New to Dot Scribbles Shelves

Here's what's arrived with the postman this week, let me know your thoughts!

The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty (Penguin) On a summer's day in 1922 Cora Carlisle boards a train from Wichita, Kansas to New York City, leaving behind a marriage that's not as perfect as it seems and a past that she buried long ago. She is charged with the care of a stunning young girl with a jet-black fringe and eyes wild and wise beyond her fifteen years. The girl is hungry for stardom and Cora for something she doesn't yet know. Cora will be many things in her lifetime- an orphan, a mother, a wife, a mistress- but in New York she is chaperone and her life is about to change.

Perfect Strangers by Tasmina Perry (Headline Review, 19th July) Just an innocent invitation. When Sophie Ellis is asked to house-sit at a luxurious Knightsbridge townhouse, it appears to be the offer of a lifetime.Drawn into the glittering circle of the home's owner, she meets wealthy American businessman Nick Cooper and is swept up into a thrilling and passionate affair. But when Nick is found dead in his hotel suite, Sophie is suddenly the prime suspect for his murder, and soon realises that Nick was not the man he seemed. Racing to find the truth and clear her name, Sophie must elude not only the authorities but also a group of dangerous players who believe Sophie has something they want. And they won't stop until she's caught.

A Rural Affair by Catherine Alliott (Michael Joseph) Newly widowed Poppy Shilling should be feeling distraught at the death of her husband. Yet she isn't. She is sad for her children, yet she feels strangely relieved: no more tight lycra cycle wear, no more having to pretend that she was happily married. But as Poppy rises out of the embers of her loveless marriage and starts to pull her life back together, it appears that straight laced Phil had some secrets of his own. Secrets that threaten to turn Poppy's life upside down all over again. Determined her dead husband won't defeat her, Poppy grabs life with both hands and embraces all that village life has to offer. It is time for a new beginning, and a chance to discover what real love feels like...

Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues by Trisha Ashley (Avon) Desperate to escape London and an engagement that is sucking the life out of her, Tansy Poole inherits a run-down shoe shop tucked away in the village of Sticklepond. Tansy is determined to make the shop a success and opens up as Cinderella's Slippers- providing dream shoes for every bride-to-be. From a door bell that charmingly plays 'Here Comes the Bride' to delicious chocolate shoes, the shop soon earns a reputation far beyond the village for providing the perfect finishing touch to every fairy-tale wedding. Off the shop floor, however, Tansy is not having such a glamorous time. Troublesome step sisters, family relations and handsome but brooding actor, Ivo Hawksley, for a neighbour give her plenty to worry about out of hours. Ivo has come to the village to nurse a broken heart when he realises that he and Tansy have a link in their past. They are both set to find out how secrets shared can make a very strong bond indeed...


The Boy Who Could See Demons by Carolyn Jess-Cooke (Piatkus) Alex Broccoli is ten years old and likes onions on toast, and can balance on the back legs of his chair for fourteen minutes. His best friend is a 9000 year-old demon called Ruen. When his depressive mother attempts suicide yet again, Alex meets child psychiatrist Anya. Still bearing the scars of her daughter's battle with schizophrenia, Anya fears for Alex's mental health and attempts to convince him that Ruen doesn't exist. But as she runs out of medical proof for many of Alex's claims, she is faced with a question: does Alex really suffer from schizophrenia, or can he really see demons?


Dinner at Mine by Chris Smyth (Simon and Schuster) When Rosie decides to get her friends together for their very own version of Come Dine With Me she's bursting with excitement, even though her husband Stephen is less than keen. But Rosie is adamant. Four couples, each hosting a dinner party on a different night of the week, with a prize at the end for the best one. It'll be a good laugh, won't it? And a great way for everyone to get to know each other. What could possibly go wrong? What Rosie doesn't anticipate are the lengths that her fellow hosts might be prepared to go to in order to claim the prize- outlandish recipes, rare ingredients sourced from abroad, and a chocolate tart that looks just too good to be homemade... But perhaps she should be more worried about the mounting tension between the guests, as backbiting breaks out over the appetisers and a glass of wine too many leads to indiscreet flirtation. As the pressure in the kitchen rises, relationships begin to crack under strain, high-minded principles collide and the oven gloves come off...

Many thanks to the lovely publishers for sending me review copies.