Home is where the heart is…

Joy has made a family for herself. She’s turned her beautiful old farmhouse into a safe haven for anyone who is looking for a new beginning. She’s always ready with a kind word, a nugget of advice and believes that anyone can change their life for the better, if they really want to.

Libby has exchanged her high-flying job in New York for a break in the quiet Somerset countryside. She’s soon drawn into Joy’s world and into her family of waifs and strays – including Drew, whom Joy once helped get back on his feet.

So when a secret from Joy’s past threatens everything, can the unlikely group come together to give Joy a second chance of her own?

My Thoughts:

I loved this story, it was such a lovely easy read. I cannot understand why I haven’t read any of Helen’s books before as this one was absolutely brilliant. I fell in love with Joy as she sounded such a wonderful person that anyone could easily get on with. I liked Libby too and some of the other characters. I liked how it was set around a farmhouse and what Joy does for everyone is truly inspiring. I felt as though I wanted to be there with everyone and help out. The story really drew me in, it was such a comforting read that I was sad when it ended. But never fear I have now ordered more of Helen’s books so I can get my fix of her other books.

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

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When an old television rival, Deirdre Shaw, is found dead at the Cotswolds manor house where she was catering for a prestigious shooting weekend, Prudence is asked to step into the breach. Prudence is only too happy to take up the position and soon she is working in the kitchens of Farleigh Manor.

But Farleigh Manor is the home to secrets, both old and new. The site of a famous unsolved murder from the nineteenth century, Farleigh Manor has never quite shaken off its sensationalist past. It’s about to get a sensational present too. Because, the more she scratches beneath the surface of this manor and its guests, the more Prudence becomes certain that Deirdre Shaw’s death was no accident. She’s staring in the face of a very modern murder. . .

My Thoughts:

I was so excited when I found out that Rosemary had written a book, I love her as a chef so was intrigued to see what her book was going to be like. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next. It was such a great story with a fantastic selection of characters, when reading it, I felt as though I could hear Rosemary reading it to me. I found it a light hearted murder mystery that brings all the elements together in a huge cooking pot. I knew Rosemary was a brilliant chef but god she can write brilliantly well too. This is going to be a huge hit when it comes out.

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

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A nightmare jolts Debs awake. She leaves the kids tucked up in their beds and goes downstairs. There’s a man in her kitchen, holding a knife. But it’s not an intruder. This is her husband Marc, the father of her children. A man she no longer recognises.

Once their differences were what drew them together, what turned them on. Him, the ex-army officer from a good family. Her, the fitness instructor who grew up over a pub. But now these differences grate to the point of drawing blood. Marc screams in his sleep. And Debs hardly knows the person she’s become, or why she lets him hurt her.

Neither of them is completely innocent. Neither is totally guilty. Marc is taller, stronger, and more vicious, haunted by a war he can’t forget. But he has no idea what Debs is capable of when her children’s lives are at stake…

My Thoughts:

This is the second book by Tina and it was just as brilliant as her first book which is called Call me Mummy. I found myself feeling engrossed in the book and what the outcome was going to be that I managed to read it in half a day. I found it a interesting and tense thriller, many times through out the story I was holding my breath and on edge. There is a man in Debs kitchen holding a knife but it is not just any man it is her husband, but what has led him to this? Both have their own secrets that unravel through out the story, it was such a rollercoaster of emotions and the way Tina has written it that make it such a compelling and gripping read. I so look forward to Tina’s next book.

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

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You get away with murder.
In a remote sea loch on the west coast of Scotland, a fisherman vanishes without trace. His remains are never found.
 
You make people disappear.
A young man jumps from a bridge in Glasgow and falls to his death in the water below. DS Max Craigie uncovers evidence that links both victims. But if he can’t find out what cost them their lives, it won’t be long before more bodies turn up at the morgue…
 
You come back for revenge.
Soon cracks start to appear in the investigation, and Max’s past hurtles back to haunt him. When his loved ones are threatened, he faces a terrifying choice: let the only man he ever feared walk free, or watch his closest friend die…

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in the DS Max Craigie Scottish Crime Thriller series and it is just as good as the first one. It is one of the best police procedurals I have read, it is fast paced and has a great story line, I feel as though you go on the journey with the police and I was trying to work out what had happened. Two victims but are they connected, DS Max Craigie has to find out before it is too late. I love the character of DS Max Craigie, I feel as though he is perfect for the job and handsome too. I didn’t want to put it down what with the twists that come up too. I am really looking forward to book three in the series. If you haven’t read book one, what are you waiting for? These books are going to be super popular.

