The Diary by Vikki Patis

‘I know all your secrets, Lauren.’

Lauren has spent years running away from her home town, her childhood and the memories of her best friend, Hannah.

Until the tenth anniversary of Hannah’s death forces her to return home and to the group of friends she abandoned there. It should be a quick visit, just so Lauren can pay her respects.

At home, Lauren finds Hannah’s old diary. A diary full of secrets. The terrible things Lauren did, the lies she’s told, the reason she ran away. And she receives a message:

‘I don’t know why you’re back, but I know why you left.’ 

But no-one else has seen the diary, and Hannah’s dead, isn’t she?

A suspenseful psychological thriller full of twists and turns – you won’t be able to stop turning the pages of The Diary. Perfect for fans of The Sister, The Girl on the Train and We Were Liars. 

I really enjoyed this book however with six characters to keep track of over the course of the book I did find that it was one that I had to concentrate on. However saying that 'The Diary' is a brilliant book, very well written and kept my attention to the very end. The six characters individual stories are all intertwined and feature story-lines which are very relatable to teenagers of today and are topics which need to be discussed. 

A fantastic psychological thriller which was an unputdownable read which I will be recommending to all! I am also already looking forward to Vikki Patis' next novel already.

Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me to take part in this Blog Blitz in return for an honest review. 

Bait, Grist and Security by Mike Hodges (Blog Tour)

Today I am pleased to be taking part in the Blog Tour to celebrate the publication of Mike Hodges' 'Bait, Grist and Security'.

In ‘Bait’ , a slippery PR man, Mark Miles, is unaware he’s being manipulated and dangled as bait by an investigative reporter until he’s swallowed by a sadistic mind-expanding cult from America. 

In ‘Grist’ , the bestselling writer, Maxwell Grist, ruthlessly uses real people as fodder for his crime novels before finding himself living up to his name and becoming grist for his own murder. 

In ‘Security’ , an American movie star, unhappy with the film he’s working on, refuses to leave his hotel for the studios, while in the corridor outside his luxury suite mayhem and murder take over. 

Mike Hodges is well known for directing 'Get Carter' and 'Pulp' and therefore I was interested to read his new release 'Bait, Grist and Security'. 

Bai, Grist and Security are three tales, all original and unique, and very well written. Each reads as a separate novella and kept me engaged and enthralled to the very end, 

I really hope that Mike Hodges writes more as I have really enjoyed these three stories and would love to read more from this great director.

Thank you to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours and Unbound for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and for a copy of the book in return for an honest review. 

The Liar's Wife by Samantha Hayes (Blog Blitz)

When Ella wakes up in hospital following a hit and run incident, she is scared and confused. Close to tears, her eyes fall on a get-well-soon card on the window sill and the nurse reassures her that her loving husband will be back soon.

But Ella has never been married… 

Absolutely love twisty and unputdownable psychological thrillers like Girl on the Train, The Wife Between Us and Gone Girl? Then you will be totally hooked by this jaw-dropping novel about the dangerous secrets behind a perfect marriage.

Samantha Hayes is a fantastic psychological thriller author and I look forward to each new book. 'The Liar's Wife' is Samantha's latest release and I really believe her books are getting better and better with each release.

The synopsis sounds like many other books which have been released over recent years however Samantha soon breaks the mould as her unique style and clever mind tells a story which makes the reader forget other stories and immerse themselves completely in Ella's  very bad dream which slowly turns into a nightmare. 

The story is a slow burner where secrets and lies are revealled and a manipulative 'husband' tries to rewrite history while Ella is in the vulnerable position of a hospital bed. Although it is a slow burner Samantha has written a tale which builds in both pace and intensity and finishes off with the crescendo ending and hard punch that leaves the reader both satisfied and wanting more.

Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me to take part in the blog tour in return for an honest review.

Blog Blitz - The Shape of Us by Drew Davies

Today I am pleased to be taking part in Bookouture's Blog Blitz to celebrate the publication of Drew Davies' 'The Shape of Us'.





If you read one book this year, make it this hilarious and emotional novel about love, loss and second chances. Fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, The Note and Jojo Moyes will be utterly charmed by this unique love story.

