The Lie By C. L. Taylor

The Lie By C. L. Taylor

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This title will be released on April 23rd 2015

This was no accident…

Haunting, compelling, this psychological thriller will have you hooked. Perfect for fans of Gone Girl and Daughter.

I know your name’s not really Jane Hughes . . .

Jane Hughes has a loving partner, a job in an animal sanctuary and a tiny cottage in rural Wales. She’s happier than she’s ever been but her life is a lie. Jane Hughes does not really exist.

Five years earlier Jane and her then best friends went on holiday but what should have been the trip of a lifetime rapidly descended into a nightmare that claimed the lives of two of the women.

Jane has tried to put the past behind her but someone knows the truth about what happened. Someone who won’t stop until they’ve destroyed Jane and everything she loves . .

My Thoughts:

I was lucky to get an advanced copy of this book and I loved it just as much as Cally’s first book called The Accident. There are twists and turns in this story that you wont see coming and I loved how Cally brings you into her story so much like you feel like your there. I thought the characters were very interesting and thought provoking. I really like the fact that Jane worked at an animal sanctuary, this was clearly researched into very well. I really look forward to Cally’s next book.

If you would like to purchase this book, click on the link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lie-C-L-Taylor

The Accident By C. L. Taylor

The Accident By C. L. Taylor

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A gripping psychological thriller about the deadly secrets your children can keep …

Sue Jackson has the perfect family but when her teenage daughter Charlotte deliberately steps in front of a bus and ends up in a coma she is forced to face a very dark reality.

Retracing her daughter’s steps she finds a horrifying entry in Charlotte’s diary and is forced to head deep into Charlotte’s private world. In her hunt for evidence, Sue begins to mistrust everyone close to her daughter and she’s forced to look further, into the depths of her own past.

Sue will do anything to protect her daughter. But what if she is the reason that Charlotte is in danger?

My Thoughts:

I couldn’t put this book down as it is so full of twists and turns. I liked how it alternated between present day and  Charlotte’s mother’s diary from the past. I grew to like Sue despite her flaws. I read this book within two days and was really intrigued what was going to happen next. This was a brilliant debut novel and I am excited to read the author’s next book called The Lie.

If you want to purchase this book click on the link below.

 

The Girl Who Couldn’t Stop Arguing By Melissa Kite

The Girl Who Couldn’t Stop Arguing By Melissa Kite

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Madison Flight refuses to be born for five days. She comes out eventually – kicking, screaming, and scarred for life by forceps – but it isn’t long before her mother, Cynthia, realises the terrible truth: she has given birth to the world’s first arguing baby.

Cyntha’s husband Mitchell soon takes off in terror, leaving her to raise their quarrelsome rugrat with only the help of the next door neighbour Shirley – a sadistic retired nurse who detests children.

Madison’s young life is full of proud milestones: at the age of one she breaks the world record for the number of times anyone has said the word ‘no’ during a two week Spanish package holiday – 4,477 times – and she gets better with practice. Lots of practice.

This is the story of a girl who wanted to be right rather than happy. This is the story of the girl who couldn’t stop arguing.

My Thoughts:

I started reading this book unsure what to expect having never read one of Melissa’s books before. The start I have to say was ok, but I kind of lost interest through out the rest of the story. It just didn’t seem to grab my attention and although I managed to finish it, I wasn’t really taken with it. I would like to read one of Melissa’s other books to see if I would like them though.

The Affair By Santa Montefiore

The Affair By Santa Montefiore

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Happily married with two small children and a circle of devoted friends, Angelica knows she should be grateful. But then she meets a charismatic South African who flirts with her and makes her feel beautiful. What starts as a long distance friendship grows into something deeper and soon she longs for his emails.

From the glamorous streets of London to the lush vineyards of South Africa, Angelica chases a dream that risks the very things she holds dear. Yet, the dream is flawed and a moment of savage violence flings her and Jack together only to rip them apart. With life refined down to its bare essence, Angelica learns that what Fate takes with one hand, it gives with the other.

My Thoughts:

I have only read one of Santa Montefiore’s books before and enjoyed it. This one was slightly different and I wasn’t overly keen on it. I still can’t see what possess women and men to have affairs, I really don’t think it is right at all. All the women got a bit annoying a few times when talking about their designer clothes but Santa Montefiore has done a good job of writing this book though and  I did finish reading the story but I will read more of her books in the future.

