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11:49


Today I am delighted to host the Blog Tour for the heart-breaking story Missing Pieces, by debut author Laura Pearson. She has stopped by to answer all my bookish questions, and if you continue reading, you'll also find my review:

Hi Laura and welcome. First, could you tell us about yourself?

Hello. Thanks for having me. Well, I live in Leicestershire with my husband and our two children, who are four and very nearly two. I’m thirty-eight. I’ve worked on and off as a copywriter and editor for years. I’ve spent many years in London and one in New York. And I’m a writer.

Your debut novel, Missing Pieces, is a heartbreaking story. Can you tell us a bit about it? What inspired this idea?

It’s about an ordinary family and the way its members are affected by a life-altering tragedy. The first part focuses on the immediate aftermath of the three-year-old daughter’s death and the second part takes place twenty-five years later, when the ripples are still being felt. 

I wrote it about six years ago but the idea’s been around for longer than that. I was writing a novel years ago about a woman who was writing a novel and whose main character came to life, and there was a strand in it about her having lost her sister in childhood. I think that was the start of it. The letters the eldest daughter writes to her lost sister came first and everything else eventually slotted around that. 

In the story there are three very different women, a mother and her two daughters. How would you describe each of them in a few words? 

Linda, the mother, is a bit of a dreamer whose plans haven’t worked out but who was content with her ordinary life until she lost her daughter.

Esme, the eldest daughter, is a woman who’s never been able to properly move beyond losing her sister. She lives a sort of trapped existence, until she decides to face up to what happened.

Bea, the youngest daughter, has always felt shut out of her own family because they lost Phoebe before she was born. She’s broken away from them and is strong, but she’s vulnerable too.

Which one did you feel closer to while writing this book? 

I love them all, but I think my heart is with Esme. She’s the character who came first, and I’ve lived with her for a really long time. 

I expect many readers will cry when reading Missing Pieces, but would you describe it as life-affirming too?

I hope it is. It’s definitely got a lot of sadness but I think it ends on a hopeful note. 

Missing Pieces is your debut novel, but is it the first book you have written?

It was the second novel I completed. My first needs some big edits but that is also going to be published by Agora in the future. 

What can we expect from you next?

My next novel will hopefully be coming out early next year. It’s called I Wanted You To Know and it’s about a mother and daughter who only get to spend a year together but still have a huge impact on one another’s lives.

About the Book:

Title: Missing Pieces
Author: Laura Pearson
Published: June 21st 2018 by Agora Books
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: What if the one thing that kept you together was breaking you apart?

All Linda wants to do is sleep. She won’t look at her husband. She can’t stand her daughter. And she doesn’t want to have this baby. Having this baby means moving on, and she just wants to go back to before. Before their family was torn apart, before the blame was placed.

Alienated by their own guilt and struggling to cope, the Sadler family unravels. They grow up, grow apart, never talking about their terrible secret.

That is until Linda’s daughter finds out she’s pregnant. Before she brings another Sadler into the world, Bea needs to know what happened twenty-five years ago. What did they keep from her? What happened that couldn’t be fixed?

A devastating mistake, a lifetime of consequences. How can you repair something broken if pieces are missing?

Missing Pieces is Laura Pearson’s debut novel. 

Review: Missing Pieces is a tragic story of loss. When the worse happens to Linda, she loses the will to live. There is no happiness or light anymore in her life, just guilt. For me, it was difficult to read about Linda's story as it is a very sombre and dark one. But even if I cannot even begin to imagine what it must feel like to go through what she went through, I think the author's portrait of loss, grief and depression felt very real and raw. 

The second part of the book focuses in Linda's daughter, Bea. It's been more than 20 years since the tragedy that made their family crumble but it still feels like a dark cloud above them. They've never talked about it openly. For Bea, it's time to finally uncover all their secrets and be a family again. I found this second part more engaging than the first as I became more invested in the story, I cared about these characters and I was rooting for them. 

It was heart-breaking to read what happened to this family and how it affected them. In my opinion, Missing Pieces is hard to read but worth it. Beautiful writing and very good character building. I'll definitely be looking out for Laura Pearson's next story.


