The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey

The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 256

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Amazon (as Goodreads blurb is has spoilers!)

A dark and suspenseful novel of lies, betrayal, and identity - perfect for fans of Big Little Lies and Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror.

It was meant to be an evening to honour and celebrate Evelyn Caldwell's award-winning, career-making scientific research - but Evelyn has things on her mind.

Things like Nathan, her husband, who has left her for a younger, better, newer woman. A woman who is now pregnant - but shouldn't be - and is strikingly familiar. Too familiar to be a coincidence.

A woman who shouldn't exist.

The Echo Wife is a propulsive new novel from an international rising star about identity, murder, and the choices society forces women to make.


My Review

DO NOT READ THE BLURB ON GOODREADS - it has spoiler info (imo). Evelyn is a scientist, making huge strides and there is even an event in her honour. Everyone is asking where her husband is, Evelyn keeps her face on but does let it slip he is likely at home with his new fiance. So for me I thought oh my God, a book about a powerful woman who has been left by her husband for a younger model. However that is just scratching the surface, my God the book has so much more to come and it is explosive.

Evelyn is a bit of a coldfish, professionally brilliant but emotionally stilted however when you start to get into what she actually does as a job, her background, her family life you start to understand it a wee bit better. Evelyn works with cloning, she is making breakthroughs and succeeding in her field, nothing will get in her way. When something comes to light that could threaten it, Evelyn will let nothing get in her way, no matter the cost!

Oooft, so much involved in this one, science, relationships, betrayal, infidelity, ethics - oh the ethics - the things that are done in the name of research and selfish shocking behaviour. Morals are in some serious questioning and just utterly shocking at some points in the story. Really hard to go into without spoiling it (although if you read Goodreads blurb you will get the jist because - spoilers!). I just thought it was so clever, I was thinking it was going to be a relationship cheating/replacement with a younger model story but it is so so much more, would love this to be a movie! ​I read it in a day, this was my first dance with this author, it won't be my last, 4.5/5 for me this time.

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The Swap by Fiona Mitchell

The Swap by Fiona Mitchell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 304

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

The second novel from Fiona Mitchell, author of the stunning The Maid's Room***

Two women. Two children. But whose is whose?

When two strangers, Tess and Annie, undergo IVF at an American clinic, their embryos are mixed up and each woman gives birth to the wrong child.

The women only discover the devastating error three years later. Tess wants to swap the children back; Annie doesn't. As the pair wrangle, neither of them expect what unfolds.



My Review

Tess and Annie have their embryos implanted after IVF in a clinic in America, Annie lives in America, Tess in England. Three years later and Tess hasn't bonded with her child, she dislikes him and can't help but stress over his behaviour, issues, trouble. Annie couldn't be more blessed, Willow is everything she wanted in a child and more, her only baby. When it comes to light Freddie can't be Tess's son she digs deeper and becomes obsessed, what is her real baby is out there and nothing will stop her trying to find out.

Ooft guys I don't have any kids (I have furbabies) and I felt the emotional punch from this one. A lot of Tess's decisions, behaviour and choices really makes you question her as a human being. But it is so easy to judge someone when you don't walk in their shoes, live their lives and as the book progresses we get a bit more insight into why she is the way she is. Annie on the other hand is so different but would she be the same if she brought up the other child? How much is reactive behaviour, how much is learned? For a wee bit I felt echos of "We Need To Talk About Kevin" with some of Freddie's scenes but then is that to provoke you into thinking a certain way?

If it a book that pulls you a bit through the emotive ringer, you try not to judge but scene after scene you find yourself doing just that. Then re evaluating, what would you do? I also wondered if you found yourself in that situation *touch wood* what would you do?

The two families are so different in many ways, financial status and the struggles that come with each class, children, Freddie has siblings, Willow is an only child and the women could not be more different. There are so many parts to this book that will get the reader thinking/chatting/debating. This is the second book I have read by this author, I very much look forward to her next, 4/5 for me this time!

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The Maid's Room by Fiona Mitchell Blog Tour

Today is my stop on the blog tour for debut novel, The Maid's Room by author Fiona Mitchell. I had a great day chilling in the bath with this one and the cover matched my bath bomb from lush. Please check out the other stops on the tour as each offers different content.





The Maid's Room by Fiona Mitchell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 308

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

Set in the blistering heat of Singapore, The Maid's Room follows the lives of two Filipina maids - sisters Dolly and Tala who are working hard to send money back home, and British ex-pat Jules who has left her job as a midwife to move to Singapore with husband David.

Told with humour, heart-breaking detail about daily life as a maid, and with an exhilarating spirit that is ultimately uplifting, this book will resonate with anyone who has struggled to have their voice heard.

Perfect for fans of The Help and The Invention of Wings.


My Review


Two sisters Dolly & Tala living and working in Singapore as maids, earning money to support their families back home in the Philippines. This is their story, we see into their routines, how they are treated, spied on, disrespected, abused and how their strength of character, spirit and fight gets them through the days. Dolly is the quieter of the two, more in keeping in line, Tala takes risk, fights for the girls and is a strong woman who doesn't think twice of putting herself in the firing line. Blog posts make an appearance in this which I actually really liked, we have the blog from Vanda "Life as the Employer of a Foreign Domestic Helper" a poison pen employer who could be talking about items rather than human beings. She enraged me and also Tala who starts her own blog in response which soon takes off gives the maids a voice.

