Book Review - Love Heart Lane by Christie Barlow - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Amazon UK

Title:  Love Heart Lane

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Publication Date: 21st March 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Welcome to Love Heart Lane…

When Flick Simons returns to the small village of Heartcross she only expected to stay for a few days. The white-washed cottages of Love Heart Lane might be her home, but the place holds too many painful memories, and of one man in particular – Fergus Campbell.

When a winter storm sweeps in, the only bridge connecting the village to the main land is swept away! As the villagers pull together, Flick finds herself welcomed back by the friends she once left behind. And as the snow begins to melt, maybe there is a chance that Fergus’s heart will thaw too…

Could not put this book down. From the moment it started, I was drawn into Felicity;s life, and at the point the book moved to Heartcross, well I had to read it in one sitting, staying up to the small hours.

Definitely a book worth sacrificing sleep for!!

There is so much drama and action in Love Heart Lane, that I couldn't believe it.  

it's all about the community of Heartcross who need to come together when their small Scottish village is cut off from the rest of the world. 

It is about Felicity returning to Heartcross properly after 8 years, hoping that her friends will welcome her and wondering just what sort of reaction Fergus will give her. 

There is a whole cast of warm and lovable characters, who I can't read to more about in the rest of this series. 

I think I may be saying it with every book but Christie Barlow is getting better and better, her writing is fabulous and the way the story jumps off the page and gets under your skin is remarkable. 

What a wonderful book, that I adored every second of. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Cornish Village School - Second Chances by Kitty Wilson - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Amazon UK

Title: The Cornish Village School - Second Chances

Author: Kitty Wilson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Canelo

Publication Date: 4th October 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

Ex-ballerina and single mum Sylvie is in trouble. Juggling her ballet classes in the nearest town, preparing shy Sam for his first day at Penmenna Village school and trying to finally move out from the farm she shares with her cantankerous Uncle Tom means life is anything but easy.

Television Journalist Alex is facing challenges of his own. Seeking a calmer environment for his newly adopted daughter, Ellie, he’s swapped reporting in war zones for the school PTA in quiet Penmenna, where his best friend Chase has persuaded him to start laying some roots.

Fireworks ignite when Sylvie and Alex meet but as Ellie and Sam become instant best friends, will they be able to keep things strictly platonic for the sake of the children?

It was lovely to be back in Penmarra and the Cornish Village school.  If you have read the first book then the setting and teachers will be familiar to you. 

If you haven't, fear not,  this easily reads as a standalone with two new families and main characters. 

I really enjoyed getting to know Sylvie and Alex, and their two kids Sam and Ellie.  Sam and Ellie are the real stars of this book, and I loved their very different personalities. 

I also enjoyed seeing how Sylvie grew in confidence as the book progresses, as she tries to get new job and new house. 

Its an enjoyable sequel, and good to catch up with old friends to see how they were getting on.  I hope there will be more to this series as I suspect it will get better book by book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Extract - The Serial Dater’s Shopping List by Morgen Bailey - Blog Tour

Today I have a treat for you, instead of me rambling on about a book, I have an extract from The Serial Dater’s Shopping List by Morgen Bailey for you instead. 

I shake my head, attempt a smile and watch him clear the plate. Finally, he picks up the chicken bones and I expect him to eat them whole, but he just licks them clean and drops them back on the plate. He issues another belch, this time apologising as he realises it was loud enough to draw attention to himself, as if the devouring of an African family’s monthly intake wasn’t bad enough. Throughout the whole episode, there’s not been a word of proper chat between us. He’s been too busy eating and I’ve been concentrating on keeping my hotpot down. 

As the last morsel of food disappears into the black hole, the waitress heads for our table, I assume to clear the platter away, but she’s holding a plate above her left shoulder. I’m relieved it’s not big enough to be another meal for two, although I wouldn’t put it past him, but more like a standard sized dinner plate. I will it to be nothing I would normally eat, but am sorely disappointed as laid before me is a double helping of, the waitress announces, “homemade Banoffee pie”. I could cry. 

I smile less than half-heartedly at the waitress who looks sympathetically at me before retreating to the kitchen, I assume to gossip about Table 14. At the thought of the beautiful dessert being dismembered in such a way, I look at Tim’s eyebrows. I can’t bear to look any further down as his nose is running and it’s close to meeting the barbecue sauce on his upper lip. I’ve finally had enough and blurt out, “I’m sorry, but I’ve just remembered I’ve left my oven on.” But then I recall Duncan’s battle to lose weight and feel guilty, until Tim’s mouth gapes open revealing a mixture of toffee syrup and pastry, which threaten to spill over the edge like a coin cascade at a fair, and I can’t bear to look at him anymore. 

As I get up to leave, he splutters a, “so, do you want to meet again?” and I don’t know what to say without hurting his feelings. I mumble a non-committal, “I’ll message you” and almost do a Usain-Bolt-sprint down the stairs.

