Review: Last Light by CJ Lyons

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A brutally murdered family… a wronged man in prison

From bestselling author CJ Lyons comes a new, standalone Lucy Guardino series for fans of Lisa Gardner and Angela Marsons

1987: Lily Martin is horrifically murdered along with her young child in Texas.

Today: Life should be easy after leaving the FBI – but not if you're detective Lucy Guardino. Lucy has always seen herself as a normal mum who happened to have a job chasing the worst of the worst. But after a violent predator targets her family and she's injured, Lucy sacrifices her career at the Bureau.

She joins the Beacon Group, a firm that specializes in cold cases. Lucy fears she's traded the elite for shepherding a team of amateurs.

Sent to rural Texas, Guardino is to investigate a case that's already been closed with the killers behind bars for twenty-nine years.

But who really killed Lily Martin and her infant daughter? Why was an entire family targeted for annihilation? And what price will Lucy pay to expose a truth, when people will kill to keep it buried?

Last Light marks the start of a new Lucy Guardino series which stands alone from her previous novels. If you enjoy captivating suspense and intelligent storytelling, with strong and vulnerable characters and a freight-train pace, then you'll love the rush of this heart-pounding thriller.

I was gripped by the new CJ Lyons book from the harrowing prologue, harrowing though it may have been, it was excellent and left me wanting to know what was to become of the situation.

It then took me a little while to get back into the book as it flipped to the Beacon Group who were putting a new team together to deal with cold cases, hiring ex FBI agent Lucy Guardino who was medically retired. 

As things started to progress into the case of a man who confessed to murder back in the 80s who it seems may be innocent. The Beacon Group join forces with his son to uncover any evidence that may or may not lead to uncovering his innocence.

I enjoyed the pace of this story and the twists and turns of what seemed to be an extremely corrupt legal system in the small US town. The ending really was good, exciting and although I anticipated the outcome, it was still written in a compelling way.

I will definitely read more in this new series!

Many thanks to ED PR for providing an ecopy in exchange for an honest review

The Flower Seller by Ellie Holmes - 5* Review!

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Jessie Martin believes that when it comes to love there are three types of people: the skimmers, the bottom dwellers and the ones who dive for pearls. Jessie is a pearl diver. She had thought her husband William was a pearl diver too. But when William leaves her for a much younger woman, it’s not just Jessie’s heart that is broken, her ability to trust is shattered too. All Jessie wanted was a love she could believe in. Was that so much to ask? Loyalty it seems has gone out of fashion. 

Refusing to retire from the battlefield of life, Jessie resolves to put her heartache behind her. She doesn’t want to be that woman who was too scared to love again. There has to be another pearl diver out there; all she has to do is find him. 

Urged on by her sassy best friend, Anne and her daughter Hannah, Jessie makes three New Year’s resolutions: get a divorce, get a promotion, get a life. Enthusiastically embracing her new start, Jessie sets about making all her resolutions come true. 

When fate brings handsome flower seller Owen Phillips into her life, will Jessie have the courage of her convictions? Can she take her heart in her hands and give it away again? Hope springs eternal they say but a bruised heart needs to time to heal. Will Owen have the patience to understand? Will Jessie be brave enough to take that leap of faith? 

By the time summer holds her firmly in it’s warm embrace, Jessie’s monochrome world of heartache has been transformed into one full of colour, romance and love. 

Jessie can hardly believe her luck. Can Owen really be the one? 

All things seem possible and even husband William’s attempts to bully Jessie into a less than fair divorce settlement don’t have the power to upset her as they once might have. Supported by Owen, Jessie stands her ground. Putting William’s deceit and betrayal firmly in the rear view mirror of her life, Jessie is full of hope for the future. Perhaps loyalty and true love haven’t gone out of fashion after all. 

When autumn’s burnished hues colour the world around her, Jessie looks forward to cosy nights by log fires with her handsome flower seller. But is Owen really the pearl diver Jessie had hoped for? Or is Jessie’s fragile trust about to be shattered all over again? 

