Showing posts with label bestselling author. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bestselling author. Show all posts

Friday, 4 September 2020

Under Currents - Nora Roberts - Book Review

 


TITLE - Under Currents

AUTHOR - Nora Roberts

BUY LINK - Click Here

SYNOPSIS -
From the outside, the house in Lakeview Terrace looks perfect and the Bigelows seem like the perfect family: the respected surgeon father, the glamorous, devoted mother and two beautiful children.

But the perfect facade hides dark undercurrents. Teenager Zane and his younger sister, Britt, are terrorised by their violent father until one dark, brutal night when their father's temper takes a horrifying turn for the worse.

Over time, Zane moves on and builds a new life for himself but a childhood like that can cast a shadow the length of a lifetime. Can Zane ever really be free of his past? Or could those dark undercurrents rise back to the surface, forcing Zane to fight for his life once again...



Do you like romance novels, family dramas or crime novels? Well this book has it all wrapped up in one. This is one of Nora Roberts standalone novels, and the first of her books I've ever read. 

Darby, having escaped an abusive Husband, looks for a place to live, somewhere in another part of the country. Preferably a place with a view of trees and lakes. She eventually found the ideal place, a place she had never heard of before, but having checked it out on the internet it suited exactly what she was looking for. So, having sold her house and her business, she packed up all her wordly goods in her car and headed off.

What comes next for Darby is lots of hard work, new friends, a romantic interest and murder. The author has weaved all of this into one extremely well written novel, which was very hard to put down. Her style of writing is very descriptive. I could almost smell the flowers she wrote about, and picture the boats on the lake. I could see all the delightful houses she described and imagine myself being there. I could also picture the characters as if I knew them personally. I really loved how different families lives were weaved together. The murder and intrigue in the book, blended very well with the family drama's and happy times.

This has to be one of the best books that I've read this year. I didn't want it to end, and would love to have seen a follow up to it as I'll miss the characters.

I thoroughly recommend this read, and I will certainly be checking out more of Nora Roberts standalone novels. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Nora Roberts was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, the youngest of five children. After a school career that included some time in Catholic school and the discipline of nuns, she married young and settled in Keedysville, Maryland.

She worked briefly as a legal secretary. “I could type fast but couldn’t spell, I was the worst legal secretary ever,” she says now. After her sons were born she stayed home and tried every craft that came along. A blizzard in February 1979 forced her hand to try another creative outlet. She was snowed in with a three and six year old with no kindergarten respite in sight and a dwindling supply of chocolate.

Born into a family of readers, Nora had never known a time that she wasn’t reading or making up stories. During the now-famous blizzard, she pulled out a pencil and notebook and began to write down one of those stories. It was there that a career was born. Several manuscripts and rejections later, her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published by Silhouette in 1981.

Nora met her second husband, Bruce Wilder, when she hired him to build bookshelves. They were married in July 1985. Since that time, they’ve expanded their home, traveled the world and opened a bookstore together.

Through the years, Nora has always been surrounded by men. Not only was she the youngest in her family, but she was also the only girl. She has raised two sons. Having spent her life surrounded by men, Ms. Roberts has a fairly good view of the workings of the male mind, which is a constant delight to her readers. It was, she’s been quoted as saying, a choice between figuring men out or running away screaming.

Nora is a member of several writers groups and has won countless awards from her colleagues and the publishing industry. Recently The New Yorker called her “America’s favorite novelist.”

Thursday, 5 September 2019

Book Review ~ The Family by Louise Jensen - Psychological Thriller - Pre Order now #NorthantsAuthors


Title - The Family 

Author - Louise Jensen

Genre - Psychological Thriller

Pre-Order - Click here


SYNOPSIS

ONCE YOU’RE IN, THEY’LL NEVER LET YOU LEAVE.

Laura is grieving after the sudden death of her husband. Struggling to cope emotionally and financially, Laura is grateful when a local community, Oak Leaf Organics, offer her and her 17-year-old daughter Tilly a home.

But as Laura and Tilly settle into life with their new ‘family’, sinister things begin to happen. When one of the community dies in suspicious circumstances Laura wants to leave but Tilly, enthralled by the charismatic leader, Alex, refuses to go.

Desperately searching for a way to save her daughter, Laura uncovers a horrifying secret but Alex and his family aren’t the only ones with something to hide. Just as Laura has been digging into their past, they’ve been digging into hers and she discovers the terrifying reason they invited her and Tilly in, and why they’ll never let them leave…



MY REVIEW 

Firstly I'd like to say thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher to allow me to read this book before it's publication date in October. 

Louise has become a best selling author with her great psychological thrillers, and this is another book that makes you see why.

The books main two characters are Laura and her Daughter Tilly. Having lost her Husband in a tragic accident, Laura needs to rebuild her life, not just for herself but also for Tilly. When she is assisted by a stranger after falling ill, her life takes her and Tilly on a different path. 

This started off as a sad tale, but led into a feeling of hope for the future, for both Mother and Daughter. Oak Leaf Organics seems to be just what they both needed to get their life back on track. But in true Louise Jensen style, nothing is ever quite what it seems, and that is why I love her books. 

There is nothing pink and fluffy about this book, it's just full of suspense, intrigue and more suspense. The book is so full of twists and turns that you don't know who to believe and who to trust. A note appears that says "Trust no-one" and that about sums the story up. 

If you want a book that grips you and makes you want to keep turning the page, then this psychological thriller is just the one for you. It's out in October, but you can pre-book it now from the link above or order it from your local library. 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Louise Jensen has sold over a million English language copies of her International No. 1 psychological thrillers The Sister, The Gift, The Surrogate and The Date. Her novels have also been
translated into twenty-five languages, as well as featuring on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestseller's List. Louise's fifth thriller, The Family, will be published in Autumn 2019 by Harper Collins.

