1964 - London
Dolly Vincent is born to an East End gangster but is sent away for her own protection. Mad Mick is hell bent on his revenge and will stop at nothing to kill her. Estranged from her family, she becomes a successful barrister, but after defending a young Italian man she finds herself caught up in a secret held by a high court judge. Tortured and left for dead she flees London and heads to New York. Only the Vincents know where she is, but even they don't know the truth. 1990 Francesca is back to face her demons but this time she is not alone. One woman three names My thoughts. - Where do I start?
I'd seen a few reviews on this book, and quite a lot of hype about on social media and kept thinking, I really need to read these books.
I received a credit for audible and decided to get this book on audio. What a brilliant read/listen it turned out to be. the narration is first class, the voice change, the accents all just perfectly done. This mad it a really easy book to listen to and get lost in. I got through my housework without feeling that dreaded feeling about what is facing you. This book took my mind off everything I was doing, and my kindle went everywhere with me so I could listen, I flew through the ironing, I went on walks and all the while enjoyed having someone reading to me down my ear. So what did I actually think of the book. Well it's first class, I just loved it. A brilliant story, fantastic characters and the start of a series I know I will certainly get through in no time. This is the second book I've read by Kerry Barnes the first one I read was 'Cruel Secrets' and I was seriously impressed with the writing. This book is just as impressive, and it doesn't take long before you are lost in the pages, loving and hating characters, Kerry Barnes has done a cracking job of engaging you with these characters. We follow the life mainly of Francesca, from her growing up as a child, a twin, to her becoming the woman that she does, a very ruthless woman. Francesca is a brilliant character and one I know I'm going to enjoy reading about in future books. Believable and likeable I found myself rooting for her in all she did. I can see a difference in the writing in this book from the later book I have read, so I know the writing just get's better and I'm looking forward to seeing that in the next books in this series. If East end gangland books are your thing then you'll bloody love this book. Kerry Barnes is certainly going to up there with some of the best writers in this genre, and I look forward to seeing her success. I can't wait for more books.
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The M Word by Eileen Wharton @WhartonEileen #REview #TheMWord @bombshellpub @ilovereadinguka funny and emotional story about one woman's search for answers
"a story that every woman should read."ByTheLetterBookReviews
Are you looking for a funny and poignant summer holiday read? Then discover this brilliant book by best-selling author, Eileen Wharton. Roberta Gallbreath is middle-aged and menopausal. She dislikes her children, detests her ex-husband and despises her colleagues. When her mother dies, Roberta is left with a pile of letters and a mystery surrounding her son. The letters reveal Roberta’s heritage is not what it seems and she is soon on a mission to become a better person. Told with humour and emotion, The M Word is the tale of one woman’s journey to find out where she came from. As she looks to the past for answers, more questions are raised. Will Roberta discover who she really is? A great fun yet meaningful read. 4*
The M Word by Eileen Wharton.
The M word is a great read. A book to get lost in, a book that holds so much truth in it. It's a great story to follow, yet it's a story most women of a certain age will relate to. It's fun, it's honest, thought provoking, it's a bloody great read. Filled with Laugh out loud moments, just be careful where you are when you read this book, you may end up sat on bus with quite a lot of folk giving you funny looks like I did. On the plus side the lady next to me actually asked what I was reading, and she got off the bus with a piece of paper with the title and author to go buy the book. lol 'Roberta Gallbreath is middle aged and menopausal. She dislikes her children, detests her ex-husband and despises her colleagues.' Now how many of us can this relate to, lol.... I thought Eileen had secretly been watching my life in parts of this book. Although as a mother I must say I don't dislike my child. lol. Roberta is on a journey to find herself. A great and interesting character I loved following every bit of her journey. She's an amazing funny character, that seems to just say things as it is. I'm thinking maybe dr's should give this book out to people who go to get their HRT tablets. Anyone going through the Menopause should read this. lol.. A great read that the author has managed to get it all just 'spot on' #HerNameWasRose #BlogTour
This new Irish voice is bursting onto the scene with her first foray into the thriller genre. This promises to be one of the most exciting debuts of 2018. Perfect for fans of Lianne Moriarty, B. A. Paris, Gillian Flynn and Marian Keyes.
