Publication Day - Book Review ~ The Art of Loving you ~ Amelia Henley

TITLE - The Art of Loving you

AUTHOR - Amelia Henley

Buy Link - Click here

SYNOPSIS - 

They were so in love . . .
And then life changed forever . . .
Will they find happiness again?

Libby and Jack are the happiest they've ever been. Thanks to their dear friend, eighty-year-old Sid, they've just bought their first house together, and it's the beginning of the life they've always dreamed of.

But the universe has other plans for Libby and Jack and a devastating twist of fate shatters their world.

All of a sudden life is looking very different, and unlikely though it seems, might Sid be the one person who can help Libby and Jack move forward when what they loved the most has been lost?

I loved Amelia Henley's debut novel, so I couldn't wait to read this. It was every bit as good as I expected. 

It's very rare I shed a tear reading a book, but I did with this one, many times. 

The way the author develops her characters is wonderful. She has the knack of bringing them to life so you feel that you know them. 

My heart broke at the loss suffered, but then I was uplifted again with the building of relationships between generations. 

This book was a roller cost of emotions, and an enthralling read. I didn't want it to end. Bring on the next book Ms Henley. 

Book Review ~ The Snark ~ Justin Davis #BlueFalconPublishing ~ Childrens book

 

TITLE - The Snark

AUTHOR - Justin Davis

ILLUSTRATOR - Stephanie Jayne

PUBLISHER - Blue Falcon Publishing

BUY LINK - click here

SYNOPSIS - 

"What's a Snark?" I hear you cry.

Night-time can be scary and this delightfully illustrated story shows us how natural those fears are. Once children can identify and understand their fears, they can begin to overcome them, and we can all have a good night's sleep!

This story reveals that when we are brave and face our fears, they are often not as scary as we first thought!

Told in lyrical prose and with a dash of humour, this light-hearted story will help you and your child deal with night-time anxieties in a safe and reassuring way.

The first thing that draws you to this wonderful book is the very well illustrated cover.

I loved the dedication at the star of the book "For all the parents, the unsung heroes that scare away the monsters"

What an absolutely delightful read this was. It's a rhyming story, with great illustrations and on top of that it is so funny!

At the back there is space for your little one to draw.

What's a snark? Well you'll have to buy the book to find out. It's a marvellous read. One you will love to read to your little person.

Book Review ~ Sleep Tight by Caroline Mitchell ~ Psychological Thriller #Bookouture

 TITLE - Sleep Tight

AUTHOR - Caroline Mitchell

PUBLISHER - Bookouture

Buy link - Click here

SYNOPSIS - 
A killer stalks the streets of East London. All over the area, murdered young women are discovered, their bodies posed into disturbing recreations of fairytale princesses.

Detective Ruby Preston is determined to hunt down the murderer who is using the women to realise his dark fantasies. But when body parts are found at the home of her lover, Nathan Crosby, Ruby is torn between her job and her heart.
Convinced that he is being framed, Ruby must catch the killer before Nathan becomes the number one suspect. But as more victims are found, it becomes harder to prove his innocence.

As Ruby starts to close in on the twisted individual, can she stop him before he strikes again? And how well does she really know the man she loves?

A terrifying, addictive, serial killer thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, for readers of Angela Marsons, Peter James and Rachel Abbott.

I had never read anything by Caroline Mitchell but was recommended to her due to my love of psychological thrillers. I was not disappointed. 

DS Ruby Preston is the main protagonist. I liked her character from the start. She is a good cop who doesn't always follow the rules, but does the best in order to capture the serial killer, who is murdering women and dressing them up as fairytale characters. Ruby has to find out who is doing this and why. 

I like how the author portrayed the relationships between Ruby and her colleagues, and also Ruby and naughty boy Nathan, part of the local crime family. 

The Plot is gripping and keeps you on the edge of the seat. The authors research around traumatic incidents has been well written too. 

With all these factors, I found the book hard to put down and will definitely add this authors books to my list of must reads. 

Publication Day - Book Review ~ Under a Greek Moon ~ Carol Kirwood

 

TITLE - Under A Greek Moon

AUTHOR - Carol Kirkwood

Buy Link - Click here

SYNOPSIS - 

Running from a scandal, Shauna must return to the place that changed her life twenty years ago, the idyllic Greek island of Ithos.

Captivated once more by her island escape, bittersweet memories resurface of one summer, one unforgettable man, and a long-hidden secret.

Can Shauna take the chance to confront her past?

Sometimes, when you think about reading a debut novel, you have apprehensions, thinking "are they jumping on the bandwagon". Well I can honestly say that this is a wonderful debut read, and I absolutely loved this book.

