My last 5 reads....

 Heres a short summary of my last 5 reads...... 

Who She Was by Tony Parsons

I loved this storyline, I loved how it was all written from Tom's viewpoint with others views scripted in. I loved the twists and turns and literally gasped out loud towards the end. Brilliantly written and easy to read.

The Cherrywood Murders by Penny Blackwell

Please tell me that there will be more of these books! I absolutely loved this book and storyline, it was easy to read with some humour and unexpected twists and turns along the way. Brilliantly written.

Fear the Silence by Robert Brenda

I loved this book. I couldn't believe how quickly I read it, the chapters are short but so easy to just keep on reading. I liked how the storyline developed and just had to keep reading to find out what actually happened and who was behind it all.
Beach Rivals by Georgie Tilley

This was a nice easy read, and can I just say that it would also be my ideal job!! I found that I quickly fell in love with the sad old book store the same as our main character and couldn't read it quickly enough to see if her and Jack managed to turn it around. A really nice summer read or just a read to get you in that summer mood!

A Death At The Party by Amy Stuart

I really enjoyed this book, I loved how the story unfolded and needed to see exactly what had happened. I liked the fact that we were finding out about the present day storyline s well as the one from 30 years ago. I found it quick to read and well written.

Review: Rise of the Hearts by Antoine Bonner

Well..... I don't really know where to start with this one!!

The story is based around Nathaniel, who is a loser at everything and a loner as he has no friends. He is given the chance to get everything that he wants but that chance comes with a price.

It's definitely a unique storyline which at times is completely unbelievable and at others really quite brilliant!! It took a long time for the storyline to develop and then it felt like no sooner had we finally found out what it was the book ended - rather abruptly for me. 

Its classified as horror/humour and that is true, I just don't however, think that it's for me.

Review: The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland

I loved this book, it tells the story of Ailsa Rae, who has waited many years for a heart transplant..... she gets one but now she has to learn how to live a normal life.

I enjoyed the style that this book was written in, a mix of the past, present, blog posts and emails. all perfectly capturing the emotions that the author is trying to convey. There is happiness, sadness, family drama, romance and humour all brilliantly combined together - with a Tango thrown in too!!

It was great to see how Ailsa developed throughout the book and I must say that I'm sad that the story ended..... I'm hoping we get to hear more from her in a sequel.

Review: You, Me, Everything by Catherine Isaac

The Blurb:

YOU an ME, we have history. We have a child together. We have kept secrets from each other for far too long. This summer, in the beautiful hills of the Dordogne, it is time for EVERYTHING to change.

The Review:

The books focus is on Jess, a single mother who has raised her son, William singlehandedly with some support from her mum & dad. William has had little contact with his father over the years but Jess is pushed into spending the summer with Adam, Williams’ father at his holiday chateau complex in France by her mother. 

The book has humour as well as a deeply moving and important storyline, which portrays things very well. I must praise the author on such a good book, that also raises awareness. 

I will admit that I wasn’t gripped by the book where I felt that I couldn’t stop reading as I needed to find out what happened, but it was well written in such a way that I found myself sitting down and reading several chapters very quickly whilst still taking in the story, in what felt like no time at all. 

It has a good storyline and it was nice to read a well written ‘chick flick’ novel as I call them, with a great balance of sadness, happiness & humour.

Review: Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby

A Woman who is Superstitious to the Core...
A Boy who claims his Parents are Dead...

A Murderer who wants to Silence the Truth of What Happened.

Spare change see’s the story of Olivia Westerly who thinks that eleven is the unluckiest number on earth, children weigh you down and cannot let herself fall in love. She’s managed to avoid marriage for forty years but then along came Charlie Doyle. Newlyweds on they’re honeymoon when disaster strikes, things will never be the same again for Olivia.

In another city far away we see Ethan Allen Doyle, an eleven year old boy who is setting off on a journey to find his grandpa after his parents are found dead. But unfortunately for him there is someone hot on his tails.

This book is written well, it has a strong storyline and I loved the way that the stories ran so well, I soon found myself engrossed into the stories of both Olivia and Ethan. There is many scenes filled with humour and quick wit alongside scenes of sadness and heartbreak, the way the writer has wrote the scenes so beautifully is wonderful.

