#TheGirlfriend by Michelle Frances #BookReview

I can't believe it was nearly a year ago when I last posted a review on here! Truth is, I have reviewed on Goodreads but just have not taken the time to sit in front of the computer and share my thoughts...

This book prompted me to speak out via my blog since it was such an impressive debut novel.

I hope some of you take a chance on it and enjoy! The Easter holidays are over, but there is still time to read.

Vanessa

FIVE STAR REVIEW

A creepy thriller about an intelligent girl from a "poor" background who tries to change her life by marrying into a rich family and ends up entangled in lies and deception...

The ending left my breathless. Truly, an amazing debut novel well worth the 99p I paid!

DESCRIPTION

Laura has it all. A successful career, a long marriage to a rich husband, and a twenty-three year-old son, Daniel, who is kind, handsome, and talented. Then Daniel meets Cherry. Cherry is young, beautiful and smart but she hasn't had the same opportunities as Daniel. And she wants Laura's life.

Cherry comes to the family wide-eyed and wants to be welcomed with open arms, but Laura suspects she's not all that she seems.

When tragedy strikes, an unforgiveable lie is told. It is an act of desperation, but the fall-out will change their lives forever.

Available via Amazon

There Must be Horses by DIANA KIMPTON @dianakimpton

I just read the most wonderful story about horses and a 12-year-old girl hoping to get fostered. I had to share it with you and hope you get the chance to download and read.

It is currently on offer... so what are you waiting for?

"What a wonderful story! Suitable for older readers and adults alike, this is the story of Sasha, a 12 year old girl who has been traumatised by constant moves and an unsettled upbringing. However, when she goes to live in a temporary home in the countryside she finds herself surrounded by the one thing she loves - horses!

When she meets Meteor, a horse troubled by his own mixed past, she must overcome her own fears and learn to trust again.

I loved it and had a tear in my eye at the end...

It did help that my daughter rides so I have picked up a few things watching, but I think this story is suitable for anyone who doesn't know anything about horses too.

Highly recommended for both the story-line and beautiful writing."

Get your copy via Amazon now...

HALF BAD Trilogy by Sally Green @Sa11eGreen

My daughter, aged 12, bought these books via Waterstones recently with vouchers from her Birthday. She is a voracious reader and I struggle to keep up with her since I do try to write myself - try being the operative word at the moment (sighs).

She took the last book, Half Lost, with her on holiday and was reading away in the car. I turned to look in her direction and noticed her face had dropped, as tears started to stream down her face. I hugged her to console her, but knew whatever it was it had really got to her.

Obviously, I was worried... and then she told me it was the book. Someone had died!

I had not read any of them so I tried to understand - but, as any reader knows you can't until you read the book.

So, I decided to read this trilogy and find out what had got her into such a muddle. I did try to read the last book first, but it does not make sense this way and I got annoyed - Nathan complains a lot at first in the last book.

So, definitely has to be read in order.

Here is the link to the website, HALF BAD, where you can find out more about the books before you read my reviews. There is a lot of information on here about the characters - black & white witches, half-bloods, etc. 

If you don't need any of this, read on...

I started Half Bad and I found it hard to get into. The writing style is different to others, and like Divergent, Hunger Games, etc it was brutal! I thought a lot of Girl with a Dragon Tattoo at one point.

My 3 star review on Goodreads

Let's start with the good... Obviously, I enjoyed this book since I read it in a day. The style is quite unique and I am amazed this was written by a female writer. Even though many times I could easily have placed the main character, Nathan, as a girl!

But, I do have issues. It just goes on and on... Torture, more torture, and yet more torture! How much can a kid take, even if he can heal himself?
It seriously made me think of some existing best sellers.

• He is an orphan & a witch - rings of Harry Potter

• He in obsessed with a white witch (who he barely knows) and has to drink blood to change - Twilight themed.

