Tag: Relationships

Review on: Rafferty Lincoln Loves… by Emily Williams

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About the author (as seen in the book)

Emily Williams author pic 2

Emily Williams lives by the seaside in West Sussex with her family and a large menagerie of small pets. After graduating from Sussex university with a BA in Psychology, Emily trained as a primary school teacher and teaches in a local school. Rafferty Lincoln Loves… is her second novel. Her debut novel Letters to Eloise was published earlier in the year to much success.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Website: https://emilywilliamsauthor.blogspot.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmilyWilliamsAuthor

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/EmilyRMWilliams

Publication date: 14th February 2018

Publisher: Lutino Publications

lutinopublications@yahoo.com

ISBN: paperback 978-0995742116

Pages: 239 pages

Genre: Young Adult

Format reading: ACR ebook

Copy provided by: author

Blurb (as seen on Amazon)

‘A sensational and compelling, coming of age story for older YA readers. Foreword.’ by Frankie Dettori MBE, ambassador for the British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre. 

Rafferty Lincoln doesn’t like horses. Not one bit. But when the popular high school girl of his dreams, Liberty Ashburn pulls him into a world of lead ropes and horse brushes, who is he to say no?

Except this isn’t any old horse. This is the missing racehorse, Profits Red Ridge. The horse Rafferty and three of his friends are hiding from the world. And Liberty Ashburn isn’t just any ordinary high school girl. How far will Rafferty go to win her over?

An intense, witty and powerful coming of age story with startling consequences.

My Review

Firstly I would like to say a massive thank-you to Emily; for asking me to read and review Rafferty Lincoln Loves… I was thrilled to be asked. As an animal lover myself and when Emily told me the proceeds of the book going to British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre, how could I not? Plus I’m a big fan of Emily’s writing ( I reviewed and did a Q and A with Emily for her debut novel Letters To Eloise which you can check out here )

Rafferty Lincoln Loves

I really love the simplicity of this cover, with the blue background, to the origami horse made from a page from a book. It’s very eye-catching indeed!

Rafferty Lincoln Loves… is a story surrounding four teenagers and as they come accross an abandend horse (or so they think) The three boy don’t know what to do, so Will suggests they ask his sister Liberty; the populour girl at school and who would love nothing better than to have her own horse. Liberty’s parents brought her all the gear for a horse, but just never got her an actual horse. Once they found a place to keep him, they set about sorcing food and water for him. Liberty makes it perfectly clear to Dexter, Rafferty and her brother Will that they must keep the the horse a secret and to never talk about him unless they are around him.

They find ways to keep him feed and watered and name him ‘Minty’ It’s clear from the start that Rafferty has a big crush on Liberty, and as they weren’t permitted to hang out at school, Minty field  became the place that they would. Rafferty does notice some of Dexter’s odd behaviour, but pushed it from is mind; with being so wrapped up in his crush. Will they be able to keep Minty away from the world? Will Rafferty get his girl? What is going on with Dexter? Will they realise who Minty really is and hand him back?

I really enjoyed this very compelling young adult read from Emily Williams. She has packed this story full of a wide range of teenage issues, and her vast knowledge of horse’s really shines through every single page. I felt I learnt quite a bit about horse’s through reading this!!!! I especially loved the way they all got joy from the horse in way or another even Rafferty. The way he went to such lengths to learn about the animal just to impress Liberty. Dexter’s character was partially sad and I really didn’t see the ending coming! All in all I think this book would be the perfect escapism for young adults, and it’s supporting an amazing horse charity! I’m highly recommending you give Rafferty Lincoln Loves…

                                                Marie’s Book Boutique gives

                                Rafferty Lincoln Loves… by Emily Williams

                                                      5 Sparkly Stars

5stars

 

Review On: Practice makes Perfect by Penny Parkes

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About the author (as seen in the book)

penny parkes

Penny Parkes survived a Convent education largely thanks to a ready supply of inappropriate novels and her passion for writing and languages.

She studied International Management in Bath and Germany, before gaining experience with the BBC. She then set up an independent Film Location Agency and spent many happy years organising shoot’s for film, television and advertising- thereby ensuring that she was never short of travel opportunities, freelance writing projects or entertaining anecdotes.

Penny, now lives on the Cotswolds with her husband, two children and an excitable puppy with a fondness for post-its. She will often be found plotting epic train journeys through the Alps, baking gluten- free goodies or attempting to reach an excusive stat of organisation.

Her novel Out of Practice, the first book in the Larkford series, won the RNA Romantic Comedy of the year Awards in 2017.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyParkesWrites

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CotswoldPenny

Publication date: 29th June 2017

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

https://www.simonandshuster.co.uk

ISBN: Paperback 978-1-4711-5306-8

ebook 978-1-4711-5307-5

Audio 978-1-4711-6608-2

Pages: 576 pages

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Format reading: Paperback

Copy provided by: My own

Blurb (as seen on the back cover)

Welcome to the surgery at Larkford, a hotbed of rivalry and romance- and that’s just the doctors.

The Practice has suddenly been thrust under the spotlight its nomination as an ‘ NHS Model Surgery’ is causing the team major headaches. Dr Holly Graham should be basking in the glow of her new romance with fellow doctor, Taffy- but her favourite resident, the irreverent and entertaining Elsie , is facing a difficult diagnosis.

Dr Dan Carter’s obsession with work is making unhappiness elsewhere he can’t persuade his girlfriend Julia to settle down. It’s only as Julia’s mother comes to stay that he realizes what she has been hiding for so long. Alice Walker joins the team like a breath of fresh air and her assistance dog Coco quickly wins everyone round which is just as well, because Coco and Alice will soon need some help of their own.

My Review

This is a lovely illustrated front cover. It looks like it’s been sketched and then painted giving a great effect. The village surrounds a lady doctor as she goes about her business. It look’s like a lovely village!

Penny Parkes is a new author to me and as you know I do like to discover a new author to add to my ever-growing list of authors to look out for!

This is a story where we meet Holly, Taffy, Dan and Julia who are all doctors and are partners at The Practice in the Larkford village.

Holly has a busy life and finds her self on the go all the time. What with having twins to contend with, a relationship with Taffy to keep on track, and help to keep the surgery running smoothly, she is one busy lady! Will Holly be able to keep juggling her balls without dropping them?

Dan and Julia are also in a relationship. Dan wants to settle down but with Julia not so sure as having a TV crew following her round the surgery while she’s working might lead her anywhere. The TV Crew came to the surgery to help the campaign that saved the closure of The Practice.

The Practice need’s an extra pair of hands to help with all the extra work, reliving some of the pressure from the practice doctor’s. Alice Walker is the tonic they all need and brings with her, her assistance dog Coco; which causes some controversy amounts the patients of the practice. But Coco with prove herself making a shocking discovery!

All the doctor’s go above and beyond for all their patients, and the surgery. (which I guess is the case with most doctors in the NHS)

I did enjoy Practice makes Perfect, I got a view on how surgery’s are run and the amazing work they do everyday. I also felt I learnt about medical conditions, I knew nothing about and how they are treated. This story is not without it drama and is packed full of it. The only thing I will say is I wish I had read the first book (Out of Practice) first as there was points in the story where I got a wee bit lost. However it has been written well with a verity of characters; which were interesting to read.

My rating only reflects the fact I didn’t always follow the story due to not reading the first book.

                                                Marie’s Book Boutique gives

                                      Practice makes Perfect by Penny Parkes

                                                            3 sparkly stars

3-stars