BOOK REVIEW: House of Shadows by Nicola Cornick

London 1662:
There was something the White Queen needed to tell him. She fought for the strength to speak.
'The crystal mirror is a danger. It must be destroyed.' He replied instantly 'It will.'
Ashdown House, Oxfordshire, present day:
Ben Ansell is researching his family tree when he disappears. As his sister Holly begins a desperate search, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to an ornate antique mirror and the diary of Lavinia, a 19th Century courtesan who was living at Ashdown House when it was burned down over 200 years ago.
Intrigued and determined to find out more about the tragedy at Ashdown, Holly's only hope is that uncovering the truth about the past will lead her to Ben. 

Publisher:Mira

Pages: 476

This book was so intriguing, I really enjoyed it. This is the first book I've read by Nicola Cornick but House of Shadows really reminded me of Kate Morton's books which I am a big fan of.
Nicola Cornick goes back and forth in time between 1662, 1801 and 2014. Each story is just as interesting and I was very impressed by the way Nicola Cornick tied them together.
Holly is having to delve into the past as her beloved brother Ben has gone missing, he was doing family research at the time and the only  clue he has left behind is adiary from a 19th Century Courtesan in which he has written several names. He had also been in touch with somebody about a rare, antique mirror. Holly knows she is going to have to dig deep in order to find out what has happened to her brother.
The fact that Nicola Cornick is a historian shines through, her attention to detail is impeccable and then add to this the fantastic story she has woven around the historical facts.
I did like the character of Holly and you very much feel like you are alongside her on the search for clues to lead her to Ben.
House of Shadows is an excellent  book; if you are a fan of historical fiction and books with plenty of intrigue then do not miss this one.

Many thanks to Midas PR for sending me a copy of this book to review.

BOOK REVIEW: The Spider in the Corner of the Room by Nikki Owen

What to believe
Who to betray
When to run...
Plastic surgeon Dr Maria Martinez has Aspergers, convicted of killing a priest, she is alone, in prison and has no memory of the murder.
DNA evidence places Maria at the scene of the crime, yet she claims she's innocent. Then she starts to remember...
A strange room. Strange people. Being watched. As Maria gets closer to the truth, she is drawn into a web of international intrigue and must fight, not only to clear her name but to stay alive.

Publisher: Mira

Pages: 368

The Spider in the Corner of the Room was such a different take on the thriller and I really enjoyed it. It is book one of the Project Trilogy which is very exciting as we know that we will get at least two more books from this exciting new author.
Dr Maria Cruz-Martinez is a Spanish consultant who has just been convicted of the brutal murder of a priest. However, she cannot remember the murde
r even though forensic evidence has placed her at the scene. In the first chapter we meet Maria as she begins her new life in prison; terrifying for most I would imagine but someone with Aspergers it is hell. Maria having Aspergers makes her even more interesting as it makes the reader look at things differently as that is what Maria does. It is a very large focus of the book but it in no way infringes on the fast-paced nature of the story. The writing reflects Maria's Aspergers; there are times when it goes back and forth and there were times when I wasn't sure if Maria was having a flashback or if it was something she had imagined.
There is a lot going on in this book and the pace is extremely fast, you feel as though you are being taken along for a ride and you need to hang on,
The Spider in the Corner of the Room is original and well written. Nikki Owen makes it all entirely believable and you want to invest your emotions in the character and plot. I really, really liked Maria and it will be so interesting to see what happens in the next instalment.

Many thanks to the people at Mira for sending me a copy of the book to review.  

Book review: The Returned by Jason Mott

Harold and Lucille Hargrave's lives have never been the same since their only son, Jacob, died tragically at his eighth birthday party in 1966. In their old age they've settled into life without him, their wounds tempered through the grace of time... Until one day Jacob mysteriously appears on their doorstep- flesh and blood, still eight years old.
All over the world- people's loved ones are returning from beyond. No one knows how or why, whether it's a miracle or sign of the end. As chaos erupts around the globe, the newly reunited Hargrave family find themselves at the centre of a community on the brink of collapse, forced to navigate a mysterious new reality and a conflict that threatens to unravel the very meaning of what it is to be human.
Exploring timeless questions of faith and morality, love and responsibility, The Returned is an unforgettable story that marks the arrival of an important new voice in contemporary fiction. 

I found this book quite haunting, mainly due to its simplicity.
Jacob drowned in his eighth birthday in 1966 but now he has returned. He is still eight years old but his parents are now in their retirement years. They have hugely conflicted emotions; they are overjoyed to be reunited with their son but is it really Jacob and where has he been? Jacob is not the only one, people are returning all over the world which causes huge problems, people are frightened and there is not enough room.
Harold and Lucille live in a small southern American town called Arcadia and Jacob and the other returned are creating a lot of tension. Harold and Lucille must protect the son they have already lost once.
Jason Mott has written such an interesting story. There are not a huge amount of sub-plots in this book, it is more about the characters and the questions they raise. How would you react if your loved ones returned? How would you treat them? What if you didn't want them back? What if your loved ones didn't return?
The author chooses words very carefully to create an emotive and highly charged atmosphere. This book left me with a lot to think about and Jason Mott is an author I will look out for.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

Pages: 400 

Publisher: Mira

Many thanks to Pauline at Cherish PR for sending me a copy of the book to review, The Returned is out now!

