General Fiction – Page 19 – Best Crime Books and More

A Parcel for Anna Brown by Miranda Dickinson

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Synopsis: Anna Browne is an ordinary woman living an ordinary life. Her day job as a receptionist in bustling London isn’t exactly her dream, yet she has everything she wants. But someone thinks Anna Browne deserves more . . .

When a parcel addressed to Anna Browne arrives, she has no idea who has sent it. Inside she finds a beautiful gift – one that is designed to be seen. And so begins a series of incredible deliveries, each one bringing Anna further out of the shadows and encouraging her to become the woman she was destined to be. As Anna grows in confidence, others begin to notice her – and her life starts to change.

But who is sending the mysterious gifts, and why?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: If I’m being 100% honest the synopsis for this book didn’t exactly set the world on fire. I would even go as far as to say it sounded rather mediocre for a Miranda Dickinson book. Thankfully, I’m a complete idiot and the book not only proved how wrong I could be, it literally proved that some things are too hard to resist! Read in a day from cover to cover I just didn’t want to stop reading this one. Having read and enjoyed a few of MD’s other books I was looking forward to this one. Anna Brown the main lady is a normal woman, with a normal life and a very average job. I worried when I started reading that I just wasn’t going to like her. When a parcel turns up for her, she has no idea that this little thing would change everything, and not just for her.

After a few chapters I realised that Anna Browne was a lot more that it outwardly appeared. With an endearing personality you can’t help rooting for her from the very early days. The reason I make this point is that I wasn’t rooting for her because she was a ‘poor me’ type. No, it was quite the opposite. She was just a really likeable character who had blinkers on when it came to herself. HJer job as a receptionist was made so much more interesting with the brilliant characters surrounding her such as the Security Guard Ted (who was just outstanding in my opinion) and colleague Sheneice.

In addition to receiving not one but numerous parcels, Anna finds herself getting more involved with the Newspaper Company where she works which makes her look at things in a whole new light. In addition to the ladies we have the male characters Ben and Jonah both of whom are very readable. To say any more would ruin the story but there was definitely something magical about this and the mysterious parcels that Anna receives. I have to be honest and say this is possibly my favourite book of Miranda’s so far. This really is a book to be enjoyed, preferably with a roaring fire and a large glass of wine.

Christmas Gifts At The Beach Cafe by Lucy Diamond

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Synopsis: With her Cornish Beach Café closed for the winter, Evie Flynn should be looking forward to lazy days and a happy Christmas, with nothing more pressing to think about than when to have her next mince pie.

But her sister Ruth is coming to stay, in a cloud of heartbreak and bitterness following her marriage breakdown, along with her three unhappy children, and Evie knows she’ll have her work cut out, trying to spread some festive cheer. Then her boyfriend Ed breaks the news that he’s going to spend Christmas in London, for family reasons, and her heart sinks even further.

Add in to the mix a lost dog plus the hotly contested village Christmas bake-off and before long, Evie is feeling the strain. But there are still a few surprises in store for her, that look set to make this Beach Café Christmas the most memorable one yet…

*Note: If you plan to read The Beach Café first followed by Christmas at The Beach Café, please do not continue to read my review as it will inevitably contain spoilers*

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I very recently read Christmas at The Beach Café which was a novella follow on to her novel The Beach Café. I loved the second novella (unusual for me as I’m not keen on shorts) and was so pleased when I realised Lucy had another Novella. This one is set the following Christmas and is just as good as the last novella. All this succeeded in doing was making me realise that Lucy Diamond needs to write quicker and luckily for me I still have 2 full length novels (her latest 2) all ready to read on my Kindle…yay!

This latest Christmas novella we see Evie’s sister Ruth and her children come to Evie for Christmas following a messy divorce. In addition Ed is dealing with the loss of his Dad. This offering is short but very sweet, and giving us THE best set up for the next book (at least I hope there is a next one!). We see brief glimpses of a couple of villagers, and we also see Ed’s Mum make an appearance. There isn’t one character I dislike in these books and just can’t wait to see them all again.

Yes it’s only 90 pages, and yes it’s a novella, but….it’s brilliant! Another cracking read and I can’t wait to gets started on another Lucy Diamond book!

