You’re a 15-year-old schoolgirl who has big dreams of becoming a pop star, and then one day you get your lucky break. Polydor records send you to Copenhagen to make pop music- to make you a recording artist. You get back home and your future is looking brighter than ever- until the High Court writ hits the door mat- you’ve fallen out with your management and they have decided to sue. No, this isn’t a dream, this is now Vicky Nolan’s reality and fast becoming a nightmare, and all while still at school at the sweet age of sixteen.
Read abpout the trial, the family, Hollywood, London town, the glamour, the dog (eh?) and most importantly, the music. Curiouser and curiouser?
We always talk about ‘making it’ and fulfilling your dreams. The question is, what if you don’t? What happens next? Ultimately, this book speaks about life and family; its hopes and disappointments, its ups and downs. Scrapbook of an Unfound Songstress is in some way a story that speaks to us all, because in the end, the best stories are always true.
My Review
I would firstly want to thank Vicky Nolan for kindly sending me a gifted copy of her book to read and review. I was excited to read about her journey through the music business.
Scrapbook of an Unfound Songstress by Vicky Nolan follows her journey as she embarks a song career and the high’s and lows she faces along the way as she tries to reach that dream of being a pop star. I like the way Vicky has written the book she gives a good insight into the music industry and her love of music really shine’s out through the book too. I also think that Vicky’s is very inspirational for all she went through and enduring the Court proceedings at such a young age.
A inspirational read that shows all the high’s glitz and glamour and the low’s that in the music industry.
Linda Xia is a prolific writer whose work has been published in various anthologies, such as Polar Expressions’ Inkslide and the Poetry Institute of Canada’s The Heart of Solstice. She spent her childhood hoping for a letter from Hogwarts or a visit from a Camp Half-Blood satyr but eventually grew tired of waiting. Now, she firmly believes that people can choose to be heroic and hopes to inspire young girls to become the heroes of their own stories, regardless of where they were born or the color of their skin. When not writing, Linda travels the world, climbs mountains, and (inevitably) gets lost. Her time at Minerva University has taught her that failure is a side effect of living.
In the city-state of Devovea, behind the walls of the Castle, Scylla Delevan waits for a chance to prove herself. When a Magistrate is murdered and her father stands accused of the crime, she eagerly sets out to prove his innocence. As she races to find the real killer before it is too late, she begins to unearth dangerous secrets that could throw the fragile balance of her city into chaos. In too deep to turn back, Scylla is forced to question all she has ever known and choose between what is expected of her and what is right.
Family loyalty and personal beliefs collide as Scylla navigates a dystopian world divided by race and gender. Heir of Blood and Secrets will challenge you to consider how far you are willing to go- and what you are willing to sacrifice- to forge a better world.
My Review
Firstly I would like to say a big thank you to Linda Xia for kindly sending me a copy of Heir Of Blood And Secrets to read and review.
In Heir Of Blood And secrets we meet 16 year old Scylla Delevan who lives in Devovea in the safety of the Castle walls where all the Magistrate’s and the Crown lives and they run the city state of Delevan. She is next in line to be a Magistrate as is her best friend Ilya. They make policy’s for the grater good of the people. Beyond the Castle walls live the people living in the Tiers dealing with oppression, mass poverty and people just trying to get by.
At an event at the Castle where her father is going to do a speech, outlining an new policy, when there is a murder of a Magistrate and Scylla father is arrested and the prime suspect. Scylla is beside herself and takes it apron herself to prove her father’s innocence, but in doing so she discovers all is not as it seems and everything she has been taught could be tipped on its head.
This is my first YA dystopian read and I have to say it took me a couple of pages to get into it but boy when I did all I wanted to do was read on and find out what Scylla uncovers. I warmed to Scylla because she had good moral standing for standing up for what she believed to be the right thing to do and for her inquisitive mind.
The setting is written really well giving off proper dystopian vibes that just made me so intrigued the whole way through. I adored the map of Devovea at the front of the book, I actually referred back to it while I was reading; which allowed me to paint the perfect visual in my mind as I read. When I got to the end of the book I was sad because I just wanted to read more, I feel like there’s going to be another book and I defiantly want to read it if there is!!!!!
I enjoyed Heir Of Blood And Secrets by Linda Xia a great YA dystopian read which; I would recommend if you enjoy this genre.
Daisy Wood worked as an editor in children’s publishing before she started writing her own books. She has a degree in English Literature and an MA in Creative Writing from City University, London, and is the author of several works of historical fiction for children. This is her second published novel for adults. She divides her time between London and Dorset, and when not lurking in the London Library, can often be found chasing a rescue Pointer through various parks with a Basset Hound in tow.
War is closing in on the city of love. With his wife forced into hiding, Jacques must stand by and watch as the Nazis take away everything he holds dear. Everything except his last beacon of hope: his beloved bookshop, La Page Cachee.
But when a young woman and her child knock on his door one night and beg for refuge, he knows his only option is to risk it all once more to save a life…
Modern Day
Juliette and her husband have finally made it to France on the romantic getaway of her dreams- but as the days pass, all she discovers is quite how far they’ve grown apart. She’s craving a new adventure, so when she happens across a tiny, abandoned shop with a for-sale sign in the window, it feels fated.
