Bena Roberts's Blog

I haven't blogged for a while.  As anyone that has read Moms With Secrets will know, I have loved being a mum to teenagers.  

I will start writing more regularly, but I want to highlight is there such as thing as a problem child?  Who is to blame for problems in the School?  Surely, if the teacher can't cope they are to blame. 

Should schools be leading by example?  If teachers can't cope with issues in the school - then how will children learn to cope with the same problems.

 

My major hang-up is with a school in the village Seeheim-Jugenheim where I live Schuldorf (@Schudorf).  The teachers have behaved appallingly and because Germany is like 20 years behind social media - getting the message across can be frustrating. I wrote Moms With Secrets with Schuldorf in mind - but now with constant bullying from the teachers - I am frustrated. 

I feel I need to tell my side of the story and highlight the unprofessionalism of the German school and management.  More to follow....

The Sinister Gathering

Sophie attends a well-being retreat hoping to find herself, instead she finds a dead body.

Coming to the Scottish Highlands, she hopes to escape life and get in touch with her inner self. She wants to free herself from the anxieties that have gripped her for years.

Peace and harmony are advertised but what she discovers is anything but.

She is around women with other ideas. As she gets to know the strange bunch staying at Glenloch Hall, fights and arguments become the norm.

She should never have entered that fateful property.

She was looking for peace but found death.

Purchase Links

Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sinister-Gathering-Sophie-Brown-Book-ebook/dp/B07HWP9V5H

Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/Sinister-Gathering-Sophie-Brown-Book-ebook/dp/B07HWP9V5H

 

Author Bio ��� Manchester born Diane Ezzard writes emotionally charged psychological thrillers and mysteries about everyday people in seemingly ordinary circumstances until something goes badly wrong in their lives.

Before taking early retirement to concentrate on her writing, she worked as a HR manager, a counsellor, owned a cafe and managed a charity. 

She now lives and writes in South East London close to her daughter and grandchildren.

Social Media Links ���

http://dezzardwriter.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dezzardwriter/

https://twitter.com/diane_ezzard

 

 

My Review - 4 Stars

This is a gripping, action-packed read. From fighting one's own inner demons to escaping and then action. It kept my interest well into the night.

Deck the Halles

It���s next Christmas at the little French llama farm.

Last Christmas infamous Australian author Nick bought the farm, that was meant to be furnished and without llamas. The reverse proved to be the case. Noelle had been sent to pet sit the llamas until his arrival. After a decidedly frosty start, Nick and Noelle���s relationship warmed up rapidly and they���re now happily living together, with an ever growing assortment of animals.

They���re looking forward to a quiet, romantic Christmas together but at the last moment Noelle is called on to find a venue for the annual national llama show. The local agricultural halles are free so she books them, thinking that���s all she���ll have to do to help. She couldn���t be more wrong! On top of that, various relatives start turning up on her doorstep unexpectedly, as the result of assorted crises. The farmhouse is about to burst at the seams. Add in a few other events, such as playing the part of a pixie at a Christmas f��te, organising Nick���s book launch and training a non-cooperative  llama for the agility class in the show, and Noelle is pushed ever closer to the end of her tether. Can she hold it together and stay as calm as a llama? Or will she be the next member of her family to make a bolt for pastures new?     

This festive, feel-good and fun novel is the sequel to ���Fa-La-Llama-La: Christmas at the Little French Llama Farm��� but can be read as a standalone.  

Purchase Links

universal one: getbook.at/DTH

amazon.co.uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KRKSQ9Q/

amazon.com.au: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07KRKSQ9Q

amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KRKSQ9Q

 

Author Bio ���

I'm an English expat living in France, having moved here with my family in 2006 after fourteen years as an expat in Ireland. I now consider myself a European rather than 'belonging' to any particular country. The last ten years have been interesting, to put it mildly. Taking on seventy-five acres with three lakes, two hovels and one cathedral-sized barn, not to mention an ever increasing menagerie, makes for exciting times. The current array of animals includes alpacas, llamas, huarizos (alpaca-llama crossbreds, unintended in our case and all of them thanks to one very determined alpaca male), sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, geese, chickens and turkeys, not forgetting our pets of dogs, cats, zebra finches, budgies , canaries, lovebirds and Chinese quail. Before we came to France all we had was a dog and two chickens, so it's been a steep learning curve. I recount these experiences in my book Heads Above Water: Staying Afloat in France and the sequel to that, Total Immersion: Ten Years in France. I also blog regularly at www.bloginfrance.com.

