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Upside Down by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Upside Down by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Oscar-winning actress Ardith Law is a Hollywood icon. Radiant at sixty-two, she is the epitome of glamour and a highly respected artist. But her success has come at a she has a strained relationship with her daughter, Morgan, who at thirty-eight still blames Ardith for putting her career before being a mother. Morgan is a successful plastic surgeon in New York City—and the distance from Ardith’s Bel Air mansion is not lost on either of them.

Ardith became a single mother when Morgan was seven, after her unfaithful husband died in a helicopter accident. In recent years, she has found amiable companionship with fellow actor Bill West. But Ardith’s comfortable world is turned upside down when she hires a temporary personal assistant, Josh Gray, while Bill is away filming in London. Josh’s rough-around-the-edges persona is the opposite of what Ardith is used to, but an unexpected tragedy brings them closer, stirring up conflicting feelings in her for this younger man.

In New York, Morgan is swept off her feet by world-renowned TV anchorman Ben Ryan. Though more than two decades her senior, Ben is handsome, charismatic, and just as smitten as Morgan. But when a blackmail scheme puts his career—and their relationship—on the line, Morgan doesn’t know where to turn. Perhaps . . . to her mother? As each woman navigates an unconventional romance, they cautiously approach each other on new terms and attempt to put aside their past for a new future.

In Upside Down, Danielle Steel tells an unforgettable story of bold choices, second chances, and the hope of reconciliation.

 

 

 

Review:

Upside Down by Danielle Steel is another one her excellent standalone novels.  We meet Ardith Law, an Oscar winning actress and Hollywood icon; who at 62, is still highly respected and very successful. Ardith was married to a famous movie star, and had child, Morgan; who at the age of 7, lost her father in an accident, and rarely saw mother.  The relationship between mother and daughter was strained, and now years later, both rarely talked to each other; with Morgan living in New York, and Ardith in California. 

Morgan, now 38, is a successful plastic surgeon, and a workaholic. On the occasion she talks to her mother, Morgan is usually distant, as she blames her mother for putting her career first, and not having much contact during all those years.

Ardith has been in a long-term relationship with actor Bill West, another Hollywood legend. Bill was leaving for a couple of months to London, where he will act in a movie. He arranged with his studio to have an assistant help Ardith while he is away.    Much to her surprise, the assistant who shows up, is not a woman, but instead a man.

Enter Josh Gray, a struggling 40-year-old actor, who takes the assistant job to make some money. Josh, despite the 20-year age difference, is very respectful of Ardith, and in a short time, they both find a deep wonderful connection for each other; especially after Bill tragically dies.  When Morgan flies to California for the funeral, she acts angry and cold, and questions why Josh is there as her assistant; once the services are over, she returns back to New York. 

Morgan, who rarely dates, as she is so deep in her job, but she meets a famous TV anchorman, Ben Ryan, who is determined to win her over.  Ben is not only handsome, but very charismatic and very well known, and is 20 years her senior.  Morgan finds herself smitten by Ben and in a short time, the both have strong feelings for each other. When Ben is involved in a fake smear campaign, Morgan needs to learn more about the truths.  She does turn to her mother for advice.

Ardith and Josh have opened their relationship to the public, with both not caring what people thought.  Josh may be 20 years younger, but he treated her like a queen, and she helped him look for a good manuscript to help him start his career.  They were so great together. 

Upside Down was different kind of unconventional romance storyline, with mother and daughter having love interests opposite love interests. Ardith will go out of her way to show Morgan to go with her feelings, and live for the future; which will bring mother and daughter putting aside differences in the past, moving forward.  Upside Down was very well written by Daniele Steel, and it was a fun enjoyable read, especially with each finding love in different directions. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Upside Down (Breaking the Rules 3) by AM Madden-Review Tour

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Upside Down (Breaking the Rules 3) by AM Madden-Review Tour

 

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 7, 2020

I’ve always been known as the hopeless romantic … the nice guy … the sweetheart.

Everything in my life supported this persona. My students loved my easy personality. My colleagues admired the way I handled myself in the classroom.

