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Daddy’s Girls by Tasmina Perry

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My Rating: 5/5

My Review: I decided to read this debut Novel by Tasmina Perry because the jacket description was appealing. I would describe it upon first glance as Chick Lit although later I think this theory will appear slightly incorrect.

Tasmina’s first novel features the Balcon sisters. Serena, Cate, Camilla and Venetia are used to a world where money can buy you anything but the four sisters are completely different. The four sisters all have different careers. Cate is a magazine editor, Camilla is a barrister, Venetia is a designer and Serena is the spoilt actress. The sisters all love each other despite their differences but all seem united in the one problem they all have, their father. Lord Oswald Balcon is never pleased, least of all with his daughters. When he is found dead one morning, the sisters decide to find out who is behind his murder. All four sisters have the motive, so is one of them the killer?

This book was in my opinion a great first novel. The thing is, you will either love this or hate it, and for me I definitely loved it. I am a fan of all things cheesy and this book is certainly along the Jackie Collins Genre of book. Although this is probably still considered Chick Lit I thought the storyline was well written and thorough. There are quite a few plotlines so you have to keep track of them all but for me the experience was thoroughly enjoyable. This is the sort of book that you can fully absorb yourself in. Highly recommended, especially for Jackie Collins fans. The only negative I can say is that Tasmina Perry only writes a book a year at the moment. In one respect I like the fact that she doesn’t just churn them out, but at the same token it means having to wait quite a while for a great book!

Fatal Cut by June Hampson (Daisy Lane #4)

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Synopsis: Daisy Lane is gradually coming to terms with her troubled past, while building a future for herself and her two sons. Roy Kemp, the notorious gangster and Daisy’s former lover, is banged up in prison along with the Kray twins. Daisy wants to enjoy her new-found freedom, but must watch over Roy’s criminal empire in his absence, all the while attempting to continue her illicit relationship with Vinnie Endersby – just about the only straight-dealing copper in Gosport. But it isn’t long before another gangster decides to challenge Roy’s dominance…

While Roy counts his days to freedom, the criminal landscape is changing. Vice and extortion are being replaced by new pursuits – hard core pornography and drugs. Soon, the bodies of mutilated girls are found dumped around the outskirts of Gosport – the deadly product of a ruthless gang. Meanwhile, Daisy must make a difficult choice. The greater the threat to Roy’s empire, the more involved Daisy becomes in his life. But Vinnie and Daisy have waited years to be together. Will this be their chance at last?

Before Daisy can make any decisions, matters take a deadly turn – with Roy’s business under threat, she is forced to confront his enemies, and by doing so, puts her life and that of her sons, in desperate peril…

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I discovered June Hampson quite recently and was absolutely bowled over by her writing. Shes as good if not better than Martina Cole. After reading the first three books in the Daisy Lane series I was more than excited to read this new one. We go back to the life of Daisy Lane and her business relationship with Roy Kemp, a big-time gangster, who although broke her heart, is still both her business partner and a big part of her life. We also come accross Vera who helps run Daisys business with her and her lover, detective Vinnie Endersby. Daisys life is complicated when one of her girls gets in trouble with a debt collector and another starts hitting the drugs. Vinnie is meanwhile trying to crack the case concerning girls going missing and pictures of dead women and children turning up. Fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable but just lacked a certain something that her last book had. Fantastic all the same. If you haven’t read them give them a go

8TH CONFESSION (WOMEN’S MURDER CLUB #8)

My Rating: 2/5

My Review – James Patterson has been writing a series of books which are part of the ‘Women’s Murder Club’ series. They involve four women who have all featured heavily in previous books. They are Lindsay, Cindy, Yuki and Claire.

