I listened to my heart By Rosemary Louise Gallagher

I listened to my heart By Rosemary Louise Gallagher

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Rose O’Carroll has been single for most of her 40 years. In her search for love she bravely decides to pack up her comfortable life in Australia and move to London. Guided by her special friends — her angels — she quickly settles in her new life; lands a great job; makes new friendships and begins her spiritual journey. It doesn’t take long until Joe DeMarco, the handsome American, turns Rose’s world upside down and changes it forever. Rose intuitively knows she has met her twin soulmate. But how does she cope when he tells her “it’s just the wrong time”?

Everything happens for a reason and soon Rose discovers why she had to meet Joe DeMarco when the timing was wrong. She had someone else to meet first…and it wasn’t only the dishy Dr St. Claire. I feel my story will attract woman from the age of 30+ who are looking for love and opening up more to the spiritual side of life, (although not saintly) and who are romantics at heart. If you enjoyed Bridget Jones’ Diary and Eat Pray Love, then you will enjoy ‘I Listened To My Heart’.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this book, even though I am not really into angels and the mystic side of life, I did find it interesting to learn about. This book is pretty funny in places and the story has been written well. This is definitely another story where you can relate yourself to the characters. This book is funny, genuine and romantic. I really love the cover too.

The Year Of Taking Chances By Lucy Diamond

The Year Of Taking Chances By Lucy Diamond

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It’s New Year’s Eve, and Gemma and Spencer Bailey are throwing a house party. There’s music, dancing, champagne and all their best friends under one roof. It’s going to be a night to remember.

Also at the party is Caitlin, who has returned to the village to pack up her much-missed mum’s house and to figure out what to do with her life; and Saffron, a PR executive who’s keeping a secret which no amount of spin can change. The three women bond over Gemma’s dodgy cocktails and fortune cookies, and vow to make this year their best one yet.

But as the months unfold, Gemma, Saffron and Caitlin find themselves tested to their limits by shocking new developments. Family, love, work, home – all the things they’ve taken for granted are thrown into disarray. Under pressure, they are each forced to rethink their lives and start over. But dare they take a chance on something new?

My Thoughts:

I have read quite a few of Lucy’s books now and they never fail to disappoint. You do feel as if you know all the characters personally and Lucy brings real life problems to her stories which people will be able to sympathise with. Brilliant story, Brilliant characters and a Brilliant author. Will really be looking forward to Lucy Diamond’s next book.

An Unexpected Affair By Jan Ellis

An Unexpected Affair By Jan Ellis

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After her divorce, Eleanor decides it is time to begin again.
She leaves behind her busy London life, and moves to a quiet seaside town in Devon.

There she opens up a bookshop, The Reading Room, on the local highstreet – and makes a roaring success of it.

But can Eleanor make a success of her love life as well?

There is no shortage of men. But when Eleanor thinks back over her life and loves, she remembers a passionate love affair in France in her twenties. And when her sister suggests they take a trip down memory lane and holiday there, will Eleanor take her up on her offer – and if she does, will she discover what happened to her great love Christophe?

Does Eleanor’s heart belong in France?

Or is there something, or someone, she’s been missing in Devon?

My Thoughts:

This is Jan’s first novel and I really enjoyed it. I love the fact that your drawn straight away into Eleanor’s West Country Bookshop world, brimming to the rafters with some very exciting and interesting people. In this story you get drawn into Eleanor’s life which goes from past to present which I found easy to keep up with unlike in other novels where it can become confusing. There are some romantic parts in this book but also some humour. I love the way Jan writes with such passion and look forward to reading her books in the future.

A Rural Affair By Catherine Alliot

A Rural Affair By Catherine Alliot

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When Poppy Shilling’s bike-besotted, Lycra-clad husband is killed in a freak accident, she can’t help feeling a guilty sense of relief. For at long last she’s released from a controlling and loveless marriage.

Throwing herself wholeheartedly into village life, she’s determined to start over. And sure enough, everyone from Luke the sexy church organist to Bob the resident oddball, is taking note. Yet the one man Poppy can’t take her eyes off seems tantalizingly out of reach – why won’t he let go of his glamorous ex-wife?

