Finding Grace by KL Slater

Finding Grace by K.L. Slater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There has been so many books flooding the “child missing” book market that I second guessed whether to read this or not.
But how could I pass this by. I reasoned with myself that this book was written by KL Slater whose books I’ve always enjoyed. Could I pass this one by without at least giving it a “go”?

I couldn’t.

I am so glad I read this as the book has so much to offer than a topic plot that’s been hashed to death over the last year or so.
This is so much more than Grace goes missing.

We all have to learn to allow our children to grow in confidence and independence.
We can’t ‘baby’ our children forever.

But was it too early to allow a nine year old girl to walk just a short distance down to her friends house?
Her father watched her go. The girls father the other end watched her arrive. Both doing this secretly
so that Grace wouldn’t know. But on her way back she never returns.


It’s not just based on the disappearance of Grace though and I was soon to find out more about Lucie the mom. The dad. Lucies friend Bev and her husband down the road.

There were many puzzling factors that kept me turning pages.

The dark side was brilliant! I loved this......a lot!

View all my reviews

Turn the other way by Stuart James

Heart pounding, jaw dropping, brings you out in a nervous sweat this does. Oh so dam good.

Why have I not taken time to read this authors books before? That’s just got to change from this point on. If I hadn’t got a few commitments to books this month and next I’d jump right into the one I’ve had sitting on my kindle for a huge length of time. I’m going to get to it though.

From the start you are embroiled into a sinister atmosphere where you can smell something is not right. And let me tell you......
It gets worse.

My reading juices were dribbling all the way through.

I love lots of dialogue in a book. I’m not one for pages and pages and pages of narration. I know......yes I know you need narration but you people know what I mean? Right?

Well this author can’t half pull a punch with his narration. And his descriptive telling of a struggle made me feel right in the middle of things, I felt scared and wanted to run. 
I kid you not, this is how the author writes so well it put me right there. Not sure as a character or spectator. More a spectator I think though. 

The blurb tells you lots so I’m not going to reiterate anything new. It would be spoiled otherwise.

I’m going to keep my beady eye on this author as I don’t want to miss his future books that’s for sure.
If you love a good edge of your seat “what’s happening next” kind of read. You’ve found it! 

the woman inside

THE WOMAN INSIDE BY E. G. SCOTT BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW

*********

My Review

Flawed character. Well actually most of them were not only flawed but darn right unlikeable.

Paul and Rebecca seem to have the perfect life. 
Seem, is the correct word. 
They have good careers, lovely home which happens to be on the fabulous Long Island.
Where people judge you on materialistic means.

But Rebecca has a problem, no an addiction, and addiction to Opioids that is vastly becoming a severe long lasting hinder to her “wonderful” life.

Paul lost his job, now he’s seeking comfort in extramarital affairs.

It’s all happening!

The affair is with a neighbour, and not all is what it seems when he tries to end the affair.
Trouble brews.

Opioid addiction is real folks. This may be fictional but the increase of reliance on these drugs is very much real.

You don’t have to be poor, or from a dysfunctional home, or have anything real bad happen, it can quite innocently build up to an increased addiction.

This book is not all about that though.
It has the expectations 
of twists, turns and puzzles that you would expect in any good thriller to keep the reader on its toes. 


There were no red herrings in this book the author slowly guided you through it. 

Looking back though, there were plenty of clues. I didn’t see them!

This isn’t your typical domestic thriller...oh no....there is:
Murder
Infidelity 
Lying
Deceit

I didn’t like the characters, both were:
Flawed
Liars
Loathsome
Annoying
Frustrating 
Both were having affairs.

Oh did I mention the stalking!

An incredible domestic thriller/noir with a superb plot and ending.

all you zombies

I’m not really into too many short stories or Zombie sci fi ones at that! 
However I did see a comedy British film with Zombies in it, does that count?

Anyways, this is a bartender travelling thingy as well.

It only took me half an hour to read.

Why did I read it? 
Because my two grown adult children said the film came out in 2014 and I should watch it. They think I’ll enjoy it.

Not sure! 
But I’ll give it a go

Divorce Decree

This is a story of a married couple named Jake and Stephanie.
A couple so in love and devoted to each other they can’t keep their hands off each other. Jake just wants to keep Stephanie happy and loved.

