A family secret worth killing for…

In the dead of night, 72-year-old Miriam Narracott is found wandering on Exmoor, holding a knife and covered in blood. Inside the family farmhouse lies the body of her adult son, Gabe.

CSI Ally Dymond is on compassionate leave, but when approached by the new DI, recently arrived from London and eager to have Ally’s keen eye and local knowledge on the case, she finds herself being drawn back in.

With their only suspect Miriam unwilling – or unable – to talk, the team must dig into the family’s history to uncover a motive. Instead they find evidence that Gabe was involved with a criminal network, suggesting a completely different chain of events. But if Miriam isn’t the killer – then who is?

My Thoughts:

This is book two in the CSI Ally Dymond Series and can be read as a standalone, though I am dying to read the first book as I want to get more of a back story for the characters. I was not sure what to expect from a new author to me, but I would rate this highly as a great series to get stuck into. I cannot wait to read the next book now. I like the fact that the story alternates between the main storyline but also Ally’s life, with a great pace to it that kept me wanting to keep reading on. I guessed a couple of things that may happen but it didn’t put me off reading it. The setting for the murder was perfect, with the descriptions the author uses you can really feel the bleakness and isolation of the farm house. It was such a great read and the ending was unbelievably good. I look forward to finding out what Ally’s next case is going to be.

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

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Peter and Hank are lifelong friends, but when it comes to their jobs they couldn’t be more different. Peter is a small-town pastor and is devoted to helping the community, while Hank runs the local pub and is never too far from a party. But this Christmas, everything is about to change . . .

Having never settled down, Peter and Hank believe their demanding jobs are keeping them from finding love. Convinced that the other has it easier, they hatch a plan to swap places the week before Christmas to put their theories to the test and find time for themselves.

But as Hank quickly becomes overwhelmed by nativity plans, and Peter struggles to control the rowdy festive pub-goers, they each begin to worry they’re in over their heads. Luckily, church assistant Grace is on hand to help Hank navigate a church/life balance, and a young woman seeking shelter at the pub might be exactly what Peter needs to realise there’s more than one way to help his community . . .

This Christmas, will Peter and Hank’s stunt fall flat, or will it open their eyes to the possibility of love at last?

My Thoughts:

This is my first Christmas book of the year and I couldn’t wait to dive in and feel festive. This is a nice short easy read which I read in a couple of hours. I love the way in which the story is set, telling the children a story, also one that is not made up, we hear from the children throughout asking questions which I liked because some of those questions I was asking myself. It is a lovely festive read all about friendship and romance. It was uplifting and just pure joy to read.

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

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Escaping her seemingly perfect wedding, Naomi Witt arrives in rough-around-the-edges Knockemout, Virginia, running to the rescue of her estranged twin, Tina.

Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected: the 11-year-old niece she didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no job, no plan, no home and a whole lot of extra responsibility.

There’s a reason local barber Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into trouble, he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life.

At least that’s the plan, until their lives begin to entwine in ways they never imagined . . .

My Thoughts:

This is the first book in the Knockemout Series and after seeing everyone reading this book and raving about it, I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and check out what this series is all about. I thought it was an ok read nothing special but it did keep me engaged. There was something about the characters that drew me in. I liked Naomi and I liked Waylay too, Knox annoyed me throughout the story, he just made me feel a little cringe about certain things he talked about. Also personally I feel the sexual parts were a little too much in parts, I didn’t feel as though they were needed. I will be reading the rest of the series, just to see if they get any better, but for me this was just ok.

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One dark evening in New York City, two strangers meet by chance.
Over drinks, Amanda and Wendy realise they have so much in common.

They both feel alone. They both drink alone.
And they both desperately want revenge against the two men who destroyed their families.

Together, they have the perfect plan.
If you kill for me, I’ll kill for you…

My Thoughts:

I have read a few of Steve’s books now and always enjoyed them, this one left me thinking how he could top this with his next book. It was a captivating read that takes you into the deepest darkest twists and turns that you could ever imagine. I find I really like Steve’s style of writing he brings the characters to life and the whole story too, I didn’t want to put this book down. It was packed full of twists, oh my god’s and things you would of never imagined could happen. It was absolutely fantastic read and I cannot wait to read more of his books.

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A long-lasting friendship
Every year, Erica, Claudia, and Anna reunite for their book club holiday. They’re bonded by years of friendship and a deep love of books, but there is still so much they keep from each other . . .

A perfect Christmas escape
At the cosy Maple Sugar Inn, Hattie specialises in making her guests’ dreams come true, but this Christmas all she wants is to survive the festive season. Between running the inn and being a single mother, Hattie is close to breaking point.

The start of a brand-new story…?
Over the course of an eventful week, Hattie sees that the friends are each carrying around unspoken truths, but nothing prepares her for how deeply her story will become entwined in theirs. Will this Christmas be the end of the book club’s story or the start of a whole new chapter?

My Thoughts:

What a magical story about three best of friends who all have different real life situations. They have bonded over their love of books and they are always there for each other no matter what. Over a week away at the Maple Sugar Inn they realise they might not know everything about each other, who is keeping a secret? the owner of the Inn can see things are not quite right but how is it that she becomes involved? I felt very cosy and comforted reading this story, it is the perfect Christmas and winter style read. All the characters are relatable and Sarah always does a wonderful job of keeping sensitive issues right. I just wanted to keep reading more about the three friends.

