Saturday 26 March 2016

Bloq by Alan Jones

Description - A father waits in Glasgow's Central Station for his daughter, returning home from London for Christmas. When the last train has pulled in, and she doesn't get off it, he makes a desperate overnight dash to find out why. His search for her takes over his life, costing him his job and, as he withdraws from home, family and friends, he finds himself alone, despairing of ever seeing her again.

This is a gritty crime novel with some sexual content



Publication Date ~ April 1st 2016

My thought's - This is the first book I have read by Alan Jones but I have seen rave reviews for his previous books, Blue Wicked and The Cabinet Maker so I knew when I had the opportunity to read Bloq through the UK Crime book Club I had to grab it.

This is a gritty crime novel that had me gripped from page one. In Bloq we are taken on a rollercoaster ride and there are so many twists through out the book I was left speechless and breathless.

The main character Bill is a likeable character. He's searching for his missing daughter Carol and his determination and courage make him quite a character. Bloq tackles the subject of human trafficking really well but not only that it takes you on a journey along with Alan. You feel his fear, his love and his pure determination right through the story and I was routing for him with passion.

With violence, sex and drugs this is not a world you would ever want to find yourself in but reading about it had me fascinated and the description Alan Jones adds to the book makes you feel like it could be just around the corner.

A brilliant 5 star read for me and I'm off to buy the authors other books now and bump them up my list.


Escape by KA Richardson

Description - After two long years of beatings at the hands of Carl Jameson,
followed by the obligatory apologies and tears, Cassandra Hunt
knows enough is enough.
It’s time.
There is someone else to think about now– the tiny life doing its
best to grow inside her while she hides the bruises.
Finally, with the help of one of Carl’s friends, leaving is possible.
Can Cass execute her plan in time? Can she and her unborn child
claw their way to safety before Carl finds out?
Can she really escape?



Publication Date ~ March 15th 2016
Published by ~ Caffeine Nights


My thoughts - A brilliant short story about abuse that is filled to the brim and leaves you wanting more. Very well written story that draws you right in and with a preview at the end of With Deadly Intent which is published 14th April 2016 I think this is an author I will be looking out for.



Monday 21 March 2016

What She Never Told Me by Kate McQuaile

Description - I talked to my mother the night she died, losing myself in memories of when we were happiest together. But I held one memory back, and it surfaces now, unbidden. I see a green post box and a small hand stretching up to its oblong mouth. I am never sure whether that small hand is mine. But if not mine, whose?

Louise Redmond left Ireland for London before she was twenty. Now, more than two decades later, her heart already breaking from a failing marriage, she is summoned home. Her mother is on her deathbed, and it is Louise's last chance to learn the whereabouts of a father she never knew.

Stubborn to the end, Marjorie refuses to fill in the pieces of her daughter's fragmented past. Then Louise unexpectedly finds a lead. A man called David Prescott . . . but is he really the father she's been trying to find? And who is the mysterious little girl who appears so often in her dreams? As each new piece of the puzzle leads to another question, Louise begins to suspect that the memories she most treasures could be a delicate web of lies.
 

Publication Date ~ 3rd March 2016
Published by ~ Quercus

My thoughts - Imagine growing up not knowing who you really are, having a memory and not knowing if it's real or not. This is the life of Louise, the main character in What She Never Told Me.
I  liked Louise, she was a realistic character and believable. Louise is taken on quite a rollercoaster ride through out this story and I couldn't help but feel for her as I too as the reader joined the rollercoaster.

Sue McQuaile has written an exceptionally good story, packed with twists, many secrets and  with such wonderful detail this is a book I just didn't want to put down. It kept me gripped from page to page and although I had an inkling of where the story was going I was still captivated and couldn't wait to see how it ended.

This was a heart breaking but thoroughly enjoyable debut novel and I'm so looking forward to reading more from this author.
Thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for supplying this copy in exchange for an honest review.


Tuesday 15 March 2016

The Silent Twin by Caroline Mitchell

Description - I’m alone in the dark, please can you find me …

Nine-year-old twins Abigail and Olivia vow never to be parted. But when Abigail goes missing from Blackwater Farm, DC Jennifer Knight must find her before it’s too late.

Twin sister Olivia has been mute since Abigail’s disappearance. But when she whispers in Jennifer’s ear, Jennifer realises it is Abigail’s voice pleading to be found.

A damp and decaying house set in acres of desolate scrubland, the farm is a place of secrets, old and new – and Jennifer must unravel them all in order to find the lost girl. But could Olivia’s bond with her twin hold the key to finding Abigail? And can Jennifer break through her silence in time to save her sister’s life?


Publication Date ~ April 14th 2016
Published by ~ Bookouture
*Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review*

My thoughts - After reading the first two books in the series Don't Turn Around and Time to Die I was so pleased to be able to read an advanced copy of The Silent Twin and I just devoured it.

From page one the hairs on the back of my neck were on end and I knew this was going to be another cracker.

The setting is Blackwater Farm which is an eerie place with a past that reflects in its atmosphere. Abigail goes missing and leaves behind her twin sister Olivia who will not speak, her parents Nick and Joanna who clearly have secrets and Fiona the housekeeper who seems to be the only one keeping things together. Jennifer is brought in as the Family Liaison Officer and although she has a different roll she's still as determined as ever and a fabulous character.

