Book Review - Sometimes Moments by Len Webster

Sometimes Moments is a bittersweet love story by author Len Webster. Throughout the time that I was reading this book, I either had tears in my eyes or a smile on my lips and sometimes both. It is not a sad story; it has a happy ending, just might not be what we expect. It is lovely read and I would definitely recommend it to readers who are in love with love.

BOOK: Sometimes Moments
AUTHOR:  Len Webster
RELEASE DATE: January 12th, 2015

PROMOTED BY: Book Empire Promotions 

COME JOIN SOMETIMES MOMENTS RELEASE PARTY
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SYNOPSIS

One blink,

One breath of air,

One moment in time …

Could change your life forever.

Growing up, Peyton Spencer fell in love with the boy across the road, Callum Reid. As the years went by, it only made sense that they would wind up being completely and utterly infatuated with each other. That was, until the morning Peyton wakes up to find Callum packing up and leaving the small town they lived in. Left heartbroken and with no explanation, Peyton spends the next four years of her life without him, ensuring they never cross paths again.

At seventeen and months after Callum leaves her, Peyton buries her parents—feeling more alone than ever before. Now at twenty-one, she’s inherited the family hotel, The Spencer-Dayle. Just when she thinks life couldn’t get more complicated, the one person that shattered her heart, soul and belief returns. For Peyton, his return opens up all her old wounds and resurfaces the memories she’s tried to forget.

He’s not the same boy she once fell in love with. He’s guarded and keeps secrets close to him. Peyton knows her life will begin to unravel.

Untold truths will finally come to light. Whether or not Peyton wants to hear it, the truth will undoubtedly break her heart all over again. 

GOODREADS LINK

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22093502-sometimes-moments

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00OMWKWH8

Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00OMWKWH8
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OMWKWH8

PLAYLIST

Spotify link: https://play.spotify.com/user/lennwebster/playlist/5GeTInzlrz2jjpAatjZzxW

EXCERPT

Peyton listened until Jay’s familiar laugh rang high and then she breathed out. His laugh was a form of remedy for her. Though he was so much like Peyton and Graham, he was far different from them. Jay was comfortable with his life. For Peyton, she was just managing.

Shaking her head, Peyton looked down at the papers sprawled on the table. The sound of a chair scratching caught her attention. When she lifted her gaze, she was irritated to see none other than Callum Reid sitting in front of her, his arms crossed over his chest.

Peyton closed her eyes tight and sat properly in her chair. It was a talk Callum wanted, and Peyton had thoroughly avoided it since his return.

“Peyton,” Callum acknowledged in a dull tone.

“Callum,” she said, mimicking the lifeless pitch in his voice.

His lips pursed and he eyed her. Silence was exchanged between them, suffocating her. When it reached an unbearable quota, Peyton started to collect her work.

“Why does everyone in this town love you so much but hate me? I grew up here too.”

His question startled her, causing Peyton to lift her head and glance at him. His eyes swept over the pub, filled with disbelief.

He really doesn’t get it.

“Because you left, Callum,” Peyton stated.

He slowly turned his head until his eyes met hers. Callum’s jaw locked as if he were attempting to control his emotions around her.

“So did everyone else,” he pointed out.

“Everyone had their reasons.”

Callum’s eyes flashed and he abruptly leant forward. “And I didn’t, Peyton?”

“Yes, you did. But you didn’t give me a reason. They all left because they gave a reason. They told the town. They let people know. But you? You just up and left, Callum. You didn’t tell me.”

Callum flinched like her words had hurt him, which Peyton found ridiculous. “I had my reasons, Peyton,” he said through clenched teeth. “But that doesn’t explain why these people I’ve grown up with can’t even look at me.”

This time, it was Peyton who flinched. Her eyes burned. He still didn’t get it.

“Because you didn’t come back!” she shouted, tears running down her cheeks. That façade she had hid behind crumbled. She no longer used a fake smile. For Peyton, this was as raw and as naked as it got for her.

His eyes grew sadder, but she didn’t care. Around them the voices had started to hush until the pub had silenced around them.

“Look around you, Peyton. Nobody else came back!” Callum raised his voice.

Her heart clenched at the truth he spoke.

“But they did,” she sobbed.

Callum shook his head. “No, they didn’t.”

“But they did when I needed them the most!” Peyton cried before she wiped the tears from her cheeks, hating the weakness she was showing.

“What?” he breathed.

“They all came back—every single one of them. The town hates you because you didn’t come back. Everyone came back, Callum. My parents’ funeral—they were all there…except for you!” Her lips trembled as the heat burned through her chest.

“Peyton,” he said almost apologetically.

“No! That one day. Their funeral. That was the day you could have redeemed yourself, Callum. I don’t care if you couldn’t love me. I needed you then. I lost them and you didn’t show. It was their funeral, Callum. They died. My parents, they loved you. Don’t you get that? They loved you! They wanted me to forgive you, but I couldn’t, and when they died, I knew I could never forgive you. You didn’t have to be there for me. You could have been there to pay your respects or to say goodbye, but you didn’t. The moment I buried them, I buried any hope of you redeeming yourself.”

