Blue Remembered Heels by Nell Dixon

Nell Dixon has a new book out with Little Black Dress, here is the synopsis:

Life is sweet for con-woman Abbey Gifford until, one ordinary Wednesday afternoon, she’s struck by lightning. They told her she might have some bizarre side effects, but nothing could have prepared Abbey for the fact that, since that fateful day, she can never tell lies again! Truthfulness is a big drawback for a con-woman, especially when suddenly she’s being followed by the suspiciously gorgeous detective Mike Flynn. If only Abbey could stop blurting out secrets every time he asks her a question! And if only Mike knew the real reason Abbey spends her life tricking other people out of their money!

I must admit, I’m not exactly the target reader for Little Black Dress, and I have tried a few before but not been overly impressed. However, they have struck gold with Nell Dixon. Having read most of her previously published work, I was sure whatever she had written for Little Black Dress would be good. I was correct.

This book has a brilliantly thought-out plot, and characters. The relationships between everyone (be it siblings, aunts, and others) are realistic, as are the characters themselves. In fact, as I read it, I thought perhaps that this book could have been longer and more in depth, but I realised that Little Black Dress don’t do long books. It keeps the reader wanting to turn the page, and I read it very quickly (always a good sign).

Couple of things: I loved the fact that Abbey was in the shadow of her sister – who is more attractive than her. I thought the scenes where Abbey had to answer Mike thruthfully were hilarious (I didn’t want them to end) and I almost (just almost) wanted Abby and Phillipe to get together…..

I was slightly disappointed that the romantic element of the book between Mike and Abbey wasn’t persued more. I’d have liked to have seen more interaction between them, especially when Abby had to answer his questions (as I’ve mentioned before), but this doesn’t take away from the fact that this was a great read, and I’d highly recommend it.

Rating: 9/10

2 comments August 8, 2008

The Cinderella Substitute by Nell Dixon

After the disaster that was Pillow Talk, I needed something I knew would be a good read in order to restore my faith in modern fiction. So of course, I read a Nell Dixon!

The Cinderella Substitute is the first published of the Mayer family siblings (like the other’s I’ve reviewed). Here is the synopsis.

In the two years since the tragic car crash that killed his fiancée, Nathanial (Nate) Mayer has successfully avoided another relationship. His family and especially his twin sister Nathalie are worried.

Jennifer (Jenni) Blake is Nate’s personal assistant. Hired after the accident, she has had her own problems to deal with, including the deaths of her adoptive parents and the debts incurred by their nursing care. But those difficulties pale into insignificance when Jenni finally traces her birth mother…

This was another page turner from Nell. Each of the stories are very individual to the characters and this one was just as good as the others. I really liked Jenni, and the embarassments she felt at being poor. I also loved her slow “make over” she gave herself.

The picture painted of Nate was good too – a workaholic but with a big heart. He really swept Jenni off his feet. Really sweet the way he did little things for her. (And it’s the little things that make all the difference!)

Definitly recommended again!

Any criticisms? Well I’m a great hater of people who own second homes in rural area’s – and Nate had a holiday home in Devon that was at empty most of the time….ok ok I know it’s fiction!!! (Reality check!!) But I’m sure Jenni will get a lot more use out of it when they are married….won’t they Nell??

Rating: 8.5/10

1 comment April 21, 2008

Dangerous to Know by Nell Dixon

I seem to be on a roll with Nell’s books. This one I read very quickly and like her other books, I enjoyed very much. This one has a lot more action than the others I’ve read, but it was just as good.

In this one we get to know Jerome and Gemma and how their relationship develops when Gemma is dumped by her boyfriend and Jerome begins to realise that he wants a more serious relationship.

I particularly liked the fact that the heroine was a character I’ve met before and that in the other story (Be my Hero) she was a bit of a mouse of a girl, but in this one she got to have her day (and get her man).

The plot was very interesting and had a lot of real life connections (the evil man who wants to trash the countryside to build houses for a start!) and you did wonder what was going to happen next. It’s a rollercoaster ride. Like Nell’s other books I wished it had gone on for longer.  

I liked it that Jerome has liked Gemma but could only make a move on her now that she’s single.  Also, the fact that Gemma needs to re-discover herself when she’s single again and realise that her ex was just bringing her down.

Jerome was very dangerous to know…poor Gemma, she certainly puts up with a lot, but he was worth it, I feel.

Rating: 8/10

Dangerous to Know is available as an ebook here.

1 comment March 31, 2008

Be My Hero by Nell Dixon

Having promised to look out some more of Nell Dixon’s writing, I did just that and have read “Be My Hero”, a novella (I think) as an ebook. (Again at a bargain price of £1).

This story didn’t disappoint – it’s one of love lost and re-gained (always a good one in my opinion). The plot revolves around two people who are tormented by their past and need to get over current problems in order to get together. It was heart-warming and though at times you really felt for their problems (especialy the woman – don’t want to give anything away) it was a lovely ending.

This story is one of a series (that can be read independently). I’ll be checking out the others because the supporting characters were well drawn and interesting. Thank you Nell for few hours of happy reading.

Criticisms? Well actually only one with the publishers website Moonlit Romance – it’s not easy to navigate or look around and I’m no techo-phobe! Though on the plus side – they do take paypal!

Rating 8/10

Add a comment March 13, 2008

Marrying Max by Nell Dixon

This review is for my first EBook. Well, the first book I’ve purchased as an ebook….there are plenty of free ebooks available on the Girl Ebooks website. I have a Blackberry phone, and download my ebooks onto that. Very handy!

This book is the winner of the Romantic Novelist Association Romance Award in 2007. That is the sole reason why I read it, and I must say, I enjoyed it a lot. I’m sure what titles it was up against, and I must admit, it’s not usually the sort of book I read, it being a “category romance”, and it NOT being a historical.

The characters are are well drawn, believeable and likeable and the storyline is very good, and though the things that happen are not world changing, you feel they are for the characters. Which, in fact makes me think Nell Dixon did a very good job in writing it. As each chapter ends, you read on quickly to find out what happens next.

As usual, I won’t give away any plot details, but if you like escapism with a happy ending, then this book is definitly for you.

There is a gentle humour in the story and I found myself chuckling very often.

My only criticism of it is that at the ending could have been a bit longer. It felt a little rushed, but I suppose this genre has a shorter wordcount. But if the only criticism for a book is that it wasn’t long enough, then it can’t be too bad!!

I will be looking out for other works by Nell Dixon.

Marrying Max can be purchased from Samhain Publishing at the bargain price of approx £2.25. What are you waiting for?

Rating 9/10

4 comments March 3, 2008