The One with the Engagement Party by Erin Lawless

Out Now
Published by: HarperImpulse
Purchase from Amazon here

The Blurb:

For fans of romantic comedies like Bridesmaids and Four Weddings & a Funeral, and bestselling authors Mhairi McFarlane and David Nicholls, this is a hilarious new romantic comedy series about one bride and her four best friends.

Nora Dervan is ready for her Happy Ever After. With her darling Harry waiting at the altar, and all her family and friends around her. She is certain that her special day will not be forgotten/will be one to remember…

But with her four bridesmaids hiding more secrets, than bottles of champagne. Will her big day be remembered for all the right reasons?

Bea has barely gotten past the fact that her two best friends are dating, and now they’re engaged, whilst cupid’s arrow points in a forbidden direction for Cleo. She is so distracted by her off limits, hot new colleague that she has forgotten Daisy, who has been left dreading the singles table. There’s more romance in the cheesy pick- up lines than Sarah’s own marriage, which hasn’t turned out as she hoped it would be.

With her wicked sense of humour and refreshingly honest voice, Erin Lawless brings to the life the romance (and horrors!) of wedding season.

My review:

I love a book with a group of great friends, and which leaves a smile on my face. Luckily this new series has already ticked both boxes. Part one introduces us to Nora who is getting married and of course very excited. She has enlisted her four best friends as bridesmaids, and there is a lot to do before the big day!

What attracted me to the book? Definitely the cover. Who couldn’t fall in love with a cover as beautiful as this one? It just screams pick me up and read me. And then there’s the title. It sounds like an episode of friends ‘the one with….’, coupled with the name Bridesmaids, which indicates romance, friends and of course drama, so I was sold.

 The novella is just 78 pages long, but it is a fab introduction to each of the ladies, and their lives. The chapters follow each of them so we can spend time finding out about each of them in turn. Who is my favourite? It’s too early to tell yet, but I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy them all for different reasons. The girls are all different, and have their own little characteristics that I am sure many of us will recognise either in ourselves, or in our own friends, which makes this even easier to engage with.

I am slightly disillusioned with love at the moment, but this story had me smiling and laughing throughout. They say the course of true love never runs smooth, and if this first instalment is anything to go by, I predict the saying could be right. However I also predict that I am going to laugh my way through the series, and want to be friends with these ladies.

Erin Lawless has been sitting on my Kindle for a while now, and this novella has certainly piqued my interest in her writing, and I will be searching for her books to bump them up by TBR pile now!!

Thanks to HarperImpulse for providing a copy in return for an honest review.

Cover Reveal: The Holiday Swap by Zara Stoneley

Hey there

Happy Wednesday. And what better way to blow away those midweek blues than with a beautiful cover reveal for a wonderful author. I absolutely love the cover and can't wait to get my hands on a copy and escape into the world of Daisy and Flo. 

The Holiday Swap by Zara Stoneley is published by Harper Impulse, and will be out on 22 September (which will just fly by). You can pre-order by clicking here 

What is the book about? Here's a brief overview....

Two women, two very different lives – one perfect solution to a Christmas holiday fraught with potential pitfalls.

The Holiday Swap.

Florence Cortes has the perfect life – an apartment in the trendiest district of Barcelona, a job she loves and a boyfriend who’s whisking her away on a romantic break to Paris to no doubt propose.
Only, he’s planning something far different, and Flo soon realises her life isn’t so perfect after all.

Home loving Daisy Fischer is perfectly happy in her idyllic home in the Cheshire countryside, with an on-off boyfriend who might be slightly dull but is totally dependable. Until he issues an ultimatum, and Daisy suddenly realises that there might be a whole different world out there that she’s missing out on.

Have Flo and Daisy come up with the perfect solution to escape festive heartbreak?
Can a snowbound Christmas in Cheshire – with aristocratic, handsome Hugo as her neighbour, a house full of animals and a leaking roof – help Flo mend her broken heart, and remind her of what she really wants in life?

Can a sunny break in beautiful Barcelona – with the dishy but brooding Javier, a never ending supply of cava, and a sea view to die for – prove to Daisy that playing safe isn’t always the answer?

Love actually does seem to be all around this Christmas – and in the places Flo and Daisy least expect to find it, but where will they be for New Year?

Blog Tour: The Night Stalker by Robert Bryndza

The Night Stalker by Robert Bryndza

From the phenomenal No.1 bestselling author Robert Bryndza comes the second heart-racing, electrifying thriller in the Detective Erika Foster series.

