It’s done. Here are the final four reviews, I am now up to date! I have repeated one that I reviewed here a while back, but as I noticed that A Kind of Loving was currently on sale for kindle at 99p, and as it’s one of my all time favourites, I thought I should encourage you to read it.

Darkness & Decadence – The Grumblings of a Gargoyle  Lynn Gerrard 5*****

I feel very guilty that it has taken me so long to  write this review, and I have no idea how I overlooked it. I don’t usually read poetry, other than the odd poem that crosses my path – certainly not books of, but having had several exchanges with the very witty Lynn Gerrard on both Facebook and Twitter, and enjoyed the poetry she posted on her blog and social media, I bought it. I’m so glad I did, although as the title suggests the poems are dark in nature, they are also moving, on occasion laugh out loud, and in some cases a sad reflection on the society in which we live. I should also confess that ‘Going Home’ reduced me to tears. Even if poetry is not your normal read, I highly recommend you make an exception with this. You won’t regret it.

I Let You Go – Clare Mackintosh 4****

I was recommended this book by my sister who thought I would enjoy it. She was right! You are immediately drawn into the story, wanting to know how Jenna will cope with what has happened to her, then when you are least expecting it – BANG – a twist you never saw coming. However, from then on in, although you have to keep reading, the plot becomes a little predictable, although not too much so. I wanted another twist which I didn’t get, and I found the police characters to be uninteresting, and would have liked DI Stevens to have had more of an emotional input into his home life. That said, still a good read

A Kind of Loving – Stan Barstow 5*****

I first read this when I was thirteen, having convinced an older pupil to borrow it from the school library for me. Its spine had a blue sticker which meant only pupils over the age of sixteen could borrow it – although these days it would be considered tame.  Despite knowing what was coming, when I re-read it I still urged Vic Brown, the main character to take a different course, and I felt the same as I did all those years ago when he settled for a kind of loving, rather than finding the love of his life, the special person, his soul mate who he knew was out there somewhere. Set in Yorkshire in the late fifties/early sixties, it’s difficult to imagine, that despite the mess Vic finds himself in, life was so simple and clear cut. There were rules and you followed them, if you didn’t there was a code of conduct and you stuck to it – even if that means a hurried wedding with no fanfare. It’s difficult to explain why this tale is so compelling but it is, and if you haven’t read it, give it a go, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

 

Cut Short – Leigh Russell 3***

For me, this book started with a lot more promise than it eventually delivered. I didn’t not enjoy it, but it was one I was able to dip in and out of when I had a moment rather than keeping me turning the pages and that’s always a disappointment.

 

 

I hope you find something that takes your fancy, I think I need to get some writing done now…although I did find so many books on my kindle I’d forgotten I had purchased, I might make a to be read list first!

Happy reading,

 

And I’m back at it. More Feeding for the Authors, and I’m particularly keen to do this as the first reviews are in for The Making of Meredith and they are great, which makes it all worth while. You can check out the Meredith reviews in the US here, and in the UK here. They seem to have the measure of Meredith!

Now on with my own reviews:

In the Devil’s Own Words – Elizabeth Wixley 5****

Not my usual read at all, I rarely read fantasy adventure novels, but as Liz Wixley, is a Bristol author, I thought I’d make an exception, and I’m glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this dark tale, and loved the premise of the book written by the devil, a sort of counter Arc of the Covenant. I immediately empathised with Isobel, and was drawn along with her on this adventure. I found the expected monsters, evil doers and hero’s, which I usually avoid, but this is written in a way that hooked me in and kept me turning pages. An apocalyptic journey that I’d recommend.

The Actress – Elizabeth Sims 4****

A good entertaining read. What begins as an interesting assignment for down on her luck actress, Rita, soon becomes a mystery for her to solve, as she takes on the coaching of Eileen, a mother accused of murder. I wasn’t convinced on the portrayal of how Rita’s son was rescued, but other than that an enjoyable read.

 

Imperfect Strangers David M Staniforth 5*****

A good old fashioned thriller that keeps you turning the pages. Sally is a nice normal girl, kind and generous in her actions to the odd man at work Keith. Keith is a poor victim of an abusive mother, and you know immediately Sally throws him an innocent smile, he is going to harm her, despite his best intentions. Well written with great sympathy for poor old Keith. I won’t tell you if he does harm her, have a read and find out.

