Top Ten Tuesdays - Top Ten Books by my Top Ten Authors

 Top Fifteen Books from My Top Fifteen Authors

Hosted by The Broke and Bookish!

This week's topic is a freebie, so I have extended that freedom even further to a top fifteen this week, because I would spend a year trying to decide on which ones to remove from my list and still not have made a decision.

Paige Toon

Paige can do no wrong in my book, I've loved all her books, but my absolute favourite is Chasing Daisy. Utterly fantastic!

Cally Taylor
No matter what genre Cally writes, she nails it. Heaven Can Wait is definitely something special

Jane Costello
OK I have only read one book by Jane, but The Time of Our Lives is absolutely amazing and pushed her right into my top... uh 15!

Melissa Hill

Melissa's books are all so heart warming, but none are more so than The Charm Bracelet

Jodi Picoult

The Storyteller was really really amazing, Ninteen Minutes is an incredibly close second, but all her books that I've read have really made me think.

Chrissie Manby
One of the first Women's fiction authors I read and her books keep getting better. A Proper Family Holiday (and A Proper Family Christmas) is phenomenal 

Rowan Coleman

I can't even describe how amazing The Memory Book is. I tried in my review, but failed to put into words just how spectacular it is. I've still got the 'feels'.

Lucy Diamond
Every book I read by Lucy just keeps getting better and better. The Year of Taking Chances was outstanding!

Carole Mattews
Love all books I've read by Carole, especially her Christmas novels, I've got a lot to catch up on since Carole has wrote 25 books, but The Christmas Party stands out!

 

Diane Chamberlain

I love all books I have read of Diane's, Breaking the Silence had parts set in the past which were simply jaw dropping. 

Jojo Moyes
When I recommended, and consequently read Me Before You with my book club everyone thought it was going to be a light read, but no, this book is so much more than that, they all enjoyed it, and it's not hard to see why.

Cecelia Ahern
Cecelia's books always have this magical quality about them but Where Rainbows End (or Love, Rosie) really sticks in my mind, and I think i read it twice in a row when it first came out. Obsessed, much?

Sophie Kinsella

While I love the Shopaholic series, I think her standalones are equally amazing! Twenties Girl is just perfect.

Lindsey Kelk
I Heart New York. Literally - It is my favourite place in the world, and this book was so funny, and I just adore this series!

Ali Harris
Ali's books are so charming. Miracle on Regent Street is so good, it made me smile lots (and kudos for the cover in my favourite two colours)

#SundayChallenge is back!!

So after a break for Christmas, #SundayChallenge has returned :) This week it is read any mystery or thriller. I have ambitiously set my self 3 books this week, 1 i'm already part the way through, then 2 that would count for the challenge.

Here are the books I plan to be reading:

My Heart & Other Black Holes - Jasmine Warga

Aysel and Roman are practically strangers, but they've been drawn into an unthinkable partnership. In a month's time, they plan to commit suicide - together.

Aysel knows why she wants to die: being the daughter of a murderer doesn't equal normal, well-adjusted teenager. But she can't figure out why handsome, popular Roman wants to end it all....and why he's even more determined than she is.

With the deadline getting closer, something starts to grow between Aysel and Roman - a feeling she never thought she would experience. It seems there might be something to live for, after all - but is Aysel in so deep she can't turn back?


I have already started this book, and oh my! It is really really good so far, certainly getting me out of my reading slump!!


#SundayChallenge Book 1
The Girl on The Train - Paula Hawkins 
Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She’s even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. ‘Jess and Jason’, she calls them. Their life – as she sees it – is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy.


And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough.
Now everything’s changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she’s only watched from afar.
Now they’ll see; she’s much more than just the girl on the train…

I've been dying to read this due to the fact that everyone I know LOVES it! So this weeks #sundaychallenge was the perfect opportunity to make me read it

#SundayChallenge Book 2
The Book of You - Claire Kendal
Clarissa is becoming more and more frightened of her colleague, Rafe. He won’t leave her alone, and he refuses to take no for an answer. He is always there.
Being selected for jury service is a relief. The courtroom is a safe haven, a place where Rafe can’t be. But as a violent tale of kidnap and abuse unfolds, Clarissa begins to see parallels between her own situation and that of the young woman on the witness stand.
Realizing that she bears the burden of proof, Clarissa unravels the twisted, macabre fairytale that Rafe has spun around them – and discovers that the ending he envisions is more terrifying than she could have imagined.


