My Little Girl by Shalini Boland

Your daughter is missing. Did someone close to you take her?

Seven-year-old Beatrice has gone missing. Her mother Claire’s whole world has been turned upside down in just one moment and she can’t stop shaking. She’s desperate to find her precious daughter, but nothing about the day she disappeared makes sense…

The mother-in-law: Jill was meant to be looking after Beatrice. She says she didn’t take her eyes off the little girl but her version of events doesn’t add up… Claire has never got on with her, so why should she trust her now?

The husband: He should have been with their only child. Instead, he changed the plans without telling Claire. She didn’t think there were any secrets between them, but maybe she was wrong?

The first wife: Laurel has always been jealous of Claire’s family. Has her husband’s ex-wife taken her daughter?

Which one of them is lying? And who really knows where Beatrice is?

From the million-copy bestselling author, this totally addictive psychological thriller will keep you guessing all the way to the final shocking twist. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and The Wife Between Us.

What Did I Think;

I have read several books by this author which I have enjoyed and this book sounded right up my street too.

This book really did tug on the heartstrings. The book started off with a bang and the pace continued tight through the story. It was entertaining and I didn't want to stop reading.

I am sure every parent has been in that situation when they lose sight of their child - I can remember clearly when it happened to me.The story is told from the points of view of the childs mother and grandmother as they mount a search..

A twisty gripping story.

I really must read more of this authors books.

Author Bio:

Shalini lives in Dorset, England with her husband, two children and Jess their cheeky terrier cross. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer songwriter, but now she spends her days writing suspense thrillers (in between school runs and hanging out endless baskets of laundry).

https://www.facebook.com/shaliniboland

https://www.instagram.com/shaboland/

https://twitter.com/ShaliniBoland

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3mLqiWC

Apple: https://apple.co/2XWVsim

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2LOIm4i

Google: https://bit.ly/2LQmiWY

 

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

What I Read Last Week:

What I'm Reading Now:

What I'm Reading Next:

Blog tours - Jo Lovett, Shalini Boland

Audio - Lucy Coleman

The Pigeonhole - CL Holiday, Jo Thomas

Bookclub - Clare Pooley, Michael Palin

 

Last Day Alive by JR Adler

 

One hot summer’s evening, ten-year-old Piper Chase went off on her pink bicycle towards the dark woods on Black Heart Lane. She never came home…

Piper cycles off one hot Oklahoma evening for a sleepover with her new friend Miley from summer camp. But when she doesn’t come home, her grandparents raise the alarm.

Detective Kimberley King knows that the first twenty-four hours in a missing child investigation are the most critical, but with no witnesses, and darkness falling in the small town of Dead Woman Crossing, she begins to fear the worst. She longs to find the little girl with wide blue eyes and an infectious smile, but when her team discovers Piper’s body in a woodland clearing, lying on a bed of moss, something inside her dies.

Then she gets a call that chills her to the bone. Piper’s friend Miley has gone missing
.
Desperate to find the monster who has taken these little girls, Kimberley chases down all the leads she has. The summer camp counsellor, who got too close to Piper and Miley and lost his job. Piper’s shifty uncle, who arrived back in town the day she disappeared…

And as another dark night descends on Dead Woman Crossing, Kimberley can’t stop thinking about Miley, trapped in the darkest place of all. With the clock ticking, Kimberley knows she must act fast, before another innocent life is stolen.

A gripping, heart-wrenching crime thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat, holding your breath. Last Day Alive is perfect for fans of Rachel Caine, Lisa Regan and Carol Wyer.

What Did I Think?

I enjoy taking part in blog tours that introduce me to new authors - takes me out of my comfort zone a bit.

When I started reading I didn't realise that this title was the second book in a series - the Detective Kimberley King series. But as it turns out that it really doesn't matter as the book works well as a standalone novel. Saying that I think I will be going back to read the first book.

I do like a good well written police procedural - and as this author was compared to the fantastic Carol Wyer I thought it would be worth a read.

I wasn't disappointed. It was twisty. It was shocking. It grabbed my attention and didn't let go.

One not to be missed.

Author Bio: 

Originally from Wisconsin, J.R. Adler currently lives in Ithaca, New York with her husband, Drew, and her English Bulldog, Winston. When not writing, you can find her reading, playing board games, travelling, and binge watching The Office for the umpteenth time.

https://www.jenevarose.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jradlerauthor/

https://twitter.com/jradlerauthor 

Buy Links:
Amazon: https://bit.ly/3wNKqfA

Apple: https://apple.co/3oUoiuM

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3aIg97C

Google: https://bit.ly/2OGRHwp

 

The House Swap by Jo Lovett

 

Island house off coast of Maine, with private beach, sea views and the occasional farmyard animal, seeks super swanky Central London penthouse overlooking Holland Park, complete with concierge service and spurned ex-lovers…

When thirty-somethings Cassie and James find each other on a home swap website, it feels meant to be. City hotshot James needs a bolthole after a relationship goes sour and Cassie needs to leave the comfort of her little island to research her new book.