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

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Ali Doyle, a thirty-two-year-old engineer, discovers her boyfriend – who is also the legal counsel at the suburban Philadelphia software company where she works – has no intention of marrying her. After an uncharacteristically emotional confrontation, Ali ends this two-year relationship. However, the fear of seeing her ex at work and losing all control causes her to feign an illness, self-isolating in her apartment. At first, she’s fine with the solitude, but when Ali tries to leave, she’s incapable of venturing outside.

Yet, while feeling lost and hopeless in this self-quarantined state, Ali discovers solace to her loneliness by watching dog walkers from her front window. In an effort to find human connection, she creates imaginative back stories for these strangers and their pets. Ultimately, it’s her concern for an elderly gentleman and his Golden Retriever, as well as advice from an unexpected voice inside of her head, that give her the strength to leave her apartment building and begin her journey to wellness.

As Ali reemerges from her isolated state, she meets several of the dog walkers, learning their real names and true identities. Through this process, she forms friendships, finds guidance, and eventually falls in love. But most importantly, Ali recovers the missing pieces of herself that she had given away as she confidently learns to release boundaries, surrender control, and establish trust.

My Thoughts:

I loved this book so much, it was a little different but in a good way, I always look at dog walkers and wonder what their story is so this was certainly a book I enjoyed reading. This is Ali’s story, she is not happy in her relationship so decides to end it but when lockdown happens it makes her feel lost and helpless. Whilst being alone she decides to watch the dog walkers come and go and wonders about their lives and what stories they have. In the first steps of getting back on track she decides to go and speak to some of them and she finds happiness in forming friendships and just having someone to talk to can be a real help. It was such a beautiful tale, which I think so many people will be able to relate too and I know that in lockdown it was very hard on so many people so I hope this book shows them that they are not alone but also shows other people how hard people were affected by it.

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

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Little Jamey, 2½ years old, is placed with experienced foster carer, Cathy Glass, as an emergency.

The police and social services had no choice after a neighbour reported Jamey had been left alone all night while his mother went out partying. Scared, hungry and withdrawn, Jamey has spent so much time in his cot that his leg muscles haven’t developed, and he can barely walk. He is craving affection, and Cathy and her family find him very easy to love. However, as Jamey begins to settle in and make progress a new threat emerges. Coronavirus and lockdown changes everything.

My Thoughts:

I have read all of Cathy’s books to date and they never fail to disappoint. This one was just as good as all of her other books. This story focuses on Jamey’s story and also how the pandemic affected Cathy and her family. Little Jamey is such a sweet little boy and I was grateful to Cathy for taking him in and all the things she does for him is wonderful, it was wonderful to see how much he develops just within the time he is with Cathy. I found it interesting to see how Cathy and her family cope during the pandemic and how much it had hit foster carers is eye opening. I look forward to Cathy’s next book now.

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The invites went out weeks ago, and tonight, at a lavish manor house surrounded by friends and family, Kaitlin couldn’t be happier. But as the champagne corks pop, her dream party becomes her worst nightmare…

Staring at the stunning diamond solitaire on her finger, Kaitlin is finally getting the chance to introduce her best friend Zoe to her perfect fiancé. She hasn’t known Greg long, but he looks after her, and he loves playing dad to her young daughter. How could she say no when he’s already planned their elopement?

As guests arrive, why is Greg acting so shifty? And is that a flicker of recognition on Zoe’s face? And why does she look terrified every time her phone rings?

Kaitlin watches as Zoe knocks back her white wine and makes a beeline for Greg. After a heated conversation, Zoe stumbles towards the door and flees the party without looking back.

Days later, the police knock at Kaitlin’s door – Zoe is missing.

Kaitlin wants to believe her loving fiancé is not to blame, but she knows what she saw the night of the party. And when he lies to the police, can she trust the man she’s marrying? Could Kaitlin and her precious daughter’s life now be in danger too?