Well I hope that gave you a great taster of this book.  Here is the rest of the info for you, if it has enticed you to give it a go for yourself.

Are you looking for the perfect summer holiday read? Then you'll love this laugh-out-loud comedy about the highs and lows of dating.

Izzy is a journalist who usually writes a technology column for a local newspaper. Her somewhat-intimidating boss William sets her the task of dating thirty-one men, via an internet dating site, all within a month, and writing about it for the paper.

Having an active, though fruitless, social life with her friend Donna, Izzy knows what she wants in a man, so creates a shopping list of dos and don’ts and starts ticking them off as she meets the men.

Follow the ups and downs of the dating process including Tim ‘the Weeble’, whose date leads Izzy to see banoffee pie in a whole new light, Lawrence the super-skinny social worker, Felix with his bizarre penchant for Persian Piranhas, and ‘the music maestro but don’t talk about dead pets’ Jake.

By the end of the month, will Izzy have met Mr Right?

Purchase Links

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Serial-Daters-Shopping-List-comedy-ebook/dp/B07F8VRRYY/

US: https://www.amazon.com/Serial-Daters-Shopping-List-comedy-ebook/dp/B07F8VRRYY/

Author Bio: Morgen Bailey (Morgen with an E) is an author (of novels, short stories, writing and editing guides), freelance editor (for publishers and indie authors), writing tutor (in person and online), Writers’ Forum magazine ‘Competitive Edge’ columnist, blogger, speaker, and co-founder of Northants Authors. The former Chair of three writing groups, she has judged the H.E. Bates Short Story Competition, RONE, as well as the BBC Radio 2, BeaconLit, and Althorp Literary Festival children’s short story competitions. She also runs her own monthly 100-word competition. 2018 events include talks and workshops at Troubador’s Self Publishing Conference speakers, workshops and panels at Delapre Book Festival, interviewing and workshops at BeaconLit, and NAWG Fest with her ‘Editing your Fiction’ weekend residential course. Morgen can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and many others. Her blog is http://morgenbailey.wordpress.com, and email address morgen@morgenbailey.com. 

If you want to hear more about this book and see what other fabulous bloggers say, then please check out the rest of the stops on this blog tour. 

Book Review - Killer Blow by M..A. Comley

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Amazon UK

Title: Killer Blow

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 15th February 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

The second book in the DI Sara Ramsey series.

A hunter on the prowl...

On the scent of his next victim.

DI Sara Ramsey has to dig deep to find an evil suspect who gets a thrill out of chasing victims to their deaths.

The murderer is smart, inventing new methods of tracking down his victims. Just as the inspector senses she's closing in on the culprit, they change their MO, undoing all her hard work.

The media is striking fear into the residents. Can Sara set aside her personal problems and prevent the killing spree causing havoc on her patch?

Please don't make me wait for the next book - I need to know what happens next to DI  Sara Ramsey and her team.  This is easily the best series M. A. Comley has written, and I say that as a huge fan of the Justice series.   Sorry Lorne and co, but Sara is my new go to DI! 

From the first few pages I was hooked, and literally couldn't read it fast enough. Would have easily been read in one sitting had I not needed to sleep,  and well words are failing me. 

The plot is break neck, there is a growing sense of urgency to solve these crimes, as you can see how they are escalating,.  Yet DI Sara Ramsey and her team don't really have too much to go on, there are so few witnesses or anything, that it makes detecting really tricky. 

Then there is Sara's personal life too, we start getting to know her a lot better, and although some of her decisions I'm not sure many would agree with, its clearly the start of a series wide story arc that I suspect will keep getting more intense. 

What was a bit different was that I almost felt sorry for the criminals in this book, yes they were dastardly but they felt more like amateurs and opportunists than career bad guys. Which is a slightly different dynamic to a lot of thrillers. 

Lots of little moments that will make you gasp out loud, plenty of thrills and I was spellbound as I saw just how the police tried to solve it all. 

Bring on book 3, I can't wait - although I feel I may have to. 

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Memory by Lucy Dawson - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Amazon UK

Title: The Memory

Author: Lucy Dawson

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 6th December 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

I look down at her, lying fast asleep – always my little girl, and so beautiful. She gives a low moan as her head turns restlessly on the pillow. It reminds me of the soft growl of a cornered animal. Where is my poor child? What is she dreaming?

People always notice my daughter, Isobel. How could they not? Incredibly beautiful... until she speaks.
An unsettling, little-girl voice, exactly like a child’s, but from the mouth of a full-grown woman.
Izzie might look grown-up, but inside she’s trapped. Caught in the day it happened – the day that broke her from within.

I know why my daughter is the way she is. There’s nothing I could have done to save her... is there?

