Tag: RATED 4/5

The Christmas Cake Cafe by Sue Watson

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Synopsis: As the Prosecco chills and Bing Crosby croons, Jen Barker just knows that her long-term boyfriend is about to propose. But instead of a diamond ring nestled in her champagne flute, Jen finds cold flat rejection. Her once perfect life and dreams of a husband and family seem even further from reach.

A working holiday to the Swiss Alps with her younger sister Jody might not be the Christmas Jen had it mind, but it offers her the chance to recharge her batteries and recover from heartbreak.

When Jen meets handsome ski instructor Jon Zutter her hopes for a happy-ever-after seem within her grasp again. Jon is kind and gorgeous and as they bond over Sachetorte at the picturesque Cake Café, Jen thinks he might just be her perfect man. But a relationship with him comes with a catch – and there are some things even cake can’t fix.

As the snow falls and Christmas approaches, could this be the place that restores Jen Barker’s faith in love?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: Thank goodness…another Sue Watson in her usual humorous style, it feels like forever since I have read one like this! I admit I am a bit of a Sue Watson fan, and always know that her books will cheer me up and make me laugh like a drain. Thankfully this book was no exception and once again it cheered me up immensely! However (yes there is a however) I did find the main character a bit annoying in the beginning (hence the 4 stars and not 5)!

So Jen Barker is the main character in this Christmas book and as she is planning her wedding in her mind, she had no idea she is about to be unceremoniously dumped. So a year after  her disastrous break up she finds herself facing another Christmas alone with just her cat (named Mrs Christmas) for company. Her half sister Jody decides enough is enough and manages to convince Jen to take a working holiday with her and her friends over Christmas at a Swiss Alps ski resort. 

In the beginning I didn’t instantly like Jen, in fact I would go as far as to say she was a bit of an annoying woman that thought her whole life was over and she was only 41!!! Thankfully as Jen embarks on a new chapter, her sister and new friends make sure she starts to change her ways. Thankfully the whingeing became less and finally she becomes a woman that starts to take some risks.  There are some extremely funny moments in the book which normally revolved around Jen’s choice of clothes, or comments from her new friends. 

Jen’s life seems to roll from one hilarious disaster to another when she is in Switzerland and with the addition of a rather handsome Ski Instructor named Jon things get so much better and I found myself laughing and hoping for the best for her. The last quarter of the book was fabulous, pure magic and a great end to the book. It certainly has all the right elements for a Christmas stocking filler and is a great feel-good read. For me I mark every book of Sue’s against her book ‘Love, Lies and Lemon Cakes’ which to this day is still one of the funniest books I have ever read. Thankfully Sue always delivers a feel good book with the humour thrown in so this was still a great read (but Sue, can we PLEASE have a less whingey woman next time)!

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS BY JENNY HALE

Synopsis: Snowflakes are falling, there’s carol singing on every corner, and Leah Evans is preparing for a family Christmas at her grandmother’s majestic plantation house in Virginia. It won’t be the same now that her beloved Nan is gone, but when Leah discovers she has inherited the mansion, she knows she can give her daughter Sadie the childhood of her dreams.

But there’s a catch. Leah must split the house with a man called David Forester. Leah hasn’t heard that name in a long time. Not since they were kids, when Davey was always there to catch her.

Now David is all grown up. He’s gorgeous, successful, and certain of one thing: Leah should sell him her half of the house.

They can’t agree, but as they share memories over wine by the log fire, Leah notices a fluttering in her stomach. And by the look in his eyes, he’s starting to feel it too.

Will it be Leah or David who must give up their dreams? Or, with a little bit of Christmas magic, will they finally understand Nan’s advice to them both about living life without regrets … and take a chance on true love?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: Good old Jenny Hale, if there’s one thing you can be sure of it’s a curl up, feel good, good old fashioned romance! This latest release although not my favourite of hers was an easy to read book and one that is perfect for Christmas. Leah and her daughter Sadie are the lead in this Christmas book and we see Leah try to come to terms with the death of her Nan. Leah struggles as a single Mum, however knowing that her Nan had left her the family home ‘Evergreen’ in Virginia she feels like she at least has some stability in her future. However, when she receives a letter from her Nan she is shocked to discover that her Nan has actually left half of the house to a man named David Forester.

