24 Hours by Claire Seeber

Blurb - Here today. Dead tomorrow?
My best friend, Emily, is dead – killed last night in a hotel fire.
But it was meant to be me.
Now I have 24 hours to find my daughter.
Before he finds out I’m still alive.

Publish Date ~ 6th October 2015

Publisher ~ Bookouture

My thoughts - 24 Hours is a fast paced psychological thriller that is hard to put down. It has twists and turns and the more I read the harder it was to figure out who killed Laurie's friend Emily and who is after Laurie as everyone could have done it. I thrive on trying to guess "the who done it" in all books but this kept me guessing and totally engrossed all the way through and even wondering at one point if there really was someone after her.

The story opens with Laurie in hospital with smoke inhalation after the fire and the book is very cleverly spread out telling the story before and the 24 hours after the fire. Some books I've read where time jumps it has been a bit confusing but Claire seems to do this seamlessly and the 24 hour time frame parts are so intense I was reading it like I was being chased and had to get it finished.

24 Hours is a heart racing, adrenaline pumping, can't put down read. I'm really looking forward to reading more from Claire soon.

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Stirred with Love by Marcie Steele

Blurb -
Sometimes the best friends can be found where you least expect them …
Still grieving after the loss of her beloved husband, Lily Mortimer is determined to do something with the time she has left.
After the end of her fairy tale marriage, thirty-something Kate is trying hard to mend her broken heart.
Chloe, a young woman with the world at her feet, is struggling to know what to do with her life.
When Lily embarks on a new venture in the picturesque town of Somerley
, the three women come together to open The Coffee Stop, the most charming café for miles around.
But opening a coffee shop is never as simple as it seems, especially when you add neighbouring competition, local heart throbs and heartbreak to the mix.

When tragedy strikes, can the three women pull together to make the new business fly, or will Lily’s last chance disappear down the drain along with yesterday’s coffee grinds?

Publish Date ~ 2nd September 2015

Publisher ~ Bookouture

My thoughts -

Stirred with Love was a joy to read. I'd just finished a gritty thriller and needed something easy to read and this was just perfect. It's written in a way you just dissolve into the story and it had me completely hooked. We meet Kate, Chloe and Lily, all different ages, all different characters who all have different issues but are brought together through Lily (the oldest) and her dream of opening a café and they bond and form a friendship that warms the heart. All three characters are endearing Stirred with Love was a joy to read. I'd just finished a gritty thriller and needed something easy to read and this was just perfect. It's written in a way you just dissolve into the story and it had me completely hooked. We meet Kate, Chloe and Lily, all different ages, all different characters who all have different issues but are brought together through Lily (the oldest) and her dream of opening a café and they bond and form a friendship that warms the heart. All three characters are endearing and I felt like I could relate to each of them in different ways. Stirred with Love is funny, it's sad (it will bring a tear to your eye) and it is also totally heart warming. Marcie Steele/ Mel Sherratt has proved with this book that's she's not just fab at writing crime thrillers and psychological suspense but also Romantic comedy/chick lit too. I received this copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lost Girls by Angela Marsons

Blurb - Two girls go missing. Only one will return.
The couple that offers the highest amount will see their daughter again. The losing couple will not. Make no mistake. One child will die.

When nine-year-old best friends Charlie and Amy disappear, two families are plunged into a living nightmare. A text message confirms the unthinkable; that the girls are the victims of a terrifying kidnapping.

And when a second text message pits the two families against each other for the life of their children, the clock starts ticking for D.I. Kim Stone and the squad.

Seemingly outwitted at every turn, as they uncover a trail of bodies, Stone realises that these ruthless killers might be the most deadly she has ever faced. And that their chances of bringing the girls home alive, are getting smaller by the hour…

Untangling a dark web of secrets from the families’ past might hold the key to solving this case. But can Kim stay alive long enough to do so? Or will someone’s child pay the ultimate price?

