Dot Scribbles

Baby Update Number 3!

2012-01-24T11:44:00.000Z

Thought that I would do one last baby update as a few people have asked to see some pictures of the nursery now that we have finally finished decorating etc! Baby Scribbles is due tomorrow but I'm not convinced that she will be on time as she seems quite comfy in there at the moment.
As you can see we have gone quite pink with the nursery (this was down to Dr S, not me) so we are in quite big trouble if the sonographer got it wrong! Think it would have to be a 60 minute makeover situation!
I think we are as ready as we are going to be, I'm so pleased with the nursery, my lovely sister and her husband gave us so much help with it and I think she will be very happy in there!
As you can see there are some books on the shelves already but I am pretty sure that these will be added to, I can't wait to read to her and introduce her to lots of exciting and magical characters.

Hopefully the next baby update will be letting you know about her arrival so watch this space!

Book Review: Never Mind the Botox: Rachel PLUS Author Interview

2012-01-23T13:01:00.000Z

Never Mind the Botox is a series about four professional women all working on the sale of a high profile cosmetic surgery business, The Beau Street Group. Each book reveals how the women cope with one of the most glamorous but challenging deals of their careers and the dramatic impact it has on their personal lives. With a briefcase in one hans and a glass of wine in the other, can they navigate their way through a surreal world of boob jobs by day and intrigue by night- and still keep their own love lives on track?
Rachel Altman is a corporate financier with a prestigious accounting firm who's desperately trying to keep on the straight and narrow. Hopelessly led astray by her bar diving boyfriend, she gets the chance to turn things around when her boss gives her the break she's been waiting for. But when the deal doesn't go as planned Rachel panics, sparking off a chain of betrayal and lies that threatens to ruin both her love life and her career.

Rachel is the second book in The Never Mind the Botox series. I read the first book, Alex last year and really enjoyed it. Rachel is the corporate financier working on The Beau Street Group deal. The books are not sequels so you don't need to read them in order; the idea is that each book deals with a different female character working on the same deal at the same time. Joanna Berry qualified as a solicitor and Penny Avis as an accountant so they both bring their knowledge and experience of the corporate business world to the writing process. Rachel, like Alex in the previous book is trying to juggle a high powered career with her personal life. I think that is what makes these books to refreshing; the fact that they are extremely realistic. I have to say that I didn't take to Rachel as much as I did Alex as i don't feel as though I got to know her as well.
I think that this is a really interesting series in that it is offering something new to the chick lit genre; the books are entertaining with a good pace and they are not afraid to portray realistic, strong, driven women having a career and a fulfilling personal life.

Dot Scribbles Rating 4/5

Many thanks to the lovely people at Midas PR for sending me a copy of the book to review.

I was also lucky enough to interview Penny Avis and Joanna Berry, here's what they had to say:

1. Do you have a personal favourite out of the four books?

We designed all four stories before we started writing any of the books and found it very hard to choose between them, as we made sure that we divided our favourite story lines between them! It would be like having to choose between our children!That said, we get very passionate about each book as it is published so we are both totally in ‘Rachel mode’ at the moment.

2. Do you have any disagreements when writing the books, if so how do you come to a joint decision and move on?

We had debates rather than disagreements. We always tried to look at things from a reader’s perspective, rather than from one or other of our viewpoints. Our commercial backgrounds meant that we were both used to taking criticism and looking at things very objectively, which also helped. We also tended to defer to whoever felt more passionate about the point and that helped us move on quickly.

3. You both lead very busy and successful lives, just like the women in your books, what do you do in order to relax and get away from it all?

We both love to spend time with our families. Children are a great reminder of what’s really important, so we don’t take things too seriously. We also spend time with friends, exercise as much as we can and do plenty of partying!

4. Congratulations on the TV series, will you be involved in the development of it etc?

Thank you and yes, which is great for a couple of control freaks like us! We have signed a joint venture agreement as partners with Future Films, rather than just signed over the rights to the books. So we’ll be involved every step of the way.

If you would like to find out more about these books or the author's themselves then check out their website here.

New to Dot Scribbles Shelves

2012-01-19T15:20:00.000Z

I have received so many great books recently! I only have a week to go until the baby is due so I am trying to read as quickly as possible and hopefully I will get back into it quite quickly once she has arrived. Anyway here are some of the books that I have received recently, let me know your thoughts on any of them:

Pear Shaped by Stella Newman (Avon, 26th January) Sophie Klein walks into a bar one Friday night and her life changes. She meets James Stephens; charismatic, elusive, and with a hosiery model ex who casts a long, thin shadow over their burgeoning relationship. He's clever, funny and shares her greatest pleasure in life: to eat and drink slightly too much and then have a little lie down. Sophie's instinct tells her James is too good to be true- and he is. An exploration of love, heartbreak and lots of food. Pear Shaped is in turns smart, laugh-out-loud funny and above all, recognizable to women everywhere.

All the Single Ladies by Jane Costello (Simon and Schuster, 2nd February) Samantha Brooks' boyfriend Janie is a loving , intelligent and, while he isn't perfect, he's perfect for her- in every way except one: he's a free spirit. And after six years in one place. doing a job he despises, he is compelled to do something that will tear apart his relationship with Same: book a one-way flight to South America. But Sam isn't giving up without a fight. She has three months to persuade him to do the right thing. So, with the help of her friends Ellie and Jen, she hatches a plan to make him realize what he's giving up. A plan that involves dirty tricks, plotting and a single aim: to win him back. But by the time the tortured Jamie finally wakes up to what he's lost, a gorgeous new pretender has entered Sam's life. Which begs the question... does she still want him back?

The Angel at No. 33 by Polly Williams (Headline Review, 2nd February) Sophie cannot leave the people she loves. Her husband, Ollie- a man who once watered a houseplant for a year before realising it was plastic- is lost without her. Their son Freddie is so little. And her friend Jenny? There's something she desperately needs to know before it's too late.

Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead (Bantam Books, 2nd February) The Otherworld, a mystic land inextricably linked to our own- and balanced precariously on one woman's desperate courage...
Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markam strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld... The spell-driven source of the blight isn't the only challenge to Eugenie's instincts. Fairy King Dorian is sacrificing everything to help, but Eugenie can't trust the synergy drawing them back together. The uneasy truce between her and her shape-shifter ex-lover Kiyo is endangered by secrets he can't- or won't- reveal. And as a formidable force rises to threaten the human world, Eugenie must use her own cursed fate as a weapon- and risk the ultimate sacrifice...