Soon, James is living in Cassie’s cute but ramshackle beachside cottage, and Cassie’s living in James’s luxurious London apartment. It’s the perfect solution.

Except James didn’t imagine he’d be sharing his home with eleven chickens and three alpacas, not to mention the unusually friendly neighbours, who seem to find any excuse to drop by. And Cassie is less than impressed when James’s ex-girlfriend turns up at his door, demanding to know where he’s gone.

The more Cassie and James talk, the more the tension between them mounts. But as the insults fly so do the sparks, and when the time finally comes to swap back, Cassie and James find they aren’t quite ready to give each other up.

But there’s more than just distance between them – and when Cassie makes a surprising discovery, the pair are forced to confront their feelings and decide what kind of life they really want.

An utterly heart-warming love story that will make you laugh and cry, fans of The Flatshare, The Hating Game and movies like The Holiday will fall head over heels for The House Swap.

What Did I Think?

This book was like a breath of fresh air - so light and funny - a delight to read. The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary was one of my best reads of 2019.

You start off thinking that James and Cassie are no where near compatible but as the story develops so does their relationship. 

I loved both the settings and the cast of additional characters - especially the chickens and alpacas.

This was a light and quirky read - and I devoured it at lightening speed. A treat of a book.

I have now moved her other book The First Time We met much further of my list of books to be read.

Author Bio:

 

Jo Lovett lives in London with her family. 

She worked in Corporate Tax before taking a longer-than-expected career break to have more-than-expected children (five). She started writing romantic comedy when she realised that she was regularly begging her oldest son to let her do his English homework but she wasn't actually that interested in haunted houses or Macbeth. 

Jo was runner-up in the Good Housekeeping/ Orion First Novel Competition 2018 and shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Award 2019. 

Her first novel, 'The First Time We Met', was published by Bookouture in November 2020 and her second, 'The House Swap', comes out in April 2021. 

When she can escape from her laundry mountain, she enjoys reading, tennis and wine.

 

https://twitter.com/JoLovettWrites

 

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3da6FVl

Apple: https://apple.co/2LLYkvR

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3iqd1kh

Google: https://bit.ly/3sF99k0

it's Monday. What Are You Reading?

 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

What I Read Last Week:

What I'm Reading Now:

What I'm Going To Read Next:

Blog tours - Mandy Baggot, David F Ross, Tilly Tennant, Jo Lovett

Book Club - Michael Palin

The Pigeonhole - C L Taylor

Readalong - Emma Rowley

Her Last Chance by Alison Ragsdale

 

Description: 

My darling girl, I watch you playing outside in the grass. Your long blonde hair sweeps back and your blue eyes are bright with joy. You are utterly perfect, I never imagined something could be so wrong and I’d be powerless to protect you… 

Ava’s daughter Carly is everything a ten-year-old should be: energetic, creative and the light of her parents’ lives. But when she starts stumbling down stairs and walking into doors, Ava wants to rush to the doctor. Her husband Rick is sure she’s fretting over nothing – kids can be a little clumsy sometimes. But Ava’s instinct is telling her something is seriously wrong. 

Against Rick’s advice, Ava takes Carly to see a specialist and is given a devastating diagnosis: a rare genetic condition that will change her future forever. When Rick realises the truth, he is determined to do all he can to help Carly enjoy what light she has left. The close-knit family take it one day at a time, walking to the beach and watching the sunrise.

 Just as Ava begins to imagine a new future for them all, a tragic accident throws their lives into chaos once more. To give her daughter a chance at a full life, Ava faces a devastating choice. How can she possibly choose between the two people she loves most? 

An emotional, heartbreaking page-turner about a mother’s love and an utterly devastating decision. Readers 

Whay did I think?

Alison Ragsdale is a new author to me so I was interested to read this book to see what it was like. I have since discovered that Alison has written quite a few books. Why have I never heard of her before?

I think maybe this is one of the saddest books I have read this year so far (and Four Winds was quite sad!) Without giving anything away I would say that this book is written from the heart and deals with the issues of love, of loss and of family. It made me think what would I do in the parents situation - and believe me I am still not sure. so many what ifs and maybes. 

I would recommend a tissue or two to accompany this book. Yes it might be heart wrenching and sad but isn't that a sign of a well written book - when you get drawn in and invested in the characters?

A great book and well worth a read. I will certainly be reading more by this author.

Author Bio:

 

A former marketing executive, originally from Edinburgh, Alison now lives near Washington D.C. with her husband and dog. She was educated in England and holds an MBA from Leicester University.

For more information on upcoming books go to www.alisonragsdale.com.

 

 

Author Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoralisonragsdale

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AlisonRagsdale

BUY LINKS:

 

Amazon: https://geni.us/B08TPDNBQCsocial

Apple: http://ow.ly/2dbD50Dh621

Kobo: http://ow.ly/kjWQ50Dh61f

Google: http://ow.ly/qokT50Dh62Q

Summer Secrets at Streamside Cottage by Samantha Tonge

 

I love Samanthas books and who wouldn't be drawn in by that cover? I was delighted to be invited to take part in the blog tour for her new book.