This romantic tale follows Jessie from the depths of winter, to the excitement of spring through a hot and passionate summer to the turmoil and drama of a stormy autumn. 
As a second winter approaches and her world is once more turned upside down, will Jessie ever find a love she can believe in with a man she can trust? 

Jessie Martin sits alone in a burger bar, far from her comfort zone, waiting for a man she met through a dating advertisement, again, something alien to her - as she had been married to William for most of her life, until he cheated on her and left her for a younger woman.

She is trying to follow through her New Year's resolutions and rebuild her life, as their grown up daughter, Hannah, is now at university and she realises that her life is passing her by.

The man in question, Barry Sturridge, arrives, and is very far from what Jessie was expecting, but she gives it a go.

From a later date with Barry, unsuccessful as it was, Jessie meets Owen, a local flower seller and is swept off her feet by this man who seems to be on a journey to heal from a bad relationship himself - and sees a kindred spirit within him.

She tries to take things slowly, but is carried along by the passion and romance that she has not been treated to for a long time, and along with trying to build her career to become a partner in the law firm that works at along with William, she sees her life beginning to come together.

Things seem to be really looking up for Jessie and she feels better in herself than she has felt for many years, discovering new levels of self confidence and fun that Owen has injected into her life and a far stronger work persona that she wants to build herself and not with William's help, the only thing that seems to be holding her back is her divorce which seems to be getting messier by the minute - something they both promised would not happen but with William having to fund new partner Chelsea's greedy ways, he tries to be as ruthless as possible with Jessie who is determined she will not be taken advantage of again.

Things take a much worse turn for Jessie as her new life is thrown into turmoil - and she is left to face the most difficult dilemma she has ever faced and is left wondering who she can really trust.

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut from Ellie Holmes. It is written beautifully, has vivid description and deep, well written characters who really come to life in front of you. There are many twists and turns throughout the book that surprised me and left me guessing how Jessie was going to decide the next chapter of her life.

Highly recommended read!

The Plumberry School of Comfort Food by Cathy Bramley - 5* Review!

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Buy HERE from Amazon.com

Verity Bloom hasn't been interested in cooking anything more complicated than the perfect fish finger sandwich, ever since she lost her best friend and baking companion two years ago.

But an opportunity to help a friend lands her right back in the heart of the kitchen. The Plumberry School of Comfort Food is due to open in a few weeks' time and needs the kind of great ideas that only Verity could cook up. And with new friendships bubbling and a sprinkling of romance in the mix, Verity finally begins to feel like she's home.

But when tragedy strikes at the very heart of the cookery school, can Verity find the magic ingredient for Plumberry while still writing her own recipe for happiness?

We're first introduced to Verity Bloom at quite a low point in her life. Double crossed, cheated on, rejected and a chance of something good in her life snuffed out before it began. A poignant walk with her deceased best friend's family made her assess her life and realise she needed to focus, but she had no idea what to focus on, until a chance phone call took her to the Yorkshire village of Plumberry and her best friend Mimi's mother's new cooking school. Verity wasn't sure about the whole cooking thing, as her love of creating food died with Mimi, but she knew she could handle the marketing - as long as she didn't have to step in to the kitchen.

I loved to watch Verity begin to come 'back to life' and loved to see the newly opened Plumberry School of Comfort Food begin to come in to full swing as the classes get underway. Head Chef, Tom, has to try and check his teaching methods as it's more Gordon Ramsey than Cook With Mother, not quite the ethos that Gloria was looking for...and Verity along with kitchen assistant Pixie (sh has to be one of my favourite characters!) has to be on hand with tissues for the more sensitive trainees; but when a catastrophe hits the village as a reality show comes to promote the school, they all pull together to try and make the event successful.

There are twists, turns and tragedies along the way, and everything is handled with Bramley's warm wit and beautiful descriptions. The characters in this book have been my favourite of hers so far, I would struggle to find a favourite as they really pull you into their world, making you care for them from the very beginning. 

