 Release date - 21st March 2017
Book length - 353 pages Publisher - titanbooks.com Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - Follow Me Down Amazon US - www.amazon.com BLURB Mia Haas has built a life for herself far from the North Dakota town where she grew up, but when she receives word that her twin brother is missing, she’s forced to return home. Once hailed as the golden boy of their small town, Lucas Haas disappeared the same day the body of one of his high school students is pulled from the river. Trying to wrap her head around the rumors of Lucas’s affair with the teen, and unable to reconcile the media’s portrayal of Lucas as a murderer with her own memories of him, Mia is desperate to find another suspect. All the while, she wonders, if he’s innocent, why did he run? As Mia reevaluates their difficult, shared history and launches her own investigation into the grisly murder, she uncovers secrets that could exonerate Lucas—or seal his fate. In a small town where everyone’s history is intertwined, Mia will be forced to confront her own demons, placing her right in the killer’s crosshairs. MY REVIEW FOLLOW ME DOWN by Sherri Smith dragged me down into this twisted, dark tale of secrets, lies, and hatred, and completely blew my mind. After reading the blurb it sounded like a great story but nothing prepared me for this gripping, all-consuming book that left me shocked and horrified in equal measure throughout. Mia and Lucas are twins who have survived their childhood in spite of everything. Mia left her childhood town with no plans to ever return, but her 'golden boy' brother returned to teach in the local high school and seemed to enjoy his life there. So when Mia discovers that Lucas has disappeared and appears to be the only suspect in the murder of a teenage girl, she is convinced it is all some sort of terrible misunderstanding and returns home to figure it all out. But as Mia starts digging around nothing seems to be making any sense, and as clues seem to throw her in all sorts of directions, does she really know who she can trust? And will facing her own demons from the past help her figure out what the hell is going on? With so many unexpected twists and turns, FOLLOW ME DOWN by Sherri Smith is one of the best thrillers I have read this year. I really liked Mia as a character - flawed and struggling with her own issues, she desperately needs to believe in her brother, who is the only good thing about her family. FOLLOW ME DOWN by Sherri Smith is unpredictable and I really did not know how it was going to end which I love in a crime thriller - there is nothing worse than figuring it all out halfway through the book. FOLLOW ME DOWN by Sherri Smith is a must for fans of this genre and I cannot wait to read more from this phenomenal author. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5******************************************************* Author Bio: Sherri Smith has previously written two historical fiction novels for Simon & Schuster UK. When not writing she spends time with her family, three rescue dogs and restores vintage furniture that would otherwise be destined for the dump. She lives in Winnipeg, Canada where the long, cold winters nurture her dark side. FOLLOW ME DOWN (Forge Books, March 2017) is her first thriller. For more information: Website - www.sherri-smith.com Twitter - twitter.com/SL_Smith_ Facebook - www.facebook.com/SherriSmithAuthor/ *I want to thank Philippa at Titan Books, and Sherri Smith, for the chance to read and review this outstanding novel. Happy reading!!