 

That’s it for today, I hope one of them takes your fancy. I’m off to walk the dogs, and then I’ll get on with some writing. Unlike last night, when this happened instead. 

 

Happy Reading

Day two of ‘Feed the Authors!’ – my catch up on reviews of the books I’ve enjoyed reading this year continues, (and on the day I’m told by a reader, via a review of Misplaced Loyalty, that she found herself fancying Meredith – which is wonderful). Here are my latest reviews, four today, and I have already posted on Amazon and Goodreads.

Starting with an oldie, and one of my favourite authors.

The Likes of Us – Stan Barstow 5*****

A collection of short stories about working class people, more often than not, struggling with their lot. Definitely thought provoking, and although you could often guess what was coming you braced yourself for the outcome, all the while willing the characters to take a different path. They rarely did! Still a wonderful read.

 

Nine Lives – Terry Tyler 4*****

Another collection of short stories that I thoroughly enjoyed, great pacing and introduction of characters. Several with twists that I never saw coming, and a couple of endings where your mind shouts ‘Nooo!’ at the page. Recommended.

 

The Street Lawyer – John Grisham 4****

I was delighted when I found this on offer as I had thought I’d read all of Grisham’s novels, and whilst I enjoyed the story of Michael Brock turning his back on the corporate world when a homeless man is killed in front of him, I found the pace in the middle of the story too slow. That said, I still enjoyed it, and as always the big guns had to pay the price for their wrong doing. If only real life worked like that!

 

The Gypsy’s Dream – Sara Alexi 5*****

I’ve now read several of the Greek Village series and this one didn’t disappoint. I loved the character of Stella, and enjoyed the building of tension in the café/bar as Stella coped with the appearance of a young English girl. Dark secrets are revealed, and as always Juliet is there on hand to give some sage advice. Recommended.

 

 

That’s it for today, I hope you find something you like.

Happy reading

As always, I sit down at my computer to check my emails and then write, and instead I find myself distracted by posts on social media. Today, another author had shared this ‘FEED THE AUTHORS’ image on Facebook, and I immediately felt guilty.

I check reviews on my novels every couple of days and I’m always delighted when a new review has been posted, even if it’s not glowing, as you can’t please all of the people etc. I’ve read many books that were, to me, simply ok – and a few that I hated. We all have different tastes. I felt very guilty that I hadn’t taken the time to review the many books I have read and enjoyed this year. I always click on the number of stars I feel appropriate at the end of an ebook, and then plan to do a written review next time I’m sitting with the laptop, but finalising The Making of Meredith and getting it published (and dipping in and out of Facebook and Twitter) has taken up most of my time and I simply haven’t done it.

So, here I am, I’m planning on doing at least three reviews a day until I catch up. As a result they won’t be in depth (they don’t have to be – a review is not an English assignment), but will give you my overview. I will make sure I publish them on Amazon and Goodreads, and of course share them with you. I hope you find something that takes your fancy.

 

Death & Deception – Bernie Steadman  5*****

An excellent start to the DI Hellier series. What begins as an apparent straight forward murder of a young girl, steps up a pace to reveal a much more horrific and far reaching crime, than Hellier’s team expected. I would have liked to have learned more about Hellier, so will have to buy the sequel to find out what happened in his past. Highly recommended. AND ONLY 99p at the moment – Grab a bargain quick!

 

Above Suspicion – Lynda La Plant   4****

A reasonable enough plot, and the introduction of Travis and Langdon, however unlike le Plant’s other works, I was able to dip in and out of this one when I had time, and would have like to have been more gripped. I will read the next Travis & Langdon outing as they do hold a certain promise.

 

Bricking It –Nick Spalding  4****

This is the third book I’ve read by this author and he never fails to deliver a laugh out loud moment or two. Although I didn’t find this as entertaining as Love from Both Sides, which I loved, and the plot was a little predictable, I did enjoy it, and will read more of his work.

 

At least another three tomorrow – I will not hit social media until they are done!

Happy reading,