I had seen a few people review this, so picked it up while in a bookshop, read the synopsis on the back which intrigued me as a 'to buy in the future' and flicked through briefly, and I am ashamed to say this book called out to me as it used different fonts for different thing, so was immediately updated to the 'must buy this very instant' list of books. 

Daughter by Jane Shemilt

Synopsis
How well do you really know those you love?

Jenny loves her three teenage children and her husband, Ted, a celebrated neurosurgeon. She loves the way that, as a family, they always know each other's problems and don't keep secrets from each other. 

But when her youngest child, fifteen-year-old Naomi, doesn't come home after her school play and a nationwide search for her begins, secrets previously kept from Jenny are revealed. 
Naomi has vanished, leaving her family broken and her mother desperately searching for answers. But the traces Naomi's left behind reveal a very different girl to the one Jenny thought she'd raised. And the more she looks the more she learns that everyone she trusted has been keeping secrets.

How well does she really know her sons, her husband? How well did she know Naomi? If Jenny is going to find her, she'll have to first uncover the truth about the daughter she thought told her everything.

Review

This book sounded really intriguing. I have been loving thrillers like this recently, so it caught my eye and I couldn’t wait to get stuck in.

That said, this is one of the hardest reviews I have written so far, because there were parts I really liked and parts I really didn’t. The book flitters between two times, one focuses on a few days before and after the event, the second focuses on the present day which is one year after. The times directly before and after the disappearance of Naomi were fantastic, I couldn’t read these parts quick enough. The same cannot be said for the majority of the present time. For me I found it really quite dull until the last few chapters, and my interest waned.
I think this is mostly down to me not really connecting with any of the characters. Jenny especially I didn’t like. Maybe this is because I am not a mother myself, so don’t understand how I would feel or react in this situation. Of course I felt sorry for her, having a child disappear must be both terrifying and devastating. However, the way Jenny came across to me was self involved. SHE ‘knew’ Naomi the best (or maybe not as it seems), SHE was the one most upset about and effected her the most. As if no one else knew what she was going through. Obviously she was distraught at losing her daughter, and you probably aren’t thinking straight, but a year on, still it seemed all about her and her loss, ignoring the fact that her husband (though far less than perfect himself) had also lost a daughter, and their two sons had lost a sister.

As I said earlier the time periods set around the time of the disappearance were fantastic, and there was a few plot points I would have liked to have seen Jane Shemilt delve a bit deeper into, though maybe one in particular would have made the book darker than Jane wanted it.
The ending, with a lot of these style of books (Gone Girl I am looking at you **Glares**) people will be divided on the ending, and I don’t think  this is any different. I am, for once on the dislike side of things. I don’t mind the part that made me wonder, it was more Jenny’s reaction to the big reveal, it was just ‘HUH?’, I think my jaw literally dropped!

I think the premise of this book is great and I really did enjoy a large part of this book. I recommend you try it, I know a lot of people who have really enjoyed it, and would love to know your thoughts on it!

Buy on Amazon now!

Published by: Penguin
Gratefully received from the Publisher for review.

Blog Tour: But I Said Forever – Jennifer Gilby Roberts + Giveaway and Special Offer!

Jennifer Gilby Roberts is unleashing the second book in the fabulous Parker Sisters series!
She will be doing the rounds with this soul-searching romance, which will bring you
reviews, guest posts and a gorgeous giveaway!

Plus, for the duration of the tour, But I Said Forever will be available for just 99p/99c!

