loopyloulaura

My very own website!!! Yikes!

Hope at Christmas by Keeley Holmes

Hope at Christmas Blog Tour Information
With only 25 days left until Christmas day, Hope makes the rash decision to quit her job. After a weekend wallowing in self pity, she takes this new opportunity to finally get the job she’s always wanted…only she doesn’t know what she wants to do…
She doesn’t think her life can get any worse.
Until she throws coffee on a stranger.
Having finally told his parents that he planned to never follow his father’s footsteps in business, Daniel’s morning didn’t start out that well either.
Until a woman throws coffee on him.
This chance meeting sets off a chain of events. A wedding. Downton Abbey. The roaring 20’s…and a drunk, sexually frustrated cousin. Neither of them are prepared for this connection, but when does romance ever run a smooth course? With secrets and exes throwing road blocks their way, will it all become too much and end their blossoming romance before it’s even begun?

My review
The character of Hope is brilliant. She is flawed and vulnerable but she has an inner strength. Her demons are hinted at but not revealed until the shocking end of the book.
I liked her friends’ characters as they added comedy and support so I’m looking forward to the next book in the Serendipity series! The build up of tension between Daniel and Hope was fun to read with lots of humour and I found myself really rooting for them to get together. The sex scenes were well written, I’ll say no more!
The first half of the book was enjoyable as the relationship between Daniel and Hope developed. I found the second half of the book to be less believable as their families became involved. I didn’t  feel that it was in character for her to behave with violence, although I think it was a plot device the author used to show how the relationship with Daniel was giving Hope new confidence.
I didn’t enjoy the confrontation scene at the end as the fat shaming described was deeply unpleasant. I can’t believe anyone behaving like that with their parents or parents behaving like that towards their children, but maybe I am just lucky to have an excellent relationship with my mum and dad!
I was a little bit shocked when I started reading this as there was quite a bit of swearing which I am not used to in the mumsy world I exist in! After a few chapters I was used to it 🙂
Overall I enjoyed Hope at Christmas. The characters were likeable and I found myself completely caught up in their story, wishing them happiness together. The final chapter was the perfect ending to their story…
Biography
Keeley Holmes is the author of sexy romantic comedies and NA books. She loved writing so much that whilst her friends were off doing work experience in schools and child care placements, she was doing hers in a publishing house. That was when she wrote her first book at 15, it was set in America and it was about a murdering woman with a glass eye… Number one bestseller…After working full time and gaining her English Literature and Language degree, she changed her mind about becoming a teacher, when would she write books if she had to mark them? Instead she wrote her second book in 2007. From that moment, she’s written books as a side hobby and now she wants the world to read and love them! She’s a sucker for romance books, with a little bit (a lot!) of kink in them! She lives in beautiful Yorkshire, when sometimes she leaves the house and appreciates that beauty, before crawling back into her cave to write.

Website: www.keeleyholmes.com
Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/Keeley.Holmes.author/
https://www.instagram.com/keeleyholmesauthor/
https://twitter.com/keeley_Holmes86

[amazon_link asins=’B07B9HLV2Q’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’tiredmummyblog-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’24e71a05-38a3-11e8-90fa-ab463e919253′]

*I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.


April A to Z gluten free vegetarian treats: C is for cookies

I have seen a lot of recipes for rainbow cookies which use Smarties but unfortunately they have wheat in the shell of aren’t suitable for me 🙁 M&Ms are fine though! They do tend to splurge a bit and the colour leaks into the cookie so they don’t looks quite as pretty but they taste fab!

Ingredients
4oz butter or soft margarine
4oz light brown sugar
2 tablespoons golden syrup
6oz self raising flour
3oz M&Ms

Method
Beat the butter/marge and sugar together with a wooden spoon.
Beat in the syrup.
Mix in half of the flour.
Mix in the other half of the flour and the M&Ms.
Shape into small balls (15 to 20) on a baking tray.

Bake for 12-15 minutes GM5.
Leave to cool on the tray and then eat!

 


April A to Z gluten free vegetarian treats: B is for brownies

I’m not actually sure that I’ve ever made brownies before! So this was a bit of an experiment…
I am a bit dodgy with nuts and many recipes use them in brownies so I have cobbled together a recipe that avoids them: wish me luck!

