The Millstone by Margaret Drabble. Review

I first came across this book while listening to a podcast where the author describes this book. Needless to say it made enough of an impact on my imagination that I curiously ordered it from the library. I fell in love with the authors writing style immediately and the voice of the main character who finds herself unluckily pregnant at a time when it was most definitely frowned upon . Being from a comfortable background , and with a lot of gumption this helped her make the decisions she needed to make about her pregnancy . The book feels very personal reading it . It felt more like being whispered the inner most secrets of someone's head that was going through a lot of emotional turmoil ! I admired her so much and despite the obstacles she faced she did so with elegance and style . At first I was not sure I agreed with the ending but the more I have thought about it since ,the more I understand the main character , I am glad the author left it like that. It felt true to the main characters personality . A truly remarkable author and story!  I will now have to buy the book for my myself as It is going on my favourites shelf ! 

This was a library book, def check it out! :0) ( literally) . 

Goodreads

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/105021.The_Millstone

Don't Let Go by Michel Bussi. Review

I love stories set in holiday destinations and this one was a really gripping one that did not give up its secrets easily . The story is set in a picturesque resort on the island of La Reunion and is set around one family . Husband and wife Liane and Martial and their young daughter . While having a blissful holiday Liane suddenly vanishes under mysterious circumstances with suspicion falling at her husband's feet . This is definitely a book for those who have enjoyed books like Gone Girl as you can never be sure who to trust and who is really the bad guy. I really enjoyed this and it certainly kept me guessing to the very end of the book . I  recommend this book for all those who love a main character with a shady past and a plot that sped along , it will pull you along willingly to the end and will keep you up until the wee hours of the morning . 

I received this book for review from the lovely folks over at lovereading.co.uk

This book is being published April 2017 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then . 

Below please find a link   this book on the Lovereading website:

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/17003/Don-t-Let-Go-by-Michel-Bussi.html

Crimson Lake by Candice Fox . Review

When Ted Conkaffey , former detective is accused but not convicted  of a crime,  the only person just about  likely to give him a chance in a work place was former criminal herself Amanda Pharrell who runs a detective agency .  The crime Ted was accused of was heinous ,  so  a fresh start and new career is just what he needs . Their work relationship together  is amusing , they both have their own issues and neither of them are forgetting their past anytime soon  but they can tease each other to a certain degree and they have each other's back . When working on their first case together we really get to learn more about their past and what drives them,  as well as a really great mystery surrounding a missing author who's disappearance becomes unsettling . If you enjoyed Stephen King's Misery then check this out! 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk

This book is being published April 2017 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then . 

Below please find a link to this book:

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/17049/Crimson-Lake-by-Candice-Fox.html

The Killer On The Wall by Emma Kavanagh. Review

This was so good! The past and present have one thing in common in this story , that is a murderer with a similar taste in his style of killing victims . The main character is Isla , she finds the murdered bodies when she was a teenager , fast forward twenty years later and Isla is now a forensic psychologist who regularly comes into contact with murderers . Isla is a fascinating character , she went through such trauma finding the bodies as a teen and then instead of running from criminals she ran towards them in a bid to understand why they did what they do . The plot is very good , it's a bit of a puzzle , things don't seem to be adding up with past and current crimes and then it all starts to become clear and the excitement really builds and at that point I was not putting it down ! Awesome book for any thriller fan out there. 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk.

This book is going to be published April 2017 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then.

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading website:

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/17107/The-Killer-on-the-Wall-by-Emma-Kavanagh.html

In My Mailbox

In my mailbox this week has been these awesome books! It looks like I am going to have a thrilling week of reading this next week thanks to the awesome www.lovereading.co.uk

It Began With The Bodies by Emma Kavanagh . 

Crimson Lake by Candice Fox

Don't Let Go by Michel Bussi 

The People At Number 9 by Felicity Everett. Review

When new neighbours move in next door to Sara and her husband Neil it shakes up their lives and the neighbourhood . Gav and Lou are sparkly new lights shining on the street and everyone is curious about them , when this attractive couple notice Sara and Neil,  it becomes a dream come true for Sara who feels her life is less then exciting. The depth of the friendship and the quickness of how  it happened between them all  was fascinating . The manipulation , secrets  and lies were engrossing , esp the twists near the end . A thought provoking read that's a little on the dark side which I loved. 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk

This book is being published April 2017 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then. 