There is so much going on in this book, not just the maids, we get an insight into the families they look after, people they clean for and it leaves you worried for how vile some employers are. These woman are disrespected, abused, used and it really got me up in arms. Whilst this is a fiction book it is representative of the actual struggles going on for these maids, I was horrified and want to be educated more about it. An emotive book that commands the readers attention and made me want to do something to actually help these woman, a link at the back for something like that would be awesome. Working to support your family, leaving your own to care for others is not something I could ever do and only imagine the heartache. To then be treated as subhuman it makes you fear for humanity, vindictive and spiteful yet they trusting them to look after their precious children whilst starving them, abusing them ugh!

I loved the "retaliation" blog, I love Tala as a character, she is quietly fierce and of such strong moral fibre she is a fantastic character, I would have loved the book to be longer, seen more of the other maids and a bit more justice for the women. Then, real life isn't always like that and I think the book stayed true to what all transpired. 4/5 for me this time, a fantastic debut novel and I will be watching for more from Mitchell.

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Blood Mother by Dreda Say Mitchell

Blood Mother by Dreda Say Mitchell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Pages - 480

Blurb from Goodreads

Book 2 in a trilogy following one family over forty years on an East London estate, BLOOD MOTHER goes back to the 70s to tell the next story in the Flesh and Blood series, perfect for fans of Kimberley Chambers and Mandasue Heller.

Babs had all the world ahead of her, until she got pregnant and the father did a runner. Salvation comes in the form of a man who'll look after her. Or so she thinks. Stan Miller is really the devil in disguise... and over the next twenty years, Babs will have reason to regret she ever met him.

Starting in the 70s, BLOOD MOTHER is the second thrilling installment in the Flesh and Blood series, capturing a London that was very different from today but where some things still hold true: be careful what you wish for, and watch out for who you trust...




My Review

This is book two of a trilogy, book one looks at Bab's two kids growing up and their journey into adult hood. This book takes us back to the 1970s when Babs is just a slip of girl and spans over a few decades bringing us to the early 2000s. Babs is pregnant out of wedlock, if that isn't enough to rock the street, the father will shock and bring more grief for Babs. When she meets Stanley Miller he is the answer to all her prayers but nothing is ever free and Babs finds her actions and decisions have consequences that will haunt her and her children!

Ooooh you guys, this is a fabulous book. If you like skulduggery, lowlife characters, schemes, the grittier side of life you will absolutely love this one. You could get away with starting with this one however I would advise to read the first in the series so you get a better feel for the characters. With murder, prostitution, racism, secrets, lies, betrayal and loss the book covers a host of situations that will make some readers feel uncomfortable. It adds an air of authenticity to the depravity and level some folk find themselves when surrounded by poverty but also shows that even in the darkest of times and situations you have things that money cannot buy, friendship and loyalty.

If you enjoy Chambers and Heller then Mitchell is absolutely an author you need to sink your teeth into. Book three is out this week and I cannot wait to sink my teeth into it, highs and lows, sadness, love, laughter and darkness are just some of the themes that will take you on an emotional roller coaster with this one. 5/5 for me this time, I would have devoured it in a few hours if time had permitted, as it was I sunk it in under a day.

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The Wild Air by Rebecca Mascull - Blog Tour

Well hello there and welcome to my stop on the blog tour for the beautiful Rebecca Mascull's new book which is out next month, kindle, treebook etc. I absolutely loved this wee book, had I read the blurb I would have probably missed out on one of my fav reads this years as the time and main content, female aviator, isn't something I would pick for myself. So why did I love it? Check my review out, bottom of the Q&A.


Becca has very kindly took some time out to answer some questions for us :D





1. Your books tend to be set in the past, why do you choose historical fiction, what draws you to that timeline?

I’ve always felt like I’m a bit out of my time. I love watching and reading about history, I love quaint old language & my favourite authors are all long dead! When I was a little kid, I actually believed that the past was black and white; like, there was no colour in the world until after we won WW2 (in a Wizard of Oz type way)!! When I realised this wasn’t the case, I was really shocked! So, I’ve always been fascinated by the past and the idea that people living in the past don’t know they’re in the past (if you know what I mean) and believe they are at the forefront of technology. Also, that they don’t know they’re going to win the war or their king is about to die or there’s about to be a terrible earthquake or they’re about to be invaded by the Conquistadors or whatever. I love that feeling of entering the past and imagining myself one of those shadowy people – and bringing it to life.


2.Your characters tend to be strong women despite what they face or have been through, what inspires you to create characters like this?

Wish fulfilment, probably! I have to say, though, that I’ve become stronger and more confident the older I’ve become. The things I used to worry about – what people will say or think of me, fears about the future or trying new things etc – all of these have ebbed away as I’ve aged, in the best way, and I now feel stronger than ever. I believe this is possible for everyone, every woman and man. You’ve just go to let go of that fear of what society will think of you and not give a damn! The women in my stories do that and I love writing them for that reason.


3.We need to talk about Betty! As you know she is my fav character, what was the inspiration for her? Is she based on anyone?

I really don’t know where she came from. She just barged in there. Originally, I was going to have my aviatrix character having spent a summer holiday at Kitty Hawk, but it just didn’t ring true. Suddenly, up strode Great Auntie Betty and presented herself as the solution. It was just one of those lucky things, when a character arrives fully formed. Like my previous answer, she’s one of those people who don’t give a stuff what the world thinks of her. She’s different, she’s her own person and she’s full of love. I love her too!


4.Is Betty going to get her own book? I think her life story would be amazing and she must have touched many lives, do you think we could persuade you to tell her story?

