BOOK REVIEW THE DAY WE MEET AGAIN BY MIRANDA DICKINSON

‘We’ll meet again at St Pancras station, a year from today. If we’re meant to be together, we’ll both be there. If we’re not, it was never meant to be . . .’

Phoebe and Sam meet by chance at St Pancras station. Heading in opposite directions, both seeking their own adventures, meeting the love of their lives wasn’t part of the plan. So they make a promise: to meet again in the same place in twelve months’ time if they still want to be together.

But is life ever as simple as that?

This is a story of what-ifs and maybes – and how one decision can change your life forever…

I finally got a copy of this beautiful book ! Miranda has done it again. Captured my heart and made me swoon .

What a amazing tale of serendipity and this crazy thing we call life.

Its messy,unpredictable and nothing is guaranteed. So be like sam and phoebe who live their lives to the fullest.

Storytelling at its best and reminds all booklovers why we see magic in words.

BLOG TOUR THE LOST ONES BY ANITA FRANK

Some houses are never at peace.

England, 1917

Reeling from the death of her fiancé, Stella Marcham welcomes the opportunity to stay with her pregnant sister, Madeleine, at her imposing country mansion, Greyswick – but she arrives to discover a house of unease and her sister gripped by fear and suspicion.

Before long, strange incidents begin to trouble Stella – sobbing in the night, little footsteps on the stairs – and as events escalate, she finds herself drawn to the tragic history of the house.

Aided by a wounded war veteran, Stella sets about uncovering Greyswick’s dark and terrible secrets – secrets the dead whisper from the other side…

In the classic tradition of The Woman in Black, Anita Frank weaves a spell-binding debut of family tragedy, loss and redemption.

Firstly thanks to Joe at Hq for my copy to review,and can i say it is a exquisite book to look at. This is going to be flying off the shelves.

Fabulous debut with a lot of buzz and rightly so .

Haunting historical story thats perfect for Halloween.

Explores family, love,loss and ghostly activity. Chilling and will get under your skin .

Incredibly written and is going to be all over Twitter today with the blog takeover.

I wish her every success with this book and do check out all the other blogs taking part.

Published 31st October

BLOG TOUR SAFE HOUSE BY JO JAKEMAN

The morning after a terrible storm, a woman turns up in a remote Cornish village. She calls herself Charlie, but it’s a name she’s only had for a few days. She keeps herself to herself, reluctant to integrate with the locals. Because Charlie has a secret.
Charlie was in prison for providing a false alibi for a murderer. But Lee Fisher wasn’t a murderer to her; he was the man she loved. Convinced of his innocence, Charlie said she was with him the night a young woman was killed. This sacrifice cost her everything.
And now she has a chance to start again. But someone is watching her, waiting for her, wondering if she’s really paid the price for what she did.

Firstly a big thank you to Mia at the publishers got my copy to review and having me on the tour.

I whizzed through this as it has you gripped instantly .

Absolutly loved it.

Haunting,chilling, cleverly written

Who is after her?

Who knows her past?

what lengths will people go to for love?

Thought provoking and a eye opener into another world.

Published 31st oct and do check our the other blogs taking part in the tour.

BLOG TOUR THROUGH THE WALL BY CAROLINE CORCORAN

Lexie’s got the perfect life. And someone else wants it…

Lexie loves her home. She feels safe and secure in it – and loved, thanks to her boyfriend Tom.

But recently, something’s not been quite right. A book out of place. A wardrobe door left open. A set of keys going missing…

Tom thinks Lexie’s going mad – but then, he’s away more often than he’s at home nowadays, so he wouldn’t understand.

Because Lexie isn’t losing it. She knows there’s someone out there watching her. And, deep down, she knows there’s nothing she can do to make them

Firstly thanks for my copy to read and review over the Halloween period. This is a fantastic debut and ive been delighted to see everyone raving about it on Twitter. Ive already been quick to recommend to people when they ask for any good reads recently.

Cleverly written ,thought provoking and intense. You really get into these womens heads!

Be prepared to be hooked straight away .

