Review: The Fiction Writer's Handbook - Shelly Lowenkopf

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 744 KB
• Publisher: White Whisker Books (16 Nov 2012)
• ASIN: B00A95CU2W

The blurb (from Amazon)

The Fiction Writer's Handbook is the definitive volume to explain the words and phrases that writers and editors use when they talk about a work. In the highly competitive publishing world, today's writers need to stay ahead of the competition and make every sentence count. This book will help new writers who need an understanding of the writing process, and for seasoned writers, it is a powerful tool.

The first sentence in the Preface reads... The Fiction Writer's Handbook is a tool for writers of fiction and for readers who love a story.

I was not sure how easy it would be to navigate a reference e-book. I should not have worried as this book has a table of contents which is fully linked to each entry, plus there are links within the text which are underlined and easy to follow.

As a reader/reviewer I found that this comprehensive volume made for very interesting reading. Of course I have not read and digested the whole book, yet.  This will be a valuable reference book to help enrich my reading by understanding the structure and process of writing a short story or novel. 

Aimed at new writers and readers I understand that it would be useful to more experienced writers, too.

With a foreward by Christopher Moore

I was sent an e-copy of this Handbook as part of the tour for Shelly Lowenkopf via

Check back tomorrow for an interview with Shelly Lowenkopf and the chance

to win an e-copy of this book.

Review : Jack's Tractor by Thomas Taylor/John Kelly

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Hodder Children's Books (1 July 2010)
• ISBN-13: 978-0340957073

The blurb

Jack's got a tractor, big and red, with a trailer fixed behind.

He's going for a ride, he says, to see what he can find.

Brum, Brum, Vrumm!

A great text to read aloud.

Shortlisted for the Sheffield book award.

Lots of colourful full-page illustrations to help tell the noisy story of Jack and his red Tractor. Lots of silly sounds to read aloud with my son until Jack realises it is getting late and he doesn't know the way home.  

A little mouse comes to the rescue and helps Jack and the noisy animals return home quietly ready for bedtime.

Great fun.

5 out of 5!

Review: Jack's Mega Machines - Alison Ritche/Mike Byrne

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Childrens Books (30 Aug 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-0857075673

The blurb

Have fun with Jack in his mega machines!

In this exciting adventure, Jack zooms inot outer space.

Can his super speedy racing car beat the aliens in an intergalactic race?

A colourful and fun packed adventure with Jack and his dog Riley as the race through space.  Jack meets several other racers along the way who need help and he selflessly stops to help them on their way.

 This picture book comes complete with a 3d cardboard Rocket Racing Car with which AJ had great fun recreating the race as I read the story.

There is another title in this series - The Dinosaur Digger.

5 out 5!

Fiction Addition - Guest Author Sheryl Browne

Today Sheryl Browne stops off on her blog tour for A Little Bit of Madness

14th FebruaryMiss Bookworm Reviews

15th FebruaryThe Little Reader Library

16th FebruaryMe, My Books and I

17th FebruaryRhoda Baxter

18th FebruaryDizzy C’s Little Book Blog

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• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: Safkhet Soul (14 Feb 2013)
• ISBN-13: 978-1908208033
• Kindle version:
• Publisher: Safkhet Soul; 1 edition (2 Jan 2013)
• ASIN: B00AWEBWY2

The blurb

Celia Summers, intrepid mother of two, is too cuddly for sweatpants, she suspects. But then, her class at The Harbour Rest Home are similarly clad. Celia loves her work as an art therapist. She's proud that she gives her elderly independents something to look forward to, even if her partner, Martin, disapproves of her efforts. He also has other things on his mind - telling complicated lies to Celia so he can sell Charlton Hall, his mum's house, to pay off his debts. Meanwhile, Celia fights to secure gallery space for her geriatric charges' artwork, and to keep The Harbour from being closed. She's even ready to abseil from a church steeple to bring attention to the plight of her old people, no matter that she might fall and end up splattered all over the flagstones. When she does fall, however, it's much more painful - in love with PC Alex Burrows coming to her rescue

Celia is almost superwoman - a hard working mother of 2, living with an impossible man called Martin. He hasn't even proposed to her yet. This could be a good thing.  Martin is not exactly husband material and has some secrets that Celia would not like.  Into the mix is a Mother-in-law who has never really thought that Celia was up to the job as wife for her son.

