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08:39


Today I am kicking off the Blog Tour for the psychological thriller by author Eve Seymour, Vixenhead. Eve is sharing with us books and authors that she enjoys reading:

Books and Authors I Enjoy 
by Eve Seymour 

I have wide tastes in reading. If you were to view my bookcases, you’d notice that historical fiction, spy and commercial women’s fiction sit happily alongside crime, psychological thriller and non-fiction books on forensics and guns. There’s also a smattering of odd titles, which were sent to me as a result of writing book reviews for the Cheltenham Standard before it folded. These include some fabulous novels for children. 

Like a decent dinner, I enjoy contrast so I’ll often switch from one genre to another. If I’m writing, I tend to read non-fiction or a genre well outside my own. The only genres I don’t particularly gel with are, (shame on me) science fiction and fantasy. 

Looking back, it seems that my reading tastes reflect particular stages in my life. Jean Plaidy’s tales of Tudor England, the gorier the better, dominated my chaotic growing up years. I also tanked through Ian Fleming’s ‘James Bond’ novels, and did a fair trek through Agatha Christie. Pan Books of Horror also captured my vivid adolescent imagination. At school, classics were a staple. I loved Dickens, Shakespeare and Webster, and was fascinated by Chaucer – for the sheer sound of the language. This is probably the time I whisper very softly that I’m not a fan of Jane Austen. Some of my best writing mates will kill me for this.

During my student days – which were really short because I dropped out after six months – I had a stint of reading French novels - in translation, I hasten to add. These included Colette, Francois Sagan, Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. Sounds impressive but, hand on heart, my ‘French phase’ started out as way to impress others, a boyfriend in particular! 

When I had children, unsurprisingly, I read family sagas by writers like Elizabeth Jane Howard. I also tucked into Fay Weldon, Irish Murdoch and Edna O’Brien. I can’t really remember how I fell into reading spy fiction but once I’d gobbled up le Carre, and Frederick Forsyth, I became, and still am, a huge fan of Gerald Seymour (no relation). His later work is as good as his earlier novels and, whenever I read him, I feel as if I’m in a safe pair of hands. Similarly, I love Bernard Cornwell’s Viking series and Conn Iggulden’s novels about Genghis Khan. 

From this, you can accurately deduce that I was a late convert to crime. However, once I got started, that was it. I first dipped my toe in the water with a psychological thriller from the wonderful husband and wife team, Nicci French. ‘Beneath the Skin’ remains one of my all-time favourites. I then graduated to Minette Walters and Val McDermid. Lee Child’s ‘The Killing Floor’ knocked me for six. And then, mercy me, I tuned into crime fiction by US writers. Michael Connelly was my first intro. After that, I devoured as many of his novels as I could lay my hands on. ‘The Poet’, for me, is still one of his best. Others swiftly followed: Harlan Coben, marvellous for his twisty, turny, ‘keep you guessing’ plot lines, and writers like Robert Crais, for whom, initially, I needed a translator to interpret some of his Americanisms, but loved his novels just the same and because of the use of language. And then there are writers like Dennis Lehane, with his epic stories that simply grab you and never let you go. 

Glancing over my bookshelves, it would be remiss not to mention Irish authors like John Connolly, Tana French and Stuart Neville. Often people talk about a writer’s ‘voice,’ and these are easily identifiable by the lyricism of their prose. 

So who and what floats my boat just now? Unsurprisingly, my bedside table groans with ‘Must Reads’ that sometimes turn into ‘No Time to Reads.’ In my defence, as a freelance editor, I read up to four unpublished novels every month. But any novel with a dark family dysfunctional theme will inevitably sneak through. Then I’m as happy as hell! 

About the book:

Title: Vixenhead 
Author: Eve Seymour
Published: March 24th 2017 by HarperImpulse
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Somewhere in Vixenhead, I’m certain the truth lies…

A sudden disappearance…

When Roz Outlaw's partner Tom mysteriously vanishes, she knows his life is in danger. Tom has been distracted lately, afraid, as though he is being hunted…

A desperate search…

With the police showing little interest Roz knows it falls to her to find Tom. But as Tom's secrets are uncovered nothing can prepare Roz for the dark lies and twisted truths she finds. She thought she loved Tom, but quickly realises she has been living with a stranger – a man with murder in his past.