Book Review: Glittering Fortunes by Victoria Fox

Two brothers. Two rivals. One devastating family secret.
Charlie Lomax hasn't seen his brother in years. Cato's been too busy living the A-list Hollywood dream to bother with a small Cornish town. But now he's back. Hollywood and British aristocracy are about to clash as Cato sets out to claim the Lomax legacy he believes is his birthright.
Unsuspecting Olivia needs a job after spectacularly failing to make a life for herself in London. Forced back to Cornwall she has no idea what she's letting herself in for by becoming a gardener at the crumbling but beautiful Usherwood estate.
She certainly didn't bargain on becoming embroiled in the biggest scandal of the year, and not least because the brooding Charlie is a man she can't seem to stay away from...

Victoria Fox has done it again, another highly entertaining read. Glittering Fortunes is the story of two brothers, Charlie and Cato Lomax. Charlie has been running the beautiful Usherwood estate whilst Cato has been living it up as a Hollywood movie star. But Cato is back now and ready to claim his birthright.
Olivia has just arrived back in Cornwall after trying her luck in London. She takes a job at Usherwood just as Cato arrives back but it is Charlie who she can't take her eyes off.
I really enjoyed Glittering Fortunes, the conflict between Cato and Charlie added another dimension which made the story more interesting. I would have liked a little more interaction between Charlie and Olivia as they were my favourite characters.
Victoria Fox is so good at writing in this genre. Her books offer a little bit of escapism with plenty of scandal and intrigue, highly recommended.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

Publisher: Mira

Pages: 384

Many thanks to Cherish PR for sending me a copy of the book to review, Glittering Fortunes is out now.

Book Review: Wicked Ambition by Victoria Fox

Some will do anything for fame. Others will do anything to bring the famous down. Robin might come across as feisty and full of attitude but as the tale progresses the reader soon learns her tough exterior conceals a damaged heart , while American megastar Turquoise has a shocking secret that belies a murderous past. And unbeknown to Californian Kristin her boy-band beau is harbouring a dark story that could destroy both their careers. As Wicked Ambition follows the lives of these three ambitious starlets, it soon becomes clear that their rise to the top will be anything but plain sailing. 

I haven't read a good bonk-buster for ages and it is clear that Victoria Fox is one of the best in this genre. Wicked Ambition oozes glamour with a sprinkling of sex and scandal.
The book revolves around three women, Robin, Turquoise and Kristin. They are all huge celebrities at the top of their game but it is their personal lives that threatens everything they have worked for. Robin had an awful start to life and has fought all the way for survival and success. She is used to crazy fans but this one stalker is different and when Robin comes face to face with them she is in for the shock of her life. Turquoise has a huge music career but her first foray into movies brings her past back to haunt her. All she wants to do is make things right but that will put everything she has in jeopardy. Kristin is one of America's sweethearts, a child-star who has grown into a young and inspirational woman. With a stage mother from hell, Kristin clings on to her boyfriend to provide the security and love that she craves. However, Scotty has his own secrets, secrets that will have devastating consequences for himself and those around him.
At 603 pages, Wicked Ambition is long but Victoria Fox keeps up a good pace throughout. The chapters are short and snappy as we delve into the glamorous but murky world of fame and fortune.
Wicked Ambition reminded me of some of the Jackie Collins books I hav
e read. Yet I think that Victoria Fox is more current and her writing more engaging. Wicked Ambition would make the perfect summer read, once you start it you won't want to put it down.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4.5/5

Publisher: Mira

Pages: 603

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

Book Review: Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs

Olivia Bellamy has traded her trendy Manhattan life for a summer renovating her family's crumbling holiday resort. Tempted by the hazy, nostalgic memories of summers past- childhood innocence and the romance and rivalries of her teens. It's the perfect place to flee after her broken engagement. But what began as an escape may just be a new beginning...

As Olivia uncovers secrets buried thick with dust, one by one her family return, their lives as frayed at the edges as the resort. Her father and the mystery woman in the tatty black and white photograph. Uncle John, who's trying to be a father again to his teenage kids. Connor Davis, the first love she never forgot.

Laughter is ringing around Willow Lake once more. This could be Olivia's summer of a lifetime!

Summer at Willow Lake is a very easy-going, enjoyable read. Olivia is spending the summer renovating Camp Kioga, the summer camp owned by her family and a place where Olivia spent her childhood summers. Those were the summers when she was chubby and awkward, now she is stunning and highly successful except in the romance department where she has just experienced a broken engagement with one of New York's most eligible bachelors.
Olivia is determined to get the camp back to it's former glory so that her grandparents can celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary there. Olivia didn't expect to have to see Connor Davis again though. He was her first love at camp but things did not end well and they haven't spoken for years. As the only building contractor in the area, Connor is Olivia's only choice for doing the work at Willow Lake so it looks like they will be spending the summer together again. As Olivia works on the camp, family secrets are uncovered and old feelings awakened. It looks like it is going to be a very interesting summer.
I did really enjoy this book and I thought that the pace was great. It is a very nostalgic read and has you remembering the summers of your childhood. It is a book that I would highly recommend sitting in the sunshine with to pass a few hours.

Many thanks to Mira for sending me a copy of the book to review, it is out now.