BLOG TOUR: Our Stop by Laura Jane Williams

All anyone wants is to make a connection. Nadia gets the 07.30 train every morning without fail. Well, except if she oversleeps or wakes up at her friend Emma's after too much wine.
Daniel really does get the 07.30 train every morning, which is easy because he hasn't been able to sleep properly since his dad died.
One morning, Nadia's eye catches sight of a post in the daily paper:
'To the cute girl with the coffee stains on her dress. I'm the guy who's always standing near the doors... Drink sometime?'
So begins a not-quite romance of near-misses, true love and the power of the written word. 

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 361

I was so excited to be invited to be part of the blog tour for Laura Jane Williams' fictional debut, Our Stop. I'm a big fan of Laura on Instagram and used to love her column in Red magazine. Our Stop is exactly what I expected from her, it is fresh, honest, witty and easy to relate to.
Nadia and Daniel regularly catch the 07.30 train on their way to work. Daniel has noticed Nadia and places an advert in a newspaper asking her to go for a drink sometime. Once Nadia has accepted that she is the girl in the advert she replies and so it begins. Nadia and Daniel have many near misses and we follow their story to see if they will ever make a connection.
In the main, the book is written from either Nadia or Daniel's perspective. This gave it a quirky Sliding Doors feel as  they often  miss each other by mere minutes or have actually been in the same place at the same time without realising.
I was quite surprised by the fact that I liked Daniel more than I liked Nadia but he just seemed much more genuine and interesting. Nadia seemed more closed off but that may just have been me.
I enjoyed the way in which the author gradually introduced the characters. We get to know them pretty well before she puts them in situations together.
One of my favourite parts of the book was Laura Jane Williams' depiction of London within the book. I finished the story with a large list of places that I want to visit next time that I am in the capital. Her descriptions were vivid and the vibrant and lively atmosphere she created was a perfect addition to the plot.
Our Stop would be a fantastic book to take on holiday, it would be great for lounging in the sun with. I think that Laura has written a book that many will relate to, especially those in new relationships. I hope she goes on to write more fiction as I believe this will be a hit.

Many thanks to Avon for inviting me to be part of the tour and for sending me a copy of the book to review, make sure you check out the other blogs taking part!

BLOG TOUR: Her Name Was Rose by Claire Allen

Her death has created a vacancy…
When Emily lets a stranger step out in front of her, she never imagines that split second will change her life. But after Emily watches a car plough into the young mother – killing her instantly- she finds herself unable to move on. And then she makes a decision she can never take back.
Because Rose had everything Emily ever dreamed of. A beautiful, loving family, a great job and a stunning home. And how Rose’s husband misses his wife, and their son needs a mother. Why couldn’t Emily fill that space? But as Emily is about to discover, no one’s life is perfect… and not everything is as it seems.

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 336

Her Name Was Rose is Claire Allen’s first thriller and it is excellent. Emily D’Arcy is our protagonist , she allows a young mother to step in front of her and is horrified to  watch her be run over and killed instantly. Emily feels like it should have been her, the car would have hit her if she hadn’t let the woman in front. Struggling to move on, Emily begins to look into the young woman’s life. She quickly discovers that Rose Maguire had the perfect life, the successful husband, beautiful son, stunning home etc. A life that Emily would have love; she begins to think that maybe she could take Rose’s place, comfort her husband and care for her son. But what if Rose’s life wasn’t as perfect as it seems- how does Emily get back out?

Claire Allen has written a dark and twisty psychological thriller. Everything is the book is unreliable; the narrators especially so you are constantly trying to work out what is going on. I really enjoyed the pace of this book, it was very difficult to put down.

I didn’t necessarily like Emily’s character as there was so much I was unsure of. There are points in the book where Emily feels like she has control of everything only to have it come crashing down around her.

I think Her Name Was Rose will be a big hit this year, it is highly addictive and gripping- an excellent book to take on holiday. 

Many thanks to Avon for inviting me to take part in the blog tour, the book is out now and don't forget to take a look at the other stops on the tour! 

BOOK REVIEW: The Fear by C.L. Taylor

When Lou Wandsworth ran away to France with her teacher Mike Hughes, she thought he was the love of her life. But Mike wasn’t what he seemed and he left her life in pieces.
Now 32, Lou discovers that Mike is involved with teenager Chloe Meadows. Determined to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself, she returns home to confront him for the damage he’s caused.
But Mike is a predator of the worst kind, and as Lou tries to bring him to justice, it’s clear that she could once again become his prey…

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 398

You are in for such a treat with C.L. Taylor’s latest book, The Fear. The Sunday Times best-selling author delivers yet another tense, dark, gripping thriller.

Lou Wandsworth ran away to France with her karate teacher when she was just thirteen. At the time, she felt that she was in love with Mike  but now looking back as an adult, it is clear for her to see that she was a vulnerable young girl, groomed by a predatory paedophile. Lou has finally moved back to her childhood home after her father’s death. She knows that she is likely to run into Mike but she is not prepared for that fact that he is still abusing young girls. When she learns of his involvement with thirteen-year-old Chloe Meadows. Lou can see history repeating itself and she knows that she must put a stop to it, no matter how much danger that puts her in.

