Review - The Faithless by Martina Cole

The Faithless by Martina Cole

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Blurb from Goodreads

Number-one bestselling author Martina Cole (The Family, Hard Girls) delivers a hard-hitting novel that’s a guaranteed bestseller.

To the outside world, Cynthia Tailor is a woman to envy: she has a devoted husband, a lovely home and two gorgeous children. But Cynthia has always craved the best things in life, and is determined to see that she gets them. Cynthia will let nothing stand in her way, even if it means devastation and tragedy for those nearest to her …

British writer Martina Cole is known for her gritty, gangland thrillers. Two of her novels, Two Women and The Graft, have been adapted for the stage. A non-fiction TV series, Martina Cole’s Lady Killers, became a huge success in 2008.

My Review

Cynthia Tailor is everyones worst nightmare. Beautiful but pure evil inside, nothing will get in the way of her and anything she wants as her family will find out. We start with a pretty huge and brutal event and then go back in time to when Cynthia was young to present day. We meet the family and see how their relationship ends up the way it does and how Cynthia's character develops and just how evil she trully is.

What a great story. I love Martina Cole and have yet to find a book of hers I didn't like. It has her usual bad language, violence, betrayal, heartbreak and jaw dropping moments. The chapters are bit like James Patterson in that they are only 2 to 3 pages long which is great as you can dip in and out as often as you want and I find you race right through a book when it is like that.

There is some kind of action or drama on just about every page which makes this book hard to put down. If your not big on bad language and gangster brtuality then this (and any Martina Cole) book isn't for you. My only moan or issue was I felt there was a bit of repetition of some of the things that were being said. Also there was one or two things (small things) that I wanted dealt with but I am really picky and like every small detail dealt with. Overall a gripping read and page turner so a 4/5 for me.

View all my reviews

Review - The Woman In Black by Susan Hill

The Woman In Black: Movie Tie In by Susan Hill

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Blurb From Goodreads

Set in Victorian England, Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor in London, is summoned to Crythin Gifford to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow, and to sort through her papers before returning to London. It is here that Kipps first sees the woman in black and begins to gain an impression of the mystery surrounding her. From the funeral he travels to Eel Marsh House and sees the woman again, plus he also hears the terrifying sounds of adult and child passengers sinking into the quicksand on a pony and trap.

Despite Kipps’s experiences he resolves to spend the night at the house and fulfil hi professional duty.It is this night at Eel Marsh House that contains the greatest horror for Kipps. Rescued by Mr Daily, a friend he met on the train, Kipps discovers the reasons behind the hauntings at Eel Marsh House. The book ends with tragedy, with the woman in black exacting a final, terrible revenge

My Review

It's almost Christmas at the home of Arthur Kipps and there are scary stories all round which forces Arthur to recall a time in his past he would rather not remember. Arthur is young and eager in his job to impress the boss and hopefully get a raise and then some. He has to go to a former client house to settle affairs after her death and finds more than he bargained for in her creepy house and little town where the locals hint at dark happenings associated with the lady and house.

It starts of fairly slow and to be honest keeps at that pace for most of the book, it reminded me of the Blair Witch Project movie where lots was hinted at and your mind filled in the blanks and you scared yourself rather than the scares in your face.

As ghost stories go it is quite timid until the end or almost last quarter when things pick up but again it isn't over the top horror or even close, rather some horrible scary episodes for our main character. Most of the big questions are answered but there is a lot that would leave the inquisitive mind unsettled and possibly even annoyed. I liked it but much prefer my ghost stories with much more pace, action, gore (of which there wasn't) and edge of your seat scares. This was a much more timid read that kept you on the edge of your seat if your imagination does most of the work so 3/5 for me.

View all my reviews

Having problems with the contact form

Sorry but my contact form is having problems (hubby is working on a new one) so I have changed all the links so the contact now takes you to my profile and you can email from there.

If you have any problems with this you can always just leave a comment and a way for me to contact you back (twitter, facebook, website url) for any of the competitions or any other reason for contact.

Thanks for understanding and I will have a new form in place soon.

UPDATED - hubby has updated all the links (we think) if there is any problems please let me know.

Review - Nightfall in Mogadishu by Veronica Li

Nightfall in Mogadishu by Veronica Li

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Blurb from Amazon

Nightfall in Mogadishu is a spy thriller and historical novel set in Somalia. It weaves the country’s history, politics and culture into a tale of international intrigue. Susan Chen, a CIA agent is sent to Mogadishu to thwart a plot to overthrow the government. She finds a nation that has lost its soul and is whirling into a vortex of violence and terror.

My review

Susan is an undercover agent sent to Somalia to stop the destruction of the Somalia government, this is her first assignment. Whilst there she finds murder, brutality and something she wasn't expecting with harsh consequences.

I am not a fan of war books to be honest but with a woman able to defend herself and undercover I thought I would be able to get on with it. There is too much government and politics throughout the book for me, two things I don't understand and don't have one iota of interest in. I think if I had known some of Somalia's background maybe I wouldn't have been so lost.

The book does have some good that I could get on with, Susan is a great character. Strong, able, out spoken (when in a place where woman should be seen and not heard) and not afraid to go after something or someone in her way.

There is a lot of murder and brutality in the book and people and animals suffer so it isn't for the light hearted. There is also quite a bit of action in it but I got so bogged down with the political issues I couldn't enjoy any of the other aspects of the book. It is written well and the author has put a lot of heart and time into the book but it just isn't my kind of story but I did give it a bash. If you like reading about war and other countries then this is a book for you, sadly a 2/5 for me this time but I would read this author again as I did like her style just now the subject content.


Thanks to the author for giving me the chance to read this and you can get it for only £0.77 on Amazon for the kindle.

View all my reviews

Fab new design logo

My friends wonderful hubby redesigned my avatar/website logo, isn't he just fabulous. There are two versions

the first

And this is the second

I will be using the first as that was the first created but would like to know what design you guys prefer?

Review - The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist

The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Blurb From Goodreads

One day in early spring, Dorrit Weger is checked into the Second Reserve Bank Unit for biological material. She is promised a nicely furnished apartment inside the Unit, where she will make new friends, enjoy the state of the art recreation facilities, and live the few remaining days of her life in comfort with people who are just like her. Here, women over the age of fifty and men over sixty–single, childless, and without jobs in progressive industries–are sequestered for their final few years; they are considered outsiders. In the Unit they are expected to contribute themselves for drug and psychological testing, and ultimately donate their organs, little by little, until the final donation. Despite the ruthless nature of this practice, the ethos of this near-future society and the Unit is to take care of others, and Dorrit finds herself living under very pleasant conditions: well-housed, well-fed, and well-attended. She is resigned to her fate and discovers her days there to be rather consoling and peaceful. But when she meets a man inside the Unit and falls in love, the extraordinary becomes a reality and life suddenly turns unbearable. Dorrit is faced with compliance or escape, and…well, then what?

THE UNIT is a gripping exploration of a society in the throes of an experiment, in which the “dispensable” ones are convinced under gentle coercion of the importance of sacrificing for the “necessary” ones. Ninni Holmqvist has created a debut novel of humor, sorrow, and rage about love, the close bonds of friendship, and about a cynical, utilitarian way of thinking disguised as care.

My Review

We are introduced to Dorrit and her journey as she arrives in the Unit and explains how she came to be there. How the people end up in the unit and what their purpose is, what they go through and the people she meets and friendships she makes. Dorrit makes a few special friendships and one develops into something more than she could ever have dreamed of.

I found the book really slow going and to be honest nothing really happened until half way through and even then it wasn't a huge oh my God, it was very gradual. Everything is explained out and we are taken through the daily ritual until some kind of routine is established. The donations and experiments, side effects, the ups and downs and how they get through what they face everyday.

Despite it being slow I actually quite liked the book. The idea is for me totally new, I have never read anything like that before and it stays with you after you finish. The end disappointed me a bit because of how it turned, an unexpected twist but some people may actually like it. If you fancy something different and don't mind it being slow paced it is definitely worth reading, 3/5 for me.

View all my reviews

Review - The Christmas Village by Melissa Ann Goodwin

The Christmas Village by Melissa Ann Goodwin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Blurb From Goodreads

When 12-year-old Jamie Reynolds comes to his grandparents' Vermont home for Christmas, he just wants things to go back to the way they were before his dad disappeared. Time and again he is drawn to Grandma's miniature Christmas Village, where he imagines that life is perfect. Late one night, the village comes to life before his eyes, and his fantasy of escaping into it becomes very real indeed. Jamie discovers that the village is called Canterbury, where the year is 1932. He becomes fast friends with Kelly and Christopher Pennysworth, and is taken in by Ida, who runs the local boarding house. But he also makes a dangerous enemy of the mysterious and menacing Jim Gordon, whose return to town is nothing but trouble.

As Jamie desperately races against time to find his way back home, he is suddenly faced with a terrifying choice: to go ahead with his plan to leave, or to stay and help his friends, at the risk of never going home again

My Review

Jamie is going through a tough time for a 12 year old. After his fathers actions put his family to shame Jamie and his mum leave their town to spend Christmas with his grandparents and get away from it all. His Grandparents have their Christmas decorations up with one beautiful piece, a town complete with figures and it's own story. Jamie wishes he could be part of the beautiful wee town and before he knows it his wish comes true.

Oh what a stunning, beautiful wee story! I loved it. Had work not got in the way I would have devoured it in one sitting. It is beautifully wrote, very simple to follow and most important (for me) just about every question I had was answered.

Not only is it a magical journey for Jamie it is also a journey of self discovery, friendship and a path to adulthood. If I had to class this book in a genre I would say Young Adult but also for adults to enjoy. There is something for everyone in this lovely story. I think as a child you can identify with Jamie and as an adult it takes you back to your childhood and some of the magic you may have found yourself wishing for when fairies where still a possibility.

It is definately a book I will be recommending to adults and kids and will revisit it again, 4/5 for me ad I would certainly read this author again. Available on the kindle for £2.60 and on paperback for £8.43.

Thank you so much to the author for introducing me to this beautiful story and giving me the chance to review it.

View all my reviews

Review - Curb Chek by Zach Fortier

Curb Check by Zach Fortier by Zach Fortier

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Blurb from Goodreads

Curbchek chronicles the experiences of a Police Officer as he transitions from a new boot with challenging life experiences to a salty veteran who has been baptized into the dark side of reality by countless hours on the streets.

My Review

Zach Fortier takes us on a brutally honest journey through some of his time as a cop and military officer (mostly a cop) and the things and situations he came across. This book is definitely not for the faint hearted, there is a lot of cursing and bad language and the book is oozing testosterone.

We are invited in to graphic descriptions of events, how the officers behave around each other and to suspects and quite a bit of racism too. As an officer Zach was sometimes unlikeable for me because of his foul mouth and in your face way of handling some of the criminals (sometimes over the top force), however that is easy for me to say sitting safe behind a book and not having a huge 6 foot bear of a man trying to beat on me. I know this is a contradiction but as much as Zach was sometimes unlikeable I really loved how he stood up for what was right and more often in the interest of the people rather than scoring points or making targets.

It is a marmite book for me in that some bits of it I really liked and others I disliked and got under my skin. For example swearing doesn't often bother me but it was every other line so I thought that was a bit much and some of the scenes where so graphic and horrific but it also made it compelling reading.

The other big thing for me was there was no introduction of this is why I decided to become a cop or really any background, it just jumps right into scenes and situations. This may be a welcome change for some readers who get bored caught up in the introductions and it certainly jumps you straight into the action. Everything considered I did really enjoy it but the things that I didn't has to be recognized so it is a 3/5 for me and I would read this author again. If you like a read that is stripped of all the fluff and padding, graphic and straight to it then this is the book for you.

Available for only £0.77 on the kindle or on paperback for £6.85 on Amazon.co.uk

Thank you so much to Zach for introducing me to his work and giving me the chance to read Curb Check

View all my reviews

Todays visit to Waterstones

and we got Body Count by Shaun Hutson, Martina Coles new one The Faithless, The Woman in Black by Susan Hill, Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and some magnetic bookmarks.

Also found this in the crime section :D

Also had a mix up with the parcels I sent out so had to pay double for a few of them but thakfully all competition wins, mooches and swaps are now on the way to their new owners. All in all a pretty good day.

Huge apologies (re comp wins)

I have to apologise to everyone who has won prizes or done any swaps/requests with me. I have been so caught up with a variety of different things that I have lapsed and not posted them out (also missed a ton of birthdays) and passing 200 followers. I will be going to the post office and sending everything out 1st class and will add an additional competition in the next week or two.

I have also had some issues with the contact form, my husband is working on a new more reliable form and would say if you haven't had a reply back from me (this is for authors and anyone contacting me for anything else), please email me using the link from my profile.

Thanks for being so understanding and I will make it up to everyone.

Review - Left Neglected by Lisa Genova

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Blurb From Goodread

Sarah Nickerson, like any other working mom, is busy trying to have it all. One morning while racing to work and distracted by her cell phone, she looks away from the road for one second too long. In that blink of an eye, all the rapidly moving parts of her over-scheduled life come to a screeching halt. After a brain injury steals her awareness of everything on her left side, Sarah must retrain her mind to perceive the world as a whole. In so doing, she also learns how to pay attention to the people and parts of her life that matter most.

In this powerful and poignant New York Times bestseller, Lisa Genova explores what can happen when we are forced to change our perception of everything around us. Left Neglected is an unforgettable story about finding abundance in the most difficult of circumstances, learning to pay attention to the details, and nourishing what truly matters.

My Review

Sarah is a high powered business woman, workaholic and mum of 3. Life is full on, busy busy busy and that is just how she likes it. A horrific car accident puts everything in Sarah's life on hold and she needs to go back to basics to learn things she has taken for granted (as most of us do).

This book was so very different from what I was expecting, I thought it would be very similar to Still Alice but obviously a different subject. I feel this was written so different it could have been a different author. Whilst I still liked the story I found myself struggling to get fully into it whereas with the other book I couldn't put it down.

I found Sarah a hard character to like at times but felt sorry for her and certainly warmed up to her nearer the end. It was hard to read in that her struggle really made you think how much we take for granted and how just one minute can take it all away. The writing was fine and nothing too troubling but there was something about the book I found hard to get on with but I couldn't tell you what.

The story focuses on two issues, Sarah's recovery (and the actual syndrome which is fascinating in itself) and progress and her relationship with her family and mostly her mother. I did enjoy parts of this book but did struggle getting through it (4 days on a book minus work etc. is a long time for me) so therefore I have to give a 3/5 rating.

View all my reviews

Review - One Call Away by Brenda Warner

One Call Away: Facing the Unexpected with Resilient Faith by Brenda Warner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Small extract of the blurb from Goodreads

The remarkable story of Brenda Warner's resilient faith in the face of the unpredictable, both before and during her marriage to NFL quarterback Kurt Warner.

My Review

Can I just say don't read the blurb as it tells you a lot of spoilers and I have recently stopped reading them when doing these kind of reviews as the spoilers are huge!

This is Brenda's story about her life and how she started out and got to where she is now. From heartbreak, family crisis, death and destruction to finding true love and herself whilst relying on her faith through her darkest hours.

Before I read this I hadn't heard of her or her husband (a famous NFL player), and from the small extracts I had read I expected over the top religious content. This wasn't the case at all, you have a moving story of one woman's struggles and life journey and how her faith (tested over and over again) got her through some of the toughest times imaginable. It was actually nice to see how Brenda and her husband got through their religious differences and how her faith kept her strong along the way (some people may find it a bit much but I think it was well balanced).

The story is an emotional roller-coaster and touches on some really hard to read issues however if she had to live through them, surely we can read it. Although religion does have a big part in the story it doesn't shadow the real story and isn't in your face or preaching, it is just one more part of Brenda's life she wants to share.

Whilst difficult to read in some parts (it will pull at your heart strings and maybe remind you of your own losses) it is an inspirational account of one woman's journey through life, love and trials. It is really well written, nice paced and easy to follow so it's a 4/5 for me.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

View all my reviews

Review - Undead And Unappreciated by MaryJanice Davidson

Undead and Unappreciated by MaryJanice Davidson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Blurb From Goodreads

Fans can't get enough of author MaryJanice Davidson and her topsy-turvy world of the undead with its newly-crowned queen, Betsy Taylor.

Now, Betsy continues her reluctant reign while being bedeviled by family secrets.

My Review

Picking up where we left Betsy she now has a club to run (since she acquired it from her last kill - thats how it works in the vampire world). Betsy finds out some family news and then a family skeleton comes out of the closet that could influence the whole world. Betsy has to get the vampire book and start finding out some of the vampire prophecies with some dark consequences.

As with the others this is really easy reading, a fluffy vampire story with lots of bad language, sex and sillyness. Betsy is still a major pain in the behind, still self centered and dumb as! The book doesn't have as much recap on the previous books but you can still read it without having read the others. We meet a few new people in the story, an old character gets a little more definition and there is a turn in Sinclair and Betsys relationship.

I have never read a series that annoyed me as much as it made me laugh, it really does drive me mad. I don't have the next in the series and won't be buying them however if I got the chance of them at a bargain I would as I would like to see where the story goes next. Another 3/5 for me.

View all my reviews

Review - Undead And Unemployed by MaryJanice Davidson

Undead and Unemployed by MaryJanice Davidson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Blurb From Goodreads

Betsy Taylor, Queen of the undead, has snagged a dream job in a shoe store (just like a normal person!). But when vampires start getting killed off, Betsy enlists the help of the sexy vampire Sinclair. Now she's really treading dangerous ground-but this time in brand-new high heels.

My Review

The second book in a series and we find Betsy pretty much as we left her in the first book. Selfish, self involved, shoe obsessed and foul mouthed. She is still quite naive bordering on dumb and has a lot of pent up rage (really lust and even love) for Sinclair.

Betsy wants to get back to normal and that means paying bills and getting a job, with her rich friend taking over her big bills and Sinclair demanding she takes his side Betsy is more determined to get a job and do things her way.

Betsy drives me mad, her character is very unlikeable, some of it your reading and thinking oh my God this is just silly yet I am compelled to read and already starting the 3rd installment. I don't believe the author meant for it to be taken seriously, it is filled with silliness and nonsense but as much as it annoys me I also enjoy it (total contradiction I know).

Whilst this is the second in a series you don't have to have read the first one to read this as the first book is summed up along the way with explanations and condensed versions of the first book so you can follow it fine. Easy to read as before, enjoyable if it is irritable so a 3/5 for me.

View all my reviews

Review - Undead And Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson

Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Blurb from goodreads

MaryJanice Davidson's cult hit Undead and Unwed is a delightful mixture of Sex and the City and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Waking up in a tacky coffin, and wearing off-brand shoes, Betsy Taylor can't believe the horrible turn her life has taken–then she discovers she's a vampire. Soon, Betsy becomes a participant in a power struggle between the forces of darkness. With only her friend Jessica and the hunky vampire Sinclair to help her, this new "Queen of Vampires" will have a tough time getting her afterlife straight.

My Review

Betsy is a self involved, shoe loving, label queen and modern day working girl. Her life is rudely interrupted by becoming one of the undead. She wakes up in hideous clothes, shocking makeup and worst of all shoes with no well known label on them. As Betsy tries to peace together what happened to her and getting back her "life" we are introduced to her friends, family and league of undead character.

Betsy herself is quite funny, always sarcastic (sometimes it seems like every other sentence which does take away some of the humour) and not shy about saying how she feels. I am torn between really liking and wanting to slap her as she is amusing but also quite shallow. She also has quite a mouth on her and a good chunk on the book is filled with swearing (and quite a bit of sex too) so not for the easily offended.

It is very easy to read and quite an entertaining book, if your looking for a serious or a dark themed vampire book this isn't for you. It is very tongue in cheek, lots of naughtiness and bad language. I quite like it and have the next two ready to go. A good introduction so it is a 3/5 for me.

View all my reviews

Review - Playing With Fire by Coral Russell

Playing with Fire by Coral Russell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Blurb From Goodreads

Scare easily? Are you often frightened out of your sleep? Does the mere mention of ghosts prickle your skin?

These seven authors imaginations are fired up by the scariness of the unknown.

Find a comfy spot, sit back and enjoy nine tales to tickle your taste for terror.

Susan Evelyn - Best Served

Revenge is sweet they say. But is Anna going to be able to hold the right ones accountable?

3197 Words

Robynn Gabel - Widows of the Night

Step inside a child's world that is filled with monsters. In her struggle to search for and figure out what love is she will discover what a monster really is.

3375 WORDS

Nomar Knight - Bitten

Rob Compton is unemployed and on the verge of getting a divorce when his pet German Shepherd, Shotgun, comes home intent on having him for lunch. Once bitten, Rob decides to show his wife what 'death do us part' really means.

2937 Words

CAV Laster - Playing with Fire

During what seems to be the end of the world for others, Kalen discovers his has only begun. Appalling secrets unravel his world and force him to fight for his survival. Will Kalen be able to handle the truth?

5285 words

Coral Russell - Devil of a Ghost Tour

Lynn and Lee Hoyt decide a local ghost tour would be a fun date night. In an abandoned hotel on the tour, a demon and his minions have been waiting for just the right couple to come along. Can the ghost hunters, Hector and Marcos, save them before it's too late?

9751 words

Coral Russell - Key to a Haunting

Allen has lost everything, when his father gives him a downtown building to renovate. Trouble is, it's haunted. He calls in the Paranormal Posse to help, but can Hector and Marcos learn the truth in time to finally put the dead to rest?

9824 Words

Coral Russell - Amador Lockdown (excerpt)

Something has moved into the Amador Hotel and is wrecking havoc with anyone who tries to stay. Hector, Marcos, Bev, and Tony of the Paranormal Posse are called in to either debunk the stories or get rid of whatever is causing the problems. Hector's life is an uproar and while he tries to keep his professional and personal life separate, whatever is haunting the Amador Hotel has other plans.

Brian Fatah Steele - Flawed

When three generations of Gastlins gathered one weekend at a newly purchased home in 1998, they had no idea it would be their last reunion. Every family has its secrets, its little faults, but the skeletons came bursting out of the closets and grew infectious. Blood may be thicker than water, but it can still spill just as easily.

4328 WORDS

Brian Fatah Steele - The Stuff Dreams Aren't Made Of

When your only hope is to suffer less than the day before, when misery is a normal state of being, and when atrocities greet all your senses every day, you only have to find new ways to dream.

1327 WORDS

Chryse Wymer - This Dark Magic

Charlie Landers is a reporter for the Capital City Gazette when his hometown turns deadly. It begins with a blackout, and escalates to a crime rate so high that it's a miracle that anybody has lived to tell about it. Finally, he must do something when not only his life but the life of a loved one is threatened. In this quirky dark fantasy, Charlie Landers must navigate a dangerous world of black magic in order to save his little corner of the universe.

9780 Words

Chryse Wymer - Living with Murder (excerpt)

Kirk and Mary Miller live a simple life in the year 2035...until their college-aged son turns up dead. Their son's murderer is convicted and jailed, but a year later, The Agency for Privately Imprisoned Criminals becomes involved. The Agency had been formed when prison overcrowding grew out of control.(less)


My Review

These are a great collection on horror stories, I don't usually like reading a collection purely because you always get a mixed bag and more so with a mix of authors. I loved the second story and would have given it 5 stars alone Robynn Gabel - Widows of the Night.

The first story I liked but there is so much left unanswered that I think it would make for a great novel, explaining why she thought there might have been vampires or werewolves and how did she become like she is. I would love to read more on this one.

There are a few stories where Hector and Marcos feature and whilst I liked them I think they probably deserve a book on their own so we can get a full picture on them rather than snippets.

The others I enjoyed however there was one or two which was excerpts from books and that I don't like. I hate reading one or two chapters from a book and being left hanging (which is why I never read sneaks of the next book when you finish a novel) however some people do enjoy this which might up the rating to a 5 for some. I initially gave this a 3 of 5 overall but I think taking into account the stories I really liked it is more fair to give a 4 star rating.

This book is available on Amazon for only £0.77, a bargain for a great wee collection

View all my reviews

Review - A Spy At Home by Joseph Rinaldo

A Spy at Home by Joseph Rinaldo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I usually use the blurb from Goodreads but I believe it contains a big spoiler so I won't and have spoken to the author to have it changed. Garrison is a retired CIA agent trying to find his place at home with his wife and adult dependant son. After being gone more often than not he has missed a huge chunk of Noah's life and the challenges Louisa has had to deal with. When tragedy strikes Garrison must find a way to step up to the mark and take care of all of Noah's needs.



The story gives us some insight into the person Garrison is through his CIA stories, his memories of his early days with his wife and how they met, their relationship over the years and his acceptance and love of his son and the obsticles they face together. The CIA keeps popping up despite Garrison being retired which links in with the CIA side of the story.



The CIA part was fine (it dragged a bit as I was more interested in the family side of it) however for me the story was about the love for Noah and their relationship, Garrison and Louisa's relationship and their life together. There are a few twists in the book that I didn't see coming and blew me away and how Garrison attempts to cope with it.



The book is written almost in diary form, Garrison is writing down his memories of how he sees things and his life over time until present day.



There are a few sides to this story and I think there is something for everyone in this book. I really liked it, found it pretty easy to read and Noah's story is on ethat just touches your heart. 4/5 for me and you can buy this on amazon for only £1.43 http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-SPY-AT-HOME-eb...

View all my reviews

Januarys Pre-Loved Giveaway is Rats by Paul Zindel

This book is in good condition - a few small wrinkles to the cover but otherwise great and the spine is unbroken. The print size is bigger than normal but not large print. I rated this book before I did reviews so it has a 4 star rating off me and I believe is listed between horror and young adult.


Synopsis from the back cover

Rats - Sarah lives on the edge of town, beside a huge garbage dump. Home to millions of rats, the dump is growing out of control. And as the dump grows, so do the rats..

No-one is prepared for the terrifying rat invasion, least of all Sarah. Who is alone with her little brother at the mercy of the rats..

As always please fill in the form or you can leave a comment here, as long as I have a way to contact you (you can use both to double your chances).


Click here to contact me via my email link

Dvd giveaway (brand new in packaging) Who Dares Wins

This dvd is still in its original packaging and brand new. Actors Lewis Collins (the professionals) and Edward Woodward (The Wicker Man and the Equalizer). The movie is rated as a 15, scroll down for the movie synopsis.

You can leave a comment here if you wish and your web url so I can contact you or if you only have an email address please use the contact form (at the bottom of this post) so you don't get spammed by leaving your email on a public website. You don't need to be a follower, just leave me a way to contact you. You can leave a comment and use the form if you wish which will give you a double chance of winning.

A winner will be picked at the end of the month, good luck and feel free to share.

Click here to fill out my form!

Product Description from Amazon

When a British government undercover agent is assassinated, a radical anti-nuclear group is held responsible. SAS agent Skellen (Lewis Collins, The Professionals) is called upon to infiltrate the group and put an end to their terrorist activities.

He is welcomed into the group by its fanatical leader Frankie Leith (Judy Davis, A Passage to India) and gets closer to uncovering her plan to attack a major political target. The group raids the American embassy and Skellen, from within the residence, must use all of his skill and courage to support and guide his SAS colleagues to save the lives of the high-ranking hostages being held captive.

Who Dares Wins was inspired by the SAS rescue of hostages at the besieged Iranian Embassy in May 1980.

Includes:
Brand New Commentary with legendary producer Euan Lloyd and director Ian Sharp
The makig of who dares wins
The Last of the gentlemen producers extended version

Decembers Pre-Loved Giveaway Winner is.....................

RosiePopSox (no web address given). Well done and thank you for entering. The winner has been notified by email, if I have not had a responce within 48 hours I will pick another winner.

Thank you to everyone who entered and please check back for Januarys Pre-loved giveaway which will go up later today.

Happy New Year and Kindle Cover Winner re-picked

Happy New Year guys hope 2012 is filled with health and happyness and lots and lots of books :D

Kindle cover winners, I have dm'd Brit86 for her addy to get it posted and Maci234 never responded so I have picked another winner Cathy Grouchey who has replied and I will post it out in the next day or two.

I got 6 new books for Christmas which going by past years is not a great haul but I did get vouchers for Waterstones, HMV and a book token so I will bump that up. I am writing all the winners out for Decembers Pre-loved Giveaway so I will pick and announce that in the next hour so watch this space.

Thank you so much to all my followers who have left great recommendations/comments and supported me during my first year doing this, you guys all rock. Here is to more competitions, books and meeting new book lovers.