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Calling All Services
Alex Frey, successful businesswoman, wife and mother to a busy and demanding family, doesn't find it easy to take a break. So when she's hospitalised with a mysterious illness, paralysed and afraid of what the future might bring, frustration meets fear and she can't wait to escape the hospital, get back in control of things and return her family to the normality of salmon paste sandwiches. At home, her husband Grant is determined to manage the kids, Alex's parents, his sister and anything else life can throw at him while his wife is away recuperating. But what else can possibly go wrong while Alex is in hospital? The Frey family is about to find out -
323 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2013
1 person is currently reading
661 people want to read
About the author
Tara Ford
6 books45 followersTara Ford lives in Hampshire, UK with her husband, children, a naughty husky, quite a few well protected koi carp and a very frustrated heron. When she's not busily tapping away at the keyboard, she likes to pretend she can cook or she'll wander into her garden to poke and prod at the plants and flowers, for just long enough to fool the neighbours into thinking that she knows what she's doing.
Failing all of the above, Tara likes to spend time procrastinating while the dinner burns and the flowers wither and die.
You can visit Tara's website at - http://taraford.weebly.com/ or her Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/Tara.Ford.Au...
A few words from the author...
I have spent the last thirty years waiting to write my first book. Why so long, I hear you ask? Well you know how it is, you get an idea in your head, mull it over for a while, get married, rekindle the dream momentarily, have children and then wake up thirty years down the line and think - Gosh! Where did that time go?
My novel writing dream manifested itself when I was fifteen years old. I had been set some English homework to write an essay about something which I cannot remember now. What I do remember is the trouble I got into when I handed my completed, labour of love, story in. It may seem odd that I got into trouble for handing in homework when these days it is a godsend to get children to even think about doing any homework but there was a slight problem... The problem was that I had written a love story which was rather explicit. Firstly, it was completely unsuitable for a fifteen year old to write and secondly, it was deemed extremely unsuitable material for school work.
Sadly, my essay was discarded and I was duly punished for the crime, although my teacher did take me aside and admit, that the story had been well written, the content was good and I should think about writing more stories. The deep burning desire has stayed with me ever since, although the genre I like to write now is not anything like fifty shades of grey, but more like women's contemporary fiction/humour.
Failing all of the above, Tara likes to spend time procrastinating while the dinner burns and the flowers wither and die.
You can visit Tara's website at - http://taraford.weebly.com/ or her Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/Tara.Ford.Au...
A few words from the author...
I have spent the last thirty years waiting to write my first book. Why so long, I hear you ask? Well you know how it is, you get an idea in your head, mull it over for a while, get married, rekindle the dream momentarily, have children and then wake up thirty years down the line and think - Gosh! Where did that time go?
My novel writing dream manifested itself when I was fifteen years old. I had been set some English homework to write an essay about something which I cannot remember now. What I do remember is the trouble I got into when I handed my completed, labour of love, story in. It may seem odd that I got into trouble for handing in homework when these days it is a godsend to get children to even think about doing any homework but there was a slight problem... The problem was that I had written a love story which was rather explicit. Firstly, it was completely unsuitable for a fifteen year old to write and secondly, it was deemed extremely unsuitable material for school work.
Sadly, my essay was discarded and I was duly punished for the crime, although my teacher did take me aside and admit, that the story had been well written, the content was good and I should think about writing more stories. The deep burning desire has stayed with me ever since, although the genre I like to write now is not anything like fifty shades of grey, but more like women's contemporary fiction/humour.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 9, 2013
Also posted on This Chick Reads
Actual rating 3.5/5
*Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
I just love discovering new chick lit authors and must say I was thrilled when I was contacted by Tara Ford for a review of Calling All Services. I was especially pleased to hear this is part of a series, and we will be able to read the next installment very soon.
But back to Calling All Services. I must say, I was pretty surprised by this book. Baring in mind this is a debut I really had no expectations, all I was hoping for was a fun read (since the cover, title and blurb implicate a fun and easy read). BUT this book and Ms. Ford surprised me, of course pleasantly.
It's fun and entertaining, and had my attention till the very last page. And what was even more surprising was the plot and turn of events. You see, those that read (and love) chick lit know well what I mean when I say chick lit can be (and is allowed to be) predictable to certain extent. We all want to get our happy endings and few (or more) good laughs and pretty much 'feel' how things will turn up at the end. This is not bad, I repeat NOT BAD AT ALL. There's something really comforting in knowing the characters you love to read about will be/stay together forever and ever and all is gonna be great for them.