Publish Date - 6th November 2015

Publisher - Bookouture

My thoughts -

What can I say, Angela Marsons has done it again. Lost Girls see's the return of Kim Stone the determined, head strong and committed detective. In this book Kim and her team have a very disturbing case to try and solve, involving two nine year old girls who have been abducted with a ransom and the threat only one will return. This book isn't one for the faint hearted and with all it's twists and turns had me gripped from the very first page. Kim's a brilliant character and I love how we get to knoWhat can I say, Angela Marsons has done it again. Lost Girls see's the return of Kim Stone the determined, head strong and committed detective. In this book Kim and her team have a very disturbing case to try and solve, involving two nine year old girls who have been abducted with a ransom and the threat only one will return. This book isn't one for the faint hearted and with all it's twists and turns had me gripped from the very first page. Kim's a brilliant character and I love how we get to know a bit more about her in each book. I loved Silent Scream and Evil Games and I'm glad I read them before this one although this can be read as a stand alone book but I'd highly recommend reading all three as they are just fantastic. Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the copy to review. Can't wait to read more from Angie soon.

Wrong Place by M.A. Comley

      Blurb - DI Sally Parker has a serial killer on her patch. One thing that sets this killer apart from the others she's hunted before: his willingness to leave DNA at each of the crime scenes. It's up to Sally and her partner DS Jack Blackman to find out why before the body count rises to double figures.

While Sally is engrossed in the investigation, her ex-husband, Darryl, pays a surprise visit to her new home. His actions not only threaten Sally's new-found confidence, but they also force the DCI to give Sally an ultimatum concerning the case.

Can Sally overcome all the obstacles fate has placed in her path and arrest the brazen killer?

Publish Date - 26th June 2012
Published by - Jeamel Publishing Limited

My thoughts - I'd had this book on my kindle for a little while and it just kept jumping out at me saying "read me now". So I did and I read it in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down.
It had me gripped from page 1 and kept me hooked right the way to the end.
Sally Parker is a fab character and it was really nice to see that she is human and has her own personal problems and not a machine. I really seemed to connect with her.
I love the chemistry between Sally and her partner DS Jack Blackman, there's a real bond and friendship.
Wrong Place is a brilliant read that has twists and turns that really keep you on the edge of your seat. I'm not going to say any more as I don't want to give anything away, but I can guarantee you will enjoy.

The Mistake I Made by Paula Daly

   Book Description : We all think we know who we are.

What we’re capable of.

Roz is a single mother, a physiotherapist, a sister, a friend. She’s also desperate.

Her business has gone under, she’s crippled by debt and she’s just had to explain to her son why someone’s taken all their furniture away.

But now a stranger has made her an offer. For one night with her, he’ll pay enough to bring her back from the edge.

Roz has a choice to make.

Author : Paula Daly

Publisher : Random House UK

Publish Date : 27th August 2015

Format : Kindle Edition

* Thank you to Random House UK  and Netgalley for providing me with this copy in exchange for an honest review *

My thoughts : I feel like one of the only people in the world that hasn't read a book by Paula Daly before this one. And why haven't I? I can't believe I haven't come across this fabulous author before.

The Mistake I Made had me totally gripped from the start. We meet Roz a single parent bringing up her 9 year old son George. Roz works as a physiotherapist but is struggling money wise after losing her business and being left in terrible debt by her ex husband Winston. On top of that George is playing up at school and things look very bleak for Roz until she gets an offer she can't refuse.

I loved Roz, she was a very realistic character. My heart broke for her being in the situation she was in. Trying to do the best for herself and her son, it was like taking two steps forward and three steps back. I found myself wondering what I would do if placed in her situation and when you find yourself doing this you know you've got a good book.

All the characters were well described and it makes you feel like you know them, like they could just jump out the page. Also the descriptiveness of The Lake District where its set was just brilliant, it's made me want to go and visit.

I don't want to give too much away about the story but it was gripping, thrilling, sad, funny and just thoroughly brilliant. Paula Daly has wrote a cracker of story that left me completely satisfied. It had twists and turns and I couldn't put it down.

