Year: 2017

The Detriment by David Videcette (Jake Flannagan #2)

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Synopsis: “The truth costs nothing, but a lie can cost you everything…” 

June 2007: a barbaric nail bomb is planted outside a London nightclub, a spy is found dead in his garden, and a blazing Jeep is driven into Glasgow airport. Three events bound by an earth-shattering connection that should have remained buried forever. 

From the author of ‘The Theseus Paradox’, the smash-hit 7/7 thriller based on true events, comes the sequel about a real-life mystery that threatens to destroy a nation. Detective Inspector Jake Flannagan must uncover how a series of astonishing events are inextricably linked, before the past closes in on him. 

We all have secrets we say we’ll never tell… 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5 Continue reading “The Detriment by David Videcette (Jake Flannagan #2)”

Bed and Breakfast on The Beach by Kat French

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Synopsis: A Greek island solves all life’s problems…doesn’t it?

Winnie, Stella and Frankie have been best friends forever.

When their lives unexpectedly unravel, they spontaneously decide to buy a gorgeous B&B on a remote Greek island. Drenched in hot sun, Villa Valentina is the perfect escape from reality. But when Winnie meets Jesse, their brooding neighbour, she finds that Greece is full of its own complications – not least how attractive he is…

Meanwhile, Frankie and Stella are discovering that Villa Valentina has its own secrets – starting with the large supply of gin in the cellar and the arrival of a famous rock band. A band with one very good-looking member who just might distract Frankie from thoughts of her husband…

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: So Kat French (or Kitty French if reading her other books) has very quickly become a firm favourite of mine. Her books are endless buckets of fun and I was really looking forward to this latest one. To be fair when I started reading it I wondered what on earth was going on?  A couple of chapters and we already had three women with a whole new adventure ahead of them? Where was the explanation and the background? Well, you see this is where the delectable Kat French comes into her own. She doesn’t need all that because what she does is then slowly reveal each character and the reasons for how they got to the beautiful island of Skelidos.

Villa Valentina on the sun soaked Greek Island starts out as a holiday destination, but somehow ends up with them being the new owners of the B&B. What they don’t realise is that by taking a leap of faith and starting a new adventure, it would also bring with it some added extras which they weren’t quite prepared for! Stella, Frankie and Winnie have been friends since childhood, so the fact they start a whole new adventure and business together comes as no big surprise. I think in my eyes Winnie seemed to be more of a central character with Frankie and Stella playing more of a backseat. However as the story progresses each of the three women take their own journey and we go along for the ride.

With donkeys named The Fonz, a secret distillery in the cellar, pop stars turning up just to name a few this story is packed to the rafters with fun, frolics and romance. I loved the additional male characters in the book especially Jesse their moody neighbour. I read this in a day and a half and just two sittings and it was a glorious read. This book was pure delight from start to finish and it had everything you could possibly want in a book like this. There were one liners that made me laugh out loud, ridiculously funny situations, romantic ones, terrible ones…you name it, it was there. Another outstanding read that I would definitely pick up for any upcoming travels you may have

BLOG TOUR – SUMMER AT THE LITTLE FRENCH GUESTHOUSE BY HELEN POLLARD

Synopsis: Emmy Jamieson loves her new life in the gentle hills and sunflowers of the lush French countryside, managing La Cour des Roses, a beautiful, white stone guesthouse. With marriage to caramel-eyed Alain just round the corner, things couldn’t be more perfect.

The odd glass (gallon) of wine dulls the sound of Emmy’s mum in full motherzilla-of-the-bride mode, and the faint tinkling of alarm bells coming from Alain’s ex are definitely nothing to worry about. Guesthouse owner Rupert and a whole host of old and new friends are there to make sure nothing gets in the way of Emmy’s happiness.

But as Emmy gets close to the big day, a secret from the past throws everything decidedly off track. Will her idyllic French wedding go ahead as planned, or will Emmy run back home to England with a broken heart?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I was sad to realise that this is the end for Emmy and the Guesthouse, having read the previous 2 books I had fallen a little in love. Emmy Jamieson is running La Cour Des Roses the guesthouse set in the French countryside and it’s only a matter of weeks until her wedding to the lovely Alain. Rupert is the man who she runs the Guesthouse with and I was thrilled to be back in their lives as they are wonderful characters. This main storyline centres solely around the run up to her wedding with the addition of the overbearing Mother/Bridezilla . The thing that made me fall for these books is the characters and once again Helen Pollards skill of drawing you into their lives is what makes these such an enjoyable read.

Her descriptive ways explaining how beautiful it is where they are in France is also an added bonus. From the guesthouse, to the foord and drink, to the wonderful characters she has created.  We see the return of characters from books one and two but we also meet some new family members which always makes books like these all the more interesting. With Emmy mother causing mayhem it seems that nothing is going right for her and you spemt the whole time praying that things worked out.

