Anything for Her by G J Minett

Anything For Her by G.J. Minett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1.5 days

Pages - 368

Publisher - Zaffre

source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

You'd do anything for the one that got away . . . wouldn't you?

When Billy Orr returns home to spend time with his dying sister, he bumps into his ex-girlfriend Aimi, the love of his life. He might not have seen her in eleven years, but Billy's never forgotten her. He'd do anything for her then, and he'd do anything for her now.

When Aimi tells him that she wants to escape her abusive husband, Billy agrees to help her fake her own death. But is she still the Aimi that Billy remembers from all those years ago?

Once Aimi disappears, Billy has to face the possibility that perhaps she had different reasons for disappearing - reasons that might be more dangerous than she's led him to believe . . .

Sometimes trusting the one you love is the wrong thing to do.



My Review

Meet Billy Orr, heading home to spend time with his sister who is ill when he accidentally bumps into his first love Aimi. Aimi has never been far from his mind and Billy would do anything to help her, even though he hasn't seen or spoken to her in eleven years. When Aimi discloses she is in trouble Billy of course helps, a second chance with his Aimi and he doesn't give two hoots for what dangers could lie ahead.

Billy is a sweet but loner type character, we know he isn't your normal guy but we don't know why. The book flips between past and present and we get a better insight into Billy's past, his relationship with his sister and a bit more of why he is the way he is. As time passes with Aimi's plan, Billy has to deal with the aftermath and starts to question how much does he actually know Aimi.

It took me a wee bit to get into this book, we start with current day (2015), flip back to thirteen years prior to when Billy was a teenager and then duo location (2015-16) between Billy and Aimi. The chapters are well labelled so you can follow the story easily, there is a strong bond between Billy and his sister Mia and I liked how they were especially with what they had endured together already. Aimi I didn't like at all, pretty much from the beginning and Billy seems like such a wee chop you can't help but feel for him. You build a picture of who the main players are and go page to page trying to gauge exactly where the story is headed.

Once the story got about half way it really picked up and took a turn, I think you feel you are getting the jist of it when the rug is out from under you. I do love when a book gets you like that, 3.5/5 for me this time, this is my first time reading this author, I will check out the rest of their offerings.

View all my reviews

The Longest Holiday by Paige Toon

The Longest Holiday by Paige Toon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1.5 days

Pages - 416

Publisher - Simon & Schuster

Source - Fellow blogger

He's smiling down at me with tears in his eyes as I say my solemn vow:
'I, Laura, take thee, Matthew, to be my lawful wedded husband…' I thought I would never feel like this about anyone ever again. Not after my first love… Not after the heartbreak and the loss and the trying to pick myself back up again… Then I met Matthew, and I know that he has my heart forever: my perfect, gorgeous, adoring Matthew. And then I wake up. And I remember that he's not perfect. He's so far from perfect that my heart could surely collapse from the pain that instantly engulfs me…

To say Laura is unlucky in love is an understatement. Her first boyfriend died in a horrific accident, and now she's just discovered that her husband of six months has been hiding a terrible secret. Devastated and unwilling to face reality, she escapes on a girls' holiday to Key West with her best friend Marty. But a deep and instant attraction to a sexy Cuban scuba diver takes her completely by surprise. When her two weeks in the sun come to an end, Laura doesn't want to go home again. But she can't run from real life forever. Can she?


My Review

Meet Laura our main character, off to Florida's Key West with her bestie Marty and Marty's friend Bridget. Laura is trying to come to terms with her husband of seven months bombshell, he slept with someone on his stag do and she is now pregnant with his baby. Everything Laura thought she knew about Matthew she is now questioning and can she ever forgive him. Whilst healing and trying to recover she encounters the silent and broody Leo, beautiful, talented and the balm she so badly needs. Is Leo just a get back a Matthew, some holiday fun or could there be something else there?

So, I have read and enjoyed Toon before and whilst this book covers a range of themes that make for a poolside read, there were some things that irked me. The overall response as the book goes on from Laura's inner circle infuriated me, I cannot imagine being in that position and my A Team basically saying the things her friends do! Infidelity is a big part of the story and for how it goes it is integral to the plot but I got really annoyed by a bit of double standards going on from some of the characters.