And she’s about to learn that the forgotten bookshop hides a lot more than meets the eye…
My Review
Paris in 1940 Jacques opens up a bookshop La Page Cachee. His wife Mathide works in the art museum, they are very much in love. As they watch their beloved Paris change before their very eye’s as they German’s take hold. Banning book written by Jews and the destruction on the Jewish people. Jacques secretly his those band books in a secret room in the bookshop to save them for future generations.
Mathide is determined to do her part and join the Resistance, and having to disapear leaving Jacques and his sick mother behind. For how long no one knows. Jacques seeing some harrowing sights decides to get on a mission of his own to help people that are in desprate need using his secret room in the bookshop. But with a book loving German officer hanging around he has to be very careful.
Present day in Paris and Juliette and her husband are on a romantic holiday from America. Juliette’s grandmother was from Paris and she is desperate to find out more about her heritage. As Juliette realises there’s something not right between her and her husband. She decides to stay and have an adventure of her own after bring up two children and finding out about her husbands betrayal. Juliette see’s this as a time to work out wat she want’s to do with the rest of her life, and comes across an abandoned bookshop and decides to re-open, with new friends around to lend a hand. But what she discovers is far more mind blowing then she could ever have imagined her adventure to be.
The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris by Daisy Wood was an enjoyable historical fiction. I really enjoyed the dual time lines and the flip flopping back an forth. I did struggle with the few French words that were in the book but that’s because I don’t know French. I was intrigued by both Jacques and Juliette characters and wanted to learn more about them. The way Daisy Wood describes the setting was really quite picture-esc give good visuals in my mind as I read. All in all a good read.
Hi! I’m Kiley Dunbar and I write super cosy, escapist, romantic fiction set in beautiful places. I’m a Scot over the border in North England and I’m an academic, so it’s really Dr Kiley 😉
My novel One Winter’s Night was shortlisted for the RNA Romantic Comedy Novel Award 2021 which made me extremely happy!
CHRISTMAS AT THE BORROW A BOOKSHOP is out NOW and is just as swoony and romantic as it sounds, I hope you love it!
She left for the getaway, but will she stay for the happily-ever-after?
Jude Crawley has a broken heart. After leaving her cheating boyfriend, she decides to go solo on their non-refundable holiday: running a tiny bookshop in the Devon harbour village of Cove Lore.
There’s just one problem: six foot tall, brooding, gorgeous Elliot has also reserved the bookshop holiday for two weeks…
As Jude and Elliot put their differences aside to run the bookshop, Jude finds herself falling for more than just words. Until she discovers what Elliot is running from- and why he’s hiding out in Clove Lore.
Could this be Jude’s romantic ending? Or will there be a final twist in this tale?
My Review
The Borrow A Bookshop Holiday by Kiley Dunbar is the first book in a series where we meet Jude who has just finished Uni as a mature student after putting it on hold to take care of her grandmother; who thinks the time is right to go into a local care home. Now she has just found out the man she thought was her forever man has been cheating on her. And to top it off there holiday of running a bookshop in Devon has come up and she takes that as her opportunity to sooth her broken heart.
But there is one small problem, running the bookshop is a two man job and dashingly handsome Elliot has come as to also escape to help with running the bookshop for two weeks. They manage to work in the bookshop together but as they get to know each other Jude finds Elliot is being cadge about what he is trying hide from.
I adored this book so much and was a total joy to read. Kiley describes the bookshop wonderfully, I felt like I was right there in the bookshop with Jude and Elliot as there story unfolded and the setting of Devon sounds like heaven. I was defiantly intrigued by Elliot and why he was holding back bits about himself from Jude Kiley really built up the suspense which speared me on to read on at every available opportunity. I was willing Jude and Elliot to solder through and find it in there hearts to love each other because I could see they would make a great couple. I also loved the local characters they were all so unique. There are moments that will just give you the fit of the giggles; which is a sign of a good book.
I toughly enjoyed The Borrow A Bookshop Holiday by Kiley Dunbar and I will be definitely checking out the other books in this series. I would highly recommend!!!
Katarina Bivald grew up working part-time in a bookshop. Today she lives outside of Stockholm, Sweden, with her sister and as many bookshelves she can get by her. She’scurrently trying to persuade her sister that having a shelf for winter jackets and shoes is completely unneccessary. There should be enough space for a book shelf or two instead. Limited success so far. Apparantly, her sister is also stubbornly refusing to even discuss using the bath room to store books.
Katarina Bivald sometimes claims that she still hasn’t decided whether she prefer books or people but, as we all know, people are a non-starter. Even if you do like them, they’re better in books. Only possible problem: reading a great book and having noone to recommend it to.
Läsarna i Broken Wheel rekommenderar/The Readers in Broken Wheel Recommend is her first novel.
Also available in Hardback, kindle, Audio CD and Audio book
Pages: 386 pages
Genre: Women’s Literary/romance fiction
Format reading: Ebook
Copy provided by: Netgalley
Blurb (as seen on Amazon)
Sara has never left Sweden but at the age of 28 she decides it’s time. She cashes in her savings, packs a suitcase full of books and sets off for Broken Wheel, Iowa, a town where she knows nobody.