I'm now looking forward to reading What Kind of Mother Are You and Keep Your Friends Close by Paula and I look forward to more from this fab author in the future x

5 stars from me x 

The Ghost Tree by Sara Bain

Description : A newcomer to a small town must contend with a 17th century poltergeist intent on murder

Five years after the death of his wife, MacAoidh Armstrong moves into a smallholding in southern Scotland with the intention of living a self-sufficient existence. Although he’s heard the steading has a reputation for being haunted, the pragmatic Highlander does not believe in ghosts. On a hill by the steading stands the Ghost Tree: all that remains of the former Ringcroft of Stocking. Local legend says, when the last of the Ghost Trees dies, the Rerrick Parish Poltergeist will return. The Ghost Tree is dying and, just days after MacAoidh moves in, he is forced to contend with a number of strange and terrifying events that put his very life at risk. This series of bizarre and increasingly threatening occurrences at The Ring defy all logical and scientific explanation, and compel MacAoidh to face phenomena that will make him question his very beliefs.

Author : Sara Bain

Published By : Urbane Publications LTD

Publish Date : 1st October 2015

Format : Kindle Edition

* I'd like to thank Sara Bain the author and The Book Club on FB for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

My thoughts : Where to start with this book? From page one I was totally hooked, and when I had to put it down (as apparently sleep is very important) I couldn't wait to pick it back up again.

Set in Southern Scotland we meet MacAiodh ( Mackie), he's moved into a smallholding ready to start a new life but things don't go quite as smoothly as planned. Mackie has a past but he's a great character and I fell in love with him straight away.

We also meet Libby a solicitor who lives in a near by town. Another great character who's a strong woman with a past also. The scenes with Libby and Mackie's mum had me laughing out loud at times.

Sara has written a fabulous descriptive book that sooks you right in, you feel like you are actually part of the story. It's scary, funny at times and there's tragedy too and as I was reading I could feel myself holding my breath waiting for the next thing to happen.

I also loved the scenes in the pub where you got a true Scottish accent in the dialogue. Living in Scotland it made me feel closer to the story if that makes sense.

I don't want to give too much of the story away but I will say don't read this one if you're alone. It gave me shivers and the hairs on the back of neck stood up. I highly recommend this book and so look forward to reading more by the very talented Sara Bain x

I give this book 5 huge stars x

Time to Die by Caroline Mitchell

Book Description : Don’t ever cross his palm with silver.
~He will reveal your most shameful secrets.
He will predict your death.
He is hiding a secret.
He is hiding a monster.
And all his predictions come true.

Investigating a series of chilling murders, Detective Jennifer Knight finds herself tracking a mysterious tarot card reader known only as The Raven.

As the death toll rises, Jennifer and her team build a picture of a serial killer on the edge of sanity, driven by dark forces. But these are not random killings. And the method behind the madness could be the most terrifying thing of all …

Especially when it seems the death of one of their own is on the cards.

Author : Caroline Mitchell

Publisher : Bookouture

Publication Date : September 24th 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

* I'd like to say a huge thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

My thoughts : After reading Caroline's first book Don't Turn Around and giving it 5 stars I was so excited for the next book and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest.

We head back to Haven with DC Jennifer Knight and her side kick Will, where they are working amongst a team called operation moonlight. A police team that investigates crime with paranormal elements.

I love the chemistry between Jennifer and Will, they work so well together and their friendship warms the heart. Jennifer with her psychic abilities is a very interesting character, both her and Will are very likeable.

The Raven on the other hand sent chills down my spine but I was intrigued by him. He's a character that you love to hate and is evil to the core but I just couldn't get enough of him. I've always been interested in Tarot cards and Bert (The Raven) had the ability to see the past and also the deathly future with his. He's an incredibly scary character I certainly wouldn't want a reading from.

I just loved this book, it has a great mix of paranormal and crime and Caroline has done a truly fantastic job writing this book, it had me on the edge of my seat. It's one of those stories where you can't sit still while reading it, you feel like you have to move about a bit or you'll be absorbed right into the story for real. Totally engrossing and I really had to make myself slow down while reading it as I just didn't want it to end.

Although this is book number 2 it could be read as a stand alone but I definitely recommend reading Don't Turn Around first. Both absolutely fab books and I can't wait for number 3.

An amazingly chilling, thrilling edge of your seat story that you wont want to read when you're all on your lonesome.

  

A fabulous 5 stars from me xx

Recipes for Melissa by Teresa Driscoll

Description : 

Is it ever too late for the gift of goodbye?

Melissa Dance was eight years old when her mother died. They never got to say goodbye.

