Among a thousand stars- Jo Bartlett

What a treasure of a book. I'm so glad that I spotted this one on NetGalley.

Ashleigh and Stevie enjoy working together on some assignments for Glitz magazine. He's a stylist and she's a photographer. They have known each other a long time and are best friends and work well together. He's very flamboyant- but great to spend time with.

Their friendship comes across as really special and they look out for each other. They inhabit a different work/home life. Work is obviously surround by celebrities and it's wonderful to lose yourself in that sort of world for a while. There are also many scenes by the Kent seaside where Ashleigh has a home. . I could just imagine walking on the beach whilst I was reading.

They have an assignment to help boost the positive profile of one star and Ashleigh gets work offers when her stunning photography of the young star is published.

There are some really amusing and some really touching scenes as they negotiate through the 'glitzy' world of showbiz and some of the stars they come across.

Ashleigh is wounded on the romance stakes and when their boss shows interest, she's not sure whether there could ever be a future. There are lots of obstacles in their path and heartbreak aswell. But I loved the whole romantic journey that they negotiate. I really want to read more!

Various family relationships are shared and Ashleighs mum is very quirky and you can just imagine cringing when her latest escapade comes to life.

Jo Bartlett has a website and I was delighted to find that I will be able to devour more very soon!
Website

With many thanks to SoVain Books and Net Galley for a copy of this book.

Game of Scones- Samantha Tonge

A perfect summer read which makes you want to escape to the little village of Taxos, which is set in Kos.

Pippa spent many happy childhood summers in Taxos where her parents own a home. She spent a lot of time with Nikos and loves his family like her own. After settling into a financial city job she hasn't been back in years.

Her boyfriend has arranged for them to spend three weeks there, with only a few business meetings on his behalf. It should be a blissful holiday. But is everything perfect- are they ready to take the next step in life.

When she returns she sees that the little village has been hit hard by the recession and things are difficult for the locals. They still greet her fondly and she tries to make plans to help boost this little town.

She is renowned for her scones - and just reading about all the different sorts she creates makes you really wish you could visit Pippa's pantry and settle down for the afternoon!

The description of Greek village life was lovely, all the businesses pulling together. It made it the type of place I would love to visit and the cast of characters would be great to meet as friends!

Well recommended as a holiday read to lose yourself in. If you are not jetting off this summer, settle down with A Game of Scones and you will feel as though you've had a great holiday in Taxos! Might inspire you to bake some scones- maybe in time to settle down to watch Wimbledon- with champagne and strawberries and enjoy your own staycation!

Many thanks to Carina Uk who never fail to deliver a great book and Net Galley for a copy of this book.

Some Kind Of Wonderful- Sarah Morgan

What a great return to Puffin Island. Brittany returns after breaking her wrist on an archaeological dig. Unfortunately she finds that the pilot flying her home is her ex husband who walked out on her after 10 days. She tries to give him the impression that she's moved on and he has no effect on her- but the more time they spend together, the more the early spark they shared tries to reignite itself.

He has trouble letting his feelings go because he had a very troubled childhood and Brittany wonders whether he'll ever be able to move on. She wants him to accept that they could have a future together.

There are some lovely scenes where he does show that he cares- but is still unable to accept it to himself. By the end of the book I was really rooting for him and now can't wait to read the next instalment in this great series.

Many thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book.

Truly, Madly, Greekly- Mandy Baggot

I absolutely loved this book. I lost myself in the Greek atmosphere and couldn't put the book down.

Ellen and Lacey have gone to a nice resort to research it's suitability for a wedding venue for Lacey. Once there Lacey seems to have forgotten she's supposed to be looking at menus, settings and meeting the wedding planner.She's concentrating instead on the delights of the entertainment team and the all inclusive drinks.

One of the team has noticed Ellen and wonders what is behind her reserved outlook- why hasn't she smiled on a holiday where she should be totally relaxed. He includes her in water aerobics, limbo dancing, trips to local places of interest. It seems they are both hiding hurt inside. Will they manage to 'heal' each other.

It's always great to find a new author (to me) who already has a lovely back catalogue of books for me to devour. I can't wait to read more by Mandy Baggot.

Many thanks to Bookoutre and Net Galley for this wonderful book to read and review.

Hidden - Emma Kavanagh

http://www.deadgoodbooks.co.uk/index.php/extract-hidden-emma-kavanagh/

Emma Kavanagh

Pre order here

HE'S WATCHING

A gunman is stalking the wards of a local hospital. He's unidentified and dangerous, and has to be located. Urgently.


Police Firearms Officer Aden McCarthy is tasked with tracking him down. Still troubled by the shooting of a schoolboy, Aden is determined to make amends by finding the gunman - before it's too late.


SHE'S WAITING

To psychologist Imogen, hospital should be a place of healing and safety - both for her, and her young niece who's been recently admitted. She's heard about the gunman, but he has little to do with her. Or has he?


As time ticks down, no one knows who the gunman's next target will be. But he's there. Hiding in plain sight. Far closer than anyone thinks...


My review

I really enjoy books by Emma Kavanagh. This one is a real psychological page turner. The concept of a gunman running around a hospital is a really scary one.

Aden McCarthy is looking for him and he's trying to overcome inner turmoil by stopping this man before it's too late- will he find him in time? He's a police Firearms officer. Is Imogen in danger? She didn't really pay the gunman much attention initially.

Emma certainly has the right background to write with such suspense.

"Emma Kavanagh was born and raised in South Wales. After graduating with a PhD in Psychology from Cardiff University, she spent many years working as a police and military psychologist, training firearms officers, command staff and military personnel throughout the UK and Europe. She lives in South Wales with her husband and young sons."

Order your copy now!

Blog Tour

Read the first chapter here

Girls on Tour- Nicola Doherty

Although I'd read the first three books in this series- I read through the whole collection in the Girls on Tour book.

Poppy,Lily, Maggie and Rachel enjoy some special trips both separately and together. They have a great girly trip to Rome and discover that you don't have to sightsee to take in the wonders of Rome- so that guidebook doesn't have to dictate a great holiday. Learning to relax in a beautiful city is just as important.

They have some important life decisions to make along the way, some disastrous relationships grind to a halt- others start and become important.

At the end they all meet in New York for a surprise event! That isn't the only surprise of the trip.

These are really easy to read, fun books, transporting you into the pages of another world. Travelling with familiar friends- empathising with the decisions they need to make and the heartache along the way.

Treat yourself to this one for a great summer read.

Many thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this great book. Pre0rder it here

The Wedding Cake Tree- Melanie Hudson

"Can a mother’s secret past provide the answers for a daughter’s future? 

Celebrity photographer Grace Buchanan has always known that, one day, she’d swap her manic day job for the peace and quiet of her beloved childhood cottage, St Christopher’s – she just didn’t expect it to be so soon.

At the reading of her mother’s will, she’s shocked to learn that she hardly knew Rosamund at all, and that inheriting St Christopher’s hangs on one big – and very inconvenient – condition: Grace must drop everything for two weeks and travel the country with a mysterious stranger – war-weary Royal Marine, Alasdair Finn. 
Caught in a brief but perfect moment in time, Grace and Alasdair walk in Rosamund’s footsteps and read her letters at each breathtaking new place. As Grace slowly uncovers the truth about her mother’s incredible life story, Alasdair and Grace can’t help but question their own futures. Will Rosamund’s madcap scheme go to plan or will events take an unexpected turn? 

An emotional, fun-filled and adventurous journey of a lifetime."

I loved this book- one of those books that makes you think. I had recently read something that asked if you were planning a journey of the 5 most important places to you- which would you pick and this book has the same base.

When Grace loses her mother, she receives notification that she has to see the solicitor in 6 months time. She is told that her mother has left instructions for her ashes to be spread in different locations and that she has arranged for a Marine to accompany her and pass on letters at each spot to reveal why that place is important and to let her know about her history.

She learns some surprising things, not least that her mum was keen for her to start a relationship with Alasdair and learn to conquer her fears over singing in public again.

They both have issues in their past to deal with and initially fight the attraction. But despite herself she finds herself enjoying the challenges her mum has set in place.

I could perfectly picture St Christopher's retreat where she grew up and each place her mum wanted her to visit. I enjoyed every page and was sad to come to the end. I will definately add Melanie Hudson to my list of authors to watch out for!

Many thanks to Net Galley for a chance to read this one.