R.M.L - Was by Geoff Ryman

Was by Geoff Ryman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time Taken To Read - 5 days

Blurb From Goodreads

This haunting, magical, wildly original novel explores the lives of several characters entwined by The Wizard of Oz--both the novel written by L. Frank Baum and the iconic, strangely resonant 1939 film. It is the story of the "real" Dorothy Gale, an orphan living a hardscrabble life with abusive relatives on a Kansas frontier settlement, and of the kindly substitute teacher who decides to write the story of the life she ought to have had. Was is also the story of Judy Garland and her unhappy fame. It's about Jonathan, an actor now dying of AIDS, whose intense attachment to Oz dates back to his troubled childhood. And it's the story of Jonathan's therapist, whose work at an asylum also unwittingly intersects the path of the Yellow Brick Road.
From the Great Plains to glittering Hollywood, Was traverses the American landscape to reveal the whirling funnel cloud at the core of our personal and cultural fantasies. It is a powerful, moving story about survival, and about the power of human imagination to transcend the bleakest circumstances.

My Review

I think it is safe to say this is the first book I have read like this. We all (or most of us) know the story of the wizard of Oz and this is a tale with some of the characters and the basic information as a back drop. The story splits into 3 main parts, that of Dorothy, Judy Garland and Jonathan. The characters and dates split off into different chapters and go back and forth and will paint you a picture that is very different to the Oz we know, or make you think of it in a different way.

I must admit, I loved some of this book and I struggled with some of it. The bits I liked where fabulous and even after a few days since finishing it - I am still thinking about it. The bits I didn't like were mostly things I was confused on and found some of the time changing and so many characters a bit much for my brain to comprehend, at times. However the story is really good and evokes a host of emotions as you follow the characters lives.

I was captured mostly with the Dorothy and Jonathan side of the story and if I am honest there is a few characters I felt I wouldn't have missed had they been dropped out but that said I am biased because I wanted it to be all Dorothy & Jonathan. I think for those coming in with Oz in mind you need to keep an open mind as this is only some of the characters and not the story of Oz and some of it is a fair bit darker.

I loved that at the end the author has taken the time out to shed some light on what parts are real and the where and how he got his information. This cleared a lot up for me and I am sure a lot of other readers will appreciate it too.

I would definitely read more by this author and for a first attempt I am giving a 3/5, it might not be your cup of tea but then again you might just love it!

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Amazon gift voucher winner is

Rachel Oxtoby, congratulations and well done. The winner has been notified and apologies for being late announcing but I am on vacation and the time difference (plus spending time with hubby and sightseeing) has made me a bit sloppy! As always thanks so much to everyone who entered. When I get home I will sort out August's pre-loved giveaway.

A.R.R - Loving Terese by Ju Ephraime

loving teresa by Ju Ephraime
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Time Taken To Read - 2 days

Blurb From Amazon

A steamy contemporary adult romance novel set in the French Caribbean island of Martinique. Step into a world of jealousy, intrigue and passion as Ju Ephraime takes us to the French Caribbean island of Martinique, where the men are passionate and the women equally so. Where passion for breakfast is the rule rather than the exception....

My review

Despite the blurb, I thought this was going to be an island romance type with some mystery - maybe something like a Jackie Collins however it is an erotic novel. The story is set on the beautiful French Caribbean island Martinique. Whilst holidaying with her friends Terese falls in love with the stunning Foxx, athletic soccer player and all out hottie. However she leaves him behind in a state of anger and confusion with no explanation, only to return two years later. Why did she leave, why has she come back and even more important - what will Foxx do.

There is a lot of descriptive sexual content in this book, mostly in graphic descriptions about how Terese's body is responding to something Foxx says or does. Her effects on him and to be honest a huge portion of the book is dedicated to their yearnings and contact. There is a small story underneath it all with some violence and double crossing but all in all the majority of the books focus is on the physical side of their relationship.

The twist with the bad guy I saw coming from very early on in the book and to be honest there wasn't any surprises (for me anyway) as the story progressed. I am not sure if the book was written in english first so maybe a lot got lost in translation or if this style of writing just isn't for me. I am sure this will be a huge hit with many people but it just wasn't for me, thank you so much to the author for giving me the chance to read their work though - 2/5 for me this time.

