prdgreads

Today I’m on the tour for Igloo by Jennifer Burkinshaw, thank you to Hannah at Hygge Book Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 300

Synopsis: A surprise Christmas holiday in the French Alps should be a dream come true, but not for sixteen-year-old Nirvana. She has important plans to complete at home, and tensions are high with her parents. In desperation, Niv skips ski school and heads off-piste towards the forest, where she discovers a hidden igloo. Better still, it’s empty.

When its builder, Jean-Louis, finds her trespassing, he suggests they share the igloo, and as the pair find common ground in their struggles to be themselves, they realise they are each other’s perfect Christmas gift.

Too soon, Niv must return home to Lancashire. Now in two different countries, each faces new problems, alone, and their battle to be together becomes infinitely harder.

Is it a battle they can win? Or will their sweet, fledgling romance be lost to the seasons, like the igloo where it began?

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My thoughts: on the surface this seems like a straight forward YA holiday Romance, but it’s not until you get further into the story and dig a little deeper that you realise it’s so much more than that.. it’s a coming of age story too.

Nirvana knows what she wants to do in life but her mums don’t agree, so she starts wondering if her love of wood work and working with her hands as well of her creative streak comes from her donor dad… does this mean she might want to meet him at some point? and if so how will her mum and Dominique feel about it?

Although the romance was at the forefront of the story, it wasn’t the main part of it, the story was like a sandwich, Nirvana working out her future, fighting for what she wants and believing in herself was the filling.. Jean-Louis, his unwavering support and the little hints of romance was the bread holding it all together.

Despite the cold setting this book made me feel all warm inside, definitely one I would recommend.

🐧❤️

Today I’m on the tour for Dragonfly Summer by J.H. Moncrieff, thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part to and thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 320

Synopsis: No small town’s secrets can stay buried for long. Moncrieff digs into the treachery of memory and the power of female friendships…

“Moncrieff’s new book is rich in narrative and empathy This is an exceptional story that really trends a fine line balance between two worlds of small town life and action paced thriller that is really a hard thing to balance but she does this as a pro.” – Literary License Podcast Dragonfly Summer is a gripping thriller that asks: What happens when the past comes back to haunt you? Jo Carter never thought she’d return to Clear Springs, Minnesota. But when the former journalist receives a cryptic note about the disappearance of her friend Sam twenty years before, she’s compelled to find out what really happened. During her investigation, she learns another high school friend has died in a mysterious accident. Nothing is as it seems, and Jo must probe Clear Springs’ darkest corners and her own painful and unreliable memories to discover the truth – and save herself from the killer who could still be on the hunt. Deliciously twisty and suspenseful from the first minute to the last, Dragonfly Summer proves that no small town’s secrets can stay buried for good.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: i really enjoyed this one, but be warned it’s not for everyone with graphic descriptions of sexual assault rape and incest.

If you can either look past all that or read about it then this one is well worth your time, it’s fast paced and definitely keeps you turning the pages even after the “one more chapter” you said you’d read is over 🤣

Jo learns a lot about herself whilst trying to work out the truth of what happened to her best friend all those years ago.. weirdly she has absolutely no memory of that time in her life!

If she trusts the wrong person she could be the third victim.. but how do you know who to trust when you don’t know what happened?

Full of twists & enough moments to shock you that you’re left doubting yourself and wondering if you’ve read things right.

I would absolutely recommend this one.

🐧❤️

Today I’m helping to close the tour for People Pie by John Ling, thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 192

Synopsis: People Pie.’ These are poems about real people, with laughter, sadness and drama, and only the slightest amount of exaggeration! Meet the courteous bottom surgeon, the philosophical street cleaner, the fat clown in prison, the lord of disrepair, the girl of a thousand lives, Cedric with the wild whiskers, the Ukmuds and the Snoobs, the omphalaphobic, Mr Gadget, the man of few words, the dirty old man, the teenage flirt, the poser, and many many more. All real people. You might be in here too!

