Judge a book by its cover? - A Guest Post by Rae Rivers HARPER IMPULSE FORTNIGHT

I'm thrilled to have Rae Rivers guesting on Books with Bunny today, and talking about book covers- one of my favourite subjects!

Author Rae Rivers

Over to Rae...

Judge A Book By Its Cover?

Do you?  I know you shouldn’t but to be honest, as an avid reader, I do.  Really.  A cover is my first impression of a book and in an overcrowded market where choosing my next book can sometimes be overwhelming, I rely heavily on covers.  An icky cover or a cover that looks rushed or unprofessional ... um, pass.  (And no, I don’t use this approach to people!) 

So what makes a really good cover for me?

Images

An intriguing image is a must.  It has to be eye catching, interesting and enticing.  The image alone can determine whether or not I pick up a book.  It also helps me determine the gist of the plot or the genre of the book at a first glance.  Think romance novels!  (And by the way, have you seen how gorgeous HarperImpulse’s covers are?)  

Consistency

One of my pet peeves about covers is when the cover on the front doesn’t match the story.  If the heroine has red hair on the cover but turns out blonde in the story or there’s a symbol on the cover that seems to have relevance but doesn’t appear in the book, I’m disappointed.  (Because I was waiting for the meaning behind that symbol, you know!)  As for a series, if a book is part of one, I like to see a vague resemblance on the covers that carries through all the books.

Colour

Although the use of colours is subjective as everyone reacts differently, colour has a huge impact on emotions and is a great way to reveal the tone of a story.  Colours like green and blue are calming and can be used to express sadness or feelings of trust and security.  Red, orange and yellow evoke feelings of passion, warmth and energy.  (Ah, so that’s why my publishers opted for those colours for the covers of my Keepers series! J) 

Tag line

This is the brief line that sums up the plot in a nutshell and hooks me to want to read more.  I’ve been enticed to explore books further and buy them based on their clever tag lines.  A great example is Paula Hawkin’s, The Girl on the Train:  “You don’t know her but she knows you.” 

Professional polish

If a book meets all the above, has an interesting blurb and looks professional, usually the chances are good that the writing will be too!   

When I signed my Paranormal Romance book deal with HarperImpulse, I was very flexible regarding the covers they designed but insisted they had to be eye-catching, colourful and well ... perfect.  My Keepers are three warrior brothers who protect a powerful, modern day witch.  They fight to protect the balance of nature and innocent people.  They all have magical elemental powers.  Initially, I expected covers with half naked chests and glorious muscles. Warriors.  I completed a cover sheet giving more information on the story and what I had in mind and this was passed on to Alex, HarperImpulse’s fab cover designer. 

The final product?  No warriors but lots of colour - and the right ones too!  Red, orange and yellow – energy and passion that conveys the plot so well.  And pentagrams which forms such a vital part of the story as it illustrates the magical bond between my Keepers and their witch.  A pentagram is a symbol of goodness and depicts the five elements of nature – water, earth, fire, air and the spirit that binds them together.  My Keepers and their witch are magically bound, strong as individuals but unbeatable as one.  As it’s a series, I also loved the fact that there’s continuity between all the covers. 

So no, the covers weren’t anything close to what I had in mind but in the end, I think they’re everything a cover should be.  Love them!

Thanks for reading.

Rae Rivers

 

 

RAE RIVERS BIO

I’m an avid reader and writer with a passion for writing romance novels. I live in Cape

Town, South Africa, with my gorgeous husband, two beautiful children and a zoo of house pets.

Besides writing, I love family time, the outdoors, travelling, watching TV series, reading and

chocolate. For more information about my books, or me, please visit www.raerivers.com

I can also be found here:

Wattpad

Facebook

Goodreads

Pinterest

Twitter: @raerivers1

 

 

The Keepers series is published by Harper Impulse, the digital first romance imprint at Harper Collins.

