The Life We Almost Had - Debut novel from Amelia Henley ~ Publication Day! Book Review

 

TITLE - The Life We Almost Had

AUTHOR - Amelia Henley

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SYNOPSIS -
This is not a typical love story, but it’s our love story.

Anna wasn’t looking for love when Adam swept her off her feet but there was no denying their connection, and she believed they would be together forever.

Years later, cracks have appeared in their relationship. Anna is questioning whether their love can really be eternal when a cruel twist of fate delivers a crushing blow, and Anna and Adam are completely lost to one another. Now, Anna needs Adam more than ever, but the way back to him has life-changing consequences.

Is a second chance at first love really worth the sacrifice? Anna needs to decide and time is running out…

A beautiful and emotional love story that asks, how far would you go for a second chance at first love? Perfect for fans of The Man Who Didn’t Call and Miss You.

‘A love story with a definite difference . . . intensely emotional’
Best

‘Beautifully written and plotted. Get ready for the final chapter – you have been warned’
Candis

‘Intriguing, unusual and intensely romantic’
Sunday Mirror

This is the debut novel from Amelia Henley It is a romance novel but with a real difference. 

I've been looking forward to this as the Author also writes under the name of Louise Jensen, but in the psychological thriller genre. How easy was it going to be to switch genres? I looked forward to finding out. I wasn't disappointed at all. 

This isn't your run of the mill "boy meets girl". It starts of with a wedding that never was, and a honeymoon that wasn't a honeymoon. Following me so far? 

This is the story of Anna, a character I took to from the start; vulnerable; caring and a good friend. Then introduce Adam; smart; good looking and also caring. The ideal man. 

This book has you going through all sets of emotions. The core of the book in an intriguing subject. One reviewer described it as far fetched, but is it? Who knows? Technology exists I'm sure. It's certainly a subject that I'm off to look at and I'm sure the Author thoroughly researched it to. Her passion in it shines through in her writing. 

It was a really enjoyable read and a good move for the Author into a different genre. I look forward to more Amelia Henley Novels. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Amelia Henley is a hopeless romantic who has a penchant for exploring the intricacies of relationships through writing heart-breaking, high-concept love stories.

Amelia also writes psychological thrillers under her real name, Louise Jensen. As Louise Jensen she has sold over a million copies of her global number one bestsellers. Her stories have been translated into twenty-five languages and optioned for TV as well as featuring on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestsellers list. Louise's books have been nominated for multiple awards.

'The Life We Almost Had' is the first story she's written as Amelia Henley and it's out now.

Catch up with Amelia on her Website; Facebook; Twitter

Book Review ~ Let it Snow ~ Author #SueMoorcroft

TITLE - Let it Snow

AUTHOR - Sue Moorcroft

FORMAT - Kindle

PAGES - 378

Buy Link - Click here

SYNOPSIS - 

This Christmas, the villagers of Middledip are off on a very Swiss adventure…

Family means everything to Lily Cortez and her sister Zinnia, and growing up in their non-conventional family unit, they and their two mums couldn’t have been closer.

So it’s a bolt out of the blue when Lily finds her father wasn’t the anonymous one-night stand she’d always believed – and is in fact the result of her mum's reckless affair with a married man.

Confused, but determined to discover her true roots, Lily sets out to find the family she’s never known; an adventure that takes her from the frosted, thatched cottages of Middledip to the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland, via a memorable romantic encounter along the way…

The Sunday Times bestseller returns with a gloriously cosy read, perfect for fans of Katie Fforde, Trisha Ashley and Carole Matthews

MY REVIEW

I know I've said it before, but when you pick up a Sue Moorcroft book you just know that you're in for a lovely, cosy and chilled bit of reading time. So sit back with a cup of coffee and enjoy the ride.

This book takes us back to Middledip; the village where many of Sues books are set, and a place where I feel as if I have already visited it myself. From Middledip you are then taken on a wonderful trip to Switzerland. Now this is a place that has long been on my bucket list, and this book only enhanced my dream of going there. It is full of wonderful picturesque scenery, lots of snow, Christmas markets and Cuckoo Clocks! It is so beautifully described and the style of Sue's writing makes you believe it is somewhere you have been to.

A cosy Christmas read would be nothing without a strong central character. In this book it is Lily. There are some other great characters in this book; Zinnia her Sister, who to me can appear interfering. Then there's her unconventional Parents in the form of two Mothers Patsie and Roma.