A house of evil.

The key to unlocking Tom's past lies in his childhood home – Vixenhead. A house of wickedness that keeps its secrets well hidden. Can Roz find Tom before it's too late or will the evil within Vixenhead claim her too…

Follow the Blog Tour for more interesting content: 

12:39



Today is my stop on the Blog Tour for the psychological thriller Sometimes I Lie, Alice Feeney's debut novel. This high paced and tense story was published March 23rd and I've had the pleasure to interview Alice about it. Read all about it here: 

1) Hi Alice and welcome to Alba in Bookland. First, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi Alba, thank you so much for having me!

I’m a writer and journalist. After 16 years working for the BBC, I’m very lucky to be able to write full time now. I live in a tiny Victorian house full of books in the Surrey countryside with my husband and dog. My debut thriller, Sometimes I Lie, is being published around the world this year and I’m thrilled to bits about that – it really is a dream come true!

2) Sometimes I Lie is your debut novel and the first reviews are saying that it is not only a very compelling story but also very twisted and dark, where did your inspiration for it come from?

The idea for this story literally came to me in a dream! I scribbled it all down at about 3am one morning (I do this quite often) and when I woke up the next day, it still seemed like a good idea (this happens less often). I couldn’t stop thinking about Amber and so in the end, her story just had to be written. 

I’m really rather fond of a good twist as a reader, so as a writer that was something that I was really hoping to achieve. Everything I write does tend to be quite dark, but I promise I’m quite a happy person in real life! The world we live in can be a very dark place indeed at times, and so I think it’s not a bad thing if some fiction reflects that. 

3) What difficulties did you face getting inside Amber Reynolds' head to tell her story?

I think it works the other way round for me. I let them inside my head while I’m writing, which might sound strange, but it’s the only way I know how to do it. You have to let the characters in, and then you have to go inside the book, it’s like an obsession. When I’m writing I think about the characters constantly, what would they think, feel, say, do in any given situation that I find myself in. I was lucky enough to go to the audiobook recording a couple of weeks ago and it was such an amazing experience. The actress who narrated the book was the perfect Amber, she sounded just like the Amber inside my head. It was quite an emotional experience, hearing her being brought to life like that. It also felt like I was saying goodbye. 

4) Sometimes I Lie has all the ingredients of the perfect Psychological Thriller: tense and fast-paced with an unreliable narrator. Could you tell our readers what else this book has that makes it stand apart from the crowd?

Thank you, that’s very kind of you! I don’t think that’s really for me to say, I’ll leave that up to anyone kind enough to read the book. I will say that I’ve tried to write something that I would genuinely want to read – that was really important to me as a writer. And I hope that people who read Sometimes I Lie will enjoy the ride!

5) Finally, can you tell us what you’re working on now?

I don’t like to talk about a book with anyone at all until it’s finished – I think it’s bad luck. But, I can tell you that the first draft of book two is written, which I’m delighted about. The next book is another dark and twisty tale and will be published by HarperCollins in the UK next year. I also have some very exciting news about Sometimes I Lie, which means I’ll be spending time working with Amber again in the not too distant future. But that’s still a secret for just a little bit longer!

Thank you Alice for stopping by and answering all my questions. You can connect with Alice Feeney on twitter.

About the book:

Title: Sometimes I Lie
Author: Alice Feeney
Published: March 23rd 2017 by HQ Stories
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me.

1. I’m in a coma
2. My husband doesn’t love me any more
3. Sometimes I lie

Unnerving, twisted and utterly compelling, you won’t be able to put this new thriller down. Set to be the most talked about book in 2017, it’s perfect for fans of Behind Closed Doors, The Girl on the Train and The Widow.


Follow the Blog Tour for more content and reviews:




08:24


A few weeks ago I reviewed Part 1 and Part 2 of this hilarious story, today I'm finally reviewing the last two parts. Read my thoughts on them and on the whole story in general:

Title: The Year of Saying Yes (Part 3 and 4)
Author: Hannah Doyle
Published: 9th February 2017 by Headline
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: THE YEAR OF SAYING YES by Hannah Doyle will make you dirty-laugh, feel warm and fuzzy, and rediscover life's magic - all thanks to one little word: yes. Fans of Mhairi McFarlane's WHO'S THAT GIRL, Sophie Kinsella's MY NOT SO PERFECT LIFE, Anna Bell's THE BUCKET LIST TO MEND A BROKEN HEART and Joanna Bolouri's THE LIST, you're in for a real treat.