The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich (Ebury Press, 16th February) Hannah Levi is famed throughout Venice for her skills as a midwife but, as a Jew, the law forbids her from attending a Christian woman. However, when the Conti di Padovani appears at her door in the dead of the night to demand her services, Hannah's compassion is sorely tested. And with the handsome reward he is offering she could ransom back her imprisoned husband. But if she fails in her endeavours to save mother and child, will she be able to save herself, let alone her husband?

Between a Mother and her Child by Elizabeth Noble (Michael Joseph, 16th February) For Maggie and Bill it was love at first sight... One impulsive wedding later and with the arrival of three perfect children, Jake, Aly and Stan, the Barrett family seem to have it all. Until the day their world stops turning. When Jake dies suddenly, they're swept away on a tide of grief that fractures Maggie and Bill's marriage. She and the children are left clinging to the wreckage of their family. And they need help, because in her grief Maggie is in danger of losing Aly and Stan too. Enter Kate, housekeeper, companion and shoulder to cry on. She's here to pick up the pieces and fix what isn't completely broken. But can Maggie trust Kate? And why is Kate so keen to help? When Bill falls for another woman, Maggie realizes she will have to fight to put her family back together- but will they still want her?

77 Shadow Street by Dean Koontz (Harper Collins) The Pendleton stands on the summit of Shadow Hill, a palace built in the late 19th century as a tycoon's dream home. But its grandeur has been scarred by episodes of madness, suicide and mass murder. Since being converted into luxury apartments in the '70's, however, the Pendleton has been at peace. For it's fortunate residents- among them ex-marine Bailey Hawk, songwriter Twyla Trahern and her young son Winny- the Pendleton is a sanctuary, its dark past all but forgotten. But now inexplicable shadows caper across walls, security cameras relay impossible images, phantom voices mutter in strange tongues, not-quite human figures lurk in the basement, elevators plunge into unknown depths. It seems that whatever drove past occupants to their unspeakable fates is at work again. As nightmare visions become real, a group of extraordinary individuals hold the key to humanity's destiny.

Book Review: The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

2012-01-18T09:10:00.002Z

Welcome to Walls of Water, North Carolina, where secrets are thicker than the town's famous fog.
Once upon a time, Willa Jackson's family owned the beautiful house on top of the ridge. Now it symbolises her family's ruin and a legacy Willa longs to escape from.
Paxton Osgood also yearns to break free, especially from her parents' expectations and the heartbreak of unrequited love. Desperate for a distraction, she decides to restore the empty mansion to its former glory. But the discovery of a long buried secret, a friendship that defies time, and a touch of magic, will transform both women's lives in ways they could ever have expected.

I haven't read anything by Sarah Addison Allen before but I found The Peach Keeper really interesting. The book is set in North Carolina and centres around the characters of Willa Jackson and Paxton Osgood, two females with very different characters. Paxton has been restoring The Blue Ridge Madam, the big house overlooking the town, she wants to use it's grand re-opening as a hotel to celebrate the town's womens' society of which her grandmother and Willa's were founding members. For Willa, the old house represents the troubles in her family's past. The Jacksons used to own the house and it is something that Willa would rather not be reminded of. However, a human skull is discovered under the old peach tree in the grounds of the house and Willa and Paxton's surviving grandmother's suddenly have a lot of questions to answer.
I did find this book really interesting, I think it was the mysterious events of the past that kept me reading rather than what was happening in the present. For some reason I didn't really take to either Paxton or Willa as characters but I still enjoyed the strong theme of friendship that the author explored through these two women.
The Peach Keeper is extremely well written and Sarah Addison Allen is very good at presenting dysfunctional people and relationships. I wish I had taken to the main characters a little more but this won't put me off trying the author's other books.

Dot Scribbles rating: 3.5/5

Many thanks to Hodder for sending me a copy of the book to review, The Peach Keeper is published on Thursday 17th January.

Book Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

2012-01-16T12:34:00.001Z

They say that the cure for love will make me happy and safe forever. And I've always believed them. Until now. Now everything has changed. Now I'd rather be infected with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live hundreds of years suffocated by a lie.
There was a time when love was the most important thing in the world. People would go to the end of the earth to find it. Even kill for it. Then at last they found the cure.

Wow is the only word I could think of when reading this book. I have no idea why it has taken me so long to get round to reading it but it is a book that will be staying on my shelves forever.
Our protagonist is Lena Haloway and she in ninety-five days from the cure. The cure for Amor Deliria Nervosa, otherwise known as love. Lena lives in a quite similar looking world to our own but in this world love is a disease that people are routinely cured of by their eighteenth birthdays. Lena's older sister has had the operation which removes part of the brain and is now living her life as one of the cured. Lena's mother is not spoken about; she received the procedure three times but again and again it failed. She took her own life, Lena is counting down the days until her own procedure as then she will be safe.
However, Lena does not bargain on meeting Alex. She does not plan on becoming sick with the Deliria but suddenly she is no longer counting down the days to her procedure with excitement but with abject horror instead. How will she live forever without this feeling, without Alex and all he has come to mean to her?
This book just blew me away. It is a fantastic concept and expertly delivered by Lauren Oliver. Although officially young adult fiction, this book is definitely one that is capable of crossing over. Oliver's writing is truly beautiful and I felt that she conveyed love in so many different ways. It is not just about love for another person but a love of life, beauty, music, literature and so many other things that we take for granted every single day.
Lena is an extremely interesting character, her reaction to Alex is fascinating; she has had so much fear instilled in her about falling in love that she is almost frightened of him at first. But in some ways love really is like a disease as when it truly happens, you are powerless to stop it. Alex is also a great character and entirely believable. I liked the fact that Lauren Oliver did not try to over sell him as some YA authors seem to do with their male characters. Alex is very ordinary, he loves Lena even though he is aware of the danger that places them both in.
I can't really say much more about this book without giving the plot away. I do urge you to read it though. It has made me think so much since I finished it and i don't think that a book that has the ability to do that should be missed.

Dot Scribbles Rating 5/5

Book Review: Belle by Lesley Pearse

2012-01-10T12:56:00.000Z

She witnessed a murder- and now her life is in danger...
Fifteen year-old bell, though raised in a London brothel, is an innocent. But when she witnesses one of the girls brutally strangled by a client, she is cast into a cruel, heartless world. Snatched from the streets and sold into prostitution, she is made a courtesan in New Orleans. At the mercy of desperate men who crave her beauty and will do anything to keep her, Belle dreams of home, family and freedom appear futile.
Are Belle's courage and spirit strong enough to help her escape? And what will await her at the end of the long, dangerous journey home?