 

 

 

Many thanks to Rae for such a fabulous post as part of the #HIFortnight celebrations!

 

 

 

Author Jill Knapp reflects on turning thirty HARPER IMPULSE FORTNIGHT

Today Jill Knapp reflects on her recent birthday, and what she has actually learnt since turning the big three-oh.

When I was fifteen I had an idealistic mind. I imagined myself married by the age of twenty four and two children on the way before I turned thirty. As I got older, those ideals changed. When I was twenty, I didn’t want to have children anymore and I didn’t want to be married anytime soon. Now I’m thirty and of course, my ideas about love and my future life have changed once more.

            I’ve learned a lot since I was fifteen. I have been fortunate enough to be able to travel, to attend college, and graduate school. I have moved five times in the past four years, getting a taste of three out of the five boroughs New York City has to offer. Now I am living in North Carolina. For my British friends, North Carolina is about nine hundred and nine kilometers from New York. Needless to say, life down here is much different.

            After separating from my husband of a year and a half, I was left alone to figure out life in this new part of the country. A part of the country that I have always wanted to live in. And a part of the country that has, more times than not, made me feel like an outcast with a giant scarlet letter adhered to my chest.

            New Yorkers wear the old Frank Sinatra line (if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere) like a badge of honor. And I’ll be the first to admit that I was one of those people. I used to believe people who lived anywhere else outside of New York City had it easier. They wouldn’t understand how hard it was to deal with constantly being broke. Or not being able to find a new job. Even small things like dating, or being able to spend time with your friends all seemed to be easier from the outside view.

            Having said that I still believe it’s okay to dream about living a town, or a city, or even another country. You should always want more out of life. Not in an impulsive way (I need to move every few years to see everything). But in a way that keeps you motivated. Keeps you hoping that things can be better, or keeps you thirsty for new cultures.

Author Jill Knapp, who celebrated turning 30 recently

Keeps you open minded.

And to make things clear, I don’t regret where I live now. I actually love it here. But the hard lesson I learnt is that there is no utopian town. There is no perfect city where everyone will like you and you’ll be offered a job as soon as you arrive. There is no perfect relationship; whether that means with your partner, your friends, or your family.

There is no perfect love- but if you look hard enough, you’ll find someone who is perfect for you.

            So after living for 30 years, here are the three important realizations I’ve had-

-          Relationships require work on both ends, just showing up isn’t enough.

-          Your friends are not the exact same people you knew in High School anymore.  They have careers and families and will often be busy. So if you want to keep your friendships alive, you have to stay in contact with one another. One of my friends and I used to exchange weekly Sunday e-mails when we went off to different colleges. Anything helps!

-          And lastly, you are not the exact same person you were fifteen, ten, or maybe even five years ago. So cut yourself some slack. You did things you shouldn’t have done but eventually you have to forgive yourself before those demons prevent you from being the person you are supposed to become. Don’t miss out on something potentially wonderful out of fear of it falling apart.

To quote A Cinderella Story, “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”

 

 

 

Jill is the author of What Happens to Men When They Move to Manhattan?  and We've Always Got New York, both available now and published by Harper Impulse.

 

 

               

Spotlight on Katherine Garbera- and an except from her forthcoming novel Eye Candy! HARPER IMPULSE FORTNIGHT

Katherine Garbera is one of Harper Impulse's most recent signings.  Her novel Eye Candy is to be released this summer. 

Find out more about Katherine, and read an excerpt of Eye Candy below.   And there's a giveaway too!  I know you guys love a giveaway...

But to start with, Katherine talks about why she loves to read and write romance...

I’m often asked why I write romance.  And the answer is simple really, I love reading complicated relationship stories that are about the ups and downs of falling in love.  I like seeing two people meet at the wrong time in both of their lives and then start on the journey to falling love.