Gripping ,chilling this is a tense addictive psychological thriller

Entices you and leaves you feeling bereft as you race through the book.

A thought provoking and claustrophobic page turner.

Another great Avon author who do publish amazing books in this genre .

Highly recommend and do check out the other blogs taking part in the tour.

BOOK REVIEW SOMEONE IS LYING BY JENNY BLACKHURST

One year after Erica Spencer trips and falls down a flight of stairs at a lavish Halloween party, the residents of the exclusive gated community where she lived have comes to terms with her death and moved on with their lives.

Until one day, a post on the school’s website announces there will be a podcast to expose what really happened on the night of the accident. Six suspects are named, with the podcaster promising to reveal the murderer by the end of the series.

Everyone in this community has secrets to keep, and one of them is already a killer..

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review, i am a huge fan of Jenny’s book so was very excited.

This doesn’t muck around, straight away we know someone has died but was it really an accident?

In a perfect neigbourhood surely no one has dark secrets? Right ….well what happens throughout the book is peoples secrets are exposed and true colours revealed.

Affairs,pregnancy, lies and scandal seen to be behind every pretty door.

Fast paced and a real page turner of who done it right to the last page.

Fantastically written and plotted.

Jenny is a amazing writer at the top of this genre. If you are new to her books then get reading!!

Published 14th November

BOOK REVIEW WHAT YOU DID BY CLAIRE MCGOWAN

It was supposed to be the perfect reunion: six university friends together again after twenty years. Host Ali finally has the life she always wanted, a career she can be proud of and a wonderful family with her college boyfriend, now husband. But that night her best friend makes an accusation so shocking that nothing will ever be the same again.

When Karen staggers in from the garden, bleeding and traumatised, she claims that she has been assaulted—by Ali’s husband, Mike. Ali must make a split-second decision: who should she believe? Her horrified husband, or her best friend? With Mike offering a very different version of events, Ali knows one of them is lying—but which? And why?

When the ensuing chaos forces her to re-examine the golden era the group shared at university, Ali realises there are darker memories too. Memories that have lain dormant for decades. Memories someone would kill to protect.

This was my first book of Claire’s writing under this name and i had the pleasure of meeting her last month at capital crime.
Wow what a book ! This messes with your head as you are sure you know the truth and then ….Cleverly written and packed with tension and suspense Completly unpredictable and a thought provoking dramatic psychological thriller.I will definitely be reading more from this author.

BLOG TOUR REWRITE THE STARS BY EMMA HEATHERINGTON

A stunning Christmas romance for fans of One Day in December and Jojo Moyes

From the moment they meet one December day there’s something between Charlotte Taylor and her brother’s best friend, Tom Farley. But Tom’s already taken and Charlie has to let him go…

It’s another five years before their paths cross again only a secret from the past forces Charlie to make a choice. She promises herself she’ll never look back…

The years pass and Charlie moves on with her life but she can never forget Tom. He’s always there whispering ‘What if?’.

Can Charlie leave the life she has built for one last chance with Tom? Or is the one that got away not really the one at all…?

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review which arrived with goodies,and having me on the tour.

This is a first book from this author for me and my first xmas read of the year.

I absolutely loved this book. Whizzed through in an afternoon.

Unpredictable and will leave you suprised.

A tale of what if,love ,loss and all the things that make life so precious.

She goes on a real journey of self discovery and its incredibly empowering.

Deals with some tough issues too and has great characters. It also offers some humour too.

Highly recommended if you like books from dani Atkins And miranda dickenson

Published 17th October and do check out the other blogs taking part.

Capital Crime 2019

Last weekend saw the first Capital Crime held at de vere Connaught rooms and I had the pleasure of being there. It was my first book festival ,and I was anxious /nervous as its the biggest event ive been to . I had all those doubts of whether it was for me if anyone would talk to me…silly I know as Ive already met some people that were going ! anyway within half of hour of being there my nerves had gone and I had an amazing time .

I already know ill be back and i may even see if i can be a volunteer ..if health allows me to!

