BCBandMore

On A Beautiful Day by Lucy Diamond

Synopsis: It’s a beautiful day in Manchester and four friends are meeting for a birthday lunch. But then they witness a shocking accident just metres away which acts as a catalyst for each of them.

For Laura, it’s a wake-up call to heed the ticking of her biological clock. Sensible Jo finds herself throwing caution to the wind in a new relationship. Eve, who has been trying to ignore the worrying lump in her breast, feels helpless and out of control. And happy-go-lucky India is drawn to one of the victims of the accident, causing long-buried secrets to rise to the surface.

This is a novel about the startling and unexpected turns life can take. It’s about luck – good and bad – and about finding bravery and resilience when your world is in turmoil. Above all, it’s about friendship, togetherness and hope.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Continue reading “On A Beautiful Day by Lucy Diamond”

Life of Crime by Kimberley Chambers

Synopsis: Some people are made for a life of crime

Dragged up on a council estate, Jason Rampling was determined to change his lot. Jason’s a chancer, shameless with his good looks and his gift for earning a few quid. Life is easy when the money rolls in.

Some people are ruined by it

Melissa thought she’d struck gold marrying Jason. Being on his arm meant she was finally a someone. But there’s no glamour in waiting for your husband to come home, or waiting for a knock on the door. Melissa made her bed the day she made her vows – will she lie in it without a fight?

Some would kill for it

After a stretch inside Jason wants to pull off just one last job, the biggest of all, it could solve all of their problems. But this is a game that could cost them everything . . .

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Continue reading “Life of Crime by Kimberley Chambers”

Doorways by Robert Enright

Synopsis: The Otherside is located at the fringes of our world, hiding in plain sight and existing within our shadows. Shielded from humanity, the Otherside is watched over by the BTCO, a highly secret government agency. BTCO agents are the few humans who possess ‘The Knack’, a genetic anomaly that allows them to see the truth of existence. Franklyn ‘Bermuda’ Jones is the BTCO’s finest agent, the only human to have passed to The Otherside and returned. Gifted with the ability to physically interact with The Otherside, Bermuda reluctantly stands between both worlds, pining for the life he had to leave behind and the daughter he can no longer see. Teamed with Argyle, an enigmatic Otherside warrior, Bermuda is assigned the case of a missing woman who has vanished under mysterious circumstances. As Bermuda delves further into the disappearance, he uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to destroy the truce between two worlds…and finds himself in a race against time to safeguard humanity’s very existence.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: Oh. My. God. I cannot believe how much I loved this book. I don’t read Science Fiction and to be honest had no idea this book fell into that Genre. By the time it was in front of me and I started reading I actually groaned out loud AND rolled my eyes!!! Now having finished this in 2 sittings, I feel a little foolish. I mean, ME…reading Sci-Fi and LIKING IT?!?!?!?! So yes it seems I have a new genre to add to my ‘like’ list.

I have no previous knowledge on Sci-Fi books so am probably not the most qualified but the basis of this whole ‘world’ is that there are three types of people. ‘Others’ that belong to the other world, ‘Neithers’ which are stuck in between and us humans! Sounds weird but surprisingly made complete and utter sense when reading it. What made this even more interesting is that the main character Franklyn ‘Bermuda’ Jones is the only bloke who has the ‘knack’ of seeing the Neither and Others but is also the only human that has survived a journey to the other side. With that gift (which he feels is a curse) he is an agent for a specialist and very secretive agency known as the BTCO.

Essentially this book sees Bermuda fighting to find a missing woman along with his sidekick Argyl. What makes Argyl a little bit special is that he is a Neither, so he is stuck between the two worlds and only Bermuda can see him. Your every day passer by just thinks Bermuda is a crazy guy. Argyl is a cracking character and I instantly loved him. He is determined to be the warrior that always keeps Bermuda safe. Once the two of them start to investigate the disappearance of the young girl, they realise that this is a lot more than a straightforward disappearance, and this may well be the thing that tips the world over that edge they have stayed so desperately to one side of.

This book had everything to keep me well and truly entertained and nobody is more surprised at this than me! This author has not only written a compelling book, but has literally converted me now, and it’s a great feeling that I now know I can enjoy Sci-Fi without the eye-rolling! A fantastic read and one that has now made me want to read the next one…Mr Enright PLEASE tell me there will be another!!!

Continue reading “Doorways by Robert Enright”

A Million Love Songs by Carole Matthews

Synopsis: After splitting up with her cheating ex, Ruby Brown is ready for a change. She’s single again for the first time in years and she’s going to dive into this brave new world with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. The last thing she’s looking for is a serious relationship.