It would be a delight to tell Betty’s story. If you can find a publisher to give me a contract for it, I’ll happily write it for you, darling. ;-)


5.What are you working on now?

I’m in a bit of a hiatus right now. I’ve come to the end of 3 historical novels for Hodder and now I’m branching off in a new direction. I don’t know quite what that will be yet. It might be contemporary, it might be more history, I really don’t know. I’m not rushing it. I’m teaching right now and meeting loads of fascinating new people and enjoying the change. Something unknown will be percolating in my brain while all that is going on and I’ve no idea what will be the outcome. That’s a lovely feeling!


6.Where is best for readers to find you? Twitter? Fb? Instagram? Xxx

I used to be all over Twitter, but I’ve kind of fallen in love with Facebook in recent months. I dabble in Instagram. But Facebook satisfies my need for socialising, companionship, belly laughs and kitten videos. What’s not to like? :-D Thanks for ace questions, Lainy. Always a pleasure.






My Review

The Wild Air by Rebecca Mascull
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - on and off for 2 days

Pages - 400

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Blurb from Amazon

In Edwardian England, aeroplanes are a new, magical invention, while female pilots are rare indeed.

When shy Della Dobbs meets her mother's aunt, her life changes forever. Great Auntie Betty has come home from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, across whose windswept dunes the Wright Brothers tested their historic flying machines. Della develops a burning ambition to fly and Betty is determined to help her.

But the Great War is coming and it threatens to destroy everything - and everyone - Della loves.

Uplifting and page-turning, THE WILD AIR is a story about love, loss and following your dreams against all odds.


My Review

Della is a subdued and quiet child until her Aunt Betty comes back to live in the town and shows Della it is ok to chase your dreams. Della loves flying and aeroplanes but knows a woman's place is in the home, second place always to men, it is the early 1900s. But with Betty at her side, Della realises that against all odds she can chase her dream and be who she wants to be but at what cost?

I am so glad I didn't read the blurb when I agreed to review this, I am not a huge lover of historical fiction nor into aeroplanes much at all. Guys I loved this book!!! Aunt Betty is a fabulous character, looked down upon by the village folk for daring to be different, want more than babies and a kitchen sink. She comes back with her head held high and shows Della there is much more out there if she is brave enough to go after it. And Della does, becoming a strong and independent woman she pursues her dreams of attempting to become a female pilot. As the war is looming Della faces many more challenges than just sexist attitudes and risks everything she has achieved to follow her heart.

I love a book with strong female characters, when Aunt Betty was in the picture she stole the show and I genuinely hope the author considers giving Betty her own stage and story, she is marvelous. Della is another strong character although more subtle in her strength and we watch her grow from a young girl to a determined headstrong woman. The attitudes of the times, facing scorn for wanting something more from her life, the horrors or war and some heroic choices makes Della a character you can't help but love. A surprising aspect for me was all the plane storyline, you can tell Mascull went to town on her research for this book, I learned so much about the machines and even the history of them. I always find it a great wee bonus when you learn something true from a fiction book and it did peak my interest in aircraft although I would never be so brave to learn to fly.

A story of moral, strength, beauty, personal growth, family, expectations and going against the grain when you are expected to fall in line. Creating characters that the readers becomes invested in from practically the first page. I would have sunk this in one sitting had life not got in the way, Mascull has a way yanking you through the years to a different era, so vivid the scene you can smell and taste it. 5/5 for me this time, I have read this author before and I will read her again, I think I have missed one of her books so will need to snap that up, I eagerly await her next. Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy, all views are my own. Available to buy from the 6th of April 2017.

The Wild Air by Rebecca Mascull

The Wild Air by Rebecca Mascull
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - on and off for 2 days

Pages - 400

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Blurb from Amazon

In Edwardian England, aeroplanes are a new, magical invention, while female pilots are rare indeed.

When shy Della Dobbs meets her mother's aunt, her life changes forever. Great Auntie Betty has come home from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, across whose windswept dunes the Wright Brothers tested their historic flying machines. Della develops a burning ambition to fly and Betty is determined to help her.

But the Great War is coming and it threatens to destroy everything - and everyone - Della loves.

Uplifting and page-turning, THE WILD AIR is a story about love, loss and following your dreams against all odds.


My Review

Della is a subdued and quiet child until her Aunt Betty comes back to live in the town and shows Della it is ok to chase your dreams. Della loves flying and aeroplanes but knows a woman's place is in the home, second place always to men, it is the early 1900s. But with Betty at her side, Della realises that against all odds she can chase her dream and be who she wants to be but at what cost?

I am so glad I didn't read the blurb when I agreed to review this, I am not a huge lover of historical fiction nor into aeroplanes much at all. Guys I loved this book!!! Aunt Betty is a fabulous character, looked down upon by the village folk for daring to be different, want more than babies and a kitchen sink. She comes back with her head held high and shows Della there is much more out there if she is brave enough to go after it. And Della does, becoming a strong and independent woman she pursues her dreams of attempting to become a female pilot. As the war is looming Della faces many more challenges than just sexist attitudes and risks everything she has achieved to follow her heart.

I love a book with strong female characters, when Aunt Betty was in the picture she stole the show and I genuinely hope the author considers giving Betty her own stage and story, she is marvelous. Della is another strong character although more subtle in her strength and we watch her grow from a young girl to a determined headstrong woman. The attitudes of the times, facing scorn for wanting something more from her life, the horrors or war and some heroic choices makes Della a character you can't help but love. A surprising aspect for me was all the plane storyline, you can tell Mascull went to town on her research for this book, I learned so much about the machines and even the history of them. I always find it a great wee bonus when you learn something true from a fiction book and it did peak my interest in aircraft although I would never be so brave to learn to fly.