The truth is few of us (I don’t know of anyone, but just in case!) will find love when we want it.  Love comes unexpectedly into our lives.  And in fiction that makes for some good conflict.  In my upcoming title for Harper Impulse EYE CANDY (July 30) Hayley wants change.  But that change can’t come from the outside it really has to come from something inside of her.  And Hayley’s not afraid to go after what she wants.  She’s never taken the easy path.

I’m one of those people who believes that both people have to work at a successful relationship so in my novels I try to ensure both the hero and the heroine are complicated people.  Men and women who don’t need another person to ‘complete’ them or make them happy. But who aren’t opposed to have someone along with them on the journey.

My favorite romances are the ones that have two strong protagonists.  I don’t think I’d be very good at writing someone who needed to be rescued since I’m usually the one who will just do whatever needs doing.  Standing around and waiting for rescue doesn’t appeal to me.  But I do like a man who can see past all that I-can-do-it attitude and can pamper his woman. 

 

Here’s a little excerpt from Eye Candy:

 

She glanced up at him because even in the ridiculous heels he was still much taller than she was.  She saw he was watching her with that steady, even gaze he'd had on the street but also a little bit of amusement.

He thought she was frivolous.

For a moment the shy girl inside of her withered a little and wanted to retreat but she wasn't hiding any more.  She leaned up and let her breasts brush against his chest as she wrapped one hand around his shoulder for balance before she canted her body forward.

"Is something funny, officer?" she asked in a deep husky voice, making sure her words were spoken right into his ear.

She felt him shudder and his hands came to waist and he drew her off her feet more firmly into the cradle of his body but then everything shifted and she felt them starting to fall.

He cursed and held her tight as he ensured she landed on him with her half on top of his chest and half on the floor.  Hayley started laughing as she realized that maybe jumping from mousy to sexy was too much for her to accomplish in one night.

She glanced down at Garrett to find he was scowling.

"Are you hurt?"

"Just my pride," he said with a wry grin.

"Pride goeth before the fall?" she quipped.

"Definitely," he said.  He grabbed her waist and pulled her more fully on top of him.  She felt his jean-clad legs part and her silk-encased ones slid between them.

There was something almost erotic about the feel of the denim against her thighs and she shivered a little inside.  She put her hands on his chest but his hand on her waist moved up her back and he pushed his fingers into her newly cut hair, his hand shaping her head and drawing her down.

"What are you doing?" she asked on a breathless sort of sigh.

"Regaining the ground I lost," he said, moments before his lips met hers. 

Hayley closed her eyes and then the timbre of the kiss changed as he angled his head and parted her lips with his.  The warmth of his breath as it entered her mouth sent shivers of awareness down her spine.  The smooth glide of his tongue over hers short-circuited her thoughts.

She stopped breathing.

Every nerve in her body was at attention.  As his mouth moved over hers she felt the caresses of his thighs over hers.  The movement of his hands over the back of her head as he massaged the muscles in her neck and she turned to putty.

She melted against him and over him.  The kiss transformed her the same way the clothing had.  He was awakening something inside of her that she'd thought only existed in epic romance books and movies, but not in real life.  Something she'd always longed for, but thought she'd never find.  Something dangerous because though she was ready to change inside she hadn't yet.

She pulled back and looked down at him.  His eyes were half-closed and a subtle flush had spread under his beard-stubbled cheeks.  His lips were moist and swollen from kissing her.  She lifted one hand and rubbed her finger over the stubble on his jaw enjoying the slight abrasion against her skin.

He opened his eyes and she saw how beautiful they were up close.  She would have said they were gray before but at this angle she could see they were flecked with green and blue.  She moved her hand from his jaw and traced the line of one eyebrow and then found a tiny scar at his hairline.  She rubbed her finger over it.

"Ah, bad girl, you are killing me," he said, his voice was deep and sort of husky now.  The words brushed over her senses like a blast of heat from a fireplace on a cold night.  And this was a cold January night.