• There is a LOT of brutality, even though he is a child, by those in control (white witches) who are obviously not so pure - Hunger Games anyone?

So, yeah, I will read on. My daughter bought the set on paperback and is raving about it. 
I really can't stand too much violence........

From this you can gather than I was interested, but not impressed by some of it. My brain had not engaged yet and started to think... I love books that get me wondering. The Lord of the Flies, Maze Runner, and other books like it are also pretty brutal. My son (aged 13) is a fan of the Gone series and I could not read past the first few chapters of the second book, after a horrific scene where a boy gets eaten by worms! Authors have wild imaginations.

Anyway, the second book, Half Wild, was something else. Now, we get into alliances, etc. I start to think of the Second World War, Star Wars, X-Men. Also, how society has changed and evolved over time and people don't always agree on this. How some have and others don't... the obsession of certain individuals on purity - illustrated in Divergent by the Erudite hunger for control and knowledge. But, I have to admit that I thought of Jacob in the Twilight Saga - especially how he went off on his own and lived as a wolf when Bella decided to marry Edward. Sometimes, reading other books taints how you view another.

My 5 star review...

OMG. I was not convinced by the first book, but this is something else!

So much going on. I can't help thinking about WW2 and the effect it had as I read this. But, there are so many threads alongside the theme. On to the next one... :)

Anyway, I was hooked on the story, so off I zoomed to read the last book, Half Lost.

I read until midnight last night & finished it in floods of tears....

My 5 star review this morning.

Wow... I do not want to give too many spoilers, but the ending to this book took my breath away.

I have read some of the reviews on Goodreads which hated it and I can see what they mean, BUT we will all die eventually unless you are a ... Read the book!
Nathan and Gabriel will be together for eternity, and if you believe in the soul this is the perfect ending.

I also suspected about Annalise all along and am happy it ended this way too. She was never a bad person, just confused and she made a bad call. Or did she? When in a war, both sides argue their case, or do they not?

There were so many threads in this trilogy. life & death, sacrifice, torture, true love, diversity, the role of men & women, the need to experiment, etc.

If you read Hunger Games or Divergent and want something different read this, but I warn you it is not what you expect. I have to admit the first book took a while to get used to, but the writing is addictive.

Like I said on my first review, I have to be honest, Nathan felt like a girl to me. But then, isn't that the point? We all have masculine & feminine qualities. Is it fair to say that we should not judge? For example, I have been told myself that I write like a male writer... What does that mean?

If a books makes me think as much as this one did it has to be a winner! Highly recommend.

So there you have it. Something unique and different
Vanessa :)

THE TRUMPET-MAJOR by Thomas Hardy

I am amazed this is the first Thomas Hardy book I have ever read, and can't believe it took me this long to read one by this fantastic author! My husband gave me the DVD of "Far from the Maddening Crowd" and I decided to read some of his other works, this being one of them.

The plot of "The Trumpet-Major" is fantastic, with so many twists along the way that I was shocked on the last page at the outcome!

To summarise, Anne is a woman sought out by three different men... two brothers and the detestable Festus! The scenes where Festus gave chase made me laugh out loud and cringe at the annoying man's insistence!

The two Loveday brother's are the "Trumpet-Major", John and Robert (Bob), an able seaman.

Anne had her heart set on Bob before he leaves for a career at sea, and finds that he is to marry on his return. However, the woman he intends to marry, Matilda, is known by John to be not "honorable". To save his brother from a bad marriage he puts her off the marriage, and then tells Bob what he has done. Bob seeks Matilda out, but then gives up the chase and stays at the Mill to help his father - and in so doing decides that Anne is the girl for him after all.

His brother, John, is heart-broken since he had already tried to obtain Anne's hand in marriage to no avail - whilst Festus continues his pursuit.