A story of moral, strength, beauty, personal growth, family, expectations and going against the grain when you are expected to fall in line. Creating characters that the readers becomes invested in from practically the first page. I would have sunk this in one sitting had life not got in the way, Mascull has a way yanking you through the years to a different era, so vivid the scene you can smell and taste it. 5/5 for me this time, I have read this author before and I will read her again, I think I have missed one of her books so will need to snap that up, I eagerly await her next. Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy, all views are my own. Available to buy from the 6th of April 2017.

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The Comfort Of Others by Kay Langdale

The Comfort of Others by Kay Langdale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Pages - 230

Blurb from Goodreads

Minnie has always lived with her sister Clara in her family's beautiful, grand, yet increasingly dilapidated house Rosemount. Now in her seventies, she finds herself looking back to a life that has been shrouded with sorrow, and a painful secret that she has guarded since her teens.

Eleven-year-old Max, who lives opposite Minnie on the housing estate built in Rosemount's grounds, has grown up happily with his single mother. But his mum has begun a new relationship and suddenly life is starting to change.

As each of them tell their stories, she via a resurrected childhood journal, him via a Dictaphone, they spot each other through their bedroom windows and slowly and hesitantly an unlikely friendship begins to form.

A friendship that might just help Max come to terms with the present and enable Minnie, finally, to lay to rest the ghosts of her past...


My Review

Two main characters, Minnie is a seventy year old lady who has sequestered herself away in her home with her sister. Little Max is eleven, trying to come to terms with the new man in his mothers life and how his home and everything he knows is changing. Both catalogue their emotions and feelings in different mediums, Minnie in a written diary and Max on a Dictaphone, these two unlikely individuals form a friendship that helps the other cope and face the challenges in their lives.

This is a beautiful tale of an unlikely friendship, how both characters have suffered and have to face the obstacles that bar their happiness. There are some themes that are quite uncomfortable reading in the book, abuse, neglect, abuse of power however there are some beautiful and uplifting ones too. Friendship in the most unlikely of places that brings together two unhappy people, each dealing with their own turmoil, finding in each other happiness and strength to face their own demons.

Each chapter is headlined with the character it is centred on and alternates between the two, the chapters are relatively short in length. The writing itself en captures the reader quickly and draws you into the characters lives. Whilst Max and Minnie are characters you quickly warm to, Max's mother and her boyfriend quite often made for very uncomfortable reading. Overall it is a riveting wee read, happiness, sadness, secrets and some tough aspects covered with a beautiful tale of friendship. This was my first time reading this author and it won't be my last 4/5 for me this time.

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Review - Hunted by Karen Robards

Hunted by Karen Robards
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 9 days (on and off)

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Pages - 336

Goodreads blurb

Caroline Wallace is one of New Orleans PD's top hostage negotiators, and she's never failed to get every hostage out alive. But this time, it's different. This time, the hostages include her boss - the chief of police - and the mayor. And this time, she's trying to negotiate with Reed Ware, a former co-worker who left the force disgraced, under investigation by Internal Affairs, and worst of all, considered to be volatile and extremely dangerous. As police snipers arrive on the scene and manage to get a clear shot of Reed, Caroline knows she only has a few moments left to persuade the hot-headed, reckless (and extremely handsome) Reed to let the hostages go and turn himself in before anyone gets hurt. When the SWAT team runs out of patience and launches an attack, Reed takes Caroline hostage and manages to escape with her in the chaos.

During the escape, Reed reveals to Caroline that he's uncovered corruption at the highest levels of the police department and New Orleans city government, and those involved will stop at nothing to keep him from exposing what he knows...including murder. Now, the normally cool, calm, by-the-book Caroline is forced to question everything she thought she knew about her job and her city and join Reed on the run...putting both her life - and her heart - in jeopardy.


My Review

Karen Robbard's is an author I have read once before, she mixes a high paced crime with romance and sex. This time we meet Caroline Wallace, a top police negotiator with the NOPD (New Orleans Police Department). When a cop goes rogue and holds hostage some of the cream of the crop of New Orleans in a mansion on Christmas Eve. Surrounded by bombs and ready to set them off unless his demands are met, Reed Ware, a top police officer who left the police force under investigation of Internal Affairs. What follows is a police chase, the unraveling of why Reed has done what he done, Caroline's job and safety is on the line as well as facing her past and old attraction to Ware when he was on duty for her family when she was a teen.

Well I must say, I was pretty disappointed overall with this story. Caroline seems like a competent negotiator, she recognizes the potential issues she may have when she realizes who the criminal is. Due to a crush on his when he was on police detail with her family when she was a teen and an awkward encounter, however she is an adult now and a professional. The story starts well, it has a good build up and the crime story is set at a good pace. However, once she is kidnapped and the next stage progresses it really, for me, went to pot. She goes from being a professional to almost like a lust filled teenager. A lot of the dialog is about how they brush against each other and how their bodies react and a cat and mouse game of I like him he likes me but we both pretend we don't ensues. Seriously, even if you were attracted to the "perp" your professionalism would keep you right, or the fact he kidnapped you or the fact he had held your father hostage with bombs would.