One day in London…

Daisy is rushing to work when a stranger on a bicycle almost knocks her over – and then asks for her number.

Dylan, a teenage boy, lives with an illness which means he can’t leave his bedroom – but which hasn’t stopped him from falling hopelessly in love.

JoJo, a wife in her sixties, is trying desperately to win her beloved husband back from his mistress.

Adam has recently lost his job and lies to his housemate about where he goes every day.

These four total strangers – whose paths cross in the charming city of London – have one thing in common. They are all lonely souls looking for love. But what are the chances of them actually finding it?

An absolutely unputdownable, uplifting and unforgettable book-club read for anyone who has ever made a mistake, been broken-hearted, or waited by their phone for it to ring.

The Shape of Us is a clever book where four, seemingly separate, story-lines are introduced with characters of varying ages and demeanor are introduced but finally intertwine and tell a beautiful story.

Each of the story-lines have their own strong character leads, all individual and with characters that everyone can relate to. There are many traits which can be identified and I know that I found myself relating them to friends, family members and acquaintances in my own life. 

There are some dark story-lines within the book however the author introduces light and shade with the individual characters. I really like JoJo, a sarcastic character who added light to the story at times where the story-line was going on a darker path.

I really enjoyed this book - it is something a bit different to read, I don't think I can remember reading anything similar in the last couple of years. Drew Davies is an author to watch going forward!

Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me to take part in the Blog Blitz in return for an honest review.

Blog Tour - The List That Changed My Life by Olivia Beirne

Sometimes all you need is a little push...

When Georgia’s sister is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she promises to do everything her older sibling can no longer do, resulting in a journey that will change her life forever...

Georgia loves wine, reality TV and sitting on the sofa after work. She does not love heights, looking at her bank account, going on dates, or activities that involve a sports bra. And she will never, ever take a risk.

That is, until her braver, bolder, big sister finds out that she won’t be able to tick off the things she wanted to do before 

turning thirty, and turns to Georgia to help her finish her list.

With the birthday just months away, Georgia suddenly has a deadline to learn to grab life with both hands. Could she be brave enough to take the leap, for her sister? And how might her own life change if she did? A hilarious and heart-warming journey of a lifetime, showing us what it means to really be alive.
 

This is a fantastic debut novel which I really enjoyed reading. 'The List That Changed My Life' tells the story of two sisters, Georgia and Amy. Amy is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and she asks Georgia to complete a list of things that she wanted to do before she was 30 but is now unable to do. The list is full of a range of activities and there are a number that Georgia considers difficult or impossible. 

The story has a bit of romance, a bit of fun and is a great story of the sisterly bond between Amy and Georgia. The two sisters are very different but love each other dearly and do all they can to keep the sisterly bond strong. 

The story is a great read and I liked that the ending was not too cheesy - it was a great ending and I felt satisfied when I finished it,

Thank you to Headline Review and Anne Cater at Random Things book tours for inviting me to take part in the tour in return for an honest review. Apologies it is a little later than scheduled. 

Blog Blitz - Secrets Between Us by Valerie Keogh

Today I am pleased to be part of Bookouture's Blog Blitz to celebrate the publication of Valerie Keogh's 'Secrets Between Us'. 

How safe are your secrets?

One letter a week for fifteen years. 780 identical white envelopes brimming with my sister’s darkest secrets. All the intimate details of a life as different to mine as could possibly be.

I read each letter slowly to make sure I understand it perfectly, one day very soon it will be a matter of life and death…

At the end of each letter, after signing her name, there is always one final sentence:

Don’t forget to burn this letter.

I’ll let you decide if I do…

A jaw-dropping psychological thriller that you will read in one sitting. If you loved dark, twisty thrillers like The Girl on The Train, The Couple Next Door and Friend Request, this unputdownable novel will have your heart racing long after you’ve finished reading. 





When I was sent the details of this book I was intrigued from the start. It sounded like a book that I would enjoy and I really liked the idea of a series of letters being received that told me my sisters innermost thoughts and secrets - what would I learn about the girl I thought I knew and how would I feel about them?

I really enjoyed reading 'Secrets Between Us'. With three main characters telling the story, it started off slowly but the pace gradually increased as the story progressed, drawing me in and wanting to keep on reading. Clues are dotted throughout the book keeping the reader guessing and piecing it together while watching the story unfold.