My Thoughts:

I have not read one of Sheryl’s books for ages and now feel compelled to pick them all up as this was so good. I read it in a couple of hours and didn’t want it to end. It was an addictive read, my hairs on my arms were up the whole time reading it, it is a compulsive and such a rollercoaster of a ride story that it left me breathless when I did finish it. The whole way through I didn’t know what was going to happen and when things did happen it shocked me. I love Sheryl’s writing and the way she can put a spin on a story is incredible. I need more of Sheryl’s books in my life now. A must read.

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

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Who do you trust when everyone is lying?

My name is Tess Parker.

Two days ago, I was in a car accident with my sister-in-law, Torrie. Before she slipped into a coma, she asked my husband and me to care for her four-month-old son, Levi.

Yesterday, a woman claiming to be Torrie’s estranged sister knocked on our door. But Torrie has no siblings . . . or so she said. She and my brother were only together a short time before he left, and Torrie has clearly been keeping secrets.

Today, another of Torrie’s “sisters” has come to town. Both say the other is lying about who they are.

Neither of them is telling the truth.

Both of them want Levi.

My Thoughts:

This is book two in the Harlow series and even though I really enjoyed the first book, this was even better. So I am really looking forward to book three. It is a very unique story line where Tess has been in a car accident with her sister in law and had asked Tess and her husband to look after her young son before the doctors have to put her into a coma. But little does Tess really know about her sister in law, when someone comes knocking on their door claiming to be an estranged sister, Tori has obviously been keeping stuff from Tess, but what do they want? and can she protect the most important person from all this the young son? I liked the way the story unfolds, it is at a good pace so makes you want to read on, it is full of secrets, lies and betrayals, I felt for Tess and her husband as they are only trying to do what is best by the kid and then they get wrapped up in a whole lot of stuff that Tori has brought to their door. I thought the ending wrapped up everything nicely. A great read, I can imagine this as a good film.

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

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When your heart belongs in two places, can you ever truly find home?

Brooklyn, New York,
Bea has grown up in the heart of the Irish community, always hearing stories of home. When she discovers a letter from her younger self, written years before, it sends her deep into her own family history.

Kilmore Quay, Ireland.
Years earlier, Lucy Mernagh leaves her much-loved home and family in search of the New York dream. The Big Apple is a world away from the quiet village she grew up in, and the longing for home aches within her.

When Bea uncovers a shocking secret, it takes her back across the water to Kilmore Quay, where – finally – long-buried truths will come to light. But fate has one last twist in store…

My Thoughts:

This was such a great read with a fantastic plot line, the characters to me felt as though I knew them and they were believable. I was hooked from the first chapter and when I was not reading it, I was thinking about the story and the characters. It was such a moving story that you will need some tissues especially for the last few chapters. This is my first book by Carmel and it certainly will not be my last. I loved it. A book that will stay with you for a very long time.

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

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A Double Murder
The naked corpses of Aylmer and Mary Younis are discovered in their home. The only clues are a note written in blood and an eerie report of two spectral figures departing the crime scene. Officer Jill Ferriter is charged with investigating the murders while her colleague Alex Cupidi is on leave, recovering from post-traumatic stress.

AN ELABORATE SCAM

The dead couple had made investments in a green reforestry scheme in Guatemala, resulting in the loss of all their savings. What is more disturbing is that Cupidi and Ferriter’s disgraced former colleague and friend Bill South is also on the list of investors and the Younis’s were not the only losers.

AN UNLIKELY KILLER

Despite being in counselling and receiving official warnings to stay away from police work Cupidi finds herself dragged into the case and begins to trawl among the secrets and lies that are held in the fishing community of Folkestone. Desperate to exonerate South she finds herself murderously compromised when personal relationships cloud her judgement.

My Thoughts:

This is the fourth book in the DS Alexandra Cupidi Investigations and all of these books can be read as a standalone, I am going to be read the other books in this series though so I can get to know the characters better. It had a great pace that kept me hooked the whole way through, it was thrilling with all the twists that came out of nowhere, the story was a good one and I enjoyed reading about the background topic. I look forward to reading the other books now.

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

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