I don’t want to mention too much more of the storyline for fear of ruining it for those who have yet to read it. What I will say is that although you could read this book as a standalone, why would you want to? This trio of books is absolutely wonderful and they could be read back to back for pure enjoyment and total escapism. I was once again transported into another world, one which I wish I could have been a part of. As much as I am sad to see the last of the Guesthouse and it’s owners, I am so excited to see what Helen Pollard comes up with next. This is certainly an author that I would highly recommend.

Remember Me by Lynda Renham

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Synopsis: A new neighbour becomes a new friend. She looks up to you. She admires you, but is it you she wants? You begin to wonder if she wants your husband, or even your child. But then you realise, she wants your life. 

When Sharni and Tom move into 24 The Pines, it seems like Clare and Chris have the perfect neighbours. Sharni is always there to help, especially with childcare for Clare’s two-year-old, Ben. But Clare can’t shake off the feelings of anxiety that assail her whenever Sharni is near. Is Clare just being overprotective, or are her feelings justified? As Sharni‘s influence touches everyone around her, Clare finds herself fighting for her sanity as well her family.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have read a few of Lynda Renham’s books and loved them, however this is the first foray of hers into a different genre (to my knowledge anyway) and I was unsure what to expect. I was very pleasantly surprised and found myself totally engaged with this rather dark story Involving Claire and a new neighbour named Sharni. It’s very clear from the outset that Claire is not your average person. She seems incredibly highly strung and it doesn’t take long before as a reader you are questioning why she is like that. Then add in to the mix the new neighbour Sharni who instantly made me feel like Claire should be on guard. Sharni was over familiar from the outset and it’s clear there is more to her introduction to Claire than just being a friendly neighbour.

Although Claire was slightly edgy as a charcter I still quite liked her and as we see her interact with her husband Chris and young son Ben. Sharni and her husband Tom very quickly seem to make themselves part of Claire and Chris life and there is always an underlying question mark as to why. As the story progresses, more and more things start to go wrong and it doesn’t take long before you are questioning who is at fault.

Towards the end, we then see the same events but from Sharni’s point of view. I understand the reasoning for this but at times it felt a little bit of a chore. Maybe it might have worked better by mixing the chapters up by time frame and character rather than by repeating the same time frame in one hit. That small niggle aside I loved this book and just had to get to the end to find out what the truth was. I was surprised by the ending, but at the same time it was always a possibility in my mind. Overall, a hugely enjoyable book and I will look forward to reading more by this author in this genre.

Blog Tour: Each Little Lie by Tom Bale

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Synopsis: Single mother Jen Cornish is just trying to hold things together for the sake of her seven-year-old son Charlie. Until the day when she does an impulsive good deed to help a neighbour, setting off a terrifying chain of events that quickly spirals out of control…

When she is arrested for a crime she didn’t commit, Jen quickly starts to wonder if someone is playing a cruel game with her – or is she losing her mind?

Desperate to clear her name with the police, she must first untangle a chilling web of lies. But someone is watching her every move – and it isn’t just Jen who is in danger.

They’re watching her child as well.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: Jennifer Cornish is a normal single mother working a job and looking after her boy Charlie, until one day she makes a really stupid decision! What Jen thinks is a sensible a neighbourly thing to do, ends up being the thing that sets off a chain of events that puts her and her sons life in danger. The start of the book lets the reader dive straight in  and almost instantly I realised that one small mistake would not lead to anything good.

I liked Jen, even though I thought her decision was stupid. That said, I had no clue how the story would unfold and exactly what it all lead up to. Pretty soon when the police arrive at Jen’s door with all sorts of accusations things seem to spiral pretty quickly. The one element I loved about this latest was just how far the deciept went. Jen’s ex Johnny seems to be a pathetic and rather delusional character but written in a way that left me thinking he was just weak. HIs father Gerard however is a whole other ball game and a character that I think readers will love to hate.

Conspiracy and lies lay at the heart of this latest Bale book and although it has a slightly different edge to his others it was certainly no less enjoyable. His last book was a little more up my street as it seemed a lot more fast paced than this one. However, once I had reached the end I realised that this was just a different type of suspense and one that has the reader questioning every single character. Another enjoyable read and I will be interested to see what he comes up with next. Tom Bale has a rather clever edge with his writing in making it seem like the extraordinary could literally happen to the ordinary person!

Blog Tour: Curves, Kisses and Chocolate Ice Cream by Sue Watson

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Synopsis: Dani’s on a mission to get her life back on track by the end of the Summer. Running, rowing, aerobics and more, but perhaps all she needs are sweet treats and a second chance? 