The story for the 8th Confession focuses on two main threads. The first is a murder of a “saintly” homeless man and Cindy who is a journalist finds her senses telling her to keep on at this, and she is convinced there is a story there. The other thread features the serial murders of the rich society movers and shakers in the strangest manner. It appears they have all been killed by a snake bite. Lindsay and her partner Rich Conklin need to investigate the murders to find who is behind these strange killings. Yuki meanwhile is juggling her job as an attorney and falling for what she thinks is the man of her dreams.

I read this book just as quickly as other James Patterson books and found the pace pretty good but think that is down to the writing style as opposed to anything else. However I have to say I still felt that it was still a disappointment. The plot just didn’t seem to be there. It seemed to lack any substance and the four main characters that have featured in this series seem to have all changed personalities. What I loved about this series of books is that with each book you read you learn a little more about each of them. With this book, not only was the storyline lacking but so were the characters of the four women that we fans have come to know and love.

Usually the girls are brought together and fight together. This time round, you get glimpses of them all and only Lindsay and Cindy really stands out as being part of the plot line. Yuki and Claire barely get a mention. I am beginning to wonder if James Patterson has lost his touch with this series or if he is churning them out far too quickly?

Happy Ever After by Patricia Scanlan

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My Rating: 3/5

First of all Patricia Scanlan’s writing style has always been the typical Chick Lit stuff. It is usually the stuff or romance gone wrong and then hopefully going right with some tears and hopefully laughter along the way. I am a typical Chick Lit fan in that I like this particular style of writing and Patricia Scanlan has always been one of my favourite authors for this very reason. Her books have in the past always captured me and I end up feeling a sense of contentment whenever I read her books.

This particular story is a follow on from her previous novel Forgive and Forget. Having said that you could read this alone and still pick up the story from where it left off. We meet Debbie and Bryan who are newly married, and Debbie’s battle to get her new husband to stop spending his money on parties, drink and drugs.

Connie who has done her bit for her daughter and son-in-law ends up having an interesting new man turn up in her life. Could this be what she has been waiting for? Unfortunately for Connie, her ex-husband Barry has re-married to Aimee. When Aimee finds out she is pregnant and Barry realises he may well have to go through parenthood all over again seeks solace by trying to get Connie’s attention. In the meantime unbeknown to Aimee and Barry, Aimee’s daughter Mellissa from her first marriage, is silently spiralling into a world of obsessive eating disorders. Everyone suddenly want’s Connie’s attention and she wonders, can she walk away from them and let them solve their own problems for once. Or will she help them all and lose the chance at her own happiness?

Patricia Scanlan manages to cover the real topics in life such as eating disorders, relationships with your ex and love later in life without making them too disheartening. The story runs along nicely with real detail and feeling and I thoroughly enjoyed it up until the very last chapter where it felt like the author got bored of writing and just finished with a very short and sweet epilogue. Almost felt like there should have been another 5 or 6 chapters to finish it nicely. I still enjoyed the book but ended up feeling a little disappointed.

It’s The Little Things by Erica James

Synopsis: Dan and Sally Oliver and their friend Chloe Hennessey are lucky to be alive. Three years on, after surviving one of the world’s biggest natural disasters – the Boxing Day tsunami – their lives have changed dramatically.

Dan and Sally are now parents. Dan is enjoying being a stay-at-home father taking care of their young son, and Sally is the breadwinner and loves her job as a partner in a Manchester law firm. The arrangement has so far worked well, but when Dan starts to question whether Sally has got her priorities right, the cracks in their marriage begin to appear.

Dan and Sally have everything Chloe wishes for in life – a happy marriage and a beautiful child. Dumped by her long-term boyfriend just weeks after the tsunami, she’s been on a mission ever since to find the perfect father for the child she craves. When she meets Seth Hawthorne, she thinks she may have hit the jackpot. But is Seth the man she thinks he is?

