Book Review - Hattie Goes To Hollywood by Caroline James

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Hattie Goes To Hollywood

Author: Caroline James

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied

Publisher: Self published

Publication Date: 14th February 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

A Cumbrian Village...
Three suicides...
A red-hot summer...

When recently bereaved Hattie Mulberry inherits her aunt’s dilapidated cottage in the village of Hollywood in Cumbria, she envisages a quiet life. But retired hotelier Hattie is bored and when her neighbour asks her to investigate a suspicious suicide, Hattie’s career takes a new direction and H&H Investigations is born. During the hottest summer for years, Hattie discovers there have been three recent suicides in Hollywood and she determines to find out why. Temperatures rise as she throws herself into village life and, with mischief and shenanigans aplenty, Hattie has her work cut out. But will she establish the truth?

How good it was to be able to sink beneath the pages of a new Caroline James novel.  And as a huge fan of the author, it was even better when I finally realised that Hattie is a returning character - and although this 110% can be read as a standalone novel, there are odd references to previous books that her long term fans will adore seeing. 

What his is though is the first book in a new cosy mystery series, and I honestly wasn't entirely sure what the outcome of Hattie's investigation into her new neighbour's husband's suicide would bring. 

Hattie is settling into her new life in Cumbria, she is renovating her aunt's cottage and seems to be one of the most popular people in the village. The private detecting is  a logical endeavour for her, and her natural nosiness really does come in handy. 

However for me the star of this book is Drake. From the moment we are introduced to him, I could tell he was someone special .Drake seems to have great intuition, really cares about Hattie, and incredibly cute! Although I'm not sure Hattie was as keen at start, once he starts living with her, its another matter! 

(Oh and Drake isn't human)!

I loved this village and getting to know the various inhabitants, and the more you seem to get to know them, the more you realise you know nothing. They all seem to have hidden depths to them.  

This was a highly enjoyable first book in a brand new series and I know I for one am already very keen to read the next book in the series.  I am loving this motley cast of characters and look forward to getting to know many of them even better, I hope. 

Thank you to Caroline James for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Cake Fairies by Isabella May - #HolidayReading Mexico

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: The Cake Fairies

Author: Isabella May

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self published

Publication Date: 10th January 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

1960's Somerset is no fun for cousins Polly and Annabelle Williams. Mourning their non-existent love lives, and the mundanity of village life, their only pleasure is baking - until a chance encounter has them magically transported to the bright lights of London... in 2019!

Promised a chance of love, first they must teach the people of the future about the simpler pleasures of life by becoming Cake Fairies. Over the course of a year they set off on a delectable tour of the UK, dropping off cakes in the most unexpected of places and replacing the lure of technology with much sweeter temptations.

But will their philanthropical endeavours lead them to everlasting love? Or will they discover you can't have your cake and eat it?

The Cake Fairies is the fifth novel by fantastical foodie author, Isabella May.

Hmm a book starting in 1969, and one that features a form of time travel, normally two things that would have me running in the opposite direction.

However I somehow knew that in Isabella May's capable hands I may just be in for a treat, and to at least go with the flow and suspend my scepticism for a bit. 

And I'm so so glad that I did, as this was a wonderful story, and at the same time a commentary on how much nicer people can be if they take their heads out of a screen for at least some of each day and interact with real people!

Cousins Polly and Anna are on a year long mission to be like the book fairies that are about but instead of doing book drops, dropping unseen large cakes to brighten up people's days. 

They are only given each days drop location and instructions that day from their big red folder, and what is clear is how much a person's day is improved by some cake. 

It is also clear that Isabella May clearly loves her cake, and this book did make me quite hungry. 

I'm also sure I spotted a cameo from one of her previous books / characters which made me smile!

Fantastically unrealistic, but at the same time totally believable, I loved watching these cousins grow, grow used to being in 2019, to seeing if they can perhaps find true love at last, and just generally enjoying seeing how they progressed on their mission. 

Very entertaining story and one that I'm glad I took a chance on. 

