Grist mill road

Grist Mill Road by Christopher J. Yates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the first half of this book and the latter half.

The beginning after laying the ground work and going back in time when the boys were young then up to date when they were older kept me focused. I was invested in this. No problem.

The scars that were left over that they each did penance for in their own was was very well documented and fabulously written.

But then it stemmed to dip in the middle where I was finding it hard to focus but, I pressed on.

I’m so glad I did as I ended up liking the book a lot.

Not having read anything from this author or even knowing if he has other books added to my pleasure. I love discovering new authors, well, ones new to me.



View all my reviews

The House by Karen Osman

The Home by Karen Osman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read some reviews after I read this book. I never read reviews before as I don’t like to be influenced.
But I do enjoy reading others points of view. Makes me step back and think.

I actually enjoyed the skilled writing in this book. It urged me along quite nicely.

I thought about this little girl being left up for adoption. Why and what thoughts would this child have growing up.
She makes friends with others in this orphanage but of course we know it’s not going to be a straight forward tale.

When we read about how a child is taken to “the den” it gives no doubt what it’s for.

Then there are the spoons hanging in the kitchen of all shapes and sizes. These are used for beating.

The ‘littlies’ are the ones favoured for adoption but when a rich couple want to take her she can’t believe it.

Events happen to change things and she’s encouraged to seek out her biological Mum.
All doesn’t go to plan.

The only complaint I had was the ending. It was like the author couldn’t find how to end this plausible to really ended this with me thinking “hmmmm easy ways out” so for me personally the ending let it down.

View all my reviews

Forget me not by Kierney Scott

Forget Me Not by Kierney Scott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Irritating characters. Great plot. Great story with a fabulous mystery.

The book warms up as you go, like building a fire before it sparks and the flames start to rise.

It’s written really well.
Jessica who is the Detective is as hard as nails.
I could have slapped her many a time until I got to know what’s made her this way. I then mellowed a bit then. But only just.

The heat is on to find the killer and this Detective has her blinkers on to find them, no question, no distractions.

It’s a gruesome case.

I must say, although there’s a book 2 I didn’t particularly like the ending.

Overall

It’s a good story.
Good plot.
It’s graphic so beware if you have a weak stomach.

But sometimes unbelievable.



View all my reviews

Forget me not by Anne Bennett

Forget-Me-Not Child by Anne Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I went on a journey here to the First World War time where times were very difficult indeed and many were poor trying to put food on the table.

Ireland is where Angela hails from but trying to make life better she goes to Birmingham to better her life.

When Angela marries her childhood sweetheart I thought the struggles would at least subside. Alas not.

Hubby is called up for service.
Angela is pregnant and all is not well after the birth. She is also poor with another mouth to feed.

What will become of them both?

I’ve really enjoyed book 1. I’m late reading this so I’m going to look out for book 2.



View all my reviews

Wonder by R J Palacio

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well I read this book yesterday and watched the DVD today.

This has been a book I’ve wanted to read for so long.
It’s been sitting on my shelf. I finally chose this to read/watch this weekend.

It’s a tearjerker, it will definitely grab you and make a lump in your throat.

I’m not sure what I can say that’s not been said before, the hype is definitely true, listen to those readers drums they really are telling the truth.

Courage
There is not such word as perfection in the human form.
Resilience comes from inside and support from people who “see” YOU the person.

We cannot change the way we look so “seerers “ need to change how they see, how they perceive.

A tearful, heartwarming story that will touch your heart.



View all my reviews

The coordinates of loss by Amanda Prowse

The Coordinates of Loss by Amanda Prowse
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


When you loose your child or baby in death the pain is beyond acceptable. It stays with you like an open wound no matter how you get on with live.

But loosing Oscar in the way this happened was heartbreaking for me to read.
Funerals are closure, acceptance.....even if your emotions and heart doesn’t want to accept it, you know in the recess of your mind, they won’t be there any more. Only in our memories.

I felt for these parents, I ached to hold them, to give them comfort.
The horrendous event they’ve both gone through.

When they separated for a while I was annoyed. I fully understood and I 100% understand wanting to get your own space and grieve.
This could have easily happened to us.

But it takes all your willpower and the love of your husband and the love for each other to actually stay together.

When there is blame, no matter if unfounded and irrational it’s rational to the person going through it. It’s very easy to blame.

The love that these two had for each other although apart was so heart splitting for me to read, I had tears pouring down my face. I couldn’t see the writing.

I took a break to make a cuppa but I just had to carry on reading.