Bob eventually gets the call back to sea (out of duty and honour - and the fact he does not really like working at the Mill), where his heart truly lies, and ends up on HMS Victory on whence Lord Nelson tragically died in the Battle of Trafalgar. Due to his bravery, he becomes a lieutenant and then, after another foolish encounter with another woman, decides to try to get Anne back! Now considering himself more worthy of her hand by his promotion.

But, unbeknownst to him, John had nearly managed to convince Anne that he was worthy of her hand after saving her from scalding water. However, when John finds out that Bob wants to secure Anne's hand he decides to let him have his go. Always thinking of what Anne might want...

Against these events, Uncle Derriman has been hiding his possessions from his nephew, Festus, and needs Anne's help to hide his precious documents.

Ultimately, who does Anne choose, and will Festus become a rich man on his Uncle's demise?

I have to admit that I did not expect the ending at all and leave you to read it to find out.

Considering that this book was published in 1880, I found it easy to read and gripping! Highly recommended and free to download via Amazon.

FREE TO BE TEGAN by Mary Grand

FREE TO BE TEGAN via Amazon

"I have to admit that I was totally hooked by this book after reading the preview in the free eBook collection by the same author.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but it did slow down in pace in the latter part of the book. It did have a great ending and I was glad that Tegan found her way.

I was brought up as a Roman Catholic and as a teen I was lured into attended prayer groups & retreats. Therefore, I understood some of the "brainwashing" techniques that can be adopted. Although, I never saw anything like is described in this book.

The idea of being brought up in a "cult" of this nature is frightening. But, its amazing how easily you can be made to think that everything you do is evil and how quickly you can start to judge people.

Thankfully, I left when I realised that I had nothing to apologise for! But, I have to admit that the sense of community and "love" you experience is something I have struggled to find again. Support groups and prayer groups can be a positive experience for many overcoming abuse. It s a shame some people choose to exploit the weak and lead them into these communities.

I recommend this book as great value for money in a time when eBook prices for known authors seem to be sky rocketing. On a slightly negative note, I did find quite a few grammatical errors that started to annoy me on the latter part of the book. Excusing those, a fantastic read."

READ the Author Interview with Mary Grand by clicking HERE

A TALE OF MORAL CORRUPTION by @marshacornelius

WOW... this is extreme & definitely an 18+ read.

Having read "Losing it all" I expect nothing but emotion and a "shock factor" from the author, but this took it to a new level. It is almost like watching a slow-moving picture of the steady decline of humanity (through the MC, Mason), with a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

I admire the fact that this book was written from a male POV. This helped to get that unique perspective. So many emotions that Mason felt are mirrored by woman today and in the past.

This story is a twist on feminism. What would happen if women were in charge and men were second-class citizens? What if women could have children via an artificial womb? Would women rule in a fairer society, ensuring the rights of all?

According to Ms. Cornelius - NO!

Women become harsh, lack any maternal instinct, only want to work, consider sex & BDSM sport, and enjoy watching men hack each other to death! WOW...

Don't misunderstand me though - this is a MUST read. I was hooked and gawped at many scenarios, whilst laughing out loud at others. It reminded me of how I felt when I read books like "Girl with a Dragon Tattoo". It's the gruesome bits that made me want to stop reading, but meant I just had to read faster!

Overall, I could not give a 5 because I could have done without some of the details, and Mason (like many of us) just needed a good shaking every now and again. Either way, a worthwhile read that is different from the norm.

Get your copy via AMAZON

SUMMER'S DARK WATERS by Simon Williams @SWilliamsAuthor

I have to admit that I was shocked by how much I enjoyed this book. Having read a lot of YA, children's books (especially with my children), I thought this was great!

I recently read another children's book that reminded me of "Lord of the Flies" the gruesome elements of the story made it harder for me to enjoy. I wonder why some authors make their stories so dark.

In contrast, even though this book does have some "darker" moments, Summer's Dark Waters is very entertaining and the story-line had me hooked.