Laura is a bit of a meg character for me, I initially felt for her, then I got annoyed at some of her choices. Leo I think is meant to be a bit on an onion character, gruffy on the surface but has many layers however he comes across as a bit of a.... I am struggling for the correct word. Like he was bosses, withholding emotions which almost seemed manipulation to me. I don't think it was but that was how I read him sometimes. Then Laura, she fair flipped about like a fish out of water at times with her emotions, I genuinely wasn't sure which way she was going in almost everything. I think maybe that was Toon's intent, Laura is going through such an emotional rollercoaster that she isn't sure what she needs, wants, should or will do.

It sounds like a moan lol and I really don't mean that as I did like a fair bit of the book. Friend coming to the rescue, family and friendships pushed to the limit, a journey of self exploration, love, lust and of course actions and consequences. 3.5 for me this time, I have read Toon before and I will read her again.

View all my reviews

The Angel by Katerina Diamond

The Angel by Katerina Diamond
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 464

Publisher - Avon

Source - Book shop

Blurb from Goodreads

THE TRUTH WON’T STAY LOCKED UP FOREVER

When a burned body is found in a disused signal box, suspicion falls on lonely teenager Gabriel Webb. There’s no doubt he was at the scene of the crime, but does he really deserve what awaits him in prison?

DS Imogen Grey is certain there’s more to the case than meets the eye. But while she struggles to convince those around her of the truth, her partner DS Adrian Miles is distracted by his own demons.

When a brutal double murder is reported, their investigation is stopped in its tracks. Is the body in the box even who they thought it was? The duo realise Gabriel might have been locked up for a crime he didn’t commit. But with enemies watching Gabriel’s every move, they may be too late.

Miles and Grey are back in the thrilling new novel from bestselling author Katerina Diamond, perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter and M.J. Arlidge.


My Review

This is book three in the series, whilst you could technically read this as a standalone I think you would enjoy it more reading the previous and getting the back story. Gabriel Webb and his beautiful girlfriend are goths and end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Gabriel is in jail awaiting his punishment, he won't give his girlfriend or the people he was with. DS Grey and Miles are assigned to the case and soon suspects not only is Webb innocent but there is more, much more to this case.

Both detectives have things going on from their past, more so Miles which has a huge part in this story. Grey also faces issues from her past making her question the thing she holds above all else, her loyalty to the job. It has heat, relationships, jail life, sex, violence, murder, sexual references, police investigation and partnership. I love the friendship between the two detectives and how they work together.

The chapters are relatively short which as you know I do love in a story, great for when you are working but if your concentration is off it helps for dipping in and out. I think we get to see a wee bit more to who the characters are, the more personal side without losing focus on the actual case, investigations.

The prison scenes with Webb are hard going at times, it isn't always the what happens more the threat, ominous atmosphere and psychological torture. Diamond creates split themes in the book, the jail with Webb, the police investigation, the deaths, the police personal lives but does so where it all links and doesn't detract from each story line. I think that can be a balsy move by authors, too much going on and the reader becomes bored and or frustrated but if you do it right you reader just want more! 4/5 for me this time, I cannot wait to pick up book four!

View all my reviews

Deja vu by Emma Clapperton

Déjà Vu by Emma Clapperton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - < 30 mins

Pages - 37

Publisher - self

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

1987

Celia was found brutally murdered in a railway underpass. No one was ever charged with her murder, it was like the killer disappeared into thin air. But Celia knew her killer and after she died, she fought for her soul to re-enter her body, to carry on with life. But the force is too strong for her and her soul is cast aside.
Celia did not want anyone to forget what happened to her.

PRESENT DAY

Alice has suffered from anxiety as far back as she can remember. With certain music causing unexpected emotional outbursts and recurring nightmares, she can’t take much more.
But when she gets the job she applies for, the future seems brighter. Soon after her first shift at the office, the recurring dreams intensify, become more detailed. They feel real.
And that’s when déjà vu sets in.
Alice begins to wonder if these spells déjà vu, are actually memories…




My Review

This is a wee short story, I normally don't read short stories as they leave me irritated and wanting more, usually just getting started when it ends. However with Deja Vu we plunge in quickly, we open with Celia, if you have read the blurb you know what is happening, if you haven't you just know something isn't right. We jmeet Alice in the next chapter, Alice is just a normal girl who suffers from anxiety, it is getting worse, music can set off panic and vomiting, not good when you are about to start a new job. Alice doesn't know why she is experiencing this, Celia needs justice for what happened, what is linking these two seemingly separate women?

