Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Wish You Were Here by Phillipa Ashley

A sweet, second chance romance.

 Wish You Were Here by Phillipa Ashley

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark; Original edition (June 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402241445
• ISBN-13: 978-1402241444

    Genre: Contemporary Romance
    My rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
Phillipa Ashley is a bestselling author in the UK with over 50,000 copies sold and the kind of funny, accessible British voice that U.S. audiences love.

Jack Thornfield, new CEO, is shocked to see his long lost love, Beth Allen's resume come across his desk. After 8 years apart they have a second chance at happiness in this romantic story about love and secrets.

Review: An easy and solid romance read.
Beth Allen has experience in outdoor trekking and travel. She is determined to get a job as product manager for the specialist travel company, Big Outdoors. She needs the job to help with expenses for her family even though it will mean she has to live in London and visit home only on weekends. Beth isn’t quite sure how her somewhat pushy boyfriend, Marcus, will take her decision, especially considering he is in a position to help her family if she would accept his help, or, as he would prefer, marry him.

Beth has all of the right experience and drive for the job and her homework shows that the company needs her skills. But she gets a surprise set back when she walks in for the interview and comes face to face with her first love.  It was 8 years ago when Beth was only 19 and she fell for her summer trek instructor, Jack. Theirs was a whirlwind romance and he even proposed. But  suddenly he was called away and he never even called her again. She thought she’d gotten over the heartache until she had to face him and contemplate accepting a position where he would be her boss.

Jack had personal reasons that took him away from Beth but he never totally forgot her. He hadn’t expected to see her again and he can understand her distrust and unhappiness even if he doesn’t like it.

The job position is only for six months. Can Beth and Jack manage to work together professionally through that time? Can Jack possibly convince her to give them a second chance when she is nearly engaged to another man and it appears that Jack has a sexy companion? Can Beth overcome the pain of the past betrayal and take a chance on the attraction that still sizzles between them?

I enjoyed the plot premise and the fact that Beth had to work at focusing on her job and not allowing bitterness or lust to get the upper hand.  The characters are nicely developed and the story moves along quickly. It was a surprise (not unpleasantly) that there was no sexual scene for two thirds of the book. That helped make it a sweet, light romance instead of a heavy one. This makes for a nice, fast summer read.

Three word description: easy, sweet, warm.

Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and review.
The cover on the left is the ARC cover.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. Visit the Author's website (click on the picture when it opens) and tell me something you found interesting.   This is required for entry.
Make sure you leave your e-mail address!

2. For two extra entries, comment on Ms. Ashley's Guest Post.


3.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Six total entries possible.) MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on July 15, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Guest Post by Phillipa Ashley: How Filming Was Different From Expected

How filming was different from expected

By Phillipa Ashley

Wish You Were Here is my second book published in the US by Sourcebooks. The first was called Dating Mr December published in November last year. Both it and Wish You Were Here have been Amazon.com Top 20 Romance bestsellers this month – yes, people have been reading a book about Mr. December in June!

 

In 2009, Dating Mr December was made into a Lifetime movie called ‘12 Men of Christmas’ and Martha asked me how the filming of the movie was different from what I expected.  Well the first thing is, I didn’t expect my book to become a movie at all! Most authors dream about it but I never imagined it would actually happen.

In October 2007, the novel was optioned by Fox. Someone told me that only a fraction of movies optioned actually get made into films so I got on with writing my other books. Finally on May 27 2009, I got an email telling me that the book was going to be the flagship holiday movie on Lifetime. I almost fell off my office chair...

In July 2009, I took my family to the Rockies to visit the set and meet the cast and crew. Our daughter had just finished her degree and had the whole summer off so we took the chance to enjoy a unique experience as a family.

So what were the differences? Well, first the movie is set in Montana but was actually filmed over the border in Alberta. Coming from a small island like the UK, where our highest peak is 5,000 feet, we were blown away by the landscape.

Although my book is set in England, the premise of my book: big city PR exec moves to a small town, translated very well to the US. For London, substitute New York, for the Lake District, substitute the Rockies.

The film is very much a romantic comedy whereas my novel has more emphasis on the romance. In a book, there’s more time to explore the emotions, feelings and thoughts of characters. In romantic comedy, the funny stuff leads! 