It is I suppose, a typical love story, that's set in a stunning location, but it is full of tension and drama.

I loved Shauna, the main protagonist and felt that she had many great qualities, as a person, a friend and a lover. She had it all.

Escaping her life to travel with her friend Roxy, ending up working on a yacht for a Greek family, sounded idyllic. I loved the relationship between Roxy and Shauna, and how it developed. Then throw a gorgeous Greek man into the mix and you have it all.

I couldn't put it down and hope that the Author writes another novel in this genre.

Publication Day ~ Book Review ~ Under The Italian Sun by Sue Moorcroft ~ #AvonBooks

 

TITLE - Under The Italian Sun

AUTHOR - Sue Moorcroft

GENRE - Family drama, Female Fiction

BUY LINK - Click Here

SYNOPSIS - 

The #1 bestseller is back with an uplifting, escapist read that will brighten the gloomiest day!

A sun-baked terrace. The rustle of vines. And the clink of wine glasses as the first cork of the evening is popped...

Welcome to Italy. A place that holds the answer to Zia-Lucia Costa Chalmers' many questions. Not least, how she ended up with such a mouthful of a name.

When revelations close to home turn Zia's world upside down, she realises the time has come to search out the Italian family she's never known.

But as she looks for answers, she can't help but notice Piero, the vineyard owner next door - a distraction who may prove difficult to ignore...

This summer, join Zia as she sets out to uncover her past. But can she find the future she's always dreamed of along the way?

The perfect summer read for fans of Katie Fforde and Carole Matthews.

Well I just knew I wasn't going to be disappointed in this book, right from the first few pages. I was hooked and read it in 2 days, which is good for me as I'm a slow reader.

I loved all the characters and their differing personalities. Even controlling Gabriella. Piero just sounded like your ideal man and Zia, the main character was like someone you'd have as a best friend. It was wonderful to travel on Zia's journey with her to find her Italian Family, who she had never met before. She was to discover many family secrets. 

Sue Moorcroft has based her many books in various countries, including France Malta and Switzerland. The wonderful descriptive writing of the areas, especially in this book with its vineyards, makes you feel you have personally been there before. Ms Moorcroft really brings the areas to life.

A wonderful read, albeit with some traumas included; a feelgood book, full of love and friendships.

Dark Corners by Darren O'Sullivan - Psychological Thriller ~ Book Review

TITLE - Dark Corners

AUTHOR - Darren O'Sullivan

BOOK LENGTH - 400 pages

Buy Link - Click here

SYNOPSIS 

You thought you’d escaped your past

It’s been twenty years since Neve’s best friend Chloe went missing. Neve has never recovered and promised herself she’d never go back to that place.

But secrets can come back to haunt you

When Neve receives news that her first boyfriend Jamie has gone missing, she’s forced to return. Jamie has vanished without a trace in a disappearance that echoes the events of all those years ago. Somebody is watching and will stop at nothing until the truth about what took place that night is revealed …

Darren O'Sullivan was a new author to me, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. All I knew was I loved a good psychological thriller and hoped that this would be one for me. 

I was not disappointed. 

The main character for the book was Neve. I instantly warmed to her as there was something vulnerable about her. After her best friend went missing when they were young, she escaped her home town saying she'd never go back. She started a new life, and eventually became a part owner in a cafe with a friend.  Her demons would not go away. Her life was becoming a mess. Strange things were happening. Then her first love Jamie went missing and she knew she had to go home. 

The Author has developed some great characters in this book. Neve definitely being my favourite. I enjoyed how the relationship between Neve and her estranged Dad was written. It was very heartwarming.

The way the book went back in time and then brought us back to the present, was very well written and it helped you to connect with all the characters. There were several characters in the book, but it never got to the stage where you were confused about who was who, due to the way it was written. 

There were so many twists and turns in the book, with a big one at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and recommend it to those who like psychological thrillers by Authors like Louise Jensen and Teresa Driscoll. I am now seeking out more books by this Author. 

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in return for an honest review. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Darren O'Sullivan is the author of #1 bestsellers, OUR LITTLE SECRET, CLOSE YOUR EYES and CLOSER THAN YOU THINK. His latest, DARK CORNERS came out April 2020.

When Darren isn't writing, he is usually rolling around on the floor, pretending to be a pirate with his 5 year old.

You can follow him on Twitter/instagram @Darrensully or on Facebook via his author page Darren O'Sullivan-author

Book Review - The Surrogate by Louise Jensen - Psychological Thriller ~ #Bookouture

TITLE - The Surrogate

AUTHOR - Louise Jensen

GENRE - Psychological Thriller

PUBLISHER - Bookouture 

PUBLICATION DATE - 27th September 2017

SYNOPSIS -

‘You know that feeling? When you want something so badly, you almost feel you’d kill for it?’
Be careful what you wish for…

Kat and her husband Nick have tried everything to become parents. All they want is a child to love but they are beginning to lose hope. Then a chance encounter with Kat’s childhood friend Lisa gives them one last chance.