Celia works at at home for the elderly, The Harbour and really cares for the residents, scatty as they are. When the home is at risk of being shut down, Celia will go to any lenghts, or heights to stop it.  Enter into the story the gorgeous man in uniform, Alex.  Alex is the son of one of The Harbour residents and he becomes involved in the task of saving The Harbour.

Another funny, warm and full-on read from Sheryl Browne.  There is so much going on in this story there hardly seems room on the pages for the goings-on.  The author deals with some rather serious and heart wrenching situations with warmth and humour.  Not sure whether to laugh or cry sometimes. 

5 out of 5 for me! Loved it!

Thank you to the author for a review copy. This did not influence my review in any way.

About the Author:

Sheryl Browne grew up in Birmingham, UK, where she studied Art & Design.

A partner in her own business, a mother and a foster parent to disabled dogs, Sheryl has also been writing for many years, the road along the way often bumpy.  She was therefore thrilled beyond words when Safkhet Publishing loved her writing style and commissioned her to write her debut novel. 

Review: Stilettos and Stubble by Amanda Egan

I have just reviewed Stilettos and Stubble by Amanda Egan over at Amazon and Goodreads

It has an Adult theme running through the novel so I will just add a link to the review from here.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/531902013

5 out of 5 for me! Loved it!

Review: Sticker Dressing Action Heroes

AJ has been checking out the 'new to us' Usborne Activity books.
When we go to town and he wants a treat I always buy him a book.  I don't feel like I am spoiling him then.  He does love to get new books.

• Paperback: 34 pages
• Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd (1 Feb 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-1409532835

Stickers galore - over 200

AJ dressing the characters all by himself

There are many more titles in the series including Knights, Sports, Romans, Soldiers and Pirates.  There is also a wide range for girls, too.

These would make great birthday presents or just a treat for car journeys etc.

We would give these sticker books 9 out of 10!

Review: Sophie's Run by Nicky Wells

• Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing (4 Feb 2013)
• ASIN: B00BBK38UM

The blurb

Who says that the road towards true love is straight and even? Sophie is certainly discovering that it is anything but.

So she has finally found the man of her dreams! Well…she knows who he is, even though she hasn’t actually quite met him yet. But she misses her opportunity, and then her life goes crazy. Rock star and ex-fiancé, Dan, keeps getting in the way of her new romance—even if he is just trying to be helpful. A fire, an impromptu mini-trip with Dan, and a dreaded wedding later, Sophie is still struggling to meet the love of her life. Then, just as she is getting it together with her perfect man, best friend Rachel commits an act of unspeakable betrayal.

Sophie has had enough. Confused and distraught, she decides that it is time for a radical change. Surprising herself and shocking her friends, she embarks on a secret journey and eventually gets her life back on track.


Sophie is rebuilding her life after turning down two marriage proposals.  She is looking for love and believes she has found it with Steve, an acquaintance from church choir who turns up the heat at the most inconvenient time.

Her ex-Fiance Tim is moving on. In fact he has invited her to his wedding.  

Ex-Fiance Dan is still in Sophie's life but as a good friend rather than her love interest. 

This exciting adventure includes an ex's wedding, medical emergencies, getaway holidays and many surprises to keep the reader's attention.

After reading Sophie's Turn I was expecting another page-turner from the author, Nicky Wells.  She has delivered that and much more. The author has developed these characters with great thought rather than just giving them another adventure.
In this novel, Sophie has matured and is taking responsibility for her actions.  I enjoyed seeing the change in Sophie and how this group of characters have moved on from the past.  I was routing for Sophie and wanted to see her get her happy ever after.  I am really looking forward to the third part of this trilogy which is due out later in the year.  

10 out of 10 for me!  Loved it!

Thank you to the author for a review copy.  This did not influence my review in any way.

Review: The Valentine's Card by Juliet Ashton

• Publisher: Sphere (17 Jan 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0751544272
• ISBN-13: 978-0751544275

The blurb

The Valentine's card was meant to be Orla's fairy tale ending, but really, it was only the beginning . . .


Orla adores her actor boyfriend, Sim, who's away filming a sumptuous costume drama. Although the long-distance relationship means that she can eat toast for dinner and watch as much reality TV as she likes, she misses him like crazy.