The main character, Joe, is someone you want to like. A bit quiet, shy, different. In contrast to his friend, Amber, who wants to look out for him and is inquisitive and no push-over. Together, they discover that something is not right and Joe is special. The creation of a secret society to save the world from chaos is not a new concept, but worked very well here. I am intrigued about this group, which seems twisted in its ideals.

To save themselves, Joe manages to bridge the gap between our world and a new world, which the author creates. It is slightly reminiscent of Narnia... no animals, but strange folk all the same. A collection of the "Lost", a strange melee of individuals. Some from different worlds.

As an added bonus, the author included illustrations within the book, which added an extra dimension.

This book leads nicely on to a follow up, which is fab for children. You want to get them hooked on reading and this works brilliantly for me. Highly recommend.

*~I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~*

DOWNLOAD via AMAZON now!

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TALON by Carian Cole

I absolutely loved this book. Again, I was impressed by the style of writing of Carian Cole and this book was the perfect companion for STORM - a book I also loved.

Asia (love the name) is a woman with a troubled past who seems unable to meet her dream man. Talon is a rock star known for his "reputation" with women, who is fed up with the usual one night stands and disappointments that follow from them.

Both are ready for a new start and become willing guinea pigs for a social experiment. They agree to marry without meeting first... it's a modern "arranged marriage" come science experiment. The idea is funny and interesting. Trademark to the previous book I read, Storm, the attraction at first is non-existent, but as they get to know each other sparks fly - sizzling in some parts!

But, the story, which has an unexpected twist, and writing is fantastic and I got drawn into this world SO easily!

I would personally LOVE to see the whole Ambers & Ashes series as a TV series and hope someone takes note. It's time for a new kid on the block - move aside vampires, open the doors to rock stars! As far as I know it has never been done and I think its time for stereotypes to be cast aside.

Another fantastic novel - a MUST read in my books. But, take note this is for 18+ only due to the sexual nature and swearing! (I might add that even though I hate swearing in this case it makes the main character, Talon, cute & funny at times - weird, I know!)

Buy on AMAZON NOW!

Enjoy, Vanessa :)

DEADHEAD by Clare Kauter

Social media is fantastic for many reasons. For example, it helps me know what's going on by checking trends on Twitter, I can see my family & friends via Photos on Facebook, and I can drool over amazing pictures of food on Pinterest!

When I first joined Twitter in 2012, it was a brave new world. Many authors talked and shared books (as they do now), but I found it easier to get feedback online. Nowadays, its harder to strike conversations via Twitter, and I have to admit that I prefer Facebook Groups for chat!

However, I have come across many amazing authors & books via Twitter. I would never have thought to read them, or talk to the authors otherwise. Many of the interviews and reviews I have done have been by this informal acquaintance.

I met Clare Kauter the other day after she was the only one to respond to my question on Twitter, asking whether people still downloaded books.

After chatting for a while, I asked her what she wrote and could recommend and she agreed to send me a copy for review. This is the fun - you never know what you'll get! Well, I was in for a treat. The only thing I don't really like for this book is the cover. It could be much more fun - something like Bewitched would work for this!

Enjoy,
Vanessa :)

DEADHEAD by Clare Kauter

This is such a fun read! The voice of the main character, Nessa, is brilliant. The entire books feels like a conversation, flowing naturally and full of surprises.

Basically, Nessa is being investigated for practising magic without a licence (I know, fun huh?) She has to solve the murder of Ed, a ghost who turns up as she is being interrogated. Along she way, she makes friends with a fae, witch, and shifter! 

With awesome powers, she is capable of many feats, which include a private line to the devil (a she of course) and Death (who has an amazing sense of humour). 

We see zombies, vampires, and a lot more... this is a fantastic read if you enjoy quirky humour filled with the supernatural.

Personally, I found it SO original and different to anything I have read recently that I have to award 5 stars.

Done! Passed my #Goodreads reading target!

With over a month to spare, I have met my reading target of 100 books via Goodreads...

