Murder is never just a walk in the park . . .

When friends Louise and Irina find a dead body in the local park whilst walking their dogs, they are soon drawn into the mystery of who murdered local entrepreneur Phil Creasey.

Phil used to be a member of their dog walking community – nicknamed ‘the Pack’ – until the death of his cockapoo, and the Pack feel they owe it to Phil to investigate his death. But with Louise and Irina leading the charge, it isn’t long until they’re neck-deep in local gangs, stolen motorcycles and a disturbing string of poisonings. Have the Pack bitten off more than they can chew, or can they follow their noses and solve the crime?

My Thoughts:

When two friends go for a walk with their dogs, they would never expect to find a horrific discovery. They are determined to find out what happened to the person, when they join forces with a fellow dog walker Phil, they would of never realised how deep they would get into solving crimes. It was a great easy read with loveable characters including the dogs. It was a fun read and as the reader I felt as though I was part of the pack and trying the solve the crimes too. A murder mystery at it’s best and including some adorable dogs.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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First, there were my mother’s bones . . .

A young woman returns home to the small, claustrophobic town of Knife River. When Jess was thirteen, her mother went for a walk and did not return – now, fifteen years later, bones have been discovered in the woods nearby.

Jess’s sister has remained in their childhood home – her life, their home and the town itself seemingly frozen in time. As days turn into weeks, Jess’s understanding of the past, her sister, and herself becomes more and more complicated – and the list of suspects responsible for her mother’s terrible fate more and more ominous . . .

My Thoughts:

Jess has returned home to Knife River, but her memories of the place are not good ones. When Jess was younger, something terrible happened and now this has come back to haunt her. Jess has a sister and she has stayed in the family home all this time whereas Jess fled. What has been going on in her sisters life since she left, it is much more complicated than Jess realises. It is quite a long and slow story, and doesn’t really get going for ages. It is one that needs to have perseverance to it as the outcome was jaw dropping. It is a mystery with a twist and multi layered too. It is worth a read.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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One week in Cape Cod. The perfect family holiday. What could possibly go wrong…?

For the past two decades, Rocky has looked forward to her family’s yearly escape to Cape Cod. Their rustic beach-town rental has been the site of sweet memories, its quirky furniture and mismatched pots and pans greeted like old friends.

Now, sandwiched between her children who are adult enough to be fun but still young enough to need her, and her parents who are alive and healthy, Rocky wants to preserve this golden moment forever. This one precious week when everything is in balance; everything is in flux.

But every family has its secrets and hers is no exception.

With her body in open revolt and surprises invading her peaceful haven, the perfectly balanced seesaw of Rocky’s life is tipping towards change…

My Thoughts:

When Rocky goes on holiday to Cape Cod with her family, its like returning to old friends as they go every year. It is always the same but it brings great memories for them all. Her children are now older and it feels a great time to be alive. But is life getting on top of her, she is not as young as she used to be. This is a raw and emotional read about a woman going through the stages of life and trying to be the best for everyone. There are sensitive issues dealt with through out the story and I really found those hard to read about as I am sure other women will too. There are a few funny parts to this book too that gives the reader a little warmth and I did feel as though I needed a break after certain parts of this book. It was hard going and tough to read.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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TWO COUPLES

Elena and Adam are housesitting in Wimbledon and are instantly seduced by their new upscale surroundings.

Sophia and Finn are their beautiful, enigmatic neighbours who invite them into their world.

ONE TWISTED GAME

When Sophia proposes a wicked game to Elena whereby they will swap partners in secret, it’s not long before Elena starts to experience a sexual awakening that blossoms into an illicit love affair.

But Sophia’s plans are far more complex and dangerous than Elena could ever have imagined…

WHO WILL SURVIVE?

My Thoughts:

When Elena and Adam start housesitting in a up scale market area, they think all their dreams have come true. When they meet Sophia and Finn things start to change dramatically. They will swap partners and hide it from everyone else. But is this a good idea as feelings start to change and emotions take over? but is there more to this than meets the eye. I liked the sound of this book, it was gripping and you could feel the tension between each page. It was the most unexpected book I have ever read with a dark and captivating game that they all played. The story has twists and they excited me, and the ending was brilliant.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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1656, Saint-Domingue. In the dark confines of a cell, a prisoner is waiting. Soon the hangman will call her name. Jacquotte Delahaye. A name which has struck fear into even the mightiest of empires. For Jacquotte is no ordinary prisoner: she is a pirate.

Fierce. Legendary. Deadly.

As the hangman prepares the noose, Jacquotte’s story is told, charting her humble origins from the island of Hispaniola to the deck of a fearsome pirate ship. There, against all odds, she swiftly rises through the ranks, travelling across the Caribbean, facing duels across land and sea, and savouring tender moments stolen in the night.

With the sun rising, can Jacquotte fight her way to freedom and find the woman she loves? Or will she die a legend?

My Thoughts:

The story is set in the 1650’s and features Jacquotte who has been trapped in a cell waiting for the person to call her to lead her to her death but what has she done wrong? She has been condemned a pirate but when her story is read out can she prove to everyone why she should stay alive. It was a bit different to the types of books I would normally read but I am trying to broaden my reading genres this year. I felt as though it was action packed from the get go and had some really great characters that really brought the story together. It was a read I was unsure if I would enjoy but I really did enjoy it. If you like an adventure packed full of pirates and a kick ass Jacquotte then this is the story for you.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Eighty years on, D-Day The Oral History is a fresh and significant new history of arguably the most important day of the 20th Century.

On 6th June 1944, the Allied invasion began. For hours, wave after wave of soldiers, sailors, and airmen crossed the channel and stormed the Normandy coast, fighting to gain a foothold in Nazi-occupied Northwest Europe. It was the largest combined air and seaborne invasion ever, involving over 150,000 Allied troops on the ground, and its eventual success became a critical turning point in the war, spelling the beginning of the end for the Third Reich.