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

Book Review - Dead Wrong by Noelle Holten - Blog Tour

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Dead Wrong

Author: Noelle Holten

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 14th March 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

The serial killer is behind bars. But the murders are just beginning…

DC Maggie Jamieson's past comes back to haunt her in this dark and gripping serial killer thriller.

Three missing women running out of time…

They were abducted years ago. Notorious serial killer Bill Raven admitted to killing them and was sentenced to life.

The case was closed – at least DC Maggie Jamieson thought it was…

But now one of them has been found, dismembered and dumped in a bin bag in town.

Forensics reveal that she died just two days ago, when Raven was behind bars, so Maggie has a second killer to find.

Because even if the other missing women are still alive, one thing’s for certain: they don’t have long left to live…

What a dark and twisted mind Noelle Holten must have, in order to have come up with a villain such as Bill Raven.  He messes with people's minds and the way he had the public and police stumped was sheer evil genius.  

After all it's not often you get someone in prison convicted of murder, only for the bodies to show up two years later, and looking freshly killed.   Which is enough to stump most! 

I would love to know how an author even remotely thinks up such dastardly plot lines, let alone how they weave them together such as in this case, that keep you gripped from page to page, eager to know more about everything. 

I had absolutely no clue how it would all come together, let alone how on earth DC Maggie Jamieson and her team were ever going to be able to solve it. 

I found Maggie's growing friendship with Kate Moloney, a profiler who has terrific insights into any case she is working on, to be a lovely touch.   I loved getting to know Kate and found her fascinating. 

This is the second book in the Maggie Jamieson series, and can easily be read as a standalone.  However having read the first book, I enjoyed getting to know some of the recurring characters a little bit deeper, something I'm sure that will continue as the series progresses. 

As someone who can find the specific live action killings of victims in these sorts of books at times incredibly gruesome, I was very happy to be spared that... and just had the descriptions of  dismembered body parts appearing.. ok that still made me fill slightly ill, but in a different way. 

A truly remarkable police procedural that had me scratching my head in disbelief, eager to read each and every short chapter as fast as I could and that I actually couldn't put down for the last third!  I can't believe this is only the author's second book.  She clearly is a criminal mastermind... (well fictional crimes only I hope!). 

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Please do follow along with the rest of this blog tour

Book Review - How To Say Goodbye by Katy Colins - #HolidayReading Mexico

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: How To Say Goodbye

Author: Katy Colins

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: HQ

Publication Date: 13th June 2019

Rating: 4 Stars

No one is ever happy to see Grace Salmon.

As a funeral arranger, she’s responsible for steering strangers through the hardest day of their lives. It’s not a task many would want – but, for Grace, giving people the chance to say a proper goodbye to the ones they love is the most important job in the world.

From the flowers in the church to the drinks served at the wake,Grace knows it’s the personal touches that count – and it’s amazing what you can find out about someone from their grieving relatives … or their Facebook page. But when she accidentally finds out too much about someone who’s died, Grace is finally forced to step out of the shadows… and start living.

For a book that has a funeral arranger as its main character and is all about creating the perfect goodbye, and grief, it is surprisingly not depressing at all, and in fact rather uplifting and a sensitive look at the topic.

If Grace has any faults it would be caring too much, she is clearly struggling to come to terms with things in her personal life, but at the same time is giving her all at work in order to create memorable send offs for the departed for all the right reasons. 

She even stalks the deceased's social media to be able to add a more personalised touch to each funeral. 

Grace doesn't have the largest group of friends, but those she has are completely wonderful, and a rather eclectic group. 

There is far more to book than I'm really able to find the words to describe properly in this review.  Rest assured, that it's a rather touching story,  and I was interested to see what different people want for funerals, memorials and how they grieve.  

Having thoroughly enjoyed the authors's Lonely Hearts Travel Club series, which is a lot more light hearted than this, I was very happy to see that she is able to write in multiple styles and still tell a fabulous story. 