I'm married to Chris and we have three bilingual TCKs (third culture kids) who are resilient and resourceful and generally wonderful.    

I'm a traditionally-published author of many children's books, and am now self-publishing too. I have worked part-time as a freelance editor for thirty years after starting out as a desk editor for Hodder & Stoughton. Find me at www.editing.zone. The rest of the time I'm running carp fishing lakes with Chris and inevitably cleaning up some or other animal's poop.  

 

Social Media Links ��� @llamamum

www.facebook.com/StephanieDaggBooks/

www.bloginfrance.com

My Review 

The Good

I loved the cover and couldn't wait to dive into this book. I guessed it was a romantic comedy, which is my favorite genre... but this one was more. I was not just smiling or giggling - I was laughing!

The Bad

As a dog lover, I never knew that llamas might compete - but they do now!  As an expat myself, I adore literature that is out of the UK. This French farm was delightful but the issues and problems that women have at Christmas - are universal. I could relate to this story but was glad that I could laugh too.

The Ugly

OK. I thought Noelle and Nick (the names) were a bit cheesy for the time of year. But after I finished the book, bah humbug... it worked. I really enjoyed it!

The Christmas Spirit

Christmas is coming, but not everyone is looking forward to it.

Rebecca has just been dumped and the prospect of spending the holiday period with her parents is less than appealing.

Eighty- two year old Stanley lost his beloved wife, Edie, to cancer. How will he cope with his first Christmas without her?

Jacob���s university degree hasn���t helped him get a job, and it looks like he���ll still be signing on come New Year.

Workaholic Meredith would rather spend December 25th at home alone with a ready meal and a DVD box set. Can anything make her embrace the spirit of the season?

The enigmatic Natalie Hope takes over the reins at the Sugar and Spice bakery and caf�� in an attempt to spread some festive cheer and restore Christmas spirit, but will she succeed?

Purchase Links

http://amzn.to/1gcpTrc (UK) & http://amzn.to/KUArMU (US)

 

Author Bio ��� Susan Buchanan lives in Scotland with her husband and their two children. She is the author of four novels: Return of the Christmas Spirit, The Christmas Spirit, The Dating Game, and Sign of the Times. She is currently working on books five and six: The Proposal and Just One Day.

Susan is also a proofreader, editor and translator, and when not working, writing, or caring for her two delightful cherubs, loves reading, the theatre, quiz shows and eating out ��� not necessarily in that order!

Social Media Links

Facebook ��� www.facebook.com/susan.buchanan.author

Twitter ��� susan_buchanan

Blog ��� Sooz���s journal ��� www.susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk

My Review

The Good
Heartwarming, baking, Scotland. These are all the things that I love in a winter novel and The Christmas Spirit did not disappoint.

The Bad
I am not sure I liked the cover of the book and did worry this would be an overbearing read. But it wasn't. I read it tucked up in bed last night and downed some hot chocolate, but couldn't sleep till I finished.

The Ugly
This is as ugly as a wonderful feel-good story!

 

 

All Wrapped Up in You

Their marriage hangs in the balance, but on this wind battered Christmas Eve, a miracle is born���

When Ellie hooked up with world renowned neurosurgeon, Peter Medeci, aka 'Prince Charming���, she thought her dreams had come true. But the demands of being the model wife to his career triggers a mutiny within her and she decides to ditch the 'royal' life until he sees her as more than his bedroom playmate.

Purchase Link - http://hyperurl.co/bq8jzc

Author Bio ���  Sun Chara, an Amazon top 100 bestseller, writes sexy, hip ���n fun contemporary romance, and romantic comedies w/a divine twist for HarperImpulse. She makes her home in southern California, and has appeared on stage/film to rave reviews in How the Other Half Loves, General Hospital, and McGee and Me. She has a Masters Degree in Education and membership in SAG/AFTRA and Romance Writers of America. Sipping Frappuccinos topped with whipped cream/sprinkles, and dancing on the beach make everyday a celebration!