All in all a good read, I don’t want to give anything away but I was personally abit disappointed with the ending, but that is probably because I’d of liked to of read more

To grab yourself a copy visit: http://www.amazon.com/Spare-Change-ebook/dp/B005SHN43A/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1334523882&sr=1-1

Review: Ghost of a Threat by Beth Dolgner

In this book we meet Betty ’Boo’ Boorman, a paranormal investigator who spends her Saturday nights with ghosts instead of guys! We see her forced to join forces with Carter Lansford from a rival paranormal investigation team, to investigate a spirit with a difference, this leads them to work together on a case where it’s not the spirits that they need to watch out for.

This book isn’t just another Paranormal Romance - it is a Unique Paranormal Romance, which was very refreshing to read. I really enjoyed this book, the storyline was well thought out and instantly gripped me and once I started reading I found I couldn’t stop! There was times when I felt as though I was literally in the scenes with them.

It was brilliantly written and just flowed so well between the paranormal aspects and romance aspects. As well as the paranormal romance there was some humour and action, it really was non-stop - I loved it!!

I cannot wait to read the second instalment of the Betty Boo series and find out what’s in store for her next.

To grab yourself a copy visit: http://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Threat-Hunter-Series-ebook/dp/B0060PYKEQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1334177930&sr=8-2

Review: Drive A Hard Bargain by Ian Ashe

Drive a Hard Bargain is the story of a girl at the wheel, a guy in the trunk and the pair of gold-plated handcuffs that brings them together.

Inez Gold is looking for cash. Her neighbour’s friend is willing to pay handsomely for a simple favour. Combine the two elements—along with a luxury coupe, an unpaid debt and thirty thousand dollars negotiated for services rendered—and you’re off on a wild ride blending humour, crime and a pair of gold-plated handcuffs.

It is a 12,600-word short story which is packed full of action! For a short story it has a lot in there!! It is a great little read which has a good storyline, I enjoyed reading about Inez’s quick thinking and humour, it made me laugh a few times, and I just had to feel sorry for Jack Rooney at times. I almost think that it’s a shame that it’s a short story as I would have been able to read more about the characters. It’s hard to write much more without giving too much away about the story. It’s well worth a read though.

Get a Copy from: http://www.amazon.com/Drive-a-Hard-Bargain-ebook/dp/B006M270VM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Review: Gold Train by Lada Ray

For the fans of The Da Vinci Code and National Treasure comes this gripping new thriller, based on true historic events! 1918: Civil war in Russia. The entire Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire vanishes without a trace. Today: journalist Jade Snow travels to Russia to uncover a dangerous conspiracy, find the world's largest treasure and experience forbidden passion, defying time and space.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - the opening chapter gives us a little insight into the Gold Train in 1918 and then goes to present day where we meet Jade Snow, it’s been her lifelong ambition to visit Russia, a promise she owed to her Grandma’s memory.

I found myself quickly engrossed into this book as I needed to find out the mystery of the Gold Train. I don’t want to give much more away about the plot lines but they were brilliantly written and the story is just fantastic - there is layers that go deeper and deeper as we go along and I just loved it.

I love the relationship between Jade and Alexi - you can sense they’re feelings from that initial meeting as he was her rescuer when she was mugged. This was the start of the real action in the book, I thought the action scenes were once again brilliantly written - especially the one at the station. I also enjoyed the suspense in the book, I just had to carry on reading to get to the end.

I found that the way the author described the scenery and landmarks of Russia was just amazing - it made me want to go and visit myself. I was as interested in reading about the landmarks as I was about the actual storyline!

This book had it all, not only a great mystery, and action but a little romance and even some humour. It really was superb, fast paced and well written. For me it was also one of those books that gets you thinking about things - even after you finish reading.

I really hope that we get to here more from Jade Snow and also Alexi

Grab yourself a copy now: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006NPVTH4/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

Review: Family Jewels by N.L.Wilson

Absolutely Brilliant - A MUST Read

I enjoyed the first book of this series - The Case of The Flashing Fashion Queen and to be honest although I was eager to read the next instalment I was hesitant as I sometimes find that the second one just isn’t as good.

I’m glad to say that I was wrong - this book was brilliant!! I was up until 4am reading this as I just needed to see Dix Dodd our wonderful Private Investigator unfold the mystery.