I have read C.L. Taylor’s previous books and they are fantastic but this is my favourite so far. I felt as though the author had taken everything up a notch; the tension is palpable from the beginning and the twists along the way are so clever.

I think that the author was brave tackling the subject if paedophilia; it is obviously always relevant but it has been in the media so much recently too. Her handling of the subject felt sensitive but realistic. It was so easy to see how Lou and Chloe were taken in by Mike and how his behaviour becomes more manipulative and frightening.

If you are looking for a dark, page-turning thriller then look no further than The Fear.

Many thanks to Avon for sending me a copy to review, The Fear is out now. 

BOOK REVIEW: Stand By Me by S.D. Robertson

They’ll always  have each other… won’t they?
Lisa and Elliot have been best friends since the day they met as children.
Twenty years later, life has pulled the pair apart and Lisa is struggling. Her marriage is floundering, her teenage kids are being secretive, and she’s so tired she can’t think straight. So when Elliot knocks on the door, she’s delighted to see her old friend again.
With Elliot back in their lives. Lisa’s family problems begin to improve. As their bond deepens, she realises how much she missed him, and prays this  is one friendship that will last a lifetime. But sometimes life has other ideas…

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 422

Stand By Me is a poignant and emotional read. Elliot and Lisa have been best friends since  childhood and even though Elliot now lives in Sydney- he would be there for Lisa in a heart beat and she for him.

Lisa is having a really tough time; her husband has lost his job and her children seem to becoming more and more distant. So it is a welcome surprise when Elliot knocks on her door, she is so pleased to see him. Yet he seems to be hiding something too and Lisa has no idea what it could be.

This book was not what I expected at all and I don’t want to give the plot away as that would spoil it for others. S.D. Robertson explores so many emotions within this book and also looks very closely at growing up. I enjoyed the parts of the book that dealt with Lisa and Elliot growing up and it was interesting to see this mirrored with Lisa’s two children who are experiencing their own issues with becoming young adults.

Stand By Me is an emotional and compelling read which I would highly recommend.

Many thanks to Avon for sending me a copy of the book, it is out now!

BLOG TOUR: A Year of New Adventures by Maddie Please

I'm on the blog tour today for the fab new book from Maddie Please, here's the idea behind it:

It’s time for Billie Summers to have an adventure … but it might not be exactly what she expected. Billie Summers has always been quite content in her little cottage in the Cotswolds, sure half the house hasn’t been renovated, but what’s the point when it’s only her! Working part-time at her uncle’s bookshop and planning 3-4 writer retreats with her best friend allows her to pay the bills. What more could anyone want?
That is until Oliver Forest, the bad boy of the book world, turns up to one of her retreats and points out that Billie hasn’t done anything very adventurous. Couple that with her best friend falling head over heels and beginning to drift away from their Friday night wine and dinner plans, Billie is starting to wonder if it isn’t time she take control of her life.
So she starts a list: get fitted (properly) for a bra, fix up rest of house, find a ‘career’ and well, get a tattoo … Her life might just get the makeover it needs, too bad irritating and far-too-attractive for his own good, Oliver keeps showing up …
Because sometimes you need an adventure!

Sounds good doesn't it! I'm very lucky to have an extract to share with you and check out the other stops on the blog tour for reviews, interviews and more! 

Helena coloured prettily and sat up a bit straighter in her chair.

‘Helena Fairchild. I write children’s and YA. I’m a librarian. I sold a short story once, about a million years ago. It was about Bonfire Night. I’m not exactly setting the literary world alight just yet but I’m going to keep on trying. Nancy?’

Nancy was cutting a slice of cheddar and she paused, her knife halfway through the block.

‘Nancy Gregory, retired RE teacher. I write murder mysteries. The latest one has taken three years and I haven’t the faintest idea what I’m doing with it. I get so muddled I am quite capable of making the detective in charge of the case commit the murder.’ She looked thoughtful. ‘Perhaps that’s not such a bad idea!’

Vivienne sniffed; her aquiline nose a beak of disapproval.

‘I’m Vivienne Noble. I’m a retired chemistry teacher. I’ve self-published a couple of novels on Amazon to mixed reviews. I write contemporary erotica. Nothing too outré, just a bit of S&M, some bondage, and some role-play.’

‘Really?’ Nick said.

Vivienne loved it when this sort of surprise was voiced and was inclined to play up to the audience and show off.

‘Well I may not have been married but it doesn’t mean I haven’t lived. And I think I’ve got a pretty good idea of what does and doesn’t work.’

The table fell silent at this point until Helena cleared her throat and we all jumped.

‘Nick?’ she said. ‘Your turn I think?’

I kicked Helena under the table. She sent me a cross-eyed look in return.

Nick fidgeted a little and pulled his chunk of bread in half.

