Giveaway, Review, & Interview with Mandy Baggot, Author of Taking Charge

Synopsis:

Is going back Robyn’s only way forward?

American-born Robyn Matthers is going home. With her dad in hospital, his roadhouse in ruins and the ice hockey team slipping down the league, she needs to take charge. But does she have the strength to do it?

Cole Ryan is a hockey player on a personal mission. He’s tall, dark, hot and Robyn’s noticed! But can she trust her feelings - or his? And what will Cole do when he finds out the truth about her?

Robyn returns to Michigan and things aren’t quite the same. Her best friend has grown up and is thinking about marriage and babies, the ice hockey team is no longer the life blood of the community and her father is engaged!

When Robyn’s twin cousins drag up past events that hold painful memories for her, she and Cole are forced together. But are either of them ready to start something new?

With an ill father, a trailer trash almost step-mom and ex-boyfriend Brad desperate for another chance, does Robyn have time to contemplate a relationship? Does she really want one? And is it physically possible for two people to fall in love in just three days?

Mandy Baggot is a self-confessed Twitter addict who likes to sing on You Tube. She regularly guests on book blogs and is a featured author on the innovative website loveahappyending.com. She is also a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Taking Charge is her fifth novel. Mandy lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.

You can find her:
Website: / Twitter / Facebook: / Publisher Author Page

I interviewed Mandy and this was what she had to say:

Out of all the books you've written, if you could live in one of them which would it be and why? I know this is the Taking Charge blog tour and it might sound really lame but Taking Charge is it! If flight prices would only come down I would be back over in Portage, Michigan right now! My dad lives there and I wrote the book based on the fantastic old-fashioned charm and community spirit the town has. Also I love the food, the music, the hockey…especially the players!

In what scenario do you do your best work?
I’m a bit of a neat freak and I can’t create books in a mess. Our office at home is used by my husband, Mr. Big, and our children and none of them keep it tidy. So I’ve set myself up in the conservatory, with a laptop table, overlooking the fields. I’m lucky to live in the country and have some great views to inspire me! I like quiet to work usually although I do listen to music now and then.

Hardback, paperback, or ebook?
I don’t think I’ve ever bought a hardback book – I know some people love them but they don’t do anything for me. Paperbacks are much more user friendly but my real love now are e-books! I have a Kindle full of great reads just waiting for me.

How do you prefer to communicate (in person, texting, email, or phone)?
I have a bit of a telephone phobia. I will do almost anything to avoid talking on the phone. I have no idea why this is! I love to email and text but I am just as happy talking in person. I stand up in front of crowds and give talks and that doesn’t worry me – it’s just something about that telephone that freaks me out!

Beef, chicken, pork, or vegetarian?
All of those! I generally eat chicken the most but like beef and pork too and I am partial to vegetarian alternatives. We have Quorn in our house and plenty of salads. Basically, I love most food!

If you suddenly had two free hours, how would you spend them?
Writing! That sounds so bad doesn’t it? Yes, it’s work but I love my job and if I could get two extra hours writing I would be very happy!

Are you more likely to wear a skirt or pants?
Pants! I hardly ever wear skirts. I am either pants or dresses. I’m quite short so skirts tend to cut me off in the middle and make me look shorter, so I go for dresses. I am a leggings, t-shirt and sneakers girl most days! :D I love comfy clothes too!

What is your favorite favorite splurge?
Shoes, handbags, candles and holidays. They are my four vices – nice vices though! No matter whether you gain weight or lose weight, shoes and handbags will always still fit so they are my fetish when it comes to apparel. I love to travel and any spare cash I get I like to spend on getting away. We like to go abroad if we can – Corfu is a particularly favorite – but we also have a caravan called Parker and we try to go off for weekends in that as often as we can. As for the candles, I am a big Partylite fan and usually have a candle party once a month to feed my wax habit! I like my house to smell gorgeous!

What is your favorite T. V. show? Celebrity?
I love US dramas. At the moment I’m in to Prime Suspect USA, The Finder, The Closer, and A Gifted Man. I’m also loving the fact that Dallas has returned! Favorite celebrities of mine are David Hasselhoff, Larry Hagman, Dick Van Dyke – are you sensing an older man theme here?! I do think Channing Tatum is hot too!  Channing Tatum is an awesome choice!

What is your favorite color?
I like pink! I have a pink cover on my iPhone and a pink shiny net book I work on. I’m also partial to animal print! There’s something with animal print on in every room of my home!


  Date to be Published: 5/3/12

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing

BUY LINK: Amazon


Here's an excerpt for your enjoyment. :D 

The pink neon sign of Taboo throbbed in front of them. Mickey and the rest of the team had been at another bar before arriving at the club, and they were already well lubricated.

“Now, listen up. Bob has the kitty—strictly beer, no ridiculously, expensive, potent cocktails, no shots, and absolutely no tequila. I want you all to enjoy yourselves, but we do have an important game tomorrow, so let’s remember that,” Robyn said.

Henrik repositioned a bright yellow cowboy hat on his head and loosely strung a red feather boa around Mickey’s neck. Robyn had no idea where he had got them from.

“What about the kitty for the girls? You get special treatment if you throw money at them,” Art piped up.

“If you want to throw money at them, Art, you knock yourself out, but you won’t be throwing my money at them,” Robyn informed him.

My Thoughts:

This story was fun and flirty but had depth. I was a little apprehensive when I started reading it because it seemed to start off slow with Robyn babbling quite a bit. Things changed quickly and I  fell under a spell that I couldn't break away from.  

I enjoy reading stories that have characters with issues. Taking Charge was one of those. Robyn and Cole both have issues.

The plot had some fun, drama, hockey, mystery, romance, and snacks galore.

I really liked Taking Charge and I recommend it to everyone who likes their romance to have some depth.

I received a copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

And last but not least, here is the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I'd love to know what you're thinking. Please leave a comment!