Her name was Rose. You watched her die. And her death has created a vacancy. When Emily lets a stranger step out in front of her, she never imagines that split second will change her life. But after Emily watches a car plough into the young mother – killing her instantly – she finds herself unable to move on. And then she makes a decision she can never take back. Because Rose had everything Emily had ever dreamed of. A beautiful, loving family, a great job and a stunning home. And now Rose’s husband misses his wife, and their son needs a mother. Why couldn’t Emily fill that space? But as Emily is about to discover, no one’s life is perfect … and not everything is as it seems. Thanks so much to Sabah Khan for inviting me to be part of this blog tour. What a read that was. A new author for me, and a new author whose books I will be looking out for in the future. What an interesting book this turned out to be. I'm not really sure if i'm honest, as to what I was expecting from this book. It sounded a little different when I read about it, yet it gave me that sense that 'I really need to read this book'. I found myself drawn right into the book from the early pages, and when you realise what is happening, it becomes one of those books you know you can't put down until it's finished. When Emily Witnesses a hit and run, little does she know at the time how much her life is about to change. A lady called Rose was killed in the hit and run, yet luckily her little boy Jack, Lived. Emily seems to become obsessed with Rose's life and manages to plant herself well and truly into what was once Rose's life. Thinking things would be better for her if she became Rose. Emily is also trying to keep from anyone who actually knew Rose, that she witnessed the accident. Emily seems to be a lost soul, losing her job, having no friends or family around her. For Emily becoming someone else seems perfect. But is it? This could be the start of things going very wrong for Emma. It soon becomes clear not everything in Rose's life was Rosy. I like how this book covers the online profile of people, it's funny how people are trying to be something they are not via social media. Social media plays a big part in all our lives today, and I think it's sometimes thought that you have to look good to be popular, and a lot of people go over the top with on line posts. A great read, one I think a lot of people will be talking about over the next few months. I can see this book doing very well for the author. This book has one of those ending you really were NOT expecting. I didn't see that coming at all. Brilliantly written. I felt it delivered a bit of a double whammy towards the ending, I loved how it was done. I will certainly be looking out for more books from Claire Allan.
About the author: A former journalist and columnist, Claire Allan has been writing fiction since 2006.
An Irish Times bestseller, she has tackled issues from post-natal depression, infertility, and dementia through to writing a based-on-a-true-story book about a couple reunited after 50 years apart. She has now decided to unleash her dark side! Married with two children, two cats and a mad puppy she is happiest lost in a good book. She has kissed Michael Buble. Thrilled to be part of this Blog Blitz
The struggles of war will build the strongest of friendships…
1940, Liverpool: Best friends Alice Turner and Millie Markham work for the war effort at Rootes munitions factory, making shell caps and Halifax bombers. Alice’s sweetheart Terry is home from the front for a brief period of leave, and the women are excitedly planning a whirlwind wedding. But the honeymoon is soon over, and the ever-present air raid sirens quickly bring Alice back down to earth. When a terrible explosion at the factory leads to a tragic death, and a loved one is announced missing in action, it’s only their friendship and the support of the other factory girls which help to keep Alice and Millie’s spirits up. As the war stretches on with no sign of an ending, can Alice and Millie help one another make it through – and find happiness even in the darkest of times? The Factory Girls of Lark Lane is a heart-wrenching family saga about women in World War 2, the strength of friendship, and hope. If you’re a fan of Nadine Dorries, Diney Costeloe and Kitty Neale, you’ll love Pam Howes!
I have said this before, this is not the usual genre I normally read, but after reading Pam's Liverpool girls books, I couldn't wait to read this one.
Pam has a unique way of writing these war time stories. It's almost as if you could have actually been there when reading them. You really are taken into the story and the surroundings, living the lives of the characters through the words. Heart warming and heart breaking the lives of families living through WWII. 1940's in Liverpool where families are saying goodbye to their loved ones, families torn apart by war, families that stick together through thick and thin. Alice and Terry are getting married and while everyone loves a good wedding it can be a difficult thing to do during the war. Getting married and saying goodbye to your now husband the day after must truly be heart breaking. This is what happened to this young couple. Life for Alice as a married woman doesn't start off the way we all imagine a marriage should. With families and friendship Alice has to get on with life, while here husband is away fighting in a war. It's a time when everyone comes together when everyone is going through the same things. It's amazing when you look back just how people managed to get through this time of their lives. It's safe to say Pam has worked a blinder with this book, have some tissues at the ready and get yourself stuck in. Get lost in those pages just like I did, get taken to another time what could almost feel like another world. This book is written beautifully and is really difficult to put down once you start it. The Factory Girls of Lark Lane is a first class read and I certainly can't wait for more from this author.