The authors writing totally absorbs the reader making you feel like part of the story. Even though I knew this was fiction, after I had to put the book down to do parent duties I couldn't stop thinking about it and I was rushing along desperate to get back to help find Abigail.
With twists and turns through out the whole the story I didn't know if I was on my arse or my elbow and everyone was a suspect, my heart was thumping and I could feel the pressure of time like Abigail was my own little girl.

Each book Caroline Mitchell has written has been a favourite of mine but this has to be the best. With a paranormal twist this is a detective thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat, It'll take you on a heart thumping, breath taking rollercoaster of a ride and make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. I highly recommend this book, I loved it.

Saturday 5 March 2016

Between You and Me by Lisa Hall




Description - They say every marriage has its secrets.
But no one sees what happens behind closed doors.
And sometimes those doors should never be opened …

Sal and Charlie are married. They love each other. But they aren’t happy. Sal cannot leave, no matter what Charlie does – no matter how much it hurts.


Publication Date ~  March 17th 2016
Published by ~ Carina UK




*I'd like to thank Netgalley and Carina Uk for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review*

My thoughts -  As a member of TBConFB I heard about Lisa's debut novel and as Lisa is a member herself  I had to request this book and I was delighted when I was accepted.

Between you and Me is a gripping psychological thriller that has you turning pages as quick as you can to find out what happens. It's a nerve wracking read that is uncomfortable yet so thrilling you want to read more.

I'm going to keep this review short as some reviews have really been giving too much away and I sadly wish I hadn't seen any as I picked up fairly early on what everyone was referring to which didn't spoil it so much for me but it did take away the twist a little. Still thoroughly enjoyable and I highly recommend it to all psychological thriller fans.

After the Lie by Kerry fisher

Description - One little lie can make one big difference …

Lydia has the ‘right’ kind of friends, her children are at the ‘right’ kind of school and she’s married to the ‘right’ sort of man – kind, steady, reliable Mark. Her wedding business is flourishing and even though she is at loggerheads with her mother, she couldn’t ask for anything more from life.

But the truth is that Lydia has been lucky. She has been living a lie for years and Mark has no idea who he is really married to. But nothing lasts forever and the past has a funny way of catching up with the present. When the person who knows all of Lydia’s dark little secrets turns up at the school gates, his presence threatens to blow Lydia’s life apart.

What is Lydia’s terrible truth? Once the secret is out, you can’t put it back …



My thoughts -  This is the first book I've read by Kerry Fisher and when I read the description I thought it would be a book I'd enjoy. After many stops and starts with life getting in the way I finally got the chance to read and realised it was going to be a book I really loved.

Lydia has lived a lie for 30 years but all of a sudden a face from the past enters her life and Lydia is torn between telling her husband the truth or trying to live her perfect life without the lie being revealed.

Kerry has a way of writing about the characters that they seem so realistic. I loved Lydia and was routing for her all the way through the book, feeling every emotion as she felt it. Lydia is flawed but she really tries her best.
This was a real page turner for me, and as the story went on I just couldn't predict how it was going to pan out. The story touches on some serious point's and many parents with teenagers will understand Lydia's fears but there is humour in there too.

I really enjoyed this book and will highly recommend this to my friends. I love Kerry's writing and really look forward to reading more of her books soon.

CXVI: Desperate Measures (CXVI Trilogy #3) by Angie Smith

Description - She’s missing – but does she want to be found?

It is now three years since Detective Superintendent Greg Woods retired, and his life has been consumed with the desperate search for his former Detective Sergeant, Maria Barnes. This chaotic, and so far unsuccessful quest, has taken its toll on his physical and mental wellbeing.

However, he finally receives a knock at the door with what he considers to be his most promising lead. He teams up with a young, spirited and extremely competent hacker, who also holds a vested interest in finding Barnes and his old adversary Faulkner-Brown.

What they discover sends shockwaves around the globe and threatens international security. With Woods’ health dramatically failing he knows this is his final chance, success or failure, his last hurrah!


Publication Date ~ 31st March 2016

My thoughts - After reading the first two books in this trilogy I jumped at the chance to read an ARC of Desperate Measures courtesy of TBConFB and the lovely Angie Smith.

I promised myself I would take it slow and savour every moment of this final book but promises are made to be broken and I devoured this book in two sittings. I just had to find out what happens.

I've really grown to love or hate in some cases, all the characters in this trilogy and in Desperate Measures we are transported 3 years on from book two and introduced to some new characters as well. One of them being Zoe, who is young, determined and quite feisty but a great character who slotted in well to the story. 

Set in a world of espionage and corruption this book is fast paced with twists and turns galore but it's an easy story to follow as Angie's writing manages to pull you in and make you feel like you're part of it. We really are  taken on a bumpy rollercoaster ride with this book and I ohhh'd and ahhh'd and I will admit there was a few swear words produced while reading (thankfully the kids weren't about). My adrenaline was pumping and I will say there was nearly tears too. I absolutely loved all the books but this one is my favourite, even though I'm really sad this is the end. I'd have loved it to carry on into a longer series.  

Angie Smith really is one talented lady when it comes to writing and I really, really can't wait to read more from her. This trilogy is now one of my favourites and one I will go back and read again.
Highly recommended for anyone who likes a fast paced, edge of your seat story.

5 massive stars from me (I'd really have given it six if I were allowed) .