Review: Stolen

Stolen by Rebecca Muddiman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The disappearance of an infant shatters the lives of parents Abby and Paul Henshaw. The story follows Abby's life after her daughter is abducted and the investigation by DI Gardener. Lives unravel, you may think you know the guilty party early in the book but there are many twists and turns. A good solid plot.



View all my reviews

Review: Hearts of Gold

Hearts of Gold by Catrin Collier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



First of a series in 8, set in Pontypridd in Wales and following the lives of a small mining community. This, the first book starts during the Depression and the main character is Bethan Powell a trainee nurse / midwife. Similar style to Maeve Binchy



View all my reviews

Review: Past Mischief

Past Mischief by Victoria Clayton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I nearly gave up on this after the first few chapters .... the prose was, what can I say, somewhat overblown and seemed dated (first published 1998). But hang on in there. The book follows the ups and downs of Miranda's life after her husband is found dead. A wonderful bunch of characters, whimsical, eccentric, unpredictable ..... there is enough going on to keep you amused and the literary and classical allusions fit right in with the story line. An unexpected twist towards the end, and the continuing search for love (hope conquering experience) all the way through.



View all my reviews

Review: Silver Bay

Silver Bay by Jojo Moyes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I loved it. An intriguing mix of the clash of business interests and environmental concerns, but fundamentally a love story with a mystery/crime element. Everything rolled into one, well written, it draws you in ..... a real page turner .... right to the last page.



View all my reviews

Review: Life Is Not A Love Song

Life Is Not A Love Song by Leila d'Angelo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I really enjoyed this. Started it thinking it was just another chick lit novel (which I do enjoy from time to time) but ended up in tears .... anyone who has been involved with cancer patients will understand when they read it. Lots of fun and humour amongs the emotional undercurrents. Recommended.



View all my reviews

Review: Just One Damned Thing After Another

Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I loved it ..... when I started reading it I didn't think I would. I downloaded it because it was free and sounded vaguely interesting.

A mix of fantasy, history, relationships and drama I was engrossed and as soon as I finished went to see if there was a follow up (after all the books is part of "The Chronicles". Sadly not yet. Hopefully there will be soon.



View all my reviews

Review: The Sins of the Father

The Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer

My rating: 0 of 5 stars



From Bristol to New York .... a sweeping panorama of the war years, at home and abroad .... a good follow up to the first in this trilogy and with a cliff hanger at the end that means I just have to get the third book!



View all my reviews

Review: The French House

The French House by Nick Alexander

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



It took the story a while to pick up and it took me a while to realise that this is the sequel to [b:The Case of the Missing Boyfriend|10414586|The Case of the Missing Boyfriend|Nick Alexander|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348295942s/10414586.jpg|15318795] but I perceived. And once I got into it I enjoyed it, particularly the descriptions of starting a new life in France to which I can draw personal parallels having upsticks and moved to Puglia, Southern Italy nearly 8 years ago



View all my reviews

Review: The Villa Girls

The Villa Girls by Nicky Pellegrino

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Loved it..... amazing descriptions of (mainly) Italian food, Italian life in the south, people etc etc.... with a good story line. I wasn't sure which way it was going to go right to the end.

I love Nicky Pellegrino's books and if you do to you should also try [a:Adriana Trigiani|9219|Adriana Trigiani|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1332376218p2/9219.jpg]



View all my reviews

Review: Sorrow Wood

Sorrow Wood by Raymond L. Atkins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I picked this up, almost gave up on it, put it down and then came back to it. And I'm glad I did. Wonderful writing, lots of tongue in cheek pops at small town America. Lots of back and forth from time to time and place to place. Apart from all the events going on in the current time there is a lot of reference back to to other lives and throughout it all is the most wonderful love story, not slop and romance but real true grit and caring.



View all my reviews

Review: A Man For The Summer

A Man For The Summer by Ruby Laska

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Quite simply a love story .... nice and light; easy to read. Set in rural America with lots of humour and a happy every after ending.

