Songs From The Ashes By Megan Whitson Lee

Songs From The Ashes By Megan Whitson Lee

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Attorney Landon Kingsley never fails to meet expectations or fulfill responsibilities, living a well-ordered life in his hometown of Kingsport, Tennessee. Recently engaged to the beautiful nursing student, April May, Landon’s new fiancee is everything he could want in a wife. She is devoted to her faith and family and truly loves him.

April’s cousin Ella Casey, has returned to Kingsport after ten years of pursuing stardom as a country music singer in Nashville. Ella’s failed career and affair with a married music producer scandalizes her in the eyes of the town, but her legal troubles drive her to Landon to help. Landon finds himself increasingly attracted to Ella and more discontent than ever with the path he has chosen for his life. Amid a firestorm of family and town gossip, Landon is tormented by his past and the complicated decision of whether to listen to God’s voice or follow his own desires.

A retelling of Edith’s Wharton’s classic novel The Age Of Innocence, Songs from The Ashes explores the struggle with contentment in marriage and the dilemma between striving for personal happiness versus acceptance of God’s perfect plan.

 My Thoughts:

This was a story that I found really engrossing. I think many people can relate to the Landon and April storyline, whether he should stay with his wife or leave her for her cousin, I think it is an issue that Megan has researched well. Megan also covers the heart-wrenching part in the book when they have a baby who has a genetic condition called Trisomy 18, I had never heard of this condition before reading this book and really want people to read it and become aware of it and try to understand it. This part of the story was heart breaking and I couldn’t keep a dry eye but it has made me realise that we shouldn’t take life for granted as we don’t know how much longer we have left.

What Would Mary Berry Do? By Claire Sandy

What Would Mary Berry Do? By Claire Sandy

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Marie Dunwoody doesn’t want for much in life. She has a lovely husband, three wonderful children, and a business of her own. But her cupcakes are crap. Her meringues are runny and her biscuits rock-hard. She cannot bake for toffee. Or, for that matter, make toffee.

Marie can’t ignore the disappointed looks any more, or continue to be shamed by neighbour and nemesis, Lucy Gray. Lucy whips up perfect profiteroles with one hand, while ironing her bed sheets with the other. Marie’s had enough: this is the year it all changes. She vows to follow – to the letter – recipes from the Queen of Baking, and at all times ask, ‘What would Mary Berry do?’

Husband Robert has noticed that his boss takes crumb structure as seriously as budget cuts and with redundancies on the horizon, he too puts on a pinny. Twins Rose and Iris are happy to eat all the half-baked mistakes that come their way, but big brother Angus is more distant than usual, as if something is troubling him. And there is no one as nosey as a matching pair of nine-year-old girls…..

Marie starts to realise that the wise words of Mary Berry can help her with more than just a Victoria Sponge. But can Robert save the wobbling souffle that is his career? And is Lucy’s sweet demeanour hiding something secretly sour?

My Thoughts:

What a brilliant read! There is a warning that comes with this book – you will want to eat cake and lots of it. This is definitely one for people that love’ The Great British Bake Off’. Great family life story, found parts in it that I could relate to. The cover to this book is amazing, I literally bought it and then made a cake, now I like baking but this has inspired me to bake more, maybe from a Mary Berry book. I loved every single character, Claire has written it well to touch on certain issues and I just found it a heart warming story that you just want to snuggle up with and maybe have a cake or two. A laugh out loud read.

Breakdown (Crash into Me Book 1) By Amanda Lance

Breakdown (Crash into Me Book 1) By Amanda Lance

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Charlotte Ferro is about to jump.

Yet nothing ruins a perfectly good suicide attempt worse than a handsome do-gooder. After William O`Reilly convinces her to take one last ride with him, Charlotte finds herself forgetting about her own problems and enjoying a world which she never dreamed.

Now addicted to the rush of fast cars and cool criminals, Charlotte finds herself leaning less towards the ledge and more to the arms of her savior. But with reasons of his own for keeping Charlotte safe from herself, William is reluctant to involve her in his criminal undertakings. Will his career choice keep them apart? Will Charlotte’s painful past?

My Thoughts:

I must say this book is action packed right from the word go. Brilliantly written and filled with romance, you really feel like you have been caught up in Charlotte’s story. I was shocked to the core with some parts of the story but then other parts reduced me to tears. This book I found I had never read a book like it before and will be looking out to read more of Amanda Lance’s books. I loved it.

 

Our Beautiful Child And Other Stories By Annalisa Crawford

Our Beautiful Child And Other Stories By Annalisa Crawford

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“The Boathouse collects misfits. Strange solitary creatures that yearn for contact with the outside world, but not too much. They sit, glass in hand, either staring at the table in front of them, or at some distant point on the horizon.”

…… So says the narrator of Our Beautiful Child. And he’s been round long enough to know.

People end up in this town almost by accident. Ella is running away from her nightmares, Sally is running away from the memories of previous boyfriends and Rona is running away from university. Each of them seek sanctuary in the 18th century pub, The Boathouse;  but in fact that’s where their troubles begin.

Ella finds love, a moment to late; Rona discovers a beautiful ability which needs refining before she gets hurt; and Sally meets the captivating Murray, who threatens to ruin everything.

Three women. Three Stories. One Pub.

My Thoughts:

Annalisa has managed to write a book centered around one place The Boathouse. Each story is unique interesting and also slight creepy. I don’t normally read books that are in the horror genre but this made me thirsty for more, I really enjoyed the second book and the third just made me want to read more. The cover adds a certain mystery to the book as I could’nt work out what the book was about until I read the book. Very powerful story. Will be looking forward to Annalisa’s next book and hope it is
as good as this one.

