In the Swim of Things by Tracie Banister @traciebanister #bookreview #romcom #summerreading #indieauthor

 

In the Swim of Things written and self-published by Tracie Banister is available NOW in ebook and paperback format.  The ebook is also included in the kindleunlimited scheme.

To buy link: https://amzn.to/2ZbkWrk

Book Blurb

Ocean-loving Kyra Goodwin had to give up her dream of becoming the female Jacques Cousteau in order to take care of her father and brother, but being a mermaid at the Cape Cod Aquarium is pretty fintastic as far as alternative careers go.

Of course, life as a half-fish/half-woman isn’t all sunken treasure and Ariel twirls. Kyra has to deal with perpetually pruney fingers, eyes irritated by saltwater, and bratty kids on the daily, plus her glam alter ego can make dating really weird. (So many men have pervy siren-of-the-sea fantasies!) When she meets hunky surfer Cade, and he’s into her without knowing what she does for a living, Kyra thinks she’s finally won the romance lottery.

Unfortunately, Kyra’s plans for a carefree summer of catching waves with her new boyfriend run aground when Sea Star Beach, a place that holds great sentimental value for her, is taken over by a big-city developer who wants to build an exclusive resort. Kyra’s crusade to save her beloved beach threatens both her job and her relationship with Cade as does her growing closeness with her irresistibly broody merwrangler, Declan, whose precocious daughter is intent on playing matchmaker.

When a new family drama arises just as Kyra receives an offer that would turn her greatest desire into reality, she’s torn. Will she do what’s expected of her, or dive in and follow her heart?

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. All opinions are my own and no content may be copied. However, authors and publishers may use elements of my reviews for quotes.

In the Swim of Things is such a cute, sexy, fun read.  It is like the perfect blockbuster romcom but in book form so ideal to relax with over the summer period.

This is a story that keeps you fully entertained throughout.  Kyra Goodwin, one of the mermaids at the local aquarium is a lifelong resident of Cape Code and the seafront with it’s rock pools full of seascape wildlife, sea glass and stunning beach holds many heartfelt memories of time spent with her late mother.  When Kyra hears of a big new hotel complex taking over the beach she is outraged that the area’s natural beauty will no longer be available to the local residents and only the paying guests of the hotel will have access to it.  Kyra with her friend Casey start campaigning against the development.

Whilst all the campaigning is happening Kyra’s heart is swayed by a handsome newcomer but Cade has secrets that could threaten many aspects of Kyra’s life.

In the Swim of Things is such a fun story; not only do we get to hear of the antics of ‘mermaids’ performing at the aquarium bringing a touch of magic to the delights of visitors of all ages but we get to enjoy a tidal wave of emotions and drama that Kyra’s life becomes.

You can’t help but be dazzled with this mermaidesque story with charming surfers, cheeky pirates, troublesome friends and friends that no matter what will always be there for you.  With an adorable, sexy romance thrown in it’s a perfect romcom for the summer.

About the Author (gleaned from the author’s website)

An avid reader and writer, Tracie Banister has been scribbling stories since she was a child, most of them featuring feisty heroines with complicated love lives like her favorite fictional protagonist Scarlett O’Hara. Her work was first seen on the stage of her elementary school, where her 4th grade class performed an original holiday play she penned. (Like all good divas-in-the-making, she also starred in and tried to direct the production.)

Tracie’s dreams of authorial success were put on the backburner when she reached adulthood and discovered that she needed a “real” job in order to pay her bills. Her career as personal assistant to a local entrepreneur lasted for 12 years. When it ended, she decided to follow her bliss and dedicate herself to writing full-time. She is the proud winner of the 2017 Independent Press Award (Romantic Comedy) and a Bronze Medal in the 2017 Readers’ Favorite Awards (Chick Lit).

In the Swim of Things is Tracie’s sixth novel and thanks to this book, she can now check another occupation off her fantasy list. She has no doubt that writing about a mermaid is much easier than actually being one!

Website: https://traciebanister.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/traciebanister

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traciebanister/

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Izzy As Is by Tracie Banister book review

Izzy As Is written and self-published by Tracie Banister is available NOW in ebook and paperback format.  The ebook is also included in the kindleunlimited scheme.

To buy link:  https://goo.gl/xFAZrj

Product Details (as per amazon page)

The party is over for bikini model Izzy Alvarez. For six years she’s made a good living by flaunting her God-given assets on runways and in front of cameras, but now as she approaches the big 3-0, the bodacious Latina is shocked to learn she’s aged out of the profession that’s kept her in mojitos, mani/pedis, and designer thongs. What’s a girl with a taste for the finer things in life and no marketable skills to do?