“I’m—”

Peyton shook her head. “Save it. If you had just come back, I would have forgiven you for breaking my heart. I don’t care if you couldn’t love me back. I just needed your support and for you to acknowledge their deaths. They all came back. The only person who didn’t show was you.” Peyton sniffed and tucked her hair behind her ear.

That was the day she had vowed she would never let him back into her life. The last glint of hope had died with the very last breath her parents had breathed that day all those years ago.

AUTHOR BIO

The truth is, Len Webster is a romance-loving Melbournian with dreams of finding her version of ‘The One.’ She calls Australia home, but secretly wishes a man with a beautiful accent would whisk her away. She’s been called a hopeless romantic and a firm believer of happily ever afters, which she doesn’t object to.

Having just completed her Bachelor in Business and Commerce, Len can be found daydreaming of her next Europe adventure or swooning over Mr. Darcy. Her best friends are a hot cup of tea, red velvet cupcakes, a warm jumper and her MacBook, ready to write to her heart’s content.

AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lennwebster

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lennwebster

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7502135.Len_Webster

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Len- Webster/e/B00HIFA2GM/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_14

Instagram: http://instagram.com/lennwebster

GIVEAWAY

Signed Paperback of Somtimes Moments

$25 Amazon Giftcard

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - After The Rain by Jo Watson

After The Rain is Jo Watson's second book following the immensely enjoyable Burning Moon. I love Jo's sense of humour and she has not held back with it in this book either. Many a times, I found myself laughing out loud while reading this book, but there were also sighs at the lead pairs many romantic moments. The leading lady is as unconventional as they get and the male lead is a man who follows rules almost to the point of being uptight. But they find love during a brief encounter, brought together by fate and some conspiring friends.

The book can be found in Amazon.

A New Book From Kirsty Moseley

Here is a new book from one of my favourite authors. Can't wait to get my hands on it.

Title: Poles Apart

Type: Standalone

Author: Kirsty Moseley

Genre: New Adult Romance

Cover Design: Okay Creations

Release Date: November 18th 2014

He’s pole position…

Carson Matthews, the hottest driver ever to hit the MotoGP circuit, is living the carefree, celebrity lifestyle. With little to worry about, other than keeping himself top of the leader board, his favourite weekend pastime is visiting a certain blonde at Angels Gentlemen’s Club.

She’s a pole dancer…

Emma Bancroft, a part-time lap dancer, is just trying to make ends meet. Her responsibilities weigh heavily on her, as does the secret she’s kept from everyone for the last two and a half years.

The two of them are poles apart.

A new full length, New Adult romance from international bestselling author Kirsty Moseley.

AmazonUS | AmazonUK | iBooks | Kobo | B&N | Google Play

Kirsty Moseley has always been a passionate reader since she was a little girl, devouring books overnight, barely sleeping and paying for it at school the next day. Writing has come similarly to her and once she discovered Wattpad, she finally plucked up the courage to post one of her stories. Seven million reads later, she self-published her debut novel THE BOY WHO SNEAKS IN MY BEDROOM WINDOW, which later became one of 10 Finalists for the 2012 Goodreads' Choice Awards, Best YA Fiction. Shocked and overwhelmed by the response, she published her second novel ALWAYS YOU a few months later.

If she had to sum herself up in one word, it would probably be 'daydreamer' - but unlike most of her school teachers, she doesn't necessarily view that as a bad thing. After all, she read somewhere once that books are like waking dreams....

She lives in Norfolk, England with her husband and son.

Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads | Website

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Kirsty Moseley's Poles Apart CR Divider transparent.jpg

The First Time

I was given a private room with an extra bed. A nurse took me there on a wheelchair and helped me onto the bed. My friend Sush decided to spend the night on the extra bed. He and another friend Joy also decided to stay back in case there was some emergency at night. They decided to sleep on the floor as there were no more beds available.

As I listened to them discussing the plans, my mind wandered to what happened earlier in the evening. Just as I succumbed to sleep, I remembered that before I blacked out, I was on his right side and he had pulled me to the other side.

The following day, friends started pouring in. The doctor said that I would have to undergo a surgery to align the broken arm correctly and attach a steel plate to keep it in place while it heals. In the midst of the chaos and overload of information, I tried to recollect the previous night's events. He had pulled me out of the way and placed himself in danger. After being hit by a bike, he slept on the floor the whole night. Every now and then, he would come to the room with a concerned look and would talk to me and try to cheer me up. I had no words for how I felt.

The next day, I had the surgery and got a full arm cast. By the time I was back, my Dad had also arrived. I recovered from my injuries with time. But I got a very special gift that evening. I found the love of my life. From that day, he has been with me, laughing with me when I am happy and wiping my tears when I am sad. Every morning when I wake up and feel his arms around me, I know that he will always keep me safe. I love him, adore him and look up to him. It has been 13 years since that evening. We have Sunshine in our life now. My biggest wish, no my need is that even if I have nothing, I always want to wake up with his arms around me and his love enveloping me.

