Year: 2017

BLOG TOUR – The Promise by Casey Kelleher

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Synopsis: Growing up in squalor with their drug-addicted prostitute mother, sisters Georgie and Marnie Parker have had to endure the very darkest side of life. When their mother is sentenced for brutally murdering a client, Georgie and Marnie’s already precarious lives are blown apart and they now share a terrible secret. Sent to a children’s home, the sisters hope this might finally be their safe haven after years of neglect. But they soon discover they’re in real danger.

Desperate to find a place of safety, Georgie and Marnie run for their lives, but end up in the hands of Delray Anderton. A violent London gangster and notorious pimp, Delray has big plans for beautiful teenager Georgie, seeing her as a chance to make some serious money. Fiercely protective of each other, Georgie and Marnie must escape the clutches of a man who will do anything to keep the sisters for himself. And, they must keep the promise they made to each other – no one can ever know the truth. 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I love Casey’s books and her last one The Taken was an absolute belter of a book. Unfortunately as much as I enjoyed this latest release I couldn’t help thinking it wasn’t as good as the last book. Josie Parker is the mother of two young girls Georgie and Marnie Parker. Josie has spent her years selling her body and has ended up at the lower end of the market having abused drink and drugs. In all honesty the woman is a mess. Her two young children are forced to look after themselves and as such you can’t help but feel for these two poor defenceless children.

The story is a bit of a slow starter but there is a wide variety of characters to get your teeth into. Javine Turner is a young woman on the lookout for a wealth man and once she sets her sights on someone there is no getting away from her. Although on paper Javine is every mans worst nightmare she is a character I loved and was rooting for her throughout the book. Delray Anderton and his sidekick Lenny are known faces and are making their mark in London with their criminal activities. Both of them are brutal and fierce and widely feared.

When Josie is jailed for the murder of a man, Georgie and Marnie find themselves in their own fight for survival. The second half of the story was fast paced and the story was enthralling. However, I think the overlying reason this book wasn’t an entire success in my mind was that I had absolutely no sympathy for Josie. In fact I would go as far as to say I loathed the woman who was so selfish that her kids had to take care of themselves. By the time I had finished this I knew that it was a great read, and once again Casey Kelleher is firmly stamping her mark in this genre. However, it lacks the full rating down to my intense dislike of both Josie and Delray. That small issue aside this was another solid read and one that fans of Mandasue Heller and Martina Cole will love.

Continue reading “BLOG TOUR – The Promise by Casey Kelleher”

A Room Full of Killers by MIchael Wood (DCI Matilda Darke #3)

51yPuavxa1L._SY346_ Synopsis: Eight killers. One house. And the almost perfect murder…

Starling House is home to some of the nation’s deadliest teenagers, still too young for prison.

When the latest arrival is found brutally murdered, DCI Matilda Darke and her team investigate, and discover a prison manager falling apart and a sabotaged security system. Neither the staff nor the inmates can be trusted.

The only person Matilda believes is innocent is facing prison for the rest of his life. With time running out, she must solve the unsolvable to save a young man from his fate, and find a murderer in a house full of killers…

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Continue reading “A Room Full of Killers by MIchael Wood (DCI Matilda Darke #3)”

Revenge by Nigel May

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Synopsis: In the South of France, playground of the rich and famous, world renowned chef Dexter Franklin is organising a night to remember. As he opens the doors to his exclusive restaurant for the first time, he’s handpicked a list of guests, as hot and dazzling as the St Tropez sun itself:

Mew Stanton: Fashionable, beautiful and a notorious TV chef, Dexter’s ex-girlfriend has all the ingredients for success. As her books fly off the shelves, a secret from her past is about to surface with explosive consequences. 

Holly Lydon: Ex girlband star who has fallen on hard times. Forced to make ends meet she’s having to sleep her way to the top. Now she’s making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Rosita Velázquez: Brazilian actress extraordinaire and girlfriend of Dexter’s brother, Leland. When she’s in town everybody needs to know about it, but this is one show-stopping entrance she’ll live to regret.

Three women have a past with Dexter and a grudge to bear against him. As fireworks ignite in the jet set capital of Europe, there’s murder on the menu. Who will be served their just desserts?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: Well Mr May, it seems you have a never ending supply of bitch, glamour and salacious filled ideas! Yet again Nigel May has produced a stellar read in this genre and one that is filled to the brim with everything a reader of this genre could ask for and more! With a beautiful cover to boot, it seems Nigel’s books are getting more raunchy and dark with each year that passes, just how I like it!