What a festival it was . i met bloggers old and new,authors and publishing peeps ,some ive spoke to on twitter for years .

Having lisa Jewell and Fiona Cummins recognise you and come out their way to hug you was quite surreal…

…

I arrived Friday morning after dropping my bag at my hotel. Picked up my weekend pass which i must add i got at a discounted rate . I emailed early in the year explained my situation and was offered a huge discount for not just a day pass but a weekend pass!

Anyway to the panels i went to.. we were spoilt for choice

1. The interrogation of Mark Billingham . Where he was questioned by Grahan Bartlett a experienced police detective. This was very funny.
2. Are we living in a spy thriller?Charles Cumming, Frank gardner and stella Rimington discuss modern espionage with Adam Hamdy.
3. The truth in pieces Belinda Bauer,Jane casey, Robert goddard and Alex north piece together a mystery with Joe haddow. This was one i was looking forward to and didnt dissapoint.
4. The psychology of tension Mark Edwards & Lisa Jewell in conversation with Claire Mcgowan. This was another panel i was excited for after years of reading lisa. Also mark is really funny !
5. London, the capital of crime. Martina cole and Ali Karim discuss london as an iconic setting for the crime and thriller genre. Wow what a legend she is. Martina was the first crime writer i read at age 17 , she is comical,real and passionate about books and her work within prisons.
6. Is crime fiction a problem for feminists? Killer women members Julia Crouch,Sarah Hillary ,Amanda Jennings , Colette Mcbeth and Kate Rhodes in conversation . Again a panel that was high on my list, inspirational women talking about murder ..not just men ..and womens rights.
7. Whose crime is it anyway? Grand final. Hosted by paul clayton. Debut authors battle against each other..with added drama reenactments..

The final panel i went to…

8.adapting worlds: books to screen

Sj watson and Paula daly discuss adaptations with Adam Hamdy . I love both these authors and was really looking forward to this panel

By the end of this panel my brain was buzzing but also frazzled lol so myself and other bloggers went and got dinner. Which was lovely .

After a luxurious night (alone away fro kids) in premier inn it was a early start for day 2.

Again there was so much choice and i only stayed till lunch.

So saturdays panels i went to were as follows

1. When women make murderers. Fiona Cummins, laura shepherd robinsin,cj tudor and olivia kiernab discuss success of female crime and thriller authors with amy mclellan. Theres not much that ill get up early for but these women i did. Fantastic bunch of women who all seemed lovely but are creating dark dark books!!
2. Chilled to the bone

Ragnar jonasson ,will dean,antti Tuomainen and Ysra Siguroardottir discuss scandi noir with Karen sullivan . Ive not read any of these authors but this was a fascinsting panel, in particular Antti who was very funny. It was a delight to meet Karen to after years of engaging on twitter.

3. Beneath the surface

Elly griffiths, teresa driscoll louise candlish ,fiona Barton discuss how truth is never as it seems with erin kelly .

Another great female led panel where twists in books were discussed.

Finally for me as my time was drawing to a close was

4 Britain’s toughest streets Dreda say mitchell , steph Marland ,Amer Anwah and MW Craven talk about getting inspirstikn from gritty streets of the uk with David Mark.

Ive not read any of these authors before but they were all inspirational and refreshing to listen to. Dreda is representing women from walks of life that are often hidden and she was empowering!

So that was my last panel , i was sad to go as Saturday afternoon looked amazing too.

I loved every minute and im only just starting to come down from the adreline . Ive even come away inspired to write which ive been saying for years but words are finally happening.

Will i come back next year…oh yes!

Do i have a list of authors i think would be great on the panels. Oh yes!

Do i now have even more authors on my tbr pile.. oh yes !

Before i wrap up with what i thought made capital crime rock ive got a few things that didnt make it rock. Nothing major but as it was its first year im sure all feedback is welcomed ( i hope )

1. First up as someone with a disability which means i cant stand for prolonged periods of time. The bar area could have done with more seats, i only visited once but it was something i observed. Had i stayed all weekend this could have been a challenge.
2. The timing between events were quite slim often meaning you missed out on signings or had to rush for toilet. Again its amazing the day was so packed with choice but maybe a lounger turnaround.
3. In the panels there seemed to be only one volunteer with a microphone ,maybe a idea to have one each side.