The producer/writer did come up with some great lines that I wish I’d thought of. He also kept some of my dialogue and hearing that was totally surreal. The plot was changed quite a bit but it was still recognisable as my story.

The main thing I would have liked to see more of was the motivation of the hero, Will, which is crucial to the plot and characters in my novel. But again there isn’t a lot of time to delve deeply into emotion in a short movie.

Lots of people have asked if my other books are going to be made into films and it would be fantastic to see Wish You Were Here on screen. Wish You Were Here is set in Corsica, which would make a spectacular setting for a film with its bone-white beaches, crystal seas and lush mountains. I do like to imagine who would play Jack, the hero. He could be played by an American actor as Jack has been working in the US for several years and has a ‘transatlantic’ accent. 

The heroine, Beth, is a warm-hearted, outdoorsy young woman who puts her family above all else. She’s blond in my book and I don’t really mind who would play her. If anyone has any ideas, please suggest them!
 

Here is a quick fun trailer form the movie.
Check out my review and ARC giveaway of Wish You Were Here.

It's Monday! What are you Reading June 27, 2011?

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I finished four books; posted three reviews with Giveaways plus two author interview.  I started my Blogoversary and posted four Publisher Spotlights for Tribute Books and three Author Spotlights with Giveaways. There is also an announcement post, the Friday Pick Giveaway; Saturday Sharing Beyond Books, and Sunday post.

Again I visiting a number of blogs last week but not from Its Monday posts. I plan to make return visits this week.
These were last week's posts plus Winner post not listed.

•  It's Monday What are You Reading? June 20, 2011.

• Q&A Interview with Matt Dunn, Author of Ex-Girlfriends United.

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Ex-Girlfriends United; Romantic Comedy; my rating 4.0.  Ends 7/1.

• Q&A Interview with Sidney Ayers, Author of Demons Prefer Blondes.

• Book Review and Two Copy Giveaway: Demons Prefer Blondes; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.0. Ends 7/8.

• MBS Blogoversary Spotlight #4A: Publisher Tribute Books; Giveaway 3 copies eBook of Call Me Kate - Meeting The Molly Maguires by Mollie Roe. OPEN WORLDWIDE; Ends 7/15 - Entry on #4D.

• MBS Blogoversary Spotlight #4B: Publisher Tribute Books; Giveaway 3 copies eBook of Fire Men by Gary R.Ryman. OPEN WORLDWIDE; Ends 7/15 - Entry on #4D.

• MBS Blogoversary Spotlight #4C: Publisher Tribute Books; Giveaway 3 copies eBook of Framing Faith by Sarah Piccini. OPEN WORLDWIDE; Ends 7/15 - Entry on #4D.

• MBS Blogoversary Spotlight #4D: Publisher Tribute Books; Giveaway 3 copies eBook of Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes. OPEN WORLDWIDE; Ends 7/15.

• MBS Blogoversary Spotlight #5: Author Suza Kates; Giveaway - Winner's print choice from two books. US AND CANADA. Ends 7/8.

• MBS Blogoversary Spotlight #6: Author Susan Helene Gottfried; Giveaway - Two eBooks. OPEN WORLDWIDE. Ends 7/8.

•  Check out GiveawayBlogs Network Site.

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 24, 2011.  Ends 6/30.

• MBS Blogoversary Spotlight #7: Author JL McDougall; Giveaway - $25.00 Amazon Gift Card. OPEN WORLDWIDE. Ends 7/15.

• Book Review and Two Copy Giveaway: To Be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal; Fiction; my rating 5.0.  Ends 7/15.

•  Sharing Beyond Books #2 Comment Giveaway.  Open Worldwide. Ends 7/1.

•  Sunday Words of Encouragement June 26, 2011.

 
Finished Reading:

Print:

To Be Sung Underwater: A Novel 

By Tom McNeal

Breathtaking!

Review and Giveaway linked above.

Audible:

Changeless: An Alexia Tarabotti Novel, Book 2

by Gail Carriger

Another enjoyable read although some secondary characters were really annoying. :)

I will do a review in a bit.
Hard to get posted in between the 
Blogoversary posts.

