Allyson R Abbott
Book Boost
Countdown To Love
Touching Ed
Goodbye, Hello
Salsa or Die
An English Rose
How To Write A Simple Book Review
All of these stories contain "mature couples" who realize love and romance aren't just for the younger couples. They learn that life is still full of fun and surprises- no matter your age.
Countdown to Love
When Senior Project Manager, fifty-nine year old Marie, realises that it's been way too long since having any kind of sexual relationship with any thing other than her magic wand sex toy, she knows action is needed.
Using her professional training and organisational management skills, she sets about on a new sex project: Countdown to Love, using the forthcoming Valentine’s Day as her deadline; hoping for some Valentines romance. As an empathiser of being lonely, she also includes her gay neighbour Richard into her project to help give his boring and quiet life a boost. Little does she know that fifty-one year old Richard also has his own project on the boards and she blithely ignores his world, while focusing on her mission to find them both dates / sex / love before the Valentine Day deadline.
A short read mature romance / senior romcom book. Allyson R Abbott, a British Romance author, who will make you laugh out loud at Marie's strong woman antics and straightforward ways, in this clean romantic comedy, with a little innuendo. The way she manipulates Richard, completely unaware of the boundaries of her neighbours sexuality, is humorous and funny and sometimes cringe-worthy.
A Valentine Romance with a difference.
5 Stars
This is a short story about middle-aged people trying to find love. Marie is a 59 year old Project Manager. Richard is an architect and almost 52. They live in the same apartment building.
Marie creates a Project Plan to find romance (and have sex) by Valentine's Day. She feels Richard needs romance, too, so she invites him to be part of the project. End result, romance isn't always found where you expect it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A romance story with leading characters I could actually relate to is a rarity. Marie is a bit overbearing (if you have ever seen Keeping Up Appearances--she reminds me of Hyacinth) but is a good, kind-hearted woman. Richard is more of a mystery until the end but that works very well in this story.
I highly recommend this book. This is the debut book by this author. I certainly intend to read more as they become available. Especially since her books deal with baby boomers.
Reviewed by specialangel
Touching Ed: The Abby and Ed Series (The Silver Years Romance Series) Book 1
He wants 100 great adventures — She wants to get out of the house.
Middle age and a lack of sex leads Abigail on a blind date with Ed. She’s attracted to this avid surfer and kayaker, who plans to travel the world and experience a hundred great adventures. This handsome grey haired man with a loud laugh and a twinkle in his eye ignites Abigail’s red hot passion.
But the couple’s journey of love hits a major road block. Why does Ed fear he may not be man enough to fulfill Abigail’s wild desires? Can Abigail make her way around this obstacle and get back on track to a path of love and happiness with Ed?
A story of true life romance. A romantic, but realistic love story.
5 Stars
Touching Ed is the story of Abby and Ed as they discover love at a "mature" age. Abby is 50 years old, divorced, and has one daughter, Louise. Ed is 62 years old, divorced, and has two sons.
Louise asks Abby if she would be interested in going to a Springsteen concert with a friend's dad, Ed. While Springsteen is her favorite singer, Abby has plans for that night. At her request, Louise gives Ed Abby's email address so they can talk about the concert. This leads to them meeting and falling in love.
At a "mature" age sexual difficulties are not uncommon. Ed suffers from Erectile Dysfunction(ED). Abby has a problem with vaginal dryness. Instead of letting these problems ruin their sex lives, they work together to overcome these hurdles. They try new things, get doctors' advice, and, most importantly, they talk about the situation.
I enjoyed this book. I like romances with mature characters. Middle aged people typically look at life differently than younger people. They have a lot of life lessons that only come with age.
The way Abby and Ed dealt with ED was realistic. Abby thought about ending the relationship because she didn't know if she wanted to invest in a relationship with a lackluster sex life. However, she realized how much she really enjoyed his company and how important he was becoming to her. Ed had doubts about how long the relationship would last since he wasn't able to perform on demand. Communication saved the couple from drifting apart. Through honest communication they were able to work together and save their sex life. If only all couples would really communicate with each other many relationships could be salvaged.
Reviewed by specialangel
Goodbye, Hello
Linda realizes that over the years she has changed to be like the woman her deceased husband, Martin, wanted. Her wardrobe and hair style are not the way she used to dress or look. Instead he’d changed her into a "mini me" version of his mother. A woman who treated her badly.
In an attempt to rediscover the real Linda, the first thing on her to do list is a trip to Fiji. While in Fiji, Linda rediscovers herself and finds romance.