Sara quickly realises that Broken Wheel is in desperate need of some adventure, a dose of self-help and perhaps a little romance, too. In short, this is a town in need of a bookshop.
With a little help from the locals, Sara sets up Broken Wheel’s first bookstore. The shop might be a little quirky but then again, so is Sara. And as Broken Wheel’s story begins to take shape, there are some surprises in store for Sara too…
My Review
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review The Readers Of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald This book is translated from Swedish to English by Alice Menzies.
Sara recently worked in a bookshop in Sweden until it closes. Now she finds herself jobless and has no direction in her life. She has been writing and sharing books for a few years, with elderly lady Amy from Broken Wheel in Iowa. Knowing her polite Amy invites Sara over to stay, so they can finally meet. Sara’s parents thinks its a bad idea and thinks she should say put! But She decides to take the plunge out of her comfort zone. Only when she arrives Amy has passed away. The town people decide she should stay in Amy’s house and they organise day’s out to show her the town of Broken Wheel. Sara has heard so much about the people through Amy’s letters and is intrigued by them. But Sara gets a frosty reception from Tom Amy’s nephew, but the town involves him in keeping Sara company! As Sara spends time in Amy’s house she is wondering where Amy’s books are then she finds them and is in ore of the abundance of book Amy has collected.
On finding most of the shops at Broken Wheel are all shut up and there is no bookshop! Sara comes across Amy’s husband empty old shop which sparks an idea! What if she was to open the shop as a bookshop selling Amy’s books and it would be in Amy’s honour and her beloved collection of books can be enjoyed; with the money going to charity. Sara puts her idea to the town people only for them to say it wont work but they decide to let her. The town pull together to make the shop in to a bookshop, but are still sceptical. She is determined to bring books to the reluctant residence of Broken Wheel.
Being in Broken Wheel Sara becomes part of the community and the residence become friends which; makes her realise how lonely her life was back in Sweden. She has some unexpected challenges that lay ahead of her at Broken Wheel, including Tom!!! Is he more than just a friend? Can Sara change the towns views on books? Will she return home? Can she deal with all the challenges that are put in her path?
Gosh what a book! I adored every single second of it and become really attached to all the characters of Broken Wheel. I really didn’t want the book to finish which gave me a book hangover! It’s a book lovers dream, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about finding and belonging, friendships, love and the joy of a small town community. I would highly recommend this book!!!!
Marie’s Book Boutique gives
The Readers Of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald
Author Angie Langley was born in Sumerset and has lived in the south west of England all her life. Nowadays home is a 17th century thatched cottage on the banks of the River Avon in Wiltshire. A tiny piece of heaven and a true writers paradise. Angie’s books are based on life experiences, inspired by the highs and lows of a distant past that has given her strength to takle each day with a smile. Light-hearted and poignant she tells her story with honesty and bags of humour focusing on everyday situations many women will relate to.
The final hilarious and deeply moving chapter of the story that’s made Jennifer Brown chicklit’s most endearingly human heroine. This Bridget Jones with knobs on has moved on quite a bit since she was the worst typist on the planet, using every ounce of her steely core to rise to the shedloads of challenges life has thrown at her.
In Jennifer Brown To The Manner Born, our fiery five-foot-one free spirit has greatness thrust upon her, now that she’s been gifted the rambling Elizabethan manor house she used to manage. But you know Jennifer- she can move in the most sophisticated of society’s circles and lose none of her gutsy, down-to-earth charm.
And, as always, she’ll need all her reserves of energy, strength and good humour to keep a whole host of balls in the air- the threat of financial ruin, her best friend’s broken heart, and two proposals of marriage. Oh, and two unexpected Llamas. As usual, she’ll find creative ways to deal with it all.
But the universe is about to choose the happiest, most rewarding time in Jennifer’s life to throw her the biggest challenge yet.
I have read the first two book a few times because they really are good books and this book give’s me the same vibes as the others.
In this third and final book Jennifer inherits a manor house in Thornhill from her old boss, a place she used to manage, when she left the business was thriving and had a steady income. Now the manor house and the grounds need some much needed TLC and the manor bank balance isn’t healthy either. Jennifer dreams of her boyfriend David and her starting a life together but with him working away in New York and very little visit’s home it seems impossible. David has a plan to work like mad for a few years then he will be all Jennifer’s! She has a lot on her plate and she is no walk over and takes every task on with determination. Can she and the staff bring the manor back to life? Will she get her happy ending with David?…
As I said earlier in my review this is one of my favourite book series! This book was just as enjoyable as the first two. I have grown very fond of Jennifer especially in this book, the way she takes everything in her stride and her down to earth nature. She has some really funny moments that had tears of laughter rolling down my face, but there is also some really heart breaking bits that had tears of sorrow for her. I enjoyed seeing some old characters and meeting some new ones.
Angie’s writing is down to earth and she is able to evoke so many different emotions through out the book as she did the first two. And that for me is the sign of a truly wonderful read. I love the way she develops the characters through out, making them believable and unique. Angie also described the setting beautifully, giving me a clear images in my mind as I read. Angie is a very talented writer and I do hope we see more stories from her in the future.
If you can’t guess already I adore Jennifer Brown To The Manner Born and highly recommend it!!!!