We start off with Dix in her new office with all new modern gadgets, still with the delightful Dylan as her trusty sidekick. Her new fax machine brings news that her Mother, Katt Dodd is a person of interest in recent jewel thefts at the Wildoh retirement community!! Not to mention the disappearance of Katt’s boyfriend Frankie!

Dix and Dylan set off for Florida - with Mrs P in tow - I laughed so much at the car journey to Florida with Mrs P and her ‘crossword’ clues. There was lots of wit in these scenes, very well written. And also a theme which re-occurs later on in the book.

Once we meet Katt and some of the other resident’s of the Wildoh things really started to get good - plenty of undercover work from both Dix and Dylan - although Dix wasn’t expecting to go undercover on this occasion, I think she did well! There are some great scenes in this book - one of my favourite one’s is Dix in the restaurant with Deputy No Nuts - just brilliant!

As I was reading I was convinced who the jewellery thief was, then changed my mind, and then changed it again!! Maybe its just me assessing each and every one of the new characters with scrutiny but I could see motives in them all!! I did however guess correctly how they were disappearing (once I knew who it was!) So I felt a bit better for that!

I loved the fact that Dix and Dylan get close in the book - I really do hope that they get together soon!!

I was literally laughing out loud towards the end - and at 4am in the morning you know that it’s a good book!! The only problem I have is that I have to wait for the next book in the series - I hope I don’t have to wait long because I’m missing Dix Dodd already!

Go and buy yourself a copy now: http://www.amazon.com/Family-Jewels-Mystery-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B005DRWOEK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323993660&sr=8-1

Review: All Jacked Up by L A Tripp

This fun little read had me literally laughing out loud at one point! It may only be 20,000 words but there sure is some action packed into there.

Our main character Jack is trying to make it on his own but with interfering parents, a work colleague from hell, a crazy stalker and a crush on a librarian he has alot going on in his life!!

Well worth a read and I'm looking forward to reading the next instalment

Go on grab yourself a copy: http://www.amazon.com/All-Jacked-Up-ebook/dp/B0060M6VY6/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1323475819&sr=1-3

Early Review & Contest: Russell Brooks - Chill Run

This book has a great storyline which gets going right from the start. I instantly liked the characters and I thought that Eddie and Corey made a great duo, I very often found myself chuckling at them!

I loved the fact that Eddie was a writer who was trying to get published, I think that the desperation he felt at trying to get published was very true to life and came across as realistic.

I really felt for him when everything started going wrong following the plan that they had come up with. It seems to snowball more and more out of control and keeps you wanting to read more to see how he’s going to get out of it.

I enjoyed the story more and more as it developed but didn’t quite manage to guess the ending, which was a nice surprise.

This book has everything in it: action, drama, humour and romance! It is well written and well worth a read

Russell is giving 10 lucky readers the chance to win a copy of Chill Run - just leave a comment with your email address before November 30, 2011 at 8PM EST
Every email address will be put in a basket and to be sure that the contest is fair and impartial, Clinton (Russell's cat) will select the 10 winners for a free eBook copy of CHILL RUN!

Giveaway has now ENDED please visit Russell's blog to find out who the winners were here: http://www.russellparkway.blogspot.com/2011/12/russell-show-chill-run-contest-winners.html


To purchase a copy visit: http://www.amazon.com/Chill-Run-ebook/dp/B006GIYK42/

Review: The Case of The Flashing Fashion Queen by N.L.Wilson

Loved this, a perfect balance of a good detective story, murder mystery, humour and even a little romance.

Dix Dodd is a Private Investigator who has stepped away from being ‘the girl’ to the men at the office and has branched out on her own, now specialising in discovering cheating spouses with a kick-ass attitude.

I immediately liked Dix, she is a determined lady, determined to prove everyone that doubted her wrong.

The storyline was good and it was fast paced which just made me want to read more and more, I couldn’t reach the end quick enough - I needed to find out!

And I really enjoyed the ending - it was a true Poirot style with everyone gathered together and the wonderful Dix centre stage. Not forgetting her trusted side-kick Dylan. I am left with the question as to whether romance will blossom, and just who was he on the phone to?!!

I liked the quick-witted humour in the book, not only from Dix and Dylan but from some of the other characters too. Each of the characters all played an integral part to the book and I hope that we get to see most of them again.

I really enjoyed reading this book and I will have to continue reading the rest of the Dix Dodd Series

To get your copy visit:  http://amzn.com/B004XT6L8E