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 Release date - 2nd May 2017
Book length - 336 pages Publisher - www.harlequin.com/shop/index.html Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - Confessions of a Domestic Failure: A Humorous Book about a Not So Perfect Mom Amazon US - www.amazon.com BLURB From the creator of The Honest Toddler comes a fiction debut sure to be a must-read for moms everywhere There are good moms and bad moms—and then there are hot-mess moms. Introducing Ashley Keller, career girl turned stay-at-home mom who's trying to navigate the world of Pinterest-perfect, Facebook-fantastic and Instagram-impressive mommies but failing miserably. When Ashley gets the opportunity to participate in the Motherhood Better boot camp run by the mommy-blog-empire maven she idolizes, she jumps at the chance to become the perfect mom she's always wanted to be. But will she fly high or flop? With her razor-sharp wit and knack for finding the funny in everything, Bunmi Laditan creates a character as flawed and lovable as Bridget Jones or Becky Bloomwood while hilariously lambasting the societal pressures placed upon every new mother. At its heart, Ashley's story reminds moms that there's no way to be perfect, but many ways to be great. MY REVIEW Well, where do I start with this unbelievably entertaining, hilariously funny and realistic novel, other than to state that I loved it! Meet Ashley, married to the love of her life David and a first-time mum to Aubrey, her adorable eight-month-old girl. Ashley envisaged what being a stay-at-home mom would look like - her daughter sleeping through the night, regaining her pre-baby body while becoming a Pinterest perfect mother who grows her own produce, makes clothes for her precious child from organic materials, while becoming a pillar of her new mommy tribe community, and keeping her house looking like a castle at the same time. So when reality rudely intrudes on her fantasy of being the perfect mother, Ashley finds herself lonely and anchorless in this new world of parenthood - nobody told her about the exhaustion, the mountains of laundry and everyday tasks that become insurmountable, the fact that you wear the same pair of leggings for a week, or the need for adult conversation. So when mommy blogger extraordinaire, Emily, runs a competition to turn you into the mother you were born to be, Ashley jumps at the chance to take part and throws herself into the competition with hilarious, and often disastrous consequences around every turn. CONFESSIONS OF A DOMESTIC FAILURE by Bunmi Laditan is a must-read for every parent, or soon to be parent out there, and I devoured this fantastic novel from beginning to end in no time at all. In today's social media world where it seems that everybody else has their sh*t together and are more than willing to comment on other's decisions, this novel is the smackdown of reality that is more than needed. Ashley can be annoying at times, but as we travel through her journey of parenthood, there really is something for everyone in her character - the overwhelming love she feels for her little girl, the need to be the best mom that she can be, the desperation that she is making a mess of it, the yearning for adult communication, the mommy guilt, and more. And it is all topped up with Bunmi Laditan's flare and sass, that will make you laugh and well up at the same time. CONFESSIONS OF A DOMESTIC FAILURE by Bunmi Laditan is the ultimate story of motherhood and love, and I cannot recommend it highly enough!!! BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Author Bio: Bunmi Laditan is a contributor to Parenting.com, Mothering.com, iVillage.com, and The Huffington Post. She lives with her family outside of Montreal. The Honest Toddler is based on her youngest child. Not potty trained, not trying, HT enjoys attention, cake, television, running & games. For more information: Website - www.bunmiladitan.com Twitter - twitter.com/HonestToddler Facebook - www.facebook.com/BunmiKLaditan/ *I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.com  Release date - 27th April 2017
Book length - 256 pages Publisher - Aurora Metro Books Ltd Amazon UK - The Dragonfly Amazon US - www.amazon.com BLURB When Colin discovers his son is on a murder charge in France, he trails his small boat, ‘The Dragonfly’, across the channel to stay in Paris to try and help him. There he meets his grand-daughter – the irrepressible Delphine – for the first time. They embark on an exciting boat journey through the picturesque French canals, heading south through Burgundy, ‘until the butter melts’. Along the way, they catch up with Tyler, a spirited American, and through various mishaps and misunderstandings, they land big fish, cultivate new loves and uncover a burning secret. But can Colin finally help his son get off the hook? MY REVIEW Colin Aylesford has a strained, almost non-existent relationship with his son Michael, so when police officers arrive at his house to tell him that Michael has been arrested for the murder of his wife, Charlotte, Colin cannot understand what has happened in his son's life to lead him to this point. And what about his granddaughter, Delphine, who is