Marie’s Book Boutique give’s
Jennifer Brown To The Manner Born by Angie Langley
Tragedy in a pub on New Year’s Eve. Even before the chimes have struck, a new widow enters a different world – the world of organ donation and transplantation. A world of dilemma, pain, desperation and risk, orchestrated by Fate, Time and their instruments: doctors, surgeons, anaesthetists. At war, in bed, on the wards, in theatre; battling with death, with each other and sometimes even their patients.
Dilemma crosses boundaries into a world where life and death interact and everything is up for grabs. But only if skill and chance play the game together and the participants have the courage to make the right choices.
My Review
Firstly I would like to thank Fionn Murphy and Simon Bramhall for asking me to read and review there book Dilemma and kindly sending me a copy.
This book is packed full of medical drama, and shows the risks involved in major operation’s, how the staff and patients deal with the dilemma’s they find themselves in, life and death, how doctors have to make difficult choices every single day.
Dilemma is the first medical fiction book I’ve read and boy what a ride it was! I really enjoyed reading Dilemma. I thought it was well written with prior knowledge of the medical system and gave a good description of what hospital life is like adding to the over all feel of the storyline. The character’s are well developed some of them are likable and some not so much.
At the beginning for the book before the novel starts there is a glossary with all the medical terms in the book; which I found really helpful. Dilemma reminded me very much of the UK medical drama’s like Casualty or Holby City, so if you like those TV shows you’ll enjoy this.
As I said this is the first book I’ve read in this genre and I will defiantly be looking out for more medical fiction in the future!
Effie Kammenou believes that it is never too late to chase your dreams, follow your heart, or change your career. She is proof of that. At one time, long ago, she’d hoped that by her age, she would have had an Oscar in her hand after a successful career as an actor. But instead, she worked in the optical field for forty years while raising her two daughters.
In 2015, three years after her mother died from pancreatic cancer, she published her debut novel, Evanthia’s Gift, the first book in a women’s fiction, multigenerational love story, and family saga, inspired by her mother and her Greek heritage. Kammenou continues to pick her father’s brain for stories of his family’s life in Lesvos, Greece, and their journey to America. Her interview with him was published in the nationally circulated magazine Reminisce.
Evanthia’s Gift: Book One in The Gift Saga was a 2016 finalist in the Readers Favorite Book Awards. Book two, Waiting for Aegina, was awarded finalist status in the 2019 International Book Awards. Chasing Petalouthes, the last book in the trilogy, also placed in the Readers Favorite Book Awards for the 2018 contest.
Kammenou’s latest project is The Meraki Series. Both Love is What You Bake of it and Love by Design are available now. Book three: Love is Worth Fighting for is set for its release on June 24, 2022, and is available for preorder. This series is a contemporary romance focused on three sisters and their quest for love and professional success despite their sometimes stifling and meddling family. But it wouldn’t be a Kammenou novel without delving into the past or references to mouth-watering foods. A mystery shadowed by a historical event in Greek history is slowly uncovered over the course of the three books.
As a bonus, each book contains traditional Greek recipes, many of which were passed down from her Athenian mother.
Effie Kammenou is a first-generation Greek-American who lives on Long Island. When she’s not writing or posting recipes on her food blog, aptly named Cheffie’s Kitchen, you can find her entertaining family and friends, or traveling for ‘research.’
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts from Hofstra University.
Format reading: paperback- kindly gifted to me by the author.
Blurb (as seenon the back cover of the book)
The third installment of The Meraki series:
All Krystina wants is to travel to beautiful locations, promote her blog, and achieve Insta fame. But with Loukas, her pesky frenemy from childhood, in tow, she hardly has time to breathe. If only he would leave her alone! But when the unforeseen strikes, forcing her to face challenging situations she never thought possible, it’s Loukas that helps her through it all. And then there’s the search her sisters began to find out what happened to her missing grandfather the man her grandmother has pinned all her faith on, believing he will one day return to her. Krystina is determined to find and bring him home, even through the most challenging of times. This quest will test everything she has come to know. But she may learn that through it all, when everything else crumbles around you, love is worth fighting for.
My Review
First off I would like to thank the author Effie Kammenou for kindly gifting me a copy of her book to read and review.
Love is worth fighting for is the third book in The Meraki series, having previously read and reviewed the first two books which you can check out here:
In Love is Worth Fighting For the reader follows Krystina story in the Andarakis family. She travels around and runs her own successful blog sharing her findings and sharing her thoughts. When she is home Krystina finds she has a shadow in Loukas, a guy she finds annoying. Loukas has a very difficult home life and the Andarakis family have taken them under there wing. Also entertwinded in the story is Krystina’s grandmother as she still wants to know why her husband never followed her and their daughter to America from Greece.
As the unimaginable happens Krystina , Loukas and Krystina’s grandmother find themselves self isolating at the start or the covid pandemic. In this time they learn a lot about each other and find out more about Krystina’s grandfather. Will Krystina stop fighting with Loukas and see what’s in front of her? Can Krystina’s grandmother ever find out what happened to her husband?
In all honesty the first two book have me hooked on this series already and I was so excited to read Krystina’s story. I adore the whole Andarakis family and feel they so likable. I did enjoy this book maybe not as much as the rest if I’m honest, the covid time line for me put me off a bit, as I read to escape everyday going’s on. But the I still enjoyed reading no the less. Another bit I loved was as in the first two books the grandmothers surch for her husband and the mystery that unfolds.