‘Blimey, I don’t quite know how to follow that. OK, I’m Nick Fitzgerald. I’m a contractor specializing in IT. I’m trying to write thrillers with a sort of international edge. Dan Brown, Ross Black, John Grisham – that sort of thing. I’ve had some technical papers published on subjects too dreary to go into, but as yet I don’t have an agent or any sign of one.’

He seemed to run out of steam at this point and he looked down and started buttering his bread. We all turned to Elaine.

‘I’m Elaine Weston. I’m a partly retired doctor and I write paranormal romance. Not very successfully I’m afraid. There doesn’t seem to be the market for it these days. Unless there is, and I just don’t write it very well. I had an agent but unfortunately she retired. I’d love another one, but well, we’ll see.’ She hunched her shoulders and gave a little excited smile.

Thank you so much to Sabah Kahn from Avon for asking me to take part in the blog tour, let me know if you read the book! 

BLOG TOUR: Stand by Me by S.D. Robertson

I am so pleased to be on the blog tour today for Stand by Me by S.D. Robertson, I really enjoyed this book and I shall share my review for you in the next few days. Here's the idea behind this heart warming book: 

Lisa and Elliot have been best friends ever since the day they met as children. Popular, bright and sporty, Lisa was Elliot’s biggest supporter when the school bullies made his life a misery, and for that, he will always be grateful.
Life has pulled the pair apart and Lisa is struggling. Her marriage is floundering, her teenage kids are being secretive, and she’s so tired she can’t think straight. So when Elliot knocks on the door, looking much better than she remembers, she can’t help but be delighted to see her old friend again.
With Elliot back in their lives, Lisa’s family problems begin to improve – he’s like the fairy godmother she never had. As their bond deepens, she realises how much she’s missed him, and prays that this is one friendship that will last a lifetime. But sometimes, life has other ideas…
A heartwarming story perfect for fans of Keith Stewart and Jojo Moyes, that will leave you with a tear in your eye but hope in your heart.

If that has whet your appetite then keep reading for an exclusive extract:

Extract Nine: Chapter 16, pp.168-169

So far – not that he’d admit this to Lisa – he’d found her old friend a bit of a threat. Who wouldn’t? Elliot had flown over without warning from the other side of the world and had everything going for him. He was wealthy, successful and in great shape; he had a shared childhood with Lisa that Mike knew little or nothing about. Oh yeah, and he’d effortlessly managed to save Ben’s life yesterday in between cooking a fantastic meal and being an all-round nice guy.

Mike’s life, on the other hand, was in pieces. He was overweight, jobless and pretty useless around the house. He drank too much and bit Lisa’s head off far more frequently than he bought her flowers or behaved roman­tically. He was stuck in a rut. The idea that someone like Elliot could potentially swoop in and steal all he had left – his wife and kids – terrified him.

Not that Elliot had given Mike the impression he was  here to do that. One of the most infuriating things about him was that he was so amiable. Despite the potential threat he posed to Mike, even he found it hard to hate him. And if anything, hearing that Elliot hadn’t always had things so easy actually increased his likeability factor.

No, it was jealousy rather than hate that Mike felt towards Elliot. Embarrassing but true. That was the reason he’d tried to criticise his actions yesterday. That and guilt for not being the one to save Ben himself.

But there was something else about Elliot too: something Mike couldn’t quite put his finger on. He got the sense that there was more to this sudden visit back home than business. Why choose to return now, unannounced, after staying away for two decades? And if he was here about important matters relating to his company, how come he had so much free time on his hands to catch up with Lisa?

Wouldn’t a last-minute trip to the other side of the world signal something of crucial importance? So how come he hadn’t been fielding calls or emails on his mobile every few minutes? Come to think of it, Mike couldn’t ever remember seeing Elliot use a mobile. Was that normal for a guy who ran a successful tech firm?

What if he was here for another reason altogether and the whole business thing was a cover story?

Whatever it was, something didn’t add up.

Please take the time to check out the other stops on the blog tour for more extracts, interviews with the author and reviews of the book! 

BOOK REVIEW: The Secret by Katerina Diamond

Bridget Reid has a secret, one that could get her killed if she can escape the man who is keeping her locked in a basement bedroom.
D.S. Imogen Grey is good at keeping secrets, truths she'd never reveal to her colleagues at Exeter Police. She worked hard to get to where she is, she nearly died for it. Now her past is catching up with her.
As D.S. Grey and her partner D.S. Adrian Miles search for Bridget, they uncover a terrifying web of abuse, betrayal and murder. And they realise that some secrets are better left buried.