I liked Jake.
I disliked Stephanie.

Jake said “I do” and expected “Til death do us part”.
I’m not so sure about Stephanie.

Jake worked hard for his family and his plans never always worked out.
However his luck changed when he met Starks.
It was great to meet up with Starks from the trilogy series that the author had written and see him make an appearance in this book.

It meant that Jake would need to commute at times as he had to go where the job took him along with the other workers that joined him.
That didn’t please Stephanie, although she enjoyed spending his money like water.

Now they have two children.
How is she going to raise two children on her own while her husband is away working providing a good life and foundation for their future!

Jake was a devoted Father.

Stephanie was never happy. But was Jake?

He listened to her moaning that she couldn’t manage the children alone.
That she was lonely.


The marriage of Jake and Stephanie was unraveling.

Lies, deceit and hidden agendas come to the fore.

I was invested in this story, chapter after chapter. It felt like watching a fairytale romance turn very sour.

It’s not a cut and dried story. There is a lot more death to this story that I want to write but won’t. There are twists in this book that will make you gasp.
It’s an emotional ride at times.
How love can turn to hate.

This author has won awards with his previous books and well deserved. His writing and unique way with words entices you right in between the pages and makes you think. And sometimes think twice.

I love how he developes the characters that they become so real. They are just every day people he makes into a story that grips you.

Well worth a read if you like relationship stories with depth and a twist.
A drama that plays out in your head and a nosy into other people’s lives. (less)

Missing pieces by Laura Pearson

Oh my god what did I just read. Why did I read this?

If you want to have a rollercoaster of a ride, read this. If you want to use up a box of tissues, read this. If you want to carry on reading through your tears, read this.
Laura Pearson.

I need to look up her other books.
Oh my, can she write well. She made the characters real, so real I wanted to hug them, sit down with them, reason with them.
I was so invested in this today I’m so glad I had nothing else to do because there was no way, no way at all I was going to leave this book. It was glued to my hands.

Tom and Linda were expecting a baby, so they should have been on top of the world, but tragedy struck.

They were devastated. Life was never going to be the same again, ever.

The first part of the book started from 1985.
Just twenty one days before the devastating tragedy.

The second part was twenty five years later.

Each chapter alternated between character and was easy to follow.
Heartbreakingly easy to follow.

This is about,
Guilt
Pain,
Suffering
Learning to forgive others but also learning to forgive yourself.

What a compulsive read! (less)

You belong to me by Mark Tilbury

You Belong To Me by Mark Tilbury
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

   

COVER TO BE REVEALED 

Mark Tilbury books are renown for his style of writing which I personally enjoy.

This one was slightly moving away from his usual supernatural/thriller type books which I loved.

The style in which he compelled the reader to move forward step by step, inch by inch. I didn’t have to work my brain too hard with this one it was very enjoyable to sit back with a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy this adventure the authors taken me on.

The subject matter involves something that happened in this group of lads youth.
When first reading I kept wondering what on Earth was going to be revealed to me, the reader?

When we move on to the present day it made sense.

Did I like the storyline?
I did.

I love this authors quips, I’ll just quote,,,

“Four eyes”? That’s original. I’d better write that one down and remember it for when I’m stuck for something intelligent to say”

I loved the quips and remarks between the lads. And even when they got older.

These are my thoughts, and I think a “review” is not sitting on judgement of a book, it’s a persons thoughts from what they took from it. And I loved it. It’s not “edge of your seat” but a very very enjoyable read.

My enjoyment was 10/10
My ratings are 3.75

View all my reviews

Black Berry & Wild Rose by Sonia Velton

I received this gorgeous looking book today from Querus Books. It’s a debut novel of betrayal and the beauty of silk. Based around a true character.

Esther is the wife of a silk-weaver. She thinks she’s doing God’s will by rescuing a whore from a brothel. 

She also has her own designs for her husbands silk hoping he will weave them into reality in the future.

I’m so looking forward to reading this.

Take another look by Rosalind Noonan

Take Another Look by Rosalind Noonan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a book that I’ve had laying around for ages. I hadn’t realised I’d requested this on Netgalley, I’d had it on my shelves too.

I wish I had read this ages ago, I really loved the handle on this story.