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

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Yasmiin cannot comprehend what the policeman is saying to her. Her friend in a coma? Attempted suicide? Discovering she’s listed as next of kin, Yasmiin looks to her friend’s past to try and understand her actions, uncovering fresh mysteries at every turn. All the while, her own life seems to be running off course.

Kemi seems to have it all: a high-powered job, a beautiful flat, a loving boyfriend. So why doesn’t she feel more settled? Unsure whether its homesickness, heartsickness or sick-and-tired-of-the-same-old-sickness, she embarks on a destructive path to try and change things up.

Brittany-Rae doesn’t remember the woman she was before she met her husband Jonny. She knows she was an ambitious, confident go-getter, but now she’s faded into Jonny’s domineering shadow. And as she unearths disturbing secrets about her husband, she’s focused on only one thing: her daughter, Maya, and ensuring she is as far away from Jonny as possible.

My Thoughts:

Yasmiin, Kemi and Brittany-Rae are three women who all have their own real life stories that unfold through out the pages. It is raw and emotional as the three women try to make their journey through life and what they have to deal with each and every day. Each has their own life and story and it was interesting to see how they weave together and made an connection. It was a good read and one that I will always remember.

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

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It’s the Fourth of July weekend at the prestigious West Heart country club. Gathered for cocktails on the first evening are just some of the guests: the club president, the treasurer and his pregnant wife, the snooping school boy, the bereaved father, the taciturn caretaker, the prospective member, the private detective…

And there will also be a body.

And a fiendish mystery to solve.

But everything else is to play for.

And you are about to find out that you have a role to play in this mystery too..

My Thoughts:

Wow what a great book. It is a completely original story, one that you will never have experienced in your life and you as the reader are part of it. It is a murder mystery that is set up as a brain teaser and to get the reader working for the story. It is set at a country club where eight people are gathered but there is also one body. As the reader you will need to piece together the who, what and whys in this mysterious whodunit. It is a very clever concept and one I really enjoyed reading. I couldn’t believe this is a debut novel and I look forward to seeing what Dan the author comes up with next. This is going to be a big hit when it comes out.

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

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The perfect escape, or the perfect trap?

When a select group of influencers and journalists receive an exclusive invitation to a luxury resort in the Maldives, it seems like the ultimate press trip.
But when the island is cut off during a storm and people start dying, it looks like someone has murder in mind.
Are the guests really who they seem to be, or does each one of them have a secret to hide?
Something they would kill for?

My Thoughts:

The book is set in the Maldives at a luxury resort, first off I want to say I have always wanted to go to the Maldives so this was the perfect setting for me. Only specific influencers and Journalists have been invited for a press trip. At the start everything is good, everyone is having a lovely time until bad things start happening. No one knows who to trust anymore and when the island gets cut off something tragic happens. Who really are these people and why would you want to trust any of them? It was a really good page turner, I didn’t want to put the book down and felt really invested in the story. The characters were all great and well rounded, I did suspect one or two of them of foul play but I could never imagined that the ending would turn out like it did. What a hell of a ride.

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

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Three women. Three secrets.

Claudia‘s life imploded ten years ago when she was convicted of the murder of her child. Now she has done the unthinkable and confessed to manslaughter in order to be granted parole – her only hope of finding out what really happened to Tilly.
Sara is married to Joe, Claudia’s ex-husband, and they have a young child together. She finally has everything she ever wanted, but Claudia’s release threatens the perfect life she has created.
Anna was the babysitter who let Claudia and Joe down on day their daughter disappeared. Married with a child of her own, Claudia’s reappearance in her quiet cul-de-sac is an unwelcome surprise.
These three women are tied together in more ways than they realize. But only one of them is capable of killing.

My Thoughts:

This is the story of three women who are all acquaintances. Claudia is going through hell, she has previous but has she done bad this time? all she wants is to find out what happened to her daughter. Sara is with Claudia’s ex husband and she has created the perfect life but is worried Claudia is going to ruin everything. And Anna was the babysitter at the time that Claudia’s daughter went missing, Claudia’s back and she is out for her. They are all tied in many more ways than you could ever imagine. What is going to happen , there are many twists in this story and I could never of guessed what did actually happen. I was shocked. I like Emma’s writing and how quick paced the read was. It certainly kept me on my toes.

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

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Reconnect with the seasons in Britain and Ireland with this month-by-month guide to the world around us – including tide tables, sunrises and moon phases; garden feasts, wildlife and folklore; seasonal recipes, snacks and more.

The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2024 gives you the tools and inspiration you need to celebrate, mark and appreciate each month of the year in your own particular way.

Divided into the 12 months, a set of tables each month gives it the feel and weight of a traditional almanac, providing practical information that gives access to the outdoors and the seasons, perfect for expeditions, meteor-spotting nights and beach holidays.

This year’s edition focuses on the natural wonders of the garden, celebrating the beautiful flora and fauna at your doorstep. There are also features on each month’s unique nature, plus a flower and a snack of the month.

You will find yourself referring to The Almanac all year long, revisiting it again and again, and looking forward to the next edition as the year draws to a close.

My Thoughts:

After having 2023’s book I couldn’t wait to read 2024’s one. It is a small handy book that is a real keeper. There are many things to read about including what to plant at certain times of the month, what to look out for. There is lots of information packed into this small book but things you will never find boring. I found it useful and insightful as I do lots of gardening. It has really given me some good ideas on how to improve my garden. I also really like the snack of the month. There are pictures makes the book more magical. Overall it is a great book full of tips and tricks. A great gift for any outdoor people.

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

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