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 416

This is the second book in the D.S. Imogen Grey series I haven't actually read the first book, The Teacher so don't worry if you haven't either.
The book packs a punch right from the start. Bridget Reid is on the run, she is hurt and scared but manages to make it to the secret meeting place she had agreed on with her boyfriend. However, when she wakes up she is locked in a basement bedroom by a man who is convinced she belongs to him.
D.S. Imogen Grey is now in Exeter and working alongside a new partner, D.S. Adrian Miles. They are called to a murder scene with three victims and it is clear from the bodies that they are dealing with a deranged killer who is more than happy for his victims to suffer. They begin their investigation and Imogen is shocked and unsettled to discover that this new case has links to her past. A past her colleagues know nothing about and one she did not want to share.
Katerina Diamond's writing is brilliant, I felt like I was holding my breath at certain points and she does not shy away from any gritty details. Her descriptions create very
powerful, vivid images in the reader's mind.
The chapter's told from the killer's perspective are the most chilling but also intriguing. You get a real sense of how he went from a young boy, to a twisted, dangerous murderer. It raises the question of whether people are born with evil inside them or does it develop due to the experiences they have?
The Secret is an excellent thriller, it's full of brilliantly crafted plot twists and complex but believable characters; I highly recommend this one.

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Family Man by TJ Lebbon

You take one risk.
Now those you love must pay...
Emma Turner thought she could trust her husband, Dom. She thought that he would always look after and and her daughter Daisy.
Then one reckless act ends in two innocent deaths- and Dom's family becomes the target of a terrifying enemy.
There's nowhere to hide. They're on the run for their lives. And if Dom makes one more wrong move, he won't have a family left to protect.

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 372

T. J. Lebbon has written over 30 novels but he is a new author to me and I was very impressed. 

I found the dialogue in the first few chapters a little disjointed but I'm glad that I stuck with it as I was soon completely engrossed in this action-packed, fast paced story.

Dom is a pillar of the community, he runs his own electrical business and is a governor at the local school. Yet he takes a stupid risk with his cycling mate Andy that puts his life and those of his wife and Daughter Daisy at risk. All of a sudden Dom is having to run in order to survive; the people chasing him and his family are dangerous and twisted. They have a reputation for enjoying causing suffering and pain and now they have Dom and his family on their list. 

The Family Man is so well done; once I had got on board with the huge risk that Dom takes, I enjoyed the story and could not put the book down. 

There are some very graphic descriptions of extreme violence so probably not the best book if you are a little squeamish. T. J. Lebbon sets out to shock and succeeds on more than one occasion in order to fully show the danger that Dom is in. 

The pace of the book is relentless; the last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat as Dom becomes closer and closer to losing everything. It was interesting to see the shift in Dom's behaviour once his family are threatened. His life is quite dull at the beginning of the book but that soon changes and I think he shocks himself by what he will do in order to protect Emma and Daisy.

The Family Man is fast-paced, gritty and hard-hitting, I would highly recommend it. Let me know if you have read any of this author's other books as I would love to try more. 

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Missing by C.L. Taylor

You love your family.
They make you feel safe.
You trust them.
But should you...?
When fifteen-year-old Billy Wilkinson goes missing in the middle of the night, his mother, Claire, is distraught, blaming herself. She's not the only one. There isn't a single member of Billy's family who doesn't feel guilty.
But the Wilkinson's are so used to keeping secrets from one another that it isn't until six months later, when an appeal for information goes horribly wrong, that the terrifying truth begins to surface.
Claire is sure of two things: Billy is still alive and her family had nothing to do with his disappearance. A mother's instinct is never wrong. Or is it?

Publisher: Avon

Pages:472

I was so pleased to receive The Missing by C.L. Taylor to review as I had read a lot of glowing reviews for her previous books. After reading this one, I can understand why.
Claire's son Billy went missing over six months ago and her family has been torn apart. All members of the family feel guilty but it is a new appeal that draws out the truth and Claire in particular is left questioning everything she has ever believed in and held dear.
C.L. Taylor presents every parent's worst nightmare in this book, the idea of your child going missing is completely terrifying. Through the character of Claire, the aut
hor explores the wide spectrum of emotions; fear, anger, guilt and loss. Claire struggles to know what to do; it is six months on and the police are no further on in their investigation. A new appeal unearths fresh information and Claire is determined to explore all the new leads herself.
The Missing is brilliantly plotted and realistic. It would make an excellent TV programme; there is just the right balance of gritty reality and raw emotion.
C.L. Taylor is excellent at maintaining the suspense; the book is interspersed with Whatsapp conversations but it is not revealed who the people are until the very end; all we know is that they are related to Billy's disappearance.
The Missing by C.L. Taylor shocked and surprised me, I will definitely be catching up with this author's other books now.

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

BOOK REVIEW: Follow Me by Angela Clarke

LIKE. SHARE. FOLLOW... DIE.
The 'Hashtag Murderer' posts chilling cryptic clues on-line, pointing to their next target. Taunting the police, enthralling the press. Capturing the public's imagination.
But this is no virtual threat.
As the number of his followers rise, so does the body count.
Eight years ago two young girls did something unforgivable. Now ambitious police officer Nasreen and investigative journalist Freddie are thrown together again in a desperate struggle to catch this cunning, fame-crazed killer. But can they stay one step ahead of him? And can they escape their own past?
Time's running out. Everyone is following the #murderer. But what if he is following you?
Online, no one can hear you scream?