08:24


Described as "A gripping and gloriously treacherous thriller without guide ropes or safety nets. Leave all certainties by the door," White Rabbit Red Wolf is Tom Pollock's new YA thriller. This is my first book by this author and here are my thoughts about it:

Title: White Rabbit Red Wolf
Author: Tom Pollock
Published: May 3rd 2018 by Walker Books
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: A taut thriller about murder, maths and the mind. Peter Blankman is afraid of everything but must confront truly unimaginable terror when his mother is attacked.

Seventeen-year-old Peter Blankman is a maths prodigy. He also suffers from severe panic attacks. Afraid of everything, he finds solace in the orderly and logical world of mathematics and in the love of his family: his scientist mum and his tough twin sister Bel, as well as Ingrid, his only friend. However, when his mother is found stabbed before an award ceremony and his sister is nowhere to be found, Pete is dragged into a world of espionage and violence where state and family secrets intertwine. Armed only with his extraordinary analytical skills, Peter may just discover that his biggest weakness is his greatest strength.

Review: White Rabbit Red Wolf is definitely a roller-coaster of a read. The first chapter starts already in the middle of a panic attack of the main character, Peter. This sets the tone (dark but with humor and irony) and the pace of the story (really fast). From there, we follow him and his family in a crazy race against time to try to figure out what is going on and who is threatening their life as they know is. 

Peter is a hugely interesting character, he is a very talented mathematician and he suffers an extreme anxiety disorder. His life is a battle to be in control and his lifejacket are his numbers, everything needs to be evaluated, counted and risk assessed. But as we follow him, we soon discover a lot more about him. His family, his friends, his school, his memories... and they are all key to the story. 

But the story is not only about Peter, there is so much more. It's a true thriller: it keeps you on your toes all the time, biting your nails, holding your breath and above all, shocking you with every twist. I really had no idea where the story was going to go next and it definitely gave me a lot of food for thought. Absolutely recommended for thriller fans, both young and old, especially those looking for something completely new and unique. I do hope we hear more from these characters.

Rating: 4 stars

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

11:09


Days of Wonder is the stunning follow-up to Keith Stuart's much-loved debut A Boy Made of Blocks - and a book to fall in love with. Here are my thoughts on this stunning story:

Title: Days of Wonder
Author: Keith Stuart
Published: June 7th 2018 by Sphere
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: A story about family, love and finding magic in everyday life, Days of Wonder is the most moving novel you'll read all year.

Tom, single father to Hannah, is the manager of a tiny local theatre. On the same day each year, he and its colourful cast of part-time actors have staged a fantastical production just for his little girl, a moment of magic to make her childhood unforgettable.

But there is another reason behind these annual shows: the very first production followed Hannah's diagnosis with a heart condition that will end her life early. And now, with Hannah a funny, tough girl of fifteen, that time is coming.

Hannah's heart is literally broken - and she can't bear the idea of her dad's breaking too. So she resolves to find a partner for Tom, someone else to love, to fill the space beside him.

While all the time Tom plans a final day of magic that might just save them both.

Review: The first thought that came to my mind after finishing this book was, wow what a magical story this was. I am pretty sure I won't make this book justice with my review but I'm gonna try. 

Days of Wonder is a stunning story. It's an ode to theater and fairytales. To the magic of stories and how they inspire people and change lives. It's tender, it's sweet, it's funny and it's heart-wrenching. I haven't felt such deep emotions with a story in so long. 

I was completely enthralled with Hannah's story. She was such a strong character. I loved her dark humour, her strength and her determination. The story was narrated in alternated chapters by both Hannah and her father, Tom, so as a reader you got to know them both quite well. Tom was also a fantastic character. His love for her daughter and his theater shown through the pages of this book. 

Supporting these amazing main characters, there was a whole cast of secondary characters. The amateur theater group was like a little family, they all supported each other and were always there to celebrate their joys but also to mourn their loses. And then, there were Hannah's friends from high-school and the comic book store. They all added their own touch to the story and I came to love them all too. 