5 Stars
Goodbye, Hello is a romance but then again it isn't a romance. It is a tale of breaking free of the bonds that hold a woman in an unhappy existence and learning to be true to her feelings, wants, and needs. Of embracing life and living it on her terms with no regrets. Yes, there is also a sexy man and romance, too.
Linda is a 54 year old widow whose marriage appeared to be happy to outsiders but, in reality, was far from happy. Eighteen months after Martin's death, he is still controlling her life. Until she has an awakening and realizes how different she is now compared to what she was before Martin. Determined to make her life her own, she starts making plans for the future.
Linda goes to Fiji where she meets Shaan and learns how a gentleman treats a lady. Passions she had never experienced came to life. However, life has a way of intruding into our happiness and Linda is forced to go home sooner than expected.
Linda doesn't change overnight. She struggles with her new reality because habits of 35 years are hard to break. I liked that aspect because it is realistic. I loved the humor in the story. I do wish Linda had gotten a grip on her bitchy side sooner but I can understand where it came from.
I definitely recommend Goodbye, Hello. It is entertaining and flows nicely. I think Allyson Abbott could write a series of books about Linda's adventures.
Reviewed by specialangel
Salsa or Die: A Silver Night Romance
A moving, but also humorous, love story about a couple in their sixties who are struggling to cope with the new lifestyle changes forced on them through redundancy. Pam, the narrator, wants more from life, while Jeff her husband of forty years wants peace of mind.
Salsa offers Pam an opportunity of excitement each week, particularly as Victor, a regular, takes a fancy to her and becomes determined to help improve her moves. She struggles between the loyalty to her husband and the draw of a new adventure.
5 Stars
Salsa or Die is a wonderful short story that deals with a common problem: Couples who have been together for most of their lives growing complacent in their relationship.
Pam and Jeff have fallen into a boring routine. They never do anything together any more. Pam wants to bring some excitement to their relationship but Jeff is content with the boring routine. When Pam is tempted by a new man, Jeff realizes what Pam means to him.
Salsa or Die is a love story as well as a cautionary tale on taking those you love for granted. It is well-written and I definitely recommend reading it.
Reviewed by specialangel
An English Rose is part of the Mothert's Day Magic...With Love Anthology
Every mother's heart holds a bit of magic...her children's love. Enchantment awaits in 12 new, previously unpublished-stories, by #1 bestselling and/or multi-award winning authors from across the globe. Captivating tales of romance or fiction fashioned from loving memories, these poignant stories are sure to touch your heart.
An English Rose
A compelling and humorous insight of past years and present dilemma's as Rose reflects on her usefulness in later life. Just as she acknowledges and accepts her sell-by-date is approaching, life suddenly becomes interesting again, in more ways than one.
5 Stars
An English Rose is a sweet story about growing older and dealing with all the changes that occur due to your advancing years. Worries of being useless. Of being a burden to your family. Of being a burden on society. Will your family force you to go to a nursing home or assisted living. An English Rose is NOT a depressing look at this situation. It is life affirming.
Rose thinks she is doing a wonderful job of hiding her frailties from her family. She keeps a positive attitude in spite of her worries. Even so, she has closed herself off from the outside world for fear of what might happen since she can barely see. By sheer chance, she meets Bill. Bill introduces her to ways to get out and about without fear. At 85, Rose gets a new lease on life and is determined to enjoy every minute of it.
I absolutely loved Allyson's definition of the difference between disabled and non-disabled. As someone who is disabled due to Multiple Sclerosis, it was a breath of fresh air.
I highly recommend reading An English Rose. It is a heartfelt story on a topic that affects everyone.
Reviewed by specialangel
How To Write a Simple Book Review: It's easier than you think!
Have you ever wondered how to write a review? Where to begin or how long it needs to be? Has it ever occurred to you that even negative reviews may be helpful to authors?
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4 Stars
I am so glad I found this helpful guide. I only wish it had been written years ago before I started developing bad habits that are now hard to break. You can tell the author did her research & put forth the effort to provide great attention to detail. Very informative, and I really liked how it was broken down into different sections that will be of great help for future reference.
I wanted to give this a 5 star rating, but I personally had a hard time with the flow. Possibly due to the difference in reading a non-fiction book; the style & grammar from a different country than mine, and the 'fiction' I am used to reading, and noticeable missed edits or typos. But I still highly recommend this to everyone who reads and writes reviews. I'll definitely be trying out this author's other 'fiction' books that I've already added to my TBR list!
Reviewed by Deb B
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