Effie’s writing style is wonderful; and will have you hooked from the very first page! I’m very much looking forward to the forth book in this series which covers the brothers story.
Bella Gonshorovitz is a prizewinning fashion designer. She opened her made-to-measure studio in East London in 2012, creating fine clothes designed for longevity. A long-term vegan, her cooking is inspired by her childhood in Tel Aviv. Growing produce at her allotment has allowed Bella to experiment with different crops in the garden and in the kitchen. She jas clear, engaging vision of how we can live sustainably and shares this with warmth rather than worthiness. She lives in Walthamstow, London.
My Review
What a beautifully put together book, with the most amazing photography. I really enjoyed reading this book which is just packed with informative information on generally living a more sustainable way. In the book are clothes to make and even come with patterns to help the reader recreate Bella’s clothes designs; which I’m all for. Another reason this book resonated with me is I’m starting to grow a few vegetables and I was intrigued by what nature really provides for us in terms food, dyeing clothes with said vegetable (which I was totally unwire of) and is a book I will be referring back too. I love the way Bella has put this book together and given pointers on certain vegetables and fruit which I think only makes me want to do more research on what other vegetables and fruits can offer and be used for. I also like the recipes even though I’m not a vegan I will be trying out a couple in the book. I think especially in todays world we need people like Bella reminding us that nature is a wonderful thing and is not just good for our planet but us too. Highly recommend Bella book.
Born in London to Greek Cypriot parents Soulla Christodoulou was the first in her family to go to university and studied BA Hotel and Catering Management at Portsmouth University. Years later, after having a family of her own, she sudied at Middlesex University gaining a PGCE in Business Studies and an MA in Education. Formal creative writing classes in 2015 ignited her life-long love of writing. She lives in North London and is currently working on her next two novels.
An authentic story about love and life in all its messy, unpredictable, imperfect glory. A truly heart-warming read.’ Jane Lacey-Crane If you’re looking for a book that will keep you captive, between its pages, until you’ve reached the end, then this is it. A story about overcoming adversity in all its forms, it will have you rooting for the characters as they fight for real love. Sexy and passionate it’s written in a beautiful and sensitive prose. Trust is a big word, when life has always let you down. And everyone deserves love a second time around, don’t they? Alexander, locked in a loveless, cold marriage, has melted into the humdrum of life, hiding behind his cerebral palsy. Maria, a single mother, is still reeling from her husband’s gambling and abandonment from years before. They click with their first tweet.
My review
Firstly I would like to say a massive thank-you to Soulla for not just asking and sending her book to me her book, but also for her kindness and patience in waiting for the review.
Alexander lives in Scotland in a loveless marriage, and his son has long since left home. He also lives with a health condition cerebral palsy; which affects his daily life. Feeling lonely Alexander joins Twitter to reach out to the wider world and he comes across writer Maria.
Maria is a single mother to teenage daughter Natalie. Maria is are still picking up the peace’s of their life after her gambling husband leaves her life upside down. Maria being an inquisitive writer joins Twitter to reach likeminded people like her.
Alexander and Maria strike up a mutual friendship through messaging and explore their love of literature. They are honest with each other and for the first time finding someone who accepts them for who they are. The attraction beings to grow for both of them, but will they both take the plunge and meet up? Is this friendship more than that? Will Alexander leave his loveless marriage?
What a beautiful read this book is. I really enjoyed following Alexander and Maria’s journey together from start to finish. I have to say as someone who suffers from a chronic health condition myself I though Soulla has written in such a sensitive and careful way, which comes across really well. Soulla has highlighted the condition cerebral palsy of which I didn’t really know much about until I read Alexander and Maria. For me this story is about friendship, acceptance, love and not being defined by a health condition. So not only have a read a great fiction story, I’ve learnt something too; which Soulla always manages to do. I just love her beautiful writing style!
Lisa Gardner started her writing career aged seventeen. Having caught her hair on fire while working in food services, crafting a novel seemed a safer bet. A mere ten years later she became an overnight success with the publication of her first thriller, The Perfect Husband.
Now an internationally bestselling author and winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for best suspense novel. Lisa lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with her family.
When not glued to her computer, she can be found hiking the mountains with her dog and/or researching new and interesting ways to get away with murder.
Avid hiker and soon to be groom Timothy O’Day disappeared while camping in the woods days before his wedding without a trace. As hours stretch into weeks, volunteers go home and police are assigned new cases, the case of disappeared hiker Timothy O’Day becomes just another missing person case.
But missing person specialist Frankie Elkin won’t let Tim be forgotten. A nomad traveling from city to city with more regrets than belongings, Frankie never gives up on a case, even when it seems hopeless. And she is determined to find Tim and bring him home- whatever the cost.
Joining a seven-day last ditch volunteer search team, lead by Tim’s father Martin, Frankie heads deep into the dark, secluded forest of America’s West Coast to uncover the truth of Tim’s disappearance. But with secrets swirling and tensions raised in the group, it becomes clear that Frankie Elkin’s case could well be her last…
My review
Firstly I would like to say a massive thank you to Rachael from Penguin Random House for kindly asking me to take part in this blog tour and for sending me an ARC proof. I’m very excited to share my thoughts after reading book one last year Blog Tour: Book review on: Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner
This is the second book in the Frankie Elkin series and boy was I excited to jump right in!