The Sister was nominated for the Goodreads Debut Author of 2016 Award. The Date was nominated for The Guardian's 'Not The Booker' Prize 2018. The Surrogate has been nominated for the best Polish thriller of 2018. The Gift has been optioned for a TV film.

Louise lives with her husband, children, madcap dog and a rather naughty cat in Northamptonshire. She loves to hear from readers and writers. 


Also see my review of her book The surrogate

Contact Louise on Facebook // Instagram // Blog

Book Review ~ Texas Ranger by James Patterson & Andrew Bourelle - Crime/Thriller


Title - Texas Ranger

Author - James Patterson

Genre - Thriller

Buy Link - Click here


SYNOPSIS 
Officer Rory Yates is called home to settle deadly scores

Rory Yates's skill and commitment to the badge have seen him rise through the ranks in the Texas Ranger division, but it came at a cost – his marriage.

When he receives a worrying phone call from his ex-wife, Anne, Rory speeds to what used to be their marital home. He arrives to a horrifying crime scene and a scathing accusation: he is named a suspect in Anne's murder.

Rory's only choice is to find the killer himself. He risks his badge, his pride, his reputation among everyone he loves to pursue the truth.

Yates follows the Ranger creed – never to surrender. That code just might bring him out alive.




MY REVIEW

I've been a James Patterson fan for many many years, and love his Alex Cross books, along with his Women's Murder Club series. My only issue is keeping up with his books coming out as they come out thick and fast. 


He has taken to writing a number of books with other authors. How much of the book is his and how much is the other author I don't know. However it doesn't stop me reading them, although my TBR (to be read) pile has grown somewhat with his books due to the volume of them.

This book intrigued me, a) because it's a James Patterson book and b) because I have a fascination with the Texas Rangers. So it had to be read.

A book needs to grip me from the start to make me retain my interest and this one didn't let me down. I liked the character of Rory Yates and warmed to him instantly. He seemed married to his job and this didn't help his marriage. He was moved from one city to another in his role for what reason? Well you'll have to read it to find out. 


He remained friends with his ex-wife, but then things went horribly wrong and he was named as a suspect in her Murder. He was determined to find out who did it. I love a book with twists and turns; a good "who done it" and this book didn't disappoint. Many suspects were involved and it kept you guessing throughout. 

Rory was a strong and well written character, and this helped to keep the story line interesting. Maybe a bit hot headed or was it just that he was passionate in his role? It was a good story line and just when you thought it was going in one direction, it tipped you in the other direction.

 All in all a good read, and if Mr Patterson is just putting his name to the book to help out a new author, then the new author "done good". 

Check out the buy link above or visit your local library for a copy.



Wednesday, 11 October 2017

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 



Saturday, 19 April 2014

BOOK TOUR, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - Kiss A Girl In the Rain by Nancy Warren ~ Humourous Contemporary Romance

Title - Kiss A Girl In the Rain

Author - Nancy Warren

Genre - Contemporary Romance

Pages - 196 (paperback)

Publisher - Ambleside Publishing

Buy LinksAmazon UK // Amazon US // Book Depository // Kobo

Synopsis

In this sexy, humorous contemporary romance, a lost dog brings together a wealthy drifter and a small town doctor and changes all their lives forever. 

Evan Chance is a man out to complete the bucket list he made as a kid, starting with ride a motorcycle across America. Caitlyn Sorenson is the sexy country doctor standing in his way. Or is she the dream he’s been searching for? 

Evan's Amazing Life List 
1. Ride a motorcycle across America 
2. Kiss a girl in the rain 
3. Swim in every ocean… 

When Evan Chance gives up a successful corporate law career to tackle the bucket list he wrote when he was twelve, he has no idea where the road will lead him. 

Caitlyn Sorenson is a happily settled small town doctor. When a sexy drifter rolls into town after a motorcycle accident leaves him stranded in Miller's Pond for a few days with the homeliest dog ever, she can smell trouble even as she's drawn to a man who is only passing through town. 

But some scorching hot nights and a blooming tenderness mean two people will have to face up to the challenges of love. 

From USA Today Bestselling Author Nancy Warren comes the first in an exciting new series of sexy, humorous romances about a family named Chance.

MY REVIEW 



The book introduces you to wealthy Evan Chance. He has it all; money; good job; girlfriend and more. To an outsider he literally does have it all.

He then loses a friend who he more than admired, but respected and loved. 

He reassesses life and decides to take on a bucket list he made as a young boy. He dusts down his motorbike and starts on number 1 on his list; to travel across America on the motorbike!

This was a really well written book, and there was so much content in a book that only had 196 pages. I found myself really liking Evan Chance. I won't say what happens next for fear of spoiling the story. I couldn't put this book down and actually read it in two sittings. I'm usually more of a thriller reader but was intrigued by the synopsis on Goodreads. 


There are some great people in this book, along with a loveable scruffy dog, who plays a major part in the book.  If you want a light hearted, feel good story then this ones for you. It also gets you thinking "If you'd made a bucket list at the age of 12, what would you have put on it with your 12 year old thinking, and would you have completed it by now? 

I can't wait to see what the author has to offer next. I loved the characters and it would be nice to see another book featuring them too. 




ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Nancy Warren is the USA Today Bestselling author or more than 50 novels. She's best known for her funny, sexy contemporary romances, though she dabbles in killing people occasionally. Usually in print.

Nancy is a Canadian based in Vancouver though she tends to wander. When she's not writing she loves hiking, fine dining, yoga and nothing beats getting lost in a good book.

To sign up for her newsletter and get all the latest, or simply to check out her books, visit her on the web at www.nancywarren.net.

You can also find her on Facebook / Twitter /Goodreads




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