This is the beautiful craftsmanship of Amanda Prowse. When she puts pen to paper you just know that you can’t leave that book there. It eventually has to be read. It will keep calling you despite the fear of another good cry or a whooping jump in the air because all has worked out fine.
The beauty of this authors reads is that I never know if the ending is going to be Happy ever after, or, not what you were expecting but the ending is just as satisfying even if it did leave you in a blubbering mess.

So, so good.

View all my reviews

The woman at 72 Derry Lane

The Woman at 72 Derry Lane by Carmel Harrington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When a book can stir your emotions as much as this one how can you not give it the praise it deserves.

It’s definitely a 5* from me.

The author not only writes fluently but with emotion. You can feel it within the pages.

We all can inprison ourselves in a heap of ways.

Stella has.
We learn why.

Rea too but for different reasons.

The couple next door seem the perfect loving couple. I’ve always said, take the food of of peoples houses or peek in from outside and discover nothing is how it seems.

I really thought this was going to be a contemporary read, but, it was so very much more.

I’ve read 2 other of this authors books. I think it’s time for me to read more.



View all my reviews

Skintown

Skintown by Ciaran McMenamin
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Oops going through my review notepad I forgot this one. So putting it up now.

I seriously struggled with this one in parts.
I’m no prude, I also judge people on WHO they are and not WHAT they stand for.

The main character in this book, Vincent really, I just wanted to wash his mouth out with soap!
Yeah maybe I’m getting old, or, already old but there’s swearing and swearing for no impact at all.

So he chops up chicken, chops and ribs all day. It’s a job right!
It’s not meaningless at all. But he wants wider horizons.
(Work in a bigger store then!)
Sorry, my warped sense of humour.

He does a lovely thing, an act of kindness, outside of who he is......
This leads him to his higher horizons that he’s been dreaming of.

Be prepared for:
Drink....excessively
Drugs.......and what this fuels up
Acid house
Love interest


Plus side, I liked the ending.

View all my reviews

Attachments

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Sorry for the stars, but this is my own personal opinion and that doesn’t mean YOU may not enjoy it.

That said.

I read the blurb of this when it came out and thought it sounded interesting.
What I personally found was that I struggled like hell to finish it. I admit I skimmed the last 2 chapters but I felt I had read enough.

I found this book to be creepy, the guy was really weird to do what he did. It’s out of the ‘norm’ anyway.

It’s based in 1999 internet was kinda new.
So in offices it was a boom to get work done but these two friends zjennifer and Beth would email each other back n forth. Some pretty personal emails too.

Lincoln is the IT guy who helps with the running of the computers. So he can basically access most things, and guess what, he access those emails. Based on the emails alone he falls in love.

It was funny in places, I became amused by the whole concept. So that’s why I’ve upped it to 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Made you up

Made You Up by Francesca Zappia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was recommended to me a while back. It’s been sitting on my shelf for ages. It’s not the usual kind of writing I enjoy however, because it was recommended over Mental Health week some time ago (which I’m a supporter of) I bought it.

I am slowly trying to get to my own purchased books bit by bit and decided to choose this one.

Like a lot of clinical psychotic mental health illnesses it edges on hallucinations, paranoia, grandious ideas and more.

schizophrenia is of no exception and we see this in the main character.

It was interesting how the author wrote this book as it’s not as straight forward as I would have thought.
I didn’t know what was fact sometimes and what was her hallucinations, that kept me interested.

The love interest made it even more overwhelming and decidedly complicated with someone with such an illness.

Medication may keep the psychosis at bay, the break through may be short or horrendously inhibiting.

What a very good read once I got the angle of the way the author writes.

View all my reviews

It’s not me it’s you

It’s Not Me, It’s You by Mhairi McFarlane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This flows along excellently with plenty of dialogue. It’s a fun light read which I’ve needed over the past couple of days.
It’s smart, it’s funny and it’s very touching.

I read this in paperback format from the haul I have on my shelf.

View all my reviews

The Confession by Jo Spain

The Confession by Jo Spain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well.....
What just happened here today?
I read this. Yes I read this in one sitting not doing much else, it’s gripping story that hauls you in by the scruff of your neck.

It starts with an appalling event, a murder. Julie’s husband lies dead after a blood curdling graphic attack. I dare you not to imagine it as his wife looks on and witnesses it.

At the beginning we know just what’s is happening. You find out who did it.
Yes no guessing. We are told.
But we aren’t told why until the last page.

The lives interested by a few.

It’s diffi to write a review without giving anything away.

This is dark, twisty, thought provoking.

This is brilliant stuff!

Remarkablely different.

View all my reviews

All That Was Lost by Alison May

All That Was Lost by Alison May
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got pulled into this story right at the beginning.

There are three main characters.
Patrice who is a medium, a well known long standing celebrated medium.