Dear Readers 

The time has come... It's the final part of my 'Year of Saying Yes'. Excuse me while I wipe the tears from my eyes. #Emosh

After my crushing heartbreak, New Izzy has bounced back and is stronger than ever:
- I learned to be honest with myself (cue shocking public confession)
- I stood up for all of womankind - take that, cheating ex!
- Something spectacular and magical and wonderful happened - that's all I'll reveal on the matter for now ;) 

What a hell of a year it's been. I've had highs, I've had lows, I've flashed my boobs to a crowd of 500 (but let's not dwell on that...) If I've learned anything it's that life is about taking chances. Now it's over to you - join me in saying yes! You never know what surprises life might have in store for you...

Love, as always, 

Izzy xx

Review: Last month I reviewed the first two parts of this story, which I absolutely loved. I've finally had the time to read the last two parts (I read Part 3 and I was so engrossed with the story that I continued into Part 4 straight away) so I'm gonna review these last two parts together, as they were as good the first two.

I have loved following Izzy around with her dares. I has been a real pleasure to see her grow and flourish as this better more confident version of herself. This story really reminds us how big a change we experience just saying yes more often. It certainly has inspired me to try new things!

And not also that, I have laughed so much with this story. Izzy is a characters that I will not forget in a long while. She is far from perfect but she knows how to win your heart. I loved how honest she was in these last parts, not only with her readers but with herself too and I am so happy for everything she achieved.

This is definitely a story that will put a smile in your face (more than once) and will inspire you to be bolder, stronger and more confident. With a really fresh and fun style, I felt like I really connected with this story. It was a fun touch to add hashtags to some moments (now that we leave surrounded by them) and I am already looking forward to more stories by Hannah Doyle.

Rating: 5 stars

08:30


And we are back in New York for a brand new Sarah Morgan's story! After her New York trilogy last year, the queen of romance is back with a whole new set of characters. Here are my thoughts on New York, Actually:

Title: New York, Actually (From Manhattan With Love #4)
Author: Sarah Morgan
Published: January 26th 2017 by HQ
Amazon | Amazon UK


Blurb: Meet Molly

New York’s most famous agony aunt, she considers herself an expert at relationships…as long as they’re other people’s. The only love of her life is her Dalmatian, Valentine.

Meet Daniel

A cynical divorce lawyer, he’s hardwired to think relationships are a bad idea. If you don’t get involved, no-one can get hurt. But then he finds himself borrowing a dog to meet the gorgeous woman he sees running in Central Park every morning…

Molly and Daniel think they know everything there is to know about relationships…until they meet each other that is…

Review: Last year, I read the first trilogy of From Manhattan Witho Love by Sarah Morgan and I really enjoyed those stories, so when it was announced that this author would be writing another trilogy set in New York with links to the first one, I was really excited to see what she had for us in store. During this story, I was really happy to read some cameos from previous characters and it was a pleasure to check with those character I got so close to last year. But if you haven't read the first trilogy, then do not worry at all, this one has a whole new set of characters that you will fall in love to.

The main characters here are Molly and Daniel but I couldn't talk about them without talking about Valentine and Rufus too. You can see Valentine features in the cover and just reading the first few pages of the book you already notice the importance that this beautiful Valentine has in Molly's life. In fact, he is the only man in Molly's life. That's until Daniel enters the picture. Their casual meeting on the park (completely planned by Daniel, who even borrows a dog to pretend to be a dog-lover) soo turns into something more and the sparks between them are out of this world.

I loved following these two characters around and seeing their love flourish. Obviously, their relationship has its up and downs, and many obstacles are thrown their way but Sarah Morgan kept me wondering all the time what was going to happen next with these two and I couldn't help falling a bit in love with the beautiful dogs too.

Also a special mention to Daniel's twin sisters. They were a really interesting pair and their teasing with Daniel was very enjoyable to read. I'm quite sure that the next books in these trilogy will feature their stories and I can't wait to find out more about them, as we got hints of a very complicated past from one of them.

All in all, a lovingly charming story from Sarah Morgan set in the stunning city of New York, perfect to escape for a few hours and to warm your hearts. I'm already looking forward to the next stories from this wonderful author.