This book was recommended to me by the lovely Lou Graham whose blog you can find here. I had received The Promise which is the sequel for review and I asked on Twitter if I needed to read Belle first. Lou said yes and that it was her favourite book of 2011, after reading it for myself, I can understand why.
Lesley Pearse sets Belle's story in 1910 and when we meet Belle she is living in her mother's brothel in the notorious Seven Dials in London. At 15, Belle is innocently unaware of what goes on upstairs in her mother's house until one fateful night when she witnesses the violent murder of Millie by the hands of one of her customers. On realisation that Belle is a witness, the murderer snatches her off the street and sells her into prostitution, initially in France and then bawdy New Orleans. What follows is two parallel stories; on the one hand we follow Belle and her terrifying ordeal and on the other hand we stay with the people who she leaves behind and the struggles they face to try and get her back.
I enjoyed both sides of the story equally, they are linked by the world of prostitution at the time and the danger and corruption involved. Mog is Belle's mother's maid but she pretty much brought Belle up and views her as her daughter. Mog is relentless in her mission to find Belle and enlists the help of Jimmy who is a friend of Belle's and Noah, an investigator and journalist who was close to the murdered Millie. These three demonstrate their loyalty and love for Belle by placing themselves in danger and never giving up on their search.
Belle's ordeal is quite difficult to read about at times. Lesley Pearse provides some very graphic descriptions of what Belle endures at the hands of some very violent and desperate men. It is evident just how much research has gone into this book and I found the events described in Paris, London and New Orleans to be fascinating.
Belle is long at just under 600 pages but I flew through it. Lesley Pearse has a great way of leaving you wanting more at the end of each chapter.
Belle is a great book and I can't wait to find out what happens to her next in The Promise and to also try some of Lesley Pearse's other books as she certainly knows how to deliver a good story.

Dot Scribbles Rating 5/5

Book Review: Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

2012-01-07T16:04:00.001Z

It's not every day that a gorgeous guy carrying a sword kneels right at your feet. Especially not in the car park of an ice cream parlour in front of all your friends. They may be impressed, but Eloise Hart is mortified. And that's before he vows to protect her from a faery king! But Eloise soon comes to realise that Lord Strathan, King of Faery, is a very real danger. Abducted and trapped in his underground Rath, she is used as a lure for Strathan's wife, her aunt Antonia- the only person with the power to end his tyrannical rule.
With the help of best friends Jo an Devin, Eloise must find a way to rescue her aunt and save both Faery and the mortal world from unimaginable chaos. But at what cost?

I know that book reviews should mainly be about the content but I can't not talk about the cover to Stolen Away as I love it. I think that Alyxandra Harvey always has quite eye catching covers but I think this is by far her best.
I have read all of this author's books and enjoyed each one, especially Haunting Violet which was her first venture into historical fiction. Stolen Away is dealing with the world of fairies and I have to admit that they are not my favourite subject matter in paranormal fiction. I can handle vampires and werewolves but I always seem to find fairies a step too far. However, I still enjoyed this book and I think that is largely due to the author. Alyxandra Harvey writes young adult fiction really well and Stolen Away is no different. I think that she is very good at exploring relationships and my favourite element of the book was the dynamic between Eloise, Jo and Devin. Their friendship is consistently tried and tested. As usual, Alyxandra Harvey also offers a little bit of romance, Lucas and Eldric are the love interests in Stolen Away and that was the other part that I enjoyed.
If you have read and enjoyed Alyxandra Harvey's books in the past then don't miss out on this one as the writing is as good as ever. For someone, who unlike me, enjoys the whole fictional fairy world then I imagine they would love this book as it has a little bit of everything. Alyxandra Harvey has shown once again that she is not afraid to tackle new subject areas, it will be exciting to see what she does next.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 3.5/5

Many thanks to Bloomsbury for sending me a copy of this book to review, Stolen Away was published on 5th January 2012.

Book Review: The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen

2012-01-03T17:00:00.001Z

Can you really see evil when you look into someone's eyes?
In a rundown house, a woman has been dismembered in an act of carnage that leaves veteran cops in shock. Drawn on the wall, in blood, are ancient symbols, and a mirror-image word in Latin, that, transcribed says 'I have sinned'.
Then a second woman is found butchered on Beacon Hill, just outside the home of the leader of the Mephisto Club, a secret society dedicated to the study of evil. On the door yet more ancient symbols have been scrawled. This is evil that the Boston PD have never encountered before. And the only way Dr Maura Isles can defeat it is by turning to the people who understand the devil himself.

The Mephisto Club is the 6th book in the Rizzoli and Isles series and it is by far my favourite. I can't believe how much I have enjoyed this series of books, Tess Gerritsen just keeps on getting better and better!

I think that this book is darker than the previous ones. I felt that parts of it were verging on horror rather than the crime/thriller genre. Tess Gerritsen does not hold back when describing murder scenes and in my opinion she is one of the best at creating and maintaining the tension throughout a book.

Dr Maura Isles and Jane Rizzoli team up once again but there is tension in the air as Rizzoli does not approve of Maura's developing relationship with Father Daniel Brophy. The discordance in their relationship affects the investigation in that Maura is drawn into the Mephisto Club more than she would normally have allowed herself to be. The club studies evil and the person that Isles and Rizzoli are chasing, could definitely be described as that. The victims are found in appalling states, surrounded by words and symbols that lead back to the devil himself. It is clear that the murderer has only just begun but how are they going to catch him when he may not even be human?

I have said in all of my reviews of this series how much I have enjoyed them. Each book has had me gripped from beginning to end; if you are looking for a new crime series to try then check out Tess Gerritsen, she's one of the best.

Dot Scribbles Rating 5/5

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T01:30:00.000Z

Happy New Year everyone! I wish you all the best in 2012! It's going to be a pretty big year here at Dot Scribbles as we are expecting our first baby in just over three weeks! Normally I like to make some kind of reading resolution but this year I am just hoping to read and blog as much as I possibly can. A few people have already assumed that I will stop blogging once the baby arrives but that is definitely not my plan. I am sure that there will be days when the last thing I feel like doing is picking up a book or writing a blog post but reading is such a huge part of my life and as I have said before, this blog has opened up a whole new world to me! So please bear with me in 2012, it may be a little bit of a bumpy start but normal service will hopefully resume at some point!