What they say:
After a whirlwind courtship, Brittany Beresford married her Prince Charming and looked forward to living happily ever after. Five years later, she’s been reduced to a not-quite-desperate housewife, with a husband who spends more time flossing his teeth than holding meaningful conversations with her. She braves his disapproval and turns working mother and, other than feeling far more drawn to a handsome baker she works with than him, things seem to be looking up. But then she discovers that his “hobbies” include something even worse than golf – and he expects her to put up and shut up. Fairy tale illusions shattered, but still believing marriage is for life and wanting the best for her son, Brittany has a choice to make: should she follow her heart, or her conscience? ~~~~ But I Said Forever is the second book in the Parker Sisters series (first book The Dr Pepper Prophecies), but can be read as a standalone.  


Review
Early last year, I read ‘The Dr Pepper Chronicles’, which is the the first in the series, however this book follows a different Parker sister (DPC you read about Mel and this book follows Brittany), so you don’t need to have read this book before you read this one, however I thoroughly recommend you do as I really enjoyed it :)

I absolutely adored Brittany. She had a big heart and you can see she adores James, and puts all her effort into making her marriage with Philip work, despite his distant persona. She is such a strong woman, never giving up and  made some tough decisions throughout the book, which is very admirable.

This book is funny and heart felt, with a positive message through running through the whole book. I really felt for Brittany and the dilemma she goes through. A page on however and you are laughing, especially when she is talking with her colleague Abby, who is really ditzy, but all the more loveable for it.

I also really liked Carly, not your typical nanny. I loved reading scenes between her and Brittany, seeing their friendship grow. Lauren, the other nanny in contrast seems a right terror. She is incredibly forthright which often comes across as rude, however, underneath it she seemed to have a heart of gold, and her clashes with Brittany were amusing to read at times.

Overall this book was a really good read. The food in the café sounded delicious and as delightful as all the characters working there. Easy to read in one afternoon, preferably with a cake of your own.

Click Here To Buy This Book - UK

Click Here To Buy This Book - US

Don't forget, But I Said Forever is just 99p/99c for a limited time!

 

Author Bio:
 Jennifer Gilby Roberts has a degree in physics and a postgraduate certificate in computing, so a career as a chick lit author was inevitable really. She was born and grew up in Surrey/Greater London, but now lives in Richmond, North Yorkshire with her husband, small daughter, two middle-aged cats and a lot of dust bunnies. She can be found getting red-faced at zumba class, reading historical porn (as her husband calls it – Regency romance to the rest of us) and humming nursery rhymes while going round Tesco.

Follow Jennifer

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Giveaway is international. Jennifer Gilby Roberts and CandleLit Author Services reserve the right to cancel or amend this giveaway at any time and without prior notification. No responsibility is taken for non-delivery of prizes.

New Year Resolutions!

I thought I would do a post talking about my resolutions for this year, I only have a few but I think each one will make me significantly happier, so lets hope I can stick to them!

1) Lose weight
This must be among the most popular resolutions, and it been on my list for more years than I care to remember. However in 2013 I lost 2 and a half stone, and while I lost focus in 2014, I kept the weight off and so I am positive I can do it again. I have a lot of weight to lose and it may take me more than one year to achieve the amount of weight I wish to get rid of, I am positive if I re-focus I can do it!

2) Dedicate more time to reading
My TBR is massive, and it’s a little overwhelming at times. I need to get a routine sorted and learn to tolerate noise while I am reading I think it will be a little bit easier. Hopefully I will have more time in general now as well, so I am sure that will help.

3) To update my blog more often
Obviously if I am reading more I will be able to update more. Since mid-July I haven’t been reading as much, so my blog has been not as good as I know I can make it. Obviously if I achieve resolution 2 then this will help, but I want to dedicate more time in organising my blog, doing different posts (top tens, #Sunday challenges etc.) and keep up my drink pairing with my reviews, stuff like that which maybe makes my blog more interesting.