only nine? Determined to uncover the truth, Colin sets out to France, and while travelling the canals with his sullen granddaughter by his side, maybe he will find a way to a brighter future for them all. THE DRAGONFLY by Kate Dunn is a really engaging, unusual story of family, love, and heartache, with the beautiful landscapes and villages of France as its backdrop. Colin is an interesting character as he is a man more comfortable on the water and tending his boat, then he is with people and parenting. While the relationship that develops between Colin and Delphine is heartwarming at times, throughout the story there is a dark, underlying atmosphere that threatens to bubble up to the surface at any moment. The mystery about Charlotte's death is intriguing and will keep you gripped from beginning to end. THE DRAGONFLY by Kate Dunn is a fascinating story and well worth a read. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖 4 Author Bio: Kate Dunn has had five books published, two novels: Rebecca's Children and The Line Between Us as well as three works of non fiction, Always and Always -- The Wartime Letters of Hugh and Margaret Williams, Exit through the Fireplace and Do Not Adjust Your Set. She has written travel articles for various national newspapers and has broadcast on Radios Two, Three and Four including regular contributions to Front Row. She worked for ten years as an actress and has a PhD in Drama from Manchester University. Her third novel The Dragonfly will be published by Aurora Metro in March 2017. For more information: Website - katedunn.co.uk Twitter - twitter.com/katedunnwriter *I want to thank Kate for providing me with this copy for review  Release date - 6th April 2017 Book length - 400 pages Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - The Dog Walker (The Detective's Daughter) Amazon US - www.amazon.com BLURB Brand new from the #1 bestselling author of The Detective's Daughter. Stella and Jack must reawaken the secrets of the past in order to solve the mysteries of the present. January, 1987. In the depths of winter, only joggers and dog walkers brave the Thames towpath after dark. Helen Honeysett, a young newlywed, sets off for an evening run from her riverside cottage and disappears. Twenty-nine years later, Helen's body has never been found. Her husband has asked Stella Darnell, a private detective, and her side-kick Jack Harmon, to find out what happened all those years ago. But when the five households on that desolate stretch of towpath refuse to give up their secrets, Stella and Jack find themselves hunting a killer whose trail has long gone cold. MY REVIEW This was my first time reading Lesley Thomson but it certainly won't be my last as THE DOG WALKER really captured my interest and held it to the very last line. In 1987. new resident Helen Honeysett disappears without a trace and is never seen or heard from again. Fast forward to 2016 and Stella and Jack take on a cleaning case that may involve some ghostly encounters, but as they are asked to look into the cold case from 1987, who knows what dark and disturbing secrets they may uncover. As the tale alternates between past and present, it is almost like two separate stories that are each fascinating by themselves, yet we know that they will converge at some point, as the truth of what happened all those years ago unfolds in front of our eyes. I really enjoyed the premise of this story - the secretive, small neighbourhood, and the idea that no matter how much time passes, the truth can always find its way to the surface. I don't want to give anything away so I won't say too much. THE DOG WALKER by Lesley Thomson has it's own distinct flair and style which stands out among the crime fiction genre, and I found the story really enjoyable, and the mystery completely gripping. With plenty of twists and turns, THE DOG WALKER by Lesley Thomson is well worth a read. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖 4 Author Bio: Lesley Thomson was born in 1958 and grew up in London. She went to Holland Park Comprehensive and the Universities of Brighton and Sussex. Her novel A Kind of Vanishing won The People's Book Prize in 2010. Lesley combines writing with teaching creative writing. She lives in Lewes with her partner. For more information: Website - lesleythomson.co.uk Twitter - twitter.com/LesleyjmThomson Facebook - www.facebook.com/LesleyThomsonNovelist?ref=tn_tnmn *I want to thank Blake from Head of Zeus Publishing, and Lesley Thomson, for the opportunity to review this book, and take part in this blog tour.   Book length - 326 pages