Christmas At The Beach Cafe by Lucy Diamond

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Synopsis: A Christmas short story from bestselling author Lucy Diamond, revisiting her Beach Café characters.

After a hectic summer running her beach café in Cornwall, Evie Flynn is looking forward to her first Christmas with new boyfriend Ed – she’s determined that it’s going to be the most perfectly romantic one ever. Cosy nights in front of the fire, spicy mulled wine, mince pies . . . what’s not to love?

But the peace is shattered when Ed’s ex suddenly gets in touch again, and then some unexpected guests arrive: Ed’s surly brother Jake and Evie’s heartbroken best friend Amber. Add in the stress of trying to finish her very own recipe book, snow blizzards and family dramas and Evie’s Christmas starts to look as if it’ll be a total turkey. Will any of her festive wishes come true . . . or is this Christmas just a recipe for disaster?

*Note: If you plan to read The Beach Café first please do not continue to read my review as it will inevitably contain spoilers*

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: Just recently I have been ploughing through all my novella’s and short stories, as they are never my first choice. Although I say that and it’s usually the case, this novella was absolutely wonderful. It didn’t take me long to get reacquainted with Evie in her beautiful café in Cornwall. This will be her first Christmas there and now she has her boyfriend Ed around the excitement gets to her.

Evie is a funny character and one that you fall in love with quite easily. In this latest short story her ideal Christmas is planned out in her head. Evie and Ed, all alone in front of that log fire, except her Christmas is going to turn out far from what she imagined. We meet Ed’s brother Jake, Evie’s friend Amber as well as half the people living in Evie’s village.

The story is witty, warm and full of magic. Although it’s only 100 pages long it makes me realise how much I love Lucy Diamond books. I am so pleased she has since released another Beach Café ‘Christmas’ Novella so I know what I will be reading shortly. Absolutely loved this!

Christmas at Lilac Cottage by Holly Martin (White Cliff Bay #1)

Synopsis: Penny Meadows loves her home – a cosy cottage decorated with pretty twinkling fairy lights and stunning views over the town of White Cliff Bay. She also loves her job as an ice-carver, creating breath-taking sculptures. Yet her personal life seems frozen.

When Henry and daughter Daisy arrive at the cottage to rent the annex, Penny is determined to make them feel welcome. But while Daisy is friendly, Henry seems guarded.

As Penny gets to know Henry, she realises there is more to him than meets the eye. And the connection between them is too strong to ignore…

While the spirit of the season sprinkles its magic over the seaside town and preparations for the ice sculpting competition and Christmas eve ball are in full swing, can Penny melt the ice and allow love in her heart? And will this finally be the perfect Christmas she’s been dreaming of?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Continue reading “Christmas at Lilac Cottage by Holly Martin (White Cliff Bay #1)”

I Will Marry George Clooney (…by Christmas) by Tracy Bloom

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Synopsis: There comes a time in every woman’s life when the only answer is to marry George Clooney. For Michelle, that time is now.

Slogging her guts out in a chicken factory, whilst single-handedly bringing up a teenager who hates her, is far from the life that 36-year-old Michelle had planned. But marrying the most eligible man on the planet by Christmas could change all that, couldn’t it?

Sometimes your only option is to dream the impossible – because you never know where it might take you…

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I loved the title of this book but wasn’t entirely sure of its synopsis. Whilst I use the word escapism, this book takes it to a whole new level Michelle is a likeable character, and as a 36 year old woman raising her teenage daughter there was a certain amount of empathy for her. Due to her pregnancy she gave up her pipe dream of working as a chef and instead fills her days working at a chicken factory with her equally likeable character friends Gina and Little Slaw.

Michelle also has the label of the girl whose sister died, and sadly there are more secrets surrounding that than at first appears. Michelle’s family are all a little bit bonkers, her Mother Kathleen, Father Ray and incredibly stroppy 15 year old daughter Josie. Michelle ‘literally’ agrees to marry George Clooney in a bid to persuade her daughter not to make bad decisions. This alone borders on the slightly surreal and although enjoyable, lost its appeal slightly for me for the sheer craziness of the premise.