4) Do things I wouldn't normally do
OK, OK, I’m not going bungee jumping, or sky-diving, I’m still scared of that sort of stuff lol! Yesterday I met up with Suzanne (from Librarian Lavender), Sophie (from 23rd Review Street) and Tanya (who can be found on twitter here). I was quite apprehensive and nervous, as I feel very shy when meeting new people and am always scared of coming across as an idiot (I know, I know, they wouldn't be far wrong!). So while I really wanted to meet all 3 of them in real life, I was secretly bricking it inside. However, I went to Cwmbran and met them, and I am so, so glad I did. They are all wonderful people, and it goes to show that sometimes I just have to ignore my head sometimes and just roll with it!

Hoping you all have a great 2015! :)

The Year of Taking Chances by Lucy Diamond

Synopsis
It's New Year's Eve, and Gemma and Spencer Bailey are throwing a house party. There's music, dancing, champagne and all their best friends under one roof. It's going to be a night to remember.

Also at the party is Caitlin, who has returned to the village to pack up her much-missed mum's house and to figure out what to do with her life; and Saffron, a PR executive who's keeping a secret which no amount of spin can change. The three women bond over Gemma's dodgy cocktails and fortune cookies, and vow to make this year their best one yet. 

But as the following months unfold, Gemma, Saffron and Caitlin find themselves tested to their limits by shocking new developments. Family, love, work, home - all the things they've taken for granted - are thrown into disarray. Under pressure, they are each forced to rethink their lives and start over. But dare they take a chance on something new?

Review

In the last 12 months we have been treated to not one, but two books by the fabulous Lucy Diamond. The cover is really pretty and perfectly captures the pizzazz of new year parties.

This book is absolutely spectacular! Definitely a contender for an entry into my top ten books of 2015, even though we have only just started the year! The prologue is beautifully written, almost poetic. It reminded me of one of the spirits from ‘A Christmas Carol’, a glimpse into Gemma’s life but from an outside entity, whose short tale starts in setting the tone of the book.

You know something has happened, but don’t know what, I presumed one thing, but actually it is something completely different, and I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that covers this, and it was good to read something that is quite unique, and was written about with great care about such a sensitive subject.

You follow three characters who meet at Gemma’s New Years Eve Party. After getting drunk and making promises to make 2015 their best year yet, they go their separate ways, but keep coming back to help each other out in their various times of need. Their blossoming friendship was a joy to read, and I’m not surprised as Lucy seems to be an expert in that department.

While Gemma, Saffron and Caitlin’s scenes together were great, their separate lives was equally was beautifully written. They all go through hard times and I really felt for all of the characters, especially Gemma, who I think was my favourite, but I still adored Saffron and Caitlin.

This book is simply perfect. It makes you happy, sad, laugh and cry. It was truly an amazing book. Heart warming, despite all the sad times, you still get the fuzziness inside that I have come to expect from reading Lucy’s books.

Buy on Amazon now!

Published by: Pan Macmillan
Gratefully received from the Publisher for review.

Fix You by Carrie Elks

Synopsis
You've found the one, but what if life has other plans?

London, 31st December 1999
At a party to toast the new millennium, Hanna meets Richard. He is a gorgeous, wealthy New Yorker. She is a self-assured, beautiful Londoner with no interest in clean-cut American men. They are from different worlds and have nothing in common... except for their instant - and mutual - attraction to one another.
As the clocks chime midnight it is a new year and the beginning of a wonderful romance.

New York, 12th May 2012
Hanna, the girl who broke Richard's heart, walks into his Wall Street office - and back into his life - to reveal an explosive secret.

He was sure they were meant to be together forever, but she broke his heart so completely the last time, can he find a way to let her mend the pieces?

Warm, witty and a perfect piece of modern romance, Fix You is a love story to melt your heart.

Review

This book’s cover is incredibly pretty, combining the two cities where the book takes place and it has an snowy magic-like feel that I really like and would make me pick it up from a bookshelf without hesitation. Combine this with the most important bit, the content inside and you get an un-put-downable read. The writing is really friendly, and invites you to read on finding out what will happen next.

I really warmed to the characters, they are so delightful, especially the lead Hanna, so bubbly and fun, I really routed for her throughout the book, even during the difficult time she suffers after Hanna and Richard reconnect, despite it being a mistake, it was completely understandable.