Available now on: Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - Beyond the Wild River Amazon US - www.amazon.com BLURB For fans of Kate Morton and Beatriz Williams, a highly atmospheric and suspenseful historical novel, set in the 1890s about a Scottish heiress who unexpectedly encounters her childhood friend in North America, five years after he disappeared from her family’s estate the night of a double murder. Nineteen-year-old Evelyn Ballantyre has rarely strayed from her family’s estate in the Scottish Borderlands, save for the occasional trip to Edinburgh, where her father, a respected magistrate, conducts his business—and affairs of another kind. Evelyn has always done her duty as a daughter, hiding her boredom and resentment behind good manners—so when an innocent friendship with a servant is misinterpreted by her father as an illicit union, Evelyn is appalled. Yet the consequence is a welcome one: she is to accompany her father on a trip to North America, where they’ll visit New York City, the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, and conclude with a fishing expedition on the Nipigon River in Canada. Now is her chance to escape her cloistered life, see the world, and reconnect with her father. Once they’re on the Nipigon, however, Evelyn is shocked to discover that their guide is James Douglas, the former stable hand and her one-time friend who disappeared from the estate after the shootings of a poacher and a gamekeeper. Many had assumed that James had been responsible, but Evelyn never could believe it. Now, in the wilds of a new world, far from the constraints of polite society, the truth about that day, James, and her father will be revealed…to stunning consequences. MY REVIEW I had heard so much about this book that I was slightly nervous when I began to read it in case it did not live up to such high praise, but there was absolutely no need for me to worry, as this atmospheric and stunning novel is beyond reproach. It is the late 1800s and Evelyn is on an exciting trip with her father to North America and Canada where she hopes to regain a shred of her former close relationship with him. But as business remains at the forefront of his father's mind, Evelyn is once again relegated to the status of an inconvenient woman, which doesn't sit well with this intelligent and opinionated lady. With old friends and new accompanying them along the way, it is only when an unexpected face from the past reappears in the most unusual place, that Evelyn and her father must face old mistakes if they want to make a change for the better. But there are those who will do anything to stop the truth from being exposed and they don't care who they hurt in the process... BEYOND THE WILD RIVER by Sarah Maine is a masterpiece of writing as the author's evocative descriptions flow over the reader like a sultry melody, lulling you into a different time and place, and bringing every emotion to life with a burst of colour and feeling. The characters and plot line are compelling and interesting, and I devoured this novel in one sitting. I look forward to many more outstanding novels from this author in the future. Trust me when I say BEYOND THE WILD RIVER by Sarah Maine is a must-read novel for 2017. BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Author Bio: Sarah Maine was born in England and emigrated to Canada with her family at the age of ten. A small northern Ontario community was home for the next two years before the family moved south, and Sarah went to high school in Toronto. She returned to England to study archaeology, stayed on to do research and work, married there and has two sons. Books were always important. She grew up on a diet of Arthur Ransome and Robert Louis Stevenson but also the classics, Jane Austen and the Brontés and, of course, Daphne du Maurier - but now enjoys a wide range of contemporary fiction. The House between Tides will be published in 2016, followed, in 2017, by Beyond the Wild River. A third book, Ullaness, is work in progress. For more information: Website - sarahmainebooks.com Twitter - twitter.com/sarahmainebooks Facebook - www.facebook.com/Sarah-Maine-Author-1581332188811712/ *I want to thank Emily from Hodder & Stoughton, and Sarah Maine, for the opportunity to review this beautiful novel. Happy Reading!!!  Book length - 486 pages
Amazon UK - The Auctor Trilogy Amazon US - www.amazon.com BLURB When seventeen-year-old Addie Auctor’s mother is murdered by her father, she must confront many secrets that her family has hidden from her. The worst of these secrets is that Addie’s father, Donovan Hawthorne, is still hunting Addie because of an ancient blood feud between her mother’s family, the Auctors, and her father’s family, the House of Hawthorne. In order to be protected from the House of Hawthorne, Addie and her brother, Augustus, are sent to Initiation at an exclusive University, the Wicked Cabal. Initiation is nothing like Addie expects. She is immediately separated from Augustus and thrown in with four complete strangers – Fallon, Maddox, Liam, and Tempe. Addie must try to forge friendships with her fellow Initiates while they solve clues, battle mystical creatures, and explore increasingly dangerous places. Readers of all ages will love this adventure filled with suspense, treachery, and romance. MY REVIEW From the very first page I was instantly captivated by the secrecy and magic of THE AUCTOR TRILOGY by T.R. Wolf, and as the first chapter evolves, we are thrown into the heartbreaking action where secrets upon secrets start to unravel. Addie is a quiet, self-conscious teenager who loves her brother and mother deeply, as they are the only ones who understand her. But when her mother is murdered, her entire life is turned upside down in a second, as she is forced to run with her brother