Review: Fractured by Dani Atkins

Rachel’s life is perfect. A handsome boyfriend, great friends and the prospect of starting at university in a few weeks means she’s never been happier. But in a single heartbeat her world falls apart forever.

Five years later, Rachel is still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy that changed everything. Returning to her hometown for the first time in years, she finds herself consumed by thoughts of the life that could have been. But when a sudden fall lands her in hospital, Rachel awakes to discover that the life she had dreamed about just might be real after all.

Unable to trust her own memories, Rachel begins to be drawn further into this new world where the man she lost is alive and well but where she is engaged to be married to someone else . . .

FRACTURED is a heart-warming tale of love and second chances which will leave you wondering whether two very different storylines can ever lead to the same happy ending.

Review: This Book was not what I expected at all. I was thinking the alternate lives Rachel lived would be split like a bit from here, a bit from there and eventually they would both come together but I really didn't think she would be aware of the two lives she was living-what an interesting twist of this traditional kind of storyline! This book comes with a warning though-the ending will break you! 

I have to admit, I thought this book got off to a bit of a slow start. That's not entirely true, the very start of this book is action packed, this is where everything happens that's going to lead into the rest of the book, but I felt from that point onwards, nothing really happened apart from Rachel continuously hitting her head and getting into scrapes becaus of it. Towards the end though, this really picks up and I did find myself doing the classic 'shout at the book' move as this drew to a close! 

I thought Rachel was a bit of a weak person, the character was written really well, this has nothing to do with that, but I feel her personality was just to be a kind of follower and not necessarily a leader striving to make the most out of life. When she is faced with the dilemma of having her life she Thoth she knew completely disappear I don't think she tries particularly hard to get people to believe her, she just accepts that she won't. The supporting cast are interesting but again, none of them particularly strong characters. The men in her life seem to lead her to the truth in this novel, something with k find a little bit male-centric and the whole idea coming from a particarchical society, but I still liked these characters nevertheless. 

I think you can definitely tell that this is a debut novel, there are a few plot holes in the middle, but the idea behind it is superb and the ending and beginning are action-packed. This isn't your classic women's fiction and I really like that that as the case. Once things began to hot up towards the end of the novel, I couldn't put this book down and so for that reason it's definitely something I would recommend you read! 

Review: Another Night, Another Day by Sarah Rayner

From the author of the bestselling One Moment, One Morning comes another beautiful, bittersweet novel set in Brighton…

Three people, each crying out for help

There’s Karen, about to lose her father; Abby, whose son has autism and needs constant care, and Michael, a family man on the verge of bankruptcy. As each sinks under the strain, they’re brought together at Moreland’s Psychiatric Clinic. 

Here, behind closed doors, they reveal their deepest secrets, confront and console one another and share plenty of laughs. But how will they cope when a new crisis strikes?

Review: I really enjoyed the first book by this author, one moment, one morning and so when I was offered this book for review, I jumped at the chance. I was so pleased to discover that this revisits the characters from the first novel. Whilst we don't carry on straight where we left off in that novel, it is two years later but the characters still feel familiar and so this is an aspect I really enjoyed about the book. There aren't really any spoilers from the first book because we know that someone dies in the first book and so that's no great surprise when it is mentioned in this one, but in would recommend reading one moment, one morning first of all just because you'll have a greater appreciation of two of the characters in this novel and where they've come from. 

This book deals with the sensitive issue of Mental Health. You definitely have to be in a fairly positive frame of mind to read this novel because it does deal with all kind of mental health issues including suicide and two different mental health clinics as well. I think it is always brave when an author tackles as big of an issue as mental health and I think it was dealt with fairly well in this novel. One of the characters in the book has a sone who is on the autistic spectrum. I don't think that this illness was handled quite as well as the mental illness issues in the book. The child is made to seem so different and so extreme which I know is the case with some sufferers on the spectrum, but I think it was very subjective as there was no other side to ASD shown, I would've like another aspect of the disorder to be explored. 

I really did enjoy this novel, it was nice to revisit the chRacters I had grown to like previously, but it was also good to get to know the new characters. I particularly liked the character of Michael. I think it is good to have a middle aged male suffering with depression and suicudal thoughts to be seen to be getting help. I think this would prove encouraging or reassuring to some readers and be an eye opener to others as the stereotypical sufferer of depression is female and the popular misconception is that no one actually wants or tries to get any help further than what they can get on prescription. I think this book really lifts the lid on stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding mental health. 