Trading Vincent Crow By D. C. J. Wardle

Trading Vincent Crow By D. C. J. Wardle

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 Vince Crow had heard somewhere that you could trade a piece of useless junk on the internet and, within a year of swapping it for better and better things, get cool stuff. Crow decided that he himself was going to start off as that piece of tat, jump from one job to the next; indeed, he would trade one lifestyle for a new one, until he was finally a success.

Every three months he would have to trade-up for an entirely new life – a new job, a new girl, new wheels, a new pad, new threads – until he reached the top. The plan of comparing himself to a used item traded over the internet was of course marginally flawed, as there is a human factor to all of this which he’d overlooked.

Besides, success isn’t just about work. It’s about the car, the clothes, the house, and getting the girl, so changing all of that with every new trade upwards is a lot more difficult than swapping an old stereo in the classifieds. Crow quickly learns what the price of success really is. An education he would never have got if he had gone to college…

My Thoughts:

What a wonderful holiday read, so easy to pick up and put down. Really enjoyed this story, the author brings fantastic humour as well as brilliant descriptions. I loved all the characters in the book especially Vince’s nan when he came home. I really look forward to the sequel and what else the author has in the future.

If you want to buy this book click on the link below:

The Cake Shop in the Garden By Carole Matthews

The Cake Shop in the Garden By Carole Matthews

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Fay Merryweather runs her cake shop from her beautiful garden. She whips up airy sponges and scrumptious scones, while her customers enjoy the lovely blossoms and gorgeous blooms. Looking after the cake shop, the garden and her cantankerous mother means Fay is always busy but she accepts her responsibilities because if she doesn’t do all this, who will?

Then Danny Wilde walks into her life and makes Fay question every decision she’s ever made.

When a sudden tragedy strikes, Fay’s entire world is thrown off balance even further and she doesn’t know which way to turn. Can Fay find the strength to make a life-changing decision – even if it means giving up the thing she loves the most? Life, love and family are about to collide in The Cake Shop in the Garden.

My Thoughts:

Carole Matthews is my one of my favourite authors. This book has to be my favourite of this year so far. I really enjoyed losing myself in the story, I did find it emotional as Fay has to go through some terrible times, which I could definitely relate to, Carole has a sensitive approach to these issues and I love that about her and her way of writing.

There are also parts to this book that are funny and I thought Stan was lovely, bless him. I liked the sound of Danny he sounded like a dream and I though Anthony was a bit of a wet sap. There is a twist in this book that had me on the edge of my seat I couldn’t believe it. When I found out about the canal side of the story I was really interested to read about it as it is sometime I have always wanted to do, as long as there is a canal boat selling cake I will be very happy. With this story I felt like I was actually a customer sampling one of Lija’s mouthwatering cakes, if only I were it would be sheer bliss. Loved the ending, it would be interesting to have a sequel just to find out what life brings to all of the characters.

Here Come The Girls By Milly Johnson

Here Come The Girls By Milly Johnson

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Shirley Valentine, eat your heart out Ven, Roz, Olive and Frankie have been friends since school. They day-dreamed of glorious futures, full of riches, romance and fabulous jobs. The world would be their oyster.

Twenty-five years later, Olive cleans other people’s houses to support her lazy, out-of-work husband and his ailing mother. Roz cannot show her kind, caring husband Manus any love because her philandering ex has left her trust in shreds. And she and Frankie have fallen out big time.

But Ven is determined to reunite her friends and realise the dream they had of taking a cruise before they hit forty. Before they know it, the four of them are far from home, on the high seas. But can blue skies, hot sun and sixteen days of luxury and indulgence distract from the tension and loneliness that await their return?

My Thoughts:

I love Milly Johnson’s books, they always seem to put a smile on my face. I managed to read this book in two days as I was so looking forward to seeing how the girls got on with their cruise. I loved the fact all of the girls had a true friendship and that the problems they had were real life problems. Beautifully written, a lovely summer read. I enjoyed reading about the cruise ship too as I have never been on a cruise. Loved all the characters and really look forward to reading my next Milly Johnson book.