Leah is an easy character to like as is her daughter Sadie. Leah has two incredibly good friends Louise and Roz who both help support her and she leans on them heavily as she tries to make sense of what she needs to do. With the girls taking care of Sadie, Leah decides she needs to go to Evergreen and meet David to try and figure out what to do. What she didn’t account for was remembering the boy who was once known as Davey and suddenly recalling their childhood memories. She knows then that she just cannot give up her dream for her future home for her and Sadie.

What happens is we see the story unfold with the addition of more and more characters such as David’s mother June, and a man who has been kept a secret for many years. Although this was slightly predictable it certainly has the feel good factor and is a heart-warming story that shows the family bonds that people sometimes forget over Christmas. As usual Jenny Hale does a magical job of describing locations and only a few chapters in to Leah arriving at the house I was ready to stick on a pair of snow boots and go sledding with them. Like I said this wasn’t my favourite JH book but as always a great read.

Time to Play by K A Richardson (The Forensic Files #2)

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Synopsis: DI Alistair McKay is still reeling from the ‘one that got away’ but when he is called to deal with a potential murder at the water side, he must put his personal worries aside.

As police diver, Marlo Buchanan, starts pulling bodies out of the water, it becomes clear that something isn’t right. Someone is torturing young girls and dumping them in the local reservoir.

Then the body of a man is discovered and Mackay and Buchanan are pulled into the seedy underworld of human trafficking. As the team race against the clock tensions start to run high. Can they overcome their personal demons to work together? And will they find the killer before he strikes again?

 Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I haven’t read the other 2 books in the North East Police series but that made no difference to this book. However, having completed this book it’s just made me disappointed that I didn’t read them as this one was a great read. Marlo Buchanan is a Police diver and to be honest this career path is one I haven’t seen in a fiction book I’ve read so it made a refreshing change. Her and the team are called out regularly and at first there seems to be no link to the other part of the story.

Elvie is another main character we get to know as we witness human trafficking first hand as the young fifteen year old is brought to England to await her fate. The opening chapters are certainly an eye opener and I feel like there are no holds barred in the descriptive horror that awaits these girls. In addition to Elvie, we meet Marlo’s colleague Connor who is struggling not only with his own secrets, but the fact that his Mum is suffering with Alzheimer’s. I did love the character of Marlo and her colleagues and other team members that form part of the RIB, also subsequently form part of the ongoing story lines which start to thread together as the book progresses.We meet Ali who is another copper whose path ends up crossing that of the Dive Team and Marlo as he investigates his own cases. I liked the back story with Ali and he is an extremely likeable guy.

Due to the fact there are multiple threads going on, at first it seems there is too much much in all honesty it was done exceptionally well and each element to the story piqued my interest. As time progresses it becomes clear that there is a lot more linking all the characters than it appeared at first. The writing was easy to get into BUT I did have one major gripe. I understand that sometimes the use of accents means the author changes wording so it seems more realistic such as using slang etc. But in this book the word ‘gunna’ instead of going to appeared more times than it seemed I’ve had hot dinners. I know that seems like I am being super picky but it grated on me as I didn’t think it fitted with the characters. Also both Marlo and Ali towards the last quarter of the book start calling everybody ‘love’? It came from nowhere and again just wasn’t in keeping with the characters. This was the main reason for me not giving it 5 stars, otherwise it was a cracking read.

I shall certainly be reading her future work as the book was fantastic, I will just cross my fingers in the hope she is ‘gunna’ change the characters wording in future to slightly fit their mould more.

CHRISTMAS AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE BAKERY BY TILLY TENNANT (HONEYBOURNE #2)

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Synopsis; Snow is falling in Honeybourne and Spencer is bringing home his American fiancée Tori for a traditional English Christmas with all the trimmings. But when his hippie mum and dad meet her high-maintenance parents, sparks of the wrong sort start to fly. Then Spencer bumps into his first love Jasmine and unexpected feelings come flooding back. 

Millie is run off her feet with Christmas orders at the Little Village Bakery and new baby Oscar. Thank goodness her cousin Darcie is here to help her. Although she does seem to be rather flirty with Millie’s boyfriend Dylan. 

Will Darcie ever find true love of her own? And is marrying Tori a terrible mistake for Spencer if his heart is with someone else?