Kat and Lisa were once as close as sisters. The secrets they share mean their trust is for life... Or is it?

Just when the couple’s dream seems within reach, Kat begins to suspect she’s being watched and Nick is telling her lies.

Are the cracks appearing in Kat’s perfect picture of the future all in her head, or should she be scared for the lives of herself and her family?

How far would you go, to protect everything you love?

From the no. 1 bestselling author of The Sister and The Gift, this is an unputdownable psychological thriller which asks how far we will go to create our perfect family. Fans of The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl will be utterly hooked.

This is a book that I think will stay with me for some time. It introduces us to Kat and her Husband Nick. Despite trying desperately for a child and having suffered two failed adoptions, they don't know where to turn. Then along comes Kat's Childhood friend Lisa, whom she hasn't seen for some time, and offers them the answer to their prayers. She will be their surrogate. Why though? After all this time of not being in contact with Kat due to something that happened in their past, why would she make this very generous offer? 

All the characters in this book seemed to have secrets. No-one talked to anyone and whatever it was they were hiding, they all kept it close to their chest. This included Kat and Nick, along with Lisa. It got so I didn't really trust any of them. What had gone on in their past that they didn't want to share?Nick was hiding things from Kat and she was hiding things from him. What had gone on in their Childhood and early adulthood they didn't want each other to know? The Author had a way of filling your head with so many questions that you just needed to keep reading.

I really liked Lisa and felt sorry for her, but then introduce Richard, Nicks best friend into the mix, who appears to have a real dislike for Lisa, and I wonder if I am missing something. Is she as nice as she appears to be? I started to be very mistrusting of her, but couldn't work out why.

The Author has created some fabulous characters in this book, all with their own story to tell. I was totally immersed in the book and just couldn't put it down. I thought I had worked it all out in my head what was going on with each of them, then BANG, along comes the epilogue and twists everything on it's head that I thought I had worked out. What a powerful ending to a book. 

This was a well plotted and most intriguing read, and I highly recommend it. I am now going to read another of the Author's books as if she writes them all as well as this one, I know I will not be able to put it down. 

Louise is a USA Today Bestselling Author, and lives in Northamptonshire with her husband, children, madcap dog and a rather naughty cat. 

Louise's first two novels, The Sister and The Gift, were both International No.1 Bestsellers, and have been sold for translation to sixteen countries.

The Sister was nominated for The Goodreads Awards Debut of 2016. Louise's third psychological thriller, The Surrogate, is out now.

Louise loves to hear from readers and writers and can be found at www.louisejensen.co.uk, where she regularly blogs flash fiction.

Catch up with Louise on Twitter Facebook Goodreads Amazon 

Block 46 by @JohanaGustawsson - French Noir Thriller - @OrendaBooks #Block46

I am pleased to be able to be a part of this blog tour for the amazing book Block 46 by Johana Gustawsson. 

TITLE - Block 46


AUTHOR - Johana Gustawsson

TRANSLATOR - Maxim Jakubowski

PUBLISHER - Orenda Books

PUBLICATION DATE - 15th May 2017

SYNOPSIS

Evil Remembers
Falkenberg, Sweden. The mutilated body of talented young jewellery designer, Linnea Blix, is found in a snow-swept marina. Hampstead Heath, London. The body of a young boy is discovered with similar wounds to Linnea's. Buchenwald Concentration Camp, 1944. In the midst of the hell of the Holocaust, Erich Hebner will do anything to see himself as a human again. Are the two murders the work of a serial killer, and how are they connected to shocking events at Buchenwald?

Emily Roy, a profiler on loan to Scotland Yard from the Canadian Royal Mounted Police, joins up with Linnea's friend, French true-crime writer Alexis Castells, to investigate the puzzling case. They travel between Sweden and London, and then deep into the past, as a startling and terrifying connection comes to light.

Plumbing the darkness and the horrific evidence of the nature of evil, Block 46 is a multi-layered, sweeping and evocative thriller that heralds a stunning new voice in French Noir. 

WINNER: Nouvelle Plume D’Argent 2016
For fans of The Missing, Dominique Manotti, Camilla Lackberg, Stieg Larsson

Award winning debut French Noir Thriller, first in the Roy & Castells series. A true-crime writer and a profiler join forces in the hunt for a serial Killer.