Already a top 20 ebook bestseller with over 60,000 pre-orders sales.

Purchase here:

UK: http://amzn.to/1pLtbYX

US: http://amzn.to/1WqsTkE

The Blurb

If the Night Stalker is watching, you’re already dead…

In the dead of a swelteringly hot summer’s night, Detective Erika Foster is called to a murder scene. The victim, a doctor, is found suffocated in bed. His wrists are bound and his eyes bulging through a clear plastic bag tied tight over his head.

A few days later, another victim is found dead, in exactly the same circumstances. As Erika and her team start digging deeper, they discover a calculated serial killer – stalking their victims before choosing the right moment to strike.

The victims are all single men, with very private lives. Why are their pasts shrouded in secrecy? And what links them to the killer?

As a heat wave descends upon London, Erika will do everything to stop the Night Stalker before the body count rises, even if it means risking her job. But the victims might not be the only ones being watched… Erika’s own life could be on the line.

The global bestselling author of The Girl in the Ice is back with a heart-racing, electrifying thriller. 

My Review

It’s official, I am a Robert Bryndza groupie! I have spent the last few months gushing and raving to anyone who will listen about The Girl in the Ice by Robert (and if you haven’t read it, why the hell not??!!). It is one of my books of the year, and I just could not put it down.

I was almost counting down the days until publication of The Night Stalker, and a return to the world of DCI Erika Foster. And let me tell you…it does not disappoint! As soon as I got my hands on a copy I retreated from the real world, only rejoining after turning the last page, and even then I didn’t want to emerge…I wanted to read more.

Robert has a wonderful way of writing that reels the reader in, gets their heart racing, the adrenaline pumping, and compels you to carry on reading. As with The Girl in the Ice we get to know who the killer is early on, but it doesn’t detract from the tension and thrill of the storyline. The killer is deeply disturbed, and as the book progresses becomes more erratic, which definitely drew me in. As a reader not only do you get to see the investigation from the police point of view, but we get a chance to develop some great insight into the mind of the killer, which adds another dark dimension.

I am loving Erika Foster. She is a ballsy woman, who has no qualms in standing up for herself, and running close to the wire when leading an investigation. I love that she is a strong character, and a great leading lady. I have found it really easy to build up a picture of her in my mind which helps me bring a book to life.

I love gritty crimes, and I think that is one of the things that attracts me to this series. Whilst not overly gruesome, the writing is so descriptive that I feel like I can sense the sounds, smells, noises, and ambience of each scene. I feel like I am more than a reader, I am part of the team trying to track down this killer and stop them. There is certainly nothing airy fairy about Robert’s approach to writing. He pulls no punches, and has created truly compelling characters, and such great description of the scenery that it feels 3D.

I am a massive fan of Karin Slaughter, and am an avid reader of her Grant County series. For me the Erika Foster series is on a par. The Night Stalker is well developed, excellently written, and full of drama, suspense, and thrills. It is truly a page turner, and from the moment I opened the front cover I was hooked.

If you’re looking for a fast paced, heart racing, adrenaline book that packs a punch and leaves you desperate for more, then The Night Stalker could be just what you are looking for!

P.S. Robert is a great guy. Do follow him on social media and let him know if you love his work. Yes, I am fangirling but I want everyone to tell him how great this series is.

P.P.S Robert….please don’t leave us hanging too long for our next Erika Foster fix. I have withdrawal already!

Thank you to Bookouture who kindly provided a copy in return for an honest review.

About Robert Bryndza

Originally from the UK, Rob lives in Slovakia
with his Slovak husband and their two crazy dogs. He originally trained as an actor, but was bitten by the writing bug in his mid-twenties and hasn’t looked back. His debut novel, The Not
So Secret Emails of Coco Pinchard became
an Amazon bestseller, and has grown to a best selling series of five books.

In addition to his recent number one romantic comedy Miss Wrong and Mr Right, Rob is excited to embrace the darker side of life, writing his first crime thriller series. He is currently writing the third book in the Erika Foster series, which will be released in September 2016.

www.facebook.com/bryndzarobert
www.twitter.com/RobertBryndza
www.robertbryndza.com

About The Girl in the Ice

• Over 565,000 copies sold

• #1 Amazon US


• #2 Amazon UK


• #1 Amazon Canada

• #1 Amazon Australia


• #1 Amazon Netherlands


• Top 100 Amazon France, Spain and India

• #2 Wall Street Journal Best-sellers


• #3 USA Today Best-sellers

The Postbox Murders by Edmund Glasby

Out Now
Published by Endeavour
Purchase from Amazon here



The Blurb:

Richard Montrose is an eccentric loner and clockmaker, fascinated by violent crime.