Days of Wonder stole a tiny piece of my heart that I don't think I'll ever get back. After I finished reading it, all I wanted to do was start all over again and go back to these characters. It's one of those rare books that make you feel privileged to have read it. I definitely recommend this story to everyone looking for a bit of magic. 

Rating: 5 stars

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

11:13

I love Joanna Bolouri's books because her stories are always hilarious and very original. I recently read her latest book, Relight My Fire, and today it's an absolute pleasure to welcome the woman herself in the blog for a bookish Q&A:

Hi Joanna and welcome! First of all, could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi, I’m Jo! I’m a Taurus and I recently turned forty which didn’t go well for anyone involved. I’ve been writing books for around five years now and Relight My Fire is my forth novel.

Your new book, Relight My Fire, although it can be read as a stand-alone, catches up with the characters of your fantastic debut The List. For those new to the story, how would you describe Phoebe and Oli?

Phoebe and Oliver are childhood friends who fell in love. They’re a couple who thrive on passion and honesty, but humour is the key to their success. They really make each other laugh.

How did you feel going back to these characters? Is it more difficult to write about known characters or brand-new ones?

I think there’s a certain expectation in place when your return to previous characters, so it can be tricky making sure you stay faithful to what’s already been written. With newer characters, anything is possible.

Can we expect more stories with these characters?

Possibly but right now I’m more interested in creating new characters. I’d never say never but I’m in no rush to write them at the moment. 

If you could switch places with a character from one of your books for a day, who would it be and why?

I’d quite like to be Emily from The Most Wonderful Time of the Year because she has a hot, rich, younger boyfriend and I don’t.

How does your writing process go? Do you plan everything first or you just start writing and let your characters talk to you? I have to say your stories always make me laugh out loud, do you also laugh while writing them?

Thank you! My process is one that involves a lot of scribbling in notebooks, pacing and talking to myself before anything actually happens. I always have an idea of where it’s going to go but that often changes the more I write and get to know the characters. I do make myself laugh, sad as it sounds but if I don’t find something funny, I won’t put it in the book.

Could you recommend us a novel that you have read recently and has stayed with you?

I read Wonder by R. J Palacio and I cried lots. It was beautifully written. I also had to stop reading Catherine Isaac’s You Me Everything because it was so good, I wasn’t getting any work done. I find it hard to read another author while I write as it put me off, so it’s top of my list when I’ve finished my next novel.

About the Book:

Title: Relight My Fire
Author: Joanna Bolouri 
Published: by Quercus
                                      eBook: March 1st 2018
                                           Paperback: May 31st 2018
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Phoebe and Oliver are stuck in a rut.

With a five year old daughter and demanding jobs, it's not hard to see why the spark has gone.

Not one for giving up, Phoebe creates a sexy wishlist: a jar where they can ask the other for anything they've ever wanted in bed - or out of it.

But with distractions aplenty - such as, why do all her past lovers think now is a good time to make a reappearance? And, she may be wrong, but is Oli keeping something from her? - will they be able to relight the fire in the bedroom?

From mix tapes to 'sex jars', this is the naughtiest rom com you will ever read. From the bestselling author of The List.

Read my review here!

Make sure to follow the Blog Tour for more interesting content and book reviews!

                   



09:13



May has come and gone way too fast. I was very busy at work and then we had a couple of long weekends away (I completely fell in love with Slovenia), so I didn't have as much time for reading and blogging as I would have liked. But hopefully June will be a more quiet month and I'll have many hours in the sun to read these amazing stories:

Days of Wonder by Keith Stuart - June 7th

Magical, heartbreaking, beautiful - Days of Wonder reminds us that stories have the power to save lives.

Tom, single father to Hannah, is the manager of a tiny local theatre. On the same day each year, he and its colourful cast of part-time actors have staged a fantastical production just for his little girl, a moment of magic to make her childhood unforgettable.

But there is another reason behind these annual shows: the very first production followed Hannah's diagnosis with a heart condition that both of them know will end her life early. And now, with Hannah a funny, tough girl of fifteen on the brink of adulthood, that time is coming.