There is an eerie atmosphere that builds from the first chapter, you know what has gone down but not where the story is going or where the link between the two main characters is. The timeline splits from 1987 with Celia to present day with Alice.

I couldn't figure where the story was heading, which in only 37 pages is pretty good going. I actually gasped at one point, it is testament to the authors ability to evoke an audible response from their reader. Whilst I am still not a fan of short stories I did really like this one, I have read this author before and have another on my TBRM to get to. 4/5 for me this time, if you like short stories you will love this, if you don't like short stories you will still enjoy this, I did!

View all my reviews

An evening with crime writers at Waterstones

I love book events, I haven't been to many of late but I managed to hobble along last night, my o/h and friend came too. My o/h reads very few authors/books and usually on when on holiday, he came last night more as a "carer" for me but actually really enjoyed the evening.


Last night was Steve Cavanagh and Mark Billingham chaired by Christopher Brookmyre, these guys are hilarious. I had no idea Cavanagh was irish and could listen to that accent all night!





James introduced the guys, went over the safety as per and opened a great evening. If you aren't familiar with Sauchiehall street Waterstones they are now sporting a wee bar. So you can enjoy the events with a wee wine, soft drink or a water if that suits you. They also have a Harry Potter section, it is like a wee Harry Potter common room, I dind't get any pictures, I was so sore by the time I got there I beelined for my chair. I have took pictures previously, I am sure they are on my Insta, next time I am in I will get more.





Neither of the guys read out of their books, they just chatted, shared some stories, had a laugh and spoke about the books. Mark's book "The Killing Habit" is ook 15 in the Thorne series. There has been a lot of chat in the clubs about this one as the perp is killing animals and hasn't yet moved onto humans. I really hate animal cruelty and struggle to read books that contain it, however listening to Mark last night I am hoping it isn't actually too huge in the book, or too graphic. I may get my o/h to read it first for me though, just in case lol, inspired by the "Motorway cat killer" and discussing how many of these poor animals have been killed by this maniac.





Steve spoke about his new book Th1rt3en it is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. This will be my first book by this author, if you haven't got it yet, Tesco is doing a promotion for the next week I think where if you buy The Sun paper you get it for £2.





The guys talked about Cavanagh and Luca Vestes podcast, I have neverlistened to a podcast before but I think I will check this one out. They also chatted about their "band" and they will be playing in Bloody Scotland, if you haven't already you may want to check it out. Pictured is Mark reading out some of his one star reviews from Amazon, I LOVE when an author takes something negative and makes a positive from it. We all laughed at the daftness of some of them, brilliant!


I didn't get a chance to say hello or hug half the people I wanted to, there were so many great bloggers and authors in the audience. We had to leave pretty much as soon as it was over, I was just too sore. However we had a great night, the beautiful and talented Sharon from Chapter in my Life brought me a bookmark to cheer me up. I thought she had got it from the author for me, no, this talented beaut actually made it, have fantastic and thoughtful! I am honestly so blessed to have so many beautiful humans in my life.





My other friend brought me a book and some candles, spoiled! xxx

Q&A with author Isobel Hart

Welcoming Isobel Hart to So Many Books, So Little Time, author of Still Life, four other novels and currently writing the follow up to Still Life.





Thanks so much to Isobel for taking some time out to answer some questions for me. You can read my review for Still Life HERE.




Tell us about Still Life

Still Life is a romantic contemporary sci-fi. It tells the story of Samantha Davis; she’s clinging to the remnants of a broken relationship. After her boyfriend survives an accident – against expectations – he’s changed. For the better, some might say. The question is, why?


What made you genre switch?

I have always written pure adult contemporary romance up until now. And will again, I have no doubt. What Goes Around Comes Around and Full Circle are part of a 2-book series, Compromise Agreement is a standalone. Still Life may be a bit different but it’s written in the style of a contemporary romance. Pure Sci-fi fans will find it too light on the science, I imagine. What they have in common is real women, flaws and all. I didn’t consciously genre switch – I’ve always read across a wide variety of genres – I just wrote the story that was shouting loudest at the time. I still think it will appeal most to people who like romance.


When I picked up the book I thought Still Life was going to be very Sci Fi, it is more a mix of romance, relationships, abuse with mild sci fi themes, was this your vision for the book?

Yes, absolutely. It was always about Samantha – a very ordinary woman – who finds herself caught up in events. Her relationships are at the heart of the story. Her reactions, whether you agree with her choices or not, are the lens through which the story is told. I intended to make it plausible – this is a recognisable world on the brink of change.


