Review & Guest Post: Taking Charge

Taking Charge by Mandy Baggot

Format: ebook
Pages: 271
Published: May 3, 2012
Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing
Genre: Fiction, Chick Lit

My Rating: 4/5

Summary (from the author's website):

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?

With an ill father, a trailer trash step-mom and ex-boyfriend Brad desperate for another chance, does Robyn have time to contemplate a relationship? Can she start again? Does she really want to? And can two people really fall in love in three days?

Review:

**NOTE: A copy of this book was provided by the publishers. However, no compensations were made and this review reflects my honest thoughts and feelings.**

When your past is full of mistakes and broken hearts, is it really possible to still believe in love at first sight?

The main characters, Robyn and Cole, have both been dealt a losing hand in the game of life. Robyn, a tom-boy with the weight of the world on her shoulders, has run from her past but is now being thrown right back in the fire because of her sick father. Cole, a hockey player turned scientist, is in the process of running from everything he has ever known and looking for a fresh start. When these two meet, it seems that fate has offered a helping hand.

Reading the summary for Taking Charge had me very excited to read the book. I am a big fan of chick lit books and especially those that involve unexpected love but I am an even BIGGER fan of hockey love stories. Yes, I am one of those girls that not only loves to read, but loves a good sporting event - especially hockey! (Hey, I am Canadian after all).

As I began to read, I knew that Taking Charge was going to be much more involved than any of Mandy Baggot's previous books. Not only were we dealing with the frilly love story, there seemed to be a mysterious edge surrounding the whole book. Each of the characters had a flaw and in between the romantic parts, we were left trying to figure out what it was. I found this part of the novel really enjoyable as it is not often that you find an author who has the ability to balance the good with the bad and have everything balance out in the end.

One of the things that I did have an issue with was the 'hockey lingo'. With Mandy being from the other side of the pond (UK) and likely not being surrounded by hockey, I really had a hard time when she was writing about the sport. One of the saving graces was that Robyn had been living the past 9 years in the UK so it sort of made up for her slips but not when the American men of the team talked about netting a goal or referred to the puck as a ball. Nevertheless, most fans of girly fiction won't notice the references but as a hockey fan, I was a little disappointed.

Once again, Mandy Baggot has created a cast of characters that you cannot only imagine but feel as though you know personally. Her writing style is here to withstand the test of time.

I am so happy to welcome Mandy Baggot to Turning the Pages today as we celebrate the release of her newest novel, Taking Charge.  Those of you who follow Mandy on Twitter/Facebook/YouTube/Blog know that she has a fabulous personality and is always making us laugh.  So, when she contacted me for a topic for her guest post, I couldn't help but throw a fun TOP TEN at her.  Here are her hilarious answers...

1. Who is your favourite musician?

Ooo I can’t possibly pick one! I like lots of different music and all sorts of artists. I really love Bryan Adams, have seen him so many times in concert and he’s just timeless. I also admire Lady Gaga. People think she’s gimmicky and all about the image but when you’ve seen her in concert, just her and a piano, then you see what a talented singer and songwriter she really is.

2. If you could record a duet with anyone (dead or alive), who would it be?

Bryan Adams! Would love, love, love to duet with him. And he’s CANADIAN Lindsay – therefore you must know him! Canada’s a small place right?!

3. Tickets you would stand in line all night to get

Do you know I don’t think there is really anyone I would stand in line all night for! I think I hung on the phone the longest for tickets to Lady Gaga.

4. What is one thing that you could not live without?

My computer! My whole life revolves around it. Was I supposed to say my husband here?

5. Secret obsession?

Is there really anything people don’t know about me? Lady B is a bit of an open book. Ah, here’s something I haven’t told anyone before. I have a bit of a liking for Morris Dancers. People in the US and Canada might have to Google this!

6. Favourite Movie/Actor/Actress?

I love Bruce Willis, Nicholas Cage and I think Drew Barrymore is pretty special in most things she’s done. I don’t usually champion an actor and see everything they’ve been in, I usually pick a movie to see based on the trailer.

7. Luxury item you would take on a deserted island?

Remember that computer? No, I think I’d take a camera or perhaps my husband – I mean if we were there a long time I might need to eat him!

8. Which reality tv show could you see yourself winning?

Obviously I’ve tried out for The X Factor and although I didn’t make it to the live shows I did get to the second round which I was really pleased with. I’d love to go on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here – there is no way any one would beat me on an eating trial!

9. Favourite colour

It used to be black but apparently that isn’t a real colour. I’ve had my colour analysis done by The House of Colour and good colours for me are turquoise, coral, bright purple and greens.

10. Collections?

I don’t collect anything really – the children have so many toys I don’t have room for anything of mine! I do like to get postcards of places we’ve visited though.

Special thank you to Mandy for taking the time out of her busy tour schedule to stop by today!  Can't wait until the next novel is ready to go... get writing!  GO TEAM BAGGOT!!