wedding took place.

However I was divorced from my first wife in September 2007 and
everyone was against my second marriage. They found me crazy. 

(Most people didn't know how long a divorce arrangement lasts). 

Now it is 2021 and we are still very happy with each other!

How well do you know Sarah?

How well does Sarah know Albert?

Is there a difference of age between you two?

There is a difference of 6 years between us.

Which are your favourite stories?

We both love true stories. We don't like fantasy or science fiction very much.

If you read the story of Arjan and Sophie, you'll see that everything what's
happening could be possible. We both don't like fake things.

What are your favourite drinks and meals?

Sarah's favourite drink is Hopback Summer Lightning, mine is Westmalle 
Dubbel. (Ha! As a Belgian, I say: Great Choice Albert!) 

We both like Curry.

About their writing life

When did you start writing?

I (Albert) already wrote at the years of 11 and 12. I wrote at school. All the
kids had to work a week, before their job was finished. I did it every 
Saturday morning.

Sarah already wrote stories for the school paper, Essays on the university and
she wrote for the Norfolk Nips, this is a magazine for brewers and beer lovers
in Norfolk (which is a county in the UK.)

Are there similarities between Arjan and Sophie and you both?

Only the nationality of both main characters and some own experiences
are the same as us. But they are very different than we.

Do you have a special writing routine or is it going with the flow?

At the beginning we wanted to write each one chapter, but that plan was
soon declined. It depends how we feel. Some days one of us writes more 
than the other. We don't know yet what will happen to the story.

You write lots of posts about music. Which is your favourite kind of music
during writing?

It depends on the mood. Sometimes there is only silence. I Just discovered a
Dutch band Solution again. It isn't existing anymore. 

Do you and Sarah have lots of writing dreams/goals?

Not really. We are already very happy with the amounts of readers we get
online. Publishing will only happen after winning the lottery, I fear.
We are both working on other projects as well!

Tell me, I'm very curious 😃

Sarah writes a novel and I'm working on my detective stories. If I get
inspiration I will write more very short stories. Sarah has some short
stories in her head that need to be written. And we both write reviews
as well. 

Do you have wishes for 2021 - both personal and for the world?

We both want our vaccines soon, so life can be 'normal' again. 

We also hope that all people on earth wouldn't believe nonsensical
things anymore and that everyone will respect the other. 

That's a wonderful wish! Thank you Albert & Sarah , for this small
interview. I wish you bot lots of luck and happiness. 

Source pictures: Albert van der Steeg & Sarah Anne Burns. 

Tides of Love by Tracy Sumner

A true love story 

Tides of Love

(Seaswept Seduction Series #1)

by 

Tracy Sumner (Goodreads Author)

 3.64  ·   Rating details ·  421 ratings  ·  64 reviews

A provocative novel that will leave you breathless as it explores the heartaches and triumphs of love. Can a woman's love really stand the test of time?

He left all he loved behind...

Will he be able to return and win her heart?

An earth-shattering secret revealed in his recently deceased mother's diary causes harsh words between Noah Garrett and his brother. Desolate and totally bewildered, Noah leaves Pilot Isle and has no contact with his family or even Elle Beaumont, the girl who has been his shadow all through childhood.

Now, ten years later, Noah is a renowned biologist and returns to Pilot Isle to head up a research lab. Coming back home opens up old wounds and uncovers buried feelings. Hoping to have a few days to cope with all the old emotions welling up within him, Noah really isn't ready to face anyone yet. However, it's just his luck that the first person he literally bumps into is Elle. The only difference is, Elle is no longer a thin red-headed mischievous imp who is constantly in trouble and always needing to be rescued. This Elle is a gorgeous, passionate young woman who sets Noah's blood on fire.

Marielle Claire Beaumont has loved Noah since she was a child. As a sad little girl who'd recently lost her mother and couldn't speak English, Elle met Noah when he saved her from taunts at school. Ever since then Elle has loved Noah unconditionally and followed him around like a little puppy. Her world was shattered when he left so suddenly. His silence all these years has been very difficult, and Elle is stunned when she slams into him so unexpectedly. It's not long before she's disrupting Noah's life again as sparks of passion fly in every direction between the two.

The Book

Sometimes I wonder why I postponed reading this book. When I started reading Tides of Love by Tracy Sumner, I immediately liked it very much. 

One of the reasons I liked the "Tides of Love" was the strong characters. I also enjoyed the easily reading and it was written very well. 

The "Tides of Love" is to be recommended if you like true love stories! 

The cover

I never thought the cover of a book was important for me, but yet I must admit: a beautiful cover attracts! The cover of the "Tides of Love" is really very nice and with a lot of pink 😍 ! 

The Author

Tracy Sumner is a great story teller with amazing and strong characters. She wrote several books and more work from her is coming. I certainly want to read more books from this author. 

Please do check the website of the author on this link. 

BookSirens

Thank you very much BookSirens for giving me the chance for reading this wonderful love story. 

I received an advanced copy for free and I'm leaving this review voluntuarily. 

Details

Tides of Love
published by Tracy Sumner 
first published in paperback by Kensington Publishers 
I read the 2018 ebook version

Source picture: book cover