Mason represents everything Ruby wants right now: he’s charming, smooth and perfect for some no-strings-attached fun, and yet Ruby can’t help feel that something is missing. Joe on the other hand is kind and attentive, but he comes with the sort of baggage Ruby wants to avoid: an annoyingly attractive ex-wife and two teenage children.

And though Ruby thinks she knows what she wants, is it what she needs to be truly happy? It’s about to get emotional in Million Love Songs.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Continue reading “A Million Love Songs by Carole Matthews”

Alert by James Patterson (Michael Bennett #8)

Synopsis: New York has seen more than its fair share of horrific attacks, but the city is about to be shaken in a way it never has before.

Two devastating catastrophes hit in quick succession, putting everyone on edge. Detective Michael Bennett is given the near impossible task of hunting down the shadowy terror group responsible.

Then a shocking assassination makes it clear that these inexplicable events are just the prelude to the biggest threat of all. Now Bennett is racing against the clock to save his beloved city – before the most destructive force he has ever faced tears it apart.

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I really like the Michael Bennett series however sometimes the books can be a little bit hit and miss and sadly in this case for me it was just mediocre. Normally these books pull me in but for some reason this one felt stilted or maybe I just need a rest from reading about terrorism?!? I didn’t feel like Bennett really got his usual outing where he uses his brainpower. This seemed more about packing in as much action as is humanly possible.

We hardly get to see the Bennett clan at all which is another minus for me, although I did like the addition of Martin the kid sitter! I read this and was reasonably engaged but although the storyline ticked along it just felt like it had been churned out to keep people happy. Finished this in record time as I do with most Patterson books but got to the end and just know it’s unforgettable which is never a good sign. I will continue to read the next in the series as normally I love them so I guess the odd one or two I’m not overly enthused with isn’t so bad.

Class Murder by Leigh Russell (Geraldine Steel #10)

Synopsis: Geraldine Steel is back for her tenth case. Reunited in York with her former sergeant, Ian Peterson, she discovers that her tendency to bend the rules has consequences. The tables have turned, and now he’s the boss.

When two people are murdered, their only connection lies buried in the past. As police search for the elusive killer, another body is discovered. Pursuing her first investigation in York, Geraldine Steel struggles to solve the confusing case. How can she expose the killer, and rescue her shattered reputation, when all the witnesses are being murdered?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Continue reading “Class Murder by Leigh Russell (Geraldine Steel #10)”

Save Me by Mandasue Heller

Synopsis: When Ellie Fisher misses her train home one night, she has no idea that being in the right place at the wrong time will change her life forever.

That night she comes across Gareth, a young man about to take his own life, because as far as he’s concerned there is nothing left to live for. Putting her own life in danger Ellie convinces Gareth that there is always something left. Her own life is no bed of roses, she explains, but she always pushes on.

However, good deeds aren’t always repaid the way we want. Has Ellie unwittingly put her life in danger, or is the real danger a lot closer to home?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5 Read more…

Kat’s Review: I was excited to read the new Mandasue book but have to be honest and say I was surprised at the type of book this turned out to be. It seems like a bit of a departure from the gritty gangland style books she normally produces and leans more towards a psychological thriller.

Ellie Fisher is introduced to us on her commute to work. She has no idea that her day will change when she attempts to help a young guy named Gareth who is attempting to take his own life. In the meantime she is dealing with her own problems with her husband Matt and her Mother and Sister. The thing that struck me most about this book was that I didn’t actually like any of the characters which is unusual. Ellie seems to be downtrodden and has almost zero backbone. Although I felt sorry for her it seems like she just doesn’t have the strength to be anything other than a doormat. On the other side of the fence we have her seemingly controlling and frankly abysmal husband Matt who I just wanted to smack for most of the book.

That strange sensation aside, what I realised was that in a strange was I was thoroughly enjoying this departure in style. It’s certainly different to her previous stuff but although I disliked the characters I felt the need to keep reading. Although this doesn’t have the edge of your seat type tension running through it there is a dark element which seems to be present almost from the beginning. I read this in one sitting and although initially I was thinking it wasn’t as good as previous stuff, I ended up really enjoying it. I also didn’t quite see the ending and found myself being pleasantly surprised. Overall, different but I think good different.

The Year of Taking Chances by Lucy Diamond

Synopsis: Because love is always worth the risk . . .

It’s New Year’s Eve, and Gemma and Spencer Bailey are throwing a house party. There’s music, dancing, champagne and all their best friends under one roof. It’s going to be a night to remember.