The Evening

We had an awesome time on his birthday because he made it all about me and Sunshine. So typical of him. He let me do the things which I had planned for him, but he had planned so much more for us. He is always thinking of his family and friends and ways to make others happy. I guess that is what makes his soul even more beautiful than his physical self.

He put me ahead of himself that evening that changed my life forever. We had gone out with a bunch of friends to celebrate a birthday and were all returning home. Although we had a lot of fun as can be expected of a young bunch of friends who had just started working and were earning good money, we were all tired and eager to get back home. All of us were trying to hail auto rickshaws and it was a bit difficult as it was a busy time. Everybody managed to get into the couple of autos that finally stopped for us and I was the only one left behind. He had a motor bike, so he offered me a ride and I accepted happily. We were crossing the road to the place where his bike was parked and I was immersed in my conversation with him. The next second, everything went black. I do not know how long I stayed that way, but I felt someone pick me up from where I was lying. He was talking to somebody on the phone frantically. I felt my body giving away and my head collapsed on a warm chest and strong hands held me up by my waist so that I do not fall down. There was excruciating pain all over my body, but I felt safe and comfortable in his hold. I protested when I was gently eased to the backseat of a car. I slowly opened my eyes and saw my closest girlfriend sitting next to me. 

I turned left to see the mangled mess that once used to be my arm. I looked up to see his worried face and turned around to see my girlfriend almost in tears or maybe she had wiped away her tears. I said, "I think I broke my arm". All the friends in the car smiled - probably relieved to see that I am fully conscious and am talking again. They took me to a nearby hospital in the taxi and he followed us on his bike. 

I was rushed through x-rays and some other tests and finally they brought me out to the waiting area on a wheel chair. I saw my friends waiting for me and he was pacing behind their seats. He turned around, our eyes met and I couldn't help smiling. I looked at all my friends and continued smiling. Everyone remarked later on that they found it amazing that a person with a badly broken arm, a broken foot and bruises all over could smile like that. I am pretty sure they have all forgotten about it now. But he never forgot my smile that night. He has told me that he carried that image in his heart and it has helped him overcome the darkest moments of his life. 

How did I ever get so lucky to have him think of my one smile that way? I have no answers. But what really left me speechless is how he picked me up that night - for the first time.

His Big Day

His big day is coming up next week. He is the man of my dreams. He is the love of my life.

One day many many years back, in a conference room in a posh hotel, as I sat with a group of people working on our team building activity, I heard a voice dismissing all our ideas as downright childish. I looked up with barely hidden irritation to see someone leaning casually against a table next to the one we were all sitting at. He was tall with a lean but muscular build which was not yet in vogue at that point in time. He looked around the table with his piercing hazel green eyes and his smirk seemed to challenge us to disagree with him. He even had a couple of wing men on either side and looked every bit a playboy. His smirk transformed into an almost-smile when our eyes met and I looked away.

He dragged a chair and sat at our table and started speaking. Within minutes, everybody forgot his obvious display of arrogance and dived deep into discussions about his ideas because they were damned good and he had a way with words and a great sense of humour which made people like him instantly. Later in the day, my girlfriend and I were standing in the corridor outside my room when he saw us and walked towards us. He introduced himself and in a matter of minutes, we were all talking and laughing like old friends.

Our easy friendship continued for many months and we could talk to each other about anything under the sun. There was never any undercurrent or tension between us because despite my initial impression, he was no playboy. In fact, he was the exact opposite of that - a perfect gentleman. He was a charmer alright, but I have never seen him take advantage of anyone. We were like two guys hanging out together, mostly with a bunch of other friends. Until one fateful evening, we had that perfectly platonic friendship which did not require any label.

Back to earth - I am baking a tiramisu cake for him. Not just because he loves tiramisu, but also because tiramisu means 'pick me up'. He picked me up - not just that evening, but every time since, whenever I needed to be saved.

Oatmeal Cookies (Whole Wheat)

This recipe is adapted from Joy of Baking

Ingredients:

Walnuts - 1 cup
Butter at room temperature - 3/4 cup
Brown sugar - 1 cup
Pear - 1 medium
Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
Whole wheat flour - 3/4 cup
Baking soda - 3/4 tsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Cinnamon - 1/2 tsp
Oats - 3 cups
Raisins - 1 cup
Milk - as required

Preheat oven to 200 degrees C.

Toast walnuts on a baking sheet for 10 minutes. Cool and chop coarsely.

Puree pear with milk, if required into a smooth paste. Beat butter and sugar in a stand mixer until pale. Add pureed pear and vanilla extract and beat until combined.

Sift flour, bakind soda, salt and Cinnamon into the above mixture and beat at a slow speed.

Finally, add oats, walnuts and raisins.

Using an icecream scoop, place cookie batter on a parchment lined baking sheet with enough space between each cookie. Flatten the batter with a fork or your fingers.

Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown around the outer circumference.

Cool on a wire rack and store in an airtight container.