** Warning. this novel contains some graphic scenes & descriptions **

Wow! Talk about a book with a hard hitting Impact.! This book is a time slip crime novel. Set in two time periods; three countries including one concentration camp. One time period was set in WWII in Buchenwald Concentration camp in Germany in 1944, and one set in London and Sweden in 2013/2014. 

It starts in 2013, with someone buried in a hole. Is it an adult? Is it a child? Are they even dead? You can't initially tell.
I like the strong female characters in this book. There's Alexis a 30 something true crime author; Emily a profiler for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Linnea, a Jewellery designer for Cartier and Alba who is also involved with Cartier.

There was nothing in this book that was "lost in translation". The Swedish Police Procedures and criminal terms were very easy to understand. The Characters of the Swedish Police were very well constructed. One of them Kristian Olofsson, came across as very patronising. He didn't seem to like Women much, and to me was quite a vile character; a male chauvinist.

The Chapters set in Buchenwald Concentration camp were well written and quite graphic. They were obviously superbly researched. I actually find events relating to these internment camps upsetting so some parts were hard for me to read. It is extremely hard to comprehend that one man can commit such atrocities against another fellow man. Yes the book is very graphic and violent in places, but this was not needless and absolutely vital to the story. Obviously the Buchenwald scenes were indicative of what actually happened. 

The story centres around Erich Ebner, a 20 something German Political Prisoner, who'd initially been put to work in the "ovens"........... Back in the 21st century there are some children going missing. Again some scenes are graphic however it does lend itself to the story-line. 

Initially it's hard to see how murders in modern day London & Sweden, could possibly link back to a German Concentration Camp, after all the main protagonist would be too old & past it surely to be involved in murders in 2013 wouldn't they? The links are done seamlessly due to how well the book is written.

Watch out for the big twist! Although I initially found this book a bit slow in parts whilst the plot "bedded in",  it was a very good read and I really enjoyed it. The time slips linked in really well and there are some great characters in this book. I look forward to reading more in the Roy & Castells series. This is one of my favourite reads of the year so far. 

Thank you to Anne Cater at "Random Things through my letterbox" and Orenda Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born in 1978 in Marseille and with a degree in political science, Johana Gustawwson has worked as a journalist for the French press and television. She married a Swede and now lives in London. She was the co-author of a bestseller, On Se Retrouvera, published by Fayard Noir in France, whose television adaptation drew over 7 million viewers in June 2015. She is working on the next book in the Roy & Castells series. 

Book Review - Reading Upside Down ~ Jo Platt

TITLE - Reading Upside Down

AUTHOR - Jo Platt

Pages - 253

Buy Link - Amazon UK // Amazon US

SYNOPSIS
Happiness could be just around the corner…

“…perfect setting, perfect dress, perfect flowers, one hundred and eight guests – and one, total and utter, rat.”

Abandoned at the altar, Rosalind Shaw descends into the kind of depression which involves watching too much daytime TV and not bothering to shower as regularly as her mother would like.

Relocating, she begins a new life at antiquarian bookshop “Chapters”. Here Ros finds herself working alongside the intellectual, and intensely private, Andrew; the kind-hearted, sartorially splendid, Georgina; and Joan, a free-spirited, loose cannon of a pensioner, with a penchant for amateur dramatics and outdoor nudity.

But just when life might be starting to improve, Ros’ rather hairy neighbour, Daniel, knocks on her door with a bunch of flowers, a nervous grin and some rather distressing news…

Reading Upside Down is funny, intelligent and fast-paced – a feel-good novel of mistaken assumptions and misread intentions; of feelings hurt and forgiveness.



MY REVIEW

Rosalind seemed to have it all and is just about to get married when she is dumped at the altar. Her Friends and Family then watch as she spirals into a state of depression. She is a mess; she loses pride in her appearance and lets herself go.

One of her Friends then gets her involved in a business. It's an old bookshop and there's a real mixture of people working there. In fact the whole book has a great mix of characters. Ros makes good friends with all those working in the shop. The author makes it feel like they become a little "Family". I love the way the author is very descriptive with her characters as it brings them alive and I could picture each of their faces and believe all their quirky ways.

Then there's Daniel, who lives at the bottom of the garden. Ros meets him initially through an unfortunate "incident" with her guinea pig, and there the strange but awkward friendship begins, with Ros making a fool of herself on more than one occasion.

It really is a comical read. My favourite quote from the book is - "she thanked him with a smile and a look so intense that I wondered if she was attempting to convey the sat-nav co-ordinates of her bedroom telephathically".

I loved the way the author had intertwined the relationships of all the characters, giving it a small town feel where everyone knows everyone. It made it a comforting read and a book that will make you laugh out loud.

This book will certainly lighten any mood that you are in. I recommend it.

MEET THE AUTHOR

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