Publisher: Avon

Follow Me by Angela Clarke is a riveting read and an excellent idea for a book. There is a serial killer on Twitter, they post cryptic clues on the social media site and the body count is going up. Unbelievably his followers increase and everybody is talking about the Hashtag Murderer.
Nasreen Cudmore is an up and coming police officer who is working on the case. Investigative journalist Freddie ends up on the case too; the two women were friends over eight years ago but a terrible secret has kept them apart. Are they going to be able to work together and what if anyone finds out what they did.
Follow Me is very much a cat and mouse story, the murderer always appears to be one step ahead and he is utilising Twitter to taunt the police in front of a huge audience.
I thought that Angela Clarke delivered an excellent plot with a really good, consistent pace. The story is so relevant to the world we live in and it really made me think about the on-line world and what people choose to show to others and what they hide.
Nasreen and Freddie were both good, solid characters. I enjoyed the story of the past and how they were linked but I was more focused on the murderer and how they were going to stop them.
I'm not 100% sure if the book would have such a big impact on someone who was not familiar with Twitter as it is quite a big concept to get your head round if you don't know how it works.
Angela Clarke is a new author for me and I really enjoyed this book. It felt very modern and relevant and the author held my attention whilst also giving me a lot to think about.

Book Review: Take a Look at Me Now by Miranda Dickinson

When Nell's on-off boyfriend Aidan calls her into his office, the last thing she expects is to lose her job. Heartbroken and unemployed, she makes a radical decision to blow her redundancy cheque and escape to San Francisco. But is the glamour of the city too good to be true? And can Nell leave her past behind?

I have enjoyed Miranda Dickinson's latest book so much. Take a Look at Me Now is a lovely, aspirational, entertaining and warm read. The only problem I had with it is that I now want to live in San Francisco!
Nell has lost her job, the shock made even worse by it being her on-off boyfriend firing her. Armed with her redundancy pay-out, Nell heads off to San Francisco where her cousin Lizzie is based. 8 weeks should be long enough to come up with a plan of action but the problem may be that she won't want to come back.
I have enjoyed all of the books I have read by Miranda Dickinson. Nell, like Miranda's other female characters is well, rounded, likeable and
more importantly, believable. Nell is worried about losing her job but she is not desperate to carry on in the same career. She has always wanted to run her own American diner so where better to do some research then one of the greatest American cities?
My favourite part of the book was San Francisco . Miranda's enthusiasm and in-depth research was clear to see. I felt that she really brought the city alive in the book and I found myself researching the places that explores during her visit.
I would highly recommend Take a Look at Me Now. Miranda Dickinson's writing is up-lifting and entertaining; I think she brings a breath of fresh air to this genre and I'm already excited about her future books.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Pages: 416

Publisher: Avon

Take a Look at Me Now is out October 24th!!!

GUEST REVIEW: Wicked Wives by Anna Lou Weatherley

I have another guest review for you today, this time we have the very lovely Rachel who has reviewed on Dot Scribbles before. This time Rachel read Wicked Wives by Anna Lou Weatherley, this is what she thought:

Casino owner and serial gambler Tom Black leaves a trail of broken hearts wherever he goes. So when he disappears, it's no surprise that foul play is suspected. Suspicion points to three women from his past; Eleanor, the socialite with a sordid past, Loretta, the power-hungry gold-digger, and Victoria, the glamorous, heartbroken author. But in the game of love there can only be one winner, and these woman will stop at nothing to get what they want.

After reading and enjoying the author’s first novel Chelsea Wives I was excited to start Wicked Wives. I'm not always a lover of the author using a prologue as it almost takes away the intrigue and drama from the storyline. In this case I thought that it was written well with enough detail in the main body of the book to keep you hooked thoughout. 

The main character Tom Black was almost too fictional in my opinion, the ultimate bad boy. The three women characters in the book each had there own story which entwined them into the life of Mr Black.I felt the author focused on the character of Ellie which lead to the other female characters lacking depth. I would have liked to see these characters expanded on. For example Ellie's husband was described a few times as someone with a past, more than meets the eye and I was almost frustrated that you never learnt any history as to why he was that way.

I enjoyed this book as much as the author's first and would recommend it, a tip to the reader would be to try not to get too frustrated by the label and name dropping which I saw as padding when the characters could have been explored a little further. 

Rachel's Rating: 4/5

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 416

GUEST BOOK REVIEW: Leftovers by Stella Newman

Some lovely people offered to do some guest book reviews on Dot Scribbles recently, first we have Susan who has reviewed Leftovers by Stella Newman:

Susie Rosen's life is a mess. According to her best friend Rebecca, she needs to get over her ex. Move forward and start dating- or at least stop being rude to every guy who tries to speak to her. A magazine feature tells her she is a 'Leftover'- a post Bridget-Jones 30 something who has neither her dream job or any sense of a meaningful relationship- she doesn't even own 4 matching dinner plates.
Following her grandmother's philosophy that there is a pasta shape and sauce for just about every situation, Susie cooks as she is overlooked for promotion yet again, manages hellish clients and tries to stop stalking her ex on Facebook.
Painfully honest about what it's like to be single in your mid-30's in a big city, Stella Newman writes with wit and insight about the leftovers we carry with us from our past and what we should really leave behind.