Lily's life is anything but straightforward. She is fleeing her broken marriage and seeks advice from her Mother who it turns out has been hiding a big secret that Lily has other siblings, from an affair she had several years ago. One of her siblings lives in Switzerland and when she gets the chance to travel there to sing at the Christmas Markets with the Town Choir, she jumps at the idea. This may lead her to her half siblings and enable her to see them and tell them she is their Sister.

Things don't always go to plan and this book is anything but unpredictable. Throw a handsome man into the mix in the shape of Isaac and you have perfection. 

I couldn't put this book down. Wonderful landscapes; Romance; great characters; brilliant story line. What more could you want? It's another 5 star read from me. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author, an international bestselling author and has held the #1 spot in the UK Kindle chart. She writes contemporary fiction with sometimes unexpected themes.

Sue has won a Best Romantic Read Award, received two nominations at the Romantic Novel

of the Year Awards and is a Katie Fforde Bursary winner. Her short stories, serials, articles, columns, courses and writing 'how to' have sold around the world.

An army child, Sue was born in Germany then lived in Cyprus, Malta and the UK. She's worked in a bank, as a bookkeeper (probably a mistake), as a copytaker for Motor Cycle News and for a digital prepress. She's pleased to have now wriggled out of all 'proper jobs'.

Newsletter sign-up: http://bit.ly/2jUlSwl

Website: www.suemoorcroft.com
Blog: http://suemoorcroft.wordpress.com.
Twitter: @suemoorcroft
Facebook: sue.moorcroft.3 and facebook.com/SueMoorcroftAuthor
Instagram: suemoorcroftauthor

Book Review - The Memory Tree by Linda Gillard

TITLE - The Memory Tree

AUTHOR - Linda Gillard

PAGES - 335 Pages

GENRE - Family saga

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SYNOPSIS -

Can the power of love overcome life’s darkest memories and deepest losses?

When her favourite beech tree is felled in a storm, Ann feels as if someone has died. But when long-hidden seed packets are found inside the trunk, Ann realises there are more memories than her own lurking within the ancient tree . . .

A century earlier, head gardener William Hatherwick and Hester Mordaunt, mistress of Beechgrave, share a love for the mighty estate – and an undeclared love for each other. But when war breaks out, William is sent to the battlefields of France, and as the conflict rages on, Hester grieves beneath the tree. Can she and William ever find happiness once he’s witnessed the horror of the trenches?

In the present day, historian Connor Grenville wants to understand why his late grandmother tried to destroy Hester’s archive before she died. Who was she trying to protect – and why? His findings bring long-suppressed memories back to Ann’s mind . . .

Beneath the shadow of the tree, love is won and lost, and secrets are hidden and revealed. Will the truth heal the wounds that lie buried in the past?

Revised edition: Previously published as The Trysting Tree, this edition of The Memory Tree includes editorial revisions.

MY REVIEW 
I have read a few of Linda's books but think this is my favourite so far. Set in two different time periods but the same location and intertwined families. So many powerful and strong characters; especially the women.I loved how the author gave the women a voice and such depth and strength. I enjoyed the relationships that emerged between the various characters.

This is a book of so many interesting elements. Family trees; the glory of nature; war and sacrifice; love and betrayal. This was a well thought out and well researched novel. I loved all the characters and enjoyed reading how their lives progressed.

It was a powerful read and hard to put down, so five stars from me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Linda Gillard is the author of eight novels and lives in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. She has

been an actress, journalist and teacher.

In 2009 STAR GAZING, set on the Isle of Skye, was short-listed for "Romantic Novel of the Year". HOUSE OF SILENCE was selected by Amazon UK for their "Top Ten Best of 2011" in the Indie Author category. THE MEMORY TREE, Linda's latest novel, is currently a #1 Kindle bestseller.

There will be a new novel from Linda in February 2020.

Connect with Linda on social media.
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Website

Book Review - A Mothers Confession by Kelly Rimmer

TITLE - A Mothers Confession

AUTHOR - Kelly Rimmer

LENGTH - 354 Pages

PURCHASE LINK - Amazon UK ; Amazon US

SYNOPSIS -

Your husband took his own life. Tell the truth and destroy what’s left of your family. Or keep a secret that will tear you apart. What would you do?

