SHE WAS MADE IN THE EAST END . . .
For young Queenie, life in the backstreets of Whitechapel was a lesson in survival – Hitler’s bombs hit those with nothing the hardest. When danger strikes close to home, Queenie finds an ally in Mrs O’Leary, whose two sons are the kingpins of the East End. But while the O’Learys are the light in Queenie’s life, fate has a different path in store. AND MEN ARE WHAT THEIR MOTHERS MAKE THEM . . . Now married to the useless Albie Butler, Queenie is raising her children to fight their own battles. If the O’Learys taught her anything, it was that surviving meant doing whatever you had to, no questions asked, and family always comes first. The Butler boys will make sure their mother’s name becomes East End legend. MEET QUEENIE. THIS IS HER STORY. What can I say. I really was looking forward to this and when I received an ARC from the publishers I was thrilled. I started reading as soon as I got the chance, I was due to go in hospital for surgery on my foot so knew I'd have lots of time to read it and didn't need to rush. (who am I kidding) I read a good chunk of this when I come around from the anaesthetic, and while waiting to be allowed home. When I got home later that night I picked the book up again, and I couldn't for the life in me remember what the heck I had read. lol I thought saving some of it was a great idea to help to recovery but clearly I was wrong. I purchased the kindle copy and decided I was going to start it again from the beginning, which is exactly what I did. What a fantastic read. I have to admit, I was concerned at first with KC going back to the beginning and giving us an insight into Queenies life. I thought we knew all we needed to know through the Butler series. Wrong again! I think this book ties off perfectly the series. As it's a prequel I would say you could actually read it as the first book, but don't. It's really much better reading after you have read the series as answers some questions you didn't realise you had. I'm guessing like me, everyone reading this will again want to go back and re read the Butler series, I expect all the series to fly up the charts all over again. This would also make a fantastic box ser. As with all Kimberley's books this is a tough, gritty page turner. Unlike other authors in this genre, Kimberley's books haven't faded or lost their brilliance, Kimberley really does know what her readers want, and despite having a big fan base, she still delivers. Nothing is taken for granted. I think that's is why readers know they can trust going to her books again and again.. Queenie has had a varied life, She knew what she wanted and went for it. Her character is one you will never forget about once you have read about her. Once of the best characters in a book series I've known. She is one of those characters I think I could read about daily and still not get fed up with. Along with her sister Viv they really are a pair to be reckoned with. Queenie is certainly the head of her family, reading about her earlier days has been an absolute honour. For me, this is the BEST book yet. How on earth is KC going to top this one? I think the Barr had been set real high this time. Certainly another addictive read you will struggle to put down, and SHOCK. OMG I wasn't expecting that! I even decided I was reading it with my signed cover on. KC signed this at a book signing in Manchester around 3 years ago.
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It was fate that she crossed my path. And that is why I chose her.The day Louisa and James bring their newborn son home from the hospital marks a new beginning for all of them. To hold their child in their arms, makes all the stress and trauma of fertility treatment worth it. Little Cory is theirs and theirs alone. Or so they think…
After her mother’s suicide when she was a child, Louisa’s life took an even darker turn. But meeting James changed everything. She can trust him to protect her, and to never leave her. Even if deep down, she worries that she has never told him the full truth about her past, or the truth about their baby. But someone knows all her secrets – and that person is watching and waiting, with a twisted game that will try to take everything Louisa holds dear. Perfect for fans of Louise Jensen.
4/5
What a read this turned out to be. A Mothers Sacrifice by Gemma Metcalfe is an interesting read. It's one of those books that you can't quite decide how you feel about it. All the way through I was trying to put the pieces together and weigh up what could be happening. I didn't guess the outcome of the book that's for sure. The day Louisa and James bring their newborn son home from hospital marks a new beginning for them. To hold their child in the armas makes all the stress and trauma of fertility treatment worth it. Little Cory is theirs and theirs alone, Or so they think. After her mothers suicide when she was a child, Louisa's life took an even darker turn. But meeting James changed everything, she can trust him to protect her and never leave her, even though deep down she worries that she never told him the full truth about her past. Opening with Louisa in the throes of childbirth, you can really believe the is the start of something beautiful. Little Cory is going to change their lives, only not in the way that all new parents expect it to change. I was holding my breath right from the start of this book. It was a tense and gripping read. When it seems that Louisa could be suffering from post natal depression, she starts to think that someone wants to take her baby from her. Things soon spiral out of control. Is this Louisa's past that is playing tricks with her mind or something more sinister. Well worth reading, and an outcome I really wasn't expecting.
Sometimes crime does pay, but at what price?
Some people are made for a life of crime Dragged up on a council estate, Jason Rampling was determined to change his lot. Jason’s a chancer, shameless with his good looks and his gift for earning a few quid. Life is easy when the money rolls in. Some people are ruined by it Melissa thought she’d struck gold marrying Jason. Being on his arm meant she was finally a someone. But there’s no glamour in waiting for your husband to come home, or waiting for a knock on the door. Melissa made her bed the day she made her vows – will she lie in it without a fight? Some would kill for it After a stretch inside Jason wants to pull off just one last job, the biggest of all, it could solve all of their problems. But this is a game that could cost them everything . . .
My excitement when I received an ARC of this book was way off the scale. I have been a KC fan forever and a day. I was so excited to get stuck in and see what KC had to offer us this time.
Having followed the Butlers over the last few years, I have to say I was a little worried I would miss them when I started this book. It has to be difficult for an author to move away from a series of books that have been written so perfectly, and put them to bed and move on. I knew we wouldn't be having the Butlers, I knew I loved KC's writing so I was happy to embrace a whole new world. I really couldn't wait to read this book, yet I had told myself I was going to take it slowly and enjoy it. Yeah, right, like that's going to happen. It's quite clear that KC has put her all into this book, and for me personally it's paid off for her. I'm eager to see what others think of the move. We all make wrong choices in life, some make them more than others. In this book we are introduced to Jason Rampling. Jason a bit of a ducker and diver, meets Melissa while she is out shopping with her bestie Tracey. Melissa and Jason seem to hit it off, much to Traceys annoyance as she only took Melissa along to keep her company so she could flirt with Jason. They soon become an item, both having children of their own from previous partners, this could be a ready made, happy ever after family. (well it could if someone else had written the book). No No that's not what we want, We need ups, downs, crime, cheating, killing, thieving, lies and deceit. Well we certainly get all that and more. Jason who lives on the Mardyke estate with his mother, daughter, sister and two brothers. He wants off the estate and a better life for him and his daughter Shay. This book is Jason going on that very journey and doing exactly what is needed to achieve this. Starting off buying and selling he soon turns to a bigger Life of Crime. I loved most of the characters in the book and the way the story took them all on a journey of life. There are certainly a few cranks in here to, one of them being Jason's mother. I'm not sure mother is the correct term for her as it seems Jason and his siblings have been dragged up rather than brought up. This is one of the many reasons Jason wants out. Does he see marriage to Mel as his way out, his meal ticket to take on the world? Mel loves the idea of marrying Jason, a good looking chancer on her arm, worried her friendship with her bestie Tracie will suffer, but best friends can over come anything, Can't they! A Brilliant read, although at the beginning I felt it seemed a little slower that what we are used to from KC, it's more because we are being introduced slowly to the characters, the book soon ramps up and with a super OMG ending, I have to say I really didn't see that coming. I'm looking forward to reading more in the future from KC and have just bought again some of her older books, to have another read of. KC is certainly the Queen of this genre. This book gets the well deserved 5 stars from me for keeping me entertained. You may also like these books by Kimberley Chambers |
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May 2023
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