I only read 58 last year, which explains why I have written half as much! What can I say ... I started as a reader and I love books!

Anyway, the list is long but let's give credit to some of the authors.

Amazingly, I have not given out many 5 stars! I must be getting picky... these are the two books that got my coveted trophy since my last post!


"I think we all need escapism and this book was perfect for me! Definitely 18+ with mature themes and content, but the story-line is fantastic. 

Basically, good girl meets bad boy and they hit it off! We all have a "wicked" animalistic side, and I like to think that when two people share a certain chemistry they can be at one together in every way.

There are a lot of erotica books out there, but good ones need to have a story-line that work and characters that are believable and make you want to root for them. This book has it all.

If you like romance with a bit of spice then read this... I loved it!"

Available *~FREE~* via Amazon

"Wow... I loved the characters, story-line, and ending of this book.

When Zoe meets Jet she is instantly attracted to him, but for a change she challenges him to talk to her. When they do, it sets in motion a chain reaction. They are soul-mates in every way, and have to deal with emotional baggage caused by tragic circumstances.

The way the relationship develops is natural and it did not take long for me to love them both and hope their story had a good ending.

You'll have to read it to find out more. Perfect for readers who love romances with complications.


Can't believe I got this free on a promo. This is the kind of book I would happily pay for."

Available *~FREE~* via Amazon

These books also deserve mention...

All these books are available to purchase via Amazon... click on the links! (Works for any Amazon site, but prices shown on this blog are in pounds at the time of posting).

*~FREE~* as an ebook

SAVING GRACE via Amazon

DEATH BY A HONEY BEE via Amazon

ANGELIC BUSINESS via Amazon

HALFSKIN (The Vignettes) via Amazon

Less than £1 as an ebook

ONLY TIME WILL TELL via Amazon

Less than £5 as an ebook

GONE via Amazon

THE SUNRISE via Amazon

SOUND OF THE TIDE via Amazon

ESCORTED via Amazon

CATALYST via Amazon

This October, I was lucky enough to listen to Victoria at the Isle of Wight literary festival and was so intrigued by the story that I had to buy the book.

The paperback was only £7, which I thought was very reasonable seeing as I also got it signed!

"This story is fascinating and yet terribly sad since it is based on reality. Historical fiction is a fantastic way to connect with issues which we otherwise would be oblivious to. On the basis of the current migrant crisis and the misery faced by people as they strive to reach Europe at the moment, this book is a must read.

It is fiction, interwoven with the stories of several families, but I could relate to the issues on hand and felt truly sorry for characters whose seemingly "perfect" life was torn apart in the conflict affecting Cyprus.

How easy it is for the mighty to fall when war erupts.

I have to admit that I found the beginning confusing to follow since there were a lot of characters, but by a third of the way I was hooked. The ending brought tears to my eyes. Like Victoria said, maybe one day that dream will be a reality.

Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction."

DANGER AT THATCHAM HALL by Frances Evesham

Since I started this reader blog, I have been surprised by the fact that I have not been inundated by review requests. I am not actively promoting this blog. Mainly, because I barely have time to schedule tweets or be active on Twitter or Facebook. It's so hard to keep up with everything to be honest. However, since I started a new Goodreads group I have been lucky enough to read some great books.

If any of you offer to read to review you should follow through, but if the book is not the right fit for you, then tell the author. I have been sent a few which I started and then realised were not my preference. I always worry that telling the truth will result in an aggressive response. However, so far most writers/ publishers have been great. They prefer you to leave the book and not review.

This is what I do. I only review books I finish and enjoy. What is the point of getting a free book and then ripping it apart?

So... moving on to DANGER AT THATCHAM HALL by Frances Evesham

REVIEW

I was lucky enough to be contacted by the author, and given a copy of this book for review. I really enjoyed it and got immersed in this Victorian world, with a strange death setting the scene for the brief encounter between the two main characters, Nelson and Olivia.