Rating: 4,5 stars

I would like to thank the publishers for sending a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.  

08:05


New Book Review for the hilarious How Not to Fall in Love Actually by Catherine Bennetto. A hilarious debut for all fans of Mhairi McFarlane and Lisa Owens.

Title: How Not To Fall in Love Actually
Author: Catherine Bennetto
Published: Janurary 26th 2017 by Simon & Schuster
Amazon | Amazon UK


Blurb: Emma has a job in television which is distinctly less glamourous and exciting than it sounds. She’s managed to claw her way up the ranks from Tea-Maker and Rubbish-Collector to 2nd Assistant Director (heavy on the ‘assistant’. Even heavier on the ‘2nd’). 

So when she finds she’s accidentally very pregnant and at the same time accidentally very sacked (well, less accidentally: she did tell her boss to stick his job up his bum), she knows things are going to have to change.

Luckily she’s also accidentally the heir to a lovely cottage in Wimbledon, with a crazy Rottweiler-owning octogenarian as a neighbour and a rather sexy boy as an accidental tenant. But this baby is coming whether she likes it or not, and she needs to become the sort of person who can look after herself let alone another human being – and quickly.

Review: First of all, let me say this: how funny is this book? Seriously, I had so much fun reading it! It's original, fresh and a little bit crazy, everything I love in a book.

The story is all about Emma who has just found out about 3 life changing events: she no longer has a job, nor a boyfriend and she is pregnant. Throw into the mix an inherited cottage with a lovely but stalkerish neighbour and an accidental flatmate and you can start understanding why this story is SO. MUCH. FUN.

Not only that, it also reminds us that sometimes we forget what's important in life and how precious it is to love and be loved. Just like Emma fell quite accidentally in love without even realising, I had the same feeling with this novel. I fell accidentally in love with it too. When I reached the last page of the book, I had to stop myself from going to the first page and start reading it again. I was not ready to let these characters who had slowly crawled into my life go.

So if you are looking for a feel good, highly entertaining and original story, stop looking and pick a copy of How Not to Fall in Love Actually! Full of heart and unique characters, it's definitely the perfect cure for grey days. I'm already looking forward to whatever Catherine Bennetto has in store for us next. 

Rating: 5 stars

I'd like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

09:57


Today's review is for the warm and uplifting story The Legacy of Lucy Harte by Emma Heatherington. ‘Sometimes time is all we have with the people we love the most. I ask you to slow down in life. To take your time, but don’t waste it….’


Title: The Legacy of Lucy Harte
Author: Emma Heatherington
Published: January 6th 2017 by HarperImpulse
Amazon | Amazon UK


Blurb: Maggie O'Hara knows better than most that life can change in a heartbeat. Eighteen years ago she was given the most precious gift- a second-hand heart, and a second chance at life.

Always thankful, Maggie has never forgotten Lucy Harte – the little girl that saved her life. But as Maggie's own life begins to fall apart, and her heart is broken in love, she loses sight of everything she has to live for…

Until an unexpected letter changes everything and brings Maggie back into the life of Lucy Harte – and a chance for Maggie to get her life back on track once more.

Lucy's final gift to Maggie is much more than the heart that beats inside her. It's a legacy that Maggie must learn to live by. A chance to make her heart skip a beat with every new discovery she makes; a promise to live, laugh, fall in love and heal her broken heart for good.

Because as the keeper of a borrowed heart, Maggie's time is more precious than most and she must make every cherished second count…

Review: The Legacy of Lucy Harte is a very special story, not only for the topic it handles but also for its characters. The topic is a very important one: organ donation. How the death of a person can help save the life of another. In this story, when Maggie was a teenager, she received the most precious gift from Lucy Harte: her heart. This heart has given her a life for the last 16 years, but it seems that Maggie has lost sight of what is really important in her life. But when she is contacted by Lucy's only living relative, her brother, she realises how she's been wasting this special gift.

In the story, there's a bit of serendipity magic: just when Maggie's life is collapsing, she gets the help of Lucy again, guiding her to accomplish more, wish for more and go for it. I found it very interesting and touching, how the lives of these two characters connected and intertwined, you got to really know them both and care for them. And you could really get an energy from Lucy while reading about her. I could totally picture how Maggie must have felt reading about her.

