Monday 31 December 2018

Guest Review: Fatal By Jacqui Rose

An eye for an eye.
Cabhan Morton wants to leave the Russo crime family for good and live in peace with his daughter, Alice Rose. But the Russos won’t let him walk away without a fight.

A tooth for a tooth.
Franny Doyle would do anything for Cabhan and Alice, but helping them escape the vindictive Russo brothers won’t be easy. The only place they’ll be safe is back in Essex with Alfie Jennings.

A daughter for a daughter…
Franny knows she won’t be welcomed by Alfie with open arms – but she doesn’t have a choice. The Russos are out for blood and they won’t stop until Alice is dead…



Review: This is the eighth in the series of thrillers by the author, but it can be read as a standalone book. I haven't read any of the previous books, and after having read this one, I'm unlikely to. It is a gritty story of revenge between two organised crime groups, spanning both sides of the Atlantic.

This book is definitely not one for the squeamish, since it contains scenes of very graphic violence. As it is a story of violent criminals, it is very difficult to feel any sympathy with the characters. I also found some of the coincidences and situations in the plot highly implausible. Having said that, the chapters in the book are relatively short and the story moves along at a fast pace, so I found myself wanting to keep reading to find out the fate of the characters.

Hence, if you are a fan of violent crime fiction, this will appeal to you, but if you are of a nervous disposition, I would suggest that this is one to avoid.


This book comes out in the UK on January 10th, to pre-order your copy, just click here!

Sunday 30 December 2018

Top Ten Favourite Movies I Watched in 2018

Another top ten? Yes! Instead of movie reviews this week and last, I will be bringing you my most and least favourite films I watched in cinemas in 2018. I'm not going to be watching many films at the cinema over christmas so movie reviews will resume in 3 weeks time. I go into more detail about these in my video about these over on my channel which I will leave at the bottom of this post once it is live!

Do let me know in the comments if you have any of these on your list too!




(This represents all the Marvel films I saw this year)











Back with more movie reviews next week!



Saturday 29 December 2018

Blog Tour: Review of The City of Second Chances by Jane Lacey Crane


I am very excited to be part of the blog tour for The City of Second Chances today. The book is already out and you can scroll down for the buy link. I am sharing my review with you today but don't forget to check out the other blogs on the tour for more reviews and exclusive content!

Here's what it's all about...

She's already met The One, it was just that Mr Right came along at the wrong time....

Evie Grant is forty-five years old, a widow, and single mum of two children about to leave the nest. Suddenly alone in the family home, Evie realizes she hates her job, hardly goes out and hasn’t had a date since who knows when…

So it feels like fate when the opportunity arises for a girls trip to New York City. Staying with her sister on the Upper East Side, Evie is enchanted by a snow-covered city consumed by preparing for Christmas. Bobble hat firmly on, Evie is walking through the city one day when she bumps into Daniel Roberts, Hollywood heartthrob and one-time boyfriend of hers.

It’s now or never for Evie – but she open her heart to the possibility of a new beginnings and true happiness once again….?


Funny, real and wonderfully romantic, this is the perfect feel-good read to keep you warm this winter!


Review: I am glad that I waited right up until Christmas time to read this book because it is well and truly festive and set in one of those cities where Christmas is super-magical. I just love love loved the setting and it was what really made it feel even more festive for me. If you like books with Manhattan settings then this is definitely one to go on your list, although I would love to know where the diner from this book is, it sounds great!
Evie is a great character to lead this book, its a bit like she has a clean slate. Her kids aren't at home anymore, she is a widow and she really needs to get rid of her awful boss and so she can really take you anywhere in this book, she has nothing to loose. Rachel and Kate are great supporting characters because they both have their own issues and we do see them work through those in over the course of the novel, but also they have been there for Evie before and they are ready to do it again! And then we have Evi's possible love interest who I am absolutely sure is actually Hugh Grant, he feels very like Hugh Grant and I pictured him as such when I was reading. I didn't warm to him 100% during the bulk of the story but I liked his ending...
There are a few subplots in this book that make it feel very real such as an engagement, trouble at work and a new friend met in a diner. Then there are a couple that provide reasons to go to New York that I would have liked to have seen developed a little more and left me with questions. I would have liked to have heard a little more about repercussions from Evi's job and also like to have been given an ending to the storyline involving Olivia. Aside from these points I thought that the secondary plot lines and the ending made the book feel very real and very festive. 
If you're looking for an ebook to download and enjoy over the festive period then I can definitely recommend this one. 
To order your copy now, just click here!


About the author
 


Born in London, Jane's writing career began in cable TV, writing true crime documentaries. More recently, Jane has contributed to an anthology of short stories and written two weekly crime serials. When she's not writing, Jane loves to read good books, binge watch TV boxsets and drink tea. And wine.


Follow Jane:
Twitter handle: @JaneLaceyCrane
Facebook: @JaneLaceyCraneAuthor



Friday 28 December 2018

My Reading Year 2018

So I thought it would be a nice way to wrap up the blog posts for the year with a look back on each of the 12 months in terms of reading, what went on and what I loved that month. I'm also going to be discussing this on my channel so make sure not to miss that!

January

I read 20 books this month
I feel like I read a broad spectrum when it comes to genre and age group
I participated in bout of books

This was my favourite...


February

I read 12 books (I travelled a lot)
I did my first re-read of the year, How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran

These were my favourite...