Although I say that, there are some incredibly funny moments in this book mainly coming from her friends with the inclusion of an old school friend Daz. With Michelle agreeing to do a charity event, and then the re-appearance of her dead sister’s ex-boyfriend life seems to get crazier by the day. Now although the story was a little bit on the crazy side, it was also one which I thoroughly enjoyed. I have read one other Tracy Bloom book which I enjoyed and I will certainly go on to read more.

The ending was done nicely and I actually thought it was a good way to wrap the book up. Very readable and there is plenty of humour wrapped up in this book and its characters, so certainly an easy to read book which would no doubt accompany anybody on a nice relaxing holiday!

Stirred with Love by Marcie Steel

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Synopsis: Sometimes the best friends can be found where you least expect them …

Still grieving after the loss of her beloved husband, Lily Mortimer is determined to do something with the time she has left. After the end of her fairytale marriage, thirty-something Kate is trying hard to mend her broken heart. Chloe, a young woman with the world at her feet, is struggling to know what to do with her life.

When Lily embarks on a new venture in the picturesque town of Somerley, the three women come together to open The Coffee Stop, the most charming café for miles around. But opening a coffee shop is never as simple as it seems, especially when you add neighbouring competition, local heart throbs and heartbreak to the mix. When tragedy strikes, can the three women pull together to make the new business fly, or will Lily’s last chance disappear down the drain along with yesterday’s coffee grinds?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: For those that maybe don’t know, Marcie Steel is a pseudonym used by a very popular Crime Writer Mel Sherratt. Now I am a fan of Mel’s crime work so was interested to see how she fared in this genre. The story sounds familiar, but in this genre that’s not unusual and it sounded like a warm and comforting read about women determined to do things their way. I settled down and before I knew it was over halfway through the book.

Lily Mortimer is getting on a bit but has decided to re-open her once thriving café in Somerley. Since the loss of her husband she hasn’t been able to deal with it, but now seems the right time and as you read about Lily there is something of a quiet determination about her. The other two characters are Kate who is recovering from the breakup of her marriage and the young and exuberant Chloe who although only in her late teens has the world at her feet.

All three characters were extremely likeable and they all fit well together. I have to say that I leaned more towards Chloe as her blunt retorts and black and white view of the world made her a very likeable young girl. Kate certainly didn’t have as much of an impression on me but was a great character all the same. The story itself is certainly not new to this genre, but by no means did this make it any less enjoyable.

However, maybe I am being overly critical but there were things that maybe didn’t sit right with me. For example, for some reason it felt like there were chunks of the book where we skip from the premise of a thread to the conclusion with nothing in-between (if that makes sense). I just thought that sometimes, I wanted to know a lot more about what was going on, the whys and where’s etc, in short I think I would have happily sat through another 100 pages which made me feel more integrated with the story. Other than that a solid read and one I thoroughly enjoyed, I just felt a little short changed because as a reader you were left wanting a little bit more. Even though I have been critical, the fact that I enjoyed it and read it in 2 sittings I think means it thoroughly deserves a 4/5.

The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell

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Synopsis: When a tragedy breaks a family apart, what can bring it back together?

The Birds seem to be the perfect family: mother, father, four children, a picture-book cottage in the country. But when something happens one Easter weekend, it is so unexpected, so devastating, that no one can talk about it. The family shatters, seemingly for ever. Until they are forced to return to the house they grew up in. And to confront what really took place all those years ago.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: The Bird Family on the surface seems to have it all. However this book tells the tale of what goes on behind closed doors. Loreli and her husband Colin have 4 children – Megan. Bethan, and twins Rhys and Rory. The descriptions of their beautiful and rambling house in the Cotswolds made me want to visit. The story actually spans over a long time frame continuously flicking back and forth in time frames. This is down with ease and you feel like you are peeling back layers with each part of the story that is revealed. Other than that in terms of story I really don’t want to elaborate for fear of ruining the element of surprise.

The synopsis gives away very little and I think this adds to the beauty of reading the story with no idea of what will happen. There is an element of sadness to Lisa Jewell’s books which makes them pretty realistic and poignant and this one is no different. Loreli has become an obsessive hoarder and this element of the story and how it impacted her family made for absorbing reading. This book was full of intrigue and the characters made you not want to put the book down. It wasn’t the best Lisa Jewell book I have read, however a fantastically solid read that will keep you turning the pages.