After Maggie met Lucy's brother, the story took some unexpected twists that left me wondering all the time what was going to happen next. It was a real pleasure to follow Maggie on her new adventures and I can truly say the this story, especially the ending, really touching my heart. It's one of those stories that not only touches you but also inspires you to enjoy life and don't get lost in the minor details and obstacles. It also raises awareness in a very important issue, that is organ donors. I think that the author handled this topic with care and respect and created a beautiful and compelling story and will leave no one indifferent.



Rating: 4 stars

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

08:27


I recently had the opportunity to be part of the Blog Tour for this book and Ruth Hogan shared with us one her beloved "curiosities". This really picked my curiosity about this story and today I'm really excited to share with you the review for this amazing book:

Title: The Keeper of Lost Things
Author: Ruth Hogan
Published: January 26th 2017 by Two Roads
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Lime green plastic flower-shaped hair bobbles—Found, on the playing field, Derrywood Park, 2nd September.

Bone china cup and saucer—Found, on a bench in Riveria Public Gardens, 31st October.

Anthony Peardew is the keeper of lost things. Forty years ago, he carelessly lost a keepsake from his beloved fiancée, Therese. That very same day, she died unexpectedly. Brokenhearted, Anthony sought consolation in rescuing lost objects—the things others have dropped, misplaced, or accidently left behind—and writing stories about them. Now, in the twilight of his life, Anthony worries that he has not fully discharged his duty to reconcile all the lost things with their owners. As the end nears, he bequeaths his secret life’s mission to his unsuspecting assistant, Laura, leaving her his house and and all its lost treasures, including an irritable ghost.

Recovering from a bad divorce, Laura, in some ways, is one of Anthony’s lost things. But when the lonely woman moves into his mansion, her life begins to change. She finds a new friend in the neighbor’s quirky daughter, Sunshine, and a welcome distraction in Freddy, the rugged gardener. As the dark cloud engulfing her lifts, Laura, accompanied by her new companions, sets out to realize Anthony’s last wish: reuniting his cherished lost objects with their owners.

Long ago, Eunice found a trinket on the London pavement and kept it through the years. Now, with her own end drawing near, she has lost something precious—a tragic twist of fate that forces her to break a promise she once made.

As the Keeper of Lost Objects, Laura holds the key to Anthony and Eunice’s redemption. But can she unlock the past and make the connections that will lay their spirits to rest?

The Keeper of Lost Things is out now, priced £16.99, published by Two Roads books

Review: The Keeper of Lost Things is like nothing that I've read in a long time. It tells the story of Anthony Peardew, who after losing the love of his life and a very special pendant that connected them both on the same day, started collecting and cataloguing everything he found lost. When he passes away, his assistant Laura is left with the huge task of returning these objects to its owners. She is not alone in this quest though, the girl from the neighboring house is eager to help, and soon the gardener takes an interest too. 

The story not only focuses on Laura and her mission but we also get to know a couple of characters who are somehow linked to Anthony's story. While reading both stories, I felt a bit like a detective, gathering clues that the author left for us readers to try to figure out what was keeping Anthony and her love apart, even after both had passed but also what these other characters had to do with this fact.

During his life, Anthony also wrote short stories related to the objects he would find. Little by little we discover more and more of these stories and I have to say that they were a pleasure to read. Short but intense, with a bit of magic, each one made the object special and if Anthony Peardew was a real author, I would not doubt to get his short stories compilations.

During the whole story there was an air of magic that really got to me. I really cared for Laura and both her helpers and after finishing this book, I kind of felt happier inside, if you know what I mean. This is a very special and insightful story that will surprise you and will make you believe in the most unexpected ways. A highly recommended read from me.

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion. 

08:39


Today's review is for Margot and Me by Juno Dawson. This is my first book by this author but I can assure you that it won't be my last. I absolutely loved this story, read all my thoughts about it here: 

Title: Margo & Me
Author: Juno Dawson
Published: Januray 26th 2017 by Hot Key Books
Amazon | Amazon UK


Blurb: Sometimes love has to cross all kinds of barriers... 