I was immediately intrigued from the opening chapters about this book and I found the last quarter flew past in a series of compulsive to read words. 

It did to me lag in the middle a bit, as I really wasn't sure what was going on, and it was starting to feel a bit too supernatural for my tastes. 

I wasn't really sure where the story was going at times, but really glad that I continued reading as it all made a lot of sense in the end. 

I found that I didn't really connect with the characters that much, and although they had all been through horrible things, the only person I really liked was Adam.

It was a good book, it just wasn't my favourite by far from this author. I look forward to the next one with interest.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle by Liz Eeles

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Amazon UK

Title: New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle

Author: Liz Eeles

Format reviewed: Ebook 

Source: Publisher supplied copy

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 12th March 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Fans of Cathy Bramley, Debbie Johnson and Jenny Colgan will fall in love with the Cosy Kettle café, where slices of lemon meringue pie are served in the sun-dappled garden – and where Callie’s new beginning collides with an old flame…

After yet another failed romance, twenty-six-year-old Callie Fulbright is giving up on love. She’s determined to throw all her efforts into her very own, brand-new café: The Cosy Kettle. Serving hot tea, cherry tarts and a welcoming smile to the friendly locals proves to be the perfect distraction, and Callie feels a flush of pride at the fledging business she’s built.

But her new-found confidence is soon put to the test when her gorgeous ex reappears in the quaint little village. She’ll never forget the heartache Noah caused her years ago, but when they bump into each other on the cobbled streets of Honeyford she can’t help but feel a flutter in her chest…

As Callie and Noah share laughter and memories, she starts to wonder if this could be her second chance at happiness. But when Callie discovers that someone is mysteriously trying to ruin the café’s reputation… she has an awful suspicion that Noah knows who’s involved.

Was she wrong to ever trust him again? And can she find out who’s behind the lies and rumours, before it’s too late for the Cosy Kettle?

Completely delightful story that crept up alongside me and enveloped me with a huge hug.  It is warm, cosy and has one of my all time favourite characters in it. 

In fact lets start with Stanley, Callie's, 80 year old gramps. He is trying to be his true self, after all these years, and apparently that means he has become to the untrained eye a bit eccentric., He wants to jump out of planes, campaign against injustices, swimming in his underwear and is now rather straight talking. 

He is also a support to his granddaughter Callie, and without a doubt any chapter or scene he is in, is a lot brighter and more enjoyable as a result. 

Of course Callie is the main character and the Callie we see at the start of the book is quite different to the one at the end.  I adored Callie - she may be a bit of a people pleaser but does it in such a way you can't help but warm to her. 

She is working in the local bookshop, and trying to please her new boss Flora, when she suggests changing an old stock room into a cafe.  Flora puts Callie in charge of the project and The Cosy Kettle is born. 

There is a group of regulars in and around The Cosy Kettle, all with different reasons for being there,  but a real sense of community and friendship is growing between them all, and I loved seeing how it all developed. 

But while work is going well for Callie, its her personal life that is complicated, when the boy who broke her heart 8 years ago returns, with his brother and from then on Honeyford, is anything but sleepy and the story becomes even more fabulous. 

The Cosy Kettle really is just that, its very cosy and I loved the whole feel of the book.  Liz Eeles has written lovable and relatable to characters, a welcoming new location, and I'm delighted that I was able to spend time with Callie and her friends.    

This is an easy to read, enjoyable story, that had me smiling a lot, laughing at Stanley and all over gave me a warm fuzzy feeling.  I just hope this isn't the last we see of Honeyford and these wonderful people. 

Thank you to Noelle Holten and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Last Thing She Told Me by Linda Green - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Amazon UK

Title: The Last Thing She Told Me

Author: Linda Green

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Quercus

Publication Date: 7th March 2019

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Even the deepest buried secrets can find their way to the surface...

Moments before she dies, Nicola's grandmother Betty whispers to her that there are babies at the bottom of the garden.

Nicola's mother claims she was talking nonsense. However, when Nicola's daughter finds a bone while playing in Betty's garden, it's clear that something sinister has taken place.

But will unearthing painful family secrets end up tearing Nicola's family apart?

What starts off as a simple enough request on a deathbed, turns into a rather fraught suspenseful book, with some huge family secrets to unravel. 

Taking in 3 generations of the family, with some of the past revealed at the end of each chapter, this is an epic story. 

It was also a book that was close to impossible to put down.  

At times it is dealing with uncomfortable topics that may upset some people. I won't say what they are as it does give an element of spoiler. 

Maisie was perhaps my favourite character, as she could be counted upon to relive the tension in any scene she was in. She is very funny and cute as an 8 year old can be. 

Loved the storytelling of this book, and it is another great story from Linda Green.

Thank you to Quercus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Book Review - The Bridal Party by J G Murray - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Amazon UK

Title: The Bridal Party

Author: J G Murray

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Corvus

Publication Date: 7th March 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Sometimes friendship can be murder...