*Please note, if you plan on reading the first book, then do not continue reading my review as it will inevitably contain spoilers*

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I absolutely loved the first book by Tilly that was set in the small village of Honeybourne. When I realised this was the second book featuring some of the same characters I was extremely excited. The first book features Millie and Dylan, and although they play a big part in this latest book, the main characters are Spencer and Tori. Spencer has been in America and he has brought his English fiance home for Christmas. Sadly for Spencer he hadn’t bargained on a lot of the things that end up happening over the seasonal period in Honeybourne.

Although Millie and Dylan are now settled with baby Oscar, they have help in the form of Millie’s cousin Darcie. Darcie helps out at the bakery and she certainly makes a lasting impression on the reader too. It seems Darcie is somewhat smitten with Dylan which can only cause confusion. IT seems on Spencer’s return he is the only one that has noticed it. However he has his own problems in the form of his hippy like parents and also meeting Tori’s parents for the first time.

As usual the characters Tilly Tennant creates are lovable and what is even more endearing is that you get to see additional characters from around the village that featured in book 1. Jasmine and Rich feature especially seeing as Jasmine was Spencer’s first love and one that he never quite got over. There are so many funny moments which made me giggle, especially when Spencer and Tori’s parent meet…it makes for some very amusing scenes.

Overall, the first book edged it for me as Millie and Dylan are still firm favourites. Having said that this was a thoroughly enjoyable book and with the added benefit of being set in a snowy Honeybourne around Christmas time it certainly has the seasonal feel to it. I love Christmas books, and think this would make a wonderful addition to anybody’s stocking this year!

Blog Tour: All Fall Down by Tom Bale

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Synopsis: It should have been an idyllic day for the Turner family – until a dying man, beaten beyond all recognition, arrives at their home, uttering the words, HELP ME. 

Rob and Wendy Turner and their children try to explain away the horrific scene as being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but in the days that follow their lives are threatened in ways they could never imagine. 

The family is unaware that they are being watched by someone with their own terrifying agenda, who will stop at nothing to fulfil their own twisted desires. 

But when hidden secrets come rushing to the surface, it’s clear not everything is as it seems in this happy family. Are the Turners a victim of circumstance – or does the key to their fate lie closer to home? 

Forced to fight for everything they hold dear, can they save themselves before time runs out – or will their act of compassion see them paying the ultimate price…? 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Tom Bales last book and was looking forward to this one after reading the synopsis. It took me a few chapters to get into the story but thankfully the pace notched from 0 to 100 in a matter of pages and pretty much stayed there the whole time. A normal family having a BBQ, and all it took was for a man to stumble through their back gate, beaten and dying and that was the beginning of the end for the Turner family.

Rob and Wendy along with their three children  become the targets in a bizarre and terrifying twist of fate, or is it? There’s something intricately clever with Bale’s writing and he managed to pack in plenty of heart in mouth moments. The story races along and gains even more momentum as the family starts to crumble under the pressure of their situation. The family know they are being watched, and little by little their own secrets are revealed.

Just when I wondered why the story was slowing, I realised it was just a reprieve before the author plunges you into new depths of horror for this relatively normal family. The second half of the book is pretty heart pounding and the terror jumps up another notch for the Turner family. I think I managed to read the second half of the book in one sitting and my heart was definitely pounding.

I think Tom Bale has a definite strength with turning the ordinary into somebody’s worst nightmare. This latest instalment had everything the last book had and certainly kept me turning the pages. Why the 4 stars and not the 5 then? Well in all honesty the only thing that didn’t sit right with me was the ending. Somehow, it didn’t fit as well as what I had expected it to and I felt like I didn’t get the closure you normally get with the end of these sorts of books. Maybe that was his intention, but it put a bit of a dampener on it for me. Aside from that I can see Tom Bale rising in popularity and gaining a whole new army of fans with this latest release, He is certainly a ‘go-to’ author for me now and I can’t wait to see what he produces next.

THE LITTLE VILLAGE BAKERY BY TILLY TENNANT (HONEYBOURNE #1)

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Synopsis: Meet Millie. Heartbreak has forced her to make a new start and when she arrives at the old bakery in the little village of Honeybourne she is determined that this will be her home sweet home. Her imagination has been captured by the tumbledown bakery but with no running water and dust everywhere, her cosy idea of making cakes in a rural idyll quickly crumbles. 

