The Last Charm - Ella Allbright #OMCREADALONG #THELASTCHARM

 

Description

Leila’s charm bracelet tells a story of love, a story of loss, a story of hope.

This is the story of her… and the story of Jake.

When Leila Jones loses her precious charm bracelet and a stranger finds it, she has to tell the story of how she got the charms to prove she’s the owner. Each and every one is a precious memory of her life with Jake.

So Leila starts at the beginning, recounting the charms and experiences that have led her to the present. A present she never could have expected when she met Jake nearly twenty years ago…

Review

The book begins with Leila having lost her charm bracelet, she is emailing Caitlin who has found it. What follows is Leila's explanation of how she got each charm, so as to prove to Caitlin that she is the true owner of the bracelet.

We are then transported back to when Leila and Jake first met when they were children. Leila's Mum has left the family home and she and her Dad are moving out now. Jake and his parents are moving into the house, and this is how they meet. 

Living just a few doors down is Leila's grandfather and when Jake's Dad proves not to be all he should be Jake finds a father figure in him and a friendship for years to come. It's through this connection he always knows what Leila is doing in her life over the years. 

Jake has several meetings with Leila through the book and there is obviously a connection but nothing ever comes of it. It was through these meetings over the years and Leila's over the top dramatic and bitchy attitude to Jake that really wound me up. I felt she really didn't treat him very well.  Each time it would seem that they were getting on and then boom, she couldn't deal with it. Leila does have some good points though, as an artist she often describes scenes in Windsor and Newton artist colours which I loved.

I listened to this on audio and at times it did feel like this "will they, won't they" would never end as each new charm was discussed and a story retold. The narrators voice was great and really added to the story. I know if I had been reading this my eye would have been jumping ahead, but on audio I had to wait and let it all unfold. 

Then the book became unbelievably sad beyond belief and I found myself just saying no, no, no over and over it was so powerful.

I'm giving this book four out of five stars. My thanks to netgalley for the audio to review and to the One More Chapter Blogger community for the #OMCREADALONG. It was so good I finished it before the readalong!

The CrimeWriters' Association Vintage Crime - edited by Martin Edwards

 

Description

Vintage Crime is a CWA anthology with a difference, celebrating members’ work over the years. The book will gather stories from the mid-1950s until the twenty-first century by great names of the past, great names of the present together with a few hidden treasures by less familiar writers. The first CWA anthology, Butcher’s Dozen, appeared in 1956, and was co-edited by Julian Symons, Michael Gilbert, and Josephine Bell. The anthology has been edited by Martin Edwards since 1996, and has yielded many award-winning and nominated stories in the UK and overseas.

This new edition includes an array of incredible and award-winning authors: Robert Barnard, Simon Brett, Liza Cody, Mat Coward, John Dickson Carr, Marjorie Eccles, Martin Edwards, Kate Ellis, Anthea Fraser, Celia Fremlin, Frances Fyfield, Michael Gilbert, Paula Gosling, Lesley Grant-Adamson, HRF Keating, Bill Knox, Peter Lovesey, Mick Herron, Michael Z. Lewin, Susan Moody, Julian Symons and Andrew Taylor.

Delighted to be on the book tour for this wonderful collection of vintage crime stories.

Review

First of all I'm going to say that I have absolutely loved this collection. Depending on your age your idea of "vintage" may vary, for me I was thinking up to the 1950s. This book in fact contains stories from 1940 to 2008.

My favourite was "The Nuggy Bar" by Simon Brett written in 1982.  I had no clue from the title what it would entail. It was an ironic tale and reminded me so much of the Ellery Queen stories I enjoyed as a teenager, already being vintage by the time I read them. A clever story not only in the way it was written but in the use of an unusual mechanism of the character using his "top salesman" techniques to plan a murder!

I also enjoyed the stories set in the earlier part of the last century, especially for their simplicity of setting by modern day standards. No computers, apps or mobile phones, the pace of those stories felt so timeless and soothing even if murder was involved. Another favourite was The Perfect Albi where a seasoned American cop takes a rookie under his wing. The storytelling was just perfect and I felt myself settling into reading it as if the cop had been right there with me,  telling me the story face to face.