I really enjoyed this novel; it does not follow the standard formula for books of this genre and so feels fresh and original. The story covers a three month period in Susie’s life and reads almost like a diary (this is reinforced by chapter headings of dates or days of the week). What makes this book so enjoyable is the quality of the writing;   understated and with subtle emotion that seeps into the sub-conscious and so before you know it you are really rooting for the central character ( so much so I could have popped to NMN and slapped a few people). Other characters in the book are well written, believable and certainly recognisable – who doesn’t have at least one unreliable friend or back stabbing work colleague? The ending is perfect and not at all clichéd, the epilogue (ok it is slightly clichéd but I still loved it) is the “cherry on the cake”.

The book has extra bonus pages that include recipes, everything you need to know about Ryan Gosling’s films and an extract from Pear Shaped – Stella Newman’s previous novel.

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 400

Guest Review: The Baby Diaries by Sam Binnie

Our guest review today comes from Jean, she was interested in reviewing The Baby Diaries by Sam Binne as she had just welcomed her first grandchild into the world! Here's what Jean thought:

The hilarious and heart-warming second in the series from the author of The Wedding Diaries.
"I'd be sick right now, but I never like to reinforce a cliché."
A few weeks after Kiki and Thom return from honeymoon, Kiki finds there's a noticeable absence. An extremely serious noticeable absence of something, it turns out, Kiki now realises she was pretty glad about. One pregnancy test later, Kiki's breaking the "good news" (Thom: Wow. We're so… Edwardian.) and rewriting all the plans she'd made before.
With an ever-expanding waistline, her nightmare childhood "friend" Annie pregnant too, all the problem authors at Polka Dot Books she could (not) wish for and an army of NW London's Smug Mothers to deal with, these nine months might not be the nine months of blooming relaxation she'd been promised…

I’ve been following Dot Scribble’s book reviews for quite a while and I often read the books she recommends, so I was really pleased when she sent out an SOS for people to review some books for her. There were six and I wasn’t sure which one to chose until I spotted The Baby Diaries by Sam Binnie, because my first grandchild had just arrived and it seemed the perfect choice!
As the name suggests, it’s written like Bridget Jones’s Diary, but whereas Bridget lists the calories she’s eaten and the cigarettes she’s smoked, Sam’s character, Kiki, makes a list of things to do to get ready for her baby. It’s written in a humorous style which kept me chuckling all the way through. I wasn’t too sure about the dialogue being written as a script at first, but I soon got used to the rhythm of the chapters with their vivid descriptions of Kiki’s world of publishing and antenatal classes. However, I wished that I had read The Wedding Diaries first to get to know all the characters Kiki mentions.
The progress of Kiki’s pregnancy kept me glued to the book. In fact I was so engrossed while I waited in the car for my daughter, that when she opened the door, it made me jump! The first days after Kiki's baby is born are captured very well. I especially like her parents coming and taking the baby out for three hours so she can sleep. I’ll have to offer to do that myself!
Some things have changed in the past 30 years, and I'm glad to see that the techniques I was taught in my NCT classes have been adopted by the NHS. One interesting thing is that Kiki (and my daughter) packed snacks to eat during labour. In my day you were only allowed ice cubes to suck, in case you needed a caesarian!
The story continues with the trials of going back to work and finishes with the baby’s six-month birthday party, followed by a section on advice for the newly pregnant mother.
I think that it’s a great read for mothers-to-be, new mothers and new grannies, and I shall certainly be reading The Wedding Diaries soon!  

Jean's Rating: 5/5

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 384 

Many thanks to Avon for sending a copy of the book to review, The Baby Diaries is out now! 

Guest Book Review: The Wedding Diaries by Sam Binnie

We have a guest review today from the lovely Rachel, this is her second post on Dot Scribbles and today she is reviewing The Wedding Diaries by Sam Binnie:

The first in a brand new series introduces Kiki Carlow, a woman on a mission to create her perfect wedding.
Kiki Carlow is shocked but delighted when boyfriend Thom proposes. Planning a wedding is easy, right? That’s as long as you ignore:
1. The utterly bankrupting price of the only dress you’ll ever truly love.2. Your suddenly pregnant sister – surprise!3. The celebrity wedding you’re covering for work which is devouring your every waking thought.4. The Mother of the Bride. Entirely.
Kiki soon discovers that planning the perfect wedding might just bring total chaos to the rest of her life. Can she stop being a Bridezilla in time to marry the man she loves?
Heart-warming and hilarious, The Wedding Diaries will make you laugh, cry, and want to watch Bridesmaids all over again…

The Wedding Diaries follows a newly engaged couple Kiki and Thom in the lead up to the most important day of their lives. The book is as the title suggests written in a diary format which I found a nice concept (I am a huge fan of the Bridget Jones books). Kiki writes to-do lists through her diary which at first I thought was a nice idea but as the story went on and the lists grew longer I felt that they were not really necessary. I disliked the character Kiki throughout the book and only slightly warmed to her towards the end of the story. For most of the book she was acting like a "bridezilla" and although plenty of events unfolded to change her outlook and grasp the important concepts of a marriage, I don’t think the character was portrayed very well in understanding this lesson.