Seventeen years later, Melissa is handed a journal. As she smooths open the pages and begins to read her mother’s words, she is instantly transported back to her childhood.

But returning to her past is painful and memories of her mother’s beautiful face are a cruel reminder to Melissa that she’ll never see her again.

As Melissa slowly makes her way through the precious book, reading the snippets of advice and cooking the dishes from the recipes she is also shocked to learn of her mother’s secrets – secrets that if shared, could change Melissa’s world forever.

  Publish Date : 5th June 2015

Published By : Bookouture

Format : Kindle Edition

* Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review*

My Thoughts : What a truly delightful read this was.

Melissa is 25 and has just received a journal her Mother wrote for her while she was dying from cancer when Melissa was just 8 years old.

A lot of the book is set in journal style and as you may have guessed from the title there are recipes, these aren't just recipes though, they are stories that bring back many memories that Melissa has put to the back of her mind since her Mothers death.

On reading the blurb I thought this book would be a tear jerker and I was right in a way, although I shed a few tears it was also so much more. The story is about rediscovering and healing and the love Eleanor has for her daughter Melissa shines through, it's beautiful.

Teresa has written a beautiful heartfelt story with wonderful characters that will stay with me for a long time to come. I'd wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone but just make sure you have a box of hankies and plenty time to read as once you start you won't want to stop until the end.

The Summer of Secrets by Sarah Jasmon

Description : One day she was there . . .

and the next day, the day after the fire, she was gone.


In the summer of 1983, when Helen is sixteen, Victoria Dover and her eccentric family move in next door, at once making her lonely world a more thrilling place. But the summer ends with a terrible tragedy, and everyone involved – her father and the entire Dover family – simply disappears.

Then one day, thirty years later, Victoria comes back.



A suspenseful, spell-binding coming-of-age story about young friendship, damaged families and how one simple action on a long, sultry summer can echo through the years. Perfect for fans of Louise Doughty's Apple Tree Yard, Liane Moriarty's The Husband's Secret and Helen Dunmore's The Lie.

Publish date : August 13th 2015
Published by : Transworld Digital
Format : Kindle Edition

* Thank you Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Black Swan for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest opinion. *

My thoughts :  This is a slow moving story, but it's beautifully written and thought provoking.

Set in the summer of 1983 and interwoven with the year 2013 we read about the main character Helen, a bored and lonely 16 year old girl and her neighbours the Dovers who suddenly appear cause a whirlwind and just as suddenly disappear leaving Helen confused and still wondering 30 years on what happened.

Sarah Jasmon tells a wonderful descriptive story, the canal side comes to life as you read and the characters are believable. There's secrets and twists but if you're looking for a fast paced book this isn't for you. Instead we get a slow moving yet intensely thought provoking story that captures you from page 1 and slowly twists its way through to the end where you are desperate to find out what happened on that fateful night in the summer of 83.

I really enjoyed The Summer of Secrets and it's a fantastic debut novel from Sarah and I really look forward to reading more by this author.

The Secret Daughter by Kelly Rimmer. A beautiful novel of adoption, heartbreak and a mother's love.

Description : As I saw my new-born baby’s face for the first time I tried desperately to capture her face in my mind—to stamp it onto my eyelids. As she was taken from me I knew I might never see my daughter again.

37 years later…
‘You were adopted’. Three short words and Sabina’s life fractures. There would forever be a Before those words, and an After.

Pregnant with her own child, Sabina can’t understand how a mother could abandon her daughter, or why her parents have kept the past a secret.

Determined to find the woman who gave her away, what she discovers will change everything, not just for Sabina, but for the women who have loved her all these years.

From the bestselling author of Me Without You comes another touching, beautifully told story about the pain of separation and the enduring strength of love.

Publication Date : June 18th 2015

Publisher : Bookouture

Format- Kindle edition

* I'd like to say a huge thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC to review*

My thoughts : This was a truly outstanding book, one which I couldn't put down and will stay with me for a long time.

The Secret Daughter is based in Australia and the main character Sabina and her husband Ted have just found out they are to be parents for the first time. Obviously over the moon Sabina can't wait to tell her parents but doesn't get the reaction she was expecting and that's when her whole world is turned upside down.