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: now this isn’t my usual kind of book, I normally prefer a long book I can get lost in, but this collection of poetry was brilliant.

They were so real and down to Earth but yet had humour cleverly woven into them making them a really fun read to dive into.

They were split into sections and varied in length so you never knew what you were going to get next.

As a disabled person the poem I have inabilities really resonated with me, almost like he had been inside my head when it was written!

This has absolutely convinced me that I should give poetry and short story selections more of a chance in the future.

🐧❤️

Today I’m on the tour for The Heritage Murders by Christina James, thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 364

Synopsis: A wealthy wanted man attempts to keep a low profile—but an old case may be stirring up new crimes in this British police thriller.

After years of exile in St. Lucia, tycoon Kevan de Vries has come back to England’s East Midlands and is hiding out at Sausage Hall. His return is driven by an obsessive desire to find out who his father was—despite the risk that the police may come by seeking answers about the disappearance of Tony Sentance, former De Vries Industries employee and leader of a child trafficking gang.

DI Tim Yates and DS Juliet Armstrong are still in the dark about the wealthy fugitive in their midst—but before long, the police are looking into a vanished woman’s possible murder, a Traveller child who may be at risk, and the lingering mysteries surrounding a trafficking ring that could still be operating under their noses . . .

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: this crime thriller was on the more tame cosy side, rather than being a serial killer on the loose side.

It was a bit of a change of pace compared to the thrillers I’ve read recently and it took a while to get to know the characters as this is book 2 in a series and I haven’t read the first one! – be rest assured though, this absolutely works as a stand alone without feeling like you’re missing anything!

Lots of twists and turns and an absolutely gripping storyline!

I thoroughly enjoyed it & it’s left me intrigued enough in some of the characters to want to read the first one at some point in the future.

The chapters were short and snappy just how I like them and the story was told from multiple perspectives which is again something I enjoy.

This one definitely kept me guessing right until the end

🐧❤️

Today I’m on the tour for The Cornish Cream Tea Bookshop by Cressida McLaughlin, thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the publisher and the author for my copy

Pages: 416

Synopsis: Ollie Spencer has started a new life in the idyllic Cornish seaside town of Port Karadow. Throwing herself into her job at the town’s bookshop, A New Chapter, is one way to make friends. The shop is glitzing up for first Christmas and Ollie hopes her inspired ideas will give the shop the edge it needs to dazzle the town.

But far from being the Sugar Plum fairy the place needs, Ollie is fast becoming its Christmas pudding. With the bookshop’s success at stake, Ollie turns to twinkly-eyed café owner Max for help. Can he help Ollie to turn the page, and put the sparkle back into her Cornish dream?

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: this read was a perfect book to curl up with a blanket and a hot drink on these cold days.

After receiving compensation for an accident Ollie decides that now is the time to move to Cornwall and start a new life!

She goes above and beyond to help Thea make the bookshop the success she wants it to be, trying to organise events for the community and helping to find the perfect coffee machine ☺️

In walks Max, the local cafe owner who is more than happy to offer his expertise!

Parts of this book made me laugh out loud.. some of the situations that Ollie found herself in would leave you shaking your head!

But there was an overwhelming sense of community that made me want to be a part of it.

I have since found out that this is part of a series and although it absolutely worked as a stand alone I can’t wait to go back and start the series from the beginning so I can appreciate it more!

🐧❤️

Today I’m on the tour for Awakening by Abby Wynne, thank you to Zoé at Zooloos Book Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 604

Synopsis: When Marissa’s fiancé leaves her unexpectedly, she is left trying to put the broken pieces of her life back together again. The magical years of her childhood are now lost or long forgotten and, trapped in a downward spiral of worry and anxiety, nothing seems to be bringing the magic back any time soon.
Training to become a therapist, Marissa discovers an unforeseen talent for helping others and, for a while at least, she puts her own needs and concerns to one side. An unexpected windfall prompts a spontaneous trip to Peru, and an encounter while she is there triggers an astonishing series of events. Shaken but excited, Marissa embarks on a wonderful journey of revelation and adventure – after which, her life will never be the same again.
Marissa’s story is your story, is my story, is everybody’s story: we each must find our own true path through life, our one true way.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: this book is beautiful. The writing just flows perfectly making it difficult to put down despite the chapters being longer than I’m used to!