~

You can pre-order it here

Price $4.99 / £2.48

ISBN 9780008142520

 

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W0TVK7Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00W0TVK7Q&linkCode=as2&tag=kathegarbe-20&linkId=GO43OPLMAKMNYUR2

Amazon.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eye-Candy-HarperImpulse-Contemporary-Romance-ebook/dp/B00W0TVK7Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430304408&sr=8-1&keywords=Eye+Candy+Katherine+Garbera

ibooks

https://itunes.apple.com/mt/book/eye-candy/id985259342?mt=11

bn.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eye-candy-katherine-garbera/1121725719?ean=9780008142520

Sainsburys.co.uk

http://www.sainsburysebooks.co.uk/book/Eye-Candy-HarperImpulse-Contemporary-Romance-Katherine-Garbera/8140150

Google play

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Katherine_Garbera_Eye_Candy_HarperImpulse_Contempo?id=TMwWCAAAQBAJ
 

Author Bio- USA Today bestselling author Katherine Garbera is a two-time Maggie winner who has written more than 60 books. A Florida native who grew up to travel the globe, Katherine now makes her home in the Midlands of the UK with her husband, two children and a very spoiled miniature dachshund. Visit her on the web at http://www.katherinegarbera.com, connect with her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @katheringarbera.

 

 

Enter to win a signed copy of Katherine's novel Seduce Me Tonight (UK only).

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Zara Stoneley- Welcome to Tippermere! HARPER IMPULSE FORTNIGHT

Zara Stoneley visits Books with Bunny today as part of Harper Impulse Fortnight.  She's talking about the inspiration behind the fictional town of Tippermere, setting for her novels Stable Mates and the forthcoming Country Affairs.

I love it when readers get in touch to chat about my books, and one thing that’s been special about ‘Stable Mates’ is the huge number of people who’ve wanted to know more about Tippermere – and live there!

Tippermere is special, and I absolutely it. Sadly it’s a fictional place, but it is a mix of some very real villages and small towns I know in Cheshire, so I thought I’d give you a brief run down. If you want more pictures then I’ve finally given in to temptation and set up a Pinterest account -  https://www.pinterest.com/zarastoneley/country-affairs/, I feel incredibly lucky to live in such a beautiful place with inspiration on the doorstep. Please pop over and let me know what you think – and if you’ve already read Stable Mates, I’d love to know if my images match the ones in your head.

Tippermere is set in the heart of Cheshire, and is a small English village. The glorious Tipping House Estate bears more than a passing resemblance to Lyme Park (remember Pride and Prejudice?), and the wonderful village pubs, with open log fires and hop adorned beams, were inspired by two pubs I regularly visit! This description, found in the front of Stable Mates tells you more –

Welcome to tranquil Tippermere, set deep in the Cheshire countryside. Home to Lords and Ladies, horsemen and farmers.

Set on the highest hill, keeping a close eye on the village and its inhabitants, lies Tipping House Estate. In pride of place is the grand Elizabethan style mansion, sweeping down in front of her are immaculate gardens, well-kept parkland and rolling acres that spread as far as the eye can see.

Follow the stream down to the flat below, and nestling between copses and lakes, you find Folly Lake Manor and the sprawling grounds of the bustling Equestrian Centre. The country lane in front wends its way between high hedges to the village green, the church and two village pubs. Then fans out into tributaries, follow them further and you find a small eventing yard, a scattering of country cottages and rambling working farms.

Take the road north eastwards, travel on a few short miles and soon the elegant village of Kitterly Heath unfolds before you - a village whose origins were recorded in the Domesday Book. At one end of the ancient high street a solid 14^th Century church stands sentry, with an imposing school at the other, and all around sprawl the mansions old and new that house the rich and famous.