Fairytale Beginnings by Holly Martin

Synopsis: Love is an open door…except when it keeps slamming in your face Hopeless romantic Milly Rose has had her fair share of heartbreak. Obsessed with all things Disney, she refuses to give up on finding her Prince Charming – he’s out there somewhere, isn’t he? When Milly is given a job to investigate the origins of a historical building in the village of Clover’s Rest, she’s not sure what to expect. What she discovers takes her breath away – a beautiful real life Cinderella castle, complete with turrets, a magnificent drawbridge AND a very handsome owner…Cameron Heartstone. As Milly and Cameron begin to unearth the secrets of Clover Castle, they can’t ignore the intense chemistry building between them. But they’ve both been hurt badly before. Can they take a big leap of faith and find their own happily-ever-after? A deliciously enchanting read that will delight fans of Rachael Lucas, Lucy Diamond and Miranda Dickinson or anyone who has ever blubbed at a Disney movie. Who says real life can’t be a fairytale?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Continue reading “Fairytale Beginnings by Holly Martin”

Summer By The Sea by Jenny Hale

Synopsis: They say there’s always one summer that changes you… For Faith the one summer she can’t forget is when she fell in love as a teenager – only for her sister, Casey, to steal her man. Now, at the request of her beloved ninety-year-old grandmother, Faith has agreed to a family holiday – at their childhood beach house, where it all began. Faith hasn’t seen her sister in years but is finally ready to forgive and forget, enjoy the sunshine and relive happy memories. What she’s not ready for is meeting Jake Buchanan – the owner of the beach house – or the long-forgotten feelings he ignites in her. Can Faith overcome the hurt of the past, rekindle the close bond she had with Casey and make this summer THE ONE to remember?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have only read one of Jenny Hale’s books but enjoyed it immensely so was looking forward to reading this latest release. Faith is at the centre of the story and we start off by seeing her make her way to the beach house that used to belong to her Grandmother. The intention is to gather her family which consists of her sister, niece, mother and Grandmother all together for a two week holiday. The first thing that struck me was the fabulous descriptions Jenny hale makes of this beautiful beach village. I didn’t necessarily warm to Faith as she seemed like she was almost stuck in a rut and it was clear from the early chapters that there was a long running feud between her and her sister Casey.

The story became a lot more interesting as we see her arrive at the beach house only to come face to face with Jake Buchanan the owner. Jake instantly captured my attention, as did the beach house. It truly sounds like somewhere I could visit myself. When Casey and Faith’s Grandmother and Mother join the story a lot more is revealed about both Faith and Casey and I became more and more embroiled in their tale.

There was certainly quite a lot going on regarding the whys and how’s of both women Faith and Casey arrived at the cottage in the situation they are both in. At times I felt like maybe the insight into their emotions dragged a little but nothing too much to upset the apple cart so to speak. If anything there was a certain inevitability about where the story would end but overall I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can also say in all honest that the Epilogue was nicely well rounded and gave me a certain feeling of satisfaction at the end of this book. This was certainly another solid read from Jenny Hale and I will look forward to her next one due out (I think) in time for Christmas!

The Great Village Show by Alex Brown (Tindledale #2)

Synopsis: Tindledale is in a tizzy . . .

The Village Show competition is coming around again and after last year’s spectacular failure, the villagers are determined to win. Meg, teacher at the local school, is keen to help and to impose some much-needed order.

After a terse encounter with a newcomer to the village, Meg discovers that it is celebrity chef and culinary bad boy, Dan Wright. Meg thinks he is arrogant and rude but rumour has it that Dan is opening a new restaurant in the village which could really put Tindledale on the map.

As things come together, villagers old and new all start to come out of the woodwork, including new arrival Jessie who seems to have it all. But first impressions can be deceptive and Meg discovers that when it comes to Tindledale – and Dan – nothing is ever quite as it seems . . .

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Continue reading “The Great Village Show by Alex Brown (Tindledale #2)”