Then there is the Larsen’s. Where do I begin? They are so loving towards Hanna from the very start and just the kind of people you would want to know and have as a surrogate family. They lit up every scene they starred in. Then there was Richard Larsen. Just utterly brilliant from the first time you read him and I think he acted such the gentleman the whole way through. One wonders if he is too good to be true?!

The epilogue on this book was so wonderful, longer than most epilogues you get, and satisfied all of my questions. Overall this book was such a charming read, it is the perfect book to snuggle up with when you have an evening spare with nothing but a hot chocolate or glass of wine to keep you company! This book is just outstanding, absolutely adore it beyond belief!

Order on Amazon now!

Published by: Corvus
Gratefully received from the Publisher for review.

Dying For Christmas by Tammy Cohen

Synopsis
I am missing. Held captive by a blue-eyed stranger. 

To mark the twelve days of Christmas, he gives me a gift every day, each more horrible than the last. The twelfth day is getting closer. 

After that, there’ll be no more Christmas cheer for me. No mince pies, no carols. No way out …

But I have a secret. No-one has guessed it. Will you?

Review

I read this book for Thriller/Mystery week on #SundayChallenge, I had really enjoyed ‘The Broken’ earlier this year and with the Christmas theme, this was the perfect choice for that.

Tammy’s writing is utterly gripping and it was hard to put it down. Reading about Jessica’s captivity was really spine chilling, and learning about Dominic’s past was both creepy and sinister in equal measures. The way he called Jessica ‘Sweetheart’ made my skin crawl. While you read Jessica’s story, it is interlaced with Kim, the police officer who is working on the case. At first it isn't clear exactly who she is and how she fits in, but it soon becomes clear and it is important to her story Arc.

I don’t want to speak too much about the plot, as I feel I could give it away. The twist is incredible, at one point I thought ‘could it be this’ and then put it out of my mind as a ridiculous thought, but I was partially there with it, and I couldn't believe it when it happened. There was a couple of things I am puzzled about, maybe I missed something in the book that explains them, and will definitely make sure to look out for them if I re-read this. Also it is one of those books that leaves you wondering, and I would have liked a more definite conclusion, or a bigger hint if what I think it means is what happens. I NEED TO READ MORE OF THIS!!!!!!

Despite these small issues, and I really do mean small. This is an amazing read, and will stick in my mind for a long time. Definitely a different take on the usual Christmas book I read.

Order on Amazon now!

Published by: Transworld
Gratefully received from the Publisher for review.

Top Ten Books I Read In 2014

 Top Ten Books I Read In 2014

Hosted by The Broke and Bookish!

Well, after a long break of Top Ten Tuesdays, I would really like to start this blog meme again!
So here it is, in no particular order, my Top Ten Books that I have read in 2014. 

The Memory Book - Rowan Coleman

Wow, what can I say. This book had me in tears quite alot of the time, it was so amazing. This is my favourite book of all time, so it was an easy pick for this list. 

The Time of Our Lives - Jane Costello

The first book of Jane's I have read and I can't believe I missed out for so long! Absolutely hilarious, and Barcelona has certainly been added to the list of places I want to visit!

A Proper Family Holiday / A Proper Family Christmas - Chrissie Manby 

OK OK, I realise this is too books, so technically I am cheating, you caught me! In my defence, they are two books of a series, both published this year, and some of the timelines are shared! Anyway this book is so full of lovable characters I cannot help but grin while i read this book :)

The Christmas Party - Carole Matthews

Simply, I loved this book! A really interesting set of characters, and was my first christmas read of this year, a perfect start to the season.

One Night in Italy - Lucy Diamond

Really enjoyed this book, a really heart warming read about friendship, and delicious recipes in the back!

The Accident - C. L. Taylor

The first thriller I read this year, and it has stuck with me for the whole year, really intriguing!

The Best Thing That Never Happened To Me - Laura Tait & Jimmy Rice

This book has convinced me that books written by two authors can work (previous experiences had been bad). It is such a charming book.