 

The neighbouring village of Kitterly Heath is a complete contrast to Tippermere and was inspired by Alderley Edge and Hale. Its single main street is cram packed with wine bars, restaurants, designer shops, beauty salons, plus wonderful delicatessens and butchers which stock local produce. Money is no object in Kitterly Heath, the majority of the cars are Bentley, Ferraris and Jaguars, with the occasional luxury 4X4, and the houses are incredible, some restored mansions and others newly designed architectural masterpieces – the one thing they all have in common is they’re impressive! The village is old, but most of the money is new with footballers, rock stars and bankers hidden down long private driveways, behind impressive security systems.

If you’d like to find out more, then keep an eye on the posts about Tippermere on my blog http://www.zarastoneley.com/tippermere/welcome-to-tippermere. New posts will be added soon! And of course, read Stable Mates and Country Affairs if you’d like to meet the residents J

About Zara -

Bestselling author Zara Stoneley lives in deepest Cheshire surrounded by horses, dogs, cats and amazing countryside. When she's not visiting wine bars, artisan markets or admiring the scenery in her sexy high heels or green wellies, she can be found in flip flops on the beach in Barcelona, or more likely sampling the tapas!

Zara writes hot romance and bonkbusters. Her latest novels, 'Stable Mates' and ‘Country Affairs’, are fun romps through the Cheshire countryside and combine some of her greatest loves - horses, dogs, hot men and strong women (and not forgetting champagne and fast cars)! 

She writes for Harper Collins and Accent Press.

Latest release – Country Affairs

'A great treat for readers who love their books jam-packed with sexy men and horses.' Bestselling author Fiona Walker

Welcome back to Tippermere for the wedding of the year…

Scatty but loveable Lottie Brinkley is famous throughout the village for her disorganised personality so when she steps up to plan the perfect wedding the only likely outcome is disaster.

And when her globetrotting, love cheat of an ex, Todd, literally crashes the wedding on a not-so-noble steed things definitely look set to take a turn for the scandalous! As rumours of why he’s back spread through the village quicker than the stable girl can drop her knickers, is Lottie's future with sexy eventer Rory Steel about to fall at the next fence?

With a wave of unexpected pregnancies, steamy shenanigans in the hay and a farrier with more than shoeing horses on his mind, will Lottie ever be ready to take on the coveted title of Lady of the Manor and restore the Estate to its former glory?

As the heart of the village, Tipping House Estate, makes its move into the 21st Century, pulses start to race in a novel packed full of charm, hunky stallions (the guys that is), and a daring plan that just has to succeed...

Buy links:
Amazon (UK)    Amazon (COM)   Amazon (paperback)
Foyles  Waterstones   iTunes    Google Play     Blackwells 

Find out more about Zara:

Website      Twitter        Facebook        Google+

 

New York in the Summertime - A guest post from Lynn Marie Hulsman

Lynn Marie Hulsman is a New York based author published by Harper Impulse.  She's here to share some of her highlights on what the Big Apple has to offer in the summer months. As a lover of the city, I'm excited to see what she recommends!

Lynn Marie Hulsman, showing off her Harper Impulse Tshirt!

When most people think summer vacation, they think beach or mountains. Maybe you’ve even heard the old adage, “Everyone gets out of the city in the summertime.” I may be a rebel, but I think that possibly barring Christmastime, summer is the very best season to spend time in New York. For one thing, you don’t have to don layers of clothing or trudge in foot-swaddling boots when you go sightseeing. For tourists, this means you’re free to pack lightly.

Another bonus is that crowds are light. Insider tip: Many NYC offices have “summer hours,” meaning people flee their cubicles and head to the Hamptons and Fire Island at 3 p.m. on a Friday, not to return until 8 p.m. on a Sunday. It’s blissful to walk the sidewalks on the weekend without getting bumped five times per block.

