Author: Hannah

Hi I am Hannah and I am a book blogger, I like to read most genres apart from sci-fi and dystopian novels. I post my reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and twitter where I can be found @bookbloghannah I currently am reading and reviewing for Avon, Harper Collins and Lovereading aswell as being part of a few blog tours for various publishers. If you would like me to read and review your book or you are a publisher, please don't hesitate to contact me on echoesinanemptyroom@yahoo.co.uk. I look forward to hearing from you. I am currently reading kindle and physical copies Happy reading
Just a Small Town By Paul Linggood

Just a Small Town By Paul Linggood

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A small town that could be anywhere: industry in decline, streets in decay, many have left, while those left behind take short-term joy in drugs.

Four young people are among the left behind.

Alex consumes heroine to escape his abusive father. Jim hides from guilt after the death of the friend he didn’t save. Chelsi’s brother killed a local boy, and ostracism pushes her towards a rival gang, prostitution and loneliness. Danny is a hustler but needs protection from the drug gang that supplies him.

Can any of them survive the addiction, gang life, isolation and manipulation?

Their small town could be anywhere.

My Thoughts:

I found this book a very hard hitting story about the tougher side of life. We see an insight into drug and gang culture, I felt myself drawn in straight away wanting to find out what secrets were kept in this town. It is a little different to what I normally read but I definitely want to read more by Paul the author. Each chapter is a different person and they all intertwine with each other. It is only 167 pages but Paul the author has done well with making those 167 pages powerful. Looking forward to the next book.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Remember me? By Shobna Gulati

Remember me? By Shobna Gulati

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In her first book, Shobna Gulati sets out to reclaim her mother’s past after her death, and in turn, discovers a huge amount about herself and their relationship.

Remember Me? captures the powerful emotions that these memories hold to both Shobna and her mother; secrets they had collectively buried and also the concealment of her mother’s condition. What ensues is a story of cultural assimilation, identity and familial shame.

My Thoughts:

I found this an heartfelt and honest account of a families life going through the toughest time of their lives. Dementia affects so many people, it is hard for the person but also incredibly difficult for their families, books like this really help to spread the word that if you are affected then you are not alone. I had a family member who had dementia and it is truly upsetting to see that person not how you remember them. I think Shobna is an incredibly brave and strong woman to get her story out into the world, I remember watching her in Coronation Street and not realising what she was going through at that time in her life. We also take a look at Shobna’s life back when she was growing up and all that she went through is absolutely heartbreaking. I hope this book helps others, remember you are not alone. I laughed, cried and shed many tears reading this book. Thank you Shobna for writing this incredible book.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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The Lost Lights of St Kilda By Elisabeth Gifford

The Lost Lights of St Kilda By Elisabeth Gifford

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1927: When Fred Lawson takes a summer job on St Kilda, little does he realise that he has joined the last community to ever live on that beautiful, isolated island. Only three years later, St Kilda will be evacuated, the islanders near dead from starvation. But for Fred, memories of that summer – and the island woman, Chrissie, with whom he falls in love – will never leave him.

1940: Fred has been captured behind enemy lines in France and finds himself in a prisoner-of-war camp. Beaten and exhausted, his thoughts return to the island of his youth and the woman he loved and lost. When Fred makes his daring escape, prompting a desperate journey across occupied territory, he is sustained by one thought only: finding his way back to Chrissie.

My Thoughts:

What a beautiful setting this book has, I liked hearing about the people and the bird life that lives there. There is an interesting map at the front of the book so you can get your bearings. It shows when the author has done lots of research into the place and this seems to be a very special place, I had never even heard of St Kilda before reading this book but now I want to learn more about this interesting place. I did find parts a little slow but it was a good read and the cover of the paperback is spectacular.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Secrets in the Snow By Emma Heatherington

Secrets in the Snow By Emma Heatherington

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As the winter snow falls on the small Irish village of Ballybray, Roisin O’Connor and her young son, Ben, are saying goodbye to their beloved neighbour Mabel Murphy.  Mabel lived a bold and colourful life, but the arrival of her brooding nephew, ‘blow-in’ Aidan Murphy, just makes life more complicated for Roisin.