Getting a regular job is too boring to even consider, so Izzy decides to follow in the footsteps of her newly-engaged frenemy and become a trophy wife. Although she’s desperate and too broke to get a chipped nail fixed, Izzy still has standards for her future husband, which means no uggos, no vertically-challenged guys, and no geezers who need to pop a blue pill to perform in the bedroom. Enlisting the aid of her computer whiz nephew and her closest pals, Izzy goes on the prowl for a rich, marriage-minded man, encountering likely candidates in a lot of unlikely places.

The high life she’s dreamed of may be within reach when Izzy meets a charming, successful man who’s not only hotter than a steamy summer night in Miami, but ready to settle down. Now all Izzy has to do is make sure her loud, crazy Cuban family doesn’t scare off el hombre perfecto—oh, yeah, and squelch those pesky, romantic feelings she keeps having for the sweet, cash-strapped guy she’s known forever.

Will Izzy’s hunger for money win out, or will her fiery heart demand to be heard?

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of  this book.  All opinions are my own and no content may be copied.  However, authors and publishers may use elements of my reviews for quotes.

This is a fabulous romcom and perfect material to cheer up a cold winter’s day.  With the setting in colourful Miami and with a vivacious character like Izadora Alvarez you can’t help but smile.  We first met Izzy as a sub-character from In Need of Therapy.  I haven’t had the pleasure of reading this novel so I didn’t have any back history regarding her character however, this did not impair me at all as the author clearly described the setting of the story and the character so well and I soon slotted into the Cuban mayhem that befits Izzy.

The bright, beautiful, sexy Izzy has been blessed by her looks and curvaceous body.  For so long these attributes have earned her a good living modelling but now Izzy is approaching 30 modelling agencies are not insensitive with Izzy’s fast approaching birthday.  With decent jobs being given to the younger models Izzy now needs to find new work fast to keep her in the lifestyle she is accustomed to.  Izzy feels that the only option she has is to find herself a rich husband pronto!

Armed with her new quest Izzy starts her search for Mr Right.  With some rather interesting applicants along the way can Izzy find the one that has it all?

I loved Izzy’s character.  This Latino lovely was so vivacious, outspoken, sometimes a little unorthodox but she had a heart of gold.  She was eternally loyal to her family and friends.  Her Cuban family were such a myriad of characters and fun to read about.  They were quite overwhelming but lovable all the same.  Initially, Izzy feels that all she has to offer is her looks but the more she learns about herself when she has to step up to the mark helping her loved ones she soon realises that she is more than a pretty face.

A fun, fabulous, frolicking read that had such a lovely romance intertwined within the storyline.  I hope to hear more from this crazy Cuban family from Miami.

To learn more about the author Tracie Banister please do visit the following pages:

Website:  http://traciebanister.blogspot.co.uk/

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/traciebanister

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/tracie.banister

Mixing It Up by Tracie Banister book review

Mixing It Up written and self-published by Tracie Banister is available NOW in ebook and paperback format.

To buy link:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mixing-Up-Tracie-Banister-ebook/dp/B01MA4KDSY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1478510088&sr=1-1

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, Manhattan upper-cruster Cecily Sinclair now uses that pricey utensil to dish up fancy French fare on her cooking show, Serving Romance. When there’s an executive shake-up at the network, she’s not worried. Not much anyway. Her show’s a hit after all. Why would the new CEO want to mess with success?

The driving force behind several buzzed-about networks, Devlin Hayes is considered to be a wunderkind in the television industry. Although his plans to rebrand CuisineTV and make Serving Romance more Millennial-friendly don’t thrill Cecily, her charming, blue-eyed boss is a hard man to say “no” to and she really wants to keep her job—even if that means sharing screen time with a loathsome blast from her past.

Mercurial Italian chef Dante Marchetti a.k.a. “Il Duce” was once Cecily’s boss, and she has the PTSD to prove it. Now the owner of one of the hottest restaurants in town, Dante’s egomania knows no bounds and his constant attempts to provoke and upstage Cecily make her want to conk him on the head with a sauté pan. She thinks they’re toxic together, but viewers love their chemistry and clamor for more.

As Cecily battles to maintain the integrity of her show, she finds herself scheming and manipulating right along with Dante and Devlin. Is she fighting a lost cause? Does she really belong on TV, or would her culinary talent be better served elsewhere? And could one of the men who makes Cecily’s blood boil ignite a passion in her for something other than food?

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book and would like to thank the author for this.

I really enjoyed this fabulous, flirty, foodie fiction.  With all the delicious food descriptions and flirting I was quite famished whilst reading it!

I loved the concept of this story a TV food show with two opposing chefs with different tastes and ideas.  The chemistry was quite sizzling between Cecily who was skilled in French cuisine and Dante an Italian chef. There was also sparks igniting between Cecily and her new boss Devlin and with the renewed interest of Cecily’s ex, Bryce, the storyline held plenty of will they won’t they moments and the author, Tracie Banister, kept you guessing to which man, if any, Cecily would go for!