Having said all that the book had some real laugh out loud moments, really funny one liners and scenarios that were a recipe for disaster that I enjoyed reading. As the book was the first in a series of three, I would give the second one a read, in particular i would be interested to see if some of the supporting characters(such as Jacki and Pedro) would be developed more in the next book.

This was not a book that I could not put down but it was a book that I picked up on and off. An easy read that you don’t really need concentrate on. Good for the upcoming holiday season.

Rachel's Rating: 3/5

Pages: 380

Publisher: Avon

Many thanks to Avon for sending me a copy of the book for review, The Wedding Diaries is out now. 

Guest Review: Pedigree Mum by Fiona Gibson

I have a lovely guest review for you today from my dear friend Kim. Kim lives in Hong Kong, we met through blogging and have been pen pals for the last few years, I am very excited as Kim is coming to the UK in August so we shall finally get to meet. She is a very lovely lady and has taken the time to review Pedigree Mum by Fiona Gibson, you can check out some of Kim's other review over at her blog, Still Reading. 

When Kerry Tambini upped sticks with her family to a new home on the coast, she couldn't have been happier. Then husband Rob made the biggest mistake of his life...
Stranded with her children in snooty Shorling, Kerry has plenty on her plate. So how can she say no to the kids' pleas for a dog when they're missing their father so dreadfully? Will adopting a wayward hound lead Kerry to a new love- or has she bitten off more than she can chew?
As she steps back into the dating world Kerry must juggle her family, her neurotic dog and try to fit in with the local pedigree mums, making her a true heroine of our time.

Kerry Tambini and her husband, Rob, get an offer to live by the sea in a small village called Shorling. After an idyllic family day out there they decide to leave the hustle and bustle of London behind and move with their two children to the coast. Then Rob makes the biggest mistake of his life and the whole family dynamic is changed.

Kerry soon realises how hard it is to bring up her children single-handedly in a village full of competitive, un-friendly mum’s. She feels heartbroken for her struggling children who are missing their father enormously, so, after months of them begging for a dog and in an attempt to cheer them up, she finally decides to adopt one.

Enter, Buddy!

The children and Kerry instantly fall in love with Buddy and his wayward ways and very soon he begins to fill part of the gap they all have in their lives. Then, just as things start to settle a little, Kerry finds she has a couple of admirers in Shorling but she struggles to feel romantic towards anyone after being so badly let down by Rob.

Firstly, let me say thank you to Dot at Dot Scribbles for sending me this book to review. This is the first Fiona Gibson book I have read and it was so enjoyable, I devoured it in a couple of days.

Underneath the funny and cringe-worthy happenings in each of these character’s lives, there are some serious issues being dealt with in the story which, on the whole, I think Fiona Gibson handles with honesty and humour. My only tiny comment would be that I feel Rob is treated very unsympathetically throughout the book and although he makes a huge mistake, I did feel a little bit sorry for him. Apart from that, I found this book to be entertaining and well worth setting aside some time to read. It is ideal for a holiday read.

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 400

Many thanks to Becke at Avon for sending this  book for review, Pedigree Mum is available now. 

Book Review: When I Fall in Love by Miranda Dickinson

Elsie Maynard never expected to be starting again.
But eighteen months on fron the biggest challenge of her life, she is doing just that- because she made a promise to the person who believed in her the most.
Determined to step into her uncertain future, Elsie meets handsome Oliver Hogarth who seems intent on winning her heart and inadvertently founds a choir.
Then a heartfelt request brings her to Paris- and the final item on 'The List' she never dared complete. Can Elsie follow her heart and put her past to rest?

I have read Miranda Dickinson's previous books so I knew I was in for a treat when this one arrived.
When I Fall in Love is a lovely, romantic read. Elsie Maynard is moving on with her life, her new project is a choir, she is going to be the female equivalent to Gareth Malone. Her love life is also taking a new turn in the form of Oliver Hogarth, he is happy to take things slowly but will Elsie ever be ready to love again? Add to this mix Torrin Stewart who inadvertently keeps on coming to Elsie's rescue yet she cannot bear to be in the same room as him.
I love the humour that Miranda Dickinson injects into her books, I found the character of Woody particularly funny. The ageing rocker spurs Elsie on, he is not afraid to take risks and live life to the full, which is exactly what Elsie needs.
The final part of the book takes part in Paris so you obviously can't get any more romantic. Elsie takes the trip to fulfil someone else's dream but her time there is a big turning point, it allows her to leave the past behind and face the future.
I have to say that I liked the character of Oliver but I loved the brooding character of Torin Stewart, he is like a brooding Mr Darcy and for me that is always a welcome element to a book.
When I Fall in Love is such an enjoyable read, it has plenty of humour and romance and I was truly moved by Elsie's story. Miranda Dickinson has delivered another great book and I highly recommend that you take a look.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

Many thanks to the lovely people at Avon for sending me this book to review, When I Fall in Love is out now! Also I meant to say that the cover may have people thinking that this is a Christmas time book but it actually has nothing to do with Christmas and would be lovely to read any time of the year!

Book Review: Never Tell by Alafair Burke

When high school student Julia Whitmire is found dead in the bathtub of her family's Greenwich Village townhouse, her left wrist slashed  and a suicide note resting on her bed, Ellie Hatcher and her partner J.J. Rogan, initially write the case off as a suicide. Julia's parents insist that their daughter would never take her own life, but Ellie knows all too well that family members can be the last to accept the truth.
But when Julia's mother appeals to her with the evidence- including the hand-written suicide note she believes her daughter would never have composed- Ellie is confronted with the possibility of a troubled young girl's murder. 

This is the second book that I have read by Alafair Burke and it was just as good as the first. I particularly like how she presents you with the crime scene and the bare facts only; it feels like you almost go along collecting the clues with the detectives.

It appears that Julia Whitmire has slit her wrists in the bath, Detective Ellie Hatcher and her partner Rogan see it as a clear-cut suicide but Julia's mother is adamant that her daughter would not have taken her own life and would never have written the suicide note left behind.

The Whitmires have a lot of money and this means power, Ellie and Rogan have to investigate even though it goes against their instincts. They begin to discover that Julia may not have been as sweet and innocent as her parents believed but does this mean that she was murdered?

Alafair Burke writes with quite a fast pace and you are given a lot of information to take in and analyse. If you can keep up with it then it does add to the reading experience. You are only given a little bit of time to think about something before Burke is hitting you with something else. 

Never Tell is a good, solid thriller. I really enjoyed how the author set the story up, she has you intrigued from the very beginning to end and I look forward to reading more from Alafair Burke in the future.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

Many thanks to Avon for sending me a copy of the book, Never Tell is out now.

Book Review: Second Time Around by Erin Kaye

With a successful business and two loving children, divorcee Jennifer Irwin is quite content. But when her forty-fifty birthday approaches, Jennifer starts to feel lonely in her empty nest.
Then she meets the handsome and self-assured Ben Crawford and while sixteen years her junior, he sweeps Jennifer off her feet. Knowing the residents if their small town wouldn't approve, they conduct their affair in secret.
But a secret is never a secret for long in Ballyfergus...

Second Time Around is a really lovely read. This is Erin Kaye's eighth novel but the first that I have read.
Jennifer Irwin is a likeable character, she is divorced and mum to Matt and Lucy who are both grown up and have flown the nest. Just as Jennifer begins to notice the empty house, she meets the gorgeous Ben Crawford, the attraction is instant but he is sixteen years younger than her. She fights against her feelings as she knows that people will talk but Ben is not prepared to take no for an answer. Their affair becomes a secret but when you live in a small town, secrets become very hard to keep.
Erin Kaye has a very warm and inviting writing style. The relationship between Jennifer and Ben is believable and I really wanted it to work out for them. It seems as though Jennifer deserves some happiness and Ben could be the one to offer it to her.
Second Time Around is an absorbing and lovely read, I shall be looking at Erin Kaye's other books as I enjoyed this one so much.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4/5

Many thanks to Avon for sending me a copy of the book to review, Second Time Around is out now!

Book Review: The Drowning Pool by Syd Moore

Living in a coastal town with her son Alfie, young widow, Sarah Grey is rebuilding her life. But following an inadvertent seance, she is plagued by horrific visions and soon, it seems she is the target of a terrifying haunting...
Convinced that the ghost is that of a 19th Century local witch with her own namesake, Sarah delves into local folklore and learns that the witch was seen as evil incarnate. When a series of old letters surface, Sarah discovers that nothing is as it seems, maybe not even the ghost of Sarah Grey...

I love a good ghost story so I was really looking forward to this one and Syd Moore did not disappoint. I loved that the author did not go for the usual cliches, Sarah does not move into a spooky old house, she does not live in a deserted area, instead she is a working mum who seemingly has had a bit of bad luck. After inviting the ghost in without even realising it, Sarah begins having some terrifying experiences. She hears voices and sees ghostly images, when her young son Alfie experiences them too, she knows she has to do something.
Sarah believes she is being haunted by her namesake, Sarah Grey, a local woman believed to be a witch in the 19th Century. Sarah has to visit local folklore to find some answers, this persistent ghost is clearly trying to tell her something and Sarah must do everything she can to reveal the truth.
The Drowning Pool is a really good read. Syd Moore has written a gripping plot and I definitely thought twice about turning the light off after reading this. As Autumn approaches, it is the perfect time of year for this type of book so look out for it, The Drowning Pool is published today.

Many thanks to Avon for sending me a copy of the book to review.

Dot Scribbles Rating 4/5