Social Media Links ���

https://facebook.com/suncharaauthorpage
https://twitter.com/sunchara3                                                                                     

Giveaway ��� Win a $20 Amazon Gift card and an e-copy of All Wrapped Up In You (Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions ���Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners��� information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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My Review

The Good
I could not put this second chance romance down. I loved it!

The Bad
Behind the Christmas backdrop, sometimes marriage is not what it seems. Talking is essential and the song theme of this love story - was super.

The Ugly
Warm, winter, Christmas and love.... nothing ugly about that!

5 Stars

Him With The Beard

Do you remember that moment you stopped believing in Santa Claus?

When nine-year-old Mille suddenly no longer believes in Santa Claus, it turns the house upside down.

Her mother, Stella, is in a pickle as the hunt to find Santa Claus unearths some family secrets.

Christmas is at risk!

And there���s only one person who can save it.

Purchase  Links

Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pernille-Meldgaard-Pedersen/e/B07HXLPDSJ/

Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/Pernille-Meldgaard-Pedersen/e/B07HXLPDSJ/

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/him-with-the-beard

Itunes UK - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/isbn9788797086216

Itunes US - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9788797086216

 

Author Bio ���

Pernille was born in 1988 and loves that she was born in the decade with the tallest hair, the most colourful clothes, and the best music.

Her imagination never stands still, and it���s often expressed in words and pictures.

She wrote her first story when she was six years old. It was about the cat she unfortunately never got but wished for more than anything.

She loves autumn and Christmas and believes in elves.

From day to day she is a knight in training, an animator, and a secret agent ��� she has saved the world a few times by now.

She���s also a professional daydreamer.

She thinks the recipe for a good book is the same as the one for having a good life ��� a sense of kinship, humour, love, and that one thing that gives you a daily smile.

Vestercity is a fictional city based on her upbringing near the city of Herning in Denmark.

 

Social Media Links ���

twitter: https://twitter.com/Pernille56

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PernilleMeldgaardPedersenAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pernillemeldgaardpedersen/

website: https://pernillemeldgaardpedersenuk.blogspot.com/

Giveaway

Win A Cosy Christmas Pack - with One Jim Shore Santa Claus Ornament, Santa Claus Marshmallows, A Chocolate Advent Calendar, A Pretty Christmas Storage Box and finally, A Signed Copy of my book Him With The Beard.

Open internationally.

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My Review

The Good

I still believe in Santa, because if you believe anything can happen.  Therefore I simply love this novelette.  It is perfect and well written.

I would suggest that this would be a good read, stocking filler for any family this Christmas. Loved it. 

The Bad

None

The Ugly

Not this Christmas!

5 Stars

A Lion Is Not Just For Christmas

Is there life after the circus has left town?

Circus performer Justine Belmont works with big cats, but when the circus is disbanded and the old lion is sold to a private menagerie at a stately home in Norfolk, she is asked to spend a few weeks settling him into his new environment. When she arrives at the estate, however, she receives a mixed welcome.

The groundsman Tom Yates resents her presence as he doesn���t feel he needs her help with the lion. He revises his opinion when he sees the bond between her and the big cat, and she and Tom grow closer, although Justine remains torn about her feelings for him. The lady of the house, Priscilla - who is married to the reclusive owner, Lord Brooks���s, grandson - is not so easily convinced. She perceives Justine as a threat for the male attention and her plans for the manor. And her two young daughters are a little too curious about the lion for their own good.

When unsettling events occur, Justine begins to wonder if there is more to Priscilla���s animosity than meets the eye. Can Justine keep herself and everyone else safe until it���s time for her to leave again and start a new life elsewhere?

Purchase Links:

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lion-Christmas-Norfolk-Mysteries-novella-ebook/dp/B0782X1QHV

US - https://www.amazon.com/Lion-Christmas-Norfolk-Mysteries-novella-ebook/dp/B0782X1QHV

Author Bio ���

Henriette Gyland grew up in Northern Denmark but moved to England after she graduated from the University of Copenhagen. She wrote her first book when she was ten, a tale of two orphan sisters running away to Egypt, fortunately to be adopted by a perfect family they meet on the Orient Express.