Fliss is on the way to visit her grandmother in Wales - the grandmother who she doesn't get on with - with her mother who is recuperating from chemotherapy. But her mum is getting better, that's the main thing, so Fliss can concentrate on being grouchy and not looking forward to meeting her grandmother Margot, who is so cold and always so unforgiving of Fliss's every mistake... But when the six months is up, Fliss consoles herself, she and her mum will go back to London and back to Real Life!

In the meantime Fliss needs to get used to her new school, not upset the scary girls, and just keep her head down (whilst still making sure that everybody knows she is from London, of course). Then Fliss discovers a diary at the back of her bookcase. It is from the 1940s and is set in World War II, and, Fliss realises, is actually Margot's diary from when she was a young woman during the Blitz. Intrigued, Fliss begins to read. There she discovers a whole new side to Margot, a wartime romance and also Margot's deepest, most buried secret. And it is then that Fliss discovers something terrible in her own life that she is going to have to come to terms with...

A brilliantly written love story from acclaimed teen writer Juno Dawson.

Review: This is my first book by Juno Mawson and wow, what a beautiful and moving story. I'm pretty sure it won't be my last from this author. The story is told from Fliss' point of view, a teenager who moves to the countryside in Wales from London. Actually, Fliss and her mother, who is finally recuperating from a long illness, move into her grandma's farm. A place full of secrets and stories. As you can imagine Fliss is not happy with this move. Especially when she is not exactly welcomed in her new school. 

Fliss and her grandmother Margot's relationship is not the smoothest one either, it's like a battle of wills, both of them pushing but with no intention to give in. But from the moment Fliss finds Margot's diary from WWII, everything changes. The Margot from those pages is nothing like the Margot Fliss knows nowadays. But as she uncovers stories that were supposed to be kept buried, their whole relationship starts to shift too. 

I have to admit that I was as fascinated as Fliss with Margot's story. What a badass and sassy young girl she was! I loved how sometimes you could still see her younger self in her, especially as we got to know her better. 

Margot and Me is one of those stories that makes you feel special, like the author is sharing a secret with you. It was definitely a pleasure for me to discover Margot and Fiss' stories and I would highly recommend this story to YA readers but also to historical fiction readers. Actually, scratch that. I highly recommend this story to everyone. I finished this story a couple of weeks ago already and I still find myself thinking about it constantly. 

A story about coming out of age in two very different times but that reminds us about all the good and important things in life. A beautiful novel that will move many hearts.

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

15:28

Today is my stop on the Blog Tour for Kate Thompson's latest book, The Wedding Girls, out next week March 9th. I read and loved both of Kate's previous books, so I was really excited to discover a new story by her. Here's what I thought:

Title: The Wedding Girls
Author: Kate Thompson
Published: March 9th by Pan
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: If a wedding marks the first day of the rest of your life, then the story starts with the dress.

It's 1936 and the streets of London's East End are grimy and brutal, but in one corner of Bethnal Green it is forever Hollywood...

Herbie Taylor's photography studio is nestled in the heart of bustling Green Street. Tomboy Stella and troubled Winnie work in Herbie's studio; their best friend and hopeless romantic Kitty works next door as an apprentice dressmaker. All life passes through the studio, wishing to capture that perfect moment in time.

Kitty works tirelessly to create magical bridal gowns, but with each stitch she wonders if she'll ever get a chance to wear a white dress. Stella and Winnie sprinkle a dusting of Hollywood glamour over happy newly-weds, but secretly dream of escaping the East End...

Community is strong on Green Street, but can it stand the ultimate test? As clouds of war brew on the horizon, danger looms over the East End. Will the Wedding Girls find their happy ever afters, before it's too late?

Review: This is Kate Thompson's third book and having read and loved her previous two, I knew what was waiting for me: a touching story, well researched with generous descriptions and historic details, and above all, full of heart. And Í'm glad to say that The Wedding Girls lived up to my expectations. This time, the author takes us to the East End a few year before WWII where three girls fight agains adversity with everything they've got.

Known as the wedding girls, Kitty, Winnie and Stella are a very close trio of friends who all work in the wedding business. Their only goal is to make this day as special as possible for the bride and groom but their own lives are not exactly rose tinted. Each of them has its own problems, especially with their families. For example, Kitty's father is not himself anymore, with an illness that is robbing him of everything. And Winnie's family is being threathen again by her violent father. So as we got to know these girl, I couldn't help but care and root for them. The three of them were really insteresting and complex characters that I loved getting to know.

