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Blog Tour: The Absent Man by Robert Enright

Synopsis: BERMUDA JONES AND ARGYLE ARE BACK IN THE THRILLING SEQUEL TO DOORWAYS

Something is killing…

A woman is found dead in her flat on a freezing night in Glasgow, her heart ripped from her chest. With no signs of a weapon or forced entry. Hours later, her heart is delivered to the Necropolis on the outskirts of town.

Six months after stopping the terrifying Barnaby atop Big Ben, Bermuda finds himself on the hunt for a killer in a city he doesn’t know with a police force that doesn’t want him. With no links between the victims and the death toll rising, Bermuda has to face a sceptical detective, a seemingly distracted Argyle and an unknown horror that stalks from the shadows.

All in the name of answering one question…

Who is The Absent Man?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Continue reading “Blog Tour: The Absent Man by Robert Enright”

The Perfectly Imperfect Woman by Milly Johnson

Synopsis: Marnie Salt has made so many mistakes in her life that she fears she will never get on the right track. But when she ‘meets’ an old lady on a baking chatroom and begins confiding in her, little does she know how her life will change.

Arranging to see each other for lunch, Marnie finds discovers that Lilian is every bit as mad and delightful as she’d hoped – and that she owns a whole village in the Yorkshire Dales, which has been passed down through generations. And when Marnie needs a refuge after a crisis, she ups sticks and heads for Wychwell – a temporary measure, so she thinks.

But soon Marnie finds that Wychwell has claimed her as its own and she is duty bound not to leave. Even if what she has to do makes her as unpopular as a force 12 gale in a confetti factory! But everyone has imperfections, as Marnie comes to realise, and that is not such a bad thing – after all, your flaws are perfect for the heart that is meant to love you.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Continue reading “The Perfectly Imperfect Woman by Milly Johnson”

The Woman Who Met Her Match by Fiona Gibson

Synopsis: After yet another disaster, Lorrie is calling time on online dating. She might be single in her forties, but she’s got a good job, wonderful children and she’s happy. This, Lorrie decides, is going to have to be enough.

That is, until she receives a very unexpected request from France. Antoine Rousseau, who had once turned a lonely French exchange trip into a summer of romance, wants to see her – after thirty years.

But Lorrie is a responsible woman. She can’t exactly run off to Nice with the man who broke her teenage heart . . . can she?

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I pondered over the rating of this book for some time and finally decided that middle of the road was probably the fairest! I have read other Fiona Gibson books and loved them, and this book was certaingly enjoyable…but…it just wasn’t THAT memorable. Lorrie takes centre stage and is a mother of 2 whose children are now reasonably grown up. She has her lodger and long term friend Stu living with her, a job that she loves, and although things haven’t always been easy it seems things are now ‘easier’. I liked the characters and Lorrie is certainly very readable, however the characters and the storyline were just a bit too vanilla for me.

Lorrie has a request from her first love, who happened to be a French guy named Antoine Rousseau who she met and fell for on an exchange trip in her teens. The story trundled along at a nice pace and it certainly kept me entertained but for some reason it just didn’t do any more than that. It was also a little too preditcable which normally wouldn’t bother me but with the other niggles I had it just didn’t sit right. Overall this was an easy to read book which entertained, but having read and absolutely LOVED books of her susch as Pedigree Mum I couldn’t help feel a little bit underwhelmed.

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”

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”

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

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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.

One Christmas Kiss In Notting Hill by Mandy Baggot

Synopsis: Imagine the perfect Christmas Kiss…

His strong arms around her waist, her hands on his face, the snow slowly starts to fall…

It’s enough to make Isla Winters cringe! While her sister can’t get enough of this – increasingly common – sight on the streets of London, Isla’s too busy trying to stop Hannah’s wheelchair from slipping on the ice, and making sure she’s not too late to her dream job at Breekers International.

But everything changes with the arrival of Chase Bryan, fresh from the New York office. He’s eager to learn everything about Isla’s beloved Notting Hill, but as the nights get colder, will cosying up to him come at a price?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Read more…

Kat’s Review: I do love a good Mandy Baggot book and this one was no exception. A beautiful christmas themed cover and something to make me feel like the world is not as depressing as it really is sometimes!

Isla Winters is our leading lady along with her sister Hannah. Isla works for Breekers and when she is told she is the new CEO’s ‘go to girl’ on his visit to London she is not amused. She has a Christmas Party to finalise and the last thing she wants or needs is to become somebody’s ‘go to girl’. What she didn’t bank on was ChaseBryan being such a hottie! Although Isla and Chase are the main focus of the stroy the other characters in this latest Mandy Baggot book were just as important to me. Isla’s sister Hannah as well as Chae’s children Brooke and Maddie as well as Raj the postman. This was a whole host of characters all very different and all very likeable for various reasons.

Hannah at only 20 is in a wheelchair but the way this element of the storyline was written was so refreshing. Done with a dusting of humour and along with the loveable cockney Raj they made for a pairr I loved reading about. Isla struggles as the plans for the new Breekers projest could threaten her own life and she finds herself stuck bang in the middle of her worst nightmare. However, she does what she can until there comes a point when she needs to rely oon others and it ends up with some very funny results.

Once again Mandy Baggot has produced a wonderful Christmas themed book which was packed to the brim with wonderful characters, a great storyline and a sprinkling of humour. I read this in just two sittings and absolutely loved it. It seems ever time I pick up a Mandy Baggot book I am never dissapointed and this latest one is certainly just as amazing as some of her others. A wonderful read that would definitely make the perfect stocking filler!