How is the next in the series coming on and due for release?

I’m writing it now – all being well, I’d like to get it out early 2019. If possible, before.


I enjoyed the sci fi aspect of the book, will book two be more focused on that thread of the story or more relationship focus with mild sci fi themes?

I intend to answer the questions about the virus, but ultimately Still Born will be about Sam, and how she copes in the circumstances she finds herself in.


Rape and abuse are in the book but not given a lot of coverage, almost covered in passing, was this intentional. Did you feel this was important to include?

The story is told through Sam’s eyes – she’s not been exposed directly to the atrocities herself, only aware it’s been happening. Also, the timeline of events is relatively short – they’re in survival mode at the moment. They haven’t had much time to reflect on everything. That will come.


Which did you enjoy writing more, your previous books or this?

That’s like asking which of my children I love more! I love writing every book, there is space in my heart for all of them. This one seems to be more polarising in its appeal – you’ll either enjoy the rollercoaster, or hate it. I still love it.


How many more books do you see in the series?

Originally, I thought it would be a trilogy – now, I think there will only be 2 books. I intend to complete the story in the next book.


Where can fans find you?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isobelhartbooks/<br />
Website: www.isobelhartsbooks.com

Twitter: @bellahartloves

Anything else you would like to answer that I haven’t asked?


Just thank you for reading, and reviewing. Bloggers are our lifeblood. I’m immensely grateful


And if all of this isn't enough to spoil you I am offering up my pre loved copy of Still Life, it is in perfect condition AND signed by the author. It is a bit chunky at over 400 pages so this one I will keep UK only, sorry guys.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Silent Scream by Angela Marsons

Silent Scream by Angela Marsons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - over 2 days

Pages - 406

Publisher - Zaffre

Source - I bought 3 copies of this lol, Amazon (ebook), The Works and I think the other was part of an online deal

Blurb from Goodreads

Even the darkest secrets can’t stay buried forever…
Five figures gather round a shallow grave. They had all taken turns to dig. An adult sized hole would have taken longer. An innocent life had been taken but the pact had been made. Their secrets would be buried, bound in blood …
Years later, a headmistress is found brutally strangled, the first in a spate of gruesome murders which shock the Black Country.

But when human remains are discovered at a former children’s home, disturbing secrets are also unearthed. D.I. Kim Stone fast realises she’s on the hunt for a twisted individual whose killing spree spans decades.

As the body count rises, Kim needs to stop the murderer before they strike again. But to catch the killer, can Kim confront the demons of her own past before it’s too late?



My Review

Welcome to book one in a series, introducing D.I. Kim Stone investigating the murder of a seemingly upstanding member of the community. Soon another murder happens and the police have to consider is their a link between the two. When the body count continues and remains are found at an old children's home Stone and her team need to work hard to catch the killer before they strike again. The discovery of the bones not only throws a new light onto the investigation but causes Stone to revisit her own past and demons.

Before I even start on the book we need to talk about a major geek moment. The book takes place in Black Country, I had never heard of it before reading this book. There is a reference, in one conversation between one cop to another with a reference to the place and it being the inspiration for a very famous place in another book. I was actually geeking and will leave you to discover it for yourself (or if you are too nosey you can look at my Instagram as I popped a piccy up on there with the passage).

Stone is a fantastic character, she is work orientated, honest, strong sense of what is right and will get justice now matter what. She has a past, some issues but isn't flawed as so many detectives with a penchant for booze, drugs or risky sexual encounters. She is a fantastic creation, her team respect her, she doesn't bow down to office politics, she is for the victims, she will get them justice!

There is lots of action, we open in 2004 with five adults around a grave, burying an innocent, binding them all together with a horrific secret. We go to present day and the first murder kicks off so we are right into the action straight away. Relatively short chapters, which I personally love, following the investigation, the murders and even have a few wee chapters dottered in the book from the killer giving an insight into their history and mind set.

If I wasn't so knocked off just now I would have read this in one sitting, it is a great introduction to what I am told is a fantastic series. I have the next three in the series already and absolutely will be buying the rest. If you are looking for a new series (well new to me, originally published in 2015 by Bookouture) with a strong female who isn't perfect but isn't plagued with booze reliance or anything of that ilk, this is for you. 4.5 out of 5 for me, refreshing, engaging and hooked from the first page!

View all my reviews