We’re following Marissa, who is finally ready to live life again after her fiancé left her 3 years ago.. she’s 27 years old and lives in a small flat with just her cat and her books for company (sounds perfect to me) 🤣

But after being given some money by her uncle she decides to join her friend Sarah on a holiday to Peru, little does she know that this trip will help her find her calling and change her life.

The descriptions within in this book were spot on leaving you able to create a picture of the places mentioned and the things that Marissa went through!

You can definitely tell that the subject matter is something that the author knows well!

I will be honest and say that I haven’t actually finished the book yet, life has just run away with me this week! the plan was to finish it this afternoon but a surprise visit from my 2 year old nephew has put a stop to that!

I cannot wait to see where Marissa’s journey takes her.

🐧❤️

Today I’m on the tour for Hearts of Ice and Stone by Martin Dukes, thank you to Hannah at Hygge Book Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Synopsis: Laura never realised she was different, or that she was touched in some way by the heavens, until she first set foot, contrary to all law and tradition, within the portals of Darkharrow. Here, in the remote Eastings of Britannia, far from the wealth and the power of London, the dead lie sleeping beneath the ancient towers and cloisters of the great abbey. For some, destiny dictates that their long slumber shall endure until the last trump sounds and all the dead shall rise from their graves, but for some the care of the Camalodolite Order shall reawaken them long before that day. No one has ever been able to look upon the countenances of the departed and tell whether they may be awakened, whether their hearts are of ice or of stone – until now.

Caught between the competing affections of those who love her, threatened by those who would destroy her, Laura finds herself enmeshed in a web of conspiracy that draws upon her deepest resources and enforces choices upon her that are of the most momentous kind

My Thoughts: this book was just as dark as I thought it would be!

We’re following Laura, she’s just turned 16 and starting to rebel against Jonah, her mums new partner, he’s not her dad but acts like he is, he likes Laura, but not so much her sister Emily, who is ill and on Jonah’s mind useless to the future of the family..

When tragedy hits the family it starts off a series of events for Laura that will change her life in ways she never imagined!

The descriptions of the places and the characters in this book were amazing and vivid which made it easy to picture what was happening in the story.. something I appreciated because I really struggled with the writing style and the language used, that didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the book, it just felt a little dense and heavy at times!

A whole host of different characters, some I loved and some I really didn’t but weirdly I do think that was the authors intention.

If you’re a fan of gothic horror then this one is for you, it was truly haunting!

🐧❤️

Today I’m on the tour for A Secret Escape To Sunshine Island by Georgina Troy, thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 315

Synopsis: Welcome to the sunshine island – where the beaches are golden, the lifestyle is perfect and anything is possible.

Popstar Matteo Stanford is eager to escape to the sunshine island to catch up with his old friend Alex and secretly film his latest music video. But within moments of landing, the location for the shoot is leaked to the press, and his island escape and video might be over before they start.

Not to be defeated, Alex’s girlfriend Piper recruits her two best friends Casey and Tara, who run the Smoke and Mirrors stall at the The Cabbage Patch market. It doesn’t take Casey more than a moment to realise the perfect setting for Matteo’s video is Gorey castle, but securing the venue means Casey is soon planning a secret wedding, finding an actress and becoming a set designer!

It’s chaos and crazed fans, peppered with the sweetest moments she’s ever experienced. But could a popstar really fall for island girl Casey Norman?

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: well this read was a lot of fun and exactly what I needed after the heavy crime/fantasy books I’ve been reading recently.

It’s exactly what you expect to be, a feel good will they won’t they romance with a dash of the celebrity life style thrown in!

I loved Casey as a main character, she wasn’t afraid to stand up for what she thought was right, would call others out when she thought they were wrong… but was also good at admitting if she was wrong too!