Beautifully edited by Martin Edwards who also has a story in the book he has written. At the back of the book is a biography of the writers together with the a sources section giving the dates of when the stories were written. There is no indication as you read the stories when they are set or written and I found I liked that aspect of the collection. 

Each story is just the right length for you to be able to dip in and out of the book between reading other books, or just to satisfy a reading urge when time is short.  I will certainly be revisiting this book over and over again. 

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Random Things Tours and Flame Tree Press for an advance reading copy to review.

One Minute later - Susan Lewis

 

Description

You think your life is perfect.

You think your secrets are safe.

You think it’ll always be this way.

But your life can change in a heartbeat.

Brilliantly emotional, suspenseful and page-turning, One Minute Later is the stunning new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author, Susan Lewis.

Susan Lewis – behind every secret lies a story.

With a high-flying job, a beautiful apartment and friends whose lives are as happy as her own, Vivienne Shager is living the dream. Then, on the afternoon of Vivi’s twenty-seventh birthday, one catastrophic minute changes everything.

Forced to move back to the small seaside town where she grew up, Vivi remembers the reasons she left. The secrets, lies and questions that now must be answered before it’s too late. But the answers lie in thirty years in the past…

Shelley Raynor’s family home, Deerwood Farm, has always been a special place until darkness strikes at its heart. When Vivi’s and Shelley’s worlds begin to entwine, it only takes a moment for the truth to unravel all of their lives.

Review

I listened to this book on audio and whilst there was a clear announcement at the beginning of each chapter as to the time line - I found myself feeling a little lost some of the time. I just continued to listen and soon picked up the story again. It felt like the book went on for a lot longer than it needed to in parts. There are also two characters with similar names - one being a derivative of the other. This led me down a path where I wasn't sure if they were or were not in fact the same person. Whether that was the author's intention, or just my own take on it - I'm not sure but it did give lots of questions as I read.

The synopsis given of the book is really only a teeny tiny glimpse of this book, there is so much more to it. Different stories that begin to combine and feel like it will be the end for everyone. It's difficult to summarise without giving something away. Although I said it felt too long in parts there is definitely a lot packed into this book with so many issues being dealt with such as single parenting, terminal illness, organ donation, death and ultimately a murder.

Some of the dialogue felt a little wooden at times but overall it was a good story well thought out and written. I am glad that I did listen to this book on audio as it meant I couldn't be tempted to race ahead and find out what was going to be the final outcome. The book is well read with the narrator changing her voice for the different characters. 

It's certainly left me thinking, and I feel it is a book that will stay with me for some time. 

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. The audio recording is from my own library.

Unhinged by Olena Rose @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours

 

So happy to be on the blog tour for this poetry book today.

Synopsis:

Unhinged: Putting the Pieces Back Together by Olena Rose showcases the unshakable strength and perseverance of the human spirit during times of romantic turmoil. Through emotionally-charged poetic storytelling, the reader is taken on a journey of healing and transformation that gains momentum page by page. By book’s end, one is instilled with an unwavering sense of self-empowerment and confidence to overcome any challenges of the heart.

Review

This is a book of poetry with four sections named as follows:-

Unhinged - Putting the pieces back together

Falling

Holding On

Letting Go

It's beautifully typeset with so much wonderful white space so as to let the words really hang and sink in, with different fonts also occasionally used too. 

You may not be a poetry reader, but this book is also I think a kind of self help book. It contains almost mantra like staves which struck a chord with me. Whilst you may not have time to read a wordy book to find a message that speaks to you, these easily accessible poems all have a message within them. Some are a little ruthless and obviously come from a place of hurt but even these have a healing message.

One of my favourite poems is "Smile Algorithm" from the Letting Go section. Wise words, easy to read and memorable. A book I will be dipping into over and over again.

I'm giving this book five out of five stars. My thanks to Love Books Tours and Olena Rose for a copy of the book to review.

Author Bio and Image:

Olena Rose is an American Poet based in New York City. If there is one constant in her life, it is her penchant for writing stories.