When it comes to Calling All Services I really had no idea what will happen next, and there are just so many things happening.
We are introduced to Alex Frey, a successful businesswoman, a mother and a wife who's got a lot on her plate. One day she's hospitalized with a mysterious illness and weird symptoms NO ONE knows how to interpret. After reading the first chapter I thought this was gonna be a sad (even a depressing) book, and really, I'm not much of a fan of those.
But I was wrong! This is not a sad or depressing book, far from that, it's really fun and funny actually. The focus is not Alex's illness but how her family manages to take care of themselves and the house while Alex is away. The story is told from different perspectives and usually I have difficulties with it, but in this case it worked. We get to see what each of the characters thinks (and feels) about the situation they're in and we really get to know them. I have to say, I especially had fun reading those parts told from Grant's POV. Grant is Alex's husband and really an ordinary funny guy who finds himself in few very weird situations. He needs to take care of the kids, the house..and of course, 'report' to his annoying mother in-law which doesn't really like him. However, he disappointed me with few actions by the end of the book, but I really hate spoiling it for you and telling you why. Despite this, he remained my favorite character, he's sloppy, silly at times, and sometimes ends ups doing the wrong thing but has a good heart.
But there were few things really bothering me, especially Alex's illness. I don't know how to actually explain it without putting any spoilers, but I'll just say that Ms. Ford could've given a better explanation about the symptoms and the illness itself. Some questions still remain hanging and I really would've enjoyed it more if I knew all the WHYs. Even if the focus is not Alex, but the Fray family as a whole, I really think readers would love to have those answers to enjoy and understand the story, especially the ending.
Ok, wrapping up now. It's really an eventful week in the lives of Fray's and seems like EVERYTHING can go wrong. They will need the help of all services - but you will need to read this book to find out why;)
Calling All Services is funny and entertaining and full of action and drama (but in a good way). If you're a fan of chick lit or humorous books, I think you should check it out. I'll definitely be checking out the next part, which I heard is gonna be called 'Calling All Dentists'.
February 2, 2014
An interesting take on our emergency services coupled with a highly amusing portrait of family life,
I'd never come across a book about the emergency services and on reading the opening chapters, I was struck by how much I liked the humour and the author's voice. Alex & Grant's family, including grandparents, a sensitive younger son who lacks confidence, an overconfident soldier big brother and a sulky teenage daughter will strike a chord with many - especially those who have teenage children.My own child is only 10 months old, but I was already envisaging how many of the scrapes and mishaps the kids find themselves in could well happen to us in the future. The novel takes place over only a few short days when Alex is admitted to hospital with a mystery illness. The matriarch and head of the household, she runs it with an iron rod, so it's only fitting that it all falls to pieces without her. Every calamity which could possibly happen befalls this family and the escapades are humorously portrayed. I particularly liked the characters of the overbearing mother-in-law and the nosy neighbour, Evelyn, and especially Grant's attitude towards her - ie what he would like to say to her versus what he actually said to her. I thought the book well-written, especially for a first novel and would be more than happy to read the next in the series (there will be four books in total, I believe)
I'd never come across a book about the emergency services and on reading the opening chapters, I was struck by how much I liked the humour and the author's voice. Alex & Grant's family, including grandparents, a sensitive younger son who lacks confidence, an overconfident soldier big brother and a sulky teenage daughter will strike a chord with many - especially those who have teenage children.My own child is only 10 months old, but I was already envisaging how many of the scrapes and mishaps the kids find themselves in could well happen to us in the future. The novel takes place over only a few short days when Alex is admitted to hospital with a mystery illness. The matriarch and head of the household, she runs it with an iron rod, so it's only fitting that it all falls to pieces without her. Every calamity which could possibly happen befalls this family and the escapades are humorously portrayed. I particularly liked the characters of the overbearing mother-in-law and the nosy neighbour, Evelyn, and especially Grant's attitude towards her - ie what he would like to say to her versus what he actually said to her. I thought the book well-written, especially for a first novel and would be more than happy to read the next in the series (there will be four books in total, I believe)
October 8, 2013
I was fortunate enough to receive this charming novel as a part of the goodreads First Reads giveaways.
This novel, which takes place during a time period of roughly a week, provides us with a rather humorous (if it’s not you) take on what happened when one woman falls ill and her family is left to pick up the pieces. And things most certainly fall to pieces. One thing after another, after another happen right up until the very end where we get our resolution to the story arc.