Matteo is more than your typical heart throb popstar, he’s kind, caring and always out to help everyone around him, it felt obvious to me that the game hadn’t gone to his head when much helped me warm to him quite quickly.. I was definitely in their corner 🤣

The book had a real sense of community spirit which made me smile, they all pulled together when needed, just as it should be.

Obviously it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but can they achieve what seems impossible and film a music video and host a secret wedding in the same place on the same day?

The perfect escape in book form, the writing is seamless, a thoroughly enjoyable read!

🐧❤️

Today I’m on the tour for Leap by OC Heaton, thank you to Zoé at Zooloos Book Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the publisher and the author for my copy.

Pages: 397

Synopsis: Three broken people.

Two centuries of emissions.

One last chance to reverse global warming…

Uma, eco activist and daughter of famed quantum scientist Jakob Arnasson, dreams of reversing global warming.

From his London HQ, Ethan Rae is looking to cement his position as Britain’s youngest tech billionaire as he recovers from the trauma of his parents’ death.

After a chance meeting Uma teams up with Ethan to launch her father’s greatest invention – LEAP, a mysterious device that could replace all transportation, transform manufacturing and revolutionise food production.

But playboy CEO, Samuel Reynolds III has other ideas. Considered a failure by his patriarchal father he needs LEAP to save his family’s airline, once the biggest in the US but now facing bankruptcy in the wake of 911.

As the big day approaches, a terrible accident involving LEAP rips Uma and Ethan’s plans apart and they suddenly find themselves battling not only Reynolds but each other in the race to launch LEAP onto an unsuspecting world.

From the frozen wastelands of Iceland to the leafy suburbs of London and in the shadow of the Twin Towers, all three will stop at nothing to control the greatest invention in the history of mankind.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧

My Thoughts: firstly can we talk about eye catching the cover is and if you look close enough you’ll see little hints to the story within the pages.. very cleverly done!

I did find the first 1/3 of the book quite slow going, it was very science heavy and I felt a little overwhelmed at times because most of it went over my head 🤣 but stick with it, it’s important to the story!

After you get that out the way what follows is a fast paced thriller that will have you not knowing which way is up!

I was rooting for Uma and Ethan, after all who wouldn’t love to be able to travel somewhere in an instant?

I probably wasn’t the intended audience for this because like I say I got confused by all the science behind everything but I still enjoyed it!

Definitely one to add to your tbr if you like something a little different.

🐧❤️

Today I am on the tour for The Ugliest Man On The Mountain by Mark Laming, thank you to Zoé at Zooloos Book Tours for organising it and inviting me to take part and thank you to the author and the publisher for my copy.

Pages: 211

Synopsis: Amber McCarthy is a young woman with a high IQ and a well-paid job, but it is never enough for her and she seeks the thrill of planning and executing the perfect burglary. On meeting wealthy businessman, Kane, her life changes and she relishes the challenge to win his love. A new enemy at the door plays havoc with her plans and Kane moves to Andalusia. With just one last chance of rebuilding their relationship, Amber believes she has the answer. A thousand miles away in Spain, Kane has a shock in store for Amber that changes everything.

My Rating: 🐧🐧🐧.5

My Thoughts: this book is part crime thriller, part romance and anyone that knows me knows they are my favourite genres so this was just seemed like the perfect book!

I really enjoyed this, although it took a while to warm to some of the characters!

I loved Amber right from the off, she’s pretty much your average girl with a penchant for burglary, she’s not your normal burglar though, she’ll tidy up as she goes along 🤣 she sees herself as a modern day Robin Hood, stealing to sell and then donate the money to charity!

Kane however took some getting used to, I can’t say I ever ‘liked’ him. He was just constantly rubbing me up the wrong way & I found him quite patronising.

As always the path to true love is never smooth and these 2 went on a serious rollercoaster ride.

The story was told from both perspectives which was something I appreciated because we really got into the characters heads.

The character development was brilliant too!

🐧❤️