Finally, countless summer events are free in New York City. If you plan ahead, you can catch a cheap flight. Save even more money by doing a home exchange or booking through Airbnb.com. If nothing else, bid for a hotel on Priceline.com and accept the cheapest thing you’re given. Believe me, you’ll only be in your room to sleep. Save your splurge money for shopping or for a meal at a legendary restaurant such as Jean Georges, Keen’s Steakhouse, or La Grenouille. Then, save on your splurge by going at lunchtime. If there are no tables, ask to eat at the bar. Bartenders are often generous when customers are polite and chatty; you might get a free drink or comped dessert along with a chance to chat up a real New Yorker.

So, if you’re planning a visit to NYC this summer, here are my top picks for ways to spend your time.

1.                          Free Fun at Bryant Park. Hands down the best place for free summer activities in the whole city. Monday nights, catch a free outdoor movie on the lawn at dusk. Schedules are announced mid-May and offerings have included Meet Me in Saint Louis, The Shining, and The Mark of Zorro. Gather at 4 p.m., get ready to swarm the lawn at 5 p.m., and bring a picnic (grab it at Pain Quotidien on 41^st and 6^th), and wine to entertain yourself until nightfall (around 8:30 p.m.). Other attractions include free table tennis, pétanque, Kubb (a Scandinavian bowling game), an outdoor reading room sponsored by the NYC Public Library, and a Games Center, at which you can “check out” chess boards, Uno cards, backgammon sets, Bananagrams, and more. Best part: The spectacularly clean public restrooms, complete with fresh flowers daily.

www.bryantpark.org

Bryant Park restrooms

 

2.                          Shakespeare in the Park. It’s hard to believe tickets are free for some of the best theater you’ll ever see, starring people you’ve seen on TV and the big screen (Meryl Streep, Gregory Hines, Kevin Kline, Natalie Portman), along with brilliantly talented people whose names you haven’t heard. The fun starts in the early afternoon, when you’ll join the line in NYC’s world-famous Central Park, right near the duck pond, and right below the castle you’ve seen in more movies than you can count. Tickets are distributed every day that there’s a performance starting at noon, and everyone over age 5 may receive two complimentary passes. That means arriving at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. to line up. Waiting is half the fun! Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, a thermos of coffee and a bag of croissants, and plan to people watch (on steroids). Sure, you have to wait, but who ever complained about spending a gorgeous summer morning relaxing in Central Park?

http://www.publictheater.org.

Lynn Marie's daughter, in the green, enjoying Central Park ice cream

Lynn Marie's son having fun at Central Park

3.                          Walk the High Line. If you haven’t heard of The High Line Park, you’re in for a treat. Formerly an abandoned elevated train track from circa 1934, the High Line has been transformed into a combination green space, art installation, restaurant destination, shopping center, and exercise center. Check out the innovative water features, talking art exhibits, sounds sculptures and lovingly cared-for gardens as you move your blood while taking in a bird’s-eye view of the Chelsea. Sit in the bleachers and sunbathe, or grab a paleta (Mexican ice pop), while you stroll the tracks. You didn’t hear it from me, but there’s beer and wine on sale for those who like a naughty afternoon tipple!

http://www.thehighline.org/visit

4.                          Picnic Point on Governor’s Island. Take the free Water Taxi ferry to Governer’s Island, the home of New York’s brand-new Water Taxi Beach, complete with 20,000 square feet of sand (300 tons!), food and drink concessions, plus a live music venue. Pass a sunny summer’s day bike riding, picnicking, or just lolling around and looking at NYC’s stunning skyline. The Island is in full operation every Friday through Sunday, and all Holiday Mondays from May 27 to September 25.It’s like going to the country, while staying in the city.

http://www.govisland.com/html/home/home.shtml

5.                          Maybe you’re way downtown after a visit to the 9/11 Museum, or Trinity Church, or Fraunces Tavern. Great! You’re steps away from feeling like you’re in one of your favorite films. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. One of New York’s most iconic walks, the trek across the B’lyn Bridge offers not only an up-close view of an engineering marvel, you get to witness breathtaking views of Manhattan, and you can tell all your friends you’ve actually BEEN to Brooklyn. Mount the bridge at City Hall in Lower Manhattan, right along Centre Street. Plan to spend about an hour crossing the bridge (that leaves plenty of time to take photos). Once you get there, it’s a short staircase down to DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights. Shop or sight-see. There’s a new Shake Shack, or grab a slice at the famous Grimaldi’s Pizza. If you’re feeling rich, and aren’t too sweaty, dine at the legendary River Café.