However, in one final act of love, a message arrives from Mabel that changes everything.  And as winter turns to spring and the cold snow melts, the secrets both Roisin and Aidan are hiding must be revealed at last…

My Thoughts:

This is such a cozy winter’s read, the cover looks so enticing and makes you want to curl up and read. This is moving and emotional read but uplifting at the same time. The story is about Roisin and her son Ben, who move to a village not knowing anyone. The next door neighbour is called Mabel and Roisin thinks she is a busybody, after a few words spoken her and Mabel become firm friends, then tragedy strikes and how can Roisin move on? This is were handsome Aidan who is Mabel’s nephew comes along, they both don’t get on well to start with, Mabel has left some letters for them both and wants them to do them together. Could a budding romance happen and will they find out secrets along the way? A very good read that will touch your heart.

I received a copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for sending me a copy of this book.

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One? By Jennifer L. Cahill

One? By Jennifer L. Cahill

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It’s London in the mid-noughties before Facebook, iPhones and ubiquitous wifi.
Zara has just moved to London for her first real job and struggles to find her feet in a big city with no instruction manual. Penelope works night and day in an investment bank with little or no time for love. At twenty-eight she is positively ancient as far as her mother is concerned and the pressure is on for her to settle down as the big 3-0 is looming. Charlie spends night and day with his band who are constantly teetering on the verge of greatness.

Richard has relocated to London from his castle in Scotland in search of the one, and Alyx is barely in one place long enough to hold down a relationship let alone think about the future. One? follows the highs and lows of a group of twenty-somethings living in leafy SW4.

My Thoughts:

This is a great pick me up read, there are a great bunch of characters who are believable. I found it a fun and easy read that is about love and friendship before the internet came along, I liked how the story came together and seeing how people cope with change and new insights. This is a really good first debut and I look forward to the next book.

I received a ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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One More For Christmas By Sarah Morgan

One More For Christmas By Sarah Morgan

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Gayle is a highly successful and motivated business woman, but her success has come at a price – she hasn’t spoken to her daughters, Ella and Samantha, for years. But when Gayle has an accident at work, she realises she needs to make amends with her family.

And so she invites herself to join Ella and Samantha for their Christmas in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. The sisters are none too pleased that their mother has inserted herself into their Christmas plans. They have each other – and don’t need their mother back in their lives. Or so they think…

As they embark on their first family Christmas together in years, will the three women learn that sometimes facing up to a few home truths is all you need to heal your heart?

My Thoughts:

I couldn’t wait to read this book, I love snuggling up reading a Sarah Morgan book. The cover of this book is absolutely stunning and makes you think of winter time at Christmas. I liked this story about a mother and her two daughters. Gayle doesn’t realize how much of her daughters lives she has missed out on, she has put her head in the sand all of those years and when she has an accident they are the first people she calls upon. Can they regain their relationship and have a lovely Christmas together? The girls Ella and Samantha are weary of their mother but eventually come round. A lovely story about friendship, love, family and Christmas. The setting sounded wonderful too, you can just imagine being out there in the snow.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Pre-order your copy here:

Paperback: Out 29th October

Kindle: Out 22nd October

The Selected Poems of K Morris

The Selected Poems of K Morris

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This book encompasses poems composed between 2013-19. The poems included here have been selected from ‘Lost in the Labyrinth of my Mind’, ‘My Old Clock I Wind and other poems’, ‘The Writer’s Pen and other poems’, ‘Dalliance; a collection of poetry and prose’, ‘Refractions’, and ‘The Girl who Wasn’t There’.

In addition a number of previously unpublished poems are included in this book.The poems range from those dealing with nature to others, which touch on the passage of time and mortality.

