An Unlikely Agent by Jane Menczer . Review

The story is set in 1905 and centres around a Mrs Trent . Margaret Trent lives in a boarding house in London with her mother and lives a very normal if somewhat dull and predictive life until one day she gets the opportunity to change all that . I love a story where a normal person for what ever reason has their life changed suddenly , goes on to do extraordinary things and experiences the most unexpected changes to their future . Mrs Trent is likeable and capable of much , her previous job did not bring out the most of her talents but this new job is an eye opener . Mixing with colourful people and learning new skills , this is a whole new world for Margaret which is great fun to read about. The fast paced plot and red herrings  keeps you from wanting to put it down so it was definitely a one sitting read for me . Loved it! 

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

This book is being published in May 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/17110/An-Unlikely-Agent-by-Jane-Menczer.html

In My Mailbox

In my mailbox today and yesterday are these awesome books sent  curtesy of http://www.lovereading.co.uk

 The Ice by Laline Paul

The Dead House by Billy O'Callaghan. Review

This is probably one of the best ghost stories that I have read in years . Set in modern day Ireland and the U.K. Artist Maggie moves to Ireland to start a new life while carrying on her career of painting pictures . Maggie has a close friendship and work relationship with Michel, an art dealer and they remain close even after her move to Ireland . After a housewarming party there in this very rural part of the south coast of Ireland , nothing would ever be the same again for those that came to that small seemingly harmless house . 

I had goosebumps reading this , the bleak setting , this mentally wounded woman left to her own devices far from other people , and a deeply unsettling house with far too much history and not enough love . I recommend this who like a story of a haunted house . This will stay with you ! 

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

This book is being published May 2017 and will be available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores then . Below please find a link to Lovereading.co.uk website :

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/

In my Mailbox

Well if ever books were going to grab my attention to be read it is these two that arrived in my mailbox this morning . What fabulous covers! Books sent to me curtesy of Lovereading.co.uk

Encounters by Jason Wallace

The Dead House by Billy O'Callaghan 

Rather Be The Devil by Ian Rankin . Review

This is book 21 in the Rebus series which features John Rebus as a now retired detective based in Edinburgh. The city is teeming with criminals and law breakers right now but it is not the modern crime that is interesting Rebus , no he is distracted in his retirement by an old case that won't move out of his head while now also being cursed ill health from his previous diabolical lifestyle. I like Rebus , he is very rough about the edges but there is that bit of vulnerability to him now that makes him all the more likeable. 

New and old crimes and criminals combine in this book with a woman at the helm in the police force in the form of DI Siobhan Clarke who is rightfully taking no crap from anyone . 

This is a book to read on your own where it's quiet with no distractions as there is a lot of characters and things going on but it is well worth it! A must read for all Rebus fans .

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

This book has now been published and is available from Lovereading and all other good bookstores now. Below please find a link to this book on the Lovereading website:

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/search?advselect=0&indsearch=Rather+be+the+devil

A Dangerous Crossing by Rachel Rhys. Review

The story is set in 1939 just before the beginning of the war . The main character is Lily Shepherd who is about to set sail for Australia for new work opportunities . The journey is going to be a long one but there are plenty of fascinating new people onboard to talk to and get to know as well as beautiful places to stop at on the way . If you love a mystery with a truly terrific retro feel to it then this is the perfect book for you. There is passengers with mysterious pasts , glamour with a darker side and more then one handsome man with a twinkle in his eye. Lily is a terrific character , outgoing and optimistic , but with a healthy amount of street smarts which is essential on a hot boat where no one can get away from each other when tempers are at their highest and sensibilities seem to have been forgotten . 

I loved this! Great setting, interesting characters and a satisfying plot! 

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

This book is bring 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/16998/A-Dangerous-Crossing-by-Rachel-Rhys.html

The Cows by Dawn O'Porter. Review

This was an extraordinary story about three women . Stella , Tara and Cam, they have very different lives and dreams for themselves yet they have a lot in common . Humiliation, loss , and freedom are some of the topics brought up in the story . Throughout it really made me think about the way we perceive the news we read every day and the consequences for doing things without thinking them through properly and the damage it can do. Each woman was going through her own her life difficulties , and it was terrific seeing how they coped with each of the situations they found themselves in . 

This was a deeply thought provoking and inspiring book with three strong women at the centre of it doing their best with what life dealt them . Read this with a box of tissues and your best friends number on speed dial . 

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/17061/The-Cows-by-Dawn-O-Porter.html

Mini Haul

The Inheritance by Katie Agnew

The Wings Of The Dove by Henry James

In My Mailbox

The Cows by Dawn O ' Porter

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner

These books were sent in curtesy of lovereading.co.uk and lovereading4kids.co.uk.

Blue: A Memoir by John Sutherland. Review

Told in a matter of fact way this is a memoir of what it is like to live your life in the police force from a young age in England. From a humble beginning to marching up the ladder in his career John seems a very capable and likeable man with common sense and decency that must be applauded . Seeing what he does on a day to day basis where no two days are the same would not be everyone's cup of tea but he had the perfect manner for this job . Some of things he saw as a policeman would make you wonder how you come home from a job like that and separate  it from your every day life . This really makes you see people differently , those who make it their job to protect and take care of those in need and what goes through their head when they leave home every day not knowing what will face them and if thy themselves will get home in one piece back to their own loved ones. 

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

This book is being published May 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/9781474606059/isbn/noredirect

Ahhhhh Lovely Books

Here are a few books I got recently . It was a rough start to the year and getting some books is always what I turn to when the road gets rocky and life gets tough.  Books are my drink and a bookshop is my Off - Licence 

The Library At The End Of The World by Felicity Hayes- McCoy

Mindfulness by Daisy Roth 

The Pure Gold Baby by Margaret Drabble

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov 

In My Mailbox

Dangerous Crossing by Rachel Rhys.

In My Mailbox

In my mailbox today are these awesome sounding review books by Ian Rankin curtesy of www.lovereading.co.uk. These look like the perfect books for a back to back reading session .

The Naming Of The Dead by Ian Rankin 

Black And Blue  by Ian Rankin

There also  was Alison Weir's new book  Six Tudor Queens. AnneBoleyn   , A Kings Obsession .