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

Book Review - New Beginnings at Wynter House by Emily Harvale

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: New Beginnings at Wynter House

Author: Emily Harvale

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Crescent Gate Publishing

Publication Date: 17th January 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

The New Year brings unexpected revelations at Wynter House.

Neva Grey’s Christmas brought several surprises. Now a shocking secret has life-changing consequences for the Wynters, as the New Year brings revelations ... and relatives to Wynter House.

It also brings Hazel Smart and Amelia Goodbody. And it’s not just Adam and Rafe Wynter who are pleased Hazel and Amelia have come to stay. Olivia Wynter will enjoy bossing nurse Hazel around and she also makes it clear Amelia – who is handling the marketing for Rafe’s new business venture – is far more suited to be her grandson’s girlfriend than Neva will ever be.

Whilst Amelia is ensconced at Wynter House, Neva is busy with her new hair and beauty salon in Merriment Bay. Perhaps she should enlist her niece, Sasha’s help because just when she thought she had found the love of her life, old secrets, ghosts from the past, and new arrivals might shatter all her dreams.

At least she has her best friend, Jo Duncan to lean on. But newly single, Jo is determined to have some fun, both at Wynter House and in Merriment Bay. And so is Adam Wynter.

This is book two in the Wyntersleap series but it can be read as a standalone. The Wyntersleap series is interlinked with the Merriment Bay series and several characters appear in both series.

I need more, I am so hooked on both the Wyntersleap and Merriment Bay series and how they interlock that the wait for the next book will be unbearable.  

But alas I clearly have to wait,  I must say this story was a delight to read.   It took perhaps a chapter to remember the characters from the first book and from there on I was lost to the real world.

There is so much drama that had me on the edge of the seat.  And the gorgeous Adam Wynter may just be ready to change his serial flirty ways. There are some new characters introduced and I really took to Hazel, an incredibly talented nurse that can see through Adam's possible pick up lines! 

Neva and Rafe seem perfect together and I loved getting to know them more as well as seeing how the plans for the distillery are progressing. 

Sasha's rather ghoulish nature made me laugh again and some of what she repeats is hilarious.

Emily Harvale is a marvel, who just writes such wonderful stories, that draw me in and wont let go until I run out of pages. 

Another fabulous book from an author I adore. I just can't wait for more.

Thank you to Emily Harvale for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Book Review - When Adam Met Evie by Giulia Skye

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: When Adam Met Evie

Author: Giulia Skye

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 7th February 2020

Rating: 4 Stars

When former Olympic Swimmer, Michael Adams—now reluctantly Canada’s hottest reality TV star— insults his fake showbiz wife on social media, he escapes the ensuing scandal and jumps on the first flight to Australia. Desperate to experience ordinary life again—if only for a few weeks—he becomes “Adam”, just another tourist traveling through the Outback. But with a reward out for his safe return and his fame’s nasty habit of catching up with him when he least expects, he needs a disguise… and he’s just found it.

Sweet and scruffy British backpacker, Evie Blake, is taking a year out of her busy London life. Tired of lies and liars, she’s looking for adventure to heal her broken heart. So when the hot Canadian she meets at the campground offers to be her travel partner through Western Australia’s wild Kimberley region, she grabs the chance, unaware he’s got the world out looking for him.

He’s just a down-on-his-luck traveler, right?

From the moment I first read the blurb for this book I had a small voice in my head telling me that I would love it.  Well that random voice was correct, I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

It has everything I want from a book,  a gorgeous guy (OK he spends most of the book lieing, but with good reason),  a girl who has been hurt by liars in the past, but can't help but feel for the gorgeous guy,  travelling around the outback of Australia, a location I rarely see in books, a road trip, and  whole lot more besides. 

Any book with travelling in is an instant draw to me, and I loved getting to know a part of Australia that I know deep down I probably would never visit in real life, at least not to the extent that Evie and Adam do, due to its sheer vastness and remoteness.   I loved reading about life on the road in the Outback, while the pair get to know each other incredibly closely. 