Between that first literary exploit and now, she has worked in the Danish civil service, for a travel agent, a consultancy company, in banking, hospital administration, and for a county court before setting herself up as a freelance translator and linguist. Henriette recently began to pursue her writing in earnest winning the New Talent Award in 2011 from the Festival of Romance and a Commended from the Yeovil Literary Prize.

Henriette lives in London.

Social Media Links ���

Website: henriettegyland.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/henriette.gyland

Twitter: @henrigyland

 

 

Giveaway ��� Win a sterling silver Thomas Sabo Snowflake Charm (UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions ���UK  entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners��� information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

 

 

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My Review 

The Good

I am at the stage where I am saving all the Xmas films for cold nights this winter. This book was the start of my Chrstimas reading and I loved it! A warm wonderful story. The mystery, the family and the lion all my fabby elements. 

 

The Bad

The beginning was good - but from chapter 3 it was addictive. A could not put down read. Loved Tom, the granddad ... everything. 

 

The Ugly

The things people do for money!

 

5 Stars - Fab!

 

Daisy

It may take a criminal mind to be a savvy business woman.

If so, Daisy is set and driven to succeed. But to hold on to what she's earned, she must live between black and white. She must spend her life in the gray. 

That makes it difficult for a woman to know who she's dealing with, in business and in bed.

Idris made it his business to know hers, leaving no skeletons undiscovered. When the two meet, sparks fly and sexual tension ignites. Passion, lust, and desire come before sensible decision making.

Has Daisy gotten involved with the wrong person this time? 

Can this gorgeous man be trusted, or is it him that needs to beware? 

Daisy is a mixed race urban romance where the road to true love is  

anything but easy. 

 

Purchase Links

Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daisy-Love-mixed-urban-romance-ebook/dp/B07HCRZJJ3

Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/Daisy-Love-mixed-urban-romance-ebook/dp/B07HCRZJJ3

Author Bio ���

Karen Botha was born in Lincolnshire, England where her father was in the Royal Air Force. As a young girl she always had a passion for reading and writing, studying English Language before University.

Working most of her adult life in digital marketing didn't leave her much time to pursue her passion for stories. But, at the age of 36 she retrained as a reflexologist and started working for herself. This helped her free up more than enough time to enjoy a re-found passion; writing.

Her first novel was inspired by the true life experiences of her clients. But don't believe everything you read, she has more than enough imagination to catch you out with twist and turns galore.

She enjoys romance, travelling and motor sport, which also provide her inspiration for her books.

She currently lives in London with her husband and rescue dog, Shadow.

Social Media Links ���

https://www.facebook.com/KarenBothaAuthor/

www.karenbotha.com

https://www.instagram.com/karenbothaauthor/

https://twitter.com/KarenBothaNovel

 

Review 

The Good!

I loved the double sexy, who was saying what playing each other start. 

 

The Bad

I loved the "not my real name" mystery and the start of this book had me hooked!

The Ugly

I didn't like the name Aman - but dear me I loved Idris. The illegal activity then the criminal background. This was like a modern day Film Noir with a bit of sexy. I really enjoyed the story

 

4.5 Stars 

The Janitor and the Spy

Baby wipes are not the best at cleaning up blood or what happened to Thornhill in Amsterdam.

They told Thornhill it would be a simple spy mission that he was more than eager to take on, but of course, it wasn't.

It didn't take long after meeting the contact for Thornhill to question if he or anyone else connected to him was going to be able to make it out of Amsterdam alive. Passing strangers on the streets became potential hitmen and dinner with criminals became safe heavens as Thornhill seeks to find answers from an old man named Golay.

Purchase Links

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Janitor-Spy-Thornhill-Book-ebook/dp/B013KNYGVC/

US - https://www.amazon.com/janitor-spy-thornhill-book-ebook/dp/B013KNYGVC/

The Dragon and the Lumberjack

Thomas feared he played Jack too well...

