A very interesting read. I give this book 3.5 stars. I really wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but the title had me intrigued. A year without a purchase, is that even possible. I'm really not sure I could manage it. I did it for a week once, but that was because I was laid up in bed after surgery and my internet was down, so I couldn't shop online. But yeah once I got started with this, it did turn out to be very interesting. I liked when they were not sure if a purchase was allowed and discussed it together. This task must really be difficult, but when you have kids I imagine its harder still. I think I may need to try this with my husband. But not sure my 6 year old would understand it. It does make you think about how much you buy, that really if you think about it, you just don't need. I think if everyone who reads this book, actually thinks next time they go to buy something about if they really need it or not it could save people money. It has made me think this week while out and about shopping and a couple of times I actually put back what I was going to buy, as I really didn't need that pen to go with the 98 pens in my pencil case. However it didn't work when it come to purchasing books, but come on, if i'm going to manage this for a short while, then I really do need books to keep me busy and stop me from buying. The Year without a Purchase is the story of one family's quest to stop shopping and start connecting. Scott Dannemiller and his wife, Gabby, are former missionaries who served in Guatemala. Ten years removed from their vow of simple living, they found themselves on a never-ending treadmill of consumption where each purchase created a desire for more and never led to true satisfaction. The difference between needs and wants had grown very fuzzy, and making that distinction clear again would require drastic action: no nonessential purchases for a whole year. No clothes, no books, no new toys for the kids. If they couldn't eat it or use it up within a year (toilet paper and shampoo, for example), they wouldn't buy it.
Filled with humorous wit, curious statistics, and poignant conclusions, the book examines modern America's spending habits and chronicles the highs and lows of dropping out of our consumer culture. As the family bypasses the checkout line to wrestle with the challenges of gift giving, child rearing, and keeping up with the Joneses, they discover important truths about human nature and the secret to finding true joy. The Year without a Purchase offers valuable food for thought for anyone who has ever wanted to reduce stress by shopping less and living more.
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Her eyes are wide open. Her lips parted as if to speak. Her dead body frozen in the ice…She is not the only one.
When a young boy discovers the body of a woman beneath a thick sheet of ice in a South London park, Detective Erika Foster is called in to lead the murder investigation. The victim, a beautiful young socialite, appeared to have the perfect life. Yet when Erika begins to dig deeper, she starts to connect the dots between the murder and the killings of three prostitutes, all found strangled, hands bound and dumped in water around London. What dark secrets is the girl in the ice hiding? As Erika inches closer to uncovering the truth, the killer is closing in on Erika. The last investigation Erika led went badly wrong… resulting in the death of her husband. With her career hanging by a thread, Erika must now battle her own personal demons as well as a killer more deadly than any she’s faced before. But will she get to him before he strikes again? A page-turning thriller packed with suspense. If you like Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Karin Slaughter, discover Rob Bryndza’s new series today – at a special launch price. Watch out for more from DCI Erika Foster. She’s fearless. Respected. Unstoppable. Detective Erika Foster will catch a killer, whatever it takes. 1. THE GIRL IN THE ICE 2. THE NIGHT STALKER COMING SOON My Thoughts. 5/5 One of those days when you have just finished a really good book and don't know what to start next. I had seen one or two posts on social media regarding this book, so I decided to give it a go. I'm so so glad that I did. What a brilliant read. With just enough twist to get you twisted, and a plot that is amazingly good. Right from the start you are pulled right into the pages of this book, and it doesn't let you go until the last page. This book has been out just over a week, and it all ready has over 100 5* reviews. It says it all really. Each of those stars is so well deserved. Andrea Douglas Brown - Young, beautiful, engaged to be married and from a very wealthy family she seems to have it all. Only now she has nothing as she's just been found dead. The thing is no one knows why she has been killed. So it is down to DCI Erika Foster to lead the investigation. Much to the disgust of other officers. She's a great, believable character. Strong and takes no nonsense but she also has flaws and certainly isn't a goody goody. I really did like her character. She is back after being on leave from when her last case went a bit Tits up. Thinking she was coming back to work on desk duties, she's in for a shock when she is put leading this murder investigation. And is faced with one or two obstacles along the way. I'm trying my best to say all I want to say about this book, but without giving to much away. It really is well worth reading. And once you start reading it you will not want it to stop. And when you get to the end you'll be gutted that it's finished. I don't know what mad Robert change and decide to write a crime novel, but by hell I'm glad he did. Bookouture seem to be finding some amazing authors recently that are turning out some fantastic books. I look forward to the next one. Thank you To the author. To Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy of this book. Another new author added to my must read list.
Eight-year-old Aimee was on the child protection register at birth. Her five older siblings were taken into care many years ago. So no one can understand why she was left at home to suffer for so long. It seems Aimee was forgotten.