Print/Kindle:

My Dangerous Pleasure

by Carolyn Jewel

I really liked this!

I'll post the Review and

Review Copy Giveaway later this week.

Kindle: 

Taming Rowan

by Suzanne Barrett
A lovely read!
Review to be posted next week 
with Blogoversary post.

Product Description
“A keeper! A winner! A deliciously sexy romance!" —Gloria Miller, The Literary Times Karin Williams' devastatingly handsome project officer has a boulder-sized chip on his shoulder. Rowan Marsden expected a male engineer and he's not giving Karin an inch. Working conditions are...tense. Even...worse, she must share on-site accommodations with the sexy Brit who she fears will break her heart. What's a girl to do? If Rowan had his way, he'd never work with a woman. Yet as Karin demonstrates her expertise on the job, he cannot deny his growing respect for her--or his desire. He wants the passion she offers, but not the commit-ment. Until a horrendous accident at the project site threatens Karin's life, and proves that even a wounded man is destined to love....

Line Edits/Releases:  Release will be available Monday or Tuesday.

Escape to Love

 by Cher Green 

Constance Spenser, an aspiring witch, is no ordinary woman, and neither are her problems. Unhappy in her life, she seeks knowledge of the spiritual side of life, but what she finds is another world, a world where she has no place. She must gain the council’s trust and discover a way home, but in her attempt she finds herself falling for the enemy. Can she survive long enough to discover her destiny?
Lawrence Wilder, a member of an evil council, wants to break free, but one doesn’t walk away from the council alive. When a witch falls from the sky, hope returns to his life, and to his surprise love. In his world, together they cannot survive. Can he save them both, or will one have to be sacrifice for the other to live?

Currently reading:

Print:

The Constantine Codex (Skeleton Series)

By Paul L. Maier

I have to get moving on this.
Review to be posted 6/29.

Audible:

Iron Kissed: Mercy Thompson, Book 3
by Patricia Briggs

Reading for my own pleasure.

Product Description
When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it's up to shapeshifting car mechanic Mercy Thompson to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not. And she'll have to choose between the two werewolves in her life-whether she wants to or not.

Print/Kindle: 
The Showboat Affair
by Gwyneth Greer
So far a nice read!

Review to be posted in July
with Blogoversary Post.

Product Description
After thirty years of marriage, Jean Kingston is freshly divorced and rediscovering the joys of being an independent woman as well a talent for interior design. Having a new man in her life is not part of the plan. Nick Cameron, prominent attorney and long-time widower, would like to change Jean's mind and include him in her plans. Their adult children don't approve of either plan, and are determined to keep Jean and Nick apart. Does their opposition include staging personal attacks against them? Could they really be desperate enough to stalk the couple on a weekend getaway? Or is there a deeper evil at work?

Audio:

 
Change Anything: The New Science of Personal Success
by Kerry Patterson, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler

This is really an excellent approach to change.  Reading For Hachette Review.

I'm stalled since I am using a different car as mine needs work. Guess I may have to buy a small CD player.

Print:

The Vision and Beyond, prophecies fulfilled and still to come

by David Wilkerson

We will be teaching this to 
the young adult class 

starting in two weeks.
I am reading a chapter a week to prepare.

Editorial Review:

In this compelling release, David Wilkerson brings the reader up to date and into the future. He firmly believes that we are now living in the time the Bible refers to as "the beginnings of sorrows" and that the world is racing toward Armageddon.

I am also listening to The Listener's Bible NIV 

read by Max McLean. I am at 2 Kings 11, Proverbs 24 and Acts 24.

Line Edits:
Finalizing the Sword of Virtue by Joy Brooks 
which should be released this week too.

I am finalizing edits/formatting on Life After the Undead by Pembroke Sinclair; then Soylent Red by Jamieson Wolf.