But something was always missing.

Like so many relationships before it, my current attempt at love felt like a dead end. When she gave me an ultimatum, I couldn’t promise to give her what she wanted.

So, she ended it.

Explaining another breakup to my family was the last thing I wanted. But doing it on a luxury yacht at my brother’s wedding lessened the hardship.

I never imagined that trip would change everything… and I certainly wasn’t prepared for him to change everything.

Upside Down is a sister’s best friend, sexual awakening, m/m stand-alone romance that contains adult content.

••••••

REVIEW:UPSIDE DOWN is the third instalment in AM Madden’s contemporary, adult BREAKING THE RULES erotic, romance series. This is businessman and cruise ship partner Ricky Burrows, and twenty-eight year old, New Jersey, English Literature professor Cooper Stanton’s story line. UPSIDE DOWN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: UPSIDE DOWN is a M/M story line with graphic same sex scenarios that may not be suitable for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ricky and Cooper) UPSIDE DOWN follows the building romance and relationship between businessman and cruise ship partner Ricky Burrows, and twenty-eight year old, English Literature professor Cooper Stanton. Cooper Stanton is a romantic at heart, and seeing his family and friends fall in love was something Cooper wanted for himself but his most recent relationship ended without fanfare or tears, and Cooper struggled with the possibility that there was no one that called to his heart.

Ricky Burrows is a man who knows what he wants, and he sees a kindred spirit in Cooper Stanton, his business partner’s brother in law, and a man clearly conflicted about his sexuality but it was Cooper who will make the first pass at Ricky Burrows then immediately deny there was anything between them. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Ricky and Cooper, and the potential fall –out as Ricky’s past comes looking for a possible second chances, and Cooper’s time in Florida comes to a close.

Cooper Stanton was spending his summer vacation in Florida in an effort to help his sister with her expanding family but found himself thinking about the ‘kiss’ with Ricky Burrows, a kiss that stirred something deep within our story line hero. Never thinking he was gay, Cooper struggled with the direction of his thoughts, thoughts that continued to focus on Ricky Burrows. Ricky suspected Cooper Stanton was a closeted gay or at the very least either bisexual or pansexual but never expected Cooper to make the first move considering it was Ricky himself who suggested that Cooper may be attracted to men rather than women. Not wanting to force Cooper into a relationship he doesn’t want, Ricky allows Cooper to come to him while spending his time in Florida.

The relationship between Ricky and Cooper begins acrimoniously as Cooper denies that he is attracted to men. Ricky says his ‘gaydar’ is never wrong but Cooper struggles with his failed relationships and his new found attraction to a man who is all kinds of wrong. As Ricky ‘mentors’ Cooper in his new found sexuality, Cooper finds himself falling for a man who was hurt by his previously love. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the stop, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Cooper’s ex-girlfriend Riana; his sister Rebecca and her husband and cruise line owner Marco Puglia (Love on the Horizon #1); Cooper’s brothers Griffin Stanton, Dean, and Sam Stanton and Lydia (Hostile Workplace #2); sister Janis; their parents; as well as Ricky’s mother Cindy, and her boyfriend John Miller.

UPSIDE DOWN is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; a story of confusion and acceptance; romance and love. The premise is entertaining and inviting; the romance is spicy and imaginative-the sexual chemistry is palpable; the characters are energetic and realistic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

USA Today BESTSELLING ROMANCE AUTHOR

A.M. Madden’s romance debut is The Back-Up Series, consisting of Back-Up, Front & Center, and Encore.

A.M. Madden is a wife, a mother, an avid reader of romance novels and now an author. In Back-up she aspired to create a fun, sexy, realistic romantic story. She wanted to create characters that the reader could relate to and feel as if they knew personally.

A self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, she loves getting lost in a good book. She uses every free moment of her time writing, while raising teenage boys.

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NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the giveaway, If you have any questions, please contact the author.