March

I read 13 books
I re-read Simon vs the Homo Sapians Agenda by Becky Albertalli (and saw the movie)
It was my 6th anniversary here on the blog

This was my favourite...

April

I read 25 books
I was in the UK for all of April
I went to a TON of book events
I re-read the first 2 Shopaholic Novels by Sophie Kinsella

This was my favourite...


May

I read 17 books
I did Bout of Books starting the week in the UK and ending it in the USA
I didn't manage a re-read this month

This was my favourite...

June

I read 20 books
I went to bookcon and got to hang out with all the lovely bookish people
I re-read The Kissing Booth (and watched the movie)
I went to Canada

This was my favourite...

 

July

I read 23 books
I participated in the BookTubeAThon (and loved it!)
I re-read One Day after a VERY long time

These were my favourite...



August

I read 26 books
I did 2 readathons
I didn't manage a re-read

This was my favourite...


September

I read 20 books
I was back in the UK again and at more book events
I started my movie reviews on here and on the channel
I missed the re-read again!

This was my favourite...


October

I read 15 books
I went to New York and met up with lovely friends
I bought books in Strand Bookstore
I missed the re-read again

This was my favourite...


November

I read 17 books
I did a LOT of audiobooks because we did a LOT of road trips
I participated in nonfiction November

These were my favourite...


December

I'm not sure how many books I'll have read, check back on Monday!
I re-read Dumplin' (and watched the movie)
I re-read Fairytale of New York
I did 2 buddy reads

This was my favourite so far...




Thursday 27 December 2018

Top Ten Thursday: Top Ten Adult Fiction I Read in 2018

I know it's not Tuesday but this post is inspired by all those top ten Tuesdays that I missed so I'll still link you back to their site...

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I know this isn't Tuesday again but I'm going with it ok? I'm also going to pop in another few top tens for you before the year is out. These can also be found on my BookTube channel (I'll link the video below) if you want to know a few more of my thoughts on any of these! These are in no particular order (as always!)




















Wednesday 26 December 2018

Guest Review: Gardens of Delight by Erica James

The Gardens of Delight brochure promises the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful gardens in the Lake Como area of Italy. For Lucy, the chance to go to Italy offers more than just gardens. Lake Como is where her father lives, and the last time she saw him was when she was just a teenager.
Recently married Helen and her wealthy husband have just moved into the Old Rectory. With her husband spending so much time away from home, Helen throws herself into caring for the garden. But Helen needs help - and friends - and so decides to take the plunge and join the local Garden Club.
Conrad isn't the least bit interested in gardening. Widowed for five years, his life revolves around work and humouring Mac, his elderly uncle who lives with him, and who has expressed a desire to go on the Gardens of Delight tour. Reluctantly, Conrad agrees to accompany him. 'Anything for a peaceful life,' he concedes. But a peaceful life is the last thing any of them are in for...



Review: I am a confirmed fan of Erica James's novels, and, having read all of her more recent work, I am now in the process of catching up on some of her older books. I found this particular one as an audiobook and have very much enjoyed listening to it over a few evenings. As with her other books I have read, this story has real depth and a marvellous cast of characters with a great deal going on in all their lives. 

The action takes place in two very different locations. The first is a quaint village, Swanmere in Cheshire. The other is Lake Como in Italy. The two places are linked by the fact that a group from the British village go on a gardens tour in the Lake Como area. The group varies widely in both age and personality. They include: Lucy, a young girl who works in a garden centre; Helen, a recently married lady new to the village; her businessman husband, Hunter; Conrad, a legal translator; Mac, Conrad's cantankerous uncle; Orlando, Lucy's best friend and flat mate; and Helen's difficult teenager stepdaughter, Savannah. Lucy's estranged father, Marcus, coincidentally (or not so coincidentally) lives very close to the town where the tour group are staying. As the gardens tour progresses, all kinds of secrets and surprises emerge and some relationships become increasingly strained.  

I found this a most enjoyable story from start to finish. The characters, although numerous, were all really strong, if not all likeable. Importantly for me, and possibly for other potential readers, there was not too much detail about plants and gardens. I love to look, but have no idea about the ins and outs of gardening. Having said that, through her writing, the author was able to transport me to this undoubtedly picturesque area of the world. There was a real flavour of Italy about the book, reminiscent of one of her other novels I read recently. There are quite a few twists and turns for the characters in the story, keeping everything interesting right to the end. 

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Monday 24 December 2018

Happy Holidays 2018!



Today is Christmas Day and I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas if you are celebrating today but really just to thank you for all your support over the past year. I love posting reviews and sharing book news on here and over on my channel and I love that you are all part of it so a very big thank you and some December love coming your way!

If you are full of festive food and just want to veg out with some videos, I'm going to leave some of my Vlogmas videos below for you, just in case you need more book ideas to see you into 2019!














Sunday 23 December 2018

Top Ten Least Favourite Films I Saw in 2018

Another top ten? Yes! Instead of movie reviews this week and next, I will be bringing you my most and least favourite films I watched in cinemas in 2018. I'm not going to be watching many films at the cinema over christmas so movie reviews will resume in 3 weeks time. I go into more detail about these in my video about these over on my channel which I will leave at the bottom of this post once it is live!

Do let me know in the comments if you have any of these on your list too!


(Technically I walked out of this one so I don't know if it counts or not....)













I'll be back next week with my top ten best films I saw this year!