As the events of that day fade from living memory, it’s more important than ever to understand what it felt like to be there and to live through it, on both sides. In this definitive work, Garrett M. Graff, the bestselling author of The Only Plane in the Sky: The Oral History of 9/11, compiles over 600 US, Canadian, UK, French and German voices to tell the full story of exactly how that historic day unfolded, in visceral detail – as well as the weeks and months leading up to it. From paratroopers to fighter pilots to nurses, generals, French villagers, German Defenders to Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt, this is the most intimate re-telling of D-Day published to date.

My Thoughts:

I didn’t know much about D Day which is rather embarrassing, but now I feel as though I have a lot more knowledge and understanding. Garrett has written an impressive novel with people from the different countries voicing their opinions on what actually happened from their point of view. I found it fascinating and much more interesting whilst reading about each side. It is a huge book but the photos in the middle break it up. I always find history books with photos much more intimate and thought provoking. A great novel for a history buff or for someone who wants to learn more.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Sometimes you have to dig a little deeper to get the life you want . . .

Abby Hamilton’s world has turned upside down in a matter of months – it seems that change is definitely in the air. But moving into Willow Court might just be the fresh start and happy distraction she needed.

Meeting her intriguing new neighbours helps push Abby out of her comfort zone. Then she finds an overgrown patch of garden in desperate need of love and time – something Abby has in spades! Throwing herself into bringing the garden back to life, Abby discovers that new beginnings can come from the most surprising places…

My Thoughts:

Abby’s life is not great at the moment and she needs to get away from everything and start a new life by herself. So when she moves into Willow Court she thinks this will do nicely, until she meets the neighbours, one in particular takes a disliking to her already but can she change his opinion of her? Abby needs a sense of purpose so when she finds an overgrown patch of garden she sets out to do her upmost of making it nice for the residents, a way of winning them over. To see everyone pull together is wonderful. There are a bunch of characters, some that will melt your heart like Ernie. There is a bit of everything in this story, a mixture of love, loss, ways of overcoming situations and healing. A great read to fall into.

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Perfect for home cooks of all levels, this book will take the stress out of mealtimes, with recipes that are fuss-free and use everyday ingredients that won’t break the bank. Including a chapter for each day of the week, plus four weekly meal plans and shopping lists, it has never been easier to eat well after a long day!

My Thoughts:

I couldn’t wait to get my copy of this book, I have been after a cookbook that has some great healthy dinners that are a bit different to the norm. This cookbook has over 100 recipes so I felt spoilt for choice. I like how the book is set out , and I always like cookbooks that have pictures to inspire you. The recipes look easy enough to follow and there are also some sweet treat recipes at the back too. All the recipes look mouth watering and I cannot wait to try to make some. I liked the sound of the mac and cheese lasagne, sausage and mushroom ragu and pretty much all of the other recipes too. I also liked the fact that there are sauces you can make too. It was a very knowledgeable and inspiring cookbook.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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It’s never too late to start over again …

A summer escape

When Cecilia Lapthorne’s 75th birthday celebrations take an unexpected turn, she seeks solace away from the festivities and escapes to Dune Cottage – without telling her family where she’s going.

A new friendship

Lily Thomas, a struggling artist, has secretly been staying in the unoccupied cottage. When Cecilia discovers Lily during a late-night visit, an unexpected bond forms between the two women.

A chance to start over

Then Cecilia’s grandson, Todd – and Lily’s unrequited crush – shows up, sending a shockwave through their unlikely friendship. Will it inspire Lily to find the courage to live the life she wants? Can Cecilia finally let go of the past to find a new future? Because as surely as the tide erases past footprints, this summer is offering both Cecilia and Lily the chance to swap old dreams for new …

My Thoughts:
The story is split into two with two very different women’s stories that intertwine somewhere along the way. Cecilia’s birthday is on the way and she wants nothing to do with the festivities that her daughter is arranging for her. No one understands how she is feeling and how she just wants to get away from her old life. So she takes a leap of faith and stays at Dune Cottage. Lily is struggling with her life and what people do not know about her is that she is staying at Dune Cottage for free, well she does the cleaning for the place and no one is residing there for now so why should she not? when Cecelia and Lily’s paths collide, they would never expect how much empathy and similarity they have. A great summer read, that I could not put down. Full of emotion, reality and hope.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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Ditched by her married lover Hugh on the day she was made redundant, Leonie plans to make life difficult for Hugh while she searches for a new job. She inveigles her way into his house as a cleaner, intending to plant fake clues to his new liaison for his wife Amanda to find. But instead she discovers real clues to Amanda’s secrets.

Meanwhile, fellow cleaners Brenda and Tina also have hidden agendas as they work: Brenda is counting on a spot of blackmail and Tina is looking for financial information to sell to her dodgy brother-in-law.

At the centre of this web is Amanda’s gardener Simon: handsome, ruthless and plausible, with a shady past and lofty ambitions.

A death in an apparent accident arouses Leonie’s suspicions. Can she put aside her animosity towards Amanda and use her impressive – if sometimes unorthodox – investigative skills to find the truth before someone else dies?

My Thoughts:

Leonie’s life is not going right now how she wanted it to go, she has no job and her lover who is a married man doesn’t want her anymore, but she is going to get her revenge on the man she thought she would spend the rest of her life with. Complicated. She sets out on her revenge plot but would never in a million years find out something that his wife is hiding from him. Everyone has secrets but who is ready to admit them? I liked how the story is believable and how the characters are too, the story has been dealt with sensitively and written very well. I really thought the ending was cleverly done and I felt satisfied at the end.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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