See that wasnt too painful. …

On to the things i thought made it a great event

1. Friendly staff from the doors being open to the bookshop staff. This is a big plus especially for peoples first contact.
2. Free tea and coffee..not that i got much but yes!
3. Goody bag…always a winner
4. Keeping you in the loop even before the event
5. Lots of seats in the rooms
6. It felt very laid back. I didnt feel i was being looked down on by anyone in the business .
7. Interacting with authors …. fangirl moments
8. The quality of panels specially for first year was outstanding.
9. Enabling access to people like myself on a low income.
10. Seeing how happy/proud the parents were of their baby ..David and Adam regarding their first festival.
11. Generally being about so many book lovers

So ill be there next year…will you ?

And who would you like to see there. Another blogger asked this and i had such a long list but today ill share 10 auhors i think /would like to be a guest of capital crime 2020

1. Adele parks
2. Kat Diamond
3. Angela Clarke
4. John marrs
5. Jack jordan
6. Dorothy koomson
7. Jane corey
8. Louise jensen
9. Lisa hall
10. Lucy clarke

Thanks for reading! And heres some pictures.. im terrible at taking pictures so next time ill take more.

BLOG TOUR THE FAMILY BY LOUISE JENSEN

* * * *

ONCE YOU’RE IN, THEY’LL NEVER LET YOU LEAVE.

Laura is grieving after the sudden death of her husband. Struggling to cope emotionally and financially, Laura is grateful when a local community, Oak Leaf Organics, offer her and her 17-year-old daughter Tilly a home.

But as Laura and Tilly settle into life with their new ‘family’, sinister things begin to happen. When one of the community dies in suspicious circumstances Laura wants to leave but Tilly, enthralled by the charismatic leader, Alex, refuses to go.

Desperately searching for a way to save her daughter, Laura uncovers a horrifying secret but Alex and his family aren’t the only ones with something to hide. Just as Laura has been digging into their past, they’ve been digging into hers and she discovers the terrifying reason they invited her and Tilly in, and why they’ll never let them leave…

Firstly a big thank you to the team at hq for my copy to review!

Wow wow what a book…how many wows can i get away with!

I am a huge fan of Louise’s books and was very excited to meet her last year at hq. I knew her book was goung to be something special in the hands of the hq team.

It arrived yesterday and was devoured yesterday in a bath that went very cold.

What a dark twisty chilling book.

For aomeone so sweet looking shes got a dark mind!

A story of obsession,love,grief and relationships with family.

This got right under my skin

Cant wait to see it flying off the shelves!

If you are new to her books get reading.

Published 3rd October and do check out the other blogs taking part in the tour.

BOOK REVIEW MY NAME IS ANNA BY LIZZY BARBER

Two women – desperate to unlock the truth.
How far will they go to lay the past to rest?

ANNA has been taught that virtue is the path to God. But on her eighteenth birthday she defies her Mamma’s rules and visits Florida’s biggest theme park.

She has never been allowed to go – so why, when she arrives, does everything seem so familiar? And is there a connection to the mysterious letter she receives on the same day?

ROSIE has grown up in the shadow of the missing sister she barely remembers, her family fractured by years of searching without leads. Now, on the fifteenth anniversary of her sister’s disappearance, the media circus resumes in full flow, and Rosie vows to uncover the truth.

But will she find the answer before it tears her family apart?

I picked a copy of this up at capital crime ,it was the cover that grabbed my attention.

What a great book , i whizzed through it in the bath where i do all my best reading. This grabbed my atattention straight away.

It examines complicated families and their dynamics . The lengths we go, to protect those we love.

The pain a mother feels after losing a child and how that changes everyones lives.

Gripping,thought provoking and fast paced.

A excellent debut and i cant wait to read more from this author.