If you would like to purchase this book through Amazon, click on the link below:

A Matter Of Temperance By Ichabod Temperance

A Matter Of Temperance By Ichabod Temperance

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In 1869, the Earth experiences the close pass of a new comet. In its wake, thousands of Terra’s inhabitants find themselves strangely changed. Among humanity, many find that any talent they may naturally possess has been elevated to an astounding degree. Likewise, a number of animals become self-aware and intelligent. A young “comet prodigy” from humble beginnings, Ichabod Temperance, has become one of the world’s foremost inventors in this age of prolific genius. Traveling to England to deliver his latest brilliant device to a famous explorer, the young tinker is unexpectedly struck by the fearsome hand of fate. Meanwhile, a lovely young aristocrat, Miss Persephone Plumtartt, survives an experimental accident only to find herself imbued with a power she can neither understand nor control, while dark forces and malevolent creatures pursue her, leaving a gruesome wake of death.
Yet, worse is to come. The naïve young inventor and the lovely intellectual find themselves fighting not only to save their own lives, while concurrently coming to terms with their own budding romance, but to prevent the destruction of all life on Earth in this humourously told and poignant steampunk adventure.
My Thoughts:
I found this book a little odd. It is written from two different points of view, but having said that there were quite a few parts that made me laugh. The book I found had a bit of a slow start, but I ploughed through it and it is a fairly engaging sort of read. I am glad I gave it a go through.
If you would like to buy it. Here is the link:
Mum on the run By Fiona Gibson

Mum on the run By Fiona Gibson

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Laura Swan was dreading the school sports day Mum’s race – but whoever would have thought it could be quite so life-changing?

Laugh-out-loud funny, Fiona’s writing deals with the real life cringe-worthy moments we all know so well…

Sports Day at her children’s school is a nightmare for Laura because of the event she dreads – the Mums’ Race. She knows the other mothers have been in training for at least three months – even though they’re trying to pretend that they haven’t. Laura’s vowed never to take part, but the morning of the School Sports Day she makes a fatal error and promises her daughter that if she eats her Rice Crispies, she will run. With no escape, Laura is forced to take part and as she moves towards her inevitable humiliation, she is horrified to spot her husband Jed flirting with Celeste the delectable French girl who works with him.

Determined to put up a fight and to show Jed there is still plenty of spice left in their marriage, Laura decides it is time to give her body the work out it has been desperately crying out for. But when Laura makes a special new friend at the running club that she has joined, she gets much more than she bargained for.

 

My Thoughts:

This is my second Fiona Gibson book and I completely fell in love with this book too. It is so true to family life, it will make you laugh out loud so be careful reading it in a public place. Fiona has a relaxed way of writing that I just love. Loved all the characters, it does have funny parts in this book but it also has some serious parts. My kind of chick-lit, easy read.

If you would like to purchase this book click on the link below:

The Olive Branch By Jo Thomas

The Olive Branch By Jo Thomas

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This Title will be released on 2nd July 2015

 

Escape to Italy with THE OLIVE BRANCH – the irresistibly romantic new novel from Jo Thomas, award-winning author of ebook runaway bestseller THE OYSTER CATCHER.

You can buy almost anything online these days.

But is a crumbling Italian farmhouse a step too far?

Ruthie Collins certainly thinks so when she arrives amid pouring rain to an olive farm she doesn’t know the first thing about running.

But for Ruthie, newly single, anywhere has got to be better than her mum’s settee. Hasn’t it?

Life can change with the click of a mouse. But the finer things – friendship, romance, and even the olive harvest – take time to grow. Can Ruthie put the past to rest and find her own piece of the Dolce Vita along the way?

My Thoughts:

I got this book for an honest review, so want to thank Jo and her publisher for sending it to me.I really liked this book, I loved the story it made me feel all warm inside, especially as the weather hasn’t been too good here, it made me think of a warm summers day and it cheered me up no end. I knew what was going to happen but I still very much loved it. Such a beautiful setting and really lovely characters. What’s not to love. I was so taken with this book I managed to read it in two days. It was brilliant finding out about the Italian way of Life. A perfect summer holiday read or to curl up with on a winters day.