Forced adoption in Australia is something that has been on the news a lot, back in the 60's, 70's and early 80's if you were a minor and fell pregnant out of wedlock the baby was instantly taken away from you and given to a married couple. The Secret Daughter although fiction is like reading a documentary. I was just engrossed from the very beginning, I was brought to tears numerous times through out the book.

The characters are well developed and I felt like I knew them personally by the end. The story is told from Sabina's first-person narrative, which is emotional to say the least. We're also taken into the past through Lily's letters and also Megan's first-person narrative which gives us an understanding to these characters and their feelings at the time which is also emotional. Ted, Sabina's husband was just a lovely character, so supportive and caring. A true gem.

Kelly Rimmer has taken a very tender subject and turned it into a wonderfully fabulous well written book, one that draws you in and never lets you go again. This book has made it's way into my top 10 this year,  and I look forward to reading more from Kelly soon.

I'd highly recommend this book, but make sure you have a box of hankie's by your side.

Thank you Kelly for an emotional, wonderful and truly magnificent book.

The Doris Day Vintage Film Club by Fiona Harper

Book Description : The amazing new romantic comedy from the #1 bestselling author of The Little Shop of Hopes and Dreams!

’Sweet and romantic, a story guaranteed to have you smiling’ - Milly Johnson

The perfect pair for ‘pillow talk’?

Claire Bixby grew up watching Doris Day films at her grandmother’s house and yearned to live in a world like the one on the screen – sunny, colourful and where happy endings were guaranteed. But recently Claire’s opportunities for a little ‘pillow talk’ have been thin on the ground.

Until she meets new client Nic who comes into her travel agency looking to book the perfect get away. Too bad it’s for two!

But as Nic and Claire get closer, the sparks start to fly, and Claire’s questioning everything Doris taught her about romance.

Can true love ever really be just like it is in the movies?

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…

* Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers of this book for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review*

My thoughts: The first things to attract me to this book was the quirky book cover and Doris Day in the title. I've been a huge fan of Doris Day for as long as I can remember and was quite looking forward to reading this book.

It was a joy and an easy read. It made me laugh and was a book I could put down and pick up again and get straight back into.

The only downside for me was it was so very much like The Little Shop of Hopes and Dreams by Fiona Harper so was a tad predictable and also the ending seemed a bit abrupt but apart from that it was a nice dreamy read.

The Girl Who Wouldn't Die by Marnie Riches

Book Description : HE’S WATCHING HER. SHE DOESN’T KNOW IT…YET

When a bomb explodes at the University of Amsterdam, aspiring criminologist Georgina McKenzie is asked by the police to help flush out the killer.

But the bomb is part of a much bigger, more sinister plot that will have the entire city quaking in fear.

And the killer has a very special part for George to play…

A thrilling race against time with a heroine you’ll be rooting for, this book will keep you up all night!

My thoughts :  The Girl Who Wouldn't Die was the chosen book for the month of June in TBC on FB. It wasn't a book I'd heard about and after reading the description I was eager to get stuck in.

I have to admit though I did struggle to get into this book to start with and I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe it was the strange names I couldn't pronounce or the fact there seemed to be two stories (George and Ella) and I couldn't for the life of me figure how they would come together, then BAM I was hooked and couldn't put it down. Each chapter I finished wasn't enough and I wanted to keep on reading and find out more.

The characters are well described and although I didn't feel I could relate to any of them I did like George the heroine, she's young, quirky and intelligent but also quite vulnerable. The descriptions of Amsterdam and Cambridge, 2 places I have never been, drew me in and I could see them in my mind as I was reading.

This turned out to be a fast paced thriller that I really enjoyed and I was thrilled to find out this is the first book of a series and I'm really looking forward to finding out what troubles George finds herself in next.

See Her Run by A.K. Leigh

Book Description : You can run from everything except your past.

Diana King has moved to Smithfield, North Carolina to start fresh. With a
new look, a new address, and a new name, she's hoping to begin a safe,
quiet life far from the horrors she's endured.

On the painful road to recovery, Diana begins to think she can move
forward … until she meets local farmer, Jonathan Smith, and realizes his
connection to her previous life. While Jon doesn't recognize her, they both
have an undeniable attraction.