Buy Link: 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unhinged-Putting-Pieces-Back-Together/dp/B0892HSXLM/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1592299179&sr=8-1

Meet Me in London - Georgia Toffolo

 

Description

What do you do when your fake engagement starts to feel too real…

Aspiring clothes designer Victoria Scott spends her days working in a bar in Chelsea, and her evenings designing vintage clothes, dreaming of one day opening her own boutique. But these aspirations are under threat from the new department store opening at the end of her road. She needs a Christmas miracle, but one is not forthcoming.

Oliver Russell’s Christmas is not looking very festive right now. His family’s new London department store opening is behind schedule, and on top of that his interfering, if well meaning, mother is pressing him to introduce his girlfriend to her. A girlfriend who does not exist. He needs a diversion. Something to keep his mother from interfering while he focuses on the business.

When Oliver meets Victoria, he offers a proposition: pretend to be his girlfriend at the opening of his store and he will provide an opportunity for Victoria to showcase her designs. But what starts as a business arrangement soon becomes something more tempting, as the fake relationship starts to feel very real. But when secrets in Victoria’s past are exposed will Oliver walk away, or will they both follow their hearts and find what neither knew they were looking for…

Review

If you live in the UK then you probably heard of the author from the show "Made in Chelsea" and winning "I'm a Celebrity..." in 2017. I liked the sound of the description of the novel, but wondered would she be a good author? I'm going to say right upfront - when I finished the book I said to myself book was "well, she can write!"

The story follows Victoria who works in a bar but her real passion is her dress design work and working with a group of kids helping them to express themselves through fashion. She's just come out of a messy break up and what's more she has a heartbreaking backstory. (There is a trigger warning here for infertility.) Then she meets Oliver - well collides with him whilst carrying a box of fabric and then she recognises him as a guy in the bar the night before who drunkenly proposed to her. 

The next part begins a little bit like a "You've got Mail" Megan Ryan/Tom Hanks story line, as she has no idea he is the owner of the new store that could be putting all the local businesses at risk, including her ex boyfriend's. She actually finds out quite quickly who is and so then goes on to agree to be his fake fiancee, as he offers to help local businesses and showcase fashion made by the kids she is tutoring. It also helps that he is mega rich and treats her to some magical experiences along the way. Oliver also has a backstory and we get to find out it more as the story progresses. Despite being rich he maybe doesn't have it all or lead the perfect life, also his father is very ill.

I really got hooked into this book, it helped that Victoria likes fashion and beautiful fabrics, but even without that it was a fabulous will they won't they journey. Very well written with great down to earth dialogue and lovely characters. I was waiting for their to be a horrid person, but apart from a couple of characters everyone is truly lovely.

If you are looking for a little bit of escapism and a look at how the other half live, then this is the book for you. Hours flew by whilst I was engrossed in this book. 

I'm giving this book five out of five stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

The book is released on 15 October and is available for pre order here.

Sisters of Berlin - Juliet Conlin @Julietconlin @bwpublishing @lovebooksgroup #lovebookstours

I'm on the tour for this wonderful book today.

Blurb

Berlin 2014. The 25th anniversary of the fall of the Wall, and the city is gearing up for

a celebration of unity and liberation. But, beneath the surface, are those for whom the

divisions and allegiances of the past remain close to home.

In her hushed and leafy corner of Berlin, Nina’s life is a comfortable, conventional one

– until her younger sister Marie, a free-spirited writer, is attacked and left for dead.

For Nina, Marie’s brutal demise – and that of her unborn child – tips her own carefully

controlled life into a nightmare. Stonewalled by official incompetence and subterfuge,

Nina begins to realise that her sister’s past and the secrets of the once-divided city

are connected in unimaginable ways. As she seeks out justice for Marie, Nina becomes

caught in a tangle of obsessions, lies and hidden truths that threatens to destroy her

marriage, her livelihood and all that she holds dear.

Review

The book begins with Nina and her sister Marie talking. Marie states that everyone is entitled to a secret or two. What Nina doesn't know is she won't see her sister again and maybe she did have a secret or two.