I have been a huge fan of crime fiction in the past (I have a lot of Agatha Christie books!) and had not read a book like it in a long time. Overall, I thought it was a fantastic read. Extremely well-written, with well thought-out characters, and an intriguing plot.

Nelson is an interesting character, who survives a costly war in Afghanistan, where he was one of the few survivors. He carries a few battle scars and resents certain Officers who claim to be war heroes. The truth, as he saw it, was very different with many Officers putting their lives before that of their men. However, he has reinvented himself as a highly sought after lawyer who gets called upon to try to solve some of the issues occurring in Thatcham Hall.

Since I am currently working on a historical novel set in the Victorian era, and have a love of Austen and Bronte, I followed the historic setting and understood the problems that resulted from Officers bad decisions. Even though hard to imagine, history has taught us that those in charge are not always the most knowledgeable!

Even though not mentioned, the Charge of the Light Brigade is a classic film written about the blunders that resulted in the Crimea because of Officers who had no knowledge of battle, made hasty decisions, or for costly mistakes resulting from a lack of communication. (There were no mobile phones you could use with which to abort a mission if it was obvious it would go sour!)

I mention this because his character is important, and the attraction with Olivia is almost blighted by his own misgivings.

Olivia is a strong and intelligent young lady who is a keen musician, but living in a man's world believes she can do no better than get a job as a governess. In those days, a woman's choices were limited! I loved the way her curiousity and better judgement came through in the end!

I would highly recommend this book to readers of crime and Victorian historical novels. Even though their relationship is of interest, I would not call this book a romance novel, but would suggest that if you like some hints of romance and a feel-good ending this is the book for you.

It certainly worked for me!

BLURB

Nelson Roberts, an ambitious new lawyer in Victorian England, trusts no one. Embittered and wounded in the First Afghan War, jilted by his fiancée, he trusts no one, but jumps at the chance to make a name for himself at Thatcham Hall, convinced he’ll soon solve the riddle of mysterious thefts and violence.

Olivia Martin, headstrong and talented, dreams of a career as a musician. She’ll do anything it takes to avoid a looming miserable fate as a governess.

The pair stumble on a body. Is the farmhand’s death a simple accident, or something more sinister? 

Who attacked the livestock at the Hall and why are the villagers so reluctant to talk? Can Nelson and Olivia overcome their differences and join forces to unravel the web of evil that imperils the Hall?

EXTRACT: 

"Aghast, Olivia slid to a halt, half-lying in the stream. Water seeped into both boots, chilling skin, bone and muscle. Her woollen skirt mushroomed, the dress absorbing moisture until damp fabric outlined every curve of her body.

The stranger watched, eyes widening. Oh! He was staring at her—at her—no, Olivia could hardly even think the words. He could see her—her shape. Shame drove out the chill, reddening her chest, and heightening the dreadful humiliation. Oh, if only the earth would open and swallow her whole! She gulped, strove for words, but none came.

Wait. The stranger wasn’t watching her at all.

His gaze travelled further, coming to rest beyond Olivia. He stared, the knowing smile fading, and Olivia’s insides turned to horrified pulp. What could he see? Something terrible? Slowly, heart hammering inside a tight chest, she twisted, awkward in the flow of water, to peer over one shoulder.

A brown boot, heavy and cracked with wear, wavered in the stream, barely an inch from Olivia’s fingers. She gasped. A swollen leg bulged from the battered leather, the pale stretch of waxen flesh exposed through torn brown trousers. Olivia snatched back her hand, biting the knuckles to stifle a scream.

The man’s body lay on its back, head half-submerged, as the current stroked wisps of black hair across a pale cheek."

In my opinion, the discovery of this body sets the scene for the investigation that brings both Nelson and Olivia together to solve mysterious crimes that have been happening in the village. 