for safety. But nothing is quite as it seems, as Addie and Augustus are part of an ancient magical family in danger from a curse, and the only place they can possibly hide is at the University which will train them in sorcery. But to make it there, they must take part in Initiation which will test them, and their new friends in ways you cannot imagine. As Addie starts to stand on her two feet, find real relationships, and possibly fall in love, the powerful people in charge of their magical world have their own plans for Addie, and as danger starts to close in around them all, will they all survive? The characters are compelling, engaging, and I really became so connected to them, and the emotions that flowed between them all. The magical elements, danger, and action are second to none, and I devoured this book from cover to cover. THE AUCTOR TRILOGY by T.R. Wolf is the first book in this series, but already I would sit it alongside the greats, such as Harry Potter, and it would translate beautifully onto our screens. I cannot wait for the next instalment!!!!! BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5**************************************************************************** For more information: Website - theauctortrilogy.com Twitter - twitter.com/t_r_wolf Facebook - www.facebook.com/theauctortrilogy  Release date - 4th May 2017 (Hardcover) Book length - 416 pages Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - The Married Girls BLURB BRAND NEW FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE SISTERS OF ST. CROIX, THE THROWAWAY CHILDREN AND THE GIRL WITH NO NAME. Wynsdown, 1949. In the small Somerset village of Wynsdown, Charlotte Shepherd is happily married to farmer Billy. She arrived from Germany on the Kindertransport as a child during the war and now feels settled in her adopted home. Meanwhile, the squire's fighter pilot son, Felix, has returned to the village with a fiancée in tow. Daphne is beautiful, charming... and harbouring secrets. After meeting during the war, Felix knows some of Daphne's past, but she has worked hard to conceal that which could unravel her carefully built life. For Charlotte, too, a dangerous past is coming back in the shape of fellow refugee, bad boy Harry Black. Forever bound by their childhoods, Charlotte will always care for him, but Harry's return disrupts the village quiet and it's not long before gossip spreads. The war may have ended, but for these girls, trouble is only just beginning. MY REVIEW What can I say about THE MARRIED GIRLS by Diney Costeloe? Well for starters I can begin with how much I love this beautifully endearing, at times devastating, and overall captivating, novel. The author effortlessly transports you back in time to Wynsdown after the war, and we are immersed in small village life, which is not as quiet and laid-back as one would imagine. Charlotte is blissfully happy with her husband and their two children, but when a blast from her past returns looking for her, will it encroach on her happiness? When Felix returns to his childhood home with the woman of his dreams, Daphne, he longs for a peaceful home and a family to adore, but Daphne is not exactly who she says she is, and as events take an unexpected turn, will Felix be able to live with the truth? With many unexpected, shock events throughout the story, THE MARRIED GIRLS by Diney Costeloe kept me reading into the wee small hours of the night as I longed to see how life would unfold for the main characters. I cried, I smiled, and I became a part of it all as the narrative is so exquisite and detailed. I loved Charlotte and Billy from the beginning, and Felix grew on me as his life opened up on the pages in front me, but it was the community itself that was the most endearing - even with its pitfalls of nosy neighbours and gossip. THE MARRIED GIRLS by Diney Costeloe has love, happiness, tragedy, friendship, and hope at the heart of its story, and while it deals with many serious topics, the author weaves it all magically together in such a way that will really spark your emotions. A fantastic novel!!!! BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Author Bio: Encouraged by my publisher father, I have been writing all my life. When I was five, he took my first effort to his office and brought it back in a cardboard cover with the label, 'Tom's Party'written by Diney, published by Daddy. I've never looked back and always have some writing on the go. To date I have written 10 romantic novels under the name of Diney Delancey (I liked the shape of the name and it sounded like a romantic novelist) and four novels as Diney Costeloe. All are also in large print and several recently published as e-books. For more information: Website - www.dineycosteloe.co.uk Twitter - twitter.com/CastlehavenBook Facebook - www.facebook.com/dineycosteloeauthor I want to thank Blake at Head of Zeus Publishing, and the author Diney Costeloe, for the opportunity to read this novel, and take part on this blog tour. And for you lucky readers, I am lucky enough to have an excerpt for to read!!! EXCERPT Chapter 10 It was Saturday and Charlotte had an afternoon with no children, a rare thing. Margaret had suggested that they should come to her for the afternoon to give Charlotte a little time to herself. Charlotte had accepted with alacrity and Billy had taken them over for their dinner and would bring them back in time for bed. ‘What will you do with yourself?’ he teased as she got the children ready to go. She smiled across at him as she put two bottles and some nappies in a bag for Edie. ‘The ironing, of course!’ ‘Ironing! You’re supposed to be having an afternoon to yourself!’ ‘Silly,’ laughed Charlotte. ‘I shall go over to Clare’s and admire her baby. I haven’t seen her yet and I’ve got a little present for her. We’ll be able to have a good old chinwag.’ ‘Sounds more like it,’ Billy said and picked up the bag. ‘Come on, young man,’ he called to Johnny who was already waiting by the door. ‘Let’s go and see Gr’ma.’ Charlotte watched them going out into the lane, Johnny helping to push Edie in her pram, and waved when they turned back to wave to her. Then she went back into the house to pick up the little matinée jacket she’d knitted for Clare’s new baby. She stood in the strangely silent house for a moment. A whole afternoon to herself; she could hardly believe it. Well, make the most of it, she told herself, and putting the jacket into her bag, she set off for Clare’s. It was a perfect October afternoon, the air crisp and cool, the sun shining from a periwinkle sky. Charlotte walked with a spring in her step as she left the village green and strode along the lane leading to the little farm cottage where Malcolm and Clare lived. A whole afternoon to herself. As she passed the ornate gates of the manor house she heard someone shouting, calling her name, and turning she saw Marjorie Bellinger rushing down the manor drive, frantically waving her arms in the air. ‘Charlotte! Charlotte! Help!’ Charlotte ran to meet her calling, ‘Mrs Bellinger! What on earth’s the matter?’ ‘It’s Peter,’ Marjorie cried, a sob in her voice. ‘He’s collapsed! I’ve tried to ring Dr Masters, but our phone seems to be out of order. Can you go for him? Tell him to be quick!’ ‘I’ll find him,’ Charlotte said at once. ‘You go back to the major. I’ll be as quick as I can.’ She turned and ran back along the lane, crossing the village green to the square, red-brick house set back from the road where the doctor lived and had his surgery. She ran up to the front door and banged hard on the knocker. Her heart was pounding. She’d done just this when she’d found Miss Edie lying on the floor all those years ago. ‘Come on! Come on!’ she muttered when there was no response, the sound of the knocker echoing away into the silence of the house. She pushed open the letter box and peered through. The hall was empty. There was a stillness about the place and she was certain that there was no one at home; it was Saturday after all, Dr Masters could be anywhere, but she ran round to the back garden, just to be sure he wasn’t at work in his vegetable patch. A fork was stuck into the ground at the end of a row of potatoes, but there was no sign him. What now? thought Charlotte, at a loss for a moment. Then she was running back across the green and pounding on the vicarage front door. Avril Swanson opened the door and finding her on the step said, ‘Charlotte, how lovely! Come on in.’ ‘Major Bellinger’s collapsed,’ Charlotte said breathlessly. ‘Mrs Bellinger’s with him but their phone’s out of order. Dr Masters is out. Can you ring for an ambulance?’ ‘Of course!’ Avril turned back indoors, calling to her hus- band, David, to come quickly. Charlotte followed her inside and as Avril rang 999, Charlotte told the vicar what had happened. ‘I’ll come at once,’ he said, picking up his coat and slipping his prayer book into his pocket. ‘They’re coming,’ Avril said as she put the phone down. ‘They’ll be here as soon as they can.’ All three hurried down the lane to the manor to see if there was anything else they could do, and to be with Marjorie while she waited for the ambulance. The front door stood ajar and Avril pushed it wide, calling to Marjorie as she did so. ‘Marjorie! We’re here. The ambulance is on its way.’ ‘In here!’ They found Marjorie in Peter’s study. Peter was lying on the floor, his eyes closed, his breath rasping in his throat. ‘I can’t get him up,’ Marjorie said, her face rigid in her effort not to cry. ‘I can’t get him up off the floor. We should get him onto the couch.’ ‘We’ll help,’ Avril said, ‘easy now.’ And between the four of them they managed to lift the inert form of Peter Bellinger off the floor and lie him on the sofa in the corner of the room. He was still struggling for breath. Marjorie set a cushion under his head and then sat down beside him, holding his hand. ‘What happened?’ Avril asked softly. ‘I don’t know,’ murmured Marjorie, still fighting her tears. ‘I was in the kitchen getting lunch and I heard a crash. I called out to see if he was all right but he didn’t answer so I came in to see what had happened and there he was.’ Her lip trembled. ‘He looks awful! Do you think the ambulance’ll be long?’ ‘They said they were on their way,’ Avril said. ‘I’m sure they’ll be here soon.’ She took Marjorie’s other hand and squeezed it encouragingly. Charlotte stood by the window, looking out in the hope of seeing the ambulance, and David sat in the corner, his eyes closed in quiet prayer. Silence fell around them, a silence made more profound by Peter’s stentorian breathing. ‘I’ll go out onto the green and watch for them,’ Charlotte said, unable to endure the tense silence any longer, and leaving the Swansons with Marjorie, she hurried back down the lane to wait. When she reached the green she sat on a bench, watching the road into the village, and she thought again of the day she’d found Miss Edie on the floor. She’d run for Dr Masters then, but it had been too late. At least, she thought, Major Bellinger is still alive. The steady clang of the ambulance’s bell brought her sharply back to the present and a moment later it swung round the corner, bell still clanging, blue light flashing on its roof. Charlotte flagged it down and directed the driver along the lane to the manor. She was aware of people coming out onto the green to see what was going on, but she kept her head down and hurried after the ambulance before they could ask questions. Village gossip would catch up with what had happened soon enough.   Release date - 20th April 2017
Book length - 241 pages Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - Lost For Words Amazon US - www.amazon.com BLURB You can trust a book to keep your secret . . . Loveday Cardew prefers books to people. If you look closely, you might glimpse the first lines of the novels she loves most tattooed on her skin. But there are things she'll never show you. Fifteen years ago Loveday lost all she knew and loved in one unspeakable night. Now, she finds refuge in the unique little York bookshop where she works. Everything is about to change for Loveday. Someone knows about her past. Someone is trying to send her a message. And she can't hide any longer. Lost for Words is a compelling, irresistible and heart-rending novel, with the emotional intensity of The Shock of the Fall and all the charm of The Little Paris Bookshop and 84 Charing Cross Road. MY REVIEW LOST FOR WORDS by Stephanie Butland is a deeply moving tale of family, loss, and finding a way through your heartache, and it is all rolled up with a perfect second-hand bookshop and an understanding of how books can really become such a hugely important part of your life. Loveday Cardew doesn't like people, preferring to keep herself to herself and seeking refuge in her books whenever she needs company. Burying her past, Loveday has created a new start for herself and is proud of her job in Lost for Words, a quirky second-hand bookstore, run by Archie, an eccentric older man with a flare for people. Nobody knows the truth about Loveday and that is the way she wants to keep it - she doesn't want anyone asking any questions or judging her. But when a lost book brings her in contact with a caring poet, Loveday wishes that she could be normal and have a normal relationship. However, her past has only taught her that love hurts everyone. With an obsessive former boyfriend, books from her past making a mysterious appearance, and the possibility of love, will Loveday be able to open up the gates of her memories to those who care about her? Or will telling her story destroy her carefully built independent life? LOST FOR WORDS by Stephanie Butland is such a heartbreaking story as we learn about Loveday's life when the narrative moves from past to present. Loveday is such a strong, determined, self-contained character, but yet her vulnerability shines through, and I desperately wanted her to be able to confront her demons and find the peace she deserves. The bookstore is every bookworm's dream, and the author perfectly portrays the significance that a book can play in someone's life - the memories they invoke, the connection they can make with the reader, the emotions, the dreams, just everything. The characters are gripping, the pace is spot on, and I really cared about the storyline, which for me makes this book a complete hit. LOST FOR WORDS by Stephanie Butland is a must read for fiction fans everywhere, but especially for those who find books their connection to the world. A beautiful, all-consuming read! BOOK RATING - 📖📖📖📖📖 5+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Author Bio: I’m a writer, and I’m thriving after breast cancer. (I used to say I was a survivor, but that was a bit lacking in joie de vivre.) Although I’d never have chosen it, my dance with cancer has changed my life in many positive ways. Now I am happier, healthier, and more careful with my precious life and the precious people and things in it. My writing career began with my dance with cancer, and now I’m a novelist. Aside from writing, I work as a speaker and trainer, and I work with charities to help raise awareness and money in the hope that cancer will soon be about as scary as a wart. For more information: Website - stephaniebutland.com Twitter - twitter.com/under_blue_sky Facebook - www.facebook.com/stephaniebutlandauthor/ *I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.com |
WelcomeHi fellow bookworms. My name is Linda and I'm a reviewer & blogger, wife & mother who loves all things books! 
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