Here are some of my favorite things about this novel:
•I simply adored the Englishness of this novel. The rather unique idiosyncrasies of British English snuck their way into this text and added an extra source of amusement. Add in a potentially unhealthy obsession with Tea on Grant’s behalf and I was thoroughly charmed.
•In this case, the different layers of the text are revealed by different perspectives from the characters—Alex, businesswoman extraordinaire, at least until a mystery illness hits, Grant, the husband who tries to do it all and fails, her children, Emma, Jack, Aaron, or Alex’s parents, Dot and Charlie. I enjoyed that it allowed the reader to really experience the whole story and not just the one-sided narration that can sometimes occur in other single perspective books.
•I could feel Grant’s annoyance at Dot’s meddling—something I’m sure that a lot of people feel about their mother-in-law. Personally, I admire his will power to put up with her, and her good friend Evelyn who lives across the street, meddling in his life.
There is just simply so much action that takes place in a mere 325 pages and it makes this novel a worthy read. I feel that this would make a great read curled up with a cup of coffee on a rainy Sunday afternoon, or tea. Whatever floats your boat.
This novel, which takes place during a time period of roughly a week, provides us with a rather humorous (if it’s not you) take on what happened when one woman falls ill and her family is left to pick up the pieces. And things most certainly fall to pieces. One thing after another, after another happen right up until the very end where we get our resolution to the story arc.
Here are some of my favorite things about this novel:
•I simply adored the Englishness of this novel. The rather unique idiosyncrasies of British English snuck their way into this text and added an extra source of amusement. Add in a potentially unhealthy obsession with Tea on Grant’s behalf and I was thoroughly charmed.
•In this case, the different layers of the text are revealed by different perspectives from the characters—Alex, businesswoman extraordinaire, at least until a mystery illness hits, Grant, the husband who tries to do it all and fails, her children, Emma, Jack, Aaron, or Alex’s parents, Dot and Charlie. I enjoyed that it allowed the reader to really experience the whole story and not just the one-sided narration that can sometimes occur in other single perspective books.
•I could feel Grant’s annoyance at Dot’s meddling—something I’m sure that a lot of people feel about their mother-in-law. Personally, I admire his will power to put up with her, and her good friend Evelyn who lives across the street, meddling in his life.
There is just simply so much action that takes place in a mere 325 pages and it makes this novel a worthy read. I feel that this would make a great read curled up with a cup of coffee on a rainy Sunday afternoon, or tea. Whatever floats your boat.
September 30, 2013
I laughed out loud, and really wanted to punch certain characters at some point or another...so, all in all, definitely a book that got my emotions going! A good read :)
May 17, 2017
Confusing!
This book was an interesting and quite well-written slant on family life to a point.
However, there seemed to be several chunks missing. This was very strange. Characters would be in one place and, in the next sentence, would be somewhere else and in a totally different situation with no explanation how they got there. I found this very confusing and had to keep going back to check if I had missed something. No-one else seems to have picked up on this so did I receive a faulty download or was this intentional on the part of the author?
This book was an interesting and quite well-written slant on family life to a point.
However, there seemed to be several chunks missing. This was very strange. Characters would be in one place and, in the next sentence, would be somewhere else and in a totally different situation with no explanation how they got there. I found this very confusing and had to keep going back to check if I had missed something. No-one else seems to have picked up on this so did I receive a faulty download or was this intentional on the part of the author?
December 20, 2016
Well then, what a to do
This book is full of calamity from start to finish. I can imagine Some people (like me) will be nodding their heads agreeing it reminds them of their life, whilst others will be shaking their heads in bewilderment and thanking their lucky stars. A full on rollercoaster of a read. Well written and paced accordingly. Recommended.
This book is full of calamity from start to finish. I can imagine Some people (like me) will be nodding their heads agreeing it reminds them of their life, whilst others will be shaking their heads in bewilderment and thanking their lucky stars. A full on rollercoaster of a read. Well written and paced accordingly. Recommended.
November 1, 2013
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
It was humorous at the beginning, and then it began to get tedious and predictable. The writing style itself was pleasant, and easy to get through. I was able to finish it in a few day's time.
The premise is that a mother goes into a hospital for some unknown mystery illness (still unknown at the end of the book), and that her bumbling fool of a husband cannot cope for the few days she is in the hospital. He burns down the kitchen, tosses his mother-in-law in a lake and drinks enough to get himself in a situation with a random woman. As if that's not enough, he destroys his son's phone, injures himself in the hospital while visiting, and gets police visits.