However, Cecily not only has complications in her personal life but with the introduction of a new boss at the TV studio her working life has had a reshuffle and her planned career path is not a pretty picture anymore.  Will the feuding at work spill into her private life and can Cecily fulfil her French cuisine dreams?

Tracie Banister has also created some wonderful sub-characters in this story.  I loved Dina, Cecily’s cousin and confidante, she was a very colourful character with wonderful bohemian qualities.  I also loved Cecily and Dina’s grandmother, Bernadine Sinclair and head of the Sinclair Dynasty.  She was so proud of her heritage and the family feared her.

Tracie Banister has once again created a very readable romantic comedy.  I was smiling at the great comedic scenes, drooling over the food and also the leading men!  A gorgeous story that will leave you hungry for love … oh and food!  5/5*

To find out more about Tracie Banister and her books please visit the following pages:

Website:  http://www.traciebanister.blogspot.co.uk/

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/traciebanister

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/tracie.banister

Twin Piques by Tracie Banister book review

Twin Piques by Tracie Banister is available NOW in ebook format, as part of the kindle unlimited scheme and is available to buy in paperback.

To buy links: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Twin-Piques-Tracie-Banister-ebook/dp/B00RSEP056/ref=la_B006ZONWX2_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442672256&sr=1-3

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Forensic accountant Sloane Tobin and kooky pet psychic Willa may have the same face, but that’s the only thing these identical twins have in common.

How she can read the hearts and minds of animals has always been a mystery to Willa, and her rotten luck with men is equally baffling. Although she’s been looking for “The One” for what feels like forever (A teenage marriage to a French mime and dating a guy named Spider seemed like good ideas at the time!), optimistic Willa refuses to give up on love. When she meets Brody, the handsome rose expert hired to save her grandmother’s garden, she’s instantly smitten, but why does he keep sending her mixed signals? Does he return her feelings, or is their attraction all in her fanciful head?

Unlike her twin, Sloane has zero interest in romance. Her passion is her job, where she uses her gift for numbers to take down slimy embezzlers and asset-hiding spouses. When she’s assigned two high profile cases, Sloane feels confident the promotion she’s been angling for is within her grasp. But will her plan to climb the corporate ladder be thwarted by difficult clients, her co-worker-with-benefits, or – most surprisingly of all – her own sister? And how’s she supposed to stay focused on the drama at work when her childhood friend, Gav, moves in next door and the spark between them becomes impossible to ignore?

To get what they both want, can Willa and Sloane band together and rely on each other’s strengths? Or will their differences drive them apart once and for all?

I’d like to thank the author for an arc in return for an honest review.

This was such a fun filled read that I really enjoyed.  The story is based around identical twins, Willa and Sloane, they may be identical in looks but that is were the similarity ends.

I instantly warmed to Willa’s personality, she is very warm, funny and kooky and loves all things girly.  I love her occupation as a pet psychic and she has some great tales to tell of seeing into the minds of owner’s pets and becomes the mediator between the owner and pet to help them have a more harmonious relationship with their much loved pet.  Willa is a dreamer and easily falls in love but has had her heart broken in the past.  She bumps into a gardener who specialises in roses who so happens to be charming, handsome and a pet lover.  After this first encounter Willa dreams up of meeting Brody the gardener again and by chance she has the perfect opportunity to invite him round to the family home to give advice on the roses in the garden that her lovely Gran planted years ago.  Will Willa have her happy ever after with Brody?

It took me a little longer to warm to Sloane’s personality, Sloane is very level headed, very ambitious as a high flying accountant for a top firm in the city, she doesn’t romanticise about relationships and very much likes her own space.  However, since the girls were little they have had a close relationship to Gav, a childhood friend who has now moved next door to Sloane.  Sloane’s relationship to Gav has always been much closer than with Willa, they have a sort of connection to each other.  They’ve always been around for each other when times have been tough and when they want to let their ‘hair down’.  However, Gav and Sloane do not initially realise they have more than platonic feelings for each other.  Can the friends overcome the barriers to open up their hearts to let each other in?

There were some wonderful funny moments with the girls, I particularly enjoyed the moment when Sloane had to visit a new client and she was introduced to her dogs which had fabulous names.  The scene were one of the dogs jumps on Sloane’s knee was very funny (I wonder if the dog’s alter ego is aware of his doppelganger), it certainly made me smile 🙂  Tracie’s writing style is great, you instantly get involved with the characters and their own individual storylines and want to find out what happens next for them, you find yourself routing for them.  I loved how their were some lovely warm hearted moments, some sexy ones and some beautiful romantic ones.  I will certainly check out Tracie Banister’s back catalogue and look out for more stories from her in the future.  A gorgeous, fun, romantic 4/5* read.

To find out more about Tracie Banister and her books please visit the following links:

http://traciebanister.blogspot.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/traciebanister