ABOUT PAM HOWES
Pam is a retired interior designer, mum to three daughters, grandma to seven assorted grandchildren and roadie to her musician partner. The inspiration for Pam’s first novel came from her teenage years, working in a record store, and hanging around with musicians who frequented the business. The first novel evolved into a series about a fictional band The Raiders. She is a fan of sixties music and it’s this love that compelled her to begin writing. You can find Pam on Twitter at https://twitter.com/PamHowes1 You can find Pam on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Pam-Howes-Author-260328010709267/?fref=ts Perfect Remains by Helen Fields. #Review #PerfectRemains @Helen_Fields @AvonBooksUK #Book113/7/2018
On a remote Highland mountain, the body of Elaine Buxton is burning. All that will be left to identify the respected lawyer are her teeth and a fragment of clothing.
In the concealed back room of a house in Edinburgh, the real Elaine Buxton screams into the darkness… Detective Inspector Luc Callanach has barely set foot in his new office when Elaine’s missing persons case is escalated to a murder investigation. Having left behind a promising career at Interpol, he’s eager to prove himself to his new team. But Edinburgh, he discovers, is a long way from Lyon, and Elaine’s killer has covered his tracks with meticulous care. It’s not long before another successful woman is abducted from her doorstep, and Callanach finds himself in a race against the clock. Or so he believes … The real fate of the women will prove more twisted than he could have ever imagined. Fans of Angela Marson, Mark Billingham and M. J. Aldridge will be gripped by this chilling journey into the mind of a troubled killer.
Well according to good old Amazon, I purchased this book over 12 months ago. So why am I only just reading it? As much as it gets on my nerves when I do this, it's also good because now I get to play catch up with the series.
So what does book 1 have to offer us. Well for what I believe is a debut it has everything you would expect from a established author. This doesn't read like a debut at all. With book 4 due out soon, this writer is certainly getting the books out there for the readers to enjoy. Enjoyment is what I think you will get reading this book, it has a great start with twists and turns that will keep you on your toes, keep you turning the pages and keep you wanting more. This book is also a decent length, I think it's just under 400 pages so it isn't going to finish as you just get started. Getting to know new character for me is always good, and I think here we are introduced just enough to feel you are getting to know them, but not too much that there isn't still time to learn more about them in future books. DI Luc Callanach has just joined Police Scotland, starting his new role as a new case gets going. He's hardly had time to take off his coat. A new case and a new team made this feel like the start of something good. I'm looking forward to getting stuck into the other books now.
City of Sinners By A. A. Dhand #Review #HarryVirdee #Book3 @AADhand
It is an ordinary Yorkshire morning, cold and miserable. The streets are not yet busy. Police cars hurriedly pull up in the centre of town, but none of their lights are flashing and the sirens are silent. A body has been found, elaborately and painstakingly positioned to send a message. But what message? And to who? It’s DCI Harry Virdee’s job to find out. But Harry doesn’t know that the killer is watching him, that the killer is coming for him. Because this is personal. Wowwwww What a damn good read that was. I have loved these books, this one the third in the series. Here we are back in Bradford with DCI Harry Virdee. Harry is a superb character and one I really enjoy reading about. Not just his cases, but his personal life. Infact for me his personal life in this book was just as good as the actual story. It's fantastic when you are getting to know characters so well. I think Dhand has worked wonders creating the character of Harry Virdee. It seems there is a killer on the streets of Bradford, and it's down to Harry to find out who it is and why they are doing it. This is killer is really out of control, he's a sick individual killing the way he does. When another body turns up it soon becomes clear that this is linked to the first one. What have they got in common, just what is that connection. This is easily a book that you could devour in a day long binge, but as I'd really been looking forward to this one, I took my time reading it. I actually surprised myself with my will power to read it over a few nights. It's hard going as the book is so damn good and you are dragged into each and every page, getting lost in the story. Superbly written, Dhand has pulled out all the stops on this one, and it's easily his best one yet. If each book just gets better like they seem to be doing so far then I for one cannot wait to read the next installment. It is going to be such a damn good read, I just know it. From the opening pages right up until the very end, it's easy to get lost in this book, it's just a superb read and my words would never do it the justice it deserves. It's worth all 5 of the big fat 5 stars I give this book. Outstanding, first class read. This book has gone onto my 2018 MUST READ LIST. |
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