Luckily the locals are a friendly bunch and step in to help Millie. One in particular, Dylan, a laid-back lothario, soon captures her attention. 

But just as Millie is beginning to settle in, an unexpected visitor from her past suddenly turns up determined to ruin everything for her. It’s time for Millie to face the skeletons in her closet if she’s going to live the dream of running her little village bakery, and her blossoming romance with Dylan. 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: First off I love the cover for this book and having never read any of Tilly Tennant’s books I was looking forward to getting started. Right off the bat I liked Honeybourne. A small village where everybody knows everybody. Millie has turned up in Honeybourne having brought the old rundown bakery that has been standing unloved for many years. Millie is not an easy character to get to know and its clear from the outset that her past is whats made her run away and try to start afresh. However, the real reason behind it is kept cloaked in mystery until a long way into the book.

We also meet Jasmine, the pink haired jewellery maker along with her husband Rich and their triplets. They are instantly likeable along with Jasmines younger brother Dylan. Dylan is the laid back one who seemingly doesn’t have a care in the world. Additional characters include Millie’s neighbour Ruth, and Spencer an old friend of Dylan and Jasmine’s. The only niggle point for me in the story was that although Millie’s history was interesting it dragged out too long. Other than that the book, story and characters totally held me captive.

I fell in love with this village and it’s occupants and although the bakery itself is the starting point it isn’t necessarily the main focal point of the story. This was more getting to know the people involved. Millie’s past soon comes back top haunt her and before you know it everybody involved seems to have secret’s spilling out of their closet. The story was great and so enjoyable, and I really love the fact that the follow up books feature other characters within the village. Overall this was a thoroughly enjoyable read perfect for the summer. Luckily for me I have the next book lined up so I know which book will come next. 

Good at Games by Jill Mansell

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Synopsis: Suzy fell for Harry the moment she showed him her husband’s sperm sample. It didn’t really belong to her husband, though, because she wasn’t married. It wasn’t a sperm sample either, it was a drinks carton containing the dregs of her milkshake. But when you’re trying to get off a speeding charge you just have to improvise, don’t you? And it wasn’t actually love at first sight. Still, it was undeniably a healthy attack of lust. And it might just be the beginning of something special..

 Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have been reading Jill Mansell since my late teens and have always loved her books. Reading this certainly took me back a bit as it was first released nearly 7 years ago. However, with any Jill Mansell book as soon as I started reading I just fell into the story and characters without a problem. Suzy Curtis is a feisty character who makes for incredibly easy reading. She is the ex-wife (number 2) of Rock Star Jaz, and along with him we meet Leo and his brother Harry.

The opening of the book is very funny as we see Suzy get herself in a ridiculous situation that quickly spirals and ends up with her being in a situation she maybe shouldn’t be. As the book progresses we see a story line surround numerous characters and this just adds to the enjoyment of the book. Reading this book some 16 years after it was published certainly made me realise that Jill Mansell’s books have seemingly got better with each year that passes. I felt like this slightly failed to hit the marks if you compare it to her recent releases.

That aside, this really was a typically enjoyable read by Jill Mansell. Funny and lighthearted and very readable. I always find that her books are easy reads and normally a perfect book to take when you go on holiday. Although this wasn’t quite as good as her newer stuff, it was still great and I will as always look out for any new releases she has coming out.  

Dead Time by Tony Parsons (Max Wolfe Short Story)

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Synopsis: Not DC Max Wolfe. He is looking out of his loft apartment at the deserted streets below.

A van has just drawn up. Two men get out. Dressed in black and wearing ski-masks, they are dragging something. 

It’s a man. Half-naked. Half-dead. But still alive.

Not for much longer.

Soon Max Wolfe is hunting a gang of killers who decapitate their victims

And this time it’s personal …

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I only recently discovered Tony Parsons and although I enjoyed the first Max Wolfe book, I then went straight on and read the second and felt the same. They were good, but something was missing. Stupidly I didn’t realise that this was a short story which I should have read prior to book 2. Not letting that put me off I picked it up at lunchtime and lo and behold finished it by the time my lunch was over. What surprised me more was how much I enjoyed the short story (which I am not traditionally a fan of). I would probably go as far as to say I enjoyed this more that the full length novel!