With the theatre under threat of closure, Hannah and Tom have more than one fight on their hands to stop the stories ending. But maybe, just maybe, one final day of magic might just save them both.

A tale about growing up, the beauty of a special bond between father and daughter, and finding magic in everyday life, Days of Wonder is the most moving novel you'll read all year.

Why so excited: I've already read this one and wow! Days of Wonder is a stunning story. It's an ode to theater and fairytales. To the magic of stories and how they inspire people and change lives, definitely a highly recommended read.

Order it now!

The Man Who Didn't Call by Rosie Welch - June 14th

The "OMG" romance of the year, The Man Who Didn't Call by Rosie Walsh is a heart-wrenching love story with a dark secret at its heart, for anyone who's waited for a phone call that didn't come.

Imagine you meet a man, spend seven glorious days together, and fall in love. And it’s mutual: you’ve never been so certain of anything.

So when he leaves for a long-booked holiday and promises to call from the airport, you have no cause to doubt him.

But he doesn’t call.

Your friends tell you to forget him, but you know they're wrong: something must have happened; there must be a reason for his silence.

What do you do when you finally discover you're right? That there is a reason – and that reason is the one thing you didn't share with each other?

The truth.

Why so excited: A truly stunning story that I am planning to re-read very soon. It broke my heart but it also healed it. This story is going to be huge, and trust me, you don't want to miss it. Read my full review here.

Order it now!

One in a Million by Lindsey Kelk - June 14th

Everyone wants that special someone….

Annie Higgins has given up on love: she’s too busy trying to get her own business off the ground. Infuriated by the advertising agency across the hall making fun of her job, Annie accepts their crazy challenge – to make a random stranger Instagram-famous in just 30 days.

And even when they choose Dr Samuel Page PhD, historian and hater of social media, as her target, Annie’s determined to win the bet – whether Sam likes it or not.

But getting to know Sam means getting to know more about herself. And before the 30 days are out, Annie has to make a decision about what’s really important…

Funny, real and heart-meltingly romantic, Annie and Sam’s story is My Fair Lady for the social media age – and the perfect summer read.

Why so excited: Lindsay Kelk is one of my favorite authors, and after catching up with Angela and the gang in her latest book, I am very excited to meet a brand new cast of characters in this story. It sounds like a lot fun, the perfect antidote to a stressful day!

Order it now!

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by Miranda Dickinson - June 14th

Can you fall in love with someone before you’ve even met?

Seren MacArthur is living a life she never intended. Trying to save the Cornish seaside business her late father built – while grieving for his loss – she has put her own dreams on hold and is struggling. Until she discovers a half-finished seaglass star on her favourite beach during an early morning walk. When she completes the star, she sets into motion a chain of events that will steal her heart and challenge everything she believes.

Jack Dixon is trying to secure a better life for daughter Nessie and himself. Left a widower and homeless when his wife died, he’s just about keeping their heads above water. Finding seaglass stars completed on Gwithian beach is a bright spark that slowly rekindles his hope.

Seren and Jack are searching for their missing pieces. But when they meet in real life, it’s on the opposing sides of a battle. Jack is managing the redevelopment of a local landmark, and Seren is leading the community campaign to save it.

Both have reason to fight – Seren for the cause her father believed in, Jack for his livelihood. But only one can win. With so much at stake, will they ever find what they are really looking for?

Miranda Dickinson's Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a sparkling tale of love, life and finding magic where you least expect it.

Why so excited: Miranda Dickinson is the queen of feel good novels and sparkly stories, and I cannot wait to discover her latest one. She always puts so much heart in her books that they usually steal my heart. I am pretty sure Somewhere Beyond the Sea will be no different

Order it now!

How Do You Like Me Now? by Holly Bourne - June 14th

'Turning thirty is like playing musical chairs. The music stops, and everyone just marries whoever they happen to be sitting on.'

Who the f*ck is Tori Bailey?

There's no doubt that Tori is winning the game of life. She's inspired millions of women to stick two fingers up at convention with her bestselling memoir, and she has the perfect relationship to boot.

But Tori Bailey has been living a lie.