But Valentine's Day changes everything . . . The same morning Orla learns that Sim has died, she receives a card from him. As Orla travels from Ireland to London, to live and breathe Sim's final moments, can she bring herself to open the Valentine's card and read his final message?

Orla and Simon are apart with Valentine's Day approaching.  Simon is following his dream in London as an actor and Orla is patiently waiting at home in Dublin for him.
This long distance relationship is working for them, or so Orla would have us believe.

On Valentine's Day everything changes in a second,  just as Orla receives Simon's Valentine's Card, she also receives news that Simon has died suddenly.

In the grieving process Orla holds on tight to the last Valentine's Card from her boyfriend, believing it to be a proposal and not wanting to let go of her last communication with Simon.

She goes to his flat in London to try to discover what his life was like there and to pluck up the courage to read the card.  In London she discovers that the Simon she knew so well in Dublin is not the Simon London knew.

This novel had an unusual start with the male lead dying on the first page of chapter one. It was a shocking start but the story that followed was gripping.

I did not warm to  Orla and could not feel her grief.  I much preferred the supporting cast, friends of Simon and the dearly departed Simon himself.

When Orla did get around to opening the Valentine's Card she became a different person and I did not like her behaviour.  I would have usually put a book down at that point BUT I was compelled to finish the book as I cared about the supporting cast and had to know Simon's story.

I am so glad I did continue to read as once Orla saw the error of her recent behaviour and the story unfolded I began to enjoy the story again.  The twist at the end was superb.

I did enjoy this story in the main but there was a section where I really struggled to keep going.  The author's style of writing is lovely and I would like to read her next novel. 

If you would like a Valentine's read that is not all fluffy this one is for you.  

6 out of 10 for me!

Thank you to Little,Brown for a review copy.  This did not influence my review in any way.

Review: The Gilded Fan by Christina Courtenay

• Publisher: Choc Lit (7 Feb 2013)
• ISBN-13: 978-1781890080
• Also available for Kindle

The blurb

How do you start a new life, leaving behind all you love?

It's 1641, and when Midori Kumashiro, the orphaned daughter of a warlord, is told she has to leave Japan or die, she has no choice but to flee to England. Midori is trained in the arts of war, but is that enough to help her survive a journey, with a lecherous crew and an attractive captain she doesn't trust?

Having come to Nagasaki to trade, the last thing Captain Nico Noordholt wants is a female passenger, especially a beautiful one. How can he protect her from his crew when he can't keep his own eyes off her?

During their journey, Nico and Midori form a tentative bond, but they both have secrets that can change everything. When they arrive in England, a civil war is brewing, and only by standing together can they hope to survive

Midori, daughter of a warlord in 17C Japan has always been different from her peers.  She lost her English mother and now fears for her life if she decides to stay with her family in Japan.  The Shogan wants to dispose  of all Christians in the land.  Although Midori follows her father's religious beliefs she would not be spared because of her mixed parentage.

Her half-brother finds her passage on a trade ship bound for Amsterdam,  another perilous situation for a lone woman at that time, but Midori and her brother feel it is her only hope of survival.  She sets sail under the protection of Captain Nico, in her quest to return to her mother's family in Plymouth, Devon.

She survives the dangerous journey with Captain Nico and his crew and the two form a strong bond.  Once docked in Amsterdam, Nico decides it is his duty to see this young woman to her final destination in England even when he discovers who she is and where she is headed.

The adventure for Midori does not end there.  Once safely united with her mother's family, it becomes apparent that there is unrest in England and Civil War is about to break out.  Nico and Midori have a misunderstanding and Nico joins the war effort. 

Another fabulous historical adventure with  lots of passion and romance from one of my favourite historical romance authors, Christina Courtenay.  This author always weaves such a rich adventure that is full of passion. The author's love of Japan comes across in the vivid description of the country and it's history.  I always want to sit down with one of these novels and devour in one sitting, but by the same token want it to last for days. 

I felt that having read The Scarlet Kimono this enriched the continuing story for me, but this can be read alone as there is full explanation of who Midori is and her relationship to the Marston's family.

10 out of 10 for me! A Top read for 2013!

Thank you to ChocLit for a review copy.  This did not influence my review in any way.