While reading this story though, you soon realise that the East End and it close knitted community is a character on itself too. I could feel the camaredie in the community and how they all fought as one when circumstances required. Actually, with every book by Kate Thompson, I learn something new, about an era I didn't know as much. For example, The East End in 1936 was threaten by an increasing fascist movement that wanted to divide this welcoming and open community. And the author refelcted the tensions and difficulties perfectly.

Another bit that I found really interesting was that the author added some testimonies from the women  she met during her research. They lived in the East End during that time and their words really resonated with me and made me understand the story even better. I really thing Kate Thompson captured their experiences perfectly in the story

All in all, another winner by Kate Thompson. A book full of heart that reminds us how important it is to remember history in order to not make the same mistakes again, and how important friendship and working together is.

Rating: 4,5 stars

I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.


08:26

Today is my stop on the Blog Tour for Jennifer Joyce's latest book, The Little Teashop of Broken Hearts, and she is sharing with us how she names her characters when she starts a new story:


Whenever I start plotting a new book, I always have my faithful baby names book on hand. I bought the book years ago for 50p – and it’s certainly earned its money back since! It’s a little tatty now, but I can’t imagine not having it by my side to help with naming characters. I use it in several ways: simply searching for the perfect name that suits my character, scouring the meanings for the ideal fit, or opening a random page and selecting a name from the list (I do this more often for minor characters).

Other tools I use for naming characters are google searches of popular baby names for the year when the character was born, or keeping an eye out for names that catch my eye on the credits of film and TV shows. As you’d expect, naming the main characters of a book usually takes the longest to get right, but with The Little Teashop of Broken Hearts, naming the main characters was more straight forward.

This time, I put my baby names book down and instead googled cake as I wanted to give my main character – plus her colleagues – names that would match their cake-filled teashop setting. This was not another excuse to research cake. 

Not. At. All.

Inspired by the cakes I found, I ended up with main character Maddie (full name Madeleine, after – you’ve guessed it – madeleines) and teashop colleagues Mags – short for Magdalena(s) and Victoria (of the sponge variety). I briefly considered naming all characters inspired by cake, but I’d have soon run out of suitable options and I’m not sure ‘Battenberg’, ‘Fondant Fancy’ or ‘Birthday’ would have worked quite so well!

Jennifer Joyce is a writer of romantic comedies who lives in Manchester with her husband and their two daughters. Her latest novel, The Little Teashop of Broken Hearts is out now. You can find out more about Jennifer and her books on:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jenniferjoycewrites 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/writer_jenn 
Blog: www.jenniferjoycewrites.co.uk

About the Book:

Title: The Little Teashop of Broken Hearts
Author: Jennifer Joyce
Published: February 7th 2017 by HQ Stories
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: A deliciously charming romance, perfect for fans of Caroline Roberts, Jane Linfoot and Debbie Johnson.

From fairy cakes to first dates!

Maddie Lamington’s dreams are crumbling around her. If she doesn’t come up with a plan to save her little teashop on Sweet Street soon, it might be too late…

So when she sees how the perfect apple crumble brings together her lonely father and faithful customer Birdie, inspiration strikes: she’ll set up a dating night involving all her sweetest bakes.

Luckily, seriously gorgeous Caleb is on hand to help sprinkle a little magic – and a lot of sugar! Could one night of scrumptious first dates fix Maddie’s heartbreak and save her beloved teashop, too?

         

08:31


New month means new books, right? As usual, I'm sharing my top new releases for this month. It's looking like it's going to be a very interesting month with releases by some of my favourite authors!

The Wedding Girls by Kate Thompson - March 9th


If a wedding marks the first day of the rest of your life, then the story starts with the dress.

It's 1936 and the streets of London's East End are grimy and brutal, but in one corner of Bethnal Green it is forever Hollywood...

Herbie Taylor's photography studio is nestled in the heart of bustling Green Street. Tomboy Stella and troubled Winnie work in Herbie's studio; their best friend and hopeless romantic Kitty works next door as an apprentice dressmaker. All life passes through the studio, wishing to capture that perfect moment in time.

Kitty works tirelessly to create magical bridal gowns, but with each stitch she wonders if she'll ever get a chance to wear a white dress. Stella and Winnie sprinkle a dusting of Hollywood glamour over happy newly-weds, but secretly dream of escaping the East End...