 

June 2011 Scheduled reviews - Both posting this week:

6/27 Wish You Were Here by Phillipa Ashley - Review, ARC Giveaway and Author Guest Post (Sourcebooks) 

6/29 The Constantine Codex (Skeleton Series) by Paul L. Maier - Review and Giveaway (Glass Road PR)

Unscheduled
Read with reviews to be completed and posted:
My Dangerous Pleasure by Carolyn Jewel (Hachette - Forever Romance)

Taming Rowan by Suzanne Barrett - Postponed to July

Reading now:

The Showboat Affair by Gwyneth Greer (Author) - Postponed to July

Sunday Words of Encouragement June 26, 2011

I am expecting to go to a church mini-group after service today so I have prepared this post ahead of time from notes of our Pastor’s sermon a few years ago. (Yes, I keep journals of the sermons so occasionally I can review them for inspiration and calming peace.)
A favorite encouraging Bible passage is  Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 God has a Master Plan for each life. He always knows what you are going through even when your life feels like a messed up puzzle.

1.     God may only give you one piece of the puzzle at a time.

2.     God sees the completed, whole picture when you cannot.

3.     God is assembling things according to His plan.

Sometimes pieces don’t seem to fit, sometimes pieces look alike,but remember, the completed puzzle is a work of art even when the back side is a lot of criss-crossed strings!

This is a favorite song acknowledging that we have a Hope and a Future.

A Verse for Today

Psalm 32:8

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
   I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

I will pray this Sunday for peace of mind for any who may be struggling; I will pray that you will see a Hope.

Sharing Beyond Books #2

Sharing Beyond Books or SBB won the votes last week by 18 to 4 so that remains the name for this 'event.'
Amy asked if this was a Meme.   If several people want to do it as a meme I will set up a linky.  For now, if you do a post with the questions add your link and I, and hopefully others, will come to visit!

It was an interesting split on reading multiple books at one time.  At least eight of you only read one book at a time and another seven read only one or two.  Seven of us read in the three to six range.  Then you have the incredible readers, Ricki and Jennifer who read 12 at a time! Whew!  I have to agree with Maria D. that I have to be careful not to read the same genre as that does get confusing. Last week I had two demon books and I had to finish one before I started the other.

I enjoyed reading about your favorite vacation sites and now I know who to contact if I get to go to some of these historic places I would love to visit like Williamsburg (Maria D.'s choice).  Lieder and Amy mentioned Washington which I'd like to visit someday too.  Birgit's park with an ice cream parlor sounds perfect for a summer visit! Carol L do you love Erin Hilderbrand books set in Nantucket vicinity? Brednabh is close enough that she and I will have to plan a Destin book day! Whoo Hoo!

The Winner from last week's comments is: #12 LOUISA.  There are still 11 'love' books to pick from and 9 Christmas choices. So Louisa - please choose a book from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway or remaining Christmas Giveaway Books and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #2 Questions

Q1.  Do you have an eReader or read eBooks?

You all probably know by now that I do have a Kindle and I love it! I even like to listen to the text to speech. (I wish my nails were as nice as this ladies. *g*)  I also love getting all those free Kindle downloads although I have only read a handful.

I have to admit that I do not enjoy reading on the computer. It seems to take me twice as long to read my books for editing - of course that could be because I have to be picky and precise about copy edits.

Q2. Share your favorite summer sport.

 It should come as no surprise that my favorite summer sport is swimming!  I am up to 30 laps at least three times a week now and it feels so good to get that exercise. I rotate strokes but I don't do butterfly, which I never was very good at. In high school I used to race distances, relays and backstroke. I am also a fabulous floater and after the laps I just float as still as I can be for about five minutes......ahhhhhh!

Q3. Tell us the capital city of your state (or country if you don't have a state capital) and have you ever visited there? 

I visited Tallahassee, our state capital just last week.  I had to cover a court hearing there for another law firm. It was my first time there and I was directed to parking that ended up three blocks away. Does anyone want to see the pictures of the blisters I got? Ugh!

DON'T FORGET any of you might have good questions you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this  Suggested Question Form.  (Birgit I know you have some because I saw a few good questions at your blog and have noted them for use if you don't suggest them. LOL) At the beginning of each month I will draw from the suggestions I used the month before and that person will get a book choice or GC.

Your turn to share: 

1.  Do you have an eReader and/or do you read eBooks?

2.  What is your favorite summer sport?

3.  What is your capital city and have you visited there?

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 19 books available to choose from. I'll start pulling some other books to add soon.

Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the three questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, July 1 at 10PM central.