Just when Diana begins to see a hope of happiness, she discovers that her
ex-husband Russ is on the hunt and will stop at nothing to get her back.
For Diana holds evidence that could lock him away for life ...

My thoughts :  * First off I'd like to say thank you to Netgalley and momentum books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review*

I really enjoyed this book, essentially it's a romance story but there is suspense through out it too and it keeps you turning pages. The characters are realistic and I loved how Diana and Jonathans relationship progressed through out the book. The characters are described well and the story is well written, its a wee bit predictable but that didn't spoil anything for me.  

A.K. Leigh has done a wonderful job in writing this book, it flows well and is enthralling. I kept wanting to read more and more even though it was well past bedtime, I just couldn't put it down and had to find out what happened next.
A very enjoyable read x

Little Black Lies by Sharon Bolton

Book Description : In such a small community as the Falkland Islands, a missing child is unheard of. In such a dangerous landscape it can only be a terrible tragedy, surely...

When another child goes missing, and then a third, it’s no longer possible to believe that their deaths were accidental, and the villagers must admit that there is a murderer among them. Even Catrin Quinn, a damaged woman living a reclusive life after the accidental deaths of her own two sons a few years ago, gets involved in the searches and the speculation.

And suddenly, in this wild and beautiful place that generations have called home, no one feels safe and the hysteria begins to rise.

But three islanders—Catrin, her childhood best friend, Rachel, and her ex-lover Callum—are hiding terrible secrets. And they have two things in common: all three of them are grieving, and none of them trust anyone, not even themselves.

In Little Black Lies, her most shocking and engaging suspense novel to date, Sharon Bolton will keep the reader guessing until the very last page.

My thoughts : I was sent this book for review and I seemed to be so bogged down with books I'm ashamed to admit that Little Black Lies sat on my shelf for quite a while before I finally got round to reading it. Oh my word, I wish I had brushed the others to the side and read this as soon as got it. I loved it.

Set in the Falkland Islands this is a dark, emotional rollercoaster of a read that pulls at your heart strings and absorbs you completely. I've never read a book set in the Falkland Islands before and I was engrossed as you get a real feel for the place and also what it was like during the Falkland war. It sounds like a wonderful place.

Little Black Lies centres round Catrin, Rachel and Callum and told over 5 days, each of them being the narrator. I've found in some books I've read the jumping back and forth from characters can get a bit confusing but it's not done like that in this book and is just perfect and by the end you feel like you know each one of them personally.

I'm not going to say too much about the story as I want anyone who reads this review to be surprised and enjoy it as much as did. Its a fabulous intense psychological thriller about family, friendship, fear and heartbreak and it's a must read book you wont be able to put down. It's full off twists and turns right up to the last page and it will stay with you for a long time after you're finished reading.

Second Hand Jane by Michelle Vernal

Book Description : When footloose and fancy-free Jessica, a thirty-something writer, decides to follow her journalistic instincts and trace the story of a young girl for her weekly column in a Dublin newspaper, she unwittingly embarks on a journey into Northern Ireland’s tragic past.

With her love of all things vintage, Jessica Jane Baré is known as Second-hand Jane to her friends. Hailing from New Zealand, these days she’s finding the grass is greener in Dublin and not just because of all the rain. In fact, life would be sweet if it weren’t for the reason she left home in the first place–her meddling mother. Marian views Jess’s life in Dublin as nothing more than a stop-gap until she meets Mr Right and he’s taking his time. Things look set to change, however, when Jess meets the delectable Nick, who ticks all of Marian’s boxes.

In the meantime, Jess’s latest second-hand collectible–a children’s book—gives her an idea for her column. Deciding to track down the girl whose name is scribbled inside the cover of that book, she uncovers more than she ever expected. “Amy was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” the girl’s taciturn brother, Owen, informs her. Intrigued, Jess travels to the family pig farm in County Down and listens to Amy’s poignant tale unfold through Owen. With a little help from a rather cute runt of the litter she names Wilbur, Jess is about to help put the past to rest and learn that appearances can be deceptive.

Then Marian announces she is coming to Dublin to sort her daughter’s increasingly tangled love life out and Jess’s chance of a happy ending like those in the story books she collects looks about as likely as Wilbur flying.