The description for Nigel May in the past has been like a male version of Jackie Collins and this description couldn’t be more apt, so those of you who are JC fans you REALLY need to get on board with this author. Set in the South of France you already have the backdrop of this beautiful sun-drenched playground filled to the brim with the rich and famous. We get introduced to Dexter Franklin, the TV star and famous Celebrity Chef on the brink of opening his newest restaurant Tresor, and compiling his celebrity list of attendees. That list includes the basis for the main characters appearing in this book, and boy do they make an interesting bunch.

Mew Stanton and Holly Lydon were once band members of the famous Girl Group Crazy Sour, however with the band splitting up they are both now on very different paths. Dexter’s brother Leland who is a celebrity in his own right with and his girlfriend Rosita an actress who appears only to be famous in her home country of Brazil. Add in to that the Food Critic DC, and a plot line that had me hooked from the beginning and the story grabs you from the outset.

There are certainly a lot of characters and the story line at first seems disjointed, but man alive it certainly comes to an explosive head upon the opening night of Tresor. All of the characters I loved with the exception of Leland who frankly was a vile character, but who ticked all the right boxes with those sorts of characters you love to hate. By Chapter 4 it was clear that no housework would be done that evening so I settled down and made it to just over the halfway mark in the book in one sitting. The rest was devoured on a morning commute and my lunch hour! This latest offering is packed to the brim with a tantalising story line and characters that are so shallow and self absorbed I was completely entranced.

Each character brings something to the story along with the perils and pitfalls of fame. I truly loved this book and think that Nigel May is an author that is massively under-rated. I would say that his books are NOT for the faint hearted or for those that shock easily. I thought his last book was his best but take that back whole heartedly in replacement for this one. A trued ‘Bonk Buster’ that was a delight to read!

BLOG TOUR: Don’t Look Behind You by Mel Sherratt (Eden Berrisford #2_

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Synopsis: She got into bed but sleep didn’t come easily. Every creak in the house made her alert. She was waiting for him to come and get her.

The small city of Stockleigh is in shock as three women are brutally attacked within days of each other. Are they random acts of violence or is there a link between the victims? For Detective Eden Berrisford, it’s her most chilling case yet. 

The investigation leads Eden to cross paths with Carla, a woman trying to rebuild her life after her marriage to a cruel and abusive man ended in unimaginable tragedy. Her husband Ryan was imprisoned for his crimes but, now he’s out and coming for her. 

As Eden starts to close in on the attacker, she also puts herself in grave danger. Can she stop him before he strikes again? And can Carla, terrified for her life, save herself – before the past wreaks a terrible revenge? 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: We are finally back for the second installment featuring Eden Berrisford, and thankfully we didn’t have that long to wait! I really enjoyed the first in this series and was looking forward to seeing where Eden was at now. The one thing that struck me with the first book was that I didn’t really thing I got that much of an insight into Eden’s personal life. Sure we got the overview, but by the end of the first book I still wasn’t entirely sure what I thought of her, and I certainly wasn’t sure what sort or character she would turn out to be. It felt like we had only scratched the surface. Again this book takes back another layer, but I am still at the end of this book keen to know more about the lady herself. I have come to the conclusion though, that I am massively biased as my favourite character of Mel Sherratt’s has always been Allie Shenton!

This latest book brings you some uncomfortable reading material, but one that makes for a compelling read. There are a few stand out characters, and Carla is one such character. A woman who is trying to rebuild her life following the breakdown of her marriage to a violent and abusive man. That is just the tip of the iceberg for Carla and as event unfold in the book, events in Carla’s past also unfold bringing about an understanding as to why she has got to the situation she currently finds herself in.

Eden and her team are meanwhile trying to catch the perpetrator if some vicious attacks on the women in the area. Each attach becomes more brutal and violent and Eden and the team are left trying to work out what attacks are linked, if any and if they are then the need to find the person responsible. Eden’s team consist of a good bunch but actually the addition of the old school and almost neanderthal colleague Phil was actually a character that by the end, I was hoping would make a repeat appearance. However the characters within Eden’s team are all written in such a way it seems they are all meant to be together, so I look forward to seeing them all in the next installment,

There is a lot of violence surrounding domestic abuse and obviously the attacks on women add to that general theme of the book so sometimes it doesn’t make for light reading that’s for sure, but it certainly has the desired effect of putting an edge to every element of the story. This latest book was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I especially loved seeing a bit more about Eden’s home life, however I have a sneaking suspicion that with all that has gone on in this book, the next one will reveal even more. Another great series buy Mel Sheratt, although I have to confess it still doesn’t quite live up to the Allie Shenton books for me.

Backstabber by Kimberley Chambers (Butlers #5)

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Synopsis: If you don’t face your enemies – they’ll stab you in the back.

