The Other Side of Morning By Jo Lambert

The Other Side of Morning By Jo Lambert

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Charlotte Kendrick’s ill-fated relationship with rock star Christian Rosetti still haunts her. The new man in her life, handsome, rich Italian restaurateur Marco D’Alesandro, is everything she wants. But when beautiful heiress Rossana Caravello arrives to spend time with his family as their house guest she wonders whether history is about to repeat itself. Marco insists he loves her and that he has no interest in their guest, but how can Charlotte believe him when everything about his behaviour around Rossana indicates he is lying? Giving him the benefit of the doubt, Charlotte wonders whether his ruthless stepmother Thérèse may be involved, and decides to find out more about the young heiress. However, far from putting her mind at rest, what she discovers leaves her feeling more unsettled than ever about her future with Marco… From rural West Somerset to the glorious rolling landscape of Tuscany and the Italian lakes THE OTHER SIDE OF MORNING is a story of love, betrayal, deception and ultimate sacrifice.

My Thoughts:

I had never read any of Jo’s books before but I wasn’t afraid of reading this one first as it is a stand alone novel. Though now I want to read the rest. This was a very intense and gripping story, which was sometimes dramatic. The characters were written in a way that you feel like you know them. This is definitely an author I am going to love and read more of her books.

The Long Weekend By Veronica Henry

The Long Weekend By Veronica Henry

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In a gorgeous quayside hotel in Cornwall, the long weekend is just beginning….

Claire Marlowe owns ‘The Townhouse by the sea’ with Luca, the hotel’s charismatic chef. She ensures everything runs smoothly – until an unexpected arrival checks in and turns her whole world upside down.

And the rest of the guests arrive with their own baggage. There’s a couple looking for distraction from  family tragedy; a man trying to make amends for an affair he bitterly regrets … and a young woman who thinks the Cornish village might hold the key to her past.

Here are affairs of the heart, secrets, lies and scandal – all wrapped up in one long, hot weekend.

My Thoughts:

I have read a few of Veronica’s books now and they never fail to disappoint. Veronica manages to tell a few different people’s stories in one book, but do not be put off as Veronica does it without it being too overwhelming. I found myself drawn to each and every character and their problems. I didn’t want to put this book down, even though I wanted to find out what happened, I savored every moment. Such a lovely, enjoyable read. One I couldn’t put down.

 

Drumbeats By Julia Ibbotson

Drumbeats By Julia Ibbotson

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Drumbeats is the first novel in a trilogy and follows 18 year old English student Jess through her gap year in West Africa. It’s a rite of passage novel set in the mid- 1960s when Jess flees her stifling home background for freedom to become a volunteer teacher and nurse in the Ghanaian bush. Apprehensively, she leaves her first real romantic love behind in the UK, but will she be able to sustain the bond while she is away? With the idealism of youth, she hopes to find out who she really is, and do some good in the world, but little does she realize what, in reality, she will find that year: joys, horrors, tragedy. She must find her way on her own and learn what fate has in store for her, as she becomes embroiled in the poverty and turmoil of a small war-torn African nation under a controversial dictatorship. Jess must face the dangers of both civil war and unexpected romance. Can she escape her past or will it always haunt her?

My Thoughts:

 The cover just stood out for me as it is so vibrant and made me feel happy. I found myself warming to the characters straight away and I found myself really liking Jess, as she goes on her journey about becoming her own person. I think Julia has written about the political events superbly, I don’t know if she has been over there before but everything about Ghana was described really well. The story ended on a cliffhanger which left me disappointed but I know that the sequel is out next year so I am happy. Truly heart warming story and one that will stay in my mind.

I choose this – How to nearly make it in the music industry by David Ford

I choose this – How to nearly make it in the music industry by David Ford

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There was a time when people swore I would be the next big thing.

It took ten years of hard work and dedication but I finally proved them wrong.

My Thoughts:

My partner and I are big fans of David Ford. My partner has seen him numerous amounts of times and I am looking forward to see him play in November. I absolutely love his songs, it is like there is a story or meaning behind each one. So to read his book was a privilege to find out more about him. This book was an amusing, funny and honest view of a nearly famous musician. Very capturing read and I loved seeing the pictures in the book.

 

The One Plus One By JoJo Moyes

The One Plus One By JoJo Moyes

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One eternal optimist…..

Jess Thomas, with two jobs and two kids and never enough money, wears flip-flops in the hope of spring. And when life knocks her down she does her best to bounce right back. But there are some challenges even she can’t meet on her own.

Plus one lost stranger…

Ed Nichols is the good guy gone bad. He had it all, then one stupid mistake cost him everything. Now he’ll do anything to make it right.

Equals a chance encounter…..

Ed doesn’t want to save anyone and Jess doesn’t want saving, but could Jess and Ed add up to something better together?

My Thoughts:

JoJo Moyes has done it again, another brilliant book one I couldn’t put down. JoJo has a way of bringing her characters to life. I loved the face most of the book was set in the car, but don’t be put off as its spectacularly funny and most of it is true to life. I loved the kids Tanzie and Nicky even though they both had their imperfections, they were both pretty amazing kids. I found myself drawn to Jess and hoped that she has a nice outcome by the end of the story. Not a lot of readers comment on the covers of books but I particularly found this one delightful and with such simplicity, you just know it will be a fantastic read. This story was emotional but it will touch your heart. There is a lot of praise for JoJo Moyes. Look forward to her next book.