=> BUY ON AMAZON NOW

Frances Evesham can’t believe her luck, spending her days writing and collecting grandsons, Victorian trivia and stories of ancestors.

She’s fascinated by the Victorians, especially the women in England, so complex and human, hiding longings, ambitions and repressed passions under society’s stifling conventions. 

Cooking with a glass of wine in one hand and a bunch of chillies in the other, Frances devours books full of mystery, murder and adventure, their pages spattered with olive oil and scented with rosemary and garlic, their spines propped up on piles of lemons and oranges in the kitchen. Writing the Thatcham Hall Mysteries leaves just enough time to enjoy bad jokes and puns, and wish she’d kept on with those piano lessons.

Find out more about Frances via... Her WEBSITE, TWITTER, FACEBOOK

WHIRLWIND LOVE by Didi Henley

I met the author of this book via Goodreads and agreed to read their book for an honest review. I loved this story, as you find out in my review below.

I truly hope the author succeeds in promoting this story. It's such an easy read, with some frustrating elements - what if? What if? Life is never as straightforward as we hope, and in Libby's case it came with a double-edged sword.

Find out more via Amazon or connect with the author via Twitter.

After 29-year-old Libby Morgan settled her niece, Megan, into college, she’s heading west to fulfill her ten-year-long dream of photographing a hot-air balloon “Freedom Festival” at the Grand Canyon in her parents’ refurbished RV.

No one could have predicted where her road would actually take her.

Disillusioned, 35-year-old Joe King is fed-up with the music business and is looking forward to the end of their two-week state fair tour forced onto him by his ruthless manager. His band, The Brothers King, should be headlining instead of opening. He’s weary of carrying his 31-year-old, irresponsible brother Chuck, who refuses to grow up past a teenage-mentality. The guitar-god's groupies are only too willing to participate in his exploits, so why should he grow up? New management has driven Joe and TBK down, but his need for control might be consumed by his darkness.

Take the journey with Libby across the United States, as she crosses into Joe’s crazy world of music and madness, and see who comes out the other side.

MY REVIEW: 4 Stars

"This was an enjoyable story about a woman, Libby, who has lost a lot in her life and yet is blessed by good fortune. Her acts of kindness and generousity make you instantly like her a lot, and her attraction to musician, Joe, makes for an interesting romance. She is also a redhead so of course I instantly related to her - being one myself!

Their love story is so natural and sweet that I loved the way it progressed. The line between attraction and friendship is beautifully done, and so discrete - refreshing in the currant climate where erotica seems to seep into so many stories that do not warrant it. In this case, the way their relationship evolved worked wonderfully and I have to admit that I cried at the end.

I don't want to give a spoiler, but you should read this book if you enjoy books that tug on the heart-strings.

At times, I wanted a bit more description. This is the reason it did not score a five. Especially, when she sees the balloons. I thought it needed more. Minor thing though."

Awesome Children's Book

Even though I am British, I love to use this American phrase... OMG! I have been hooked by another book!

My daughter (aged 11) has had this book for a while and it was pretty tattered after her re-reads. But, since we are becoming more and more alike in our reading habits, she told me I should read this one and so I did. 

WOW!

Hooked from the first page, and swallowed up into the story of a "would be princess" and "would be witch" who end up in the wrong schools for good and evil after been kidnapped by the "school master." 

Everything you expect from a fairy tale but twisted into something SO much more. The fight between good and evil has never been more blurred.

After reading Harry Potter years ago, this is the first book that has hooked me in the same way. An incredible read suitable for children & adults alike.

I loved it and thought the characters were so clever and well-developed. 

I did not know who to cheer for along the way. The twists and plot lines are so tense. The rule book has been thrown out with this one.

A well-deserved FIVE stars from me!

Find out more about THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL by Soman Chainani via Goodreads. Also on Twitter.