Dot

xxx

Book Review: Breakfast at Darcy's by Ali McNamara

2011-12-30T12:47:00.000Z

When Darcy McCall loses her beloved Aunt Molly, she doesn't expect any sort of inheritance- let alone a small island! Located off the west coast of Ireland, Tara hasn't been lived on for years, but according to Molly's will, Darcy must stay there for twelve months in order to fully inherit. It's a big shock. And she's even more shocked to hear she needs to persuade a village full of people to settle there too.
Darcy must leave behind her independent city life and swap stylish heels for muddy wellies. Between sorting everything from the plumbing to the pub, she meets confident, charming Conor and sensible, stubborn Dermot but who will make her feel really at home?

I didn't get chance to read Ali McNamara's first book but my sister did and she loved it so I was really looking forward to trying Breakfast at Darcy's. My sister obviously has very good taste in books as Ali McNamara is brilliant and Breakfast at Darcy's is a great read.
I loved the whole idea of the book and I think the author has been very clever. All of the characters have been taken out of their comfort zones when they are put on the island and they all change so much during the book; obviously this makes for very entertaining reading. Darcy McCall is central to it all, she has to make Tara work and get everyone to pull together even though she has only just met most of the characters. Darcy is particularly likable and I enjoyed reading about what she was getting up to. Her relationships with Conor and Dermot add a romantic side to the book and there are quite a few surprises towards the end.
Ali McNamara's writing is extremely witty, life on Tara gives the reader many funny moments and although the book is set on a tiny remote island, the author makes sure that there is plenty going on to interest the reader.
My only gripe with this book has nothing to do with the writing; it's the front cover that I don't understand. Whilst it is lovely looking, I don't think it gives the reader any idea of what this book is about. This might just be me though and I didn't have any issues with the book itself.
I am going to have to get Ali McNamara's first book now and I enjoyed this one so much, I wonder what she will write next?

Dot Scribbles Rating 4.5/5

Many thanks to the lovely people at Sphere for sending me a copy of Breakfast at Darcy's, it is available now.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T01:22:00.003Z

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope that your day is filled with all things festive and that hopefully there are one or two books waiting under the tree!

Book Review: Miracle on Regent Street by Ali Harris

2011-12-23T10:01:00.000Z

For the past two years, Evie Taylor has lived an invisible existence in London, a city she hoped would bring sparkle to her life. But all that is about to change. For winter has brought a flurry of snow and unexpected possibilities. Hidden away in the basement of Hardy's- once London's most elegant department store- Evie manages the stockroom of a shop whose glory days have long since passed.
When Evie overhears that Hardy's is at risk of being sold, she secretly hatches a plan. If she can reverse the store's fortunes by December 26th- three weeks away and then transform it into a magical destination once again, she might just be able to save it. But she's going to need every ounce of talent and determination she has, in fact, she's going to need a miracle.

This book is simply magical! I started in yesterday and finished it first thing this morning, I just didn't want to put it down.
Ali Harris has written a wonderful story about love, family, loyalty, friendship and most importantly following your dreams. Evie Taylor is instantly likeable; she has worked in the stockroom of Hardy's for more than two years but most of the staff don't even know her real name. This all changes when Evie learns that Hardy's is under threat. She comes up with a plan to save the store but to do this she is going to have to leave the stockroom and show everyone what she's really made of.
Throw into the mix Joel, the gorgeous American who has come to review Hardy's accounts; Sam the delivery guy who would perhaps like to more than good friends; her sister who is convinced that her husband is having an affair and a father that Evie feels she will never please. There are so many lovely characters in this book, especially those who work in the store; it is great to see how Evie brings them all together.
Hardy's is at the centre of the book and I loved imagining how it would look as Evie worked her magic. I couldn't help thinking that this book would make a great Christmas film; it's such a heart-warming story with lots of magical elements.
I can't recommend this book enough, Ali Harris's writing is superb. Don't let the book's festive theme put you off reading it in the new year. Reading it at Christmas time is a bonus but it would still be a great read at any time of the year. I was also very excited to read that Ali has a new book out in 2010 called The First Last Kiss, if it is anywhere near as good as this one then we are in for a treat.

Dot Scribbles Rating 5/5

Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of this book to review, it is available now.

Book Review: Postcards from the Heart by Ella Griffin

2011-12-22T13:41:00.000Z

Saffy has a dream job at a top Dublin ad agency. She's got her high-maintenance purple-boot-wearing mother at a safe distance. And she thinks her actor boyfriend Greg- the next Colin Farrell is going to propose.
Conor worships the beautiful Jess. But after seven years and twins, she still won't marry him. He spends his days teaching terrifying teenager and his nights writing the book he hopes will change everything- including her mind.
But happy endings are playing very hard to get...

Postcards from the Heart is one of my favourite books of 2011. Marian Keyes describes Ella Griffin as a 'fresh, funny voice' and I think she is spot in, I think Ella Griffin will be an author to watch out for in 2012!
The book revolves around Saffy and her relationship with Greg and then the relationship of Conor and Jess. Saffy would like nothing more than for her actor boyfriend Greg to propose but things don't go to plan and Saffy's life is turned upside down.
Conor and Jess are settled with their twins but Connor has his sights set on more. He would love for Jess to be his wife but she is having none of it. Writing by night and teaching by day, Conor is chasing his dream of being a published author. However, his dreams are not shared by all of those around him and he is running out of the effort needed to convince them.
I think that Postcards from the Heart has a great balance of humour and poignancy. I had several laugh out loud moments but also felt that the characters had enough depth for me to want to invest my emotions in them.
Of the two female characters, I liked Saffy a lot more than Jess. I felt that Jess was quite selfish and at times I was questioning why Conor thought she was so wonderful. I think this just added to my enjoyment of the book though as predictable, likable characters can become a little boring.
I think that Ella Griffin has written a really lovely book that explores different types of relationships including those between friends also those between parents and their children. There was a lot going on in the book but I felt that the author tied the sub-plots together very well. The different story lines meant that the books had a really good pace; I always wanted to read on to the next chapter in order to find out what was going to happen next.
I am very excited by Ella Griffin's writing. I hope that she has many more books to offer in the future as I know I would definitely buy them.