For light relief ..... perfect



View all my reviews

Review: The Keepsake

The Keepsake by Sheelagh Kelly

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



The dialog is a little stilted and difficult at the beginning but plough on and it gets better. Crossing the divide between the wealthy and the poor, the unlikely match of little rich girl and hotel boot boy continues through the first world war. Henrietta is a surprising heroine; strong-minded and stubborn she does not deviate from her chosen path and is equally praise-worthy and frustrating in turn.

Good social commentary interweaved into a story full of interesting characters with lots going on.



View all my reviews

Review: The Heretic's Treasure

The Heretic's Treasure by Scott Mariani

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Another good action packed thriller with enough mystery / suspense to keep you there. And a twist in the tale at the end.

Ben Hope, action hero to rival Jack Reacher, is embroiled in a search for hidden treasures in Egypt. Not for profit; he has so much more to lose.





View all my reviews

Review: Winter of the World

Winter of the World by Ken Follett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



A real block-buster; a history lesson and social studies in UK, Germany, Russia and America before and through the second world war. With such great characters and story lines that it is never boring and you just keep going back for more. An "I couldn't put it down".

The second in The Century Trilogy and I am looking forward to reading the third. Ken Follett excels at these historical sagas - Pillars of the Earth and World without End were brilliant too.

Lots more please



View all my reviews

Review: Character Witness

Character Witness by Rebecca Forster

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Quirky characters, murky practices, politics and law all add up to another good legal thriller from Rebecca Forster.



View all my reviews

Review: Keeping Counsel

Keeping Counsel by Rebecca Forster

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Rebecca Forster writes great legal thrillers. Her characters are complex and the plot keeps you guessing. The first of her books that I read was a free Kindle download, now I'm hooked and buying the others. A marketing ploy that works if you write good books!

The main character in Keeping Counsel is Tara Linley who is a profound believer in the responsibility of an attorney to protect the rights of a client; even where the client is guilty of murder. Tara's exposure to such a client is much more than a professional attorney - client relationship as the client in question is also her best friend's lover.

Intertwined relationships and friendships under pressure feature strongly in the book. As well as her professional integrity Tara's friendships and life are threatened.



View all my reviews

Review: Dangerous

Dangerous by Sandra Prior

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Despite the contention that if you love reading Martina Cole and Jessica Keane, both of whom I have read, this book does not hold a candle to those authors.

Extremely raw, extremely violent to the point of being gratuitously so, the story line is weak .... and seems only to have the purpose of allowing the author to write about the violence of the East End of London.

Could do better!



View all my reviews

Review: Water Gypsies

Water Gypsies by Annie Murray

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Annie Murray never disappoints. "Water Gypsies" takes you right into the life of the boat-people, especially the women. The sequel to [b:The Narrowboat Girl|2490809|The Narrowboat Girl|Annie Murray|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337886786s/2490809.jpg|2498114], Water Gypsies follows ing the life and travels of this Maryann and her family and friends. But not matter how far and how often she travels the waterways Maryann's past never seems to be far away.

A tale of everyday life on the canals entwined with mystery, murder and intrigue. A great read.





View all my reviews

Review: Illusion of Luck

Illusion of Luck by Robert Burton Robinson

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Equivalent of car crash tv ....... I don't know if it's the style of writing or what but it just does not flow well. Having said that I was getting closed to giving up and then had to read to the end; so somehow it sucked me in.



View all my reviews

Review: Officer Jones

Officer Jones by Derek Ciccone

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I wasn't sure to make of this book at first, flicking through the references to Batman and Robin put me off. But I started it, got sucked in and enjoyed it.

Lots of plot ..... lots of characters, a credible hero and a credible villain. With the requisite love interest of course.

Looking forward to reading more from Derek Ciccone.



