Location: Ireland
Member Since:
Dec. 09, 2022
Cha
Cha's favorite authors on Smashwords
Smashwords book reviews by Cha
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Putting Down Roots
on Dec. 20, 2023
Just finished reading ‘ Putting down Roots by Jem Wendel, hard to believe it’s her debut book. The story is about Jackson Blake, a Gardner, recently ‘taken to the cleaners’ by his gold digger ex wife. Now he has lost his business, he is jobless, homeless, with little money to his name. Wanting to get out of town and far away he heads away with all his worldly goods in the back of his ancient truck, Betsy. Unfortunately, when Betsy breaks down a few hours later he is stuck in a little town, Larchdown.. Jackson is lucky, but he doesn’t know that yet. His previous life holds awful memories of homophobic family members, his father and his brother made his life miserable just because he once tried on his sister’s tutu when he was A young kid. He’s never claimed to be anything other than straight. So, he’s happy to leave that life behind. Larchdown turns out to be a very special place, with very special people living and working there. One such newly arrived inhabitant is Luca Winterton, an artist who had his reputation destroyed by his so called lover, who is a reviewer with a reputable Art Magazine. Luca, has just returned to Larchdown where he was raised for several years by his beloved Aunt Frances. She has recently died and left him her beautiful home and famous gardens. Luca is also very lucky and doesn’t realise it yet either. When he discovers Gardner, Jackson Blake trespassing in his Greenhouse, it is both of these men’s lucky day. Luca has had a horrible childhood, rescued only by his Aunt Frances. Face to face in the Greenhouse, Cupid has waved a wand over these two broken men. Are they ready to be put back together or they just too broken. *********************** Haven’t read or heard of Jem Wendel before, her first book has impressed me. I’ve enjoyed it immensely and Larchdown sounds like a great place to live, with wonderful side characters to help you settle in there. Ive downloaded her recently released latest book, ‘Bridging The Gap’ and I’m looking forward to enjoying it as much as her debut book.
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All Roads Lead to This
on Jan. 08, 2024
Cedric and Reuben are two 24 year olds who work at Botanique, a specialist House Plant shop in Cape Town, South Africa. They have been best friend since childhood. Reuben is an outgoing, friendly, out and proud guy who lives with his 70 year old Grandmother. He lives upstairs and Grandmother downstairs. She often has her 54 year old boyfriend to stay. His parents have just retired and moved to the other side of the country but he didn’t want to leave his granny alone with no other family around. Cedric is a transgender man, who suffers from anxiety attacks and worries about everything. He comes from a well off family but isn’t close to them, and weren’t very accepting of his decision to become trans. Cedric has a room in a house with several of housemates, who, together with Reuben, have been there supporting him during his transition. Both guys are harbouring secrets which they haven’t shared, despite their closeness. When their boss Gwen has an emergency and asks them to help Reuben jumps at the opportunity and Cedric eventually agrees to accompany him. They have to travel to the other side of the country and pick up exotic and unusual plants from the growers. The journey will take several days there and back in a special vehicle to maintain the light and oxygen conditions for the plants. The trip turns out to be quite the adventure, with overnight stays at hotels, side trips to beautiful scenery and places of interest. Reuben is struggling, trying not to be too much in Cedric’s space. When Cedric reveals one of his secrets something changes between them, Reuben is hurt and Cedric retreats into his shell. A couple days later more secrets are divulged on both sides. The thing I liked about these two was they didn’t let their misunderstandings go on and fester, they cooled down and confronted the issues asap. I enjoyed this book set in South Africa, I’m still a bit in the dark about something here but asking or mentioning it might be a spoiler. I liked reading of the places of interest on their trip. It is a short, angst free read if you have a few hours to sit down and enjoy it.
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Burner Account
on March 17, 2024
Nick and Ian had been online buddies for years chatting and posting every chance they got. They never shared photos or met. It wasn’t that long ago they realised they lived in the same city. They both had their reasons for concealing their real names. Their own friends kept encouraging them to meet seeing as they got on so well on line. Eventually ‘Ian’ was the one to raise the matter with ‘Nick’ and they set a time and place. And OMG, what a meet up!!! ‘Nick’ practically fell in love at first sight, and ‘Ian’ was too shocked, because he recognised the gorgeous man immediately. He couldn’t believe his idol stood there in front of him, Tanner Jeffries, star Ice Hockey player on his local team. ‘ Ian’ gave his real name, Isiah. I was floating along on cloud nine reading these two guy’s story until Isiah’s issues from his past relationship started to come to the surface again. Plus, his own family didn’t help, I was so angry with his sister and mother. I had to step back and take a break. Isiah is 35, a school teacher, Tanner is 26, they are perfect together, but not in some other eyes. Tanner, less experienced relationship wise, turns out to be the most levelheaded of the pair when Isiah starts to meltdown. I’ve read a few of this Authors books and they always generate strong emotional response in me. That’s how I measure my enjoyment of story and characters. ‘Burner Account’ concept certainly drew me in from the get-go and kept me rooting for Isiah to ‘get a grip’ and listen to Tanner, not anyone else.