To celebrate the release of Upside Down, A.M. Madden is giving away a paperback and a $25 Amazon gift card. Stop by her Facebook page to enter:

https://www.facebook.com/authorammadden/

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Upside Down (One Fond Embrace #2) by Crista McHugh-a review

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Upside Down (One Fond Embrace #2) by Crista McHugh-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 11, 2018

Caz Miller. Surfing god. Arrogant Asshole.

Or at least, that’s what Kayla’s assessment of him has always been. But in a cruel twist of fate, she finds herself at his mercy. Dropped by her sponsors, homeless, and pregnant, how could she not accept his offer to crash in the apartment above his garage? It’s just until she can get back on her feet. That doesn’t mean she’ll fall for him all over again…or does it?

Kayla Gilmore. Queen of the Waves. The one he can’t forget.

By the time Caz realized how much Kayla meant to him, it was too late. He knows better than to ask for a second chance. She deserves someone better than him. The best he can hope for is to get the asshole title dropped from his name. But what starts out as an offer to earn some karmic points rekindles the fiery passion between them, and he finds himself in same precarious position as before. This time, though, he’s determined not to break her heart.

••••••••

REVIEW: Upside Down begins with Kayla Gilmore discovering that she is pregnant. She tries to tell the father but he blows her off to go surfing. She follows, and when tragedy hits, the one person she doesn’t want anything to do with is the one there to console her……..Caz Miller. He had broken her heart years ago and she had done her best to stay away from him. She finds herself not only dropped by her sponsors, but without a place to live. She accepts Caz’s offer to let her live in the empty apartment above his garage, but is still wary.

Kayla and Caz grow closer, but both are spooked by the past. Both are sending mixed signals, and both end up distrusting the other. A series of events, and some advice from trusted friends (and one not so trusted), lead the two of them to wonder if they can indeed right their world which has been turned upside down…..

Upside Down is a nice addition to the One Fond Embrace series. Kayla seemed a bit naïve at first, but I warmed up to her. Her emotions were all over the place, but understandably so. Caz, on the other hand, had me ‘at hello’. I loved his inner turmoil as he tried to figure out his life and Kayla’s place in it. Once he figures out what he has to do, and decides to stop running away when things get a little complicated, I fell for him even farther. Your heart will break for both of them and have you cheering by the end. Upside Down does deal with some heavy issues, so be prepared. If you’re a fan of second chance romance, you’ll not go wrong with this one. Well done, Crista McHugh!

Click HERE for Vickie’s review of book one BETTER TOGETHER

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Vickie K

Crista McHugh is an award-winning author of fantasy and romance who writes heroines who are smart, sexy and anything but ordinary. She currently lives in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while she continues to pursue writing on nights and weekends.

She is an active member of the Romance Writers of America (including the Greater Seattle Chapter and the Seattle Eastside Chapters), and Romance Divas.

Just for laughs, here are some of the jobs she’s had in the past to pay the bills: barista, bartender, sommelier, stagehand, actress, morgue attendant, and autopsy assistant.

And she’s also a recovering LARPer. (She blames it on her crazy college days)

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Off The Map Trilogy by Lia Riley -a review

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Off The Map Trilogy by Lia Riley-a review

Off The Map Series

UPSIDE DOWN
Off The Map #1
by Lia Riley
Genre: contemporary, new adult, romance
Release Date: August 5, 2014

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Upside DownIf You Never Get Lost, You’ll Never Be Found

Twenty-one-year-old Natalia Stolfi is saying good-bye to the past-and turning her life upside down with a trip to the land down under. For the next six months, she’ll act like a carefree exchange student, not a girl sinking under the weight of painful memories. Everything is going according to plan until she meets a brooding surfer with hypnotic green eyes and the troubling ability to see straight through her act.

Bran Lockhart is having the worst year on record. After the girl of his dreams turned into a nightmare, he moved back home to Melbourne to piece his life together. Yet no amount of disappointment could blind him to the pretty California girl who gets past all his defenses. He’s never wanted anyone the way he wants Talia. But when Bran gets a stark reminder of why he stopped believing in love, he and Talia must decide if what they have is once in a lifetime . . . or if they were meant to live a world apart.