I think you would have to suspend all rational thought to get on with this book. There was far too much contradiction for me, from the professional to the in lust teenage behavior, to the I like him but will pretend I just don't care all the whilst in a situation where the police are hunting you, oh and you have been kidnapped.

I had enjoyed the last book however this one, for me, was just a bit ridiculous. The characters were more focused on fighting their lust for each other whilst there was numerous descriptions of their body reactions to one another. I wanted to know about the crime as it seemed like a really good story, however the bulk of the book, I felt, was all about Reed and Caroline and the friction and temptations they fought off. 2/5 for me this time.

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ARC - Respect by Mandasue Heller

Respect by Mandasue Heller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1.5 days (I missed a day of reading)

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Pages - 360 (uncorrected proof copy)

Blurb from Goodreads

Chantelle has everything going against her. She's a good student who only wants to pass her exams and find a way out of the sink estate in Manchester where she grew up. But now her feckless mother has taken off for Spain with her latest boyfriend and she's single-handedly raising her tearaway nine-year-old brother Leon. She thinks her worst problem is the debt collectors at the door. But Leon has made some new friends: teenage gang members who have given him a mobile phone, a knife - and some drugs to hide in her flat.
A part-time job seems to be the answer to Chantelle's prayers. But the violence is about to come home to her - with a vengeance. And the only person who's offering any help seems to be just as bad as the people she's trying to escape from . . .



My Review

Chantelle is fifteen and holding everything together, raising her nine year old little brother, Leon, whilst her mum gets wasted and parties. It is not uncommon for her to disappear for a few days and leave Chantelle holding the fort. However this time Mary, Chantelle's mum, goes off with her newest man and leaves Chantelle with nothing. All she wants to do is go to school and get on with her upcoming exams and stay out of all the trouble that comes from living in an estate. Leon quickly gets into trouble with a gang, Chantelle needs to find money so they can eat and try and track down her mum, before Marys debts fall on Chantelle and estate life takes over.

When you pick up a new copy of one of your favourite authors book, it is always with excitement, joy and apprehension. The last books have been fabulous and you worry that something will be lacking from this new one. Thankfully this was an unfounded fear, the book was fabulous.

Chantelle is a likable character, she is so young yet wise beyond her years. She has a strong family ethic and does what she has to to look out for her brother by taking a job as well as trying to keep up with studies. This leads her a new kind of trouble that puts her and Leon in grave danger. Only one person can help her, Anton, a local Lothario who has been giving her the eye since he got out of jail. Involving him is her only hope but is she trading one evil for another?

This story, I have to say, is quite different from the previous books. Yes there is violence, sex and all the usual we have come to expect and love from Heller however this one has very strong focus on family and loyalty which I really loved. Her mother is one of the most despicable characters and Chantelle's only role model however she still cares about her. As much as she wants to better herself and do well at school she doesn't look down on anyone and her brother comes first, at all costs despite him being a wee horror for a lot of the book.

I really enjoyed this, 5/5 for me this time and you only have to wait until the end of the month before you can get your hands on a copy. Available from the 31st f January 2014, for all good retailers. I received an advanced copy from Emilie Ferguson from Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an honest review.

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Review - Under The Dome by Stephen King

Under the Dome by Stephen King
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 7 days

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Pages - 877

Blurb from Goodreads

There's a reason why Stephen King is one of the best selling writers in the world ever. He knows how to write stories that suck you in and are impossible to put down. The New York Times describes it as a 'relentless tidal pull' and Stephen King has done it time and time again with stories like The Shawshank Redemption, Misery, The Green Mile and The Stand.

In Under the Dome, he has produced another riveting masterpiece. The end of every chapter hooks you into the next, drawing you inside a psychological drama that is so rich, you don't read it, you live it.

It is the story of the small town of Chester's Mill, Maine which is inexplicably and suddenly sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. No one can get in and no one can get out.

The normal rules of society are suddenly changed and when food, electricity and water run short, the community begins to crumble. As a new and more sinister social order develops, Dale Barbara, Iraq veteran, teams up with a handful of intrepid citizens to fight against the corruption that is sweeping through the town and to try to discover the source of the Dome before it is too late . . .



My Review


A small town, Chester's Mill is going about its everyday business when a massive dome encases and surrounds the whole town. When everyone realizes what has happened they start to assess the damage and tend to the wounded. It isn't long before chaos follows, the rules of civilization go out the window and murder, deprivation and power come into play. How long will it last, who will survive?

I had this book for ages, since it came out, on my tbr list. I hadn't read it as it got so many mixed reviews from "it reminded me of when he did the stand", to "It was so crap I couldn't finish it". Now as you may have noticed, the The Dome has started on TV and I couldn't wait to find out what happened next so I bumped the book up. Don't read it for this guys, the only things the same is the town, dome, some of the character names and Big Jim. All other relations, connections and pretty much the story line goes in a totally different direction but anyway, I digress.

We have our first kill on page 20 so the story kicks in really quickly, the actual Dome happening is very graphic and bloody. The town descends into anarchy quite quickly to be honest and "the police" becomes a law unto itself. There are a lot of characters in this wee town and at 877 there is a lot going on, relationships, deceit, problems, skulduggery and murder. There are chunks of the book that are a bit long, some people hated that, I found it added to the atmosphere and picture of what was happening although it made for slow reading at times.