Review: The Quintessential Gemini - Linn B Halton

• Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing LLC (16 May 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-1938404092
• Also available for Kindle
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The blurb

For twenty-one years, the focus of Katherine Dale's life has been her work. Love interests and hobbies came and went, but what has always been there for her was her nine to five habit. Until she's replaced. With her confidence dented, Katherine is angry at life and at herself. 

She's ignored hints of "changes to come" in her horoscope forecasts, written by the wonderful and renowned astrologer, Mark Ainsley-Thomas. 

Mark is now an "A" list celebrity in the UK and his new Agent is determined to raise his profile in America, so he has to take on the new, but talented, astrologer James Kingman to help him run his web-site. 

Katherine lives her life according to her daily horoscope. When Katherine finds James has been writing her daily horoscopes rather than Mark, Katherine's life explodes in confusion and, unexpectedly, love as the three lives become inextricably tangled. 

Now Katherine has to learn that the stars might be telling her that love is going to feature in her life, but when Katherine finds herself implicated in the headlines 'Mystic Love Triangle Surprise' she's just as surprised as everyone else! None of the men in her life are love interests - so what exactly does fate have in store?

Katherine Dale finds herself unemployed at the age of 42.  Not unusual but Kat has put all her adult life into her work forsaking friends and relationships. Work is all she knows.

That and her daily horoscopes, which she lives her life by. She decides to try to write her own novel.  The locals in the Camsworth Writers Circle run away with this knowledge and promote Kat to be their resident writer.

Mark is an astrologer and the main adviser in Katherine's life along with many other fans.  He is very successful. So successful his workload is too much.  An assistant is taken on by his agent to write the daily horoscopes allowing Mark to attend his many appearances and work on the monthly readings. His personal life is just that.

James, the new assistant hired to write the daily horoscopes is also going through major changes in his life. His wife has left him and their business has collapsed.  

James has an elderly neighbour Jake, who also features as a main character in the novel and he has an interesting story to be told.

No4 is the only male in Katherine's life and he has his opinions on whom Katherine should bring home.

Are you sitting comfortably, then I shall begin.....this was how the style and narrative of this novel made me feel right from the beginning.   The three main characters narrate their own short and titled chapters. I felt as if I was their confident being told their inner most thoughts as they would talk to their closet friend. 

The author's interest in Astrology shines in this novel.  I admire her flowing writing and especially the horoscope readings for Katherine.  It must have taken some research to write those readings. I also enjoyed the insight into the writing process. 

A wonderful love story with Astrology as the main theme where the characters not only have to interpret their star charts but also their personal relationships.

10 out of 10!  I loved it!

Thank you to the author who gave me a review copy for my honest opinion.  This did not influence my review in any way.

Review: You Had Me At Hello by Mhairi McFarlane

• Publisher: Avon (6 Dec 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 000748805X
• ISBN-13: 978-0007488056

Also on Kindle

The blurb

Rachel and Ben. Ben and Rachel.

It was them against the world. Until it all fell apart. It's been a decade since they last spoke, but when Rachel bumps into Ben on rainy day, the years melt away.

They'd been partners in crime and the best of friends.  But it's clear that life has moved on. Ben is married. Rachel is not.

Yet in that split second, Rachel feels the old friendship return. And along with it, the broken heart she's never been able to mend.

Oh my, this is one busy read.  

The main character Rachel has such a wonderful narrative in this story, in which she goes off on a tangent at the drop of a hat. It took my full attention to keep up with her daydreaming.

Rachel is just about to walk out on her long term relationship with no real idea why and which direction she will take next. She just knows it is not working.  To add to her confusion, which doesn't take much, Ben comes back into her life.

Rachel has a good network of friends around her and with their help she makes the transition from 'engaged to be married' to singledom.  Along the way she is introduced to Simon by Ben's matchmaking wife.

It is rather a long story and I do feel it could have been wrapped up a little sooner, but  it as it worth the rollercoaster ride.

Mhairi McFarlane has written a very funny and sharp novel with some great observations about complex relationships.

I look forward to seeing more from this author.

9 out of 10 for me! I loved it!

Thank you to Avon for a review copy.  This did not influence my review in any way.