The social services are looking for a very experienced foster carer to look after Aimee and, when she reads the referral, Cathy understands why. Despite her reservations, Cathy agrees to Aimee on – there is something about her that reminds Cathy of Jodie (the subject of ‘Damaged’ and the most disturbed child Cathy has cared for), and reading the report instantly tugs at her heart strings. When she arrives, Aimee is angry. And she has every right to be. She has spent the first eight years of her life living with her drug-dependent mother in a flat that the social worker described as ‘not fit for human habitation’. Aimee is so grateful as she snuggles into her bed at Cathy’s house on the first night that it brings Cathy to tears. Aimee’s aggressive mother is constantly causing trouble at contact, and makes sweeping allegations against Cathy and her family in front of her daughter as well. It is a trying time for Cathy, and it makes it difficult for Aimee to settle. But as Aimee begins to trust Cathy, she starts to open up. And the more Cathy learns about Aimee’s life before she came into care, the more horrified she becomes. It’s clear that Aimee should have been rescued much sooner and as her journey seems to be coming to a happy end, Cathy can’t help but reflect on all the other ‘forgotten children’ that are still suffering… 4/5 I have read many of Cathy Glass' books over the years, and always enjoyed them. Dispite the subject matter the books are really interesting and brilliant reads. I read this as a free sampler. It gives you a good taste as to what the book has to offer you. I think the work foster carers do is absolutely amazing. It takes someone very special to do what Cathy does and I take my hat off to her, to open her home and her heart to children who otherwise would live a miserable existence, along with bringing up her own children is just fantastic. This book is based around Aimee, who seems to be another Child who has slipped through the net, and is now 8 years old with some very big problems. Can Cathy help this child grow and improve. you'll have to read the book to find out.
Three Butlers. Two weddings. One funeral. The explosive new novel from the Sunday Times #1 bestselling author Kimberley Chambers. Nobody can hurt you like the ones you love… Blood is thicker than water, love is stronger than hate – and that’s the problem. When your brother has betrayed you, there’s no coming back. Vinny and Michael have always protected each other and provided for the family. Together they were formidable but business always stopped at the front door. Now someone has changed the rules – women and children are fair game and one of the Butlers is going to end up six feet under. Little Vinny is battling not to follow in his father’s footsteps. Sweet Sammi-Lou has just vowed ‘til death do us part, but it’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out about the murder he committed. Dark secrets are spiralling out of control and have the power to destroy them all for good. Is this the final nail in the Butler family coffin?
OH GOD.... This has to be Kimberley Chambers Best book ever. I was so so excited to receive an early review copy of this book, It certainly made me feel good, I was buzzing from the moment I opened the package, and positively fit to burst by the time I got chance to sit down and start reading it. I have waited a year for this book, since The Wronged finished I just couldn't wait for this.. But I can now reveal that IT WAS WELL WORTH THE WAIT, AND MORE...
We are back with the Butler family. One of those families you can't help but love, but glad you are not related to them. If you are reading this book or thinking of reading it, It really is best that you read the 3 books before it, as It really will help you get the right feel for what is going on, and a background history of the characters. And as I said with the last bookThe Wronged, I didn't believe Kimberley could match it, By god how this woman likes to prove you wrong. she's freakin smashed it with this book. And this book just show's why Kimberley Chambers is the favourite author of many, many people. She is certainly one of my all time favourite authors. It felt a bit like a family reunion reading this book, like I was back with people I knew well, but hadn't seen for a while. And then the teary goodbye's at the end when you know you are not going to see them for a long time. I loved every bit of this book, and I don't think my words will get across just how freaking good this series of books has been.