One of them has a gun to his head. Who will pull the trigger?

When king of the underworld Vinny Butler goes into business with respected villain Eddie Mitchell, it’s a match made in East End legend. Friends and family are treated like gold, enemies like rats – it’s the life.

Then mysterious packages arrive, dead creatures and threats. Someone is out for revenge. Who the enemy is, nobody knows, anyone could be taking a pop. The gypsies who cursed Eddie, ghosts from Vinny’s past, enemies needing revenge. Even their own flesh and blood? There are some people you should never cross, some who can’t forgive or forget.

Who is the backstabber?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Continue reading “Backstabber by Kimberley Chambers (Butlers #5)”

Love You Dead by Peter James (Roy Grace #12)

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Synopsis: An ugly duckling as a child, Jodie Bentley had two dreams in life – to be beautiful and rich. She’s achieved the first, with a little help from a plastic surgeon, and now she’s working hard on the second. Her philosophy on money is simple: you can either earn it or marry it. Marrying is easy, it’s getting rid of the husband afterwards that’s harder, that takes real skill. But hey, practice makes perfect . . .

Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is feeling the pressure from his superiors, his previous case is still giving him sleepless nights, there have been major developments with his missing wife Sandy, and an old adversary is back. But worse than all of this, he now believes a Black Widow is operating in his city. One with a venomous mind . . . and venomous skills. Soon Grace comes to the frightening realisation that he may have underestimated just how dangerous this lady is.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Continue reading “Love You Dead by Peter James (Roy Grace #12)”

A Home For Broken Hearts by Rowan Coleman

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Synopsis: Is there a cure for a broken heart?

Once upon a time, Ellen Woods had her ‘happily ever after’ moment when she married her beloved Nick. But fifteen years later her husband’s tragic death leaves her alone with their soon-to-become-a-teenager son and a mountain of debt. 

On the verge of losing the family home Ellen decides to rent out some rooms, and all too soon a whole host of characters enter her ordered but fragile existence – each with their own messy life in tow. But will this be enough to pull her out of her grief so she can learn to live – and love – again?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: Ellen Woods is recovering from the sudden death of her husband Nick. Her soon to be teenage son Charlie is also struggling to find what is normal. However Ellen has bigger problems to deal with and it involves money, she just doesn’t have any. It seems the only way she can possible even consider keeping her home is to find herself some lodgers. With the help of her sister Hannah, before long Ellen has taken in 3 lodgers. The three lodgers consist of Lads Magazine writer Matt, the German lady Sabine who is recovering from her own marriage issues and the seventy something romance writer Allegra Howard. 

I instantly liked Charlie, Ellen’s son, however I struggled to get to know Ellen initially as it is quite clear she is still somewhat adjusting to the life of a widow. As soon as Allegra, Matt and Sabine show up I just knew I was going to love this book as all three of them bring something brilliant to the story. Allegra and Ellen strike up an unlikely friendship which to be frank is wonderful. The lady who says it as it is and Ellen walking round slowly adjusting to having a friend. Matt brings the humour to the book in spades and I loved how he was such a cheeky chappie, but one with a heart. And finally the no-nonsense Sabine who would demand that Ellen sort herself out.

I don’t want to mention anything about the plot as part of the beauty of this story is how each thread unravels, and although it was maybe there all along it was discreet and not noticed. As the layers are revealed another one appears and it almost feels as though the characters are stripped bare and we have to watch to see if they can build themselves back up. I read much more Crime and Thrillers and like to break it up with something light. I wouldn’t say this was necessarily a ‘light’ read as it deals with some serious heart wrenching issues, but is done in a way that is pure magic. An absolute joy to read, and one I would recommend to somebody looking for something that little bit different!

NO SAFE HOME BY TARA LYONS (DENIS HAMILTON #2)

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Synopsis: Detective Inspector Denis Hamilton is haunted when the suspicious death of a teenage girl triggers suppressed memories. With a stalker targeting vulnerable women in Central London, and his team rapidly diminishing, Hamilton must conquer his emotions before another family is destroyed.

In a sleepy town in Hertfordshire, Katy has worked hard to rebuild her life after leaving behind everything she knew. But when her past catches up with her, and her young son’s life is threatened, Katy must admit her true identity if she has any hope of surviving.

A home should be a safe place, shouldn’t it?