Twenty years ago, Dani fled Appledore with a broken-heart and a suitcase full of shattered dreams. Only now is she brave enough to put her past behind her and return for a summer selling homemade ice-cream and getting fit by doing sit-ups by the sea. 

But the new-look cafe is filled with old memories of Jude, her teenage sweetheart-turned-sour. She thinks of him every time she swirls warm sauce onto a “chocolate-bockaglory” and even with the help of Chris, her gorgeous personal trainer, the urge to break her diet is everywhere she turns. 

When Jude makes an appearance at the cafe on the eve of Dani’s birthday party, history threatens to repeat itself. Is Dani strong enough to say no? And is the love she’s been longing for much closer than she thinks? 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: We are back in the town of Appledore and this time we meet Dani. She left Appledore twenty years before with a broken heart and now she is back, overweight and desperate to become thinner and more fabulous in time for her fortieth birthday. Dani is a very likeable character and to be honest you just know that she is going to struggle on her weight loss challenge. The first quarter of the book really sets the scene and the reader really gets to see what Dani is up against including some very funny scenes when she attempts to go to the gym.

Once Dani is in her stride she is joined by Chris from the gym who is on a mission to help her with her plan to lose weight. It was also nice to see brief glimpses of characters from the first book set in the same town. Although these are all set around the town and the Ice Cream Cafe, each book can certainly be read as a standalone. As the story progresses you soon understand that this is the reader experiencing Dani’s journey with her, including all the pitfalls and funny moments too.

In one respect this was very different from her last book but actually that made no difference and it was nice to have such a departure. As usual Sue Watson has created a book that will lift your spirits and more importantly make you laugh. I am a huge fan, and although this may not be my favourite of hers, it’s a brilliant addition and one that I thoroughly loved. Be warned though, with the sheer descriptive deliciousness, don’t expect to NOT want to eat a number of summer deserts whilst reading. The perfect beach read that will have you laughing into your Cocktail!

BLOG TOUR: Two Sisters by Kerry Wilkinson

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Synopsis: They told us he had been missing for nearly two days, that he probably drowned. They told us a lie.

Megan was ten years old when her older brother, Zac, went missing among the cliffs, caves and beaches that surround the small seaside town of Whitecliff. 

A decade later and a car crash has claimed the lives of her parents.

Megan and her younger sister Chloe return to Whitecliff one summer for the first time since their brother’s disappearance. Megan says it’s to get her parents’ affairs in order. There are boxes to pack, junk to clear, a rundown cottage to sell. But that’s not the real reason. 

Megan has come to confront her family’s past after receiving a postcard on the day of her parents’ funeral. It had a photograph of Whitecliff on the front and a single letter on the back.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: The opening of this book introduces us to Chloe and Megan as they return to their family home in the area of Whitecliff. Following the death of their parents, Megan suggests that the reason for their visit is to sort out their parents affairs. It becomes clear pretty quickly that the real reason is linked to the disappearance of her brother Zac when Megan was just ten years old. I have only read one other Kerry Wilkinson and enjoyed it so was looking forward to reading a standalone. The opening of the book was interesting enough but it was a little slow to get into.

Once I had settled and got over my initial niggle the story started to take some curious turns and I was a lot more engaged. The one thing that I thought was incredibly well done was the descriptive and creepy feel that Wilkinson gives to the town. That undeniable feeling that all may look okay on the surface but underneath there is a lot more bubbling away. Initially I wasn’t overly keen on Megan but as the story progressed I found her sheer determination warmed how I felt about her. Wilkinson also tackles the subject of Megans eating disorder incredibly well.

The story captured me more in the second half and I would certainly say this fits the bill as a creepy psychological thriller. By the time I got to the end I was surprised at how quickly I had read the second half of the book. This reminded me that I really must take a look at the incredibly popular series that Kerry Wilkinson writes featuring Jesssica Daniel. A thoroughly enjoyable read with plenty of grit and creep thrown in!

BLOG TOUR – Betrayed by Casey Kelleher (Bryne #1)

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Synopsis: Jimmy Byrne is one of the biggest faces on the Soho scene. Equally feared and respected, he’s clawed his way to the top. Money is his game, and he’ll make it by any means necessary. 

When Jimmy sets his sights on shy young Colleen Walsh, she is quickly seduced by his sweet words and the life of luxury he offers her. But behind the diamonds and fur coats lies the reality of gangland violence – and by the time she realises the truth, she’s already in too deep. 

Like her father, Jimmy Byrne, Nancy Byrne is strong, opinionated – and ruthless. But when Jimmy is murdered. Nancy vows to find the killer and make them pay for their actions. 

Only the perpetrator is someone close to home. Someone she trusted. Someone who betrayed them all.