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NBR - The Thoughts & Happenings of Wilfred Price, Purveyor of Superior Funerals by Wendy Jones

The Thoughts and Happenings of Wilfred Price Purveyor of Superior Funerals by Wendy Jones
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time Taken To Read - 1.5 days

Blurb From Goodreads

Everyone has to make decisions about love...

Wilfred Price, overcome with emotion and a yellow dress, on a sunny spring day, proposes to a girl he barely knows at a picnic. The girl, Grace, joyfully accepts and rushes to tell her family of Wilfred's intentions. But by this time Wilfred realized his mistake. He does not love Grace.

Wendy Jones' charming first novel is a moving depiction of love and secrecy, set against the rural backdrop of a 1920's Welsh Village, and is beautifully told.

My Review

Wilfred Price is a fairly naive young man with the world at his feet. He has his own business with ideas of building and expanding. Overcome with male emotions on a hot day with a pretty girl in a low cut dress he gets caught up in the moment and proposes. What follows is a cloud of regret, steps to correct his mistake and a budding new love interest but will it all go to plan?

I read a really great review on this and wanted to try it (books set in the early 1920s aren't usually my thing). To be honest I found it pretty slow going for most of the first half, however that said the author made a good job of introducing the characters and creating a real and engaging setting for the drama that follows.

I had a huge dislike for Grace for the first part of the book but as the story starts to take shape and more is revealed I actually felt sorry for her. Wilfred is a bit of a young silly boy led by his emotions and doesn't think before he acts however as the book goes on we see him grow and mature which is a nice journey to follow.

The book deals with a few tough issues but instead of being in your face and over the top like a lot of books are written, it is very subtle and dignified considering what some of the content is. A good novel although I personally like my books more in your face and fast paced but this is definitely worth a look at especially if you like your books a bit demure. 3/5 for me and I would consider this author again, thanks to Newbooks mag for giving me a chance to review this and introduce me to another new author.

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P.R.R - Alice Brown's Lessons in the Curious Art of Dating by Eleanor Prescott

Alice Brown's Lessons in the Curious Art of Dating by Eleanor Prescott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time Taken To Read 1.5 days

Blurb From Goodreads

Sometimes finding your dream man is a job for a professional...Alice Brown has the best job in the world. She's a matchmaker and spends her days helping people fall in love, all the while imagining her own Prince Charming, who's somehow never come along. Her latest client is Kate. She's 569 days from her 35th birthday and she's already five years behind in her life plan. Desperate to find the perfect man, she enlists Alice's help, but will anyone measure up to her standards? Meanwhile Alice is coping with her awful boss, Audrey, and trying to stop herself falling in love with someone else's man. But what if she's got it all wrong? Will Alice find Kate's Mr Right? And when it comes to her own Prince Charming, will she be able to take her own advice?

My Review

Alice Brown is pretty much our main character (although there are a few other key characters as well). She works as a matchmaker in a dating agency and loves nothing more than sifting through the clients to see who is perfect for who. She seems like an unlikely candidate for the job being a plain Jane, simplistic girl who is single but she knows her stuff and her clients love her unlike her horror boss. Our other main characters as Alice's boss, Audrey and Kate who has a life plan but can't get the much needed man to fill it and time is running out as she is in the over 30s club.

Well what can I say, it is another chick lit book and whilst they aren't my first choice I did really enjoy it. The chapters are small so you can dip in and out as you please, whilst you get a chapter per character (and there are a few, the main ones and as the story progresses a few others) you don't get lost or confused at all as they have the persons name at the top of each one.

With most chick lit you pretty much know how the story is going to pan out however there were a few nice surprises along the way. It is well written and the story just flows off the pages, you don't have to think too much at all with it which makes it a perfect wee read pretty much anytime. A great start to what I hope is a new writer and look forward to reading more of her work, 4/5 for me this time. Thank you so much to the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this book and introducing me to yet another promising new author.