It is graphic, there is sex, murder, lies and some parts of it did have faint echoes of The Stand for me, a group of people cut off from civilization as we know it, no Government or real police within the actual town. It shows the many sides, some wonderful, strong, brave and some dark, evil and nasty sides of human beings and how quickly things can turn without social boundaries and civility. Not up in my top 10 Stephen King books but I still quite enjoyed it, I was disappointed with a few things and the ending irked me a bit but it is what you prefer as some people loved it, 3/5 for me this time.

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Brand new copies of MandaSue Hellers Broke (paperback)

As part of the book tour I took part in for Mandasue Heller's awesome new book, Hodder & Stoughton are giving away two brand new copies of Broke in paperback. This competition will run for 2 days and end on Monday. To be in with a chance for this great prize you just need to fill in the rafflecopter below.

Good luck to everyone entering. I really enjoyed this book, read my review here http://www.alwaysreading.net/2013/01/arc-broke-by-mandasue-heller.html

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review - Snatched by Mandasue Heller

Snatched by Mandasue Heller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 5 days

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Blurb from Goodreads

It begins on a winter afternoon, when schoolgirl Nicky Day runs from a gang of bullies. Then her little brother starts the fire. But the nightmare that is engulfing Sue and Terry Day is only beginning ...A single mother who left a six-year-old on his own while she went clubbing on a Friday night. An absent father with a hot teenaged girlfriend who didn't seem to care who was minding his former family. The police, the neighbours, the friends, the lovers turn accusing eyes on them both. Suspicious voices ask whether Nicky has run away; whether the fire is really an accident. And meanwhile, time is running out for Nicky.

My review

I love when I your having a readers block and you need something to get you over it, Mandasue Heller does that for me (so far every time). The book kick starts with 15 year old Nicky running from bullies and then the first hit. We flip to her mum and friend wanting to get out for the night and her 6 year old younger brother being left alone. Her mum Sue knows Nicky is reliable and will be home soon and gives in to her friend for a night on the town. A fire starts, Nicky is missing, her brother in a hospital bed, her mother is MIA and her father is at the hospital looking for answers and his estranged wife.

There is drama in this story from the get go, you quickly get the insight of poor Nicky's life. Looking after her brother whilst mum copes with dads desertion for a younger girl, gossip around the scheme, everyone fighting, bullies, there is always something on the go. After the fire, Sue has a lot of explaining to do, Connor (the little brother) is petrified the truth with come out about the fire and is worried about his sister. Sue has her hands full with no home, Connor's after effects from the fire and a known face taking interest in her and the possible repercussions from that.

Nicky is at the start of the story and then always in the background as in where is she, what happened but you don't find out til later what the score is with that which I found a tad annoying as I like to know what is happening. There is a lot happening throughout, family arguments, lies, secrets and betrayal. The chapters are fairly short which results in just one more before bed, next thing you know it is 1am as you can't put it down. Council estate crime and drama, you really can't beat it, 4/5 for me.

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PRR - Shiver by Karen Robards

Shiver by Karen Robards
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 7 days

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Blurb from Press Release

When she swore off love, he was the last man she imagined would steal her heart.

If driving a tow truck through the seediest part of town with a gun beside her means putting a roof over her son's head, then single mother Samantha is going to be the best repossession woman on the books. But when she hooks her truck up to a flashy BMW, the last thing she expects is to find a beaten, bloody man in the trunk - or to be catapulted into a terrifying fight to survive.

Daniel knows the drug runners who kidnapped him from protective custody will stop at nothing to see him dead. With his life on the line, his only option is to take his pretty saviour hostage and force her to help him.

Sam and her four-year-old son are in too deep. With ruthless killers on their trail, she must reluctantly trust this handsome, menacing stranger. And as Sam relinquishes control, she feels an unmistakable desire. But what is the price of falling for a man who operates on the edge of danger - her heart, her life...or both?


My review

Samantha is a young attractive single mum trying to keep her head above water, looking after her 4 year old and working as a repossession woman. It starts out as a normal shift, going to pick up an expensive flash BMW when she happens upon a battered, bloody and injured man. What follows is a fight for survival, not only for herself but for her son too.

This is a quick to get to the action type book however it isn't all about the crime and trying to survive. A lot of the book is centered around Sam and Marco aka Trey aka Danny and their attraction to each other *the hotness* and pulsing responses of their bodies they keep trying to fight. I don't normally read thriller-romance and I am not sure I like it, I really liked the thriller aspect of the story but I found it fairly unbelievable they way they behaved and reacted to each other considering the situations. Samantha's character comes across quite childish at times as she behaves like a struck teenager rather than the doting mother she is throughout some parts of the book, it is a tad conflicting.

The ending is a bit rushed and almost fantasy like in how it plays out however despite this I did still enjoy the story although I did get frustrated throughout. I think had it been a mostly thriller with a little romance it would have worked better. Maybe this just isn't my genre but as I said I did enjoy the actual crime side of it and the relationship between the two characters was fine too, it just seemed a lot of it inappropriate considering the danger they were in.

Tyler is her son and for a four year old he is very on the ball. I know from previous reviews I have seen a lot of people disliked this and found him to be unbelievable as a character but I actually liked reading about the kid. He was very advanced for a four year old and picked up on things that most kids that age wouldn't however as I said the book is very fantasy like in parts so I think it works. 3/5 for me, this is my first time reading this author and I would try another book by them but it wouldn't be my first to seek out. Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for introducing me to a new author.

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PRR - Low Pressure by Sandra Brown

Low Pressure by Sandra Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time Taken to Read - 2 days

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Blurb from the back cover

BELLAMY PRICE WAS ONLY TWELVE YEARS OLD WHEN HER OLDER SISTER SUSAN WAS KILLED ON A STORMY MEMORIAL DAY.