Even their first meet was very memorable,  featuring a shower block, a chiselled body and Evie who couldn't stop staring! 

This is a book filled with adventure, great scenery and a romance where I wasn't completely convinced I'd get the ending I wanted.  Easily my favourite parts were the time spent in Australia, I even enjoyed Adam struggling to work out what he could say at all times that wouldn't make Evie realise the truth. 

This is a debut book and I really enjoyed the author's writing, the pacing and just the whole story.  Felt a bit different to other books in the genre which I found rather refreshing, and very entertaining. 

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

Book Review - Erotic Fiction? by Hannah Lynn

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Erotic Fiction?

Author: Hannah Lynn

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 14th February 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

There’s nothing sexy about her humdrum life as a mum. But is her husband’s crazy scheme a bit too exciting?

Sarah’s mind-numbing housewife existence is turning her brain to mush. With her third bun in the oven, this British mum is drowning under a mountain of playdates, bills, and head lice checks. But her man’s get-rich-quick idea of writing steamy novels isn’t her ideal way to dial up life’s passion.

Drew desperately wants a break from Sarah’s whinging. And if that means researching how to write racy books all by himself, then he’ll make the sacrifice. But as he finally warms Sarah up to the sultry side hustle, their R-rated private project gets publicly exposed…

With an office scandal brewing, it’s only a matter of time before gawking workers and a perfectly nosy PTA president turn them into social pariahs.

Can Sarah and Drew earn some extra income from sizzling lit without falling prey to stiff gossip?

Erotic Fiction is a charming comedy for fans of humorous fiction. If you like sweet love stories, endearing characters, and dry British humor, then you’ll adore Kindle Storyteller Award Winner Hannah Lynn’s delightful tale.

Buy Erotic Fiction to slip into something a little more lovable today!

Easily without a doubt the funniest book I've read this year so far, and certainly the most entertaining.  Almost the whole book had me grinning, giggling and generally finding it really amusing. 

To start it feels like a rom com with a parenting theme to it - we have Sarah who is pregnant with baby number three, Drew her husband and George and Eva their young children.  Sarah is predominately a stay at home mum and could do with some stimulation in her life.   Drew is busy at work but then comes across what could be a brainwave on how they could both earn some extra money. 

But whoever said writing Erotic Fiction would be easy. There are some truly classic scenes in this book, including one at the post office,  the whole of the finale that had me gripped (and made me glad I wasn't reading on a tube for once, as I would have probably never notice my stop, I was that absorbed).  

Oh and Barry, who works with Drew, well life would have been simpler without Barry, he is an IT nightmare, and let's just say he manages to not only mess up his own computer, but when offered Drew's press enough things seemingly randomly to cause a potential cat-astrophe, similar to a situation that had involved a cat photo already and a full contacts list. 

Then there are the kids, especially Eva who is 3 and a bundle of energy. Even in the night in her parents bed there were descriptions that made me laugh really early on.  

Given the title there is s distinct lack of erotica and very little sex generally in the book, its more hinted at, but some of Drew's ideas for this book they are writing are great, and others well they needed a bit of spicing up. 

This is the first book I've read by the author, and I knew even from the title and blurb that there was a very good chance I'd enjoy it, and it exceed even those expectations.  This was 200% my sort of book from cover to cover, and I loved every last second of it.   

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

Book Review - The Night You Left by Emma Curtis - #HolidayReading Mexico

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: The Night You Left

Author: Emma Curtis

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Transworld Digital

Publication Date: 22nd July 2019

Rating: 4 Stars

IT ONLY TAKES A MOMENT TO UNRAVEL A PERFECT LIFE . . .

When Grace’s fiancé vanishes without a trace the night after proposing, her life is turned upside down. But has Nick walked out on her, or is he in danger?

As Grace desperately searches for answers, it soon becomes clear that Nick wasn’t the uncomplicated man she thought she knew. And when she uncovers a hidden tragedy from his childhood, she realises an awful truth: that you can run from your past – but your secrets will always catch up with you . . .