Dot Scribbles Rating 4.5/5

Many thanks to Ella for sending me a copy of her book to review, Postcards from the Heart is published by Orion and is available now.

Book Review: Trapped by Michael Northrop

2011-12-20T21:29:00.001Z

The day the blizzard started, no one knew that it was going to keep snowing for a week. That for those in its path, it would become not just a matter of keeping warm, but of staying alive.
Scotty and his friends are among the last seven kids at their high school waiting to get picked up that day and they soon realise that no one is coming to get them. Still, it doesn't seem so bad to spend the night at school, especially when Krista and Julie are sleeping just down the hall.
But then the power goes out, then the heat. The pipes freeze and the roof shudders. As the days add up the snow piles higher and the empty halls grow colder and darker, the mounting pressure forces a devastating decision.

I really liked the sound of this book and thought that the striking simplicity of the cover was excellent too. Scotty and his friends are the last seven kids left at the school. The rest of the kids went home when the blizzard started but this lot are still waiting for someone to come and get them. At first it seems like a big adventure, a bit of fun, but the snow gradually gets higher and higher, then the lights and the heat go out. What of no one is coming, how long can they really last in the freezing cold conditions?
I think that Michael Northrop's idea for this YA book is excellent and in the main, I really enjoyed reading it. Northrop really captures the many different emotions, the initial excitement and then the fear begins to kick in. The only thing that I struggled with was the pace, there were a few parts in the book where hardly anything happened and then the pace would suddenly pick up again. I felt that the author was extremely good at giving the reader the feeling of being trapped; the descriptions of the snow building up and taking the light with it really creeped me out.
Overall, I think this book was very good and YA readers will love it. It's one of those books that puts you in a situation and makes you wonder how you would handle it, how would you survive? It's perfect for this time of year so curl up and give it a go.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 3.5/5

Many thanks to Atom for sending me a copy of this book to review, Trapped is published on December 22nd.

New to Dot Scribbles Shelves

2011-12-09T12:29:00.001Z

There have been some lovely books dropping through the letter box over the last couple of weeks. I have read 87 books so far this year and was hoping to get to 100 so we shall have to see! Some of these will hopefully help me on my way:

Trapped by Michael Northrop (Atom, 22nd December) The day the blizzard started, no one knew that it was going to keep snowing for a week. Scott and his friends are among the last seven kids at their school waiting to get picked up that day and they soon realize that no one is coming for them. Still, it doesn't seem so bad to spend the night there, especially when Krista and Julie are sleeping just down the hall. Then the power goes out. Then the heat. The pipes freeze. The roof shudders. As the days add up, the snow piles higher, the empty halls grow colder and darker and the mounting pressure forces a devastating decision...
I think I am going to read this next, it sounds ever so good!

Scissors Paper Stone by Elizabeth Day (Bloomsbury, 2nd February 2012) Charles Redfern is in a coma. As he lies motionless, his wife Anne and daughter Charlotte are forced to come together to confront their relationships with him- and with each other.
Anne, once regarded as beautiful and clever, has felt herself disappearing for years, paling besides her husband's harsh brilliance. Anxious to fit in with the expectations of the people around her, she keeps her disillusionment buried inside, mechanically attending the endless round of drinks parties and dinners in her keenly social neighbourhood, and trying to ignore the guilt that trails behind her like a shadow.
Charlotte, battling an inner darkness that threatens to overwhelm her, is desperate to prevent her relationship with not-yet-divorced Gabriel from disintegrating through her own self-sabotage.
As the full truth of Charles's hold over them emerges into the light, both women must come to terms with the choices they have made, and the uncertainty of a future without the figure that has dominated them for so long.
This sounds so good, really looking forward to it.

Rivals in the Tudor Court by Darcey Bonnette (Avon) As the daughter of the Duke of Buckingham, the future seems bright for Elizabeth Stafford. But when her father give her hand to Thomas Howard, third Duke of Norfolk, she must sacrifice all for duty. Yet Elizabeth is surprised by her passion for her powerful new husband. And when he takes on a mistress, she is determined to fight for her love and her honour...
Naive and vulnerable, Bess Holland is easily charmed by the Duke of Norfolk, succumbing to his every whim in exchange for gifts and adoration. For years, she and Elizabeth compete for his affections. But they are mere spectators to an obsession neither of them can rival: Norfolk's quest to weave the family name in to the royal bloodline.
This sounds fantastic, bit like the Tudors.

The Promise by Lesley Pearse (Michael Joseph, 19th January 2012) London, 1914: Belle Reilly finally has the life she always dreamed of; a devoted husband in Jimmy and a hat-shop of her own. But as WW1 shatters peace and Jimmy enlists for the army, Belle realises she can no longer stand by but must volunteer to help the cause. Her work as a Red Cross ambulance driver in France throws her back into the path- and arms of Etienne, the enigmatic man who played such a significant role in her childhood and Belle finds herself torn between loyalty and passion. But the past returns to haunt her in other, more unpleasant ways and Belle's character is tested like never before. Can she survive this most brutal of wars with her spirit intact and will destiny finally lead her to lasting happiness?
I haven't read anything by this author so I am interested in giving her a go.

Postcards from the Heart by Ella Griffin (Orion) Saffy has a dream job at a top Dublin ad agency. She's got her high-maintenance, purple-boot wearing mother at a safe distance. And she thinks her actor boyfriend Greg- the next Colin Farrell- is finally going to propose. Conor worships the beautiful Jess. But after seven years and twins, she still won't marry him. He spends his days teaching terrifying teenagers and his nights writing the book he hopes will change everything- including her mind. But happy endings are playing hard to get...
I think this sounds really promising and Marian Keyes enjoyed it so I will be shocked if I don't!

The Two Week Wait by Sarah Rayner (Picador, 2nd February 2012) What if the one thing you most longed for was resting on a two week wait? After a health scare, Brighton-based Lou is forced to confront the fact that her time to have a baby is running out. She can't imagine a future without children, but her partner doesn't seem to feel the same way, and she's not sure whether she could go it alone. Meanwhile, up in Yorkshire, Cath is longing to start a family with her husband Rich. No one would be happier to have a child than Rich but Cath is infertile. Could these strangers help one another out?
I was really impressed by this author's last book One Moment, One Morning and this one looks just as interesting and thought provoking.

If you have read any of these or heard anything good/ bad then let me know!