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: The new Erica James book introduces us to Dan and Sally and Chloe and her ex Paul. After surviving the Tsunami, their lives are altered and they go back home to start afresh. Chloe splits up with Paul and is finding her job as GP in her village is not enough until she meets Seth Hawthorne, who she thinks can give her everyhting she wants. Sally and Dan have their son Marcus to consider and with Dan working from home and Sally being the breadwinner it doesnt take long for things to start going awry. Their lives become complicated and before long everything that can go wrong does go wrong. As usual it is written really well and makes for an enjoyable and realistic read. Erica James rarely dissapoints and although this book was good I felt the ending was too hurried.

Rumour Has It by Jill Mansell

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Synopsis: When newly single Tilly Cole impulsively quits her London job for a fresh start in the small town of Roxborough she finds she’s arrived in a hotbed of gossip, intrigue and rampant rivalry for the most desirable men. Tilly has no intention of joining in – she’s just happy with her new Girl Friday job. Then she meets Jack Lucas. Jack is irresistible… and he’s got his eye on Tilly. But there are shocking rumours about his wicked reputation. Tilly doesn’t want to be just another notch on anyone’s bedpost. But is she being mature and sensible – or is she running away from the love of her life?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: The last book I read by JM was great, and I didnt think that her books could get any better. I was wrong! This story starts with Tilly walking home to find that Gavin her live in boyfriend has done a bunk. Moved out without so much as a backward glance. Although hurt (but slightly relieved) she visits her friend Erin in Roxborough to cheer herself up. Little does she know that this visit would change her life completely. She ends up applying for a “strange sounding” job advertised in the local rag and before she can blink has set up home in Roxborough and is thrown in to a whirlwind of a new life. The new life involves Max (the gay but formerly straight interior designer), his teenage daughter and Max’s best friend Jack. The story is funny and such a pleasure to read. The only thing I was dissapointed in was that I finished it too quickly. If you are a big Chick Lit fan you cannot get better than this so get yourself a copy.

The Secret Life of Evie Hamilton by Catherine Alliott

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Synopsis: Evie Hamilton has a secret. One she doesn’t even know about . . . yet.

Evie is the wife of successful, handsome husband Ant and mother of high-achieving, accomplished daughter Anna, and her biggest worry in life is whether or not she can fit a manicure in on her way to fetch Anna from clarinet lessons. She doesn’t think about much else outside her own, charmed circle. There simply isn’t time.

But all that is about to change. One sunny Oxford morning a letter – a ticking time-bomb – lands on Evie’s immaculate doormat and up ends Evie’s comfortable life. Something she could never have anticipated has been waiting in the wings to sabotage everything she holds dear, and it’s not going away. She will have to reappraise everything in her carefully arranged universe.

But Evie is a fighter and she will fight for what she loves. And in the process, find there is more to her than she thought, and more to her life.

What will remain? What will change for ever? And can a woman’s entire world really be as fragile as her best china?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: The secret life of Evie Hamilton was a great book that was a refreshing change to the normal thrillers I have been consuming in large numbers recently. Catherine Alliott has created a great character, somebody that isn’t perfect and would be an ideal best friend! She is warm and funny yet slightly on the ditzy side. Evie is married to Ant and they have a daughter Anna. The whole family plays a part in this funny story, including Evies sister in Law Caro who is a force to be reckoned with. There is a major shock in store for Evie when she discovers something about Ants past which will disrupt and could possibly destroy all of their lives. Give it a go if you have never read her books.

Dead Simple by Peter James (Roy Grace #1)

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My Rating: 5/5

My Review – This book was passed to me by my Mum who claimed that it was “un-put-downable”. At the time I had just finished another book and decided to give it a go.

In this book, Michael Harrison is left in a life or death situation after four of his friends wind up dead after a Stag night prank gone wrong. The lead detective Roy Grace is on the case and with only three days until Michael is due to get married urgency is of the highest order. he starts with Michael’s distraught fiancee Ashley Harper. Roy Grace has his own demons as his own wife went missing a few years ago. The one person who should know Michael’s whereabouts, is the one person who seems to be avoiding the situation at all costs. Roy Grace is hot on the heels of any lead he can find and his only mission is to return Michael safe and sound in time for his wedding.