Starting off slowly without really being sure how much I was enjoying it, the book builds and builds into something fabulous. 

For every chapter you read, there appear to be more revelations, secrets, realisations and unanswered questions.

It truly is phenomenal just how much this book ultimately pulled me in, confused my mind, and spat me back out again after absorbing a cracking story. 

Told in two time lines, the events that happened in 2000 and 2018,  I somehow took far too long to work out even the most obvious of links between the events. 

I was though drawn into both time lines and very curious as to how everything would turn out. 

It does though pose the question of just how well do you know your partner, and can you be sure they don't have any deep dark hidden secrets.

Another great book from an author that I'm really enjoying reading. 

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

Book Review - Savage Justice by M. A. Comley

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Savage Justice

Author: M. A. Comley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Jeamel Publishing Limited

Publication Date: 30th January 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

The year is 2004, Lorne Simpkins and her partner, Pete Childs, have a terror attack on their hands.

Lorne has her suspicions who is behind the incident... her arch enemy, The Unicorn. Can the intrepid duo bring the vile criminal to justice before he carries out his ultimate plan to tear the capital apart?

Grab this 17,000 word thrilling novella now

Just buy this book...

..go on do it...

..not sure? Then go first and read the first few books of the Justice series, understand the basis of how warped the Unicorn is.. and then come back and read this one. 

He is pure evil, one of the most dastardly villains ever, and he just loves toying with DI Lorne Simpkins.  What he gets up to in this is... well words are failing me. 

I read this cover to cover in around 40 mins, I couldn't put it down, and was just open mouthed throughout.   

Anyone that has followed my reviews, possibly by now, knows how much I love this author and especially this series, and it was wonderful to back in time, to see an early Lorne back in action with Pete. 

If you haven't read any of this series before, then this could be a good starting point, if you go on to then read more of the earlier books, let's just say the Unicorn is legendary, and in a rather depraved way I'm happy to see him back tormenting London!  (Although what that says about me I'm not sure!). 

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

Book Review - Dreaming of Verona by T. A. Williams - #HolidayReading Mexico

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Dreaming of Verona

Author: T. A. Williams

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Publisher supplied copy

Publisher: Canelo

Publication Date: 3rd February 2020 

Rating: 5 Stars

Verona is the City of Love. But will Suzie find romance there or, like Romeo and Juliet, will it all end in tears?

When Suzie is hired to accompany spoiled, abrasive Lady Alexandra Tedburn on an all-expenses paid holiday to Italy, she fears the trip will be a disaster.

But she soon discovers there’s more to Alex than shopping and tantrums, and she’s determined to help her realise her potential – against Alex’s authoritarian father’s wishes.

As they settle in Verona, Suzie can’t stop thinking about local artist Michael, who is still mourning the tragic death of his wife. With Suzie’s future uncertain, and Michael’s past
holding him back, it seems there’s no hope for romance in the city of
star-crossed lovers… or is there?

A gorgeously uplifting and moving story, Dreaming of Verona is the perfect read for fans of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant and Jenny Oliver.

I love books set in Italy, I love T.A. Williams books, and Verona is a city I've never been to either in real life or virtually. 

So I was of course excited to tuck into, and feast up Dreaming of Verona. 

I loved the development of both Alex and Suzie as the story progresses, of their trip to Italy, and just what it develops into. 

I loved the windsurfing element to the story on Lake Garda, never seen it featured so much before, but enjoyed every second of it. 

I also adored the black lab that is introduced, he is adorable as always and his owner is a great addition to the book, and the way he plays a big roles in elements of the book is really interesting.

With Italian food, a look at what can be expected from family in a privileged lifestyle, a great deal of Shakespeare references and talk, and a very slow burning romance for the main character, this was a joy to read. 

I found I was whizzing through the pages a bit too fast, as it means there is an even longer wait until I get to read one of my favourite authors again!

Thank you to Emily Bedford at Canelo for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.