A Summer Of Surprises By Jan Ellis

A Summer Of Surprises By Jan Ellis

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It is two years since Eleanor Mace said farewell to her lover Christophe and returned to Devon.

Her bookshop in the sleepy seaside town of Combemouth has become the hub of the community and with the new love of her life, Daniel, everything seems to be blissfully plain sailing.

That is until Freya, Daniel’s ex-wife appears on the scene.

Hired as an architect for a major celebrity who plans to build an enormous new complex in Combemouth, Freya seeks Daniel’s help to get her ambitious scheme approved.

Outraged, Eleanor mounts a protest against the scheme – helped by some endangered local wildlife – that gets her noticed by the world’s media, but puts her at risk of losing Daniel.

As the campaign gains momentum, Eleanor is asked to speak at a conference in Spain, where she unexpectedly bumps into the handsome Christophe – a blast from her past.

Surely this must be fate?

Will Eleanor fall for the charms of her French ex-boyfriend, or can she find it in her heart to forgive Daniel and return to Combemouth?

Or is she set for ‘A Summer of Surprises’?

My Thoughts:

I was lucky enough to get a advance copy of this book and I absolutely loved it. This book is a sequel to ‘An Unexpected Affair’ and I loved catching up with Eleanor and the other characters from the previous book. I love the way the book is set out and there are some interesting characters thrown into the mix. I found the story entertaining and I did find myself chuckling on a few occasions. The ending is a good one as you will not be expecting it.  I love the way Jan writes, and I look forward to more of her books in the future.

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

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Summer-Surprises-Jan-Ellis-ebook

The Ice Twins By S. K. Tremayne

The Ice Twins By S. K. Tremayne

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A year after one of their identical twin daughters, Lydia, dies in an accident, Angus and Sarah Moorcraft move to the tiny Scottish island Angus inherited from his grandmother, hoping to put together the pieces of their shattered lives.

But when their surviving daughter, Kirstie, claims they have mistaken her identity – that she, in fact, is Lydia – their world comes crashing down once again.

As winter encroaches, Angus is forced to travel away from the island for work, Sarah is feeling isolated, and Kirstie (or is it Lydia?) is growing more disturbed. When a violent storm leaves Sarah and her daughter stranded, Sarah finds herself tortured by the past – what really happened on that fateful day one of her daughters died?

My Thoughts:

This is a new author to me so after winning this book in a competition I thought I would give it a go. I managed to read it in two days but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I might. I felt the middle part of the story kind of went of course a bit, but the ending was fine. However, I found the writing very descriptive and I liked looking at the photos that are in the book. I did want to finish the book and I am glad I did as I wanted to see what happened in the end. This is a novel I think that will stay with you.

 

Let them eat cake! World’s first ‘garden’ made from cake opens to the public in Central London

Let them eat cake! World’s first ‘garden’ made from cake opens to the public in Central London

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The world’s first edible garden made from 15 different types of cake opened to the public in Central London yesterday.

Visitors were encouraged to ‘dig in’ to the bourbon biscuit borders and nibble on one of the 250 cake flowers growing in the plot in Russell Square which was surrounded by a wall made from 1,300 slices of fruit loaf grouted with Nutella.Cake-5

The quintessentially English country garden, which took over 450 hours to bake, build and install, was created to launch the paperback version of best-selling author Carole Matthews’ new novel The Cake Shop in the Garden.

The scent of roses, pansies and peonies has never been sweeter as the garden in the book’s title was brought to life using four kilos of icing alongside borders of chocolate crumb soil, Battenberg stepping stones, a bird bath lined with Swiss-roll and a lawn dotted with sugar daisies – not forgetting 300 leaves of edible ivy.Cake-13

Ensuring no one went home hungry, 30 bags of marshmallows, eight kilos of sweets and chocolate pebbles and over 1,000 biscuits finished off the Willy Wonka-esque wonderland where even the insects were edible.