Breaking Nova - Jessica Sorensen

I have read quite a few new adult books this year, and they have all been superb, but I think this one really stood out to me, and I cannot wait to read the follow-up.

  

What Would Mary Berry Do? - Claire Sandy

One of the funniest book I've ever read, and really loved reading about Marie's journey on becoming a great baker!

Thirteen Weddings - Paige Toon

I love Paige Toon's books, and this one is no different. Gorgeous male lead, great friends and a great protagonist, another great summer read from Paige!

What books have you enjoyed reading this year?

Nine Lives of Christmas by Shelia Roberts

Synopsis

In this Christmas tale, two people are about to discover that when it comes to finding love, Christmas magic isn't enough . . . sometimes it takes a pesky orange cat named Ambrose

When a guy is in trouble, he starts making deals with his Creator . . . and Ambrose the cat is no exception. In danger of losing his ninth and final life, Ambrose makes a desperate plea to the universe. He'll do anything if he can just survive and enjoy a nice long, final life. His prayer is answered when a stranger comes along and saves him-and now it looks like he has to hold up his end of the bargain.

The stranger turns out to be a firefighter named Zach, who's in need of some serious romantic help. If Ambrose can just bring Zach together with Merilee, the nice lady who works at Pet Palace, it's bound to earn him a healthy ninth life. Unfortunately for Ambrose, his mission is a lot harder than he ever thought. Meriliee is way too shy to make the first move on a ladies man like Zach, and Zach thinks he's all wrong for a nice girl like Merilee. Now it's going to take all of Ambrose's feline wiles-and maybe even a good old fashioned Christmas miracle-to make them both realize that what they're looking for is right in front of their eyes.

Review

What most attracted me to this book was that the book was from the point of view of a cat. I adore cats, they are just so cute, and often hilarious, as documented by the many GIFs found online! This book seemed unique so I couldn't wait to dive in.

This book isn’t just from the sole voice of Ambrose the cat. You also get viewpoints from Zach, Ambrose’s saviour and also Merilee, a cat lover who Ambrose plans to set up with Zach as his good deed, in exchange for Zach saving his life against a vicious dog. 

I thought this book was written very well from all characters. Ambrose was so hilarious, obviously being a cat he has a very different outlook on life from humans which makes for many giggles. His quips about dogs and some of his thoughts on human actions etc was really fun to read.  The whole gift scene was one of the stand outs for me! Zach and Merilee’s viewpoints helped move the story along, and seeing how each of them reacted to the situations they were put in, mainly by Ambrose made this book even better.

Zach seemed genuinely a sweet bloke, despite the hardened exterior I felt he sometimes put on. I have no idea what he ever saw in Blair (or ‘Blair Baby’ as Ambrose knows her). She was really unair to Ambrose, and even excluding that, she seemed really snobby and stuck up, thankfully Ambrose saw through her!  His kindness also shone throughout the book, the way he helps Ambrose, and Merilee when they are both in trouble. Really sweet and touching. 
This goes perfect with Merilee who is adorable, and I found myself willing Ambrose to succeed in his task from the instant the two met.

This book has charm in bundles. It is funny, romantic, the perfect book for cosying up infront of the fire! The book says that it is perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, and I couldn’t agree more, it creates the same lovely warm feeling you get from her books! It just makes you want to go ‘Awwwwwe’ at the end!

Order on Amazon now!

Published by: Paitkus
Gratefully received from the Publisher for review.

Want to wind down after a long day of Christmas shopping with
a good book and a glass of Christmassy goodness? 

Well this book suits the Christmas classic 'Mulled Wine' perfectly! It makes you feel warm and cosy, and the gentle spiced warmth of the mulled wine echoes that perfectly. I used a wine from Beaujolais in France, which is mega fruity as well. Absolutely Amazing! I used the recipe from Schwarz and used their sachets, and it was sooo nice, I did chuck in a couple of extra cinnamon sticks in as well though. It went far too quickly, maybe we need 2 bottles of wine next time :)