Bellamy's fear of storms is a legacy of the tornado that destroyed the crime scene as well as her memory of one vital fact that still eludes her.....

Now, eighteen years later, Bellamy has written a novel based on Susan's murder. It's her first book, and it's an instant sensation. But because the novel is based on the most traumatic event of her life, she's published it under a pseudonym to protect herself and her family.

But when a sleazy reporter for a tabloid newspaper discovers that the book is based on a real crime, Bellamy's identity - and dark family secrets - are exposed. Suddenly, she finds herself embroiled in a personal conflict at the mercy of her sister's killer, who for almost two decades has got away with murder...and will stop at nothing to keep it that way.

My Review

Bellamy Lyston Price is from a rich influential family, in order to rid herself of her demons, stemming from her sister's murder eighteen years ago she writes the account under a pseudo name as a novel. A tabloid journalist uncovers the story is fact and who the real author is. What follows is a chain reaction that threatens not only Bellamy but her family and all it stands for.

The book is, I thought, a wee page turner. It starts with Bellamy being discovered as the author and the first contact from someone not happy with her book. It then draws out the story of how she came to receive the contact and what she was doing up until that point. As well as unwanted gifts/threats the book also prompts contact from an old figure from Bellamy's past that she and her family would rather forget, his presence evokes a few unwelcome responses and tensions are running high. Soon Bellamy has more than feelings and threats to deal with when her life is at risk and the one person she doesn't want to spend time with might be her only hope.

There are a fair few characters in this book however they are carved out well and I had no problem following who was who and what was happening. Practically from the beginning you know who the bad guy is and the main issue is will he capture and kill Bellamy and was the right person convicted for her sisters murder. Right up until the end you have quite a few suspects of who the actual killer could be and more than one person isn't happy with Bellamys digging to free the locked memory of the day her sister was murdered.

The story, I felt, was definitely a thriller although it is laced with the romantic tanglement of her past with Dent, her sisters ex boyfriend/her past crush and one time suspect of her sister's murder. The family hate him, he has a huge chip on his shoulder, lots of attitude and a definite chemistry with Bellamy. The book has murder, lies, sex (there are a few scenes so if your easily offended you can skip over them or just pass on this book), deception and family secrets, to name but a few of the issues covered in this story. I have read Sandra Brown before and would read her again, this story had bits were the story pulled on for a bit but overall it was a really good read, 4 out of 5 for me this time. Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with a copy in return for an honest review.

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ARC - The Outsiders by Gerald Seymour

The Outsiders by Gerald Seymour
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Time Taken to Read - 3 days

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Blurb From Goodreads

Winnie Monks has never forgotten - or forgiven - the death of a young agent on her team at the hands of a former Russian Army Major turned gangster. Now, years later, she hears the Major is travelling to a villa on the Costa del Sol and she asks permission to send in a surveillance unit.

They find an empty property near the Major's. The Villa Paraiso. It's perfect to spy from - and as a base for Winnie's darker, less official, plans.

But it turns out that the property isn't deserted. The owners have invited a young British couple to 'house sit' while they are away.

For Jonno and Posie, just embarking on a relationship, this is supposed to be a carefree break in the sun. But when the Secret Service team arrives in paradise, everything changes.



My Review

I think I can safely say I have never read a book quite like this one before! I have no idea who the main character was as there where so many of them. A young agent is murdered by an ex Russian Army Major and his team leader won't let it go, the Major will pay. She sends a team to monitor his colleagues and movements, to a house they think is empty. However the house is occupied by a young couple and the two need to deal with each others presence to get the job done.

This is a fairly brutal book that delves into the past of both the Major and the members of the surveillance team, back into the war and things that happened. There is some derogatory names used in some parts of the book and some of the killing and scenes described are horrific.

The main story, when I could follow it was good, revenge for an innocent life brutally ended. However far too much of it went off on spiels that I couldn't follow. Page breaks would be the only indication a scene had changed and even then it could start with she did.... so you had no idea who she or he was and if the scene had changed. For me a lot of things didn't make sense and it really was a headache trying to keep up with all the characters, plots, story lines and timescale.

Maybe this is the norm for this author, he is very successful and I am sure plenty will love this book however for me I just couldn't get on with it. I felt there wasn't much depth to any of the characters, I cared about none and couldn't wait for the story to be done with. At the end there is a recap of what happened so that was good for me as I was practically clueless although I was still left with many questions. 2/5 for me and to be honest I doubt I will read this author again, the style is not for me I'm afraid. Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for giving me a chance to try a new author. For fans of Seymour this book is out from April 25th, 2013 in paperback and ebook priced £6.99.

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ARC - Breakdown by Sara Paretsky

Breakdown by Sara Paretsky
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time Taken To Read - 3 days

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Blurb from Goodreads

Carmilla, Queen of the Night, is a shape-shifting raven whose fictional exploits thrill girls all over the world. When tweens in Chicago's Carmilla Club hold and initiation ritual in an abandoned cemetary, they stumble on an actual corpse, a man stabbed through the heart in a vampire-style slaying.

The girls include daughters of some of Chicago's most powerful families: the grandfather of one, Chaim Salanter, is among the world's weathiest men; the mother of another, Sophy Durango, is running for the United States Senate.

For V.I. Warshawski, the questions multiply faster than the answers. Is the killing linked to a hostile media campaign against Sophy Durango? Or to Chaim Salanter's childhood in Nazi-occupied Lithuania? As V.I. struggles to answer these questions, she finds herself fighting enemies who are no less terifying for being all too human.

