A great New Read from Kate Lloyd!

                            “Stage Fright”

Synopsis:

Jessica Nash loves to sing but is paralyzed every time she gets on stage. After blowing an excruciating audition, she wonders if she should give up on her dream. She’s already committed to a week-long choral tour of England with her church choir, though, and as a single mom with a limited income, this might be her only chance to travel.  

The trip gets off to a rocky start when Jessica has to sit next to Martin, a once-famous British tenor whose career plummeted in a scandal, on the flight to London. Is it her imagination, or does he seem to aim his bitterness toward womankind specifically at her? And to make things worse, once they arrive Jessica discovers she has to room with the choir’s thorny lead soprano.

When Nick, their handsome tour guide, takes a special interest in showing Jessica the sights, things finally seem to be falling into place. She starts to relax and let herself be wooed against the backdrop of the charming English countryside. But is she ready to give him as much as he’s asking for?

Things aren’t as simple as they seem. Almost every person on the tour, it seems, is hiding a secret, and before her English holiday is over Jessica will find herself stretched and tested in every direction—including the soloist’s place center stage.

My Thoughts:

 Katr has once again written a book that grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go!! Her characters are so well described that you easily identify with them and become a part of their lives. I  felt Jessica's pain as she was so nervous . I , myself, can teach a group of thirty eight year olds but don't put me in front of even a snall group of adults. As Jessica experienced the queasy stomach, the shaking legs  take over and  the words just wont come out. As  a single mother , Jesscia had challenges that at times overwhelmed her. Her chance to be a success as a singer in her church choir presented her with a goal that she was determined to achieve. 

The plot moves quickly and keeps your interest as you are experiencing a possible new romance and  a goal achieved by a deserving young woman. The unexpected events that crop up kept me up long past my bedtime. Although it is a quick read, it was full of meaning and emotion. 

Well done, Kate!! A  fast but great read!!

This book was received from the publisher. The thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Another Fantastic Book by Shelley Shepard Gray! Book 2 of the "Dance With Me" Series!

                     "Take the Lead"
                 By Shelley Shepard Gray
                            
                          Synopsis:

Growing up in foster care, Officer Traci Lucky had a rough start to life, but things are looking up now that she’s found a place in Bridgeport with two sisters she never knew she had. One night while on the job Traci finds Gwen, a pregnant teen caught up in a dangerous world of drugs, and takes her straight to the hospital. There Traci encounters the oh-so-charming Dr. Matt Rossi, who surprises Traci with his compassion—and his movie-star good looks.

A busy ob-gyn with a huge, meddling Italian family, Matt Rossi hasn’t had much time for love in his life. All that changes when he meets the beautiful Officer Lucky. He’s intrigued by her strength and the kind heart she tries to hide beneath her tough exterior.

When Matt confides that he needs to learn to waltz for his brother’s wedding, Traci reveals that her sister happens to be a ballroom dance teacher. Next thing they know, Matt and Traci are juggling busy careers, helping young Gwen with her pregnancy and personal safety, and learning to waltz together. But when Gwen’s escalating problems threaten to put all of them in danger, they wonder if they’ll ever find time for a little romance too.

Shelley Shepard Gray takes us back to Bridgeport, Ohio, a town where family comes in all different shapes and sizes, love has no limits, and community means everyone deserves a little help when they’re lost.

My Thoughts:

“Take the Lead” is the second book in Shelley’s Bridgeport collection, once again encountering three sisters who recently found each other! None of them knew that the others existed! That alone, grabs my attention immediately This book centers on one of my favorite sisters, the second sister in this triiogy .  A little tough on the exterior but a caring, loving individual who takes a young pregnant girl under her wing , without hesitating.  

The characters are all described in such a realisitc detailed way what the reader is caught up in the lives of each of them. I particularly loved Traci. She put on such a tough act as a police officer, however really was such a softy,  wanting to solve the problems of the world. A decelopng romance interrupts Traci's well planned out life. Matt is the doctor who everyone dreans of, kind and loving. The two other sisters are also very different from one another. It was very easy to  fall into their lives and walk alongside them as they struggle with many cnallenges. 

The plot moves quickly with constant action and is filled with unexpected events, successful in grabbing one's attention and NOT letting go. This book was one that I could not put down! It didn't matter that the house needed cleaning and meals needed to be prepared! I was so involved in the lives of my three best friends that the world passed me by. 

Shelley has done a superior job at dealing with addiction, new loves, an unexpected, somewhat unwanted child, and new family members dealing with all of this! This super storyteller used her unique style of writing to totally engage readers of any age!! Well done, Shelley!!

This is a five star book! \

Don't miss it.

This book was given  to me by the publishers. The opinions and thoughts expressed are honest nd my own.