Still Standing By Vicki Fitzgerald and M. G. Crisci

Still Standing By Vicki Fitzgerald and M. G. Crisci

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Raw Emotion. Life or Death. Truthfully Delivered. Vicki was 28 when her neat world crumbled. Her moral compass–beloved Gramps–died suddenly, leaving Vicki depressed and insecure. Despite a series of poor choices in men and life, by 24, Vicki had built a career as a noted crime reporter, wife, and mother. But success led to disaster.

Vicki’s perfect world crumbled with bitter family upheaval, leading to multiple suicide attempts. Now 38, Vicki lays her soul bare and shares the pivotal moments of her roller-coaster life: depression, grief, heartache, trauma, drugging, and suicide, truthfully, and candidly.

Her story is heartbreaking, inspiring, and unexpectedly witty. Most of all, “Still Standing” is a remarkable story of resilience and survival –an honest portrayal of one woman’s life and her determination for a new beginning.

My Thoughts:

I found this an emotional journey of a woman who writes with honesty but also which people can relate to. I found it very raw and emotional, you literally will go through every emotion within this book, it is about a young woman who is going through it and really suffering when no help is available. I found her to be a brave and strong woman who has put her words into telling her incredibly brave story. I find her an inspiration.

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

The Chalet By Catherine Cooper

The Chalet By Catherine Cooper

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French Alps, 1998

Two young men ski into a blizzard… but only one returns.

20 years later

Four people connected to the missing man find themselves in that same resort. Each has a secret. Two may have blood on their hands. One is a killer-in-waiting.

Someone knows what really happened that day.

And somebody will pay.

My Thoughts:

You are in for a real treat reading this book, I couldn’t believe how addicted I got to reading this story, so much so I had to read it in a day. I like how the story flits from 1998 to present day, the writing is descriptive, it is like you can feel as though you are there with all the tension going on in the Chalet. I don’t think I have read a story like this before involving skiing and a chalet. The characters each have their own secrets to hide but are all involved someway or other in the devastating scene that happened back in 1998. This is a thriller at it’s best.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley for my copy.

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kindle edition

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Three Hours By Rosamund Lupton

Three Hours By Rosamund Lupton

by Hannah ♥ 3 Comments

In rural Somerset in the middle of a blizzard, the unthinkable happens: a school is under siege. Children and teachers barricade themselves into classrooms, the library, the theatre. The headmaster lies wounded in the library, unable to help his trapped students and staff. Outside, a police psychiatrist must identify the gunmen, while parents gather desperate for news. In three intense hours, all must find the courage to stand up to evil and save the people they love.

My Thoughts:

I love a book that you can feel the fear and terror that the characters are feeling. This story made my skin prickle, never knowing what was going to happen next. It is a very tense read about a school and there is a gunman on the loose, the headmaster has been shot and it is up to the school kids to rally round and help their head master. We see how the parents cope when hearing about the children that are being held hostage in the school. Where is the gunman? what are his intentions? there were lots of questions going on in my head , I could never imagine how everyone was feeling and I hope I never have to. I think it shows awareness of this type of situation that does happen in real life.

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

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The Country Village Christmas Show By Cathy Lake

The Country Village Christmas Show By Cathy Lake

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Recently divorced, the family home sold and her son all grown-up, Clare is at a crossroads. She’s dedicated her whole adult life to her family, and now it’s time she did something for herself.

In the lead up to Christmas, Clare decides that a bit of time in the countryside might be just what she needs, so she moves back to Little Bramble, the village she grew up in. But living with her mum for the first time in years – and not to mention Goliath the Great Dane – can be challenging.

When Clare finds herself running the village Christmas show, it feels like she has purpose in her life again. Bringing together people from all sides of the community, and all walks of life, will Clare manage to pull off a festive feat like no other? And will she find the new start in life – and possibly love – that she’s been looking for?

My Thoughts:

I loved everything about this book, you can imagine being curled up reading this under a blanket when it is frosty and bitterly cold outside, It is the perfect remedy to warm you up. I really liked Claire, after her marriage has ended she has no where else to go other than her mums house, she might not have the best relationship with her mum but she is going to make it work. It really showed me how amazing a small community in a village can be? all pulling together and her close friend reminded me of my best friend, how we will do anything for each other. I liked the bond Claire and Sam have and wished for them both to be happy together. I was a tiny bit jealous of Claire being able to get a job at the Old Oak Stables, as that is like one of my dream jobs. But I was excited for her and loved everything about that part of the story. I found it an amusing, beautiful story, one that I didn’t want to end and one that I would re-read over and over again.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley for sending me a copy.

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kindle edition

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I am Cuba By Matthew Langdon Cost

I am Cuba By Matthew Langdon Cost

by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

Who was Fidel Castro?In the summer of 1958, 300 bearded revolutionaries, led by a 30-year-old lawyer named Fidel, turned the tides of war in Cuba by defeating 12,000 soldiers in combat. How was this possible? If you want to understand Cuba of the last 60 years, you must first understand who Fidel Castro was, and the events of the Cuban Revolution of 1953 to 1959.The revolution began in 1953 with a botched insurrection in Santiago, Cuba. Fidel was captured and put on trial where he defended himself, finishing with the now immortal words: “Condemn me. It does not matter.

History will absolve me.”Fidel was imprisoned, granted amnesty, exiled to Mexico, and then led an invasion of Cuba with 81 revolutionaries aboard a pleasure yacht called the Granma. Only 18 men survived. How did Fidel build thissmall band of guerillas into an army that would sweep to power in Cuba?Who was the rifle-toting woman who became Fidel’s most trusted advisor as well as his lover?These questions and more are answered in the thrilling I Am Cuba, a historically accurate novel detailing society, politics, war, and love in Cuba in the 1950s.

My Thoughts:

This story gives a really good insight into who Fidel Castro was, before reading this book I had heard of Fidel but didn’t really know a lot about him. My husband works in the cigar industry so thought what better way to impress him would be to find out more about Fidel and the Cuban revolution. I have to say he was suitably impressed. I didn’t find this book too heavy like some books about the past are. Very informative and I feel like I have a good knowledge now about it all. I am now recommending this book to all my friends and to my husband’s work colleagues.

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

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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