http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/visiting-brooklyn-bridge/



Lynn Marie on the Amtrak train



No matter how you choose to spend your time, a trip to New York City in the summertime will leave you with memories that’ll last a lifetime. Grab an evening drink at a rooftop bar, climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty, take a train to Coney Island and scream your face off on the Cyclone (postpone your Nathan’s hot dog until afterward), or enjoy the Sunday Gospel Brunch at Harlem’s Cotton Club. Or take one of my suggestions. There’s something for everyone when the Big Apple’s at its hottest.

It’s my firm opinion that you cannot make a wrong choice when there’s so much magic on offer.

 

You can find out more about Lynn Marie and purchase her books at her Amazon author page (and yes, the recipe books are hers- this talented lady is also a chef!)

 

You can also follow her on twitter @lynnmariesays.

 

Lynn Marie Hulsman's most recent release is Summer at Castle Stone, a perfect holiday read, published by Harper Impulse.

 

 

 

 

The Torn Up Marriage- Caroline Roberts, review and guest post HARPER IMPULSE FORTNIGHT

The Blurb
A memory: golden-tipped sand dunes, early June heat waves blurring the Northumberland coastline. Michael racing towards the shore, Emily on his shoulders, their laughter ringing out against the crash of the rolling waves. A family together.

Two years later, and the landscape of Kate’s marriage has changed irrevocably. When Michael came home one evening and dealt the fateful blow to their marriage, neither could have imagined the heart-wrenching journey stretching before them.

Her happy home with Michael and their two beautiful girls has been washed away like footprints in the sand.

As he tries to build a new home from home, Michael’s about to learn just how precious his family is. Kate’s left dealing with the consequences but can you ever forgive such a betrayal? And when your marriage is torn apart, all hope hanging by a thread, what will it take to stitch it back together?

The Review
This is not your typical romance- in fact, it's more of a story of survival than the hearts and flowers you might expect from the genre.  However, it's this realism which makes The Torn Up Marriage a captivating, if not heartbreaking, read. 

From the moment Kate finds out about Michael's infidelity their world is spun on it's head and life is irrevocably changed forever.  It impacts on everyone around them, the ripples of their break-up affecting their young daughters, their parents, their friends.  The novel builds on this, reminding the reader that your actions do not just affect you. 

I did get distracted at times as there were many coincidental similarities to my own life in terms of names and events, which was rather spooky!  Surely it's not just me that empathises more when a character shares my name? (I'd love to know your thoughts on this in the comments section!)  It was quite disconcerting at times and I definitely felt pity for Kate, particularly at the start of the book.

The writing was smashing, the tension seeping off the page right to the end.  Caroline Roberts has a strong voice and I feel many readers, particularly women, will be moved by her story telling. I expect there are lots of people out there who will relate the plot to their own experiences and draw parallels between Kate and Michael's story and their own.

Personally, I was disappointed by the overall outcome, but the story itself- a winner. I'll be looking out for more books by this author as she tells a powerful and emotional story. 

The Torn Up Marriage was an insightful and emotional read, not what I would have expected from a Harper Impulse book.  It was so very thought provoking and almost painful to read in parts, and a reminder that all relationships, not just marriage, require work and commitment. 

I'm not ashamed to say that this one made me cry like a baby!

With thanks to the Harper Impulse team who provided me with a galley copy of this book in return for an honest review.

 

As a special treat, Caroline Roberts has written a short piece about how The Torn Up Marriage explores warts and all love, exclusively for Books with Bunny. 