The story start’s five years after Timothy O’Day went missing as his father tries a last diched attempt to search for his son. His wife is dyeing and it is her wish to have him home. Frankie turns up and offers her help but the rest of the group however they are not convinced apart from one who recognises her from a form online about cold cased. Mean while there are fractures in the group with one of Tim’s groom buddy’s bow out of the search, due to his drinking problem leaving his equipment going spare. Frankie convinces the group she can be of help in this search for Tim and find out what happened to him.
The treck is gruelling and hard and Frankie is unprepared on so many levels but starts to see fractures and uncover secrets that could help lead to Tim’s remains. But what happens along the way and unfolds is a treck of nightmares.
One Step Too Far is a really epic read people!!!!!!!! Once I started reading I found it really hard to put down. I can honestly say I was sitting on the edge of my seat through out due to the tension and suspense of Lisa’s writing. There was a lot of plot twists that I just didn’t see coming and didn’t even come close to guessing who was/had been doing what. When I was reading it felt like I was watching a movie the description is absolutely on point in every way.
It was nice to catch up with Frankie Elkin again. I find her so intriguing in so many ways and have become quite attached to her. I find her to be a lost soul and would love for her to find her own peace and happiness.
I really can’t recommend One Step Too Far enough because I’m going to go out on a limb and say I think this book might just be my favourite out of the two books (and I gave that 5 stars). I would love to give One Step Too Far more than 5 stars because I really think it deserves it.
Marie’s Book Boutique gives
One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardner
5 super sparkly stars
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About the author (as provided by Love Books Tours)
Effie Kammenou is a believer that it is never too late to chase your dreams, follow your heart, or change your career. She is proof of that. At one time, long ago, she’d hoped that by her age, she would have had an Oscar in her hand after a successful career as an actor. Instead, she worked in the optical field for 40 years while raising her two daughters.
In 2015, three years after the death of her mother from pancreatic cancer, she published her debut novel, Evanthia’s Gift, book one in a women’s fiction, multigenerational love story, and family saga, inspired by her mother and her Greek heritage. Kammenou continues to pick her father’s brain for stories of his family’s life in Lesvos, Greece, and their journey to America. Her interview with him was published in the nationally circulated magazine Reminisce.
Evanthia’s Gift: Book One in The Gift Saga was a 2016 finalist in the Readers Favorite Book Awards. Waiting for Aegina: Book Two in The Gift Saga was awarded finalist status in the 2019 International Book Awards and Chasing Petalouthes, the last book in the trilogy, had also placed in the Readers Favorite Book Awards for the 2018 contest.
Her latest novel, the first book in a new contemporary romance series, is now complete. Love is What You Bake of It, follows Kally’s path to independence despite her sometimes stifling family and her tumultuous road to finding love. But it wouldn’t be a Kammenou novel without a delve into the past, or the references to mouth-watering foods.
Effie Kammenou is a first-generation Greek-American who lives on Long Island with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not writing or posting recipes on her food blog, aptly named cheffieskitchen, you can find her entertaining family and friends or travelling for ‘research.’
As an avid cook and baker, a skill she learned from watching her Athenian mother, she incorporated traditional Greek family recipes throughout the books for a little extra ‘flavour.’
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts from Hofstra University.
Copy Gifted/My own/Borrowed: Gifted by Love Book Tours
Blurb (as seen on the back cover)
Mia Andarakis just landed her dream job at a luxury magazine. And even better, her boss is the handsome and enigmatic Nicholas Aristedis, a man she has crushed on from afar. But Nicholas isn’t who she imagined. Irascible and mercurial, his instant dislike for Mia makes it almost impossible for her to work with him.
Nicholas has faced many losses, he has closed his heart to love. But Mia awakens feelings in him he had long since denied. And soon he discovres their connection is deeper than he realised.
Mia and Nicholas embark on an adventure across picturesque locations as they launch a new publication and uncover the mystery behind her grandfather’s disappearance. But perhaps the greatest challenge is in learning to set aside their insecurities and fear. Can the two forget the traumas of their past? And will they ever learn to trust in the possibility of love?
My Review
I would firstly want to thank Love Books Tours and Effie Kammenou for kindly gifting me a copy of Love by Design to read and review for the blog tour. After reading Love is what you bake of it I was eager to start to read. ( Blog Tour Book Review On Love is What You Bake of it by Effie Kammenou)
Love by Design is book 2 in The Meraki series and follows Mia’s story, one of three Greek/American sisters. Mia works in the publication industry and has a major crush on her boss Nicholas. Suddenly their is a shack up at the magazine and Mia is offered a new job at a new magazine Opal which will be run by Nicholas and his sister Penelope. Opal is a luxury magazine; which sends them to exotic places and Mia is excited to get stuck in to work, but Mia and Nicholas seen to rub each other up the wrong way.