When Nina's sister is found murdered as can be expected her world starts to fall apart. However Nina has a family and her own medical practice, so she needs to keep it together for the sake of them. The book follows Nina as she tries to piece together why her sister died and at whose hands. She thought she knew her sister so well, but things start to come to light which show maybe she did have a secret or two afterall.

At times I felt like I was spiralling down into the book with Nina and her grief, it really hooked me in. The book being set in Berlin really added another dimension to the plot and it was interesting to hear about the East and West, and the subsequent fall out from the wall coming down from an internal point of view.

Running alongside the tale of grief and loss is the mystery of who killed Marie. I had my suspicions but I won't spoil it by telling you what they were. There really is so much packed into this book but the writing is so good you just don't realise it at the time of reading. It's what I would call a tale of everyday writing, but that really is so hard to do, to make it seem natural and real.

I've never been to Berlin but would love to one day, this book really brought it to life for me, although it seems they have a lot of problems with parking!

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Love Book Tours and Black & White Publishing for a copy of the book to review.

Author

Juliet Conlin was born in London and grew up in England and Germany. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Durham. She works as a writer and translator and lives with her family in Berlin. Her novels include The Fractured Man (Cargo, 2013), The Uncommon Life of Alfred Warner in Six Days (Black & White, 2017), The Lives Before Us (Black & White, 2019).

Buy Link

http://blackandwhitepublishing.com/shop.html

Publisher

Black & White Publishing was founded in 1999 by Managing Director Campbell Brown and Publishing Director Alison McBride. Since then, the business has grown into one of Scotland's leading independent publishers with over 300 books in print across a variety of genres. Committed to publishing the best books from the most talented writers in the UK and beyond, some of our bestselling authors include Daniela Sacerdoti, James Robertson, Estelle Maskame, Nick Alexander, Richard Gordon, Alex Norton, Millie Gray, Sally Magnusson and Tony Black. We produce an extensive range of titles, including general non-fiction, biography, sport and humour, as well as selected fiction, young adult and children's books.


This year, we've started an exciting new alliance with PGUK who now provide sales representation for our titles, and GBS continues to distribute our books. Our eBooks are distributed by Faber Factory. Over recent years, our range of fiction has grown following recent eBook successes such as Daniela Sacerdoti's Glen Avich series, which has sold nearly a million copies to date. These new alliances and our e-book successes are helping us shape and develop the list in new ways to bring more exciting new titles to both local and global markets.

Sisters of Berlin by Juliet Conlin @julietconlin @bwpublishing @lovebookstours 

Crimes Against a Book Club - Kathy Cooperman

 

Description

Best friends Annie and Sarah need cash—fast. Sarah, a beautiful, successful lawyer, wants nothing more than to have a baby. But balancing IVF treatments with a grueling eighty-hour workweek is no walk in the park. Meanwhile, Annie, a Harvard-grad chemist recently transplanted to Southern California, is cutting coupons to afford her young autistic son’s expensive therapy.

Desperate, the two friends come up with a brilliant plan: they’ll combine Sarah’s looks and Annie’s brains to sell a “luxury” anti aging face cream to the wealthy, fading beauties in Annie’s La Jolla book club. The scheme seems innocent enough, until Annie decides to add a special—and oh-so-illegal—ingredient that could bring their whole operation crashing to the ground.

Hilarious, intelligent, and warm, Crimes Against a Book Club is a delightful look at the lengths women will go to fend for their families and for one another.

Review

I wasn't too sure about this book to begin with as it began with the end so to speak. Although it involves characters who are women in a book club I felt the connection was a little tenuous. Once I got into the book the chapter headings are all quotes from books and little insights into different books and I actually found myself wondering and researching some of those I hadn't read or heard of. My advice is to hang in there and the book club connection will be there!

As the book got going and the two friends plan came into play it really became an unputdownable read. So many great characters all with little traits that brought them to life. The interactions between them in public and the real feelings and thoughts about one another in private.

There was a great scene were one of the ladies really puts one over an overbearing woman - who I had wanted brought down a peg or two. The book is brilliantly written and whilst comedic also very satisfying too with a look at life through a different mechanism than usual.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. This book is from my personal shelf.