This is a great read and I recommend to all. Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me to take part in the Blog Blitz and for a copy of hte book in return for an honest review. 

Blog Tour - Some Old Bloke by Robert Llewellyn

Today I am very excited to take part in Robert Llewellyn's new book, Some Old Bloke.


When writer, comedian and Red Dwarf actor Robert Llewellyn's son scrawled a picture of him at Christmas and titled it 'Some Old Bloke', Robert was cast deep into thought about life and what it means to be a bloke and an old one at that.

In this lighthearted, revealing and occasionally philosophical autobiography, we take a meandering route through Robert's life and career: from the sensitive young boy at odds with his ex-military father, through his stint as a hippy and his years of arrested development in the world of fringe comedy, all the way up to the full-body medicals and hard-earned insights of middle age.

Whether he is waxing lyrical about fresh laundry, making an impassioned case for the importance of alternative energy or recounting a detailed history of the dogs in his life, Robert presents a refreshingly open and un-cynical look at the world at large and, of course, the joys of being a bloke.

Robert Llewellyn will always be to me Kryton in Red Dwarf but when I was asked to take part in the blog tour for his latest release, Some Old Bloke, I had to say yes and I am so glad I did! Throughout Red Dwarf Robert Llewellyn had a great dry sense of humour and this style continues throughout his writing and will leave the reader laughing out loud throughout the book. 

Some Old Bloke is a great read - it is one of those books that will have the reader laughing from start to finish and extracts will keep popping up in your head long after you have closed the book for the last time. 

It may be written with men in mind, however it will definitely appeal to both men and women as Robert takes the reader through what it is like to be a bloke. Robert reminisces of his childhood and early adult life and also about growing old(er).

There are some great sections about alternative energy which got me thinking and weighing up the pros and cons on the subject and is definitely a conversation starter.



Thank you to Anne Cater at Random Things Through My Letterbox Blog Tours and Unbound for inviting me to take part in the Blog Tour and a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Blog Tour - Dreaming of Christmas by T A Williams

Today I am pleased to be taking part in Canelo's Blog Tour to celebrate the publication of T A Williams new release, Dreaming of Christmas.

It’s the dream Christmas: snow, mountains… and, er, an ex-boyfriend. But can Zoe still find love in the Alps?

Dumped on Christmas Eve by her long-term boyfriend, it's been a rough year for Zoe Lumsley. But then she gets an invitation she can’t refuse: an all expenses paid skiing holiday with old university friends.

The bad news: her ex, Grant, will be there with his new girlfriend. But so will her former flatmate Billy, the organiser, and in the meantime he’s done rather well for himself. As Christmas in the Alps approaches, it'll be great to see the old gang. Some more than others...

Perfect for readers of Tilly Tenant, Holly Martin and Philippa Ashley, this is the perfect magical Christmas getaway from the bestselling T.A. Williams.

T A Williams always writes fantastic books which are set in great settings, and this one is set in the Alps, a beautiful back drop for another of Trevor's fantastic stories. Dreaming of Christmas is a great festive read which will get readers into the festive spirit, wishing that they too could be in the Alps.

To celebrate the publication of Dreaming of Christmas, T.A. (Trevor) Williams  has joined me on my blog and talks about his latest book, Dreaming of Christmas and just how useful a dog can be to a writer.
 
   When I say a dog can be useful to a writer, I am not talking about the undeniable health benefits for us humans of having a dog and taking it for regular walks. Particularly for writers, it is essential not to stay glued to the computer all day long. However, what I’m referring to is how a non-speaking character can be of practical help to a writer. It’s not just as an homage to my dear departed black Labrador, Merlin, that there’s always a dog in my books.   

 First of all there are the walks. Nothing could be more normal than for the main (usually female in my books) character to take the dog for a walk. This offers the writer the opportunity to get into the heroine’s head without it seeming contrived or boring. She can stop for a break, sit on a rock and chat to the dog. There’s no shame involved, we’ve all done it. Yes, all right, dogs aren’t renowned for their insightful comments or witty repartee, but they are damn good listeners – a lot better than me, for example (ask my wife). One person going for a walk alone could easily be construed as depressing, but with the company of the faithful hound, it’s quite acceptable. And when you’re out for walks, you can stumble over secrets, overhear things and see stuff you aren’t meant to see. All very useful for the writer.   