Everyone around her is getting married and having babies, but her long-term boyfriend won't even talk about getting engaged. And when her best friend Dee - her plus one, the only person who understands the madness - falls in love, suddenly Tori's in terrifying danger of being left behind.

When the world tells you to be one thing and turning thirty brings with it a loud ticking clock, it takes courage to walk your own path.

It's time for Tori to practice what she's preached, but the question is: is she brave enough?

The debut adult novel by bestselling author Holly Bourne is a blisteringly funny, honest and moving exploration of love, friendship and navigating the emotional rollercoaster of your thirties.

Why so excited: I only discovered Holly Bourne's YA books earlier this year, but I absolutely love them. I wish I could have read her stories, full of feminism discussions and great friendships, when I was a teenager. And in this story, the main character is turning thirty, just as me! Perfect timing or what?

Order it now!

Missing Pieces by Laura Pearson - June 21st

What if the one thing that kept you together was breaking you apart?

All Linda wants to do is sleep. She won’t look at her husband. She can’t stand her daughter. And she doesn’t want to have this baby. Having this baby means moving on, and she just wants to go back to before. Before their family was torn apart, before the blame was placed.

Alienated by their own guilt and struggling to cope, the Sadler family unravels. They grow up, grow apart, never talking about their terrible secret.

That is until Linda’s daughter finds out she’s pregnant. Before she brings another Sadler into the world, Bea needs to know what happened twenty-five years ago. What did they keep from her? What happened that couldn’t be fixed?

A devastating mistake, a lifetime of consequences. How can you repair something broken if pieces are missing?

Why so excited: I received an advance copy of this story a few weeks ago. It came with a lovely care package that included tissues. I'll admit that while reading this story I did need them! Heart-breaking story. I'll be sharing my review during the Blog Tour later this month.

Order it now!

Best Practice by Penny Parkes - June 28th

Dr Alice Walker has become accomplished at presenting a façade to the world – to anyone watching, she is the epitome of style, composure and professionalism. But perhaps it was to be expected that the cracks might begin to show at some point. Thankfully Grace is on hand to offer both friendship and support when it’s needed most.

Meanwhile, Dr Holly Graham has her hands full both professionally and personally. Planning a wedding with Taffy Jones is challenging enough, even before some surprising news changes everything. At least beloved Larkford resident, Elsie, still has a few tricks left up her sleeve!

Dr Dan Carter, on the other hand, has decided to throw himself into his career – the best antidote he’s found to unrequited love. When tragedy strikes in the heart of Larkford, Dan makes it his mission to help the community.

Why so excited: although this story was published in hardback earlier this year, I haven't had the chance to read it yet. So now that the paperback is coming, I really want to catch up with my favorite fictional medical practice!

Order it now!

Letters to my Daughters by Emma Hannigan - June 28th

Some books are guaranteed to break your heart - and put it back together again. Letters to my Daughters is one of those wonderful books. From the inspirational, beloved Emma Hannigan.

Throughout their lives, the three Brady sisters have always been closer to their nanny May than to their own mother, Martha a busy midwife. May always thought of them as her daughters so when she dies suddenly, the sisters are left devastated -- especially when they learn that letters intended for them from May with final words of advice and love have gone missing.

But what words of advice could the sisters need?

Beatrice, owner of exclusive wedding boutiques, is busy and fulfilled. Rose has a beautiful daughter, a luxurious home and a thriving interiors company. And Jeannie, married to a wealthy plastic surgeon in L.A., wants for nothing.

Except that each of the sisters carries a secret ...

As they gather for the reading of May's will in Dublin, they must face some life-changing decisions. Will they ever learn the words of advice May had for them and discover who took the letters?

Letters to my Daughters is the spellbinding story about the complicated bonds between women -- daughters, mothers, sisters -- and how love and happiness comes in many guises.

Why so excited: Irish author Emma Hannigan sadly lost her battle to cancer earlier this year and it was really touching to see so many authors supporting her latest book. As author Anna McPartlin wrote on Twitter: “Emma can’t promote her work herself so please join us. Buy it. Read it. Promote it”. 

Order it now!

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