The Secret by Katerina Diamond

Out Now:

Published by: Avon

Purchase from Amazon here

What it’s about:

The Queen of Grip-lit is back…

EVERYTHING YOU THINK YOU KNOW IS A LIE…

When Bridget Reid wakes up in a locked room, terrifying memories come flooding back – of blood, pain, and desperate fear. Her captor knows things she’s never told anyone. How can she escape someone who knows all of her secrets?

As DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles search for Bridget, they uncover a horrifying web of abuse, betrayal and murder right under their noses in Exeter.

And as the past comes back to haunt her, Grey must confront her own demons. Because she knows that it can be those closest to us who hurt us the most…

What did I think?

The Secret instantly appealed with its cover (I do love cake), but more vitally from knowing how much I had enjoyed Katerina’s earlier book The Teacher. In my opinion she has taken her work up a notch, and along with it her ability to deliver a thriller that packs a punch, has a big twist and at times doesn’t hold back on the gruesome descriptions!

The Secret touches on some dark and less than glamourous aspects of life as we enter the world of prostitution, the underworld, drugs and other unsavoury areas. But combined they make for a book that will lead you up one path, down another, and around in a circle until you’re not sure where you are! That was both good and bad for me. Whilst I liked the not quite being sure of everything I did find myself a bit lost and confused at times.

The highlight of the book for me is the emerging partnership between DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles. It wasn’t until part way into the book that I realised they featured in The Teacher, and I have a feeling they could become a long term partnership for us readers, and I do hope so. The Secret allows us to get under the surface of them a bit more, and looks at who they are and the past too. I have a feeling they are going to be a force to be reckoned with, and a partnership I am looking forward to reading more about.

This book is not really for the feint hearted. It is violent, serious stuff, and has one hell of a twist at the end that I wasn’t expecting. I am hoping we don’t have to wait too long for our next instalment. I have questions I need answering!

Katerina has a talent for delivering strong themed plots that are written with the style of an accomplished author who knows how to build a story to a crescendo and when we relax thinking we have it all sussed sticks an explosion that catches us unawares. I love it!!

We Were on a Break by Lindsey Kelk

Out Now

Published by Harper Collins

Purchase from Amazon here

What it’s about:

The heartwarming, hilarious new romantic comedy from the Sunday Times bestselling author.

‘You’ve just had a holiday,’ I pointed out, trying not to yawn. ‘Wasn’t that enough of a break?’

‘I don’t mean that kind of break.’

There’s nothing worse than the last day of holiday. Oh wait, there is. When what should have been a proposal turns into a break, Liv and Adam find themselves on opposite sides of the life they had mapped out.

Friends and family all think they’re crazy; Liv throws herself into work – animals are so much simpler than humans – and Adam tries to get himself out of the hole he’s dug. But as the short break becomes a chasm, can they find a way back to each other?

More importantly, do they want to?

What I thought:

Lindsey Kelk has been someone I have author worshipped ever since I picked up I Heart New York and met Angela. I devour her books and she is one of the authors that I stop everything to read. So when I saw this beauty being published my world had to come to a standstill as I dove on in.

I have been in a reading funk, particularly a ‘romance’ genre slump since some crappy situation last year which involved in good old fashioned ‘chick lit’ style other woman, a cheating partner and much shenanigans. So I found myself not really in the mood to indulge. That was until I was lucky enough to attend an event last October which was an evening in the company of some great authors including the goddess herself – yes Lindsey Kelk, in the flesh!! I had an image from her writing style of what she might be like, but she was far far more special than that. Funny, warm, charismatic and one of the girls, she shone.

So that was it. Home I floated on a high from meeting her (and Mhairi McFarlane and Giovanna Fletcher, both of whom are also amazeballs). I jumped in to bed clutching my copy of We Were on a Break, and I began….

Funny, romantic, warm, and superb. Those are four words to start with. This is a standalone book and Liv is our leading lady. She has been on the holiday of her dreams with the man of her dreams, and was all geared up for the end of holiday proposal scene, but as the title might allude to – that didn’t quite go to plan. Cue end of holiday huff and time to for those immortal words ‘perhaps we need to take a break’.

Boo…hiss…that wasn’t meant to happen. But it has and Liv needs to come to terms with the words and their implications. But perhaps Adam spoke in haste and regrets what he said……and if so does Liv want to listen? So starts the laughter filled, emotional journey that tests Liv and helps her discover what she really does and doesn’t want.

Joined by a cast of friends, family and some animals as well, we take every step of the journey with Liv, and also interestingly with Adam. Each chapter is written interchangeably between Liv and Adam which allows us the reader to see things from both perspectives. This adds another element of excitement, tension, and at times wanting to grab one or both of them and give them a good shake (or slap).

Lindsey is once again at her writing best with characters that are easy to like, writing that is engaging, laugh out loud funny, warm and captivating. As always, Lindsey has created a leading lady that I would love to be friends with, although she would be far too young and cool to be friends with me. Perhaps I could be a voyeur living vicariously through their adventures. I would love to see more of Liv and her friends. A gang I would love to be part of.

Thank you to Lindsey for writing a book that helped bring my ability to laugh and to wean myself off darker thriller type books. You could say that meeting Lindsey and her books have given me the strength to find my humour again and the reminder that life is about being happy, fulfilled and having great friends and family.

Roll on Lindsey’s next work…..I cannot wait!

The Gift by Louise Jensen

Out Now

Published by: Bookouture

Purchase from Amazon here

What’s it all about?

The perfect daughter. The perfect girlfriend. The perfect murder?