 

The Fault In Our Stars By John Green

The Fault In Our Stars By John Green

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The_Fault_in_Our_StarsThe Fault In Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling and tragic business of being alive and in love.

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

My Thoughts:

The Fault In Our Stars is a quick read, it has a very addictive story line that come to life. Some people that have read this book have been in tears but I was disappointed as I just didn’t cry I mean yes i did feel sad especially as reading a book about something that affects so many people and I think it is harder when you have had someone close to you die of this nasty disease. This book will make you think how precious life is and to cherish what you have got. I think The Fault In Our Stars will stay with me forever and I will probably re-read it and give it to a friend. I would now like to see the film to see if that is any good.

 

Rory’s Proposal By Lynda Renham

Rory’s Proposal By Lynda Renham

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When 29-year-old Flora Robson reversed her car into Tom’s Audi she had no idea who he was. Only after she started to fall in love with him does she discover the gorgeous blue-eyed Tom is the man who is trying to close down her hairdressing business. It seems that Tom will stop at nothing to get what he wants, but Flora is not giving in to anyone.

Can she win the battle against her multimillionaire enemy or will her feelings for him get in the way? Follow Flora’s hilarious journey of love, hot chocolate and marshmallows, and the man who changes everything.

My Thoughts:

This book is a feel good book. I haven’t read a really funny book like this for ages, and it was really refreshing.The characters were wonderful, I fell in love with Flora straight away and as for Tom well even though he is the baddie I think all women would admire him but maybe from a distance. I must admit I couldn’t put this book down as I knew with every page that something would make me laugh out loud. Fantastic easy read and Lynda has written it well, will be looking out for more of Lynda Renham’s books.

 

Playing With Fire By Devika Fernando

Playing With Fire By Devika Fernando

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If you’re playing with fire, prepare to get burned – or to fall in love. Sparks fly when Felicia and Joshua meet.

Discovering her inner fire and unleashing unimaginable powers makes her realize that all her life, she has been hiding her true self. When buildings burn and people are in danger, the tempting game of playing with fire becomes serious. Will their love and desp
erate struggle for control save her life, or will the fire magic turn itself against its mistress?

My Thoughts:

I thought this book was brilliant, a stunning plot that will have you thinking for a time after you have read this book. Nice start to the story and Devika writes incredibly well as the conclusion is fantastic. I’ve even had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Devika’s first book ‘When I see Your Face’ and that was a brilliant story too. I love the cover too as it adds a certain mystery to what will happen in this story. Intriguing story.

 

The disappearance Of Emily Marr By Louise Candlish

The disappearance Of Emily Marr By Louise Candlish

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louise candlishArriving on the windswept Ile de Re off the coast of France, Tabby Dewhurst is heartbroken and penniless, unable to even afford a room for the night. Then she overhears a villager repeating aloud the access code to her front door and, hardly believing her own actions, Tabby waits for her to leave and lets herself into the house….

And so she enters the strange, hidden world of a woman called Emmie, whose sudden offer of friendship is at odds with her obsession with her own privacy. Soon Tabby begins to form suspicions about Emmie, suspicions that will lead her back to England – and to a scandal with shattering consequences.

My Thoughts:

My first ever review was for a Louise Candlish book called ‘The Day You Saved My Life’, which I was given by a lovely book blogger friend. I thoroughly enjoyed that book but this book was riveting. Such a compelling story with twists and turns you would never expect. This book has emotional highs and lows and the relevant issues are dealt with very well. However I would say that the ending left me wanting more. I don’t feel it was left how it should be. I loved the fact it was set in France and that the cover is stunning. A perfect beach read! Will be purchasing more of her books.

For Better, For Worse By Carole Matthews

For Better, For Worse By Carole Matthews

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For-Better-For-Worse_250x379Josie Flynn is in New York for the wedding of her American cousin Martha. Having just been through a messy divorce, she isn’t really in the wedding spirit, especially when she thinks Martha is about to marry the wrong man – and Josie isn’t afraid to tell her so.

Which is all very noble – until Josie meets Matt Jarvis and appears to be about to fall for the wrong man herself. Add to that the return of her ex-husband, an old flame and a dubious boyband and it looks like it’s going to be quite a wedding…

My Thoughts:

I absolutely love Carole Matthews books. She is one of my favourite authors and I cannot get enough of her books. This book had me laughing on nearly every page it literally is that good. Once I started this book I found it very hard to put down. I must of read it in a day and a half. I loved the storyline and the characters were brilliant as they always are in Carole’s books. I would strongly recommend anyone who has never read any of her books to give at least one a try, I just know you will fall in love. Im looking forward to reading Carole Matthews next book.

A Kettle Of Fish By Ali Bacon

A Kettle Of Fish By Ali Bacon

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Cover Kettle of FishAilsa has just left school and should be living it up on a summer trip, but her plans are scuppered by her needy and secretive mother. In desperation she takes up with local fishmonger Ian. He’s good for her soul and sex-life, but their future is blighted by the shadow of Ailsa’s absent father Tom, an art teacher who left home after hitting the headlines in the worst possible way. In the end Ailsa makes a break for Edinburgh, where she finds a job and a bed with Shane, a shady dealer i picture-rights. With him she lets go of her inhibitions, but can she let go of her past?

A rollercoaster family drama described as “harsh, gritty yet lyrical”.

A Kettle Of Fish moves from the East coast of Fife to the art galleries of Edinburgh, where Ailsa finds herself fishing for clues about Tom.

My Thoughts:

What a delightful read. I loved the plot and that it is set in Scotland. This is a book you won’t be able to put down. I was actually thinking about the book when I wasn’t even reading it. The main character Ailsa had indeed uncovered a kettle of fish, and I couldn’t wait to know what the outcome was going to be. This book is well worth a read especially if you want a book that is engaging and fascinating.