There is a lighter side to this book too. Strong themes of friendship and family run through this, just as in the first novel by this author and it is definitely a nice quick read because it is so easy to get to know the characters and their stories. It is also structured really well with fairly short chapters divided into sections and the whole book divided into different sections depending on where the characters are in their journey to recovery. This book works well as a stand alone but if you are intending on reading the other novels by this authors then I would recommend reading those first before this book. I think a lot of readers will be able to take a great deal of enjoy nets from this book which commands reflection and a rethinking of those stereotypes surrounding mental health issues. 

Sex Me Up Readathon

Next week I will be taking part in the Sex Me Up Readathon which is being run by the lovely Gosling Girls. I'm looking forward to this readathon as it gives me the excuse to get stuck into the erotic fiction that is on my bookshelf and on my kindle.

I am in the middle of reading The Diamond Ring by Primula Bond which is the final in the trilogy. I started this ages ago so will be really good to get it finished.

 

Aside from that I have a whole host of other authors who write fab sex scenes sitting on my shelf to choose from.

I have the entire Abbi Glines collection...

A considerable amount of Rebecca Chance-queen of Bonk Busters...

Out of these I don't really have a specific favourite so leave me a comment with an suggestions you might have. I'm really looking forward to this readathon because I do really enjoy the thrill if some GOOD erotica!

I Heart my Kindle-a tragic love story...

Ok, so I may have spoken about this before, but I wanted to dedicate a little post today to my Kindle. I love my kindle. I've only had it for just over a year and a half but a strong bond has been formed between us.

I took my kindle on holiday & was able to have all my books there with me on the beach at a click of my fingers. I was able to fit my kindle in my pocket whenever I just want a quick stroll with a reading break in the middle. I also adore the fact that I am able to organise my books into folders-those from Netgally, Christmas books, read books, YA books-whatever I fancy! It's definitely true love!

But a couple of months ago-disaster struck! My kindle started to slow down, started to drain it's battery quicker and sometimes even restart when I was in the middle of the book. It was almost as if I could hear it wheezing and coughing at me!

The worst part was, sometimes when it would restart-the book I was reading had disappeared! It had taken it & ripped it apart and there was nothing I could do about it! I knew it wasn't my kindles fault-it was tired & overworked-it was ill... Nevertheless I was upset!

Then I made a phonecall that changed it all. 1030 on a Wednesday night I decided we needed help. So I phoned the kindle support line & the guy on the other end of the phone was brilliant! He took me through a few steps that might help. When they didn't he uttered those words that made my heart soar once more 'we will send you a replacement!'

Now I admit, I had mixed emotions with this statement-was I ready to move on yet? Was it too soon? Could I bear to send my deceased kindle away? But then I thought of the books. All the lovely books I would once again have at my finger tips. There to download, organise and read.

I was so happy to receive such good service. My kindle was 7 months out if it's warranty and yet still they sent me a replacement to enable my reading pleasure to contine. There were no questions asked and the new kindle was dispatched the very next day. To make it even better-I was able to return my poor overused kindle back to the corner shop at the end of my road-amazing!

I know amazon get a lot of bad press about being a faceless corporation who don't care about readers and just want to shut down all the bookshops. In this instance however, they didn't seem faceless they actually seemed to care!

Of course I will still continue to support my local bookshops-nothing beats the smell of a gorgeous new book! But I wanted to share my good experience with you and show you there is a kind side to some people!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten TV Shows 15/7/14

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over there at The Broke and the Bookish. I'd love to share my lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Wow! Total curve ball this week and something a bit different. Now since I've become a blogger I've watched a lot less TV, however, I will still make time for my favourite shows-even if it means missing them for a couple of weeks then watching them all at once when I have time between reading. There are a few on this list which are current watches and a few which are classics that I come back to again and again. 

1. Friends, got to be number one and something that just makes me feel at home inside! 

2. Sex and The City. Another massive favourite of mine and something I could sit down and watch all episodes of again and again and again! 

3. Greys Anautomy. Even though it makes me cry every single week I still can't get enough of this show. 

5. How I Met Your Mother. Another fab series and sad it's coming to a close this week here in the UK. 

6. The Big Bang Theory. Love this and makes me chuckle every week! 

7. University challenge. This is something I watch with my dad when I'm at home and my boyfriend when we are in together on a Monday night-definitely cheers up my Monday trying to get some right answers! 

8. Mad Men. Something else I watch with my boyfriend and something we always have to have a whisky to accompany. 

9. Gavin and Stacy. Loved every minute of this series! 

10. Orange is the New Black. I love this show and literally can't get enough of it!

So there you have it! Oddly enough, a lot of the books I like to read mirror these TV series although I don't particularly read a lot of medical drama books...