Community is strong on Green Street, but can it stand the ultimate test? As clouds of war brew on the horizon, danger looms over the East End. Will the Wedding Girls find their happy ever afters, before it's too late?

Why so excited: I have read and loved both of Kate Thompson's previous books and this one is shaping up to be a lovely read too. It's my current read and I'm really enjoying it.

Pre-order now! 

Mystery at Maplemead Castle by Kitty French - March 17th

Welcome to Chapelwick, a leafy English town in the hills of Shropshire, where chocolate pecan cookies come with a helping of sabotage.

Maplemead Castle is crawling with ghosts, and the new owners need them gone. When Melody Bittersweet and the Girls’ Ghostbusting Agency arrive on scene, they quickly identify the troublemakers swinging from the chandeliers… literally. 

A century ago, stunning trapeze artist Britannia Lovell plunged to her death, and has done every night since. But did she really just fall, or was there something more to her demise?

Forced to work with Leo Dark, her scoundrel ex, and infuriating, irresistible reporter Fletcher Gunn, Melody’s investigative powers are under strain (i.e. lost in a pink mist of lust and confusion). She needs her team on top form, but best friend Marina’s cake pipeline goes AWOL, assistant Artie’s distracted by a giant sausage roll, and the pug is scared witless by a lion.

Somewhere, hidden in the castle, is a heart-breaking secret, but what will it take to find it? And is there a chance it could set Britannia free, or is she doomed to repeat her last fateful act forever?

An utterly hilarious, gripping, spooktastic read for fans of HY Hanna, MC Beaton, Gina LaManna and Jana DeLeon.

Why so excited: 

Pre-order now!

The Returning Tide by Liz Fenwick - March 23rd

Two sisters and one betrayal that will carry across generations...

In wartime Cornwall, 1943, a story between two sisters begins - the story of Adele and Amelia, and the heart-breaking betrayal that will divide them forever. Decades later, the effects of one reckless act still echo - but how long will it be until their past returns?

The Returning Tide will sweep you away to the beautiful Cornish coast, full of secrets and mystery, and will be loved by fans of Kate Morton and Rachel Hore.

Why so excited: Liz Fenwick's stories are so compelling and evocative. I love getting lost in Cornwall with her books. 

Pre-order now!

The Escape by C. L. Taylor - March 23th

When a stranger asks Jo Blackmore for a lift she says yes, then swiftly wishes she hadn't.

The stranger knows Jo's name, she knows her husband Max and she's got a glove belonging to Jo's two year old daughter Elise.

What begins with a subtle threat swiftly turns into a nightmare as the police, social services and even Jo's own husband turn against her.

No one believes that Elise is in danger. But Jo knows there's only one way to keep her child safe – RUN.

The Sunday Times bestseller returns with her biggest and best book yet. The perfect read for fans of Paula Hawkins and Clare Mackintosh.

Why so excited: C. L. Taylor is my go-to writer for tense and addictive psychological thrillers and I cannot wait to start this one. If you haven't discovered her stories yet, you are really missing out. 

Pre-order now!

The Lemon Tree Cafe Part 1 - March 28th

This is Part One in a brand-new serial from bestselling author Cathy Bramley.

Rosie Featherstone loves her high-flying job at a social media firm. So what if she isn’t married and settled like her sister? A relationship would only get in the way of this workaholic’s hectic schedule! 

So when she unexpectedly finds herself at a loose end for a month, Rosie keeps busy by helping her Italian nonna serve espressos and biscotti at the Lemon Tree Café, a little slice of Italy nestled in the rolling hills of Derbyshire.

Worryingly though, the café’s fortunes seem to have taken a turn for the worse since Rosie last went home. But with Nonna blind to the truth and angry at the idea of anyone interfering, the two are soon at loggerheads. 

However, just when Rosie decides it’s time to head back to reality, an old acquaintance suddenly reappears, and the prospect of life at the Lemon Tree Café begins to seem more appetizing . . . 

The Lemon Tree Cafe is an irresistibly charming novel told in four parts – following the adventures of Rosie Featherstone in friendship, family and second chances. This is the first part.

Why so excited: I think you must know by now that I love Cathy Bramley's stories. So a new story by her is always highly anticipated. And how beautiful is that cover?

Pre-order now!

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