But just as she’s ready to dip her toes in the water, the discovery of a dark secret about her late husband shatters Poppy’s confidence. Does she really have the courage to risk her heart again? Because Poppy wants a lot more than just a rural affair . .

My Thoughts:

Having never read any of Catherine’s books before I wasn’t sure what to expect. I did find it hard to get in to but once I had it was an enjoyable read. There were some very amusing moments in the story which I loved. I wasn’t really sure about the plot but it seemed to work. I found myself warming to the village life and I loved it when Poppy the main character gets on a horse when she hasn’t been on one for ages, I think this part really drew me into the story. I would definitely like to read another one of Catherine’s books.

Just Two Weeks By Amanda Sington-Williams

Just Two Weeks By Amanda Sington-Williams

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After being made redundant from a seemingly secure job Jolene Carr takes a two week break in the sun. On the first day she meets Raquel, another hotel guest. Little does she realise how this apparently innocent acquaintance will lead to terrible and lasting consequences.

After a frightening incident she hits a conspiracy of silence from the locals and over the rest of the holiday she feels herself slipping into a vortex of fear. Back home, the nightmare continues and she realises that Raquel is stalking her. Her hippie mother and her partner Mark tell her she is imagining it all.

All certainties, even about relationships, become fluid and treacherous as her past begins to unravel. If it wasn’t for Rob, her ex-lover who Jolene thinks has his own agenda, she would be left to cope on her own.
How much fear and betrayal can one person take?

My Thoughts:

This is a book for people that like a fast paced and gripping suspense. It seems to give the reader a whole new sense of trust and betrayal, reality and perception. The characters in this story are brilliant, Jo seems to be able to make it so that you actually feel as a reader that you are the main character which feels exceptional.  This book is such a thrilling read you just won’t want it to end.

French Kisses By Jan Ellis

French Kisses By Jan Ellis

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To the outside world, Rachel Thompson has it made: a wealthy husband, a successful career as an artist, and a to-die-for house in the middle of rural France.

That is until her husband Michael hits 40, discovers his inner love-rat and runs off with the kids’ young, skinny dance teacher.

Determined to ignore her friends’ advice to up-sticks and move back to England with her children, Rachel decides to turn their crumbly stone farmhouse into a bijou hotel.

As Rachel strives to create a new life for herself, friends and family rally around to give her a Christmas and New Year with plenty of surprises.

With help – and some hindrance – from her loved ones, Rachel transforms their home into a cosy guest house for an eclectic collection of visitors, including Josh Perry, a handsome American academic.

Although Rachel is getting plenty of attention from local admirers, her husband Michael is never far away…

Will Rachel and Michael rekindle their love affair?

Or will she be sharing French Kisses with someone else this Christmas…?

My Thoughts:

I was given this book for an honest review. I can honestly say this was a brilliant book by a lovely author. It has taken me a while to read but it is only because I didn’t want it to end. This is only Jan’s second novel which I couldn’t believe. Her first novel is called An Unexpected Affair, so I will definitely be picking that one up. The characters are full of humour and the plot I thought was brilliant. This book is set in rural France and Jan has written about it beautifully so much so I felt like I was there (If only). Such a fantastic read, look forward to reading more of Jan’s books.

The Beach Cafe By Lucy Diamond

The Beach Cafe By Lucy Diamond

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Evie Flynn has always been the black sheep of her family – a dreamer and a drifter, unlike her over-achieving elder sisters. She’s tried making a name for herself as an actress, a photographer and a singer, but nothing has ever worked out. Now she’s stuck in temp hell, with a sensible, pension-planning boyfriend. Somehow life seems to be passing her by.

Then her beloved aunt Jo dies suddenly in a car crash, leaving Evie an unusual legacy – her precious beach cafe in Cornwall. Determined to make a success of something for the first time in her life, Evie heads off to Cornwall to get the cafe and her life back on track – and gets more than she bargained for, both in work and in love..