As they work closely they start to discover things about each other that lights a spark of attraction between the pair. Nicholas learns about Mia’s grandfathers disappearance and starts to try and uncover the mystery. But will their past hurt stop them making the step in to love? Can Nicholas find out what happened to Mia’s grandfather? Will the new magazine be a success?
Firstly I want to say how addictive this series is! I was so looking forward to reading Love by Design after reading the first book. I adore everything about this book as I did the first because Effie quite frankly has the most dreamy writing style you can’t help but enjoy! I loved that it was written from different points of view which really dose give the reader so much more of a chance to connect and understand the character’s. Another thing I really loved was the wonderful Greek recipes Effie has included through out the book and some I’m defiantly going to be trying out at some point. I love the strong family vibes that run through out the book in proper Greek style! I think it’s pretty far to say I really adored Love by Design and I’m so looking forward to the next book in this truly wonderful series so far!
Effie Kammenou is a believer that it is never too late to chase your dreams, follow your heart, or change your career. She is proof of that. At one time, long ago, she’d hoped that by her age, she would have had an Oscar in her hand after a successful career as an actor. Instead, she worked in the optical field for 40 years while raising her two daughters.
In 2015, three years after the death of her mother from pancreatic cancer, she published her debut novel, Evanthia’s Gift, book one in a women’s fiction, multigenerational love story, and family saga, inspired by her mother and her Greek heritage. Kammenou continues to pick her father’s brain for stories of his family’s life in Lesvos, Greece, and their journey to America. Her interview with him was published in the nationally circulated magazine Reminisce.
Evanthia’s Gift: Book One in The Gift Saga was a 2016 finalist in the Readers Favorite Book Awards. Waiting for Aegina: Book Two in The Gift Saga was awarded finalist status in the 2019 International Book Awards and Chasing Petalouthes, the last book in the trilogy, had also placed in the Readers Favorite Book Awards for the 2018 contest.
Her latest novel, the first book in a new contemporary romance series, is now complete. Love is What You Bake of It, follows Kally’s path to independence despite her sometimes stifling family and her tumultuous road to finding love. But it wouldn’t be a Kammenou novel without a delve into the past, or the references to mouth-watering foods.
Effie Kammenou is a first-generation Greek-American who lives on Long Island with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not writing or posting recipes on her food blog, aptly named cheffieskitchen, you can find her entertaining family and friends or traveling for ‘research.’
As an avid cook and baker, a skill she learned from watching her Athenian mother, she incorporated traditional Greek family recipes throughout the books for a little extra ‘flavor.’
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts from Hofstra University.
The only love Kally Andarakis is baking is in the form of the sweet treats she whips up in her cafe, The Coffee Klatch.
Kally never belived herself to be a person worthy of love, but when an intocicating man she considered out of her league pursues her, she risks everything to be with him. Later, when tragedy strikes, truths are revealed that leave Kally broken- hearted and untrusting.
Eight Years later, Kally is a successful pastry chef running the cafe she’d always dreamed of owning. With a home of her own, a profession she’s passionate about and the support and love of friends and family, Kally is content with the life she has carved out for herself.
Until the day Max Vardaxis walks into her cafe…
With arguing parents, meddling relatives, an overly energetic grandmother, a man- crazy best friend, and the long ago, mysterious disappearance of a grandfather, this new man in town is just one more complication in Kally’s Life, if not the main one.
Kally must now decide whether to keep her heart safe or to once again take a ‘Whisk on love’
My Review
I would like to thank Love Books Tours for inviting me to read and review for the blog tour for Love Is What You Bake Of It by Effie Kammenou and for gifting me a copy.
Love Is What You Bake Of It by Effie Kammenou is the first book in The Meraki Series.
Kally is living out her dream of baking and running her own cafe The Coffee Klatch and having her own home. Coming from a Greek family food is always at the centre of any gathering, and that is where Kally get’s her love of baking. She is one of three sister and family is very important to them. Their grandmother is convinced her husband is still alive after he made her flee from Greece to Amarica with their daughter( Kally’s mother) with the promise to follow when he could. They are still waiting years down the line. With family and friends trying to pair her off at every possibility, Kally makes it clear she’s in no rush to do so. Kally thinks she is not worthy of having a happy-ever- after, when she has had stings from a past relationship and a bunch of unanswered questions.
Kally believes she is happy with her lot until Max walks into The Coffee Klatch causing her world to be turned on its head. Max also has trust issues from the past and has done things he isn’t proud of, but he is trying to turn is life around for him and his daughter.
Kally has a massive tragedy at her beloved cafe that brakes her heart, leaving her without a job and business; with no way of rebuilding. But the people around her and Max has other ideas.
Can Kally and Max get over their rocky start? Can they accept each others past mistakes? Will Kally ever be baking in her cafe again? Will Kally’s grandmother find out why her husband never followed her and their daughter all those years ago?
Love Is What You Bake It by Effie Kammenou is a perfect romance book! It whisk’s you away to a delicious place with wonderful characters that you can’t help but become attached too. I found my self devouring this book like the sweet treat it is! I loved the fact that it was written from Kally’s and Max’s point of view, with snippets from Kally’s mother and grandmother. It really made me the reader feel connected to the characters in the most wonderful way. Effie’s writing style is so dreamy and perfect in my eye’s!!!!! Another thing I LOVE LOVE LOVE is that Effie has included some recipes at the end of some chapters where the food appears in that particular chapter… How cute is that!? I will endeavour to try some of them out and get my Greek on!!!!!!!