What I loved about this book was that you get stuck straight in with no warning. With the book being a short story it seemed like Parsons was making the most of each page. Although Max is running the show in this latest book, the fact that it happened so close to his home means he can’t stop himself getting involved. Instead a DCI Flashman of New Scotland Yard has taken the lead, but there is no way Max will let that stand in his way.

This little gem was a fantastic read and full of pace, grit and murkiness. Although I read this in the wrong order, I’m glad I did as it gives me renewed hope for this series. I really am now looking forward to what comes in the next book.

Dead Lucky by Matt Brolly (DCI Lambert #2)

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Synopsis: When a woman is murdered, the twisted killer forcing her husband to watch her slow and painful death, DCI Michael Lambert knows that his next case might be his toughest yet.

And when a second set of killings are discovered, with exactly the same MO, the race is on the find the lethal sociopath before he strikes again.

But Lambert never expected to receive an anonymous call from the killer. This time, it’s personal: if Lambert doesn’t find the murderer soon, his own loved ones will be next…

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I’m disappointed I left it so long to read this series, and even more disappointed that I didn’t read the first book in the series. Luckily there is enough background at the introduction of the book to give the reader a feel for the previous books content. Michael Lambert has had a very horrible time of it and the opening of the book sees his trying to speak with his wife who he is separated from. in addition to his separation he is still struggling to come to terms with the death of his daughter. He is now back to work and it seems his first big case is one that is not so straightforward.

A woman is murdered, however her husband a seasoned Crime Journalist survived her having been made to watch her brutal murder. It’s not long before a second set of killings are discovered and Lambert and his team are trying to track down who is responsible. Having no previous knowledge of recurring characters I had no expectations but was pleased that Lambert’s colleague Kennedy and his boss Tillman made an impact and helped the story line along its way too.

The story is layered and you do get a glimpse of what I felt was ‘real’ police work which includes the drudgery of hunting down and chasing leads. I liked the fact that you get to see a glimpse of Lambert’s personal life including his strange sleep problems. Although I didn’t have the history with book 1, I really felt I understood where some of Lambert’s issues lay and I think there is so much scope there for his character to go either way.

I read this in just two sittings and thoroughly enjoyed it. The story was great, well plotted and well paced. The characters were likeable and the crimes were intriguing yet absorbing. I was so pleased when I finished this. Yes, I know that sounds strange but I mean I am glad I feel like I am up to date with the characters and series and am really looking forward to book 3.

The Caller by M A Comley and Tara Lyons

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Synopsis: The first gripping book in The Organised Crime Team series by NY Times bestselling author of the Justice series, M A Comley and co-author Tara Lyons, author of In The Shadows. 

When The Caller rings… what would you do? 

The Organised Crime Team is a newly-formed unit with one of the toughest tasks in London. Led by DI Angie North, their first investigation is a cold case that has foxed several officers in the Met for months.After Angie holds a TV appeal regarding the case, a number of similar aggressive attacks are brought to her attention. The team call on their contacts on the street for help. Their interest is sparked when several local names surface. 

To bring the criminals to justice a member of the Organised Crime Team is asked to risk their life in a dangerous covert operation.

Kat’s Rating: 3.5/5

Kat’s Review: Okay so I have read books by both Tara Lyons and Mel Comley and was looking forward to seeing what they produced as a team. The Organised Crime Team (OCT) is run by a really likeable character DI Angie North, her team are pretty likeable too. They are tasked with findng the people responsible for a cold case of robberies and attacks. We get a glimpse of the people behind it from early on in the book and I actually liked this element as there was something of a cat and mouse play going on between them and the OCT.

The pace is okay although in all honesty not the fastest pace but certainly enough to keep me hooked on reading it. What I really like in this book is the fact that as a reader you feel like you are really getting to know the team. Each member is explained and it gives you a fantastic base for the follow on books.The storyline makes it clear that the basis for these robberies is a very simple thing, which in real life wouldn’t be that difficult to imagine (scary). As the book continues Angie and the team have to find enough evidence to nail the people responsible but that means putting a member of the team deep in the heart of it all and potentially at great risk.

There were certain things in the book I felt were too easy for the team and I though weren’t plausible enough (hence the drop from a 4 star read). That said, the characters were really likeable and the writing flowed well and was so easy to become immersed in.Overall I think this a brilliant base to a series, and I could see myself quickly becoming attached to the characters and wanting to see where it goes