My thoughts :

First off I'd like to say a huge thank you to TBC on FB for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Second Hand Jane is a wonderful book, It's easy to read and so easy to get lost in. Jess the main character is a very likeable character, she's quirky and her love of second hand things is really nice. Especially the books, I love buying second hand books and often when I find a name inside I find myself wondering who the person is etc. Jess's two best friends are fab too in the story, Nora and Brianna are two very different characters but all three are fab together.

Marian, Jess's mum is quite funny and it was nice to see the relationship between her and her daughter and you could also feel the dread Jess felt when her mum announced she was coming to Dublin. I was reading and cringing at the thought.

I really enjoyed this book, the writing is lovely and the description through out made me want to jump on a ferry and go and visit Northern Ireland and find out more about the sad history of The Troubles. Also I have fallen head over heels in love with Wilbur the little piglet, I live on a farm so really a little piglet would just fit in ha ha.

A really enjoyable read and I highly recommend this book.

Break in to Murder by Paul Moore

Publish Date: April 6th 2015

Description: Victoria Bell feels very much at home in a court of law but when an underworld boss is killed is it murder? Two warring families want justice but will they get it?

*Thank you to TBC and Paul Moore for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

My thoughts: This is the first book I've read by this author and also the first courtroom drama too.

Break in to Murder is a nice paced book and although it's a courtroom drama its not filled with all your legal mumbo jumbo, it's easy to understand. The characters and settings are well described with makes it easy to visualise what's going on.

This isn't a long book with roughly 3 hours reading time but it was just perfect for me, there's twists and turns in the story that made me just want to keep reading. Over all this is an enjoyable book and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes courtroom dramas that aren't over dramatized and full of legal jargon.

An enjoyable read.

First One Missing by Tammy Cohen

Pre-Order your copy HERE

Publication Date: July 2nd 2015

Published by:  Transworld Digital

Description: There are three things no-one can prepare you for when your daughter is murdered:

- You are haunted by her memory day and night

- Even close friends can't understand what you are going through.

- Only in a group with mothers of other victims can you find real comfort.

But as the bereaved parents gather to offer support in the wake of another killing, a crack appears in the group that threatens to rock their lives all over again.

Welcome to the club no one wants to join.

*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*

My thoughts: After not long since finishing the Broken for TBC's book of the month and thoroughly enjoying it I was quite excited to see Tammy had a new book set for release, I immediately requested and was thrilled when accepted.

First One Missing is a dark psychological thriller set around the murders of four little girls with hint's to paedophilia which isn't an easy topic to read but must have been a difficult subject to write about but Tammy has done it so brilliantly.

Each individual character's story line is very believable, Tammy has a way of writing, that the characters seem so real and you can feel their emotions. Emma in the book especially I connected with, the way her feelings of grief are explained are remarkable. After loosing my daughter last year to cancer I am going through the grief process and when reading about Emma sometimes it could have been me writing her feelings.

I couldn't put this book down, It had me hooked from page one and I'd highly recommend to lover's of psychological thriller's. And without giving too much away, all I'll say is wow to the ending. I did not see that coming what so ever. Absolutely brilliant.

Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey

Publisher: Simon & Schuster U.K.
Publish Date: 23rd April 2015
Buy your Kindle copy HERE
Paperback Copy HERE

Book Description : 1943, in the ruins of Blitzed London...

Stella Thorne and Dan Rosinski meet by chance and fall in love by accident. Theirs is a reluctant, unstoppable affair in which all the odds are stacked against them: she is newly married, and he is an American bomber pilot whose chance of survival is just one in five...

He promised to love her forever

Sixty years later Dan makes one final attempt to find the girl he has never forgotten, and sends a letter to the house where they shared a brief yet perfect happiness. But Stella has gone, and the letter is opened by Jess, a young girl hiding from problems of her own. And as Jess reads Dan's words, she is captivated by the story of a love affair that burned so bright and dimmed too soon. Can she help Dan find Stella before it is too late?

Now forever is finally running out. 

* I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

My Thoughts: Now and again a book comes along and totally sweeps you off your feet, you can't put it down and when you're not reading it you're thinking about it and Letters to the Lost is certainly one of those books.