Book Review: The Stag and Hen Weekend by Mike Gayle

2011-12-06T08:19:00.001Z

Phil is thrilled that Helen has finally accepted his proposal, even though he practically had to bully her into it. But before the big day, there's still one last ordeal to overcome: His stag weekend in Amsterdam. Because even with his mates all pushing forty, it's guaranteed to be less about clogs and tulips and more about getting off their faces and trawling bars for girls.
But when Phil gets talking to one such girl, everything changes: not because he fancies her, or even because she's pretty but because they have much in common, even if neither of them knows it yet.
Helen loves her boyfriend Phil, so why with a week to go has she yet to buy her wedding dress? Convinced it's a case of cold feet, she lets her friend Yaz talk her into celebrating with a Hen weekend at a luxury spa hotel.
Arriving at The Manor, Helen is expecting a weekend of champagne, pampering and laughs with old friends. The one thing she hasn't planned for is running into her ex-fiance, the man who broke her heart, the man who has a secret he's desperate the share.
Told as two separate stories that have implications for both Helen and Phil's future happiness, The Stag and Hen weekend is a fresh and original story of a couple trying to get it right and all too often getting it spectacularly wrong.

The Stag and Hen Weekend is a really good read and I love the idea of having two books in one. It took me a while to decide which half to start first but I decided that I have never and will never go on a stag weekend so thought I would see what that was all about first. And I have to admit that I enjoyed Phil's half of the book more than Helen's, I'm not sure why but I liked him a lot more as a character.
Mike Gayle keeps a good pace throughout, I was worried that I would find Helen's story repetitive after reading Phil's as there are certain points where they are together. However, this just didn't happen, instead you get to know both characters extremely well. They are both having doubts about the wedding and this concept gives you both of their perspectives where as normally you just get one half of the story in a book like this.
I have said in the past that I don't read a lot of books by male authors but Mike Gayle has once again shown me that I am clearly missing out. It was really refreshing to have a male central character as well as a female. In most of the books I read, the male is the support character or a plot device but as I said I actually found Phil's story more entertaining.
I have read and enjoyed a couple of this author's other books in the past but this one is definitely my favourite. It is a very clever idea and I think that The Stag and Hen weekend will appeal to many readers.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

May thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for sending me a copy of this book to review. It is published in February 2012.

Book Review: The Night Before Christmas by Scarlett Bailey

2011-11-28T09:08:00.001Z

All Lydia's ever wanted is a perfect Christmas...
So when her oldest friends invite her to spend the holidays with them, it seems like a dream come true. She's been promised log fires, roasted chestnuts, her own weight in mince pies- all in a setting that looks like a Christmas card.
But her winter wonderland is ruined with she finds herself snowed in with her current boyfriend, her old flame and a hunky stranger. Well, three (wise) men is traditional at this time of year...

I knew that this book was going to be good when it arrived in a pink box with chocolate and a bottle of Baileys! Scarlett Bailey has written a really lovely book that is perfect for curling up with at this time of year.
The Night Before Christmas revolves around the character of Lydia. She finds an engagement ring in her boyfriend Stephen's sock drawer so she knows about one of her Christmas surprises already. They are spending Christmas with Lydia's oldest friends and Lydia can't wait, she has always wanted a perfect Christmas with all the trimmings and this is exactly what she has been promised. But things do not get off to a good start; they become snowed in within hours of arriving, so Lydia is trapped with an ex-boyfriend, a rather gorgeous looking stranger and a boyfriend she perhaps doesn't want to marry.
This is Scarlett Bailey's debut novel but the writing just seems effortless, the story flows really well and she is not afraid to throw in the odd surprise along the way. Christmas is a great time of year to set a book, we are often thrown into situations with people who we don't spend a massive amount of time with and everyone makes the most of it as they don't want to be the one that spoils Christmas.Lydia is in a really difficult position; she does not want to hurt Stephen or ruin his Christmas but surely she can't accept a proposal from a man she no longer loves. Throw into that the ex-boyfriend with whom she had one of the most intense relationships of her life. Plus the gorgeous stranger snowed in with them, there is something about him that Lydia can't ignore so she is stuck with three men and no escape route in sight.
The Night Before Christmas will definitely get you in the festive mood and I can't wait to see what Scarlett Bailey has to offer in 2012.

Dot Scribbles Rating 4/5

Many thanks to Ebury Press for sending me a copy of the book to review, it is out now!

Book Review: Build A Man by Talli Roland

2011-11-23T09:38:00.001Z

How far would you go to create the perfect partner?
Slave to the rich, rude and deluded, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland longs for the day she's a high-flying tabloid reporter. Unfortunately, every pitch she sends out disappears like her clients' liposuctioned fat, never to be seen again. Then she meets Jeremy Ritchie- the hang-dog man determined to be Britain's Most Eligible Bachelor by making himself over from head to toe and everything in-between, giving Serenity a story no editor could resist.
With London's biggest tabloid on board and her very own column tracking Jeremy's progress from dud to dude, Serenity is determined to be a success, even going undercover to gain intimate access to Jeremy's life. But when Jeremy's surgery goes drastically wrong and Serenity is ordered to cover all the car-crash goriness, she must decide how far she really will go for her dream job.

Talli Roland has done it again! This is the third book that I have read by this author and I think she just gets better and better. Build A Man is very different from The Hating Game and Watching Willow Watts but you always know that you will get an entertaining story with this author.
Serenity is so determined to succeed as a journalist; she cannot believe her luck when Jeremy comes along; he is the perfect subject to write about. Yet as the story develops and Serenity gets to know Jeremy, she begins to question just how far she will go for success but the problem is, she may have already gone too far.
I really enjoyed the cosmetic surgery setting in this book, the clients that Serenity encountered brought a lot of humour to the story. I think that Talli Roland is extremely witty as a writer but I also enjoyed the fact that Build A Man felt a little bit deeper than Talli's previous books. I was really interested in the relationship that develops between Serenity and Jeremy and the way in which it makes her question what she is doing. .
If you have read any of Talli's other books then you already know that you're in for a treat. If not then I recommend that you give Build A Man a go, I don't think you will be disappointed!

Dot Scribbles Rating 4.5/5

Many thanks to Talli for sending me a copy of Build A Man, it is available for download on Amazon now!

