Book Reviews (XV)

Book review: Along Came Pauly by Chris Redding

 
Book Description

A contemporary romance about a dog that brings two people together who don't want to be. She's a vegetarian veterinarian who needs cash for a no-kill shelter. He's the heir to a hot dog fortune who must give away money before he gains his inheritance. Sounds like a perfect match. It isn't.

My Review

The main characters in this story form a special trio:

Daria, a veterinarian at Happy Valley Vet Clinic, whose only social life is fundraising as she runs a no-kill shelter for animals. Like a modern Cinderella, Daria's pump falls on the stairs just as she enters the hall where a charity will take place.  

Another character enters the scene - Prince Charming, none other than Paul Gabagool Vincenzo the third who finds her shoe. Pauly tries to hide the fact that he's got filthy rich after the death of his father, and has to find a charity and donate a high sum before getting his inheritance. Running a business empire would not make him happy.  Pauly's wish is to fix classic Mustangs just like he’d been doing making money for the last ten years. He's simply 'gobsmacked', as his butler Jeevees would say, at the sight of the gorgeous redhead, that is Daria.

And another important character comes in the limelight, Spike - a black dog with the head of a lab and the body of a hound.

Daria's worries are piling up as she has to visit her new discovered father in jail. Her life gets further problematical but you'll have to read the story to find out why.

Both Daria and Paul have complications in their lives; they are both so different that few of the people around them would imagine them together. And they need each other, the reasons obviously different, while the dog tries to give them together.

An amusing read, Along Came Pauly is, in my opinion, a contemporary romance that offers several hours of delight. The dialogue and smart remarks are beyond funny. I don't think there's a message to the readers in it. Just an easy story for an enjoyable pastime.  Like in the movie Along Came Polly, in Chris Redding's story people also change their opinion and expectations of the other person.  My rating: Four Stars.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Book Reviews (V)

Book Review:
Follow the White Pebbles by Lillian Summers

 
Book Description:   

Lizzie Wilburn is a riot. She is loud-mouthed, strong-minded and tough, as eighteen years surviving in the scum of Southside Jamaica’s ghettos have taught her. She is also outrageously wealthy. But the latter is news to her, as she wakes up on a hospital bed after a hit and run accident. Incidentally, she gets stuck with a pair of filthy-rich, infuriatingly haughty parents. To make things even worse, they force their ‘lowlife’ daughter to marry the son of another business magnate.

Lizzie’s new husband, Justin Winters, is handsome and as tempting as the most wicked of sins, but a serial womanizer whose only interest in his wife is limited to her business empire. Bound by a pre-nuptial agreement to remain faithful to his spouse, Justin tries every possible trick to go back to his playboy lifestyle. Lizzie, in turn, wants him badly, if only she could get him to even spare her a glance, let alone to come anywhere near her. Will any of them succeed in their quest?


MY REVIEW

A fast page turner that kept me glued to the pages. A touching story that runs on high octane fuel.

Lillian Summer's story is the kind of book you want to have with you when the blizzard howls outside, or the rain beats obstinately on your window sill. A book that gives you a warm, comforting feeling.

Arthur and Madeline Wilburn can't stop wondering what happened to their beloved daughter, Elisabeth, kidnapped eighteen years ago, when she was only one week old.  The unexpected news she was found turns their world upside down, as the young woman they welcome back is far from what they have ever imagined. I won't go into any further details because I really do hate spoilers. There are some amazing parts of this story that are worth reading, quoting and enjoying. I really liked the main characters as well. Lizz is the kind of person that is quirky enough for you to not get bored with and innocent and likable enough that you want to see her succeed.

I fell in love with Elisabeth and was enthralled by her fate. This modern Cinderella's destiny will win you to her side. I would have kicked Justin from here to the moon. And Madeleine, Lizz's mother, is the perfect embodiment of what a mother should be - caring, loving, and ready for the final sacrifice for her child's well being.

Mrs. Summer created a brilliant story in which she proves that, not only can she create excellent characters, but she can also lead them along a very well written and original story.

Follow the White Pebbles is emotionally charged and I felt every single moment. I wholeheartedly recommend this novel and I look forward to reading more works from this author. In my opinion it is a great story, worth sharing worldwide. I would have given it more than five stars but it's not possible. So, five stars!