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Author Carole Matthews said: “The garden is the place where love, life and family collide for my main character, Faye Merriweather so it was really exciting to bring it to life using cake as it features so prominently throughout the storyline. It was certainly one of a kind – and where better for visitors to grab a slice of the action?”.

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The garden was crafted by award-winning cake designer Rosalind Miller who has produced bespoke creations for The Ritz, The Goring and Blenheim Palace as well as a number of high profile and celebrity clients.

 

The Cake Shop in the Garden is available in paperback now from all major supermarkets, bookshops and online retailers.

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For further information visit www.carolematthews.com.

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

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cake-Shop-Garden-Carole-Matthews

We are all made of Stars By Rowan Coleman

We are all made of Stars By Rowan Coleman

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This title will be released on May 21, 2015.

Do not miss me, because I will always be with you…I am the air, the moon, the stars. For we are all made of stars, my beloved… Wherever you look, I will be there.

Stella Carey exists in a world of night. Married to a soldier who has returned from Afghanistan injured in body and mind, she leaves the house every evening as Vincent locks himself away, along with the secrets he brought home from the war.

During her nursing shifts, Stella writes letters for her patients to their loved ones – some full of humour, love and practical advice, others steeped in regret or pain – and promises to post these messages after their deaths.

Until one night Stella writes the letter that could give her patient one last chance at redemption, if she delivers it in time…

My Thoughts:

I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this book, so I was really pleased as Rowan is one of my favourite authors. The storyline to this book is a sad one but it makes you appreciate life. It is an emotional book, so I did find myself crying in a few parts, I felt myself drawn to all the characters, they all have a big part in this book and I felt myself drawn to them all. I really liked the way the letters were brought into this story, I think it is such a lovely thing to do. This book has been researched extremely well, I think this book will remind me that I should appreciate my life and what I have as there are people out there that are less fortunate. Such an inspirational book.

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

http://www.amazon.co.uk/We-Are-All-Made-Stars

The Sudden Departures Of The Frasers By Louise Candlish

The Sudden Departures Of The Frasers By Louise Candlish

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This title will be released on May 21, 2015.

 

My name is Amber Fraser. I’ve just moved in at Number 40, Lime Park Road. You’ll come to think of me as a loving wife, a thoughtful neighbour and a trusted friend.

This is a lie.

When Christy and Joe Davenport are handed the keys to Number 40 on picture-perfect Lime Park Road, Christy knows it should be a dream come true. How strange though that the house was on the market for such a low price. That the previous owners, the Frasers, had renovated the entire property yet moved out within a year. That none of the neighbours will talk to Christy.

As her curiosity begins to give way to obsession, Christy finds herself drawn deeper into the mystery of the house’s previous occupants – and the dark and shocking secret that tore the street apart . .

My Thoughts:

I am a big fan of Louise Candlish’s books. Thank you to lovereading for sending me a copy of this book. I thoroughly recommend reading one of Louise’s books as they are brilliant. I found this one thought provoking, the story has twists and turns that you would never have imagined. You can tell that this has been very well researched into to, and you discover hidden depths throughout the story. I love how the story was set out, going from Amber’s story to Christy’s story. A real page turner as you don’t know what you will discover on the next page. This story kept me hooked from beginning till the end.

If you would like to check out lovereadings’s website, click on the link below:

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/

If you would like to purchase the book once it is out, click on the link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sudden-Departure-Frasers-Louise-Candlish

 

Chatty Cat: Spring into Summer: Volume 2 By Suzan Collins

Chatty Cat: Spring into Summer: Volume 2 By Suzan Collins

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The second in the Chatty Cat series follows Chatty through spring and summer in her new home as she gradually learns to relax and enjoy her surroundings. “The sun has warmed up the ground and now the sun is shining on my tummy and making it nice and warm. It’s all quiet in the garden and I fall asleep. I am dreaming…” Life still holds a few surprises for Chatty, with new friends and new experiences.

