Tag: Rachel

The Fire Child By S. K. Tremayne

The Fire Child By S. K. Tremayne

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the fire child

When Rachel marries dark, handsome David, everything seems to fall into place. Swept from single life in London to the beautiful Carnhallow House in Cornwall, she gains wealth, love, and an affectionate stepson, Jamie.

But then Jamie’s behaviour changes, and Rachel’s perfect life begins to unravel. He makes disturbing predictions, claiming to be haunted by the spectre of his late mother – David’s previous wife. Is this Jamie’s way of punishing Rachel, or is he far more traumatized than she thought?

As Rachel starts digging into the past, she begins to grow suspicious of her husband. Why is he so reluctant to discuss Jamie’s outbursts? And what exactly happened to cause his ex-wife’s untimely death, less than two years ago? As summer slips away and December looms, Rachel begins to fear there might be truth in Jamie’s words:

‘You will be dead by Christmas.’

My Thoughts:

I have read S. K. Treymayne’s first book ‘The Ice Twins’ before and was looking forward to this one but I found it pretty creepy especially as it is the son that keeps telling his step mother different creepy things. I was too freaked out by it I couldn’t finish it. I have never had a book do that to me in the past. I may pick it up again at some point to see what happens but I definitely wont at the moment.

If you would like to purchase this book, please click on the link below:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fire-Child-S-K-Tremayne/

The Secrets Of Happiness By Lucy Diamond

The Secrets Of Happiness By Lucy Diamond

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lucy diamond

The best things in life . . . can be just around the corner

Rachel and Becca aren’t real sisters, or so they say. They are stepsisters, living far apart, with little in common. Rachel is the successful one: happily married with three children and a big house, plus an impressive career. Artistic Becca, meanwhile, lurches from one dead-end job to another, shares a titchy flat, and has given up on love.

The two of them have lost touch, but when Rachel doesn’t come home one night, Becca is called in to help.
Once there, she quickly realizes that her stepsister’s life is not so perfect after all: Rachel’s handsome husband
has moved out, her children are rebelling, and her glamorous career has taken a nosedive. Worst of all,
nobody seems to have a clue where she might be.

As Becca begins to untangle Rachel’s secrets, she is forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about
her own life, and the future seems uncertain.

But sometimes happiness can be found in the most unexpected places . .

My Thoughts:

I decided to treat myself to this book as I am a big fan of Lucy Diamond’s books and I wanted to add it to my collection of her books. Being hardback it is quite a heavy book but that did not stop me, I managed to read it three days. I love the way Lucy writes, there are personal issues in the book but Lucy has dealt with them very sensitively. Any Lucy Diamond book always puts a smile on my face and this one did too. All the characters are fantastic, I loved reading about the children especially Luke as he seems like a cheeky one. If you want a feel good book this year, I would recommend this one.

If you would like to purchase this book, please click on the link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1447299094/

For more Lucy Diamond books, please click on the link below:

http://www.lucydiamond.co.uk/

The Parisian Christmas Bake Off By Jenny Oliver

The Parisian Christmas Bake Off By Jenny Oliver

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jenny oliver

Welcome to the most celebrated patisserie competition in Paris – ready, steady, bake!

Watching snowflakes settle on the Eiffel Tower, Rachel Smithson’s cosy English village feels very far way – as, thankfully, does her commitment-phobic ex, probably already kissing someone else under the mistletoe. But Rachel hasn’t come to Paris to mope she’s come to bake. Hard.

Because the search for Paris’s next patisserie apprentice is about to begin! And super-chef judge Henri Salernes is an infamously tough cookie. But Rachel isn’t about to let her confidence (or pastry) crumble. She’s got one week, mounds of melt-in-the-mouth macaroons and towers of perfect profiteroles to prove that she really is a star baker.

As well as clouds of flour, and wafts of chocolate and cinnamon, there’s definitely a touch of Christmas magic in the air… Rachel hasn’t come to Paris looking for a fairy-tale romance, but the city of love might gift-wrap her one anyway…

My Thoughts:

I was given this book as a swap, I liked the look of it and it looked like a nice easy read which it was. Yes, I know Christmas has been and gone, I know some people will only read books about or related to Christmas at Christmas time but I really don’t mind reading them whenever. This was such a lovely little read, I had to read something quick inbetween review books so it kind of broke it up for me. I loved reading about all the cakes and bakes the competitors were making. There are also some recipes at the back of this book, which is nice. I may even try and make some myself.

If you would like to purchase this book, please click on the link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Parisian-Christmas-Bake-Off/

The Girl On The Train By Paula Hawkins

The Girl On The Train By Paula Hawkins

by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments


Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She’s even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. ‘Jess and Jason’, she calls them. Their life – as she sees it – is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy.
And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough.
Now everything’s changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she’s only watched from afar.
Now they’ll see; she’s much more than just the girl on the train…

My Thoughts:

WOW!! what a book, I was lucky enough to get this book as a birthday present and I couldn’t wait to settle down with it as I have read so many reviews about it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and managed to read it in less than two days. I do love a  psychological thriller and this one did not disappoint it had everything you would want from a thriller. There were a few complex issues which I think Paula Hawkins has portrayed extremely well. Even though the book is set out with three of the characters Rachel, Megan and Anna, it is easy to understand and I literally couldn’t put the book down as I wanted to find out what was going to happen next. This is a book that will keep you guessing and there is a twist at the end that you won’t of seen coming till it hits you. A must read for this year.

If you would like to purchase this book, please click on the link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Girl-Train-Paula-Hawkins-ebook

French Kisses By Jan Ellis

French Kisses By Jan Ellis

by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

To the outside world, Rachel Thompson has it made: a wealthy husband, a successful career as an artist, and a to-die-for house in the middle of rural France.

That is until her husband Michael hits 40, discovers his inner love-rat and runs off with the kids’ young, skinny dance teacher.

Determined to ignore her friends’ advice to up-sticks and move back to England with her children, Rachel decides to turn their crumbly stone farmhouse into a bijou hotel.

As Rachel strives to create a new life for herself, friends and family rally around to give her a Christmas and New Year with plenty of surprises.

With help – and some hindrance – from her loved ones, Rachel transforms their home into a cosy guest house for an eclectic collection of visitors, including Josh Perry, a handsome American academic.

Although Rachel is getting plenty of attention from local admirers, her husband Michael is never far away…

Will Rachel and Michael rekindle their love affair?

Or will she be sharing French Kisses with someone else this Christmas…?

My Thoughts:

I was given this book for an honest review. I can honestly say this was a brilliant book by a lovely author. It has taken me a while to read but it is only because I didn’t want it to end. This is only Jan’s second novel which I couldn’t believe. Her first novel is called An Unexpected Affair, so I will definitely be picking that one up. The characters are full of humour and the plot I thought was brilliant. This book is set in rural France and Jan has written about it beautifully so much so I felt like I was there (If only). Such a fantastic read, look forward to reading more of Jan’s books.