Blood is thicker than water – but Nancy is not afraid to spill some to get the truth.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5 Continue reading “BLOG TOUR – Betrayed by Casey Kelleher (Bryne #1)”

Liar by K L Slater

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Synopsis: How far would you go to protect your family? 

Single dad Ben is doing his best to raise his children alone, with the help of his devoted mother Judi. Life isn’t easy, but Judi’s family means everything to her and together, they manage. 

Then Ben meets Amber. Everyone thinks this is a perfect match for Ben but Judi isn’t sure … there’s just something about Amber that doesn’t add up.

Ben can’t see why his mother dislikes his new girlfriend. And Amber doesn’t want Judi anywhere near her new family. Amber just wants Ben and the children. 

The further Judi delves into Amber’s personal life, the closer she gets to shocking secrets that could change everything. And Judi must make a decision that could lead to the most disastrous consequences.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: Ben is a widower and is raising his two sons alone with the help of his parents. His mum Judi plays a big part in both Ben and her grandsons lives so when a new woman appears on the scene she realises that she may well be not as needed as she first thought. The opening chapter places us firmly at the end of story only the reader is unaware of who is the killer, only that one of the two women involved doesn’t walk away. It’s a great opening and certainly sets the scene for the book.

Amber comes into Ben’s life not by accident and although the reader doesn’t know her intentions, it’s clear that Ben has fallen for her. She soon integrates herself into their lives which is not a good thing in the eyes of Judi. Things seem to rapidly fall apart on front of Judi’s eyes and it seems there is nothing she can do to stop it. There is certainly a great deal of tension in the book and because the reader knows that something is amiss it seems that each event seems even more underhand than the last, but you never know quite what the end game is.

For that reason alone your attention is captured and I certainly read this book in a very short space of time. There is plenty of pace and a lot going on. Towards the end I thought I had it all figured out but it seems I was way off and that pleased me immensely. The only thing that grated on me was the complete lack of support Judi gets from her husband and son. Although the story sets the scene for exactly that, I couldn’t help but think that most people who have been married that length of time would have a better sense of support for each other. That small niggle aside this was a fantastic read and I didn’t see the end coming. Another great read by K L Slater and I will as always look forward to reading more of her stuff in the future.

BLOG TOUR: THE SUMMER HOUSE BY JENNY HALE

Synopsis: Callie Weaver and best friend Olivia Dixon have finally done it: put their life savings into the beach house they admired through childhood summers, on the dazzling white sand of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. They’re going to buff the salt from its windows, paint its sun-bleached sidings, and open it as a bed and breakfast.

Callie’s too busy to think about her love life, but when she catches the attention of local heartthrob Luke Sullivan, his blue eyes and easy smile make it hard to say no. He’s heir to his father’s property empire, and the papers say he’s just another playboy, but as they laugh in the ocean waves, Callie realizes there’s more to this man than money and good looks.

Just when true happiness seems within reach, Callie and Olivia find a diary full of secrets… secrets that stretch across the island, and have the power to turn lives upside down. As Callie reads, she unravels a mystery that makes her heart drop through the floor.

Will Callie and Luke be pulled apart by the storm it unleashes, or can true love save them?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: That picture on the front of this book, well it sums up this story perfectly. Callie Weaver has invested everything she has into the Beach house in the Outer Banks. I’m a fan of Jenny Hale and I must say that this latest book was just what the doctor ordered for me. Jenny Hale manages to do a wonderful job of describing this quaint town with it’s stunning white beaches and I could almost picture the house that Callie is renovating. Her and her childhood friend Olivia want to reopen the house as a Bed and Breakfast. Olivia’s Grandmother Glady’s lives across the way and with her help and support they start the arduous task of getting it all ready for the end of the Summer.

Callie was a reserved character but one that I liked. Her tentative attitude towards people she doesn’t know that well is endearing and as a reader it’s nice to share her journey while she takes some chances with her career as well as her personal life. Callie runs into a guy whilst out shopping and circumstances throw them together. She has no idea at first that there is more to Luke Sullivan that the press make out. To the press he is just a Playboy and a man who seemingly does little more than flaunt his wealth. At first I have to be honest and say I wasn’t overly enamoured with Luke, but as the story progresses you soon see there is a lot more to him than meets the eye.

Callie’s story also sees her stumble across something that could tear people’s lives apart and she doubts what she should do. I loved reading about Callie and Olivia’s friendship and although Callie was the lead character it was nice to see Olivia’s life changing too in the background. The story progresses and eventually Callie realises that she needs to take a huge chance and just wonders whether in doing so she will jeopardise everything she has worked for.

Overall this was a hugely enjoyable book and would make a perfect beach read. Jenny Hale has managed to capture my attention with every book she has written and manages to take me away from it all, so much so I could almost imagine standing on that beach. Her last book remains my all time favourite but this was still a great read and an author I would highly recommend.