I adored the ending and the decision that Verity made (even though it was touch and go and I was undecided for a while!) and loved the fact that all was tied up nicely with an epilogue. However, I'd love to see a Christmas at the Plumberry School of Comfort Food! My favourite 'Cathy' yet and a huge 5*!

5* review: My Husband's Wife - Jane Corry

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When lawyer Lily marries Ed, she's determined to make a fresh start. To leave the secrets of the past behind.

But then she meets Joe. A convicted murderer who reminds Lily of someone she once knew, and who she becomes obsessed with freeing.

But is he really innocent?

And who is she to judge?

Lily and Ed are recently married and not getting on as well as Lily would like, Ed is distant and displaying his artistic temperament a little too much for her liking. She is a defence lawyer and facing the task of proving herself in a particularly difficult case, representing convicted murderer, Joe Thomas, a man with a strange and addictive personality who reminds Lily of her late brother, Daniel. There are more secrets in that closet!

They live next door to Francesca and daughter Carla. They are Italian and Carla is frequently bullied for standing out and being very different to the other children. Her mother has two jobs, one seemingly more moral than the other, and does not give Carla too much of her time (although Carla clearly adores her) so is grateful when Lily and Ed take to babysitting her on Sundays. Something that will see their lives permanently interwoven and not in a positive way. 

Lily discovers Francesca's secret and shatters little Carla's life apart.

When Carla rediscovers them as an adult and sees their life through mature eyes she realises they were not the couple she first thought, and implements the plan she has been devising.

My Husband's Wife really is a good, multidimensional story to sink your teeth into. I was very quickly hooked by the alternating chapters narrated by Lily and Carla, and was endeared to Carla as a child, until a different side of her started to appear.

It really shines upon the fact of good and bad in people and who is the judge of who is what? Each of the characters has a balanced blend of both and I found myself liking characters I didn't think I should (Joe Thomas!).

Safe to say this is an excellent, dark psychological tale and one that I will enjoy rereading time and again.

Many thanks to the publishers for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

5* Review: B-Side (Arielle Lockley series book 2.5) by Elle Field

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"What do I honestly know about the music industry? I'm just another idiot with a dream who is naive enough to hope that I might be the next big star."

Etta Millhouse has always had big musical ambitions to match her big voice, but she's also got three very big problems - the addiction she won't admit to, her godmother's illness that she can no longer ignore, and her godmother's useless business partner (who she wishes she could ignore).

Keeping an eye on Arielle's poor business decisions is the last thing Etta wants to do when she's offered the chance to record a demo with a top producer. But, a promise is a promise, even if it has her reaching for another pick-me-up... And then another. And then one more.

When the secret she must keep for her dying godmother, Felicity, sends her drug habit spiralling out of control, can Etta battle her demons in time and make her dream happen? Or, will her music career be over before it's even begun?

We meet Etta in Lost, book 2 in the fabulous Arielle Lockley series, and quickly into it are introduced to new character, Etta. I really, REALLY did not like Etta. Her character comes across as extremely bad tempered, spoilt and melodramatic; taking an instant dislike to the lovely Arielle and being as utterly loathsome to her as possible, taking her for a money grabbing, lazy rich girl. She thinks she is pulling the wool over godmother, Felicity's eyes and ruining her business, which is far from the truth.

I did not think a book devoted purely to her would endear me, but I was hoping I would at least understand a little more about her, and as the author promised - there is two sides to every story.

What a remarkable character, it turns out, that Field has crafted! I did not like her any better when I had finished the book, but certainly understood what drove the extremely downtrodden, wary young girl who had suffered dreadful tragedy and a life-changing abusive betrayal by a member of her family which drives Etta's future down a very dark and dangerous path, and could see why she reacted with so much jealousy and protectiveness over Felicity.