When a series of gruesome murders occur in the sleepy Oxfordshire village of Long Gallop, Montrose can’t stop himself from investigating.

Soon the whole village is discussing the ‘Postbox Killer’, a madman who deposited the mutilated remains of his victims in postboxes throughout the region.

But Montrose discovers that his own background closely resembles the usual profile of a serial killer, and to Chief Inspector James Holbrooke, he seems an increasingly suspicious figure …


My Review:

I love books with the word Murder in the title so I was looking forward to reading The Postbox Murders! At 96 pages this is a novella which goes from start to finish quickly. It is great in that the storyline moves swiftly, but I felt a little let down at the lack of detail, and the apparent rush to reach it's conclusion.

The novella has a strong plot and leading character. Richard Montrose is a slightly eccentric loner, who as well as being a clockmaker has a strong interest in murder. He is that kind of reclusive character that we all imagine being slightly dodgy, and we are wary of.

The novella opens with the discovery of a body dismembered and locked inside the postbox of a local village. It of course not only revolts residents, but also piques interest and gets everyone talking about who could be behind it.

We meet Richard Montrose early on, and within a couple of chapters I had a very clear image of Richard in my mind, and couldn't make my mind up whether his interest in the murders was just fascination, or something more. In fact I couldn't quite work it out until almost the end! He is very cleverly written and I loved the way his character developed, albeit from a safe distance!

I was really getting in to the storyline and felt slightly short changed that a number of murders, the investigation, and the conclusion was all covered in just 96 pages. I would have loved their to be more meat to the plot where there was time to be more descriptive about what had happened, and more detailed investigation. I felt like that was coming, but never quite arrived, particularly towards the end. But that said, I did find myself unable to put this down, and read it all in one sitting, eager to know who dunnit. It is fast paced, and an enjoyable read that would be great for a shortish journey, or when you are looking to escape into something not too heavy.

Thank you to Endeavour for allowing me to read a review copy in return for an honest review.

Snowflakes on Silver Cove by Holly Martin

Out Now
Published by Bookouture
Purchase from Amazon here


The Blurb: 

Come and spend a picture perfect romantic Christmas at White Cliff Bay 

Libby Joseph is famous for her romantic Christmas stories. Every December, readers devour her books of falling in love against the magical backdrop of the Christmas season. If only Libby believed in the magic herself… 

Struggling to finish her current novel, Libby turns to her best friend and neighbour George Donaldson to cheer her up. But George also needs a bit of support himself. Nervous about getting back into the dating saddle after splitting from his wife, he and Libby strike a deal. She will teach George how to win over the ladies, and Libby will in turn be inspired to inject her novel with a good dose of romance. 

As Libby and George explore the beautiful White Cliff Bay on a series of romantic Christmas-themed dates, Libby finds herself having more fun than she’s had in ages and…discovers feelings that she never knew she had for George. 

But is it too late? Will George win someone else’s heart or can Libby act like the heroine in one of her stories and reach for her own love under the mistletoe this Christmas? 

Snuggle up with a piece of Christmas cake and mulled wine, and spend the festive season at White Cliff Bay. You won’t want to leave! Christmas at Lilac Cottage also out now. 

My Review:

Yes - ok - I know. It is now spring and yet I am reviewing a book called Snowflakes on Silver Cove, that talks about christmas in it's blurb! But please, don't let that put you off, and miss out on a fantastic book! This is well worth a read at any time of year.

If you haven't read any Holly Martin books you need to change that asap! Holly's books are filled with warmth, friendship, romance, and lots of smiles, and Snowflakes on Silver Cove is no exception.

Libby and George are best friend who live in flats across the corridor from each other. As the synposis says, Libby is a writer who is struggling to finish her latest book, and George is trying to pluck up the courage to get back in to the world of dating. So, they strike a deal to help each other out and provide the inspiration and confidence to complete both. And so we enter a world of laughter, smiles, romance, friendship and confusion.

Libby and George are wonderful characters. I simply loved them! They are so down to earth and likable. I found myself really getting to grips with who they were, and the book became 3D in that I felt like it was more than just reading words. I felt like a fly on the wall in their world actually viewing and sensing what was going on if that makes any sense! I wanted to stay absorbed in the book rather than face the real world!