Jenna is given another shot at life when she receives a donor heart from a girl called Callie. Eternally grateful to Callie and her family, Jenna gets closer to them, but she soon discovers that Callie’s perfect family is hiding some very dark secrets …

Callie’s parents are grieving, yet Jenna knows they’re only telling her half the story. Where is Callie’s sister Sophie? She’s been ‘abroad’ since her sister’s death but something about her absence doesn’t add up. And when Jenna meets Callie’s boyfriend Nathan, she makes a shocking discovery.

Jenna knows that Callie didn’t die in an accident. But how did she die? Jenna is determined to discover the truth but it could cost her everything; her loved ones, her sanity, even her life.

A compelling, gripping psychological thriller with a killer twist from the author of the Number One bestseller The Sister.

What I thought:

I loved The Sister and so was really looking forward to reading Louise Jensen’s next book, but slightly worried it wouldn’t live up to her first. I was wrong – The Gift was – a gift!! A gift that I couldn’t put down, and didn’t want to finish!

Captivating, tense, and full of secrets and intrigue, this book was packed with it all. The main character, Jenna, has received a donor heart and is on the road to recovery thanks to Callie and her parents’ generosity. But Jenna is curious to know more about the original owner of the heart now beating inside her, and so tracks down and makes contact with Callie’s family.

That is the start of a baffling plot that made me wonder who and what to believe. I became an amateur detective trying to work out if Jenna’s discoveries were real, hallucinations, and what the hell to believe! The author has crafted this book so well through characters that jumped off the page for me. I loved the suspense of knowing what is real and what isn’t. The author has used great descriptions to help readers picture the surroundings, and has developed characters that could be either good / bad / or even imaginary.

I also liked that the storyline was unique. I haven’t read any books where the main character has been the recipient of an organ, and it got me thinking. What must it be like to have a living part that belonged to someone else inside of you, and the fact that someone else’s death is the reason you are alive. All quite deep and thought provoking, and the book did leave with those thoughts to mull over. The story also made me think about how it must be to lose a daughter in the prime of their life, and just how unimaginable that grief must be. I thought this was handled very well by the author, and again left me mulling it over even after the last page had ended.

Early on I found myself stuck in the ‘just one more chapter’ loop of promising myself that I would put the book down and get on with stuff…. but just one more chapter first. Before I knew it lunch time had become later afternoon and the sun was setting. Just as well it was the new year period or I would have a very unhappy boss!!

If you are looking for an edge of your seat thriller that will have you wondering what is real and what is make believe this could be the one for you. I loved it and can’t wait to see what Louise Jensen has in store for readers next.

Laughter really is the best medicine - Impractical Jokers on tour

Hi there


Happy Monday!! Ok, so it's the first Monday back at work after christmas, in the UK its kinda cold and damp, and the tubes are on strike in London, but nothing will stop me smiling today.

Last night I did something that I have been dreaming of doing for the last 3 years. I got to see The Impractical Jokers aka The Tenderloins live at the O2 arena.

Some of you may know that I have had somewhat of a battle with M.E. over the last 3 years, spending over 2 years of it in bed, often in darkness  and silence, and became totally isolated and incredibly lonely.

But one evening I was flicking and came across 4 of the funniest men I have ever seen on tv, simply playing pranks and punishing each other. I laughed until tears streamed down my face. I admit I became a bit obsessed. These guys finally helped me to laugh again. I would watch episodes over and over and they gave me a boost.

Then last year they came to the UK. I was desperate to see them, and realising that I was too ill to leave the house, let alone sit in a crowd and be in loud noise crushed me. I am usually a hard person, but I cried that night, and vowed that I WOULD be there if they ever came back.

Fast forward to April last year and dates were announced for January this year at the O2 arena. I sat there shaking with excitement as I secured tickets. But I was scared. I was still unable to get dressed, leave the house, or do anything 'normal'. But that day I promised myself I would do it. Come hell or high water.....

Guess what..........

I DID IT!!!! Last night I made my way to the O2 arena. I was so scared as I haven't been in a big crowd, been surrounded by lots of lights and noise, and had to walk far. But as I arrived at the venue I couldn't help but smile. I found my way to my seat, still nervous. What would it be like? Could I cope with it?

But then the warm up act Owen Benjamin appeared, and the laughter began. He is just so funny that I forgot about my fears, relaxed and began to laugh......something I didn't stop doing until after 10pm.

When at 8.43pm Sal, Joe, Murr and Q took to the stage, it was a real spine tingling moment in my life. I sat there with a tear in my eye and couldn't quite believe that I had done it. Even if I only lasted 5 minutes into the show. I was there.


But 1 hour 20 minutes on I had forgotten about the time, transported into a world of laughter, smiles and an evening in the company of 4 of the funniest men around. I stood there cheering and clapping at the end and felt almost overwhelmed by emotion. These men that I have never met or spoken to, who I only know through a screen and a tv show from the states had helped me so much. They have given me the strength, courage and belief that I could overcome my illness, and most of all, given me laughter and memories that will last a life time.  I would have loved to have had someone by my side to share my excitement, but I was ok being there on my own, and no-one really shares my humour anyway :-)

Today I am exhausted, but nothing will bring me down from this high.

They will never read this or know what they have done. But from the bottom of my heart, thank you boys. You have given me dreams, goals and the belief that I can get better. But above all, you gave me the gift of laughter back in to my life. I will always be eternally grateful.

Whoever said laugher is the best medicine was spot on!!

Owen Benjamin - thank you for being there as the warm up, and relaxing me. You made me laugh so much I have booked a ticket to see you again in London later this month. (yes, another night out).

Q, Murr, Sal and Joe - thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

To everyone - never say never. If you want something enough you can make it happen.

Roll on October and my hopefully next live experience.

Jill xx