Messy love – warts and all!
by Caroline Roberts

“The Torn Up Marriage” isn’t your usual Romance novel - some readers have been surprised at how gritty the subject matter is; dealing with betrayal, complacency, making mistakes - but it is definitely about love.

I’ve always wanted to write about real-life love, warts and all. Life can be hard and love is messy, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real love. I wanted to show how everyone involved would feel, the betrayer as well as the betrayed, the children, the grandparents; the idea just grew. I have had close friends who have been through affairs and break-ups, and in any long term relationship there are ups and downs. I remember the early years when my children were young being a difficult time. There are so many other factors involved, work, the demands of young children, feeling knackered most of the time, and suddenly you’ve been thrown from being a couple, with time and energy just for each other, into a whole new world.

Yet, I also wanted to show light and hope, and how love even when battered and bruised can survive. It’s definitely an emotional read. To sink myself right into the emotions of the story, I talked with friends and I also did lots of research on real life blogs – it’s amazing what appears when you google “affairs” and “betrayal”. People are so honest and the emotions they describe so raw, it really helped me to understand and empathize with both sides of the story, including the male point of view. I loved writing both sides of the drama, and wanted the reader to question what they might do in a similar situation. Would you stay or would you go? Could you ever forgive, or betray?

“The Torn Up Marriage” is about love at every level, it’s about family, friends, and trying to hold everything together when your world is crumbling. Warning - you may need a box of tissues handy; apparently I made one reader cry in the hairdressers!

Thanks Kate, for featuring me on the HarperImpulse fortnight!

 

 

Spotlight on D.R.Graham HARPER IMPULSE FORTNIGHT

The Blurb
The best bucking bulls are rank... and so are the cowboys who ride them.
Cole grabbed my arm. “You don’t need to do this. I got myself into this mess. I’ll live with the consequences.”

I exhaled and slid Shae-Lynn’s pink armband over my forearm. I kissed it, then did a prayer before climbing into the chute. “This isn’t about you anymore. I got something to prove.”

Rodeo is all Billy Ryan and his brother Cole have ever known — until one deadly wreck changes everything. With their mom requiring full-time care and Cole dealing with his own demons, Billy needs to step up to take care of his family. So he walks away from his future as a champion bull rider. Convincing himself he didn’t quit because he lost his nerve…

Barrel racer Shae-Lynn, the sweet good-girl-next-door, grew up with the boys on the rodeo circuit. She’s the only person who knows Billy better than he knows himself. She could help him get back in the ring, but there’s a limit to how many times she’ll watch him make the same mistakes. Especially when it comes to her heart.

When Cole’s gambling debts get out of control and the bills at home pile up, Billy has no choice but to enter a winner takes all bull riding event. He needs Shae-Lynn by his side, but that isn’t going to happen unless he figures out a way to cowboy up and prove he’s good enough for a woman like her.

Intense, emotional and complex, this is Friday Night Lights meets Nicholas Sparks’ The Longest Ride… with edge!

AUTHOR BIO:

D.R. Graham is the author of Young Adult and New Adult novels for HarperCollins and Entangled Publishing. She worked as a social worker with at-risk youth for seven years before becoming a therapist in private practice. The clients she works with are children and teenagers and the novels she writes deal with issues relevant to young and new adults in love, transition, or crisis. She is also an award winning columnist for the Richmond News. She currently lives in Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband.

D.R. Graham's novels are edgy and reflect the emotional rawness of the young adult psyche. The novels contain coarse language and mature subject matter. They are intended for mature young and new adult readers.

Find out more at www.drgrahambooks.com      

  

BUY LINKS:
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/rank/id968439825?mt=11&uo=4
Amazon: http://www.amazon.ca/Rank-D-R-Graham-ebook/dp/B00TO3RHXM/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1424884082&sr=1-2
KOBO: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/rank-3
NOOK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rank-d-r-graham/1121228283?ean=9780008140083