But sometimes it is hard to know who you can trust…

London’s murder investigations team returns in the second novel from the bestselling author of In the Shadows.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I was looking forward to reading the next in this series by Tara Lyons. The first book was a great read but a little slow to start with. Thankfully this one wasn’t the same in that respect and it only took a chapter or two before I was back in the life of Denis Hamilton and his colleagues. Their first case is something that Hamilton is struggling with and his colleague just can’t work out why. As a reader, we begin to learn a little more about Hamilton’s history and why his reaction to this particular crime scene was so unusual for a man with his experience. Hamilton’s colleagues Clarke and Fraser are likeable and easy to read about but my favourite had to be the addition of a new rookie team member Rocky. The team dynamic is great and more than anything very realistic. 

The other element of the story involves Katy, a woman and her small child that are clearly hiding from someone. They live their life in fear and it seems the safe place that you should call home, just doesn’t apply to them. Tara did a great job of translating Katy’s fear and paranoia to the reader and although I was frustrated for Kate, I also felt fear for her too. Reading her tale in conjunction with the murders being investigated by Hamilton and the team add even more tension to an already pretty tense situation.

As the story progresses, we learn more about the characters as well as the reasons behind all of their choices. Sadly, the situation just becomes increasingly more dangerous for Katy and her son and I found myself wondering who was responsible. I wasn’t entirely sure and was exceptionally pleased at the last quarter of the book. Lyons ups the ante and I read the last part of the book in one sitting. There were a couple of things that bugged me, which is why I couldn’t rate it the full 5, however they were small and insignificant enough for me not to care too much about them! I think this was so much better than the first book and if the next one is better still it will hopefully be a full 5 stars for the next book. This will definitely be a series I now follow and would recommend starting from book 1 even though this can be read as a standalone.

Paper Hearts & Summer Kisses by Carole Matthews

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Synopsis: Christie Chapman is a single working mother who spends her days commuting to her secretarial job in London and looking after her teenage son, Finn. It can be tough just getting through the day but Christie has always found comfort in her love of crafting and any spare time she has is spent in her parents’ summerhouse working on her beautiful creations. From intricately designed birthday cards to personalised gifts, Christie’s flair for the handmade knows no bounds and it’s not long before opportunity comes knocking. All of a sudden Christie sees a different future for her and Finn – one full of hope and possibility, and if the handsome Max Alexander is to be believed, one full of love too. It’s all there for the taking.

And then, all of sudden, Christie’s world is turned upside down.

Christie knows that something has to give, but what will she choose? Will she give up her dreams and the chance of real love? What price will she pay for doing the right thing? Can Christie find her happy ending in . . . Paper Hearts and Summer Kisses.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Continue reading “Paper Hearts & Summer Kisses by Carole Matthews”

Run by Mandasue Heller

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Synopsis: After being cheated on by her ex, Leanne Riley is trying her hardest to get her life back on track, which isn’t easy without a job and living in a bedsit surrounded by a junkie and a mad woman.

On a night out with her best friend she meets Jake, a face from her past who has changed beyond all recognition. Jake is charming, handsome and loaded, a far cry from the gawky teenager he used to be. Weary of men, Leanne isn’t easy to please, but Jake tries his best to break through the wall she’s built around herself.

But good looks and money can hide a multitude of sins. Is that good-looking face just a mask? And what’s more, what will it take to make it slip, and who will die in the process . . . ?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: It’s been a while since I have read a Mandasue book and I was looking forward to her latest release. I must confess having finished it I was a little surprised at the change in pace almost, it seemed to me that there was certainly a slightly different theme to her writing compared to other books she has released. That said, this was still a great read and I was certainly engrossed, although admittedly a little surprised.

Leanne Riley lives in a grotty bedsit, has little money, no job, and little prospects. Her life seemed to have taken a downhill turn after catching her bloke cheating on her and losing her job. Her friend Chrissie seems to be the only good and consistent thing in her life. When she goes on a rare night out she bumps into the very handsome Jake who it turns out she knew back at school. Her life suddenly looks a whole lot more interesting with a new man on the scene who is showing interest. Although she is wary of men Jake is literally a Prince Charming and it seems Leanne’s luck has finally changed.

Leanne and Chrissie were great characters and very easy to read, I especially liked their obviously close friendship. Ben and Jake’s friendship seemed a little one sided but I loved Ben and thought he was a real gem of a character. By the halfway mark I could have been mistaking this sort of book for one that fall sin the Romantic Suspense genre, however once past that point it all seems to change…and very quickly.

I won’t say any more as it will inevitably spoil some great threads in the story line, suffice to say I was hooked with the plot and thoroughly enjoyed this latest release. I finished the book in a little over one and a half sittings and realised that although this was a slight departure from her usual style of writing, I really liked it. It almost keeps the work ‘fresh’ and instead of getting a dose of the ‘usual’, you get a variation of the usual which makes for a very refreshing change. Another great read with this new release and one that will no doubt tick the boxes for all her fans.