•••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: UPSIDE DOWN is the first installment in Lia Riley’s contemporary, new adult OFF THE MAP romance series focusing on twenty one year old American Natalia (Talia) Stolfi and twenty three year old Aussie environmental activist Bran Lockhart.

Told from two first person points of view (Talia and some Bran) UPSIDE DOWN follows Natalia Stolfi-Talia as she is called-to Australia. For six months Talia wants to escape the darkness and oppressive memories back home but there are demons that follow Talia wherever she goes and these demons cannot be controlled. When she ‘accidentally’ meets mysterious, brooding and a not so friendly Aussie named Bran Lockhart, her life will change forever. Bran is hiding a secreted past filled with heartbreak and pain. When Talia uncovers what she believes to be true, she will only see what is on the surface and not the soul deep anguish that controls Bran and everything he does.

Both Bran and Talia’s past are mired in painful heartbreak, loss and dysfunctional family dynamics. While Talia escapes to Australia to hide from her past, Bran has been whoring around town trying to forget about what could have been. These two broken souls will find one another at a time when both need something more but Bran refuses to look beyond the moment until the possibility of losing Talia forever is something he will not allow.

The relationship between Bran and Talia starts off acrimoniously and is slow to build as Bran is cautious of what he wants and where he wants to go. Jazza (Bran’s friend) is attracted to the American beauty but Talia does not see Jazza as anything more than a friend. Bran will become Talia’s protector and a friend with benefits but love will become a real possibility when the hearts knows what it wants. There are moments of intimacy and passion as our couple dance around going ‘all the way’ but the journey to consummation is sensual and erotic.

We will be introduced to Talia’s Bohemian, slightly off centered and destructive mother, and emotionally absent father; Talia’s colorful roommate Marti; and a few of Bran’s friends and frenemies that will make life difficult for Talia and Bran; and Bran’s uncle Chris whose lifestyle is less than ordinary but a man who sees more than most. The world building takes the reader from the night life and parties into the crashing waves of Australia’s surf and the Tasmanian landscape. A little background history into both families will reveal a sad and lonely existence for both of our leading players. Talia’s need to work for the Peace Corps and Bran’s ideology of a greener, cleaner earth will eventually build a wall that may be too high to climb over.

UPSIDE DOWN ends rather abruptly with a happily ever after –for now. Everything is wrapped up neatly with an apology and a promise for the future. Where does that leave Talia’s desire for entering the Peace Corps? Here’s looking forward to book two –Sideswiped.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

______________________

SIDESWIPED
Off the Map #2
by Lia Riley
Genre: contemporary, new adult, romance
Release Date: October 7, 2014

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SideswipedABOUT THE BOOK:

It was only meant to last the summer . . .

Talia Stolfi has seen more than her share of loss in her twenty-one years. But then fate brought her Bran Lockhart, and her dark world was suddenly and spectacularly illuminated. So if being with Bran means leaving her colorless NorCal life for rugged and wild Australia, then that’s what she’ll do. But as much as Talia longs to give herself over completely to a new beginning, the fears of her past are still lurking in the shadows.

Bran Lockhart knows that living without the beautiful girl who stole his heart will be torment, so he’ll take whatever time with her he can. But even though she has packed up her life in California and is back in his arms for the time being, she can’t stay forever. And the remaining time they have together is ticking by way too fast. Though fate seems determined to tear them apart, they won’t give up without a fight—because while time may have limits, their love is infinite.

•••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: SIDESWIPED is the second installment in Lia Riley’s contemporary, new adult OFF THE MAP romance series focusing on Talia Stolfi and Bran Lockhart. Their continuing story finds our couple reunited in Australia where life together is anything but easy. From difficult family situations to finishing up thesis papers and more, Talia and Bran will discover that there is more to life than hot sex and moonlit nights. Life has a funny way of getting in the way when desires and past dreams becomes front and center.