Also at the party is Caitlin, who has returned to the village to pack up her much-missed mum’s house and to figure out what to do with her life; and Saffron, a PR executive who’s keeping a secret which no amount of spin can change. The three women bond over Gemma’s dodgy cocktails and fortune cookies, and vow to make this year their best one yet.

But as the months unfold, Gemma, Saffron and Caitlin find themselves tested to their limits by shocking new developments. Family, love, work, home – all the things they’ve taken for granted are thrown into disarray. Under pressure, they are each forced to rethink their lives and start over. But dare they take a chance on something new?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Read more…

Kat’s Review: Apologies for those that don’t want a lengthy or waffle like review but, well sometimes needs must. Many people know me for my Book Blogging and other know me as a friend etc. What connection some people don’t make is that I also run my own business. A business that was born from a seedling of an idea that came from a book by none other than the lovely Sue, or as others know her Lucy Diamond. For that reason even 5 years on, with my business growing at an alarming rate, but stresses of life getting me down a bit, I did what I have done in the past and turned to a book written by the wonderful lady herself.

I picked this one up as I still have a few of hers left that I haven’t read and figured there was nothing better to lift me out of the gloom that a book written by Sue. Thankfully my wishes were granted as I raced through this book in one day, over two sittings and that feeling of gloom has lifted a little. The book was an absolute corker and brought me out of the feeling sorry for myself phase. Thee women have a chance meeting at a New Years Eve Party and from that point on they all become intertwined in each others lives.

I particularly liked Gemma Bailey. The married Mum of two who seems to have a wondrfully settled life with a great husband and wonderful home, until an event changes her life in an instant. Then there is Caitlin who is trying to work through her grief after losing her Mum. She returns to Larkmead to try and sort out her Mum’s house but whilst there she not only befriends Gemma and Saffron, but she discovers some things about herself which will alter her life. Saffron, the thrid and final of the trio is a PR exec just on a visit from London trying to clear her head.

These three characters were a pure joy to read about. Nothing about their journey’s was easy, but they were done with the support of family and friends. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and I was genuinely anoyed to have finished. Luckily for me I have another couple of LD books to keep me going. Some may say this book is predictable, but for me this is the perfect balance. A sheer joy to read and another reason for me to thank my lucky stars that Sue managed to inspire enough confidence in me to give my own business a go.

I’m Still Standing by Colleen Coleman

326x500

Synopsis: When Evelyn Dooley married her high-school sweetheart, James, she thought she was set for life. Now she’s twenty-eight, single, and fleeing to Dublin from her hometown to avoid the gossip surrounding their break-up. And all because of a test-your-relationship board game.

This was not in her five-year plan.

Then a chance encounter with gorgeous musician Danny leads to an unlikely friendship, and soon the pair are running music nights together in one of the oldest pubs in Dublin. For the first time Evelyn is following her dreams rather than someone else’s – and sparks are beginning to fly between her and Danny…

But when her savings run out and home beckons, Evelyn has to choose. The safe, comfortable life she left behind, or a new adventure with Danny? Will Evelyn flee back to the familiarity of her ex, or reach for the stars and take a leap into the unknown?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5 Continue reading “I’m Still Standing by Colleen Coleman”

I’m Still Standing by Colleen Coleman

This was not in her five-year plan.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5 Read more…

Kat’s Review: This author was recommended to me by the lovely Shell Baker and as she knows my taste I decided to buy it and give it a go and I’m so pleased I did. Evelyn Dooley is the star of this show and we start by seeing her and her husband James attending marriage counselling and it becomes pretty clear pretty quickly that it just isn’t working. What follows is Evelyn taking the ‘Bull by the horns’ and taking a huge chance and relocating to Dublin to live with her sister.

I liked Evelyn and you cannot help but want her to do well as it seems she is literally starting from scratch all over again. So she takes the plunge and tries to get herself a job as a teacher as that is all she has done since she left school. However, she quickly realises that School Teachers aren’t needed at that time and she becomes aware that she must get a job…any job!

Luckily for her she stumbles across a guy named Danny and a local pub and that is where the story really begins to take place. I also liked Danny, but I also liked Tara (Evelyn’s sister) and Ruby, the young granddaughter of Evelyn’s Landlady.The characters were definitely what made this story for me, so much so that I read it in just one day over 2 sittings. Having said that I did have one small gripe and that was that for some reason I felt that some parts of the story had the descriptive element missed out. To give you an example, Evelyn and Danny are talking in Danny’s room, but there had been no mention of his house, his room, where he lived prior to that…nada. Now I know that sounds like an odd criticism but there were a few occasions throughout the book where I felt there was a chapter or two missing (if that makes sense). That small critique aside it was a thoroughly enjoyable book and certainly an author I will be reading in the future.