About the book

 

A new start can come from the most unexpected places...

 

It's been years since Lizzie Lockhart spoke to her parents. But she was safe in the knowledge she knew everything about them. Once upon a time, they were as close as could be. Until they weren't.

After receiving the earth-shattering news of their passing, Lizzie decides it's time to unearth some family secrets and find out just who her parents really were... starting with Streamside Cottage. A cottage Lizzie never knew existed, in a place she's never heard of: the beautiful English village of Leafton.

Leaving behind London, and the tattoo parlour she called home, Lizzie finds herself moving to the countryside. Faced with a tight-lipped community, who have secrets of their own, Lizzie is at a loss for what to do, until her rather handsome neighbour, Ben, steps in to help.

As Lizzie finally begins to piece together the puzzle of her family history she realises she has to confront the truth of the past in order to face her future.

What Did I Think?

I have only read a couple of books by this author but have thoroughly enjoyed them. I had no doubt that this book would be any different.

The story is based around secrets - family secrets. After the death of her parents Lizzie discovers that they owned a property called Streamside Cottage which she knew nothing about. She has no idea why this information was kept from her or indeed what other things have been also kept from her? Of course Lizzie ends up moving in to the cottage - a bit of a culture shock for her to say the least. The secrets of the title slowly emerge as Lizzie delves into the past - and I found that part of the book intriguing - and it made me want to keep on reading.

A delightful book - it drew me in - and took me away from reality. Isn't that a sign of a good book? Now all I have to do is work my way through of Samantha's early books. I think I am in for a treat.

About the author

 

Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK with her husband and children. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has travelled widely. When not writing she passes her days cycling, baking and drinking coffee. Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women's magazines. She is represented by the Darley Anderson literary agency. In 2013, she landed a publishing deal for romantic comedy fiction with HQDigital at HarperCollins and in 2014, her bestselling debut, Doubting Abbey, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category. In 2018 Forgive Me Not heralded a new direction into darker women's fiction with publisher Canelo. In 2019 she was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association romantic comedy award

Follow Samantha:

Facebook: @SamanthaTongeAuthor

Twitter: @SamTongeWriter

Instagram: @samanthatongeauthor

 

Buy links:

 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/31Uuyd2

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3msO5KM

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3dCuQdU

 

His First Wife's Secret by Emma Robinson

The tears began to flow. ‘I can’t do this on my own,’ Emily sobbed. ‘I don’t know how.’

When Emily’s husband dies in a terrible accident, she’s not the only wife he leaves behind.

Because, before their whirlwind romance and Emily’s discovery she was pregnant, Pete had been married to Caroline for more than twenty years. A devastating tragedy had torn them apart. But there was a part of Pete that had never fully left his first wife and a secret that would bind them together, forever.

Finding herself lonely, heartbroken, and forced to face life and motherhood alone – Emily is surprised that Caroline offers her support. But Emily knows she needs someone she can trust and rely on. Even if it’s the woman her husband loved before her.

A tentative friendship develops and their lives become entwined. Their bond grows ever stronger as Caroline steps in to help when Emily’s baby arrives unexpectedly early. But it’s not just Caroline hiding a secret. Both of the women who once loved Pete have things they can never admit, without risking a friendship that might be the only thing keeping them both afloat.

When grief begins to takes its toll on Emily, she feels sure that Caroline is the only person who can save her and baby Dylan… But should she trust the woman he loved before her – with her life… Or her child’s?

An utterly devastating, but ultimately uplifting, emotional women’s fiction novel about friendship, motherhood and loss. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Susan Lewis and Jojo Moyes.

What Did I Think?

Straight away I was drawn to this beautiful cover.

Emma Robinson is a familiar authors name to me so I was sure I had read some of her earlier books. On checking Goodreads it transpires that I haven't. How can that be?? On the plus side it now means I have her back catalogue to work my way through. Happy days.

I don't want to give anything away about the story but it is beautifully written - even if it is emotional and heart wrenching in places. Strong characters put into difficult situations. Not sure how I would have coped.

Kept my interest right through the book and I didn't want to put it down - it really got to me. After finishing the book I have learnt that the story relates to a subject that is very personal to the author. Makes the story even more poignant.

I would recommend this book and from other reviews that I have read her earlier books should be a treat too.

PS - you might need some tissues.

Author Bio: 

Emma Robinson is the author of several women’s fiction novels. She also blogs about the funny side of parenting and has contributed to podcasts such as Funny Women. Whilst her early novels are humorous, her recent work focuses on emotional themes and these novels are both heart-breaking and life affirming. Emma enjoys writing stories which explore the power of family and friendship in the most challenging circumstances. 

Emma currently lives in Essex with a husband, two children and a small black dog. 

https://motherhoodforslackers.com/

https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodforslackers

https://twitter.com/emmarobinsonuk

 

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/39SHa8Z

Apple: https://apple.co/3pMlfpW

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3cwnGsC

Google: https://bit.ly/2MPZVkr