Book Tour: Having a Ball - Rhoda Baxter + GIVEAWAY

Having a Ball - Rhoda Baxter

The blurb.

Stevie has always relied on her brother to bail her out of trouble. Now she needs to prove to him that she can be independent and mature. When she takes on a job organizing a charity ball for some slightly barmy retired academics, she's not expecting to fall in love with the rambling old house, the even more rambling family that lives there and Tom, the boss's son. If she can make the ball a success she could show the world, and herself, that she's her own woman. She doesn't need anyone else. Nope. Not anyone. Not at all.

My opinion.

I love love love this cover. I know, "don't judge a book by it's cover", but it's what made me notice the book and I'm so happy I did. It's a classic romantic comedy, but not too cheesy and yet still highly lovable.

Stevie is striving to be a professional party planner. To me that first sounded as the cliché girly profession, but Stevie soon proves how many skills are needed to actually complete the job. Against all odds, Stevie proves to be a very professional, responsible party planner. She's not entirely comfortable working in close proximity to Tom, the boss's son, and she's giving a very limited budget to work with. But she manages to overcome all of that. She takes risks and is original and manages to give everyone exactly what they wanted. 
I was impressed, because at first, I have to say, I really had my doubts about her as a main character. I thought she was immature and childish and found her reaction to her brother's news a bit ridiculous. I'm very happy she ended up proving me - and everyone else in her life, for that matter- wrong.
The plot wasn't all that surprising, but I didn't mind - it really didn't matter: it was a very enjoyable read and I would very much recommend this!
... Can't wait to start planning a party now!

About the author. 

Rhoda Baxter started off in the South of England and pinged around the world a bit until she ended up in the North of England, where the cakes are better. Along the way she collected one husband, two kids, a bit (ahem) of extra weight and a DPhil in molecular biology. She has a day job working in intellectual property and writes contemporary romantic comedies in whatever spare time she can grab. Her first novel Patently in Love was shortlisted for the RNA Joan Hessayon award 2012. Her third novel will be published by Choc Lit in 2014.

She can be found wittering on about science, comedy and cake on her website, Facebook, Google+ or on Twitter.

 

 

Giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt

“I don't suppose you know how to tie a bow tie, Stevie?"

As it happened, she did. One of her ex-boyfriends had chatted her up by showing her how to tie one. Did she really want to admit to that? It would mean being closer to Tom than she really wanted to be. She had to concentrate on the ball this evening. She was, after all, a professional.

Tom took her silence to be a denial. "I wish I'd thought of this earlier. I could have gone out and bought one. What am I going to do now?"

Stevie sighed. "I'll do it. Give it here." She finally looked at him and all thoughts fled from her head.

He did indeed look wonderful in a tuxedo. The jacket showed off his broad shoulders while the cummerbund emphasized his trim waist. His hair had been washed and tamed so that it no longer tumbled lazily over his forehead, somehow making his eyes bluer. The top button of his collar was undone. He hastily did it up.

Stevie blinked and tried to concentrate on the job at hand. She could feel the warmth radiating from his skin as she slipped the tie round his neck. Tom put a hand on the back of a chair and lifted his chin.

She concentrated on pulling the fabric of the silk tie through the correct knot. After a moment she found herself staring at the freshly shaved skin on his throat. There was a tiny nick just under his chin. All she wanted to do was kiss it better.

Blood was pounding in her head and she felt hot all over. She couldn't possibly be this close to him and not have her head explode out of sheer lust.

Tom swallowed. The movement of his throat reminded her that she was supposed to be tying his tie, not staring hungrily at his throat like some demented vampire. She noticed that he was breathing faster than usual. She forced herself to look away, and saw that he was gripping the back of the chair so hard that his knuckles were white. Could he be finding this as difficult as she was?

She finished tying the bow, barely able to think for wanting him. As she finished, she gave into temptation and let her finger lightly brush his throat. Tom inhaled sharply and his eyelids fluttered shut. Stevie pulled the knot tight, straightened it and let her hands drop.

He lowered his chin and his eyes met hers. For a moment he gazed at her with such pure naked lust that she forgot to breathe.

The moment stretched. They were only inches apart, yet he made no move to close the gap.

Alice's phone beeped. They both jumped. Stevie had completely forgotten about Alice.

The first chapter is available on the Uncial website.