Rekindling Connections By Nicky Abell-Francis

Rekindling Connections By Nicky Abell-Francis

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Do we ever find our soul mate? Zara enters the world of sports therapy taking her from middle class suburbia to the heady testosterone world of the Olympic arena, where a new life beckons in sunny and hip Los Angeles. Her search for a life partner is problematic. Who is the right one? Tyler the devilishly good looking but arrogant Polo player or his younger competitor Brett. With his wild sense of adventure and a wicked mischievous streak that attracts Zara’s eyes as he dips in and out of her fast paced life. A new job in LA introduces a new element to the status quo. Bruce the chosen one dependable, seriously rich, his pedigree impeccable allows Zara to enter the world of high society. Does Zara make the right choice or does life have its own game plan.

My Thoughts:

This book is a definite must if your going on holiday. I was drawn into this book by the world of Polo, and the fact that it is a nice easy read. The characters were believable and I found myself drawn in, I am really looking forward to the sequel. This is definitely a one for chick-lit fans.

Renaissance Of The Heart By Lori M. Jones

Renaissance Of The Heart By Lori M. Jones

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After her husband after fifteen years comes out of the closet, a blindsided, forty-year-old Amanda Lewis is forced to salvage what remains of her shattered heart and navigate a new life for herself and her teenage daughter. But will a sizzling secret romance with a famous young NFL quarterback lead her to winning the life she deserves or set her up for her biggest loss yet?

As she embarks on the journey of rebuilding her home, Amanda discovers that finding forgiveness and repairing her damaged self-worth are her biggest challenges of all. While searching her soul and even searching inside her city’s history she finds answers. But will answers come too late and can a broken heart ever truly be fixed?

My Thoughts:

Renaissance of the heart is a light hearted story of what true love looks like. The two main characters Amanda and Bradley have quite a few obstacles to overcome but they love each other without worrying what other people think, which I think makes a great relationship. This book deals with personal issues ie: a divorce and I think Lori has written it beautifully as I think this issue is one many have come across. I definitely felt quite a few emotions with this book, I laughed and I cried. Will be looking out for more of Lori’s books in the future.

Celtic Love Knot By Angela Britnell

Celtic Love Knot By Angela Britnell

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Can two tangled lives make a love knot?

Lanyon Tremayne is the outcast of his small Cornish village of St. Agnes. Susceptible to fits of temper and with a chequered past behind him, he could even be described as an ogre. But nobody knows the painful secret he hides. Olivia Harding has learnt a thing or two about ogres. She’s a professor from Tennessee, specialising in Celtic mythology and has come to St. Agnes to research the legend of a Cornish giant – and to lay rest a couple of painful secrets of her own.

But when Olivia meets the ruggedly handsome Lanyon, her trip to Cornwall looks set to become even more interesting. Will she get through to the man beneath the bad – tempered facade, or is Lanyon fated to be the ‘ogre’of St. Agnes forever?

My Thoughts:

I hadn’t read any of Angela’s books before but I have to say she doesn’t disappoint so will be looking out for her other books. I love the fact it was set in Cornwall, as I love the place. I found Olivia very interesting and loved Lanyon, I am glad Olivia helps to bring him back to life. I think Angela writes brilliantly and the way she describes Cornwall is beautiful, makes me want to go there. I managed to read this book in a couple of days and will definitely be recommending it.

 

A Single Breath By Lucy Clarke

A Single Breath By Lucy Clarke

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There were so many times I thought about telling you the truth, Eva. What stopped me was always the same thing…..

When Eva’s husband Jackson tragically drowns, she longs to met his estranged family. The journey takes her to Jackson’s brother’s doorstep on a remote Tasmanian island. In a single breath everything changes. The memories of the man she married start slipping through her fingers like sand as everything she ever knew and loved about him is thrown into question. Now she’s no longer sure whether it was Jackson she fell in love with – or someone else entirely.

My Thoughts:

I have read Lucy Clarke’s first novel ‘ The Sea Sisters’ and absolutely loved it so couldn’t wait to read this one. Lucy has a way of writing that you never know what’s coming next. There are so many twists and turns in this book, you think you know what’s going to happen and then something unexpectedly happens which you weren’t prepared for. The plot is so gripping and the words are so beautiful, how Lucy describes everything is just amazing.The cover to this book looks amazing too. Loved this book, it will stay with me forever.

 

How to Fall in Love By Cecelia Ahern

How to Fall in Love By Cecelia Ahern

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An emotional, captivating and ultimately uplifting novel from this uniquely talented author. 

Christine Rose is crossing the Ha’penny Bridge in Dublin late one night when she sees a stranger, Adam, poised to jump. Desperate to help, she talks him into a reckless deal: If he gives her two weeks – till his 35th birthday – she’ll prove that life is worth living.

But as the clock ticks and the two embark on late-night escapades and romantic adventures, what Christine has really promised seems impossible….

A novel to make you laugh, cry and appreciate life, this is Cecelia Ahern at her thoughtful and surprising best.

My Thoughts:

I love Cecelia Ahern’s books, they are a fantastic read and this was no exception. This story is something completely different to anything I have ever read before. Cecelia tackles different issues including depression, loss and adoption in this story and she has done it very well. This is a great read that you wont want to put down. It is a bit different from your average chick-lit book but one that I would highly recommend to read. It made me feel grateful for the life I have and to never take things for granted.