Review: India Black and The Rajah's Ruby by Carol K Carr

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• Kindle edition
• Print Length: 62 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (31 Dec 2012)
• ASIN: B007P7HX4M

The blurb (from Amazon)

India Black uses her wit and wiles as both a madam and a spy, proving she’s the best there is when it comes to undercover work…

Drawn into intrigue by her lover Philip Barrett, India finds herself being used as a pawn to help him steal a valuable jewel. Turning the tables, she proves that India Black answers to no man, no matter how attractive he may be…

This is another tale from the infamous India Black, Madam and spy for the Victorian Government.

I am not usually interested in crime, spy or action base historical fiction but India Black is one character I always have time for.  She is a feisty and well clued up Madam who never fails to entertain me with her stories.  

I have said this before, I love her narrative.  

In this prequel novella, India shares the secret of how she came by her fortune which enabled her to open her own house. It is short and sweet and I do wonder if maybe the author could have actually made a full length prequel.  I am intrigued to now about India's background and how she ended up as Madam.  I believe there is a lot more about India to be shared.

Includes a preview of India Black and the Shadows of Anarchy, which is due out Feb 2013.

9 out of 10 for me!

This was a net galley ecopy for review.

Review: Women and Children First by Gill Paul

• Publisher: Avon (29 Mar 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-1847563255
• Kindle ASIN: B006I1CDKK
• Women and Children First by Gill Paul

The blurb

The Titanic was the most magnificent ship ever built, offering every possible luxury to her passengers – yet on the night on the 14th of April, 1912, she sank in the North Atlantic, leaving the lucky ones floating in wooden rowing boats, and the rest struggling for their lives in the icy water.

This novel follows the fortunes of Reg, a handsome young steward who works in the first-class dining room; Annie, a gifted Irishwoman who is travelling to America with her four children; Juliette, a titled English lady who is pregnant and unmarried; an American millionaire and his wife who are trapped in a poisoned marriage; and a mystery passenger who never shows her face in public.

The sinking of the Titanic not only steals lives but blows apart the futures of those who survive. Coming to terms with the shocking events, survivors form new attachments, make decisions with tragic consequences, and watch all their old certainties crumble. How can life ever be the same again when you have heard 1,500 people dying in the water around you?

This novel follows the story of 3 survivors who were unfortunate enough to be sailing on the maiden voyage of the fateful Titanic on 14th April 1912.  

Reg is a 21 year old first-class steward, with a fiance back home and an ambition to earn enough money to settle down and start a family.  His work record is blotted by an incident on a previous cruise when he was accused of stealing.  He looks up to his friend John.

Annie and her brood of four children are sailing on the Titanic to join her husband in America to begin a new and better life for the family.  They are travelling in 3rd class but Annie feels this is luxury travelling.

Juliette is a Lady who has found herself pregnant out of wedlock, to her married lover.  Her mother believes that no Englishman will want to marry her now and, as time is pressing on, the only solution is to find an American husband and fast. 

The author begins by introducing us to these 3 central characters and other characters around them on the voyage.  It follows the fateful night of the sinking and then Part 2 follows the three characters as they are rescued and begin to rebuild their lives in New York.

I really enjoyed getting to know these characters, how the came to be rescued and following their stories after the rescue. There are some fascinating descriptions of the Titanic and the type of passengers it would have been carrying. The class divide on the floating community is explored in the story.  I liked the fact that the story did not end when these passengers were rescued. 

My only niggle was that I just didn't feel the fear and panic of these passengers quite as much as I expected to. I didn't feel like I was there with them.

This one will appeal to those who enjoy historical romance, historical fiction and social history.

7 out of 10 for me!  I enjoyed this one!

Thank you to Avon for sending me a review copy.  This did not influence my review in any way.

Review: Chelsea Wives by Anna-Lou Weatherley

Chelsea Wives by Anna-Lou Weatherley

• Publisher: Avon (21 Jun 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-1847563309
• Also on Kindle

The blurb (from Amazon)

This is Desperate Housewives meets First Wives Club set in the glamorous borough of Chelsea.

On the King’s Road, revenge is sweeter than champagne…

They are the ultimate ladies who lunch: Imogen, the beautiful ex-model, Calgary, the glamorous, former fashion editor, and Yasmin, the feisty ex-party girl.

But life isn’t all champagne and canapés. Plagued by personal tragedy and united by failing marriages, they mastermind a shocking plan to turn the tables on their husbands.