It's the weekend of Clarisse's bridal party, a trip the girls have all been looking forward to. Then, on the day of their flight, Tamsyn, the maid of honour, suddenly backs out. Upset and confused, they try to make the most of the stunning, isolated seaside house they find themselves in.

But, there is a surprise in store - Tamsyn has organised a murder mystery, a sinister game in which they must discover a killer in their midst. As tensions quickly boil over, it becomes clear to them all that there are some secrets that won't stay buried...

What a book! I had no idea what to expect and had no idea how to guess at the outcomes either. 

I read this on holiday in about 2 hours, I just couldn't put it down and found the pages were turning really fast. 

I was utterly hooked on this story, that starts off as a group going on a hen weekend, and once they arrive at their destination, events become creepier and creepier. 

Interspersed with the present day story we get to know about a specific set of occurrences from that past, that become very relevant.

I can't really say much about the plot, I went into this blindly and I think that may be the best way. 

This is the first book I have read by this author and based on this evidence it certainly won't be my last either. 

Fast paced, the whole book takes place over one day, there were many times where I paused, looked up and mouthed WTF... as I couldn't believe what I was reading, while hurriedly going back to see just what did happen next. 

Unputdownable, gripping, addictive reading, this is one fantastic book. 

Thank you to Corvus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - A Greek Affair by Linn B Halton - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Amazon UK

Title:  A Greek Affair

Author: Linn B Halton

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Publication Date: 7th March 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

More than just a holiday romance?

Her daughter, her job and divorcing her untrustworthy ex are Leah’s main priorities. She isn’t really bothered that her life might be missing a few things. But after winning a prestigious travel blogger award, she’s inundated with offers to review glamorous holiday destinations.

Lying around drinking exotic cocktails and being paid for it … what could be better? Perhaps a romantic trip to idyllic Greece to find the one man who might make Leah risk her heart again…

Greece...sexy men, travel blogger, two wonderful children, a new best friend and some painful pasts. 

What more could you want from this wonderful book that I could barely tear myself away from.

I was already a fan of this author but this is now easily my favourite book by Linn B Halton.  

I loved Leah and Rosie from when we first meet them, to their present day situation, which is really remarkable. 

As a fan of travel myself I was lapping up Leah's assignments and was delighted to see plenty of details included. 

While in Greece we get a fabulous tour of some of the main tourist attractions, some delicious sounding Greek food and the new man in Leah's life. 

Having been to Athens myself, there were sections that rang really true so its clearly been well researched. 

There is also quite a bit more to this book than the gorgeous cover suggests, and it does touch on some meatier themes. 

For me, siting poolside in Mexico while I was reading it, this is a perfect pool / holiday read, although it could easily be read anywhere and anytime you need to escape abroad for a while!

Thank you to Harper Impulse and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

I'm off on holiday again! - This time to Thailand!

I know it seems like only yesterday that I was posting saying I was back from Mexico, but I do have another holiday coming up and I'm off tomorrow. 

Five years ago on my 30th Birthday, I treated myself to a memorable holiday featuring my first time to America, first time on a cruise and I got to swim with dolphins on my birthday.  Given it was the best thing I've ever done for a birthday, I decided that every 5 years, I would treat myself to a new birthday holiday, hopefully somewhere different to my normal trips, or at least involving a first. 

So tomorrow I am flying off to Thailand.  I have never been before, and I'm spending the first week in Khao Lak, and the second in Phuket, in the Patong area, right in the centre.    And for my birthday itself I have an excursion booked to spend a morning feeding and bathing elephants. 

It has been about 14 or 15 years since I last went anywhere in the Far East, so to say I'm excited would be an understatement.  I'm hoping to do some boat trips too and see what else may crop up that may be exciting. 

Absolutely no idea how much reading I'll get done, but knowing me I'll have a kindle in my hand at every possible opportunity.   I won't though when I'm back be able to give you a list like last time of when all the reviews will be up - purely due to estimated lack of time! 

These are the paperbacks that I will be reading hopefully while I'm eating in restaurants in Phuket in the evenings, as I don't want to risk taking my kindle out and about in notorious night life areas! Plus I can always finish them in the mornings poolside. 

Now for the bit I seem to do each time I go away - let's give you all a look at my current review TBR - which is what I'll be using as a base to choose books from. 

If there are any of these that you think I should definitely read, then please let me know, I do keep the suggestions in mind, and often fresh eyes spot books that I may have completely bypassed for no apparent reason. 

So what do you think of these? Which are the must reads for while I'm away? Which would you like to see reviews of possibly between now and whatever my next holiday is?!

I'll be back on 11th March with a review of A Greek Affair by Linn B Halton - which I read on the previous holiday.  Don't forget to come back and look, its a fab book.