She holds “shows” where an audience of people come to. Ones wanting to talk to their deceased loved ones for all kinds of reasons. To say goodbye because they’re life was taken so quickly, to ask if they are OK, to settle differences and even someone in the audience who wanted to know if her Pekingese dog of 16 years together was OK. For each to say “I love and miss you”

Not everyone will be satisfied as not all spirits will come and enter.

Then there is Leo. He’s been commissioned to write her biography.

And Louise whose lost her son.

It’s an emotional complex story. Grief, loss and love.

Within lies lots of lies. Who from? From everyone.

Self misguided smoke screens surround them all, and Patrice life is one big whooper of a lie.

It’s not a happy book, it’s doesnt give to romance, it’s nothing like this authors other book, it’s so different it’s completely compelling.
It’s a moving emotional tragic book with cracks.

You will as a reader find out why Patrice has lied all her life. Why Leo started out telling “little” lies that came embroiled into huge ones.
And why would Louise lie?

Can they fool you?



View all my reviews

The Liars Room

The Liar's Room by Simon Lelic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved, loved, LOVED IT.
I was as trapped in the story as Susanna was in her Consultantancy room with Adam. I didn’t even want to get out unlike her!

I read The House by this author and loved it.

I’ve now read this and am going to follow him on social media so I won’t miss out each time he produces a book.

Talk about “edge of your seat”. I was on the edge I almost fell off.

This is a verbal cat and mouse that will have you turning your head to Susanna, to Adam, back to Susanna, just like watching a tennis match.
Who is lying.
Whose hiding something?
How does Susanna think she may know Adam?
What happened to her son?

Why did Susanna leave her hometown with her daughter and start a new life?

Who in the hell is Adam whose in her room and taken over not only the session but her entire life?
Where is Emily her daughter?

Are you intrigued?
I hope so.

I just adored this read.
I’ve given it 5 stars because

A,
I couldn’t put the book down

B,
I got no sleep until I finished it

C,
I’ve driven my husband mad with ‘oh guess what’s happening now” while he’s trying to watch the TV

D,
It’s gone into my top 2018 reads.
I won’t forget this book.
No sireeeee

View all my reviews

The Waiting room by zemily Bleeker

The Waiting Room by Emily Bleeker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this a very interesting book.

Veronica not only has a new baby but within weeks looses her husband.

She wakes one morning thinking her husband is looking after the baby but on further investigation none of them are in the house.
She panic. But then thinks maybe her husband has taken baby on a car ride to settle her.
She texts.
What she gets back is worrying.


Then, her husband is dead.
Her baby is safe.

Veronica suffers with postpartum depression . Or post natal depression as commonly called.
It affects 1 in 10 of new mothers. It can be mild to severe if untreated.

We see how Veronica couldn’t hold her baby. Happy to express milk but not feed her baby. Not touch her baby.

Her mother took over the care by moving in.

I have to say though her mother annoyed me. I think she could have been more supportive. Sending Veronica off for Counselling she could have worked more closely helping her own daughter.

Anyway, her mother and her fall out. She hit her mother. Now she’s full of regrets. Her baby is missing and so is her mother.

Along with the postpartum depression come mixed up thoughts, difficulty bonding and forming relationships with others.
But Geraldine makes friends with Veronica, both are damaged.

She also becomes aquintated with Mark.

It’s a very tense story with lots of dangling people including Veronica herself for a reader to unravel.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

View all my reviews

The Forever Dream

The Forever Dream by Iris Johansen
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

My New Years resolution was to try and read books I’ve been hauling.
So here’s one.

Tania is a ballerina.
She’s worked hard to escape the Soviet Union.

Jared is a recluse. He’s also protected by men from the Government.

I’m guessing he’s the bees knees in looks and sex appeal too!

Anyways, he sees her dancing and he becomes obsessed by her. His bodyguards see this and arrange to kidnap her for his enjoyments (sigh)

She tried hard to escape.
Then there’s a 109% turn around. She thinks he’s a lonely soul and not “that” bad after all.

Don’t get me started on the bed scene. My freezer has better excitement!

I sound a bit harsh I know, but I have read one other book by this author which I enjoyed.

This one. I need to forget.



View all my reviews

Unwanted Truths

Unwanted Truths by Tricia Haddon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the second attempt reading this book.
I laid it aside last year as I couldn’t carry on. I never DFN books but I can lay them until another time.

This is definitely a 3.5 for me.
It’s a great book, plausible, easy to read and written well.

It’s about family secrets.
Adoption.
Trust (or lack of it).


Jenny is adopted but doesn’t find out for many years.

Jenny marries, but not for love.

Jenny has an old flame that she’s crossed paths with. They rekindle the flame and soon have to break it that she’s in love not with her husband but her sweetheart.