Set against a backdrop of exotic locations, designer boutiques and London's high society scene, these Chelsea Wives are about to join forces and risk it all for the ultimate revenge…

A fast paced story of a trio of Chelsea Wives who are trying to take control of their destinies. 

Imogen, Calgary and Yasmin have all the luxuries and the lifestyle of the rich and famous, but their lives are not quite as glamorous as they appear.  Each wife has reason to be unhappy and wants desperately to change the future.  

What began as more of a Housewives of.... story and morphed into more of a glamourous version of The Italian Job!  This  action packed fantasy adventure would look great on the big screen.  

I really enjoyed the author's luxurious writing.  I could see this author writing more serious novels.  

Pure escapism and such fun!

8 out of 10 for me!

Thank you to Avon for a review copy. This did not influence my review in any way.

Review: Don't Tell The Groom - Anna Bell

• Kindle Edition
• File Size: 575 KB
• ASIN: B00APO97IW

The blurb

Bride-to-be Penny discovers that she’s lost £10,000 of wedding savings playing online bingo. So that she doesn’t have to reveal her gambling secret, she convinces her fiancé Mark that they should have a Don’t Tell the Groom themed wedding. Penny then has to plan a wedding fit for a princess on a shoestring budget. But, by the time she discovers that the true meaning of marriage isn’t a Vera Wang wedding dress or Jimmy Choos, will she still have a groom to marry?

Penny and her boyfriend Mark on on different levels of their life plan, well Mark's life plan to be exact. Penny is at the 'getting married' stage, but Mark has yet to propose!

Whilst waiting for Mark to catch her up, Penny has been trying to add to their wedding savings but has taken her eye off the ball playing online bingo.  Mark proposes and Penny discovers the wedding pot does not look as healthy as she expected.

In an attempt to salvage any chance of a future wedding let alone a decent wedding, Penny decides to convince Mark to let her plan the wedding as a surprise, like the tv reality show.

In the process Penny learns not only the true cost of a wedding, and how to budget but also realises that this is not just about the wedding but her reasons for wanting to marry Mark and spend the rest of her life with him.

Will she be able to pull off a stylish wedding on her minimal budget? Will she make it to the altar?

I instantly warmed to Penny and her plight.  It is all too easy to let things slide and not realise how finances are changing.  I enjoyed being part of her journey to organise a wedding on a tiny budget, but still make her groom proud of her.  I could identify with her to some extent as I organised our wedding on a budget just last year. 

Fabulous rom-com with the feel good factor.

I loved it!  9 out of 10 for me!

Thank you to the author for sending me a review copy for my honest opinion.

Review: Before I Met You - Lisa Jewell

• Publisher: Century (19 July 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-1846059230

The blurb

Having grown up on the quiet island of Guernsey, Betty Dean can't wait to start her new life in London. On a mission to find Clara Pickle - the mysterious beneficiary in her grandmother's will - she arrives in grungy, 1990s Soho, ready for whatever life has to throw at her. Or so she thinks...

In 1920s bohemian London, Arlette - Betty's grandmother - is starting her new life in a time of post-war change. Beautiful and charismatic, Arlette is soon drawn into the hedonistic world of the Bright Young People. But less than two years later, tragedy strikes and she flees back to Guernsey for the rest of her life.

As Betty searches for Clara, she is taken on a journey through Arlette's extraordinary time in London, uncovering a tale of love, loss and heartbreak. Will the secrets of Arlette's past help Betty on her path to happiness?

Betty Dean doesn't know what to expect when she moves to Guernsey with her mother and step-father to care for her step-grandmother.  When she meets the old lady she is unsure of her, but over the years the two become very close and eventually Betty becomes full time carer for her Grandmother.

When the grandmother passes away, Betty is named in the will, but has the task of finding another beneficiary to the will, one Clara Pickle.  The search for Clara brings Betty back to Soho, England.  Who is this mysterious Clara and what is her connection with Betty's grandmother Arlette, who has never visited London?

Betty arrives in Soho ready to begin a new life after spending years caring for Arlette and with very few clues, sets about finding a job, accommodation and Clara Pickles.

I got so caught up in both Betty and Arlette's stories that ran parallel through the novel.  The 1920's is one of my favourite eras to read about and the author captured the period wonderfully. I enjoyed the mystery that Betty had to solve.  I cried at the end of Betty's story and at the end of Arlette's story for different reasons. 

