For several years I wrote a book blog and accumulated reviews of some really good reads. I saw on Twitter that Renee at It’s Book Talk started using the #ThrowbackThursday meme as a way to share books that are old favourites or have been waiting to be read for a long time. I decided to visit my old book reviews and re-post my favourites here on 3sixtyfiveblog for #ThrowbackThursday.

So far I’ve included:

An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy by June Kearns

Kings and Queens by TerryTyler

Blood-Tied by Wendy Percival

Make a Joyful Noise by Jenny Worstall

and Everybody Lies by Julia Hughes

This week it’s Boot Camp Bride by Lizzie Lamb.

Boot Camp Bride is romantic novelist Lizzie Lamb’s second book but it was the first of her stories I read.

And I enjoyed it so much I read her first novel, Tall, Dark and Kilted – and everything she’s written since.

From the Amazon Book page

Take an up-for-anything reporter. Add a world-weary photo-journalist. Put them together . . . light the blue touch paper and stand well back!

Posing as a bride-to-be, Charlee Montague goes undercover at a boot camp for brides in order to photograph supermodel Anastasia Markova.

At Charlee’s side and posing as her fiancé, is Rafael Ffinch award winning photographer and survivor of a kidnap attempt in Columbia.

He’s in no mood to cut inexperienced Charlee any slack and has made it plain that once the investigation is over, their partnership – and fake engagement – will be terminated, too.

Soon Charlee has more questions than answers.

What’s the real reason behind Ffinch’s interest in the boot camp? How is it connected to his kidnap in Columbia?

In setting out to uncover the truth, Charlee puts herself in danger … As the investigation draws to a close, she wonders if she’ll be able to hand back the engagement ring and walk away from Rafa without a backward glance.

My review from Indie Bookworm

You can tell by the cover of Lizzie Lamb’s Boot Camp Bride that it’s going to be funny and you’re not disappointed.

Charlee Montague is an aspiring reporter who is looking for a big break. As a high flying graduate, she speaks several languages including Latin and the book is peppered with references to her braininess. She’s a feminist and intent on carving out a career for herself. As the romance evolves she is determined to keep her independence and her cool.

After a seemingly chance encounter with seasoned photo-journalist Rafael Ffinch. (and no that’s not a typo that really is his name) Charlee is on course for a scoop.

The Boot Camp of the title is situated in the Norfolk marshes and is the destination of choice for celebrity brides preparing for the big day. I’ve rarely heard of anything so ridiculous (and think Charlee would agree) but this provides the back-drop for a plot which from time to time makes you snort with laughter.

I really liked Charlee. I thought she was believable and down-to-earth and I particularly enjoyed her smart, sassy dialogue. Rafael, the fake fiancé, is full of his own importance to start with but improves as the novel progresses.

There’s a cast of well written cameo characters notably Charlee’s friend Poppy, Poppy’s father Sam and Russian model, Anastasia Markova. However the star of the subsidiary characters is Rafa’s re-furbed VW camper van with the souped up Porsche engine.

Charlee’s relationship with Rafa goes through a whole series of highs and lows and author Lizzie Lamb manages to create lots of romantic atmosphere as the tale unfolds. Right until the end the temporary nature of the fake engagement is sustained and the reader is kept on tenterhooks throughout.

Boot Camp Bride is a well written and very amusing romance novel which would be ideal for a holiday read or a long winter night in front of the fire.

Hot off the press

I recently finished Lizzie Lamb’s latest novel, Take Me, I’m Yours. I haven’t written my Amazon review yet, but it’s definitely five stars from me.