Told from alternating first person points of view (Talia and Bran) the storyline follows Bran and Talia’s tumultuous relationship. Talia’s increasing struggles with OCD begin to spiral out of control when family issues for both Bran and herself take a decidedly darker turn. Talia reconsiders what it is she wants from life when the Peace Corps begins calling her name. While Bran has given up his need for the Sea Alliance environmental cause, there is still the hope that one day he will become an active volunteer. Talia will make the decision to move on but not out of Bran’s life; Bran is unable to understand Talia’s desire for something more.

There is no denying Bran and Talia’s love for one another-one riddled with jealousy, concern, heartbreak and mistrust. Bran and Talia’s pasts and their family histories have scarred our couple with emotional and psychological wounds that have yet to heal. Add the potential for loss and Bran will be hurled into the despair of anguish and no hope.

The secondary characters include Bran’s dysfunctional family-from a father who desires a reconciliation with his son and a mother who is more concerned about appearances, Bran must weather the storm that is family. Add a sister whose own marriage is collapsing, Bran struggles with the right thing to do. Talia’s parents continue on their individual journeys of isolation leaving Talia behind to deal with the fall out of her own dysfunctional family.

Lia Riley adds moments of humor, smexy fun and heartbreaking pain to a series that focuses on two wounded and broken souls. The ending felt a little rushed; there is no real cliff hanger but a wait and see kind of finish. Talia and Bran will continue to struggle with their relationship but their love for one another has never been in question. It is only when Talia and Bran will head in opposite directions does the real meaning of love begins to take hold.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

___________________

INSIDE OUT
Off The Map #3
by Lia Riley
Genre: contemporary, new adult, romance
Release Date: December 2, 2014

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Inside OutWhen Talia first moved from California to Australia to study abroad, she never dreamed she’d find the love of her life. Bran understands her like no one ever has before. And despite the numerous challenges they’ve faced, they’ve always managed to figure out how to stay together. But this time they’ll face their toughest hurdle yet. Is their love strong enough to keep them together?

••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: INSIDE OUT is the third installment in Lia Riley’s contemporary, new adult INSIDE OUT romance series focusing on twenty one year old American Natalia (Talia) Stolfi and twenty three year old Aussie environmental activist Bran Lockhart. Their continuing story finds Talia in Malawi, Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer while Bran Lockhart works for Sea Alliance touring the Antarctic trying to stop the dolphin and whale hunting expeditions.

Told from alternating first person points of view (Bran and Talia) the storyline focuses on the rebuilding of Bran and Talia’s troubled relationship but four months into Talia’s Peace Corps program, things aren’t going as planned and Talia finds herself fighting for her life. Bran will say goodbye to his time in the Antarctic to help nurse a reluctant and depressed Talia back from the brink.

Talia is a young woman who suffers and barely survives with several OCDs and in this her inability to let go hinders her relationship with Bran. It is during her recovery where the storyline takes a decidedly different and not pleasant turn when Talia’s constant negativity leaves the reader frustrated and at odds with the character’s fluctuating personality. Bran, as well as Talia’s father, must endure Talia’s unending self-deprecation and loathing so much so that life for Bran becomes difficult and heartbreaking. Once Talia is able to get past this particular point in her life, her relationship with Bran will begin to flourish but not before past issues and future considerations must be addressed.

Lia Riley’s emotional and compelling OFF THE MAP series focuses on one woman’s struggle with OCD and the roller coaster of emotions that threaten her relationship with the man that she loves. Brandon Lockhart fights who he is; who he was; and where he came from and in this he is a man who is constantly moving, looking for a place to call home-he will find his home in Talia Stolfi. Bran and Talia’s relationship is a roller coaster of emotions with passionate and sensual moments of love and understanding; and heartbreaking scenes of helplessness and loss.

Copy supplied by the author through Netgalley

Reviews by Sandy

About The Author Black and White

Follow: Goodreads/  Facebook/ Website/  Twitter

Lia RileyLia Riley writes offbeat romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling XXXX with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments.

A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn’t mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c’mon, who doesn’t love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about as-of-yet unwritten books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. Right now, Icelandic hot springs and Scottish castles sound pretty sweet.

She and her family live in Northern California.

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