The Masterful Mr Montague by Stephanie Laurens

The Masterful Mr Montague by Stephanie Laurens

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stephanie laurens

Heathcote Montague has devoted his life to managing his life to wealth of London’s elite, but at a huge cost: a family of his own. Then the enticing Miss Violet Matcham seeks his help, and in the puzzle she presents him, he finds an intriguing new challenge professionally… and personally.

Violet, devoted lady-companion to the ageing Lady Halstead, turns to Montague to reassure her ladyship that her affairs are in order. But the famous Montague is not at all what she’d expected – this man is compelling, decisive, supportive and strong – everything Violet needs in a champion; a position to which Montague rapidly lays claim.

But then Lady Halstead is murdered and Violet and Montague, aided by Barnaby Adair, race to expose a cunning and cold-blooded killer… who stalks closer and closer. Will Montague and Violet learn the shocking truth too late to seize their chance at enduring love?

My Thoughts:

I have never read any of Stephanie Lauren’s book before, if your interested in reading about a mystery with a love story on the side this is the book for you. The story did hold my attention as I wanted to find out who the murderer was and it took me back to the regency period which Stephanie captured brilliant. Personally I want to read Stephanie’s previous novels as she did keep referring to characters from them but it was a good read one I would recommend if your into historical fiction.

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

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sophie kinsellaWhat do you do when you think your sister’s about to marry the wrong man?

It’s all gone wrong with the man Lottie thought was Mr Right. Then out of the blue she gets a call from her first love. She decides it must be fate, and rushes off to marry him and rekindle their sizzling Greek island romance. Lottie’s older sister can’t believe she’s doing something so crazy. No more Ms Nice Sister, she’s stopping this marriage. Right away! And she’ll go to any lengths to do so…

My Thoughts:

I love Sophie Kinsella books they never fail to cheer me up, this one was no exception. I got into this book straight away and couldn’t put it down, there are quite a few funny moments in this book and it had me in fits of laughter so much so I did get quite a few looks from people. If you need cheering up this is the book for you. Sophie Kinsella uses both sister’s to narrate this book. It was nice having two female leads. Some of the situations are far fetched but I’m not reading for reality I’m reading for entertainment.

 

The Disgrace of Kitty Grey by Mary Hooper

The Disgrace of Kitty Grey by Mary Hooper

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mary hooperBridgeford Hall 1813.

Kitty has a comfortable life as a country milkmaid. She is well looked after by the family who live up at the great house, and she enjoys being courted by Will Villiers, the handsome river man.

Then, one day, Will vanishes. Kitty is heartbroken, and when she is sent to London on an errand, she is determined to track down Will. But, alone and vulnerable in the vast city, Kitty’s fate is snatched out of her hands and she is plunged into a dizzying spiral of despair….

 

My Thoughts:

I don’t normally read historical fiction but I was drawn to the cover and the blurb on the back just as something different from my normal reads. I managed to read this book in a day, the chapters were quite short and the writing large so took no time at all. This book gave me a frightening account of what an unforgiving place the 19th century London was. I found it very interesting historically and enjoyed the last couple of pages where there are some historical notes which I found fascinating. A good little read when you want something a little bit different.

Life, Death and Vanilla Slices by Jenny Eclair

Life, Death and Vanilla Slices by Jenny Eclair

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Jean Collins had two daughters. But she only loved one of them. She knew it was wrong, but she just couldn’t help herself. Jess was a little sweetheart – everyone said so. Anne was awkward and serious and not much fun, to be frank.

But now the years have passed. Jess is missing – run off long ago, no one knows where or why. So when Jean is left in a coma after a road accident, it’s Anne who travels back up north to sit with her mother. And she wonders – why did Jean dash out into the roadLife, Death, Vanilla Slices without looking? And why was she carrying a box of vanilla slices, the cream cakes she only ever bought for extra special occasions? Meanwhile there are secrets waiting for Anne and Jean, back at the old family home. Secrets that were buried a long time ago……

My Thoughts:

Jenny Eclair is a new author to me, I found this book a real page turner I managed to read it over two days and didn’t want it to end. The unfolding stories of Anne and Jean’s were real and it made me really care about the characters and what happened to them. I found the ending quite emotional as this is a book about honest family relationships, consequences of choices and the ways in which dreams in both their collapse or their fulfilment may change the course of our lives. And who doesn’t like a vanilla slice?!

Love On The Rocks By Veronica Henry

Love On The Rocks By Veronica Henry

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Secrets, rivalry, sunshine – Welcome to Mariscombe …

When the run-down Rocks Hotel comes up for auction in Mariscombe, Lisa and her boyfriend George, make a successful bid to escape and live the dream. But their dream quickly becomes a nightmare. Their arch-rival Bruno Thorne, owner of the Mariscombe Hotel, seems intent on sabotage. Meanwhile, local chambermaid Molly is harbouring a secret that will blow the whole village apart. Then an unexpected visitor tuens up on the doorstep. It seems everyone is Mariscombe is sailing a little too close to the rocks….veronica henry

 

My Thoughts:

This book was fantastic from start to finish. This book is a must summer read as it keeps you interested. I love the cover on this book and the blurb on the back made me want to read it straight away. There was quite a few characters in this book but it’s easy to keep up with. Definitely a page turner i managed to read it within a couple of days. I love Veronica Henry’s books they always manage to make me smile and shed a few tears.