My Review

Despite this being the 15th book in the series it is my first time reading this author. V.I Warshawski is our main character and to be honest at the start of the book I was very confused what her role was. She is a private detective, often referred to as a detective who is also listed as a lawyer although she isn't practicing. She is called on by her cousin to check on teenage girls, out after curfew, who are practicing a ritual brought on by the teenage vampire books fad. In the cemetery, unbeknown to the girls, a man is being killed nearby. A long and twisted tale follows, politics, murder, deception and secrets which will put the lives of those involved in perilous danger.

There are no vampires in this story so don't be put off or fooled by the blurb. It is a murder mystery that is heavily wrapped up with politics. I don't follow politics much and have to be honest there is a lot throughout the story that it did put me off quite a bit. There are also, for me, far to many characters and I got confused about who some people where and had to go back and re read and see what part of the story they played.

It is not all complaints though, V.I. is a great character, she is very loyal to her close friends, spunky and like a dog with a bone once she gets her teeth stuck into something. She is also very tolerable, she does a lot for many of the characters in the book yet gets quite a lot of aggravation for her troubles. For some parts I could have put the book down and left it as it got a tad boring for me, however at the last quarter of the book it focused back on the actual story and picked up pace. As I said a far few turns and twists and had the politics been a lesser part I am sure I would have enjoyed this more so 3/5 for me. I am sure I will look this author up again but alas not for a while. Thanks so much to Hodder and Stoughton for sending me an ARC copy of this and introducing me to a new author. This version of the book will be available from the 25th of April, 2013 in ebook and paperback for £7.99.

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ARC - The First Cut by Ali Knight

The First Cut by Ali Knight by Ali Knight
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time Taken To Read - 2 days

Blurb From Goodreads

Five years ago, Nicky's best friend Grace was brutally murdered.

No one was ever charged with this terrible crime and Nicky in her grief sought solace in the arms of Grace's widower.

They're now married but he is often out of the country for work, and when Nicky meets Adam, who is young, good-looking and obviously interested, she's tempted.

But what starts as an innocent flirtation leads to a terrible ordeal, and a dark secret. A secret that involves her husband, and Adam, and what happened to Grace all those years before.

Nicky finds herself fighting for answers. But when love is worth killing for, the price paid for the truth can be very high indeed...

My Review

We start off with the murder of Grace and quickly flip to present day. Nicky and Greg (Grace's then husband) are now married and things are far from perfect. He is always away for work, they aren't talking and things are just strained. Along comes a chance encounter and she meets Adam, young, fun and very flirty. Soon the fun turns to danger and Nicky finds herself caught up in murder, lies, deceit and a secret that will change everything.

I was gripped after the first few pages and really drawn in until soon after she meets Adam. Then things change dramatically and I found myself having to re read parts incase I missed something as it didn't seem to make sense. I found myself thinking that a few times in parts where characters would say something and I had to go back incase I was missing the link. The confusion did take away from my enjoyment as I kept trying to work out the what and why in different parts (sorry for being sketchy but I don't do spoilers in my reviews).


Another thing I liked about this book is the chapter length is a handful of pages between each (like James Patterson does) which means you can race through it inbetween doing your daily chores.I did enjoy the book and the things I liked far outweighed those I didn't and all of the confusion was pretty much cleared up and all the boxes ticked by the end. My first encounter with this author and I would read their work again. Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for introducing me to yet another new author and giving me the chance to review this book. An on the fence 3/5 for me.

This book is available from all good retailers from the 5th of July 2012.

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A.R.C Lost Angel by Mandasue Heller

Lost Angel by Mandasue Heller

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Blurb From Goodreads

Combining grit and glamour, this thriller set in Manchester's criminal underworld is a spellbinding story of young love and old scores Many years ago, Johnny Conroy was forced into a shotgun wedding with a Manchester gangster's daughter. He's never even begun to love her, but can't leave without being killed by her vicious father. He turns out to be a success in the car-theft business, with a used car lot that provides both cover and a way to fence the cars. But now his daughter Angel--the best thing in his life--is 16, and history seems to be repeating itself when she falls for one of his employees. Ryan is a nice boy, and he really loves Angel, but there are secrets that could destroy the happiness of Johnny and his daughter, and they are about to come out.

My Review

Johnny Conroy is a jack the lad who finds he has bitten off more than he can chew when he pursues the local gangsters daughter, he is forced to marry her or be maimed or killed by her dad. Fast forward to present day and his daughter Angel is 15 and in the same situation as her mum was and history seems to be repeating itself but this time there are skeletons in the closet that could ruin the whole family.

What a brilliant read, I could have devoured it in one sitting but other things have happened. The book follows Johnny's life from a careless teenager to an adult with a teenage daughter himself. His struggles within his family, his wife who by the end of the book I absolutely hated, his family and his career from being a lackey to a well respected business man in their community.

It is a total page turner, good paced, action, lies, secrets, betrayal. It has the usual sex, bad language and drugs. If you like Manadasue Heller's previous books you will love this one, I don't claim to have read them all but of the ones I have this is my favorite. It was going to be a 4 star rating until just under the last quarter of the book which became explosive with secrets revealed and all loose ends tied up and I love my books like that. 5/5 for me and a massive thank you to the publisher Hodder & Stoughton for giving me the opportunity to review this. Lost Angel is out on the 12th of April 2012.

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