In good times . . . and bad. Three houses have been burgled in five weeks. The robbers barge in through the back, disable any way to contact the outside world, and then ransack everything - before distributing the stolen cash to local charities. It might be robbing from the rich to give to the poor - but Detective Inspector Jessica Daniel is not happy. The new DCI has a whiteboard with far too many crimes on the 'unsolved' side and he wants the burglars found. Doesn't he know Jessica has enough on her plate? There's a lottery winner who's gone bankrupt; the homeless teenager she's taken in; a botched drugs raid; a trip to London with DC Archie Davey - and a man-mountain Serbian with a missing wife who's been pimping out young women. All the while, someone's watching from the wings and waiting for Jessica to mess up. Officers are being pensioned off and booted out - with a certain DI Daniel firmly in their sights. My thoughts.... 5/5 Wow. Well here we are on book TEN of this brilliant Jessica Daniel series. A series that I have to say I have enjoyed right from the beginning. With the spectacular ending of book 9 I really have been waiting forever for book 10. And wait no more because here it is, only now I have to wait for book 11, as this one ends with another, OH wow, hold your breath ending. So much so, I had to go back and read the last few pages again just to make sure I had read it right. All I can say really is Kerry Wilkinson is a tease. (I had other words in my head as I finished the book, but tease seems like a word I can use here). This book kicks off with what seems like not long after the ending of book 9, with Jessica seeming to be plodding along with life, and everyone around her seeming like they are all to worried or scared to mention the A word. Jessica is thrown into yet another case, this time it is following a number of burglaries that have taken place, where jewellery and money has been taken from the homes of some middle class families. Shortly after a number of charities start receiving anonymous sums of money, pushed through their doors. A modern day Robin Hood type. Steal from the Rich and give to the Poor. Can it really be that simple or is there more to it? Jessica is dealing with her personal life as well as work like in a way she pretty much deals with everything. Although in this book you can see a vulnerable side to her more than ever, and she is certainly getting her self into one or two messes. But she is still the ballsy no nonsense women Jessica fan’s have grown to love. More than once I said an awww, or a what you playing at to her across the pages. But yeah this is one of the best Jessica books I’ve read but that could be because of that bloody ending. I’m worried writing this that if I said all I wanted to say, then it would spoil the story for those of you that have not yet read it, maybe you could read this as a stand alone, but I would really recommend that you read the previous books to get a better feel for things. I see a lot more of an up and down future for Jessica and I can not wait to read more about her. Another 5 star read. Just Brilliant. I need the next book NOW..
Kerry Wilkinson has been busy since turning thirty.
His first Jessica Daniel novel, Locked In, is a number one ebook bestseller, while the series as a whole has sold more than a million copies. He has written a fantasy-adventure trilogy for young adults, a second crime series featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, plus the standalone thriller, Down Among the Dead Men. Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry has spent far too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'. When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down. Upcoming UK releases: For Richer, For Poorer (Jessica Daniel): 11 Feb 2016 Resurgence (Silver Blackthorn 3): 5 May 2016 Down Among The Dead Men (standalone crime): 2 June 2016 (paperback - hardback/ebook out now) Something Hidden (Andrew Hunter 2): 28 July 2016 No Place Like Home (standalone Christmas crime): late 2016 Birthright (Jessica Daniel): 2017 Find out more at: http://kerrywilkinson.com http://facebook.com/JessicaDanielBooks http://facebook.com/SilverBlackthorn 'Fabulous shoes, my badly made stews, an Antarctic cruise and ten pounds to lose. Having to schmooze when I'd far rather snooze. Skin care and bad hair and what should I wear? All kinds of views, which I hope will amuse . . .' Welcome to the magnificent Making It Up as I Go Along - aka the World According to Marian Keyes™ - A bold, brilliant book bursting with Marian's hilarious and heartfelt observations on modern life, love and much, much else besides. Such as? you are determined to ask. Well, how about her guide to breaking up with your hairdresser? Or the warning she has for us all after a particularly traumatic fling with fake tan. There's the pure and bounteous joy of the nail varnish museum. Not to mention the very best lies to tell if you find yourself on an Arctic cruise. She has words of advice for those fast approaching fifty. And she's here to tell you the secret secret truth about writers - well, this one anyway. You'll be wincing in recognition and scratching your head in incredulity, but like Marian herself you won't be able to stop laughing at the sheer delightful absurdity that is modern life - because each and every one of us is clearly making it up as we go along. 4/5 An easy fun read. Lot's of short little tales of real life, and how you feel about certain things. Many of which you will relate to. I loved the one about breaking up with your hairdresser, the guilt you feel when you want to change lol. And the obsessions with nail polish, priceless. I could relate to so much in this book. But it's one of those books, you can pick up an put down, read a bit or read a lot at a time. I found many laugh out loud moments in this book, and was at one point asked what I was reading as I looked odd sat at the table in work with a silly grin on my face. REal life, real stuff ready to read. DI Sally Parker is called to one of the best hotels in the area after one of the guests, Megan Carmen, reports her friend, Tina, missing.
Sally investigates Megan’s background when the woman reveals that she has just arrived from France and Tina is a woman she met on the Internet. Do genuine people truly arrange to innocently meet people they’ve only just met online? Or, in light of Tina’s disappearance, is there something far more sinister afoot? 5/5 Mel and Tara have written this Novella together. It is a very quick and easy read, but it is interesting too. A lot of short stories you don't get the chance to know of feel what is going on, but with this one it was easy to follow and understand what was happening. I feel the underlying question when reading this book is just how much can you trust those friends you have made on line, Maybe Mel is trying to tell us something here. lol. Be careful if you decide to meet up with her when she returns from France. (she may not be all she seems so be). Megan and Tina in this book have Mel and Tara written all over them. so much to the point that's the images I had in my head while reading this book. It was a great easy read and didn't take me long to devour. I really am looking forward to these two doing more together, it could make some interesting reading in the future. |
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May 2023
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