 The dog is also a very good catalyst. What I mean by this is that the dog can make things happen. For example, it can run off and lead the heroine into uncharted territory, where she maybe bumps into the hunky hero. The dog can push our heroine into the hero’s arms or drag her away at the crucial moment. Dogs can also embarrass the characters by jumping onto laps, upsetting plates or farting under the table. The Labrador puppy in Dreaming of Christmas is Austrian and, as such, could only ever be called Arnie. He has a thing for chewing shoes, and while doing this he manages to trip Zoë, our heroine, propelling her into the arms of Billy.     

Dogs are excellent readers of mood. Anybody who has a dog will know that they sense if we are unhappy, excited or lonely. There’s something very reassuring about having a big dumb animal pad across the floor to rest its head on your knee and gaze at you with its big brown eyes, the very end of the tail wagging in silent sympathy. Dogs, they say, are good readers of character. A dog in a book who growls at one of the characters is an easy way for the author to cast doubt in the readers’ eyes as to just how good a person this might actually turn out to be.
   And dogs are funny. Apart from tripping people up, dogs can raise a smile by stealing food, sticking a cold, wet nose into embarrassing places or knocking things over. And don’t forget that dogs can appear at the most inopportune moments. For a writer, dogs are comic gold dust.    Dogs can also have the opposite effect. Everybody who has ever had a pet knows the heartache that can be caused by a sick or lost animal. Dogs in books can introduce pathos just as easily as mirth. In short, the dogs in my books are vital components.   

 I hope you like Arnie the Lab and that you enjoy Dreaming of Christmas. I had a lot of fun writing it and I hope that shines through.   


Thank you to Canelo and Trevor for inviting me to take part in the tour and for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Blog Tour - Roar by Cecelia Ahern

Today I am really excited to be taking part in the blog tour for Cecelia Ahern's must anticipated new release, Roar.

I am woman. Hear me roar.

A story for every woman: original, honest and thought-provoking, ROAR is Cecelia Ahern’s unforgettable story collection.

‘These stories sing and cry and shout and whisper from the page. They're sharp, clever, witty, and full of love, a joy to read’ – Donal Ryan

‘These provocative and witty stories prove it’s time to recognise Cecelia Ahern as one of our finest writers’ – John Boyne

With her trademark honesty, Cecelia Ahern gives us 30 stories about 30 women, all titled ‘The Woman Who…’, that capture the different facets of women’s lives.

Humorous, moving, surreal and poignant, the stories capture the moments the characters are overwhelmed by guilt, confusion, frustration, intimidation, exhaustion – private moments when they feel the need to roar.

From The Woman Who Slowly Disappeared to The Woman Who Returned and Exchanged Her Husband, discover an extraordinary collection that will resonate with women everywhere.

Each story showcases the originality of Ahern’s talent and the versatility of her voice. 

Cecelia Ahern has written a fantastic set of 30 individual stories, all of which have a strong female character, who are facing thoughts, feelings, worries, situations that are relevant to the 21st century modern woman.

Roar is one of those books that you can pick up and select a story at random, with the knowledge that Cecelia is going to give you a story that you will enjoy, will be thought provoking and stay with you for the rest of the day. 

Each story has taken on a theme that could face any girl or woman in today's modern world. There are many hard hitting topics covered in these 30 stories including self confidence, fertility, growing old, self doubt to name but a few. There really is something for any situation that a modern woman may face during her life - I can certainly relate to a number of the characters and I really enjoyed reading the stories and remembering times in my life, while others have, I hope, prepared me for situations or feelings that I might encounter and has given me a toolbox ready to face many different situations.

The book would make a great gift for any woman at any time in their life. It really is like a mini toolbox of good advice to give to a daughter or friend who is coming of age, leaving home, starting a new life elsewhere etc. I will be giving my daughter a copy for her to enjoy and hopefully for her to prepare for the big wide world.

Thank you to Harper Collins for inviting me to take part in this blog and for sending me a copy of the book in return for an honest review.