Let me know your top ten in the comments! 

Happy reading! 

Guest review:The Travelling Tea Shop by Belinda Jones

Laurie loves a challenge. Especially if it involves anything beautiful, baked and frosted. The brief is simple: With three other women, Laurie will board a London bus - kitted out as an English tea shop - on a deliciously different road trip of the USA.

Their mission: To bring home-grown classics like Battenberg, Victoria sponge and scones to the land of cupcakes, whoopie pies and gold-leafed chocolate sundaes.

And to show them how a real cup of tea is made. All of the women have their own secrets and heartaches to heal. As well as a grand appreciation of cupcakes, there's also the chance for romance...

But will making whoopee lead to love?

All aboard for: New York - Connecticut - Rhode Island - Massachusetts - Maine - New Hampshire - Vermont

Review: Gosh, it sounded as if this book had all the best things - cake, a road trip in the USA, a bit of romance and a bit of drama. Unfortunately, and surprisingly, it failed to live up to my expectations. It read mostly like a travelogue of New York and New England, with the characters as tour guides. I'm sure that Belinda Jones must have put a lot of effort into researching the topics covered, and what fun she must have had discovering suitable locations and magnificent confections, but, for me, the story dragged along a bit.

The road trip has been organised by Laurie, who, along with her best friend, Krista, runs a travel company in the USA. Laurie is a former travel agent and Krista a one-time magazine journalist. Their company specialises in tailor-made vacations, and has a girlie travel-planning website with special features that may interest its readers. The purpose of this particular trip is for a British chef, Pamela, to tour around part of the USA collecting recipes for a book. The transport for the trip is a specially-adapted red London bus, reminiscent of the one featured in the Cliff Richard film, Summer Holiday. Pamela is bringing along a driver for the bus, and this turns out to be her mother, who is elderly in years but definitely not in outlook. At each stop on the tour, Pamela is to learn about a cake/dessert originating from that area and swap the recipe for something similar from the UK. When Pamela turns up to begin the tour, she is somewhat stressed and frazzled and, to Laurie's surprise, is accompanied by her grumpy and difficult 20-year-old daughter. Along the route, we gather a few more characters and finally a bit of romance creeps into the story.

As I said in the beginning, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I anticipated. There is a diverse cast of characters, some of whom are instantly likeable, but others are definitely not and I felt like giving some of them a good shake at times.  All of them have interesting stories of their own going on in the background, and they are cleverly all knitted together. There is a secret running through the story that the reader is introduced to fairly early on in the book and I was just aching to get it out there in the open.  There are plenty of descriptions of fascinating places they stop on the tour, and mouthwatering descriptions of cakes. Definitely not a book to read when you are already hungry! I even think I might return to Boston, having missed out on Boston cream pie the first time round. 

Review: The Edge of Never by J. A. Redmerski

Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.

Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.

With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.

But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart?

Review: I have to say this book was a real disappointment for me. I'd been wanting to read it for ages and ages and everyone else I know who has read it seems to think that it's a brilliant book. I had high hopes but I honestly don't think anything really happened at all, I can't see a storyline. To me this just seemed like a story about a bus journey with a couple of random sex scenes and a little bit of threat of tragedy thrown in for good measure. To deal with the touch of tragedy first of all, I think this has been overdone in books now, boy meets girl, girl doesn't realise boy has life threatening illness, boy may/may not die. Maybe I'm just picking up the same kind of books but to me this has been done loads recently, can't think why! 

The character of Cam/Camryn wasn't really a very likeable character to me. I couldn't seem to see why she would take off on this bus journey and she seemed far to trusting and naive to have actually been able to make that decision for herself in the first place anyway. She trusted that she would have a sudden realisation of where she wanted to be or what she wanted to do and then she seemed trusting that Andrew would lead her on this right path. I liked the character of Andrew a lot. He seemed to know what he wanted or what he was running away from and so I found his storyline a lot more believable. He seemed similarly dubious about Cam's trusting nature and told her not to get in the car with him or not to fall in love with him. 

I actually found myself switching off during parts of this book and yet I kept reading on to see if anything was actually going to happen. I thought the sex scenes were fabulous, they were steamy and tense but they weren't woven nicely into the story, it was as if the story had to stop so they could have sex and then it moved on with the road trip or with them trying to find some healthy food/greasy food a balance. I think there are much better erotic novels out there with a good storyline combined with good sex scenes. I think there are also way better new adult books out there if that's what's you are looking for. And if you are looking for a book where a girl fears her boyfriend might die when she's only just realised she loves him, then just read the Fault in Our stars...