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading website:

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/9780008216870/isbn/noredirect

Reservoir 13 by Jon McGreror. Review

When a teenage girl goes missing while on holiday no one could envisage the way it would impact a community . The story is told by an unknown narrator who tells us the story in a detached way which leaves the reader feeling slightly creeped out. The story is tragic of a missing girl who just vanishes but the years after her disappearance where a community never forgets and how it effected them spoke volumes. Sometimes heartbreaking , there was often moments when my mind wandered off thinking of the situation that characters were in , it is definitely a thought provoking read and one which stays with you long after you finish the book. 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk

This book is being published April 2017 and will be available from Lovereading.co.uk and all other good bookstores then . 

Below please find a link to this book :

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/17060/Reservoir-13-by-Jon-Mcgregor.html

Windfall by Jennifer E.Smith . Review

The story is about two friends , Alice and her friend Teddy. It's coming up to Teddy's 18th birthday and she buys him a lottery ticket and he wins! 

The story shows us the ups and downs of something like this happening and how it can hinder or grow a friendship , the complications that can arise and the strength needed to know your friends from your enemies when everyone is smiling at you wanting to be your best friend . I really liked Teddy, he was a rogue with a big heart that he had well hidden and Alice complimented the friendship by being more open and grounding for him . I really enjoyed the story , the plot was great and original! I recommend this to anyone who likes a story about unusual situations people find themselves in . 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at lovereading4kids.co.uk

This book is going to be published May 2017 and will be available from Lovereading4kids and all other good bookstores then .

Below please find a link to this book on their website :

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/9781509831708/isbn/noredirect

Waking In Time by Angie Stanton . Review

The story is about a young woman called Abbi who is just beginning her first year at University . She is really pleased to be going to the same University as her grandmother did despite her  mother's reservations about being so far from home . I knew little about this plot before I started this story so it quickly gained my interest when I found out there was lots of family secrets , time travel , love and plenty of adventures . This was so awesome! All the women in Abbi's family are gutsy likeable females so you see where she gets her sense of adventure and smarts from . This is the perfect story for any time travelling book fans out there , it was a really fun read and there is enough family history of Abbi's to keep the plot very interesting. Loved it! 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at lovereading4kids. 

This book is being published March 2017 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then . 

Below please find a link to this book below.

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/13805/Waking-in-Time-by-Angie-Stanton.html

Erotic Stories For Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal. Review

The story is based around two women , Kulwinder and Nikki . Both have very different personalities but find themselves thrown together when they both work at their local Temple. Nikki is employed by Kulwinder to teach English classes to the ladies there to help them write and gain confidence . What starts of as an English class quickly escalated to erotic story time classes for the older women in the class ,  kept secret from those outside it , especially the men . The story was beautiful and tragic and I loved the authors writing style , these characters came alive for me and I could picture their comraderie and fun as a group of women talking and sharing their dreams and lives . A wonderful story ! 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk

This book is being published March 2017 and will be available from Lovereading.co.uk and all other good bookstores then . 

Below please find a link to this book.

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/16893/Erotic-Stories-for-Punjabi-Widows-by-Balli-Kaur-Jaswal.html

Quicksand by Malin Persson Giilito. Review

The story begins after a very serious crime has been committed . We don't learn straight away what happened but we are introduced to the main suspect , an 18 year old girl called Maja . We see the story through her eyes and she seems almost detached from everything that is happening , like it was far too much to comprehend and she is running on autopilot so the story felt very real . The story flicks back and forth in time giving us glimpses of all the main characters and the deceased and not everything is as black and white as it first seems . I really enjoyed this story , you definitely don't know all the secrets from early on which makes this all the more enticing . This was a hard book to put down , so I didn't , and read it all in one go and loved it! 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk.

This book is being published April 2017 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then . 

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading website:

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/17006/Quicksand-by-Malin-Persson-Giolito.html

The Riviera Express by TP Fielden. Review.

 This is book 1 in the Miss Dimont mystery series set in 1958 . Miss Dimont  is a  reporter for the local newspaper in Temple Regis , her job is to highlight all that's going on in the area and report back to her grumpy boss.

I love a story set in a small town where everyone knows everyone else and they all love a good gossip , and when a murder of a famous actor is committed on the train arriving in the town there are plenty of people who could have had cause to do the ghastly deed giving Miss Dimont a very busy workload all of a sudden . It certainly livens up her normal work day .  This was the perfect cosy mystery to sit down with , Miss Dimont is likeable and smart , the town is colourful and  has a fair amount of eccentrics and the mystery was surprising . I recommend this to all cosy mystery fans 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk

This book has already been published . 