With a beautiful cast and two very emotional and moving storylines, Lisa Jewell has written a gem here.

I have read other novels by Lisa Jewell that are usually more modern and lighter reads but still very enjoyable.  This one has to be my favourite Lisa Jewell to date.

A perfect 10 for me!  I loved it!  

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy.  This did not influence my review in any way.

Review: A Kettle of Fish - Ali Bacon

• Format: Kindle Edition
• Publisher: ThornBerry Publishing UK (4 Oct 2012)
• ASIN: B009M7FWKK

Also in paperback ISBN-13: 978-1781768624

The blurb

She’s running as fast as she can, but the past is catching up.

Ailsa has just left school and should be living it up on a summer trip, but her plans are scuppered by her needy and secretive mother Lorraine. In desperation she takes up with local fishmonger Ian. He’s good for her soul and her sex-life, but their future is blighted by the shadow of Ailsa’s absent father Tom, an art-teacher who left home after making the papers in the worst possible way. Ian eventually blots his copy book and Lorraine is implicated in his treachery. Ailsa takes off for Edinburgh where Shane, a picture rights dealer with more than a touch of the night, is happy to provide a job and a bed. With him Ailsa lets go of her inhibitions, but can she let go of her past? 

A Kettle of Fish moves from the East coast of Fife to the art galleries of Edinburgh, where Ailsa finds herself fishing for clues about Tom.

Set in Scotland,  this coming of age story follows the story of Ailsa, a teen living in Fife with her mum, as she enters a new stage in her journey to adulthood.

Just as she is exploring relationships she discovers something devastating about her absent father, Tom.  A secret that has been kept from her and one she needs to know more about. She cannot ask her mother, Lorraine, who is not in good health and quite dependent on Ailsa.  She must discover the truth about her father on her own.

Ailsa goes to Edinburgh and meets with an older man, Shane, who offers her employment and preys on her youth and naivety.  Whilst working for Shane a chance meeting with a woman from her father's past, leads Ailsa on a trail to find the answers to her questions.  

I enjoyed following Ailsa's journey into Independence and adulthood. After a fairly quiet and slow start the story began to pick up pace and become very interesting once Ailsa met  a woman from Tom's past. I thought I had the answers to her father's past and enjoyed the twists that brought the story to a close.

Although this is a story about a girl in her late teens and I do not read YA, I really enjoyed this novel.It would appeal to an adult reader as there are some complex adult issues raised.   I am not sure it is suitable for young YA readers as there are sex scenes in the novel.

9 out of 10 for me! I loved it!

Thank you to the author for a review copy.  This did not influence my review in any way.

Review: Somebody to Love - Sheryl Browne

• Format: Kindle Edition
• Publisher: Safkhet Soul; 1 edition (24 Jun 2012)
• ASIN: B008EKT7XO

The blurb

After that idiot of a husband ran off with that broomstick of a girl, single-mom Donna thinks there's no sunshine in her future. What she needs now is a hunk of a guy who loves her and her three-legged dog with no complications.

Solution? Call the police.

Mark is a single dad with two big worries – protect and serve, and his autistic son Karl. Desperately he wants someone who'll love him and his son without question and with no complications. He's been hurt before and Karl needs stability – not short dates. So he'll do anything for his kid – even lie to protect him.

Can these two get it together and get together? Is Mark the hunk Donna needs? Is Donna the rock Mark can lean on? If they look hard enough, they'll find Somebody to Love.

Donna is a single working mum to Matt, Findus and Sadie,  but beneath that strong exterior is a woman that is still reeling from what her ex-husband did to her.

Mark, is a hard working police officer and single dad to Karl.  This is a dad who goes the extra mile both in his job and at home with his autistic son.  Add into the mix a father that is becoming more dependent, though trying to be fiercely independent.

This must be quite a small community as the two main character paths do cross quite often, even after their disastrous attempt at dating should see them go their separate ways.  Several misunderstandings and some explosive situations follow, making this novel a real page-turner.

The author has written into this on/off romance some very moving scences, not only for the main characters but those around them.  She explores the subjects of getting old and losing independence, and autism with empathy, making this not just a romance.

 This is one fiery read

9 out of 10 for me!

Thank you to the author for a review copy.  This did not influence my review.