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: 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: Finding Justus by Amanda Bretz

I really enjoyed ‘Finding Justus’ the book is the story of Justus Kendall, an interior designer from St. Louis. I can think of nothing worse than going on your honeymoon with your best friend, but that’s the position Justus finds herself in. When she is touring the hotel she is set to re-model she finds her fiancé Alex in one of the hotel suites, with a blonde wrapped in a bed sheet tangled in his arms. A month before her wedding.

So off she goes on her ‘honeymoon’ cruise with her best friend Krystal. Determined to enjoy herself and have a good girly time. Not long into the cruise they sign up for dance lessons and meet Miguel, an extremely good looking Latin dance instructor. I loved these initial scenes, you can see the chemistry between them. Obviously Justus is wary of getting involved with a man, even for just a fling.

It takes some heavy persuasion from Krystal for Justus to even consider meeting him for a drink, once they do she finds herself having to really evaluate her life, what happened in the past, what she wants in the future. It makes you think about your own happiness as well as your reading it which is something that I liked.

I was really willing Justus and Miguel to get together but after spending just one week together on a cruise, it’s time to say good bye. I love the way that this book ended and I would love to find out more about Justus.



Review: Then and Now: The Harmony of the Instantaneous All by Randy Attwood

I enjoyed this book, It tells the story of Stan Nelson and his time at KU in Lawrence, during winter and spring 1969 - 1970, Stan was like the central character in the middle of everyone that was involved in the scenes.

I loved the fact that we were hearing it in Stan’s narrative and the fact that we were going back in time to hear about his experiences and also other characters stories of that time period. I even enjoyed when Stan had to improvise certain characters parts. I particularly enjoyed Charlie’s parts of the story and his romance with Betty. We also had the use of diary extracts from Melvins diary which almost made it feel like you were reading a true story.

There were several romance’s in the book, the main one being with Stan and Yen-Li which then grew into an obsession, and then how he dealt with that. But this book isn’t just all romance, we see riots with police caught in the middle and also causing more trouble!

We also hear about the play that Stan decided to participate in, this was almost like another story in the story and I was glad that we got to ‘see’ the play being acted out. I thought the way the book ended was lovely and was glad to see that Stan would be ok at last.

Review: Heart of Glass by Christy Hayes

I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed the fact that it was almost in two halves, we started off with the past and then moved on to the present.

You can tell right from the very beginning that sparks are going to fly between Danny and Kat, I really enjoyed reading the banter between them when they met. The way they both tried to hold back they're feelings towards each other - I was so pleased when they finally gave in!

The scenes with Danny's brother Kyle were so endearing to read, the author did a wonderful job of getting across just how much Kyle meant to Danny. And I thought that Kat's instant bonding with him was great too. I even found that I enjoyed it when Danny was explaining to Kat how to do the wall ramming - it was just so nice to see them getting closer and Kat really did show an interest.

The abrupt end to Kat and Danny's relationship was one of those points where I found myself going 'noooo' and honestly could not see how the present was going to pan out.

I don't want to give too much more away about the storyline but thought that the second half of the book just accelerated even more. It really is packed full of emotions; anger, hurt, love, passion, regret - it was that well written that as I was reading I literally could feel the emotions. I was hoping and praying that Kate and Danny could have a second chance.

This wasn't just a simple love story, there was more complexity to the storyline than just that, friendships & families and the consequences that they're actions can have as well as the influences they can make on people's lives just to name a few.

The depths in places of the sub story lines were just fantastic, I know I've already mentioned that it was well written but I honestly felt as though I was there living it out with them. The author has really made me feel that I actually know the characters and if I'm honest I'm missing them already! I don't know if there are any plans for us to hear any more from the characters from this book but I really hope that we do.

I also thought the description of the setting and surroundings was fantastic, it was written in such an amazing way that I felt as though I could feel the heat of summer, the breeze of the ocean, even the feel of the warm sand. I literally was there!

This book is definitely a MUST read and also one that you'll want to read over and over again

RUN and grab a copy now: Amazon.co.uk http://amzn.to/vtcbkv Amazon.com http://amzn.to/zJpPf2

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: The Look of Love: The Sullivans, Book 1 by Bella Andre

This book is so full of passion and romance, it starts straight into the story and just flows along nicely. We see our main character Chase driving in a storm, he spots a car in the hedge and then someone walking along the road, stopping to offer his assistance he finds Chloe - soaked wet through, scared, shaken and untrusting - you can tell from there that Chase is going to have his work cut out!

His brothers winery is nearer than a motel so they head there, and then the love story starts to blossom. I love the looks that Chase and Chloe share, the way the author writes perfectly describes those little moments where nothing is said but the words speak volumes.

I enjoyed the fact that there was no chapters going back in time to reveal they’re background stories - we found out about them as they were finding out about each other. This book is loaded with passion throughout. Well written and I loved the ending - I can’t wait to read the next in the Sullivan Series

Review: Midnight Sun by M J Fredrick

A wonderful story full of passion, suspense and action - even with a few pirates thrown in!

I love the way it started with Brylie running out on Marcus and I imagined that the story was going to see him try and track her down - I didn’t imagine that she was going to be the head chef on the boat owned by his family that they have sent him on to try to keep him from getting into trouble. Unfortunately for Marcus, trouble was on it’s was to find him.

I love the first introductory scenes especially when Marcus finds out that Brylie is also the Captains daughter! You can see that there is going to be some really great scenes between them, but I’d never of guessed the amount of action that was about to unfold.

I don’t want to give all the details away but I will say that the action that came as the pirates took over was great, Marcus’s quick thinking managed to keep himself and Brylie out of harms way - but for how long? I enjoyed the early scenes where they were struggling at trying to follow orders from each other as they are both headstrong, independent individuals.

I read this virtually all in one sitting as it’s fast pace and strong storyline just swept me along and I wanted to find out how it ended. I really enjoyed the different genres in this book and think that the author did wonderfully blending them together so well. For me it’s definitely a Must Read
To buy a copy visit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0054QZPD2/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

or http://www.amazon.co.uk/Midnight-Sun-ebook/dp/B0054QZPD2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323194823&sr=8-1

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

Review: In The Presence Of Gods by Vincent Alascia

The storyline to this book is solidly built and flows nicely, there is no wandering off the path to the story, everything written is relevant and builds a strong story.

Theron and Ariadne are the two main characters, they are deeply in love but have been separated by college choices (and their parents!) although at times it seems that their relationship is strong but both have doubts as to whether it will survive across the continents. They luckily have two goddesses to hand to help guide them, I especially liked the scenes where the goddesses came to visit them.

I liked the way that the two goddesses, Aphrodite and Athena were half sisters who had differences of opinions on everything, but that all changed after Zeus’s revelation that threatened to end the world as they all knew it.

I enjoyed the fact that I was reading about the ancient Greek gods in modern times, the setting was very up to date - even including a reference to twitter!

I don’t want to give any more away about the book but found it a very intriguing read, with love, lies and life changing decisions.

To get your copy visit http://amzn.com/B005L9VMWK