 

The Unpredictable consequences of Love by Jill Mansell

The Unpredictable consequences of Love by Jill Mansell

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In the idyllic seaside town of St Carys in Cornwall, Sophie is working as a photographer and putting the past firmly behind her. When Josh Strachan moves back to St Carys to run the family hotel, he can’t understand why Sophie has zero interest in letting any man into her life. He also can’t understand how he’s been duped into employing Sophie’s impulsive friend Tula, whose crush on him is decidedly unrequited.

St Carys has more than its fair share of characters, including the charming but utterly feckless surfer Riley

Bryant, who has a massive crush on Tula. Riley’s aunt is superstar author Marguerite Marshall. And Jill MansellMarguerite has designs on Josh’s grandfather…. who in turn still adores his glamorous ex-wife, Dot… Just how many secrets can one seaside town hold ? Love has the ability to change people, sometimes for ever. And the consequences are impossible to predict.

My Thoughts:

I love Jill Mansell’s books, she is one of the authors i will actually buy. The characters always seem well drawn like you know them or could be friends with them. There are quite a few ups and downs in this book and a twist i did’t see coming, this story is definitely not a light read it covers deeper issues, but these are dealt sympathetically and made to feel like an integral part of the story. There are quite a few characters in the story but i came to love them all. Looking forward to Jill Mansell’s next book.

The Boot Camp by Kate Harrison

The Boot Camp by Kate Harrison

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kate harrisonSix days of dawn runs, blistered feet and non-stop sit ups…

Five meals a day – if you count half an apple and an oatcake as dinner…

Four poster beds not included but sleep won’t be a problem after a ten hour workout…

Three women with a battalion’s worth of baggage between them…

Two hardcore ex-forces trainers with testosterone to spare…

One Goal to feel like a million dollars for the first time in your life. Leave your Mars Bars and Marlboros at the door – this is Boot Camp.

My Thoughts: This is a wonderful read although i would never go to boot camp myself. I loved all the characters and their stories. I liked the way the chapters were divided into the characters. My favourite character was Steph everyone can relate to her and get on with her, I thought Staff Ryan was likeable and i came to like staff Pepper in the end. I could empathise with a couple of the characters who enrol at the boot camp for a variety of reasons but not all weight related. I have enjoyed all of Kate Harrison’s book so far.

 

Check out this blog

Check out this blog

by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

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I had the pleasure of reviewing this book for a very nice lady called Carol who needed guest reviewers for her website. Not thinking it would come to much Carol actually published the review on her website Thankyou very much Carol.

Check it out here:

http://dizzycslittlebookblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/guest-review-day-you-saved-my-life-by.html

Here’s to hoping to get more books to review at some point soon 🙂

The Holiday Home by Fern Britton

The Holiday Home by Fern Britton

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fern

Two sisters. One house. The holiday of a lifetime…

Set on a Cornish cliff, Atlantic House has been the jewel in the Carew family crown for centuries. Each year, the Carew sisters embark on the yearly summer holiday, but they are as different as vinegar and honey. Prudence, hard-nosed business woman married to the meek and mild Francis, is about to get the shock reminder that you should never take anything for granted. Constance, loving wife to philandering husband Greg, has always been outwitted by her manipulative sibling.

Suspecting that Pru wants to get her hands on Atlantic House, Connie wont take things lying down. When an old face appears on the scene, years of simmering resentments reach boiling point. Little do the women know that a long buried secret is about to bite them all  on the bottom. Is this one holiday that will push them over the edge, or can Constance and Pru leave the past where it belongs?

My Thoughts:

I have read Fern Britton’s previous novels and thoroughly enjoyed them. This book i found hard to get into at the beginning but after the third chapter i got into it and couldn’t work out what was going to happen next, which i like in a book. This book is all about family relationships, rivalry and history repeating itself. Fern makes the setting in Cornwall easy to visualise you can tell she has a passion for the place and my my what a place Atlantic House is, when i go to Cornwall i will definitely be searching the cliff tops for it. A light and easy read perfect for a holiday especially if your going down to Cornwall.

Just for Christmas by Scarlett Bailey

Just for Christmas by Scarlett Bailey

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When Alex Munro learns that the love of her life is getting married to another girl, all she wants is to be alone and as far away from Edinburgh as possible. Moving to a Cornish cottage, which comes complete with the world’s scruffiest dog. Alex finds that her new neighbours are determined to involve her in their madcap Christmas festivities. Then she meets her sexy neighbour Ruan and somehow Alex doesn’t want to be alone this Christmas after all. But having lost one fiancé, Ruan has no intention of letting anyone get close to him again.scarlet bailey

My Thoughts:

Scarlett Bailey is a new author to me. I warmed to Alex straight away and absolutely loved Buoy the dog. There were parts of the plot that moved too fast but i did’t mind that as situations do change overnight. I could imagine myself living there as village life in Cornwall seems beautifully portrayed. This books touches on the importance of family and friendship something everyone needs at Christmas time. I will definitely be reading more of Scarlett Bailey’s books.