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading website :

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/9780008193713/The-Riviera-Express-by-T-P-Fielden.html

Orange Blossom Days by Patricia Scanlan. Review.

The story is set in beautiful Spain at a new apartment complex called La Joya. Here very different couples are drawn to get away from their everyday lives back home and relax in the Spanish sun . Each couple come with their own emotional baggage and are carefully overlooked by the manager Jutta , a quiet and smart woman . 

The characters and their lives are what kept my flying through the pages , I cared what happened to them , especially Anna and Sally-Ann. Both women are very different with completely different backgrounds but their stories gripped me and pulled at my heartstrings . This was a heartwarming book and I would recommend this to anyone . This is definitely one to add to your TBR list ! 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at lovereading.co.uk

This book has now been published and is available through the link below and from all other good booksellers

 :https://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/16954/Orange-Blossom-Days-by-Patricia-Scanlan.html

Birdcage Walk by Helen Dunmore . Review

The story is set in the 1700's in England and is based around a young woman called Lizzie and her businessman husband called Diner . Diner is a strange man , moody and possessive and you had to wonder what Lizzie sees in him , but they do have a physical attraction to one another that links them . Lizzie has a strength to her that she very likely got from her very smart mother , she is very likeable character with  great empathy . Diner is the complete opposite of her , he comes across as a dark and dangerous soul with a mysterious past and there is an unease that lingers on every page as you read like an impending sense of doom. I loved this story , I was never quite sure where it was going to lead me but it was well worth the journey! I recommend this book to all.  

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at lovereading.co.uk.

This book had now been published and is available from Lovereading.co.uk and all other good bookstores now .  Below please find a link to this book :https://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/16997/Birdcage-Walk-by-Helen-Dunmore.html

The Owl Always Hunts At Night by Samuel Bjork. Review

This is a deeply unsettling story that starts of with the unusual murder of a young woman found in a ritualistic setting . Holger Munch and his side kick , the troubled Mia are on the case and it is taking them to the most unlikely places , that of a children's home called The Nursery . There was a  terrific back history to this story  ,so right from the beginning you know this is going to be an unusual case and there is a good few red herrings thrown in to keep you on your toes. . Mia is a troubled woman who is barely keeping her chin above water and this is a tough case that you feel at any moment could unleash what ever demons she has just below the surface . I liked Mia's character but I wanted Munch to take better care of her , her instincts are good and just what you need working a case like they are . This had a great plot , fantastic characters , interesting bad guys and good ending . What more could you want ! 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk

This book is published March 2017 and available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then . 

Below please find the link :

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/16982/The-Owl-Always-Hunts-at-Night-by-Samuel-Bjork.html

Letters To The Lost by Brigid Kemmerer. Review

After losing her mother , Juliet is really struggling with her bereavement, especially as she believes she is partly to blame . Declan is in the same class as Juliet and is going through his own problems , one being community service . These two could not be more different ! One day Juliet leaves a letter at her mother's grave and Declan answers it. 

I love a story where the characters communicate with each other but neither knows who the other person is even though in reality they see each other all the time they just have no idea it's that person they are in deep communication with . Touching and thought provoking we see how it is wrong to judge people from what you see on the outside , we think we know people but we may not know them at all , people we thought were awful could if the situation was right be a terrific friend . A very endearing , feel good story . Highly recommend ! 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading4kids. 

This book is being published April 2017 and will be available from Lovereading4kids and all other good bookstores then . 

Below please find a link to this book :

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/14061/Letters-to-the-Lost-by-Brigid-Kemmerer.html

Black Water Lilies by Michel Bussi . Review

Every so often a book will come along and give you this magical feeling in your body , a story so good it stirs something in you that reminds you why you got excited about books in the first place . This is just such a book. After I finished this story I sat for about half an hour just thinking about what I had just read , about a lifetime in Giverney and the people who lived and died there . The story begins by explaining a little about the three main female characters of the story . Each seemingly different in every possible way . Set in this beautiful places made  famous thanks to the artist Monet. This haven for artists also lurks deep passions and rage  , and for a small idyllic place there sure is a huge amount of curious behaviour going on . This book did everything to my soul, it shocked and tore, made me cry and gave me hope .  These characters are going to stay with me , this plot is going to keep going around in my head and I am going to recommend this to everyone I know! This story is beautiful in every way and deserves to be not just read , but treasured ! 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk.

This book is being published March 2017 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then . 

Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading website . 

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/16952/Black-Water-Lilies-by-Michel-Bussi.html

In My Mailbox

In my mailbox today is Letters To The Lost by Brigid Kemmerer. This looks awesome ! I can't wait to start it! Expect a review very soon! 