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ARC - Tuesday's Gone by Nicci French

Tuesday's Gone by Nicci French
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time Taken To Read - 2 days

Blurb From Goodreads

Sometimes the mind is a dangerous place to hide.

The rotting, naked corpse of a man is found amidst swarms of flies in the living room of a confused woman. Who is he? Why is Michelle Doyce trying to serve him afternoon tea? And how did the dead body find its way into her flat?

DCI Karlsson needs an expert to delve inside Michelle's mind for answers and turns to former colleague, psychiatrist Frieda Klein. Eventually Michelle's ramblings lead to a vital clue that in turn leads to a possible identity. Robert Poole. Jack of all trades and master conman.

The deeper Frieda and Karlsson dig, the more of Poole's victims they encounter . . . and the more motives they uncover for his murder. But is anyone telling them the truth except for poor, confused Michelle?

And when the past returns to haunt Frieda, she finds herself in danger. Whoever set out to destroy Poole also seems determined to destroy Frieda Klein.

My Review


Psychiatrist Frieda Klein is back in the second of the series and this time as well as doing her day job she is helping out the police. They find a dead body in the house of a disturbed young lady who can't tell them if or why she killed the man or how he came to be in his residence. What follows is an investigation that reveals a tangled web of lies, deceit, betrayal, murder and dark secrets.

I didn't particularly like the first in this series but I did enjoy this one much better. There are so many different parts and sidelines to this story so it is never dull, I particularly liked the investigation into the girl at the start and her condition. The story visits a lot of what happened in the first book (so you don't have to read it but I certainly would as it gives you a clearer picture for this book). Frieda is a stronger character this time around although she still visits her previous mentor who again I dislike and find both weak and annoying.

The chapters are fairly short in length which is always good as you can dip in and out when you have things you need to be doing. The writing is fairly easy to follow however as with the first book (although not as much) there is a bit of jumping around from one scene to one particular individual and instead of stars or lines there is a few spaces (in length) separating from the last paragraph it can get confusing although this time you work out quickly it is going back to that individual. I did see a few of the twists coming but enjoyed it none the less so 3/5 for me this time and will keep an eye out for book 3. Thank you so much to Alice Hibbert at the UK Penguin Group for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. This book is out for publication today and on sale from all good retailers.

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ARC - The War Of The Wives by Tamar Cohen

The War of the Wives by Tamar Cohen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time Taken To Read - 1.5 days

Blurb From Amazon

Imagine being happily married for 28 years. You have three children, a lovely house and a husband who travels a lot - but even after all this time, you still love each other.

Or: imagine being happily married for 17 years. You have one daughter, a lovely home and though your husband travels a lot, you still love each other passionately.

Then one day you get a call that turns your world upside down: your husband is dead. You are devastated. You go to the funeral... And come face to face with his other widow.

Another wife, another family. It can't be true. It must be a mistake.It has to be her fault - all of it. Or: is it?

With the sharp and witty scalpel she used in The Mistress's Revenge, Tamar Cohen lays bare the raw emotions thart underpin so-called normal family life and explores the hearts of two women forced to re-evaluate everything they thought they knew.

My Review

Imagine the horror of the sudden death of your husband, the grief and shock. Now imagine being at the funeral and finding his wife and other family that you never knew about. That is what happens to Lottie and Selina, both oblivious of each others existence until this horrific event. The story follows each of their lives as they struggle to cope with the shock and realization they didn't really know their husband at all as more skeletons come out of the closet.

This is my first encounter with this author and can't I just say I will be getting her other book. I really enjoyed her style of writing, the story is told in chapters of one is Selina, then one of Lottie and it continues like that throughout the book(the two main characters). It is told in first person perspective and reads like their diary's filled with their intimate thoughts and truths about everything they are experiencing (so for nosy folk like me it is bliss!).

You are pulled in from the first few chapters (well I was) as you can't help but thinking Oh My God and trying to imagine if this was you going through it. The story has all kinds of twists in it and until the end where it got a little bit weird I really enjoyed it. 4/5 for me this time and a huge thank you to Transworld Publishers and Lynsey Dalladay for giving me an advanced copy to read and review and introducing me to yet another new author.

This book is available from all good retailers from the 19th of July 2012.

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