Chatty Cat is a real rescue cat in a real home and her adventures provide a useful guide to caring for your pet. It’s not just a manual – but it will help you look after your cat. It’s not just a story – but you can read it like one. It’s not just a children’s book – but children of all ages will love it, and so will adults. The author has a real knack for getting into Chatty Cat’s head and explaining her behaviour in ways that everyone can recognise.

My Thoughts:

Having a cat myself, I was really keen to read this book, it is an absolute delight for all ages. There is some really useful information in this book, It would be a good starter book if your thinking about getting a cat or like me just want to know more about cats. Even though this is the second book I am definitely going to read the first book too. The sketches and photographs are brilliant. Happy Reading!

Before I Go By Colleen Oakley

Before I Go By Colleen Oakley

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This title will be released on May 7, 2015.

“Her time is running out. How can Daisy ensure that Jack will live happily ever after? On the eve of what was supposed to be a triumphant ‘Cancerversary’ with her husband Jack to celebrate three years of good health, Daisy suffers a devastating blow: her doctor tells her that the cancer is back, but this time it’s unstoppable. Death is a frightening prospect – but not because she’s afraid for herself.

She’s terrified of what will happen to her brilliant but charmingly helpless husband when she’s no longer there to take care of him. It’s this fear that keeps her up at night, until she stumbles on the solution: she has to find him another wife. With a singular determination, Daisy searches for Jack’s perfect match.

But as the thought of her husband with another woman becomes all too real, Daisy is forced to decide what’s more important in the short amount of time she has left: her husband’s happiness – or her own?”

My Thoughts:

I want to say a big thank you to Lovereading for letting me review this book. It is always hard to read a book that has someone in it that has cancer, it is hard when you know someone that has been through it whether they are still here or not. To be honest speaking from personal experiences as I lost someone who was battling cancer. I wasn’t too sure if I would like this book or not I did  find some of it hard to read and I did have a little cry, remembering certain things. I like the way this story was written as I haven’t before read a story about the actual person’s way of coping with the disease. This is a story that really makes you appreciate life and really makes you think. I think this book will stay with me for life.

If you would like to check out Lovereading’s website, here is the link:

http://www.lovereading.co.uk/

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

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Before-I-Go-Colleen-Oakley/

 

A Seaside Affair By Fern Britton

A Seaside Affair By Fern Britton

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When the residents of the Cornish seaside town of Trevay discover that their much-loved theatre is about to be taken over by a coffee chain, they are up in arms. It is up to Penny Leighton, hotshot producer and the vicar’s wife, to come up with a rescue plan. Armed with only her mobile phone, she starts to pull in some serious favours.

The town is soon deluged by actors, all keen to show their support and take part in a charity season at the theatre. One of the arrivals is Jess Tate, girlfriend of TV heartthrob Ryan Hearst. His career is on the rise while her own is in the doldrums. But everything is about to change. Trevay must put on the show of its life – but can the villagers, and Jess, hold on to the thing they love the most?

My Thoughts:

This is the second book by Fern Britton that I have read and even though I did enjoy it, some parts to me did feel quite rushed. There are quite a lot of characters in this book so I did find myself having to concentrate, having said that all the characters were well written and I did feel for a couple of them. It was a good story and the setting seemed idyllic. A gripping story that you wont want to put down.

 

 

Croissants and Jam By Lynda Renham

Croissants and Jam By Lynda Renham

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Annabel Lewis (Bels) has two days to get to her wedding in Rome but her journey is beset with one disaster after another as fate takes its turn. Will the stranger she meets on the way get her to her wedding on time or will he change her life forever?

Come with Bels on her humorous romantic journey to see if she marries Mr Right or if destiny takes her in different direction.

My Thoughts:

What a fantastic book. I have now read a few of Lynda’s books and thoroughly enjoyed all of them. They are brilliant stories and really funny. If your feeling down this book will lift your spirits as it did mine. I love all the characters and the storyline was the best. A really enjoyable book from start to finish. I think this one is a must read.

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