This story is just dreamy and was just what I needed, I really can’t wait to read the next book in this series which follows the next sister. I really wish I could give this more star’s because I have a feeling this is a book I will re-read again. Highly recommended from me!!!!!
Sheila O’Flanagan is the award-winning author of over twenty novels, including The Women Who Ran Away, Her Husband’s Mistake, The Hideaway, The Missing Wife, My Mother’s Secret, All For You (winner of the Irish Popular Fiction Book of the year award) and Bad Behaviour, as well as the bestselling short story collection The Moment We Meet, The seasons of Change and Christmas With You.
By the third, Delphie thinks nothing could surprise her. But she’s wrong…
Delphie is enjoying her brother’s wedding. Her surprise last-minute plus one has stunned her family- and its also stopped any of them asking again why she’s still single. But when she sees all the missed calls that evening she knows it can’t be good news. And she’s right.
Delphie has been living her best life, loving her job, her friends, her no-strings relationships, and her dream house by the sea. Now she has to question everything she believed about who she is and what she wants. Is her mum right- is it time to settle down? Or does she want to keep on trying to have it all?
Each wedding of a glorious summer brings a new surprise. And as everything Delphie thought she had is thretened, she has the chance to reshape her future…
My Review
Thank you so much to Amazon Vine and Headline for the opportunity to read the ARC of Three Weddings and a Proposal by Sheila O’Flanagan. This is my first read of Sheila’s work so I had high hopes for this book.
The story follows Delphie a single independent woman; who is living a good life. She has a good job which she is driven in and a beautiful house by the sea. But her family are constantly at her to settle down, like her siblings! Her brothers wedding is first and she has to find a plus one and quick On finding one she shocks her family with her guest; but does get them off her back for more than a second. Then in at the wedding Delphie receives a shocking phone call; which takes her away from the wedding celebrations and her job becomes under threat!
The next two weddings Delphie attends has their own surprise’s to bring to her; which make her question her life and what she really wants. Is Delphie really happy with her lot? What will happen to her career and job? What does the future hold for Delphie?
Three Weddings and a Proposal by Sheila O’Flanagan started off really well, I was intrigued and found myself needing to find out more. But the middle of the book fell a bit flat for me; which was a shame and then picked up at the end. Delphie was a character that intrigued me from the get go; which is what made me carry on reading till the end. I just wish the middle was like the beginning and the ending because then it would have defiantly been a perfect read for me. I will still be checking out more of Sheila’s books of which there are many!
Ruth Torjussen grew up in stoke but now lives and works in Brighton as a Shared Lives Carer. She is passionate advocate of eating local food grown through regenerative farming as the answer to climate change.
When her best friend die’s of cancer just before her 50th birthday; and other friends move away from their home town of Stoke, grief-stricken Jenny sinks into a depression that her job as a Marie Osmond impersonator only exacerbates.
Nine months later, while everyone else is moving on, Jenny is still struggling. Despite the love of her family, nothing can alleviate her heartbreak and she dwells on the female-shaped hole in her life.
When newlyweds move in next door, she hopes that the woman over the fence will become a new friend and help get her back on track. But instead she gets Dawn: load, fat, tattooed and shouting the ‘C’ word within minutes of arriving.
Jenny’s GP suggests starting a course at the local college to bring her out of her reverie. And that’s where she meets Trudi. At last! Someone on her wavelength.
Will lovely Trudi be the friend she has so longed for? Will the creative writing class bring them together and add some much needed happiness to Jenny’s life?
My Review
Before I begin my review I would like to say thank you to Love’s Books Tours and Ruth Torjussan for gifting me a copy of Friends and Neighbours to review today on this wonderful blog tour.
Jenny friend has passed away around her 50th birthday and all her female friends have moved away, she struggles with having no close friends around.
Nine months have have passed and even with a loving husband and loving son’s can’t pull her out of her crippling grief. She works as a carer and a Marie Osmond impersonator but all that doesn’t take away what she is longing for a female friend. The house next door is empty and newlyweds are about to move in and Jenny has high expectations that the woman could be her new friend that she is so lacking in her life. But what she gets is not what she’s looking for.
Slipping further into depression her eco worrier husband and children are increasingly worried about her; as they encourage to pull her out of her grief to no avail. Now, on a suggestion from her doctor Jenny starts a writing course; where she meets Trudi. Jenny becomes convinced that Trudi is the one to fill the female void in her life, discounting other potential new friends that a neighbours. Is Trudi Jenny’s answer? Will Jenny learn to move on from her grief of her best friend? Are her likely female friends closer to home?
I so enjoyed reading Friends And Neighbours by Ruth Torjussen it has humour, much drama and may I say that the characters are really quite unique. On some level this book was very relatable on a personal level especially to Jenny. Ruth has simply done a smashing job of getting the reader to feel the emotion through her writing; she’s made me laugh and cry; which proves to me how good this book is! I really enjoyed Jenny’s eco and garden loving husband he was quite cool and I loved his utter devotion to his wife. Really great read, I highly recommend it!
Marie's Book Boutique 