I was shocked while reading B-Side how Field could go from writing fun, witty novels to writing something powerful and showing a whole new side to her writing which is already clever, well written and great to read. It really opened my eyes to what a versatile writing talent she really is. I enjoyed B-Side, it really is fast paced and keeps you turning the pages as you watch the story unfold.

The story mainly looks at the sad deterioration of Felicity's health and how both characters handle it, another issue sensitively written. Arielle has her wedding to Piers to plan while trying to prove herself with a new business venture and Etta has a promising music career to handle, while trying to keep her life in general on track, dealing with issues that threaten to ruin it all.

It whets the appetite beautifully to the finale of this wonderful series, in Found (out August 2016).

Would work as a standalone novel but far more enjoyable when read in order as part of the series.

Many thanks to the author for providing an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Cover reveal - Found by Elle Field (Book 3 in the Arielle Lockley series)

Today I am super happy to introduce Found by the wonderful Elle Field. Found is book three in the Arielle Lockley series and will hit your shelves on August 9th...

UK link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Found-Arielle-Lockley-Book-3-ebook/dp/B01FG38NKE

US link: https://www.amazon.com/Found-Arielle-Lockley-Book-3-ebook/dp/B01FG38NKE

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25483958-found

One death. Two weddings. Three months in New York City.

Who knew one flight could change everything? When Arielle Lockley stepped on the plane at Heathrow, she never realised how different her life would be when she touched down in New York. Now she's dealing with that aftermath, as well as trying to find common ground with Etta, her new and unwanted business partner.

But, trying to sort out her shop in London whilst Piers is stuck in New York is starting to take its toll on their relationship, and Arielle isn't the only one with an important decision to make... Can Arielle and Etta continue Felicity's legacy without destroying it, and will Arielle and Piers manage to make it down the aisle to say "I do"?

Find out what happens in the final part of the warm and wonderful Arielle Lockley series - out this August.

Find out a bit more about Elle's other books here: Elle Field's Arielle Lockley series

5* review & Giveaway - The Woolworths Girls by Elaine Everest

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It's 1938 and as the threat of war hangs over the country, Sarah Caselton is preparing for her new job at Woolworths. Before long, she forms a tight bond with two of her colleagues: the glamorous Maisie and shy Freda. The trio couldn't be more different, but they immediately form a close-knit friendship, sharing their hopes and dreams for the future.

Sarah soon falls into the rhythm of her new position, enjoying the social events hosted by Woolies and her blossoming romance with young assistant manager, Alan. But with the threat of war clouding the horizon, the young men and women of Woolworths realize that there are bigger battles ahead. It's a dangerous time for the nation, and an even more perilous time to fall in love . . .

It's been a while since I've read a book in this genre and I absolutely loved it. A gentle, beautifully narrated story of love and friendship in wartime England - along with the much loved and greatly missed institution that was Woolworths.

Sarah, Maisie and Freda: three girls from different walks of life all in their own way escaping from some aspect of their lives and hoping to find solace in the camaraderie of the working life of being a Woolies Girl. Firstly, their boss, 'Bossy Billington' seems a fierce and unlikeable character, looking down somewhat on brassier yet glamorous character, Maisie, but during the story reveals a much softer and vulnerable side, making her I think my favourite character in the book. Ruby Castelton - Sarah's nan is another wonderful character - the epitome of family matriarch in this troubled time in history and someone you would most definitely want on your side in a crisis.

I loved the vivid descriptions of this time period and often felt I was reading more of a memoir, it felt very realistic. I followed the ups and downs of life with the girls avidly, rooting for all to end well for them, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending where slightly predictable, was satisfying and in no way disappointing.

This is a wonderful nostalgic read from start to end that evoked memories of my childhood (albeit not in the time period which the book is set...!) taking my pocket money to Woolies on a Saturday morning to buy sweets and records!

Well worth reading...

Many thanks to Sophie at EDPR for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

Giveaway!!

I am giving away a paperback copy of Elaine Everest's The Woolworths Girls - just comment below (or on my Facebook page) and tell me your fondest memories of Woolworths!

UK only please...