Book Review: Verity Xuereb-Smith, Barbara Baker, and Ian Pemberton by Steven Hugh

I was sent this free book by the author in exchange for an honest review
Goodreads Summary: After many years of avoiding the press, the Gibraltarian actress Verity Xuereb-Smith finally agrees to give an interview to be published as a series of articles in a women’s magazine. As the conversation with the journalist progresses, she watches the years of her life go by and begins to evaluate her achievements. Soon she is caught between frustration and nostalgia, between her despondency with the present and her determination for the future.

Verity Xuereb-Smith
This review is long overdue and I have finally gotten a chance to narrow down some reviews to read this story and transfer my review from paper to blog. First reading Verity-Xuereb-Smith, I thought it opened well. The set up for the story was vivid and I got a clear picture of how the story was going. For me in my opinion I did feel that it went a tad bit slow in some parts but it wasn't anything that would hinder me from continuing reading the story.

The story opens up with Verity, who is a Gibraltarian actress, in the airport waiting for the journalist Bettina. Bettina is documenting the life of Verity. It starts with the beginning of Verity's life from childhood to becoming an actress, and how her career is as of now. I got the nostalgia feels while reading this story. I don't want to give to much of the story away but it was a good read.

There are three books but they are not part of a trilogy and can be read as stand as a stand alone.
My rating for this book is 3.5 stars
Recommend? Yes

Ian Pemberton
I was sent this book by the author in exchange for an honest review
Goodreads Summary:
Looking for a better life in the sun, the British couple Ian and Madeleine Pemberton give up their jobs and head off to the south of Spain to make a new start. At first they are charmed by the pleasant climate and lifestyle, but soon the practical side of making a living in a different country presents them with some unexpected experiences and challenges. Not the least of which is "Venus".

I did enjoy reading this story. Ian Pemberton is not happy with his job and is basically burnt out on it. When he decided that he needed some time to himself he takes off and it turns out to be one of the best ideas he has had. He doesn't want to go back to work He has a dream of moving and opening a garden decor center in Spain.

While reading, I wished that I could take off and not go back to work. I do like my job but those off days are the best. Anyhoo, thats another story. Of course this couple has no idea how to start a business and the whole situation of moving to another country. There are moments that are captivating in the story and Ian is at peace with the idea.

This was a light read and it did not take long to read. This book can also be read as a stand alone.
Rating 3.5 Stars
Recomend? Yes

Barbara Baker
Goodreads Summary: Barbara Baker is indebted and alone, trying to bring up a child on her modest salary as a nurse. Following a vicious attack, she is befriended by a colleague’s brother who offers her a comfortable home and the chance to recover from her recent problems. She accepts, a little reluctantly at first, and despite their differences a cosy family life begins to form around them. However, Barbara’s past is starting to catch up with her

This one was my favorite out of the three books. The storyline for the others were good but this one was the best one out of the bunch. The story is a woman who is from Trinidad who is a nurse and also a single mother to her son. There are some situations that come about and she feels that she can't escape from it. What she wants is normalcy.

I want to go into the climax of the story but for the sake of the review I won't spoil it for anyone who didn't read the story. But I will say it was good. This one is just like Ian Pemberton. It was a light read and it doesn't take long to read at all.

Rating 4 Stars
Recommend? yes

I enjoyed reading all three books and I would recommend them all :)

The Mister Book Review

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Discussion #1 Sex in Y.A. Fiction

Working as a Young Adult Librarian, I get this questions about this topic asked a lot. These are some of the questions that I am asked. Most of the time it is the parents that come to me especially the ones that have a child that is transitioning from children's fiction to Y.A. I can understand a part of what the parent is trying to do because of the age of the child. Not all of my teens parents monitor what they read but the majority of them do. So I break it down for them 1.) Y.A. stands for Young Adult. It ranges from the ages of 12-18 but it is divided. 12-14 and 15-18. If the teen falls into the 12-14 bracket I take them to the middle school section in our childrens area because it is a lot easier to find some books that will appease both parent and teen. 2.) Not ALL Y.A. is explicit and have vulgar language. It may have a few curse words. The majority of it may have some type of high school slang or something around that area and mild language but not all Y.A. is the...

Discussion Post #3 When did you find your love for reading?

I have been an avid reader for a good while but I did not start out as one. In fact, I hated reading. I never gave it a chance and as I said in the previous discussion post anytime I am forced to read something it just makes me want to not read it even more. I was about 13 and I remember one of my best friends was reading Harry Potter and I asked her why was she reading it. She looked at me like I had grown an eye in the middle of my forehead. In reality all I was seeing was the length of the book. At the time, I was very intimidated by how long a book was. Fast forward a couple of years I went to a library program and they were showing Harry Potter and the Chamber of secrets. Long story short....I loved the movie. The librarian told me if I loved the movie I would most definitely love the book. I checked them out and I totally understood why my best friend loved them. They were simply amazing and I so desperately wanted my letter to come in the mail. I went into a reading slump ...

HIGHWAY-Y.A.

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