Ingredients
5oz soft butter or margarine
7oz caster sugar
2 eggs
1oz cocoa
2oz self raising flour
2oz chocolate chips
 
Method
Combine the butter, sugar and eggs with an electric whisk for 2-3 minutes.
Add the cocoa and flour. Fold in or use the whisk again.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour into tin and bake for 25-30 minutes at GM5.
The top should crack and go crusty, a skewer should come out clean. If the top is ready but the brownies are still too gooey underneath then cover with foil and leave it for another 5-10 minutes.
Allow to cool in the tray, then cut into squares or slices and enjoy!

And boy, did we enjoy them! I’ll be making these often from now on…

April A to Z gluten free vegetarian treats! A is for…apple crumble

My family love crumble and luckily the gluten free version is almost identical to the ‘normal’ one. The topping is a little drier as gluten free flour absorbs more liquid, but I find that cream or ice cream as an accompaniment is a great way to add moisture.
I cheat by using tinned fruit pie filling. It means the whole thing can be prepared in under 5 minutes!

If you use fresh apples then you need to add some water and sugar to the filling. I like to vary the flavours by adding some cinnamon, sultanas or dried cranberries, or trying a different fruit entirely!
Ingredients
1 tin apple pie filling
4oz gluten free flour
2oz butter or hard margarine
2 oz granulated sugar
Method
Rub the butter/marge into the flour.
Stir in the sugar.
Put filling into dish and cover with topping.
Bake for 30-40 minutes GM7 or until the top is a golden brown

This serves 4-5 people. It used to be the perfect amount for us but now Zach needs a full sized portion so I need to increase the quantities!

 


You Can Lead A Horse To Murder by Tara Meyers: review and giveaway!

Ooh I haven’t read a murder mystery in ages! This is the first Tara Meyers book I have read so I was excited to try out a new author 🙂
The plot revolves around vet Ember Burns who returns to her hometown following the death of her mother. The previous vet retired after an unfortunate incident so she has her work cut out in regaining confidence in her profession as well as meeting new people and making friends.
Ember is asked to calm a frantic horse and discovers a body in the stable with him: Was the horse responsible? She thinks not but she is putting herself in danger by pursuing the matter…
I had no idea who the culprit was, I accused everyone! The book was easy to read, Ember was a great lead character and I think there is lots of potential to develop the characters if Tara chooses to write more (which I hope she does as I would love to read them!)
Overall score 4/5

 

 

Image may contain: 1 person, standing and text
NEW RELEASE….

There’s a killer in Sanctuary, and the prime suspect is a horse.


When spirited Ember Burns is led back home to open her own veterinary practice, her first client lands her in the middle of a mystery. It starts as a desire for Ember to clear her name, and turns into a personal entanglement in a rapidly unfolding story of lies and deceit.


The small mountain town of Sanctuary has always had its secrets. Who can be trusted? It’s been ten years since Ember lived there but roots run deep. Discerning friend from foe isn’t an easy task. Relying on her intelligence and instinct, Ember tries to piece the clues together as the town gears up for its centennial celebration.


From the quaint historic shops, to the rugged mountains surrounding them, Ember works to unveil the true culprit before time runs out.


Available to buy from…… 




Read an excerpt

 

About the author
At nineteen, I was recruited into a secret government program, where my memory was erased .. wait — that’s the outline for a potential book. Sorry, my real biography isn’t quite as interesting, but I’ll give it a shot! 


I live in the Pacific Northwest, and when I’m not writing, I’m out beach combing with my dogs for sea glass, or hiking in the rugged Cascade Mountains. It’s the perfect backdrop to fuel my creative genius. *rubs hands together evilly* 


You’ll find all my adult romantic suspense and cozy mysteries on Amazon under Meyers, and on my OTHER profile (secret identity ;)) Tara Ellis, I keep my middle grade and young adult books. Check them out, You might like those, too!
 
Find the author on the following sites….
Follow the Book Tour

 

018836-glossy-silver-icon-symbols-shapes-square-2
I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

 

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR’S GIVEAWAY !!

Win $25 Amazon GC or Paypal Cash
(winner’s choice)
Ending on Friday 6th April at 11.59pm EST
Open Worldwide
 
Enter Below & Good Luck !!
Are you a book reviewer or book blogger? Join our book tours reviewers team – Apply Here x
Current book tours open for sign ups HERE