Book Review: Vanish by Tess Gerritsen

2011-11-21T10:21:00.001Z

The beautiful woman appears to be just another corpse in the morgue. But when Dr Maura Isles looks down at the body, she gets the fright of her life. The corpse opens it's eyes. Now very much alive, the woman is rushed to hospital, where she murders a security guars and seizes hostages, one of whom is the heavily pregnant detective, Jane Rizzoli. But who is this woman and what does she want? Only Jane can solve the mystery- if she survives the night.

Another absolute cracker from Tess Gerritsen! Honestly, this author just gets better with each book in my humble opinion. I read Vanish in just over a day and a half and I just couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next.
I felt with this book, more than Gerritsen's others that you really got to know the victims, there are a lot of flashbacks and the story being told from the victim's perspective, I think this added another layer and made for a more interesting read.
Obviously Jane Rizzoli and Dr Isles feature heavily. Jane is actually in labour when she is taken hostage and Dr Isles is left feeling completely useless in helping her friend.
What follows is a seriously gripping plot, rape, blackmail, corrupt government officials and murder. I think that Vanish may be my favourite of the series so far, this book should come with a warning though, once you start it , you won't want to do anything else until you have reached the last page.

Dot Scribbles Rating 5/5

Little Weekend Meme

2011-11-18T09:20:00.001Z

I saw this over at Verity's lovely blog this week so decided to do it myself!

Age: 29

Book Size: I like hardbacks to look at on my shelves but I am a paperback fan, mainly because I can fit them in my bag and they are easier to read in the bath!

Chore that you hate: Cleaning but I have to admit that we have had a cleaner for the last two months and I LOVE her, she makes things much more sparkly and clean than I ever could!

Dogs: Just the one, Alfie, he is a mischievous little shihtzu but I wouldn't be without him! Dr S would like a 'real' dog in the form of a labrador but I said we shall have the baby first, there's only so much toilet training I can handle at once!

Essential start to your day: Tea, I need at least two cups before I switch the computer on!

Favorite colour: I have two, pink and blue. Good job I like pink as we have a very pink nursery now!

Gold or Silver: Silver all the way! The sparklier the better!

.Height: 5' 7"

Instruments you play: I know how to play the piano but I would love to be able to sing. Obviously I can sing but it is painful for most people to listen to!

Job Title: I'm self-employed so don't really have one, company director sounds a bit silly when it's just me really!

Kids: Expecting my first in January, can't explain how excited and terrified I am, keep worrying that she might not like me!

Live: Leicester, UK.

Milk: Is one of my favourite things at the moment, best cure for pregnancy heartburn that I have found!

Nicknames: Dot

Oldest living relative: Blimey, I'm not really sure about this one, husband's Grandma is about 86 so I think she qualifies as the oldest, she' great though, from Yorkshire and is not afraid to say what she thinks!

Pet Peeves: Arrogance and lateness.

Quote from a movie: I never remember things from movies!

Right or Left handed: Right.

Siblings: Yip, one older sister who is also my best friend!

Time you wake up: About once every 2 hours at the moment, being 7 months pregnant does not make for a comfortable night's sleep.

Underwear: Yes, rather large at the moment!

Vegetable you hate: All of them! I have to be guilt tripped into eating any of them by my husband.

What makes you run late: Usually Dr S, he is a get ready at the last minute type of person!

X-Rays you’ve had: Hmmm, I've never broken anything so I think just boring dental ones.

Yummy food that you make: I love cooking but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's yummy!

Zoo animal: Giraffes all the way!

Book Review: Velvet by Mary Hooper

2011-11-17T06:30:00.000Z

Velvet is an orphan. She struggles to make ends meet by working in a steam laundry, where the work is back breaking and exhausting. So when she attracts the attention of the glamorous clairvoyant Madame Savoya, she cannot believe her good fortune.
Raised to the status of lady's maid, Velvet is given elegant clothes to wear and is brought to love in a grand house in London. But the longer she works for Madame Savoya, the more she discovers about the mysterious world of a spiritual medium. Velvet soon realises that her employer is not quite what she seems and this knowledge could put her very life in danger...

I was so happy to receive Mary Hooper's latest book as I really enjoyed her last book Fallen Grace, you can read my review here.
Velvet is set in 1900, Velvet is an orphan, she is working in a steam laundry but she is always only a few steps away from the dreaded workhouse. She begins to look after the laundry of one of the special customers, Madame Savoya, one of the most famous clairvoyants in London. When Madame Savoya offers Velvet a position as a lady's maid, she jumps at the opportunity. She leaves the exhausting steam laundry for Darkling Villa, the home that Madame Savoya shares with her assistant George.
Velvet cannot believe her luck, suddenly she has her own room, beautiful clothes and a job that she actually enjoys. She is fascinated by Madame Savoya's job as a clairvoyant and wants to do everything she can to help her new mistress.
As the book progresses, Madame Savoya has to keep up with what the other famous mediums are doing. She asks more and more of Velvet in order to maintain her reputation and livelihood. Madame Savoya's desperation begins to make Velvet suspicious. Madame Savoya talks about giving the spirits a helping hand but when does this cross over to duplicity? Velvet's suspicions place her in incredible danger as Madame Savoya will not have her work questioned by anyone.
Velvet, like Fallen Grace is mesmerising. I love how Mary Hooper has the ability to immerse her readers into Victorian England. Her descriptions are so vivid and her attention to details shines throughout the book.
I loved reading about Victorian spiritualism, it was such a big part of the Victorian era and so many people from all walks of life were drawn into it, just as Velvet is completely taken with Madame Savoya.
I found Velvet's naivety a little annoying at times but it was understandable in some ways. Madame Savoya is the first person to offer her a real opportunity and some much needed comforts in life. It is not hard to understand why Velvet places her on a pedestal, it just makes it so much harder when she has to question Madame Savoya's motives.
Mary Hooper has once again written a brilliant YA story. Velvet is a very captivating story and it will be interesting to see what Mary Hooper has to offer next.

Dot Scribbles Rating 4/5

Many thanks to Bloomsbury for sending me a copy of this book to review, it is out now!

Book Review: Already Gone by John Rector

2011-11-14T08:12:00.001Z

Jake Reese is an ordinary guy with an ordinary job, trying to block out the memory of his violent past by planning for the future with his new wife, Diane. But the past has a habit of refusing to stay buried...
When two men attack Jake in a car park, he tries to dismiss it as an unlucky case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But when events take a more sinister turn and Diane goes missing, Jake knows he can no longer hide from the truth.
As he embarks on a mission to find Diane, Jake finds himself dragged back into the life he thought he had walked away from forever and the days ahead begin to unfold in terrifying ways...