Olivia and David were the perfect couple with their whole lives in front of them. When beautiful baby daughter Zoe came along, their world seemed complete.

But now David is dead and Olivia’s world is in pieces. While she is consumed with grief, her mother-in-law Ivy is also mourning the loss of her son. Both women are hiding secrets about the man they loved. Secrets that have put the family in danger.

Something was very wrong in Olivia and David’s marriage. Can Olivia and Ivy break their silence and speak the truth? A mother should protect her child, whatever the cost… shouldn’t she?

From the bestselling author of The Secret Daughter and Me Without You comes another emotionally gripping and gut-wrenching read about love, loss and the strength of a mother’s love. 

MY REVIEW





I had heard a lot about this book and when I had the opportunity to read and review it, I jumped at it.

This book really packs a punch. It's a very hard hitting novel, told from the aspects of two women. Two women who played a big part in the life of David; a man who it seemed on the surface, had it all.
There's Olivia the Wife and Ivy the Mother. It started off as a good marriage (although David was controlling before they married) but then it changed.

It was easy to get embroiled into their lives. I got annoyed with David's parents as they couldn't see what he was like. Either that or they just turned a blind eye.

I enjoyed the way the story was told from the eyes of each women, as it gave a different perspective to the world around them. I wanted to shake Olivia though and give Ivy a piece of my mind!

This was a well written and emotional portrayal of life in an abusive relationship and what happens when it comes to an end. As you would expect there is a twist.

This was one of my favourite reads of 2016 and I look forward to reading more books by this author.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
"When my childhood friends grew out of make-believe games, I realised that I’d have to become a writer (or join the real world with them, but that seemed far too dull).

Several decades later, I live in rural Australia with my husband Daniel and our two young children, and when I’m not reading, writing, or daydreaming about reading and writing, I have one of those unfathomable IT jobs which no one outside of the industry really knows about."

Contact the author
Website -Click here
Goodreads -Click here
Amazon author page - Click here
Facebook - Click here

BOOK REVIEW - Gooseberry Island by Steven Manchester - An emotional read

Title - Gooseberry Island

Author - Steven Manchester

Length - Print - 300 pages

Buy Link - Click here

SYNOPSIS

They met at the worst possible moment...or maybe it was just in time. David McClain was about to go to war and Lindsey Wood was there at his going-away party, capturing his heart when falling for a woman was the last thing on his mind. While David was serving his country, he stayed in close contact with Lindsey. But war changes a person, and when he came home very little had the same meaning that it had before – including the romance that had sustained him. Was love truly unconquerable, or would it prove to be just another battlefield casualty?

My Review

This was a very thought provoking read, and hit home in some ways having a Husband who is ex military.

David met Lindsey when he was least expecting to meet someone. It was the day before he was due to fly out to Afghanistan in his role as an Army Ranger. Not an ideal day to meet someone who you have an instant attraction to. After breaking the news to her, he promises to keep in touch. 
Once in Afghanistan he kept his promise but never told her the awful things he was experiencing whilst there, although she could tell he was keeping things back from her. Their relationship blossomed from afar whilst he was away and I felt the author captured this extremely well and having been in a similar situation I found things very familiar. It was as if the author had been through it too as it was so well described. 

Once David arrived home it was evident he had been traumatised by events, and couldn't settle back into real life, and couldn't face Lindsey. This was quite an emotional part of the book and it really makes you think about those who's partners have served in war zones and how it must affect their lives and the lives of the returning service personnel.

It was so well written and the author handled an emotional subject very sensitively. Some parts were quite upsetting but I won't add any spoilers. 
A very good read and one that will stay with you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Steven Manchester is the author of the #1 bestsellers, Twelve Months and The Rockin'
Chair. He is also the author of the award-winning novel, Goodnight, Brian, as well as the critically-acclaimed novel, Pressed Pennies, A Christmas Wish (Kindle exclusive), Wilbur Avenue (novella), Just in Time (novella), The Thursday Night Club (novella, released November 2014) and Gooseberry Island (novel, released January 2015).
His work has appeared on NBC's Today Show, CBS's The Early Show, CNN's American Morning and BET's Nightly News. Three of Steven's short stories were selected "101 Best" for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their four children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing.

Visit: www.StevenManchester.com