I love Holly's style of writing. She is the Queen of joy, who through words can make the world feel a better place. If ever I need cheering up, and a dose of laughter I know I can turn to her books to come up trumps.

I loved the will they, won't they aspect of this book. They arrange to go on a number of dates, which are certainly eventful! Throughout it is clear there is a spark between them, and I could visualise them being so good together, but as with Holly's leading ladies you are never sure will they get their man in the end! This is no exception. But it is clear that if she is to win George over there will be every hurdle possible chucked in her way.

Snowflakes on Silver Cove felt like making two great friends. I wanted to hang out with them, escape into the community of Silver Cove and become one of them! As well as Libby and George we meet some other great characters who bring drama and some heartwarming moments too. They are more than supporting characters, they come to life in their own right.

As a child my favourite book was The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. I loved all the different magical worlds at the top of the tree. I often read books and wish that I could have my very own tree, with all my favourite fictitious places at the top. I would definitely be adding Silver Cove to that list!

Thanks to Bookouture for allowing me to read a review copy in return for an honest review.

Shtum by Jem Lester

Published on 7th April 2016
Published by Orion
Purchase from Amazon here



The blurb:

Ben Jewell has hit breaking point. His ten-year-old son Jonah has severe autism and Ben and his wife, Emma, are struggling to cope.

When Ben and Emma fake a separation - a strategic decision to further Jonah's case in an upcoming tribunal - Ben and Jonah move in with Georg, Ben's elderly father. In a small house in North London, three generations of men - one who can't talk; two who won't - are thrown together.

As Ben battles single fatherhood, a string of well-meaning social workers and his own demons, he learns some difficult home truths. Jonah, blissful in his innocence, becomes the prism through which all the complicated strands of personal identity, family history and misunderstanding are finally untangled.

Perfect for fans of David Nicholls, THE SHOCK OF THE FALL and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME.


My review:

I finished reading Shtum a couple of days ago, but have had to take some time to absorb and think about it before writing my review as I wasn't quite sure what I made of it. There has been a lot of chat on social media about this book, and the majority of this is about how wonderful and moving they found Shtum. I don't for one moment doubt that this will be an amazing success and will have many many people talking about it for a long time.

I still find myself conflicted as I write this review. The subject matter is very gritty, centred around Jonah, who is profoundly autistic. He has many limitations and his parents Ben and Emma appear to be at their wits end as life with Jonah is very challenging on a daily basis. They have decided that the best option for them all would be for Jonah to go to a residential school that can better cope for all his needs. The problem is that the place is expensive and the local authority want to plump for cheaper options.

Ben and Emily fake a martial breakup to try and influence the local authority and the educational tribunal panel. However, when Ben and Jonah move in with Bens father things become more complicated rather than simpler.

As a reader I followed and observed Ben's struggles raising Jonah at home. The severity of his autism presents lots of challenges and I can only imagine how difficult this must be for parents and all the obstacles they have to overcome.

Jonah is a very unassuming character. He comes across as quite detached from the real world, but there are glimpses of affection from him, particularly with Ben's father Georg. I really liked Jonah and thought the author was very frank in his portrayal of him. His character was strongly developed to give me some real insight into his situation and made me ponder on what I would do if I were his parent.

Jonah's father Ben is the other main character in the book, and I think perhaps my dislike of Ben has clouded my opinion of the novel. Ben isn't the most instantly likeable man. He seems to be abrupt, detached, a heavy drinker who really just wants to ship Jonah out and get his life back. However, first impressions can be deceptive. Whilst I never really warmed to him I came to appreciate more of his viewpoint as the book progressed, and I was left in no doubt that he loved his son, which I wasn't sure of at the start. It made me question how I think I would respond as a parent if I were in his situation, and whilst I hope I would act differently I of course can't be sure.



I loved Georg, Ben's father. A warm, loving, caring man who has Jonah at the centre of his life, he was a wonderful man. He spends a lot of time talking to Jonah, telling him stories of his past that he has never told to Ben. Towards the end of the book these stories emerge in more detail and I felt I got a better understanding of who he was.

 Shtum is a very thought provoking book, and I can almost sense that I am debating it with myself whilst writing this review. The more I think about it the more I enjoyed the book and can't quite put my finger on what was missing for me. I would love to hear more about what other readers think and it would be a fantastic choice for book groups to read and discuss.

Thank you to Orion for kindly providing a copy in return for an honest review.