This is the first book that I have read by John Rector and he is certainly gripping. The action started straight away and the chapters are short and snappy, it only took me just over a day to finish this book.
Jake Reese is a good character in that he keeps the action and tension going but I have to say that I never really felt as though I got to know a lot about him. Events from his past are alluded to but nothing much is ever revealed.
The author does give a real sense of desperation, Jake is in a living nightmare when Diane goes missing and there are very few people who he can turn to for help.
If you like a good, fast paced thriller then I would recommend this one. Personally I felt that the ending was a little abrupt but the plot kept me entertained and there were several twists and turns along the way.

Dot Scribbles Rating 3/5

Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of this book to review, it is published on 8th December.

Book Review: Wrapped up in You by Carole Matthews

2011-11-10T08:48:00.001Z

Thirty-something hairdresser Janie Johnson's single status is a constant source of gossip for her friends and clients. So after too many nights in with her cat, a blind date disaster and news that her ex is getting married, Janie realises it's time to do something dramatic with her life.
Leaving winter behind, Janie takes the plunge and books an exotic trip to Africa. Her friends think she's mad and Janie thinks they may very well be right... but then she falls head over heels for her tour guide and fully fledged Maasai Warrior Dominic. But can Janie now face spending a snowy Christmas back home without him?

I have enjoyed all of the Carole Matthews books that I have read so far, so when her latest arrived, wrapped in a beautiful red ribbon, I was very excited.
The new cover is lovely and very festive. I personally love reading books with a Christmas feel at this time of year but I will say that this book is in no way based around Christmas as I know that puts some people off.
Janie Johnson is an extremely likable character, her love life is a little slow and the ex-boyfriend is getting married so Janie's life is in need of a little sparkle. One of her clients inspires her to use her holiday and go on an African adventure to the Maasai Mara.
I thought she was very brave and I do admit to being a little jealous as it is up there on my 'things to do' list! Anyway, Janie is just looking to get away from it all, she is certainly not looking for love. However, love is exactly what she finds in the form of Dominic. He is a true Maasai Warrior and Janie's tour guide, I warn you now that he is one of those male characters who you will quickly have a crush on!
It becomes clear that they have feelings for each other and Janie is devastated when she has to leave Dominic behind and return to the UK. She tries to get on with normal life but she can't stop thinking about Dominic, what if he really is the one? How will it work? She can't possibly live in Africa but what would Dominic make of the UK and would they be happy?
Wrapped up in You is a really enjoyable, feel-good book. I enjoyed reading about Janie's time in Africa and what happens when Dominic visits the UK. Carole Matthews shows how love can cross so many barriers and that all the matters is the two people involved.
Carole's writing is always witty and inviting and this book had me laughing out loud in several places. It's clear to see that Carole's trip to Africa has paid off as I really enjoyed her descriptions of the people and places that Janie visits. I would highly recommend this book and I think it would make a great Christmas present too.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Many thanks to Sphere for sending me a copy of the book to review, Wrapped up in You is out now!

Publication day for The Girl on the Cliff by Lucinda Riley

2011-10-27T06:11:00.000+01:00

Blogging has introduced me to so many wonderful authors across many genres of fiction. Some have been excellent, some good and some have been pretty much awful! Lucinda Riley falls into the excellent category, I read her book Hothouse Flower last year and simply loved it, you can read my review here. I have just read and reviewed her book The Girl on the Cliff and I just wanted to take the time to highlight that it is published TODAY! Hothouse Flower received a lot of hype and press as it was included in the Richard and Judy book club, I know of several other bloggers who enjoyed that book and were not aware that Lucinda had a new book coming out today so I thought I would do a little post and share my review with you again.

I really loved Lucinda Riley's last book Hothouse Flower so I was very excited to receive her latest book to review. In my opinion, The Girl on the Cliff is even better and I have struggled to put it down over the last couple of days.
At 543 pages long, there is a lot packed into this book; it covers both the First and Second World Wars and the story flits from Ireland to London, Switzerland and New York.
Grania Ryan returns home to Ireland from New York. Her life is in turmoil and she is seeking the comfort of her family. Grania meets Aurora who is the girl on the cliff, she is a lonely young girl and the two become incredibly close. Aurora lost her mother in tragic circumstances at a young age so when her father, Alexander asks Grania to care for his daughter while he's away, Grania feels compelled to say yes plus it gives her an excuse to ignore her own problems for a while longer.
Grania feels a strong connection to Aurora and soon learns that their families are inextricably linked. Is this why Grania's mother, Kathleen is reluctant to get involved? She warns her daughter to steer clear and initially has no interest in even meeting Aurora. What happened in the past that has caused such bad feeling between the two families and what impact will this have on Aurora's future? As Grania delves into the past we learn of the many secrets and lies, sacrifices and wrong-doings committed by both the Ryans and the Lisles. Grania can't change the past but can she bring some peace to the future through her relationship with Aurora?
Lucinda Riley expertly weaves several stories together, I was completely engrossed from start to finish. As with Hothouse Flower, the author's writing is beautifully vivid and it is easy to conjure up images of the people and places that are described. I really enjoy books about relationships and the sacrifices that people will make for each other. There are heartbreaking moments in each family's past and as a reader, you want more than anything for Grania and Aurora to find some kind of peace that other members of their families have been deprived of.
The Girl on the Cliff has so much to offer, I don't want to spoil the plot for anyone but it is so richly layered that you will not be able to stop turning the pages and beginning another chapter and then another one. Lucinda Riley's books are great in that they appeal to so many readers, obviously you can tell that I have enjoyed it and I know that my mother-in-law and grandmother would love it too.
I can't recommend this book enough, I shall be buying several copies as Christmas presents and I really can't wait to see what Lucinda writes next.

As I said, The Girl on the Cliff is published today, check out Lucinda's website here or you can follow her on twitter where she is @lucindariley

An Autumn Crush Competition Winner!!!!

2011-10-26T08:48:00.000+01:00

Morning everyone, we were up bright and early this morning so I asked Dr S to pick a name from the hat before he went off to work and the winner is:

Verity

Congratulations, I shall send you the copy of An Autumn Crush and pass your details on to the lovely Milly Johnson who is sending you lots of lovely things to enjoy with the book!

Thanks to everyone who entered, keep popping back as I have some more lovely books to give away soon!