My Thoughts:

I loved this book so much, I actually felt as if I was part of the day to day running of the cafe and I thought Evie was lovely, like you could really get on with her. I love the way Lucy seems to be able to create such loveable characters and the way she writes about Cornwall, well I just want to go there now and find the Beach Cafe. This is a great holiday read if your going away especially to Cornwall. You can easily lose yourself into this story. I look forward to reading Christmas at the Beach Cafe. This book definitely deserves a five star.

 

Fudge Berries and Frog’s Knickers By Lynda Renham

Fudge Berries and Frog’s Knickers By Lynda Renham

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Poppy Wellesley is rich. In fact Poppy Wellesley is very rich, so when her fortunes change from riches to rags Poppy has to start a whole new life. Put yourself in her Guccis as she swaps her penthouse apartment for a run-down houseboat on Regent’s Canal.

Meet her dippy friend Chelsea, the infamous Jack Diamond (see The Dog’s Bollocks) and her hunky boat neighbour, Taylor. Will Poppy hold on to her millionaire fiancé or will Pug-face Pandora steal him from her? Can she avoid the advances from Balls (Lord Balthazar Wyndham-Price) or does she find true love on the canal? Fudge Berries and Frogs’ Knickers is a romantic comedy roller coaster ride that will put a smile on your face and a cheer in your heart.

My Thoughts:

If you have never read any of Lynda’s books before I would thoroughly recommend them. Lynda has such a way with words and a fantastic sense of humour. This story is a rags to riches reversal with some really wonderful characters in it. Lynda never fails to bring a lot of laugh out loud moments in her books which I just absolutely adore. If your looking for a romantic comedy this is definitely the book for you. I have read another of Lynda’s books before called Rory’s proposal and absolutely loved that, that I really look forward to her next book.

Marriage and Other Games By Veronica Henry

Marriage and Other Games By Veronica Henry

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When Charlotte Briggs’ husband Ed is sent down for fraud, she cannot find it in her heart to forgive him for what he has done. Ostracised from their social circle, she flees to the wilds of Exmoor to nurse her broken heart. But despite the slower pace of life, she soon finds that she is not the only person whose life is in turmoil.

There’s Sebastian, enfant terrible of the British art scene, desperately trying to find his muse amongst the empty bottles.

Then Fitch, who married the high-spirited Hayley thinking he would find wedded bliss, but instead has found marital hell.

And finally Penny, local GP and recent divorcee, who is determined not to hurtle into middle age embittered and lonely.

Over the long winter months, the four of them share advice, copious bottles of wine, laughter … and maybe more.

My Thoughts:

Veronica Henry is one of my favourite authors. This was such a fantastic read, Veronica seems to be able to put together a beautifully heart warming story with such fabulous characters.  I loved how all the characters interact with each other and how Withybrook felt right as a community where everyone sticks together. I think Veronica could of easily made a sequel to this book as I and I am sure a lot of other people would of liked to have know what happens in the future for Charlotte. A real page turner that I couldn’t resist reading it in a day.

S.C.A.R.S By Julia Ibbotson

S.C.A.R.S By Julia Ibbotson

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Gavin is an ordinary boy with problems like everyone else, when he finds himself in an extraordinary situation and facing the fight of his life. People are calling him Gawain and sending him on a medieval quest. How has he found himself on a horse when he has never ridden one before? How come he has a sword in his hand and terrifying creatures bearing down upon him? He seems to have slipped through into another universe. But can he win the battle of Good against Evil, and can he save the land of Unor ̶ and more importantly, can he save himself?

My Thoughts:

Even though this is a fantasy story for children in their early teens, I really found myself drawn to the story. I loved the fact that Julia had written this book when she was a child and it had been in a desk drawer for 40 years. I am so glad she found it as it is a brilliant book. It is about two boys who in the night slip into a world of knights and medieval heroes, where they try to defeat the evil enemy and then during the day they are just ordinary boys. I love the fact the book is about friendship, when the world around you is full of evil. Brilliant story. Loved it from the start.