Happy Valentine's Day

Well friends today is the day where all manner of flowers seem to be overflowing in just about every shop .... I received 3 beautiful bouquets and cards . with sentiments of love and very sweet words . Today there was adoration at every turn , and by tonight harassed looking people who have only just remembered may have been doing a sprint around the shops for bouquets and cards for their loved ones . 

I have to say I love the day itself . A day dedicated to love in a very uncertain world . I get excited seeing people walk down the street with bunches of flowers and smiles on their faces because quite frankly who can't smile with a pretty bouquet of something smelling beautiful in their arms to be shortly given to a loved one or dear friend. Have you ever noticed a man in a shop buying flowers for his love , every woman within viewing distance is visibly aware and smiling if not commenting to him how nice they are . I think that's awesome . Last year I watched an old man (80's) buy a bouquet for his wife, he picked yellow roses .  My heart skipped a beat and as soppy as it sounds I loved the fact there was still such a sparkle between him and his wife . A small gesture that would mean a lot , that would show you were thought of and cared for and meant something to the person who you love the most. So with all that said... I hope you have had a lovely day no matter what  ....and that we can keep love in our hearts every other day of the year too, not just in February  . Xxxxx 

In My Mailbox

In my mailbox today was The Owl Always Hunts At Night by Samuel Bjork sent curtesy of @lovereading.co.uk. This looks like it's going to be the perfect , eerie ,  stay up past your bedtime read . 

L'art De La Simplicité by Dominique Loreau . Review

This is a simply told easy to follow book of recommendations on how to live more simply and get rid of the clutter from the areas around you every day that will then clear up the clutter in your head . I know that if I had a mess around me for long I would be edgy and snippy , I prefer order and everything to have a place . This books explains why that is ,better then I can , and the benefits of simplifying every aspect of your life . It also included the food you eat . I had already begun a lot of these changes  without knowing about this book due to having to make health changes in my own life , so a lot that was said here made sense to me . I like how the book was put together ...elegant and straightforward , giving examples of situations and helpful suggestions too. All in all a great book to have on your bookshelf to dip into regularly for inspiration and a kick in the butt for motivation . I recommend this to everyone ! 

The Book Depository

https://www.bookdepository.com/LArt-de-l-Simplicite-Dominique-Loreau-Louise-Lalaurie/9781409163862?ref=grid-view

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5763526-l-art-de-la-simplicit

In My Mailbox

Hi guys! Look at these gorgeous books that arrived to me today for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading.co.uk . These covers scream adventure and holidays and are just what I want to read about on this chilly February day. 

The Riviera Express by TP Fielden

Orange Blossom Days by Patricia Scanlan. 

Following Ophelia by Sophia Bennett. Review

The story is set around the life of Mary Addams , a servant,  new to life in London . Mary comes from a poor family not unfamiliar with hardship and cruelty , but she dreams of making huge changes to her life and future by leaving home . I love a story about someone moving to the big city to change their life in terrific ways , gaining life experiences , meeting exotic people and that's exactly what I got from this story , a girl from nowhere special ,experiencing so many wonderful cultural enrichments to her life ,in this case art and artists ,  who she would never have met otherwise was thrilling and Mary herself was engaging , a little innocent perhaps , but it only made her more likeable . I loved this book and recommend it to anyone especially if you liked Upstairs/ Downstairs or Downton Abbey. 

I received this book for review from the lovely people over at Lovereading4kids.co.uk.

This book is being published March 2017 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good book stores then. 

Below please find a link to this book on the website :

http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/13804/Following-Ophelia-by-Sophia-Bennett.html

Finishing This Weekend & Next Week's Reading List

Well guys I thought I lost my reading mojo for good after being stuck in a rut and not able to read for quite a while . Thankfully it's finding its way back and I am happily stacking up the books that are most pressing ( to my mind anyway) . I will also have review books going on too that you will see posted reviews of this week  , but these are my personal / library book reading stack I am getting through for the next 10 days or so. 

Scandikitchen by Bronté Aurell

L'art de la Simplicité by Doninique Loreau

Strong Looks Better Naked by Khloe Kardashian 

The Millstone by Margaret Drabble 

Anne Of The Island by L.M.Montgomery

After The War Is Over by Maureen Lee

Breathless by Dean Koontz

Martha's Journey by Maureen Lee 

Scandinavian Comfort Food by Trine Hahnemann 

Emma Bridgewater . Toast & Marmalade And Other Stories