View all my reviews

Review: This Tangled Thing Called Love

This Tangled Thing Called Love by Marie Astor

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Claire Chatfield has it all ..... or does she ..... is she mistaking security for love. An easy read, good characters, events that most women can relate to and of course secrets, lies, love and is there a happy every after? You'll need to reed it to find out.

My first Marie Astor book, I will be reading more.



View all my reviews

Review: Picture Perfect

Picture Perfect by Lucie Simone

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I picked it up thinking it would be chick-lit, Hollywood glitz and glamour and it was. But with murder mystery and suspense all thrown in. A very enjoyable read capturing Hollywood intrigue with some down to earth grit!



View all my reviews

Review: Stand by Me

Stand by Me by Sheila O'Flanagan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I thought I had read all of Sheila O'Flanagan's books but discovered this one when clearing book shelves in preparation for building work; maybe some kind holiday renter left it for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed it ..... starting with Dominique's teenage years, in Dublin, when she always felt second best and could not live up to her saintly brother who was his mother's pride and joy and destined to become a Catholic priest. The book follows Domin1que's life from disappointing her mother to becoming part of the Irish social scheme and leading the high life. But as mother would have it, pride comes before a fall, and disaster settles around Dominique and her family. How does Dominique cope? I won't spoil it for you ..... a very good book, all 590 pages of it.



View all my reviews

Review: Thursdays in the Park

Thursdays in the Park by Hilary Boyd

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Following the everyday life of a woman approaching her 60th birthday; a relationship in crisis; secrets and decisions. I really related to this book as I am rapidy approaching my 60th this year.

Well written, good characters, the story flows



View all my reviews

Review: Code to Zero

Code to Zero by Ken Follett

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Whilst it does not compare to Pillars of the Earth or World Without End we shouldn't expect it too as it is a completely different genre. Follett started out as a thirller/suspense writer before moving to the historical novels. This book, first published in 2000, holds up well.

A strong thriller, it may take a while to get into, but press on and you will. There are many hidden secrets, hints at the guilty parties but still a strong ending. Starting in January 1958, in the middle of the Cold War, America is playing catch up in the space race; the launch of the Explorer 1 satellite is fraught with problems and delays and potential sabotage. Luke, the main character has had his memory wiped. Why? What does he know? Can he find his way back?



View all my reviews

Review: Wait For Me

Wait For Me by Elisabeth Naughton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Good plot ... gets straight into,no messing around. Imagine not being to remember anything of your permanent life; coming out of a coma, having to get to know your husband again and the baby you can't remember giving birth to. Then your husband is killed in a plane clash and everything changes. Lots of twists and turns, quite a complex plot to keep you guessing.



View all my reviews

Review: The Expats

The Expats by Chris Pavone

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Convuluted plots, 4 people all with secrets, from USA to Europe ..... page turning thriller that keeps you thinking ..... I figured out some but not all of it; nice twist at the end.



View all my reviews

Review: The Fallen Star

The Fallen Star by Jessica Sorensen

My rating: 0 of 5 stars



I downloaded the Kindle version of this book in a hurry not having read the description properly. When I realised it is a fantasy novel, probably aimed at the teenage market, I nearly gave up on it. Then I thought, what the heck, I enjoyed the Harry Potter novels, why not perserve.

It drew me in, a fantasy that has eighteen year old Gemma, fostered out to unloving, unemotional "grand-parents" (shades of Harry Potter); suffering emotional withdrawal from which she is waking up, severe nightmares about yellow-eyed monsters who kill you with freezing air (again, shades of Harry Potter) and the ultimate nightmare of having her soul removed ( [a:Philip Pullman|3618|Philip Pullman|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1196023994p2/3618.jpg] - Dark Materials Trilogy; which I also loved).

Despite the similarities to other novels of this type the book has a good story line and ends inconclusively leaving you wanting more!

A quick read, enjoyable if you suspend disbelief and go with the flow





View all my reviews