The first kidnappings happened two hundred years before. Some years it was two boys taken, some years two girls, sometimes one of each. But if at first the choices seemed random, soon the pattern became clear. One was always beautiful and good, the child every parent wanted as their own. The other was homely and odd, an outcast from birth. An opposing pair, plucked from youth and spirited away.

This year, best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to discover where all the lost children go: the fabled School for Good & Evil, where ordinary boys and girls are trained to be fairy tale heroes and villains. As the most beautiful girl in Gavaldon, Sophie has dreamed of being kidnapped into an enchanted world her whole life. With her pink dresses, glass slippers, and devotion to good deeds, she knows she’ll earn top marks at the School for Good and graduate a storybook princess. Meanwhile Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks, wicked pet cat, and dislike of nearly everyone, seems a natural fit for the School for Evil.

But when the two girls are swept into the Endless Woods, they find their fortunes reversed—Sophie’s dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School For Good, thrust amongst handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication.. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are…?


The School for Good & Evil is an epic journey into a dazzling new world, where the only way out of a fairy tale is to live through one.

Let's Rock & Roll

I have read two books recently that involved Rock Stars! Both very different but worth a read. This is a world I knew nothing about, and I love the fact that books open doors to places I never imagined existed.

My favourite was STORM. Here's why...

"I got this book last night after meeting the author on a Facebook site and started the book straight away! I could not put it down and read  to 62%... 

The main character, Evelyn, is SO funny and the response she gets from Storm is classic! I love her innocence and the fact he brings out the best in her. 

This morning, I finished it immediately and was left satisfied... It all happens too fast in the end, but it works. A sweet love story. The erotica moments in it will keep those looking for a 18+ read happy, but essentially they are discovering each other. I loved the build up and once the relationship intensified a part of me was disappointed! I liked their foreplay!

Overall, a cracking read by a new author. I look forward to reading more of her books. I loved the humour ... Made it less serious than other books in this genre. So glad I found this via Facebook :)"

For a more deep and intense read, I can recommend THE GIRL ON THE HALF SHELL. Read the Author Interview to find out more.

WOW... I am emotionally drained. This book has it all. What an incredible story. 

Chrissie Parker is the daughter of famous rock star, Jack Parker. She is a very confused and traumatised 18-year-old girl, who carries a burden from years earlier. She believes that she had something to do with the death of her brother, Sam, and has self-harmed numerous times to help deal with the guilt that she feels. This is so sad and is portrayed brilliantly in the writing.

She is about to audition at Julliard to become a cellist, like her mother, and heads to New York with her crazy best friend. However, before she does she meets Alan Manzone, a rock star on the brink of disaster, who has been helped back to the road of recovery by Jack for the last few months. The attraction is instant and fate decides to give them a helping hand by cancelling her flight the next day. Alan comes to her rescue and gives her a lift on her private jet to NYC.

Chrissie is out of control and Alan is frankly too old for her (10 years older) but the chemistry that develops between them is unstoppable. I was totally hooked and loved how their story develops. 

There are a few scenes that annoyed me a bit. She has a lot of baths, he washes her a lot, and the sex develops too fast and becomes too extreme considering her limited experience. I would have thought that if Alan truly loved her he would have realised she was really just out of being a school girl. These issues could have been avoided if she’d been in her early twenties, but I understand why it worked better to catch her when most vulnerable. Even so, at times I honestly thought he had pushed the boundaries in the relationship too far.

Saying this, Chrissie acts irrationally a lot. She is not a stereotypical girl. She does not do what you’d expect. I love this about her. We can all act a bit insane at times.

The ending is fantastic. I will not give a spoiler, but it is not what you would usually expect. Chrissie grows up and makes the right decision. Alan has helped her on many levels and it’s wonderful to see so many issues potentially resolved.

Overall, I found the author on Goodreads and asked to review her book! I am SO glad she let me do this and am so lucky to have come across this book. Definitely recommended, but not for those who can’t stand references to ‘Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll!’