The sequel to S. W. Ellenwood's debut novel, The Janitor and the Spy, picks up six months after Thomas Thornhill's nightmare mission in Amsterdam. On his own, he now goes under the alias of Jack Montferrand and seeks to gain entry into the oldest and most dangerous triad in Asia to find Them.

On the inside, he found the triad not as stable as he thought, forcing him to prove his trust and worth to them at every turn as new rivals sprout up. He plunges his hands deeper into the filth and the alias of Jack where he starts to wonder where Thomas ends and Jack begins.

Purchase Links

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dragon-Lumberjack-Thornhill-Book-ebook/dp/B07JFCHTD4

US - https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Lumberjack-Thornhill-Book-ebook/dp/B07JFCHTD4

Author Bio ���

W. Ellenwood is thankful to have a close-knit family of two parents, a brother, and two sisters. A homeschooler who graduated college from the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Ellenwood loves all forms and genres of stories and was inspired by The Lord of the Rings films and his parents to write. You can find Ellenwood writing his next novel at the local coffee shops or playing table top games with his best friends.

Social Media Links ���

Twitter: https://twitter.com/swellenwood

Website: http://www.swellenwood.com/

My Review

The Janitor and the Spy (The Thornhill ���
by S.W. Ellenwood

The Good
There are some great suspense bits in this. I liked the way the author got us ready for a failure - so we were expecting XXXXXX from the onset. For me, this is a train journey read, gripping but not too tricky!

The Bad
The Spy was a bit too squeaky clean for me! I loved the excitement but I would have preferred Bond! I wanted to be excited about the first case but I I prefer a more seasoned spy.

The Ugly
A fun start to this book - under 200 pages and ideal for traveling.

3.5 Stars

The Barn of Buried Dreams

Erin and Heather Douglas are struggling. Their mother���s death has left a void in their family and everyday life has side-lined their dreams.

Erin has buried herself away in the family home and left her stage career. By hiding away, she is evading the pain of returning to London and the acting world where her ex-fianc�� is enjoying success and a new relationship. When she meets charismatic Texan Jackson McGee, she wrestles with her feelings for him. Should she trust another man?

Heather is juggling babies, work, a rocky marriage and running on wine. An overheard conversation makes her ask, would Mark cheat on her?

Can the sisters help one another to face their fears, dust off and revive those dreams and find joy in life?

Purchase Links

Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Barn-Buried-Dreams-When-daylight-ebook/dp/B07GY3YFQ7

Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/Barn-Buried-Dreams-When-daylight-ebook/dp/B07GY3YFQ7

Author Bio

Chrissie, 2016 winner of the Romantic Novelist's Elizabeth Goudge writing trophy, is a seasoned tea drinker and a tenacious trainer of her welsh terrier, Oscar. She has always loved match-making a book to a reader. Writing the kind of book she loves to read takes this a step further. When Chrissie is not writing or reading, you will find her walking Oscar on the beach, trying to avoid the gym and spending time with her family and friends.

Her new release, THE BARN OF BURIED DREAMS - when will they see daylight?, is a contemporary story about two sisters who are struggling after the death of their mother. It starts in Dunleith, the same Northumbrian setting as her debut novel ���A Jarful of Moondreams���, and some characters cross both books. Readers can enjoy either book as a stand alone

���

Chrissie enjoys tweeting to readers on @ChrissieBeee
Her instagram account is chrissie_bradshaw_author
Her blog is newhenontheblog.com
and she has a Chrissie Bradshaw author page on Facebook.
She would love to hear from readers

 

 

A giveaway. A read, a cuppa and a treat.

Win a Paperback copy of ���The Barn of Buried Dreams���, limited edition mug featuring both of Chrissie Bradshaw���s  novels and  a box of fresh macarons delivered from ���Urban Cakehouse���.  (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions ���UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners��� information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

The Barn of Buried Dreams
by Chrissie Bradshaw

The Good
Wow. What a story about family and love coming together with sisterhood.

The Bad
This wasn't fluffy, but at the same time was my favourite kind of family drama and woman's drama in a fluffy way. A great read especially for sisters, anyone going through loss, love and anyone that needs re-building.

The Ugly
A great read.

4.5 Stars