Then she decides the time is right to look for her biological parents, but it doesn’t all go to plan.

Forgive me for putting this into a nutshell but you see my dilemma?
It’s something that’s been written about over and over again. This one doesn’t stand out any different. I wish I could say it did. Not even the twist was jaw dropping but an “oh”.

I’m not criticising I’m just saying it’s enjoyable if you don’t read books on this theme, then it will be fine.

View all my reviews

Only in Whispers

Only in Whispers by Jacqueline Grima
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this contemporary suspense.
A nice easy read from the psychological thrillers I’ve been reading lately but still with a decent pace.

Annie has a controlling husband, a difficult relationship with her Mother.

There’s a turn of events where her mother gets admitted into hospital. Due to her severe clinical depression.

Her brother who she’s entranced from now have to come to terms with settling they’re differences.

Annie and her brother are fostered out to Aunt Helen.

Jumping ahead now to where Annie is in her 30s with a child of her own, she can’t help but get flashbacks to her childhood days. Especially while with their Aunt Helen.

She has a feeling something isn’t right.

There are missing pieces she needs to find to get settled and move forward.

This is a well thought out story and plot.

A really good read.

View all my reviews

The Retreat by Mark Edwards

The Retreat by Mark Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve always enjoyed Mark Edwards books.
At the beginning of this one though I had a niggle of a doubt I might not like it. It started out fair but I couldn’t believe this was written by the same author. I couldn’t connect with it. Maybe that was my fault, I’m not sure.

By 1/2 way I was biting at the bit as it was picking up pace and I was on a roll then. “No one interupt me” I said, I need to read this!

He writes a realistic story that I ended up really liking.

I always love the section at the back. Don’t ever read those until you’ve read his book as it contains spoilers....always.

But I love them,
He tells us how he came to write the story. It intrigues me.

A house with a ghost.
A missing child-or two.
And The Retreat where authors can stay to write.

Except.....
The owner of The Retreat is Julia. The Mother whose child is missing/stolen/dead.

You won’t know until the end because this wasn’t common knowledge to her paying guests.

I also loved the hint of romance thrown into this one. Two people, two tragedies.

Great book.
Real people within these pages that soon blew up 3D in my mind.

And to this authors style, a shocker at the end.



View all my reviews

Escape and reverse

Escape and Reverse by Chelsey Johnson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a short story. A coming of age story where the youth has many mixed emotions. Yes, growing up is like that any way. But this young person has more dilemmas than some which has to come to terms with.

He suppresses his food and his sexuality.

I’m a great believer in that no one, not anyone should make a person feel bad about themselves. To accept a person for WHO they are and WHAT they are.

I’ve been gravitating to YA on occasion and there are some really well written books for youth. This is one of them.

3.5 stars from me. Enjoyable read

View all my reviews

Girls' Night Out by Liz Fenton

Girls' Night Out by Liz Fenton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Oh WOW
What a ride. I feel like I’ve been in a maze and just found my way out.

I haven’t had the pleasure of reading The Widow, these duo authors previous book. I need to though going by this fantastic read.

The authors write up at the back of the book also impacted on me after I had finished the story then got to read this.
We all have friendships, sometimes we don’t see eye to eye, we fall out. Or harbour resentments towards each other hiding what we really feel because if we voice them we risk falling out or the friendship being so badly broken it never fails to mend.
But this is way way way more than friendships between several women. There are twists and missing persons. There is a company involved, a man involved and the secrets of the women involved.

Have you ever informed a close friend about something you’ve agonised over? Knew she should know but also knew it would break her? Then it’s backfired on you?

Friendships can be a fragile relationship because of the closeness. The intimacy of things you reveal about yourself, your personal life, loves and innermost feelings. Your vulnerability is laid bare.
These friends had a long standing relationship for over twenty years.

So the duo authors revealing what it was like writing this book certainly I could taste a little of what the characters felt within the confines of these pages.

Don’t get me wrong, this is a thriller. Make no mistake about that! The impact left my draw dropping to the floor by the time I finished.

I am so looking forward to more from these two.

My thanks to Lake Union for the chance to read this awesome book.
Straight into my top 2018

View all my reviews

MY LINE UP FOR SEPTEMBER

MY LINE UP FOR SEPTEMBER

Mark Edwards book THE RETREAT is read and I will add my review shortly. 

THE WAITING ROOM by EMMA BLEEKER is a paperback I am reading that comes under the heading of psychological thriller it also has a Mother that suffers badly with PND. 

THE LIARS ROOM by SIMOM LEVIC is a book I had been anticipating. I adore the cover don't you?

WATCH OUT FOR MY REVIEWS ON THE OTHER BOOKS TOO