My Thoughts:

There is a wide range of poems in this book, the book is split into four different sections. When I read a poem now I always look into the poem more, Kevin the author has the ability to show that it is much more than a poem and that they will stay with you and you will remember them in time. There are a few poems that I liked the fridge’s hum, made me think of everyday objects that make noises and you don’t realise until they have stopped. One of the most powerful poems in this book is What is a double bed? It made me think that what I have I must cherish. I loved the section on nature, I am a big nature fan, I really liked all these poems and will be reading these poems over and over again when I need time to reflect.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Odd Bird By Lee Farnsworth

Odd Bird By Lee Farnsworth

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Simon Selwood is an academic expert on the monogamous sexual behaviour of birds, but hopeless at finding human love. Then he meets Kim, and at last something is more important to him than ornithology.

Kim doesn’t give a hoot about birds. And at first she isn’t very interested in Simon either. Relying on what he has gleaned from observing the opportunistic pied flycatcher and other species, plus the unorthodox advice of old friend Phil, Simon sets out on a mission to discover love for himself. But will he make the right choice?

My Thoughts:

I loved this book, it is about how humans and birds have the same ideas when it comes to relationships. I felt as though I learnt more about birds and also their Latin names, I love watching the birds in my garden so this was a big plus for me reading this book, I felt as though it was a little quirky but a fun rom com. I liked reading it from a male perspective made it seem ore fresh, I liked Simon’s banter with his best mate Phil, It is funny and I did laugh out loud in parts too. If you feel like an uplifting read then read this book, it will cheer you up no end.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Hermit By S. R. White

Hermit By S. R. White

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After a puzzling death in the wild bushlands of Australia, detective Dana Russo has just hours to interrogate the prime suspect – a silent, inscrutable man found at the scene of the crime, who disappeared without trace 15 years earlier.

But where has he been? Why won’t he talk? And exactly how dangerous is he? Without conclusive evidence to prove his guilt, Dana faces a desperate race against time to persuade him to speak. But as each interview spirals with fevered intensity, Dana must reckon with her own traumatic past to reveal the shocking truth . . .

My Thoughts:

I looked forward to this book as it is about a guy who disappeared for 15 years and then is found at a crime scene. Where has he been? Is he involved in the murder? only he knows but will he open up to the police? I found the story a little slow, I felt as though even though it was a interesting story and I liked reading about the police side of it all. I just felt for me that it was not engaging enough, It will be interesting to see how the next book pans out.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Wild Horses on the Salt By Anne Montgomery

Wild Horses on the Salt By Anne Montgomery

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Can Rebecca find hope in the wilds of the Arizona desert?

Escaping her abusive husband, Rebecca hops the red-eye to Arizona. There, Gaby Strand – her aunt’s college roommate – gives her shelter at the Salt River Inn, a 1930’s guesthouse located in the wildly beautiful Tonto National Forest.

Becca struggles with post-traumatic stress, but is enthralled by the splendor of the Sonoran Desert. Soon, she meets Noah Tanner, a cattle rancher and beekeeper, Oscar Billingsley, a retired psychiatrist and avid birder, and the blacksmith, Walt. Thanks to her new friends and a small band of wild horses, Becca adjusts to life in the desert and rekindles her love of art.

After Becca’s husband tracks her down, she has to summon all her strength. But can she finally stop running away?

My Thoughts:

This is Rebecca’s story, after leaving a very traumatic time in her life, she escapes far away from a very bad relationship, she ends up in Arizona, where she meets a few new people including Noah and also some wild horses. Will her past catch up with her? will she finally be free from her past? I found it a really sad story, Rebecca has been through a lot and I wished for her to find peace and happiness. I liked the setting of this story and the small details really make a difference. I liked the parts about the wild horses as I love horses, it was also interesting to learn about the way they are managed in the wild. I found the ending was a little predictable but I really enjoyed the story.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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