Sad to start with, thinking of yourself carrying twin girls but knowing you could only keep one. How does a mother decide that?

The girls were very different in needs and personality straight away. Polar opposite.

We find that the father of these girls was a nasty piece of work.
She hopes this won’t follow in the girls genetic makeup.


The story was fascinating, entertaining, enjoyable I actually loved it more than I expect to. So bonus.

Was it predictable?
Yes
But it was just compulsive reading.

View all my reviews

Only a Mother by Elisabeth Carpenter

Only a Mother by Elisabeth Carpenter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What an absolutely amazing read. I’ve been glued reading this.

The rounded out characters were so in your face and believable.

Erica the Mother of Craig who was convicted of a crime has always said her son was innocent. Let’s face it, we all would be the same, a friendly lad, a good son, who could imagine such a thing.

Was she right? Or was she wrong to trust her Mothers instincts?

She fell out with her long time best friend over an interview she gave to the papers about her son.

Erica stayed put in the home she raised her son for all kinds of reasons. The abuse and harm always being taken out on her. So much so that it appeared to me she accepted it as the price she had to pay.

I grew to adore Erica.

Her son Craig appeared to be a hardened criminal.

The plot was so thick you couldn’t see your way out at times as a reader. It took you in and overtook all you’re logical thinking. My confusion was like smog.
Towards the end the fog starts to clear as more and more comes to light peeking through.

I have the authors other two books on my kindle. I desperately need to get to them because I so thoroughly enjoyed this.

View all my reviews

Dark Trade

This is the 3rd book in the series of DI Greco.

DCI Stephen Greco and DS Grace Harper are a pair to be reckoned with.

Greco’s career almost ended in the last book, in this book we see him trying to rebuild it. Building a new team after he’d experienced a personal tragedy.

There has been a stabbing.
A young man lies dead, no ID. No clues.
Who is he?

Then another young man is murdered.

It’s found to be a professional hitman. 
Rumours are rife......
It’s the Knifeman.

Thrown into the story is a journalist who knows more than he should. It’s making a great story.

I did guess the plot easily enough which did spoil it for me as it ended my anticipation.
Still enjoy this authors books though although this one didn’t hit the mark for me.

It’s quite fast paced more than not so you do find yourself lost within its pages......until I figured it out. 

Read the books in order though or you miss out on the DI and his past.

Verity by Colleen Hoover

Verity by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me confess right here and now I’ve been a Colleen Hoover virgin. Yes I have heard of this author, yes I own her first series, but, I have never taken the plunge to read the series I own. Why not? I really haven’t a clue, maybe because I thought the romance side was “lovey dovey” and I’m into thrillers.

Why have I explained all that!
Well, after this book it’s definitely going to change.
Yes I’m aware that she took a huge dive writing this and producing and publishing it on her own, but come on, her publishers are going to be shocked and amazed at the sheer talent of this lady.

This book was a huge surprise to me. I just went in blind expecting nothing and got EVERYTHING.

Everything a book of this genre should be.

Tension
Anxiety
The “can’t put this book down” and the “I stayed up to finish this”.
Flicking the pages so fast your fingers get sore.
Splashing your face with cold water because your body says “go to sleep” and you reply “ just one more chapter”.

The three main characters in this plot were expertly crafted and life was breathed into them quickly that they soon stood tall in this readers mind on what role was whose.

Jeremy, married to Verity.
Then the third person in the wheel.

I don’t want to give a run down of who is who and what is what.
I went in blind not reading anyone’s review.

Now that I’ve read it, I’ve read plenty of reviews.

This isn’t hyped up.
It’s a surely twisted tale that will hook you so much you won’t know where this maze will end.

The last chapter made my jaw drop.

I’m hoping and wishing that we see more of the “dark cringeworthy “ mind of Colleen Hoover.
I feel there’s more inside her to creep me out yet again!



View all my reviews

Destinations

This is a collection of short stories, many short stories combined in one book.

All stories are based around the Irish train system.
And each one should have a plot or a twist.

Some were better than others to read as regards plots, but others were lost on me. They ended up just being a rather nice little story.

I love this authors books usually but this fell a little flat for me in quite a few of the short stories. Not really that exciting.

After saying that, it was handy and just enough pages to each story to sit waiting for a train! (