Letters to the lost is two love stories, one set in post blitz London in the early 1940's and the second 60 years later. Both stories are captivating and pull at your heart strings.
The characters are believable and mostly likeable, both Stella and Jess have an interesting story to tell and the way the book goes back and forth keeps you captivated. The way Dan's character comes through in the letters and shows his love and passion for Stella had me bowled over, I really loved his character.

Iona Grey has written a wonderful book, Letters to the Lost is definitely one of my favourites this year and one I will be going back to read again and again.

Letters to the Lost is a compelling, fantastically written, beautiful novel that will stay with me for a long, long time. If you've not read it yet it's a must for anyone and everyone, just make sure you have plenty of time as with over 500 pages once you start you really don't want to put it down. And make sure you have a box of hankies beside you too.

This book gets a magnificent 5 hearts from me.

Evil Games (D.I. Kim Stone #2) by Angela Marsons

Release Date : May 29th 2015

Publisher : Bookouture

Pre-order your Kindle copy HERE

Description : The greater the Evil, the more deadly the game…
When a rapist is found mutilated in a brutal attack, Detective Kim Stone and her team are called in to bring a swift resolution. But, as more vengeful killings come to light, it soon becomes clear that there is someone far more sinister at work.

With the investigation quickly gathering momentum, Kim finds herself exposed to great danger and in the sights of a lethal individual undertaking their own twisted experiment.

Up against a sociopath who seems to know her every weakness, for Detective Stone, each move she makes could be deadly. As the body count starts to mount, Kim will have to dig deeper than ever before to stop the killing. And this time - it’s personal.

*I received this ARC courtesy of Netgalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review*

My thoughts : Wow wow wow, after reading Silent Scream I pre-ordered Evil Games as soon as I could and I didn't think it could get any better but Angela Marsons has done it again.

As soon as I started reading I felt like I was back with an old friend, D.I. Kim Stone. In Evil Games Kim is just as determined and damaged as in Silent Scream but we find out a bit more about her past and she softens a bit. Her friendship with her partner D.S. Bryant continues and I can't help but smile at the way they interact with each other sometimes.

Evil Games brings in the nasty but very clever Dr Alex Thorne, she's pretty, smart, intelligent but also a sociopathic psychologist and is evil through and through but a fantastic character.
Two very intelligent women caught up in head to head battle, both with secrets they don't want revealed makes for a gripping story.
Kim is also investigating a child abuse case, a tough subject but Ms Marsons does a brilliant job with her writing and I could feel the anger and frustration Kim and her team were feeling.

This book, with every page you turn gives you goose bumps. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing up and I just didn't want to put it down. It's fantastically written, it's gripping right to the last page and I just can't wait for book three now.

If you haven't read Silent Scream you can get a Kindle copy HERE 

Dubious Justice (Justice Series Book 11) by M.A. Comley

Release Date : April 17th 2015
Description :  Nothing is as it seems.

DS Lorne Warner and DI Katy Foster are called to the scene of an electrician's suspected suicide but quickly discover that they're dealing with a murder case instead.

Katy's family emergency forces her back home to be by her parent's side in Manchester, leaving Lorne as detective inspector, working alongside a new, and frustrating, partner.

When two more murders of tradesmen occur, the investigation throws suspicion on a couple who have recently renovated their home. However, the forensic team uncovers a lot more than anyone bargained for.

My thoughts : First off I'd like to say a huge thank you to Mel Comley, Tracey Fenton and The Book Club for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In my haste to say I'd review this book I didn't realise it was book number 11, I was hesitant to start it after realising as I haven't read any of the books previous to this one, but there was no need to worry as this book works as a stand alone as well as part of the series. A couple of times there are some references to story's in the past but it didn't matter and it's just made me want to read the other 10 books now.

The story is well written and from page one it's gripping, it's fast paced and the characters are easy to get to know. Through out the book  the surprises keep coming and when you think it's starting to wind down, boom you're hut again with more shocks and twists. I really don't want to give to much away, but Mel has done an incredibly good job of telling the story of a difficult subject and the book comes together fantastically. I have to admit I did shed a few tears.

I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers, police procedural or just anyone who likes a blooming good edge of your seat story.