The first thing that struck me about this book was that the storyline (although maybe a little exageratted) was so unusual. It’s the first time an author has come up with something so different. Some of the scenes that are written had me holding my breath with fear, which is always a good sign for me. The book was fresh and new and the story line gripping and a complete page turner. I read the book in a matter of hours and must say it is one of the best books I have picked up in a long time. I would highly reccommend this book to anybody as I think it’s gripping. Peter James has me hook line and sinker!

All You Need is Love by Carole Matthews

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Synopsis: This is a romantic comedy set in Liverpool about Sally Freeman – a twenty-something single mum and superwoman – and her bid to make her world a better place. Hopelessly in love with her is Johnny – an artist with not a penny to his name – and Spencer Knight – a rich city slicker with a Porsche and a penthouse apartment. Sally wants to improve the dreary estate where she lives and she enlists the help of the locals to plant a garden and build a community centre. But will she choose the right man to love?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I have read an awful lot of thrillers lately and this was a refreshing change. It’s a story about Sally Freeman, a young single mother who lives on a council estate with her son Charlie. Spencer Knight comes along and sweeps her off her feet. He is rich, charming, affectionate and sexy and Sally can’t quite believe her luck. However her ex Johnny is still in love with Sally and has to try to win Sally back. As a penniless aspiring painter, who also lives on the estate and cares for his ill mum, he doesn’t have a lot of chance.

I am quite a fan of Carole Matthews and this story is no different to my previous opinions. The story is warm and funny and a thoroughly enjoyable read. The characters are a little different to her previously tried and tested formula for leading women. However, somehow she seems to have hit the nail on the head and created loveable people that you end up loving or hating in equal measures. No there isn’t a deep underlying moral to the story, but it is what it is! An enjoyable funny and warm chick lit book that is easy reading.

Fractured by Karin Slaughter (Will Trent #2)

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My Rating: 3/5

I must say before I do this review that I am a huge Karin Slaughter fan and was VERY excited and waiting with baited breath for her new book. Maybe the reason I cannot decide how to rate this book is because I truly do love the characters Sara, Jeffrey and Lena who appear in other Karin Slaughter Books.

Karin Slaughter has released a series of books called ‘Grant County Series’ and they feature the characters of Sara Jeffrey and Len. This book is part of the ‘Atlanta’ series of books of which there has only been one so far.

Having said that this story features Will Trent who as a standalone character is a great guy. The opening of the book introduces us to Abigail Compano who has gone home and found every mothers worst nightmare. Her daughter is laying dead and there is a man standing over her with a knife. When a struggle breaks out Abigail doesn’t realise that it is about to change her life forever.

We then meet Special Agent Will Trent who gets teamed up with Detective Faith Mitchell to solve not only a murder but a kidnapping case. There are a lot of early twists and plot surprises so I won’t say too much for fear of adding spoilers to the review. They have to work in the relentless heat whilst not only trying to solve the case but dealing with each other as well as protecting the wealthy neighbourhood of Ansley Park.

Neither Will or Faith are perfect and between them they have a good working relationship but as the story develops you get to learn a bit more about each of them. Will suffers with dyslexia and goes to every length he can to hide this from everybody. He also has had an extremely difficult upbringing having been raised in an oprhanage.

I love the fact that Karin Slaughter does not go overboard with her characters being perfect. I think that this just makes them and the story a lot more believable. This story was definitely a page turner and a great read, I just think there may be something missing. I think I miss the characters from previous books such as Kisscut and A Faint Cold Fear as we have had many more books to get to know them. Maybe in the future Atlanta series I will get just as hooked as we see a bit more character development.

All in all I think this is crime writing at it’s best. Not only do we have ANOTHER great female author out there but she is up there with the best of them such as James Patterson, Mandasue Heller and Martina Cole.