Like all other supermoms out there, I want to believe that the world stops spinning if I'm not there participating. Hint - it doesn't.
This book reminded me of another that I didn't particularly care for, because they were written with the same plot line. David Charters' Trust Me, I'm A Banker, proposed what would happen if a man with bad intentions always had good stuff happen (until karma caught up). This one proposes what happens if a man -albeit, a very stupid man- with good intentions always has bad stuff happen (and surprise, karma catches up).
At a certain point, you begin to guess how the story will progress, what will go wrong, etc. And you won't guess wrong. By the end, it all gets wrapped up nicely, and we're all happy ever after, but just a bit wiser. It's the thing of romantic date movies. Romantic date movies that had Katherine Heigl or Renee Zellweger in them ...
It was humorous at the beginning, and then it began to get tedious and predictable. The writing style itself was pleasant, and easy to get through. I was able to finish it in a few day's time.
The premise is that a mother goes into a hospital for some unknown mystery illness (still unknown at the end of the book), and that her bumbling fool of a husband cannot cope for the few days she is in the hospital. He burns down the kitchen, tosses his mother-in-law in a lake and drinks enough to get himself in a situation with a random woman. As if that's not enough, he destroys his son's phone, injures himself in the hospital while visiting, and gets police visits.
Like all other supermoms out there, I want to believe that the world stops spinning if I'm not there participating. Hint - it doesn't.
This book reminded me of another that I didn't particularly care for, because they were written with the same plot line. David Charters' Trust Me, I'm A Banker, proposed what would happen if a man with bad intentions always had good stuff happen (until karma caught up). This one proposes what happens if a man -albeit, a very stupid man- with good intentions always has bad stuff happen (and surprise, karma catches up).
At a certain point, you begin to guess how the story will progress, what will go wrong, etc. And you won't guess wrong. By the end, it all gets wrapped up nicely, and we're all happy ever after, but just a bit wiser. It's the thing of romantic date movies. Romantic date movies that had Katherine Heigl or Renee Zellweger in them ...
August 4, 2014
Business woman and mother of four, Alex Frey, is struck down with a mystery illness, rendering her partially paralyzed and leaving her at the mercy of doctors, while her family struggle to cope in her absence.
Tara Ford manages to beautifully portray the normality of family life and how things can fall apart when a spanner is thrown in the works, while playing on those niggling small self-doubts we all have to great comedic effect. For example, when Alex is first admitted to hospital she is more concerned about her hairy legs than the fact her life may be in danger. There are so many humorous moments in the story and it is very true to life.
The Frey family comes alive off the page, as we enter their world and meet the bored teenagers, the over-dramatic mother-in-law and the nosy interfering neighbour, among others.
A very original story, that will make you laugh out loud in places. I highly recommend Calling All Services and look forward to reading the sequel, Calling All Dentists.
Tara Ford manages to beautifully portray the normality of family life and how things can fall apart when a spanner is thrown in the works, while playing on those niggling small self-doubts we all have to great comedic effect. For example, when Alex is first admitted to hospital she is more concerned about her hairy legs than the fact her life may be in danger. There are so many humorous moments in the story and it is very true to life.
The Frey family comes alive off the page, as we enter their world and meet the bored teenagers, the over-dramatic mother-in-law and the nosy interfering neighbour, among others.
A very original story, that will make you laugh out loud in places. I highly recommend Calling All Services and look forward to reading the sequel, Calling All Dentists.
April 9, 2016
I chose this book as a nice easy read and that it definitely was. I read it in a few evenings and the storyline did keep me intrigued as to what would happen next.
The storyline of the Mum going into hospital and the household falling apart without her is certainly easy to relate to and I did enjoy it, there was just something missing for me and I can't really decide what it was! Which is why I gave it the 3.5 - 4 stars.
(I use the Goodreads ratings of 5 - excellent/ 4- very good / 3 - good / 2 - ok/ 1 - didn't enjoy)
The storyline of the Mum going into hospital and the household falling apart without her is certainly easy to relate to and I did enjoy it, there was just something missing for me and I can't really decide what it was! Which is why I gave it the 3.5 - 4 stars.
(I use the Goodreads ratings of 5 - excellent/ 4- very good / 3 - good / 2 - ok/ 1 - didn't enjoy)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews