There isn’t a bigger tragedy for parents…

Synopsis

They say if you love someone, you have to let them go. But what they are your child?

All Sarah McIntyre has ever wanted was a loving, happy family. So when her husband JP announces on Christmas Day that he is leaving her and their two children, 9 year old Harry and 4 year old Robyn, Sarah is left reeling.

But things are set to get worse when Robyn is diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour.

Can JP and Sarah unite to fight their biggest battle yet? or will they be on opposing sides once again?

With the couple at loggerheads and with Robyn’s condition deteriorating day-by-day, precious time is running out and JP is getting desperate…

The Last Days of Us is a tender story of hope and forgiveness that asks the question how far would you go to save your child?

My review

Sarah McIntyre had to face many issues to have the family she always dreamed of. But now she is happily married to JP, has a lovely 9 year old son Harry and a sweet 4 year old daughter Robyn.
However when JP announces on Christmas Day that he is leaving her, Sarah couldn’t imagine that a divorce wouldn’t be the worst thing that would happen to their little family…
Because their world truly fall apart when Robyn gets diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable brain tumour…
Will Sarah and JP be able to put all their differences aside and form a close unit for the biggest battle life presents them? Or will this tragedy pull them even further apart?
All the while Robyn’s condition is deteriorating, time is running out and Sarah is treasuring every moment she has left with her sweet little girl…

OH MY GOD, this was such a heart – breaking book to read!!! The more I was reading it, the more I was surrounded by tissues because I just couldn’t stop crying!

Sarah is the kind of character you cannot dislike… she would do anything for her children, and even when JP throws the bombshell of wanting to leave them, she does the right thing. Because no matter what, JP is still the father of her children, and their children have the right and necessity of spending time with him.
And even when JP appears to have a new, younger girlfriend, Sarah does not start talking bad about him.

When the diagnose of Robyn is known, I cannot imagine what Sarah is going through. Not only she has to digest the fact that her little, sweet, innocent girl has brain cancer, but hearing that there is no cure and that Robyn will die… for me as a reader it was already terrible, so being the actual parent must just be devastating!

As a parent of course you would do anything to save your child, but sometimes you have to realize when something is a lost cause, no matter how bitter that pill is to digest.

So for most of the time, I found it hard to like JP… not only did he walk away from his family for someone else, but he cannot accept that there is nothing to do. Of course, if I were in his shoes I would also search all over the internet to find a glimpse of hope, but reading how far he would go and he still had blinders on, not seeing the truth.

There are moments where we get to read how Harry is coping with all these changes. We see how this young boy sees how his little sister is changing, not understanding the disease she has, and doing whatever he can in his little power to try to make Robyn better. Those were such bittersweet moments that made me lunge for even more tissues!

This was a terrible story to read, because there are people who are in real life facing these unjust tragedies. Yet the author managed to write a story that I found impossible to put away. Even if it broke my heart, the more I read, the more I was feeling like Harry and even JP, grasping every little bit of hope, wishing that in the end something miraculous would happen.
And even if the end was not what I was hoping for, it was inspiring how these terrible events made it possible to give somehow a positive turn to it.

And yes, I cried like I never did before on this story, but I found it a courageous, strong story about people going through things nobody should be going through. So my heart goes out to all those people facing this unjust and horrible disease that are taking away those we cherish the most and want and need to protect with everything that we have…

A murder where nothing is how it seems.

Synopsis

The next thrilling Ham-Hill Murder Mystery from bestselling cosy crime author Frances Evesham.

A winning horse. A fierce rivalry. A sudden death. 

Belinda Sandford thrills to the cheers of the crowd as her beautiful grey racehorse, ‘Butterfly Charm’, thunders past the finishing post first at Wincanton Racecourse. She feels like the luckiest girl in the world.

But joy soon turns to despair as a stewards’ enquiry overturns the result and awards the race to her long-time rival, Alexandra Deacon.

When Alex is found dead in suspicious circumstances, a host of accusing eyes turn to Belinda and her distraught mother begs Adam Hennessy, her neighbour, retired police officer and publican, to help clear her daughter’s name.

As Adam, and local hotelier Imogen Bishop, dig deep into the murky and powerful undercurrents of the horse racing world, they lay bare the lives and loves of local jockeys, grooms, trainers and owners.

They soon uncover a web of secrets hidden within the spectacular Somerset countryside as they strive to find the killer in time to prevent more murders.

A brand new cosy mystery series from the bestselling author of A Village Murder, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Betty Rowlands and M.C. Beaton.

My review

Adam Hennessey, still being the retired police officer is contacted by the desperate mother of Belinda Sandford.
Belinda is a promising jockey who enjoys riding her racehorse Butterfly Charm. But when at the Wincanton Racecourse her victory is taken away from her because of a stewards’ enquiry and her rival Alexandra Deacon is proclaimed winner, her mood quickly shifts.
So when Alex is found dead, there is only one suspect, namely Belinda. And her mother wants Adam to proof the innocence of her beloved daughter.
Adam and local hotelier Imogen Bishop join forces to find out the truth but quickly realize that the world of horse racing is a different world where secrets loom around every corner and nothing is what it seems…

A good whodunit is only good if you as a reader have no clue who done it…
And it’s even better if the motivation for the crime is also revealed just at the very end, after being put on the wrong track a few times.
This book surely ticks off the above mentioned conditions!

From the start it’s obvious that the murder isn’t just a case of rivalry, but there is so much more going on. And the author manages to write in such way that every time that something new appears, you have it all figured out, only to discover later on it was JUST WRONG!!!

Of course I loved reading how Adam and Imogen are again working together, with the addition of Steph and Dan. Even if only one person has actually ever done real investigation, the bundling forces make them able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.
And when the culprit is known, after seeing the clues that were left behind I was nearly shouting: “OF COURSE!!!”.

Adam and Imogen are characters that I already knew, but seeing more of Steph and Dan was lovely. Especially reading how the relationships slowly shifts between the four of them was a very nice addition to the story!

I was again sitting on the edge of my seat, wondering what more was going on that led eventually to the murdering of Alex. There were so many twists that I saw everyone as a potential murderer and I just had to know the truth!
And on a more nicer level, it was nice to see how our main characters are becoming more than just investigators on a mission.

The struggle of keeping a family together

Synopsis

It is the year 1847 in the elegant city of Bath where 18yr old Genevre Stratton is treated more as a servant than a daughter in the elegant house where bills are not paid, and the rent is in arrears. Appalled by the dishonesty and overriding social ambition beneath her parents’ veneer of respectability, only her love for her younger brother and sisters keeps her there. Left to cope alone when their false world falls apart, she fights to keep her siblings together, until poverty forces her to yield them to the care of their half-brother, George Coleman. Handsome, wealthy and charismatic, he is the enemy who becomes her lover. To surrender all to her passionate desire for him, or to keep the independence of a new-found musical career on the London stage? This is her is her choice to make, until an unexpected call of duty takes her to Paris. Must the old, dark secrets she discovers there alter the course of her life forever?

My review

At first sight, it seems that 18 – years old Genevre Stratton’s family has it all. They have an elegant house, invite many guests, hoping to climb the social ladder. But the truth is that bills remain unpaid and that rent is also not paid when due…
Adding that her mother is not really warm towards Genevre, it’s obvious that Genevre is not truly happy. But she has her father and her little siblings keeping her hanging in.
However, when tragedy strikes, Genevre has to fight to keep her family together, which is not an easy task.
And the sudden presence of George Coleman does not make things easier…

This story is categorized as a ‘historical romance’, but in my opinion, it would be more correct to be described as a ‘historical drama’.
The romance in this book isn’t the main protagonist, but Genevre’s attempt of keeping her siblings all together and make a future.

If there is one thing that stood out through the whole story, is how caring Genevre is. Despite the fact that many of her own family are acting rather selfish the whole time, Genevre loves them and just wants what’s best for her siblings. And that even if that means that she will be alone without her beloved brother and sisters around her.
She goes lengths to make sure that her siblings will never lack in anything and that made me proud of her.

Like I said, there were a lot of selfish family members, and that made me sad… Instead of thinking as an union, all pulling in the same direction, most of them just think about themselves and what would benefit only them instead of thinking about the others…

Of course also Genevre is not without fault, she makes her own wrong decisions, but she makes them thinking about others and how her choices can benefit her loved ones.
It’s obvious she has her head straight, because she realizes that one specific decision will never give her any freedom or security.

With the exception of Genevre and her real true friends, I found it hard to connect with the other characters. And I think it’s because they are the total opposite of what I’m like, and even the opposite of Genevre. They are mostly all so selfish that I found it very hard to have any sympathy for them. But of course that is also how it’s like in real life. Not everyone is as caring and loving and selfless as Genevre.

This story was both beautiful as a bit brutal. Brutal because the unfairness of everything that Genevre had to endure and seeing how her attempts of keeping the family together were in vain. But also beautiful because she never gives up hope and makes the best of every situation she is in.
And the end gave the reader not a total closure but it offers us a silver lining as Genevre is ready to embark a new adventure that will hopefully bring her the so much deserved happiness.

Impossible rules for an expected perfect maid of honour…

Synopsis

The first rule of serving as the maid of honor at your perfect sister’s destination wedding? 

No mistakes. The second rule? No drama.

For Jess Chavez, a week in Maui is hardly a dream vacation—not when her sister expects her to be the perfect maid of honor. Not only does Jess have to fake perfection, but she can’t let anyone know she’s unemployed and barely scraping by. Above all, she needs to steer clear of Connor Blackwood, the sexy groomsman who broke her heart five years ago.

A family wedding offers Connor the ideal opportunity to convince everyone he’s no longer an irresponsible playboy. If they see he’s changed, they might support his decision to leave the family winery and strike out on his own. With so much at stake, the last thing he needs is an alluring distraction like Jess.

When Jess and Connor end up together, exploring the island’s lush, tropical beauty, the sparks between them become impossible to ignore. Throwing caution to the wind, they decide to make their own rules.

Five days of passion. No strings. No tears. No promises.

What could possibly go wrong?

My review

Jess Chavez is maid of honour for her sister. Not only is the wedding taking place in Maui, but her sister expects Jess to be the perfect maid of honour, causing no drama and making no mistakes.
Easier said than done, because Jess is now unemployed and is forced to move back to her mother until her life is back on rails.
And she has most importantly stay away from sexy groomsman Connor Blackwood, a well-known player that broke Jess’ heart five years ago.
But Connor is ready to show even his family he has changed, and sparks still fly around whenever Jess is around. So having 5 days of passion with no strings attached, nobody knowing what they are doing, nothing can go wrong, right?

I always love a story about characters meeting again, still having that spark and sometimes even against better judgement give in to those resurfaced feelings.
But what made me love this specific story even more, is that Jess is so recognizable, relatable.

When we meet Jess for the first time, it’s obvious she is a magnet for travellers’ bad luck. Not only is her luggage lost, she also meets Connor at the airport, the man who broke her heart.
But beside her bad luck whenever she travels, she also feels like she failed everything. Not only has she lost her job, also her boyfriend broke up with her and kicked her out of their place.
And having a sister where nothing goes wrong and is just perfect and organized in every aspect, surely doesn’t help her self-esteem.

So I felt very connected with Jess and felt sorry for her as how her life was going and being compared to perfect sister Gabi…
Even if Jess feels like a failure, she knows this holiday and week is all about Gabi and she is determined to be the best sister and make sure nothing goes wrong, or at least does her best to avoid anything going wrong. And spoiler alert: of course there are several things going wrong!!!

Connor is in a total different situation. He is known for being a player, but he now wants to show he has changed and he even wants to have his own winery and wants to run it according his vision. And that is in total contrast with how his family run their business. They only care about money and prestige and Connor isn’t appreciated at all. even his own sister is being used somehow as a pawn in the bigger scheme.

There were some side characters I immediately disliked, like Connor’s father, but also Lance, with his smooth talks, and Darren is just someone I want to slap!
But there were also so many likeable characters, like Brody and after my wrong first impressions, also Victoria and Gabi herself were on my good side.

Reading a story where characters decide to just have a fling, is never a surprise when in the end feelings do surface. But that is also the beauty, because in this case it’s also about second chances and seeing how people have matured and changed. Changed but also somehow managed to stay their real self…

I had many laughs, several times at Jess’ expense, because how much bad luck can a girl have? But there were also many sweet moments that made my heart melt.
This was a very entertaining story, but also with the message that people can change for the better and that sometimes you have to give people the chance to proof themselves.
And most important: nobody is perfect, but everyone is perfect in their own particular way!

A book like you never read before

Synopsis

With a jangle of keys, a door opened. Herbert clanked in, his arms locked to his sides, his ankles shackled, his face a Hannibal Lecter mask. He was overjoyed to see me.

“Marco, I’m jailed day and night with murderous thugs who can’t tell Schiller from Shakespeare. I’m desperate for intellectual stimulus—but you’ll do for now.” 

TV personality Marco Ocram is the world’s only self-penned character, writing his life in real time as you read it. Marco’s celebrity mentor, Herbert Quarry, grooms him to be the Jackson Pollock of literature, teaching him to splatter words on a page without thought or revision.

Quarry’s plan backfires when imbecilic Marco begins to type his first thought-free book: it’s a murder mystery—and Herbert’s caught red-handed near the butchered body of his lover.

Now Marco must write himself into a crusade to clear his friend’s name. Typing the first words that come into his head, Marco unleashes a phantasmagorical catalogue of twists in his pursuit of justice, writing the world’s fastest-selling book to reveal the awful truth about the Herbert Quarry affair.

My review

Marco Ocram is a writer, with his mentor Herbert Quarry encouraging him to write whatever thought he has in his mind. And by so becoming the Jackson Pollock of literature.
But when Macro is writing his first thought – novel that is becoming a murder mystery, Herbert Quarry finds himself begin the main suspect.
Now it’s up to Marco to clear his friend’s name by writing the book that will reveal the truth full of twists and turns.

This book was one of a kind… I have seen the series this book was based on on television, so I kind of new already who the culprit was, but I was curious to see how this author would manage to be unique in his writing while all the same staying somehow true to the original story.

I have to admit, reading a story where the writer is literally in process of writing the book, is something to get used to…
We see the input his mentor Herbert Quarry is giving and in the following chapter we see how the author is applying this feedback in his story.

Having a story based on the author’s first thoughts was sometimes confusing, especially when it was the purpose of him to confuse us.
And sometimes having first thoughts would be so over the top or unimaginable yet it made it into the story, making me frown because of some absurdities.

In a way, this was a funny story, reading how the imagination of the author could take off. There were hilarious situations our main characters found themselves in, but also gruesome ones, which made me glad I was just reading a book and wasn’t seeing those things myself.

This story was full of twists and revelations that kept asking my attention. After the initial struggles in understanding the concept of the story, I got used to this style.
It’s a unique style I think not everyone will or can appreciate, but those who are looking for something different, will certainly be entertained!

And today it’s time for a promo!

Synopsis

Hostages of fate…rescued by love. 

Holly Mason’s past has left her with many things—a powerful need for independence and self-reliance, enduring memories of pain and fear…and an intense dislike of alpha males. 

Billionaire Sir Mac Sinclair has been wounded by the betrayal of his fiancée and overpowered by his own ultra-protective alpha-male instincts after his sister is kidnapped. He has no time for romance. 

But when Mac meets Holly at the beautiful Midsummer Ball, fate intervenes. The irresistible, timeless magic of midsummer seduces them into stealing one stunning, secret night of passion together. 

But one night is not enough… When danger threatens, Mac and Holly are forced back together. Can they confront the traumas of the past and learn to trust each other to overcome the dangers of the present? 

Purchase Links 

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Midsummer-Man-Zelah-Roberts-ebook/dp/B092VZR53X

US – https://www.amazon.com/Midsummer-Man-Zelah-Roberts-ebook/dp/B092VZR53X/

About the author

Zelah Roberts can usually be found with her head in a book, and more often than not, that book will be a romance. Writing a novel was always her number 1 ambition, and eventually, with Midsummer Man (released on 15 June, 2021) it became a reality. 

When not absorbed in the latest enthralling page turner, Zelahenjoys cooking for family and friends and taking long walks in the beautiful English countryside. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and is working towards an MA in Creative Writing.

Zelah lives in Durham, UK, with her partner and son.

The consequences of not facing your past.

Synopsis

From the bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner comes a story that asks: what would you risk for a shot at happiness?

1984. Bessie is a confident sixteen-year-old girl with the world at her feet, dreaming of what life will bring and what she’ll bring to this life. Then everything comes crashing down. Her bright and trusting smile is lost, banished by shame—and a secret she’ll carry with her for the rest of her life.

2021. The last thirty-seven years have not been easy for Bess. At fifty-three she is visibly weary, and her marriage to Mario is in tatters. Watching her son in newlywed bliss—the hope, the trust, the joy—Bess knows it is time to face her own demons, and try to save her relationship. But she’ll have to throw off the burden of shame if she is to honour that sixteen-year-old girl whose dreams lie frozen in time.

Can Bess face her past, finally come clean to Mario, and claim the love she has longed to fully experience all these years?

My review

In 1984 Bessie is a sixteen – year – old girl confident that she will achieve all her dreams. She is sure that she will pass her exams and become an air – steward. And her secret boyfriend won’t be secret for long anymore!
But everything comes crashing down quickly and now her future isn’t so bright anymore, especially when she has a secret she must carry with her for the rest of her life.

Now Bessie is married to Mario, but her marriage is as good as over. And seeing her son being an over the moon newly – wed, makes her rethink about where it all went wrong for her. It’s time to face her demons and come clean trying somehow to salvage her marriage, if possible. But is it all as easy as it seems? And how will her loved ones react to the truth?

Oh, being sixteen, wasn’t it amazing thinking the whole world was at our feet? And how wrong we were thinking that!
And that is also a realization Bess has made while she was still full of dreams…

The laidback attitude that Bess initially had, was so recognizable, even if she took that attitude to a higher level than I ever did. Her love for Lawrence was the most important thing, making her fail her exams and her dream of air steward is just what it is, a dream, nothing more.
I felt so sorry for her when her secret was out. And even if she was naïve in her way of thinking, the way she got treated was just horrible. Okay, teenagers not always do know better, but there is not knowing better and just being cruel on purpose.
And then having a secret that changed her whole future, just heart – breaking.

Seeing the fifty – three Bess, made me initially believe that eventually, it all ended well for her. But quickly it’s obvious that her demons are still haunting her, and even at such level that her marriage is at risk. There were moments that were so obvious that sixteen – year – old Bess still resurfaced making wrong decisions.

The main feeling I got from this story was sadness. Because of one decision as a teenager, Bess her life took a total different direction and obviously she has a feeling that she failed.
I also pitied Mario, because he has tried so hard and for so long being a great husband, but no matter how much you love a person, sometimes you have to be selfish and think about your own happiness.

However it was also a story of courage. Because Bess realizes that she has to face her demons and she also knows that once the truth is out, the outcome is unpredictable. Yet she does the right thing how hard that is…

This was an enthralling story of a young girl maturing too quickly, making sometimes the wrong decisions. It’s about seeing how the past got a hold on you, limiting you to live your life at full but having the guts to open Pandora’s Box and see that no matter what, those who stand by your side have your back in one way or another. And most important: nothing is unthinkable or unsurmountable.