Two Roads Home- Deborah Raney

This was another lovely book in the Chicory Inn Series and I was so pleased to catch up with the family and follow another couple's story.

Outwardly, Corrine and Jesse have it all. They live in a beautiful house and have three lovely girls. But in order to keep up their lifestyle Jesse spends a lot of time travelling. When a female member of staff rings Corrine to let her know that he is delayed on the homeward journey - a few alarm bells start to ring. Are they both as happy as they should be, should she be worrying about Jesse being away so much?

The book handles marital disharmony issues, sibling jealousies and their parents still adjusting to opening their house as an Inn.

Corrine and Jesse have a disturbing issue to deal with which will mean taking a hard look at how they lives their lives and what they both really want from their lives. Will they pull together to sort everything- or will this pull them apart?

I am really looking forward to finding the next book in the series already!

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

First Time in Forever- Sarah Morgan

This is the first of a series of books set on Puffin Island. When Emily is given custody of her niece she escapes to her friends house on Puffin Island, to hide away from the world. She's hiding a trauma in her own life and is frightened of taking care of her niece. Her friend has arranged for one of the locals, Ryan, to check in on her. He owns the local Yacht club and is also very stunning looking. He isn't keen to settle down or take on the responsibility of children but there is definately a spark between them. As she settles into life on the island, she's gradually accepted by the locals who vow to keep her safe should the need arise. They have an early warning system using email and texts should someone on the island need help of some sort. The book is very sensual, charming and one that really draws you into island life. We are introduced to all the locals as Emily settles down and starts to tackle issues from her past. She also wants to start using her business knowledge to help out and has plans that means she and Lizzie could stay on the island. I loved every page of this one and can't wait to revisit Puffin Island. A 5* read for me!

Shadows have Gone- Lissa Bryan

You can pre order this book due to be released on the 26th March

Amazon

Carly Daniels knows what it is to suffer loss. She knows what it is to sacrifice. In the two years since a pandemic virus—known only as the Infection—decimated humanity, she’s made choices she never could have imagined. She’s condoned violence in the name of peace and done the unthinkable in the name of mercy. But with Justin at her side, she’s also learned there’s nothing she can’t face and nothing she wouldn’t do to protect those she loves. 

But now another threat has arrived in the form of a uniformed man driving an army truck, claiming to represent the remnant of the United States military. Someone has set their sights on their community . . . and on Justin. The struggle to defend their little homeland is far from over, and the visitors may have brought more danger with them than just their weapons. 

The shadows are closing in. Carly has to find out whether she has the strength to stand on her own when all of her support has fallen away. What remains when the shadows have gone?

Shadows have gone is the third in The End of all things series.

“Carly Daniels knows what it is to suffer loss. She knows what it is to sacrifice. In the two years since the Infection decimated humanity, she’s made choices she never could have imagined. She’s condoned violence in the name of peace and done the unthinkable in the name of mercy. But with Justin at her side, she’s also learned there’s nothing she can’t face and nothing she wouldn’t do to protect those she loves.

But now another threat has arrived. Someone has set their sights on their community . . . and on Justin. The struggle to defend their little homeland is far from over, and the visitors may have brought more danger with them than just their weapons.

The shadows are closing in. Carly has to find out whether she has the strength to stand on her own when all of her support has fallen away.”

Carly and Justin are returning to Colby when they see a military vehicle. Carly thinks it is there to save them and provide new medical supplies, Justin is a little more reserved about it. They have had to learn not to trust people completely . Fear of the unknown and the need to survive doesn’t always bring out the best in people. Carly has had to change from an innocent girl into someone who does what she has to, in order to survive. Things she could never have imagined before.

They try to establish a fresh new life in Colby- but are they facing new threats that they haven’t recognised? The book becomes a real page turner- just what is going to happen to everyone in Colby? It takes you on a real emotional journey, holding your breath at times wondering how things will work out for all of the characters.

I love the cover to this book- it would make me pick it up to read more even though I am not really a dystopian reader. It's made me curious to read more in this genre and by this author.

Authors website

facebook page

His Other Life- Beth Thomas

Kate and Adam have been married a year when a mystery call from someone called Leon is recorded on their answer phone. After deciding to go and fetch a curry, Adam just fails to come home. Initially worried she reports it to the police. They start an investigation and his car is found in another part of the country, without the curry.

Where is he, is he safe and was it the call from Leon that spooked him? The book follows her dealing with the aftermath of him disappearing and unravelling certain things about their relationship. 

I loved the characters in the book- her friend worked in a fancy dress shop and that added some amusing anecdotes.

With many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book.

The Doris Day Vintage Film Club- Fiona Harper

This was a treasure of a find through Net Galley.

Claire runs the local Doris Day club after her nan passed away. She loves the bygone era where everything was romantic and classy. Every month they play a different dvd. In the summer they meet every week and you get to meet the other members and find out a lot more about them.

She's also living in her nan's flat and has trouble with the downstairs neighbour. It starts with her falling over his bike in the hallway which doesn't endear him to her. He still thinks that the older lady lives upstairs and doesn't realise that the new neighbour can hear his music, etc.

Added to this, she runs a lovely travel company in a mall that caters for brides to be. She's tailored her agency to provide romantic breaks. At a function she meets Nic and is instantly attracted. Nic is hiding a secret from her- but he falls for her aswell. He works as a travel journalist and spends a lot of time away- but is beginning to think that he needs a settled family life of his own.

I loved the characters and the whole feel of the book. This was a real feel good read- ideal to curl up with a cuppa and a few biscuits. It has also made me want to check out Doris Day and might tackle an autobiography!

The Mysterious Miss Mayhew- Hazel Osmond

When the 'Mysterious Miss Mayhew' moves into the long deserted cottage we start to wonder why she's arrived. Tom comes across her in an embarrassing situation and that litters their initial meetings. Fran loves his little girl- she sees the free spirit in her.

There are some very amusing encounters and a great cast of characters including Tom's family and his work colleagues at the magazine. They are always under tough constraints getting the latest issue to the printer on time and they need a new nature feature writer. When Fran takes on the challenge they think that they have found the perfect member of staff and she produces an award winning article. But the owner then tries to stop it- why??

I love Fran's lists at the start of chapters. She reveals a lot about the way she is thinking and that there is a reason for her to be here.

Throw in a meddling ex wife and the characters are in total turmoil!

A great read. I will definately check out more by Hazel Osmond/

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

Amazon link

"Tom doesn't need any more women in his life. He already has his hands full with his five-year-old daughter, an estranged wife who keeps blocking his efforts to get divorced and a mother who might be having an affair with the vicar. So when Fran Mayhew turns up - years younger and with all the tact of a dinosaur with its backside on fire - she's just another tricky person to deal with. 

...And what's she doing in his remote part of Northumberland crawling around in graveyards anyway?

But soon Tom discovers that there's more to the mysterious Miss Mayhew than meets the eye - and that it's not just his heart he's in danger of losing."

The Accidental New Yorker- Stephanie Wahlstrom

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Accidental-New-Yorker-Socialite-ebook/dp/B00LTUC5SA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1425900640&sr=1-1&keywords=the+accidental+new+yorker

When Paige is made redundant she decides that she needs to go home to Canada. She has a calamity on the plane and is put into first class. She meets Tyler who is a rich business man from New York. On a whim she decides to give New York a try- even without a visa
It follows her trying to make friends, find somewhere to live , somewhere to work and a green card. It’s a very humourous account of the calamities she lurches from. Will she manage to stay in New York or will she have to catch another plane home. If she stays is she going to manage?
When she wants to stay she considers getting married- how is she going to achieve that and what options could she consider?
A very light hearted read- I will look out for the next book.
With many thanks to Little Brown Book Group Uk and Net Galley for a copy of the book.

It's Monday - What are you reading

I've just started The Ghost Fields by Elly Griffiths. A WW2 pilot has just turned up still in the old plane- but he supposedly died over the sea in a different plane. They think the body was moved more recently and a tv company is interested in making a programme on an archaeological dig nearby and to include a reunion with members of the pilots family. It's my first book by Elly Griffiths and I've enjoyed it so far.

Another book by a new to me author that I really enjoyed. A woman enjoys housesitting in the